JP5436606B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including an illumination unit inside an operation unit.

  In recent years, mobile phones provided on the market tend to be miniaturized year by year in order to improve the design viewpoint and portability.

  However, if the size of the mobile phone is reduced to the current size, the size of the display unit configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and the operation unit configured by a key top, for example, is also reduced. In particular, the operation unit has a problem that the operability of the user is deteriorated because the size of each button is reduced.

  In order to cope with the problem described in the previous paragraph, for example, a configuration of a key arrangement called “frameless key” is used. In the conventional key arrangement, a frame consisting of the key front exists in the gap between the key top and the key top. However, in the frame arrangement of the frameless key, there is no frame consisting of the key front between adjacent key members. That is, by using the frameless key structure, the size of each key top can be increased by an amount corresponding to the area where the key front frame does not exist (for example, Patent Document 1). As a result, the mobile phone has been downsized while maintaining the operability of the key operation.

  On the other hand, in order to improve visibility, not only in mobile phones, the operation buttons of the phone are made of a translucent or transparent member, and the button is illuminated from inside the housing with a lighting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). There are many things (for example, patent document 2).

  Therefore, in order to improve operability and visibility even when the size is reduced, many mobile phones that combine the above-described two technologies are currently on the market.

JP2007-124012 ACT 7-30425

  However, the mobile phone presented at the bottom of “Background Art” (hereinafter referred to as a conventional mobile phone) has the following problems.

  The problem is that when trying to use a conventional mobile phone, the entire key top shines, making it difficult to identify individual keys. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8A shows the state of the conventional mobile phone 1000 in a bright place. This conventional cellular phone includes a display unit 1002 and an operation unit 1001 including a frameless key. The operation unit 1001 is made of a resin or the like made of a transparent or translucent material. An illumination unit such as an LED that illuminates the operation unit from the inside of the housing is arranged inside the conventional mobile phone. In addition, the cellular phone 1000 is also provided with illumination lighting means (not shown) that detects the brightness of the surroundings of the mobile phone 1000 and illuminates the illumination unit when the ambient brightness falls below a threshold value.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the conventional mobile phone existing in a bright place is “1” “2” “3” “4” “5” “6” “7” “8” “9” “0”. Since each number or character of “#” and “*” seems to have a boundary, it is configured to be immediately visible to which individual key is assigned.

  FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a state in which the conventional mobile phone 1000 is used in a place where the illumination lighting means is dark enough to operate. At this time, the operation unit 1001 is irradiated from the inside by an illumination unit arranged inside the housing. However, the operation unit 1001 of the mobile phone 1000 is configured with a frameless key. Therefore, the individual keys are not separated by a front case or the like. Under such circumstances, when the illumination unit inside the casing shines, as shown in FIG. 8B, the entire operation unit 1001 appears to shine and the boundary between the keys cannot be seen. This is a phenomenon that occurs because there is no object (for example, a resin part integrally molded with the front case) that blocks light from the illumination unit between the individual keys. Therefore, in the situation of FIG. 8B, it becomes difficult for the user to distinguish and identify individual keys, and the user's convenience is lacking.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device including an operation unit configured by frameless keys, which allows a user to identify individual keys even when the operation unit is illuminated from the inside.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention is an electronic apparatus having a keyless key structure having a frameless key structure in which a plurality of key members are adjacent to each other, the illumination unit provided in the electronic apparatus, the keytop, and the keytop A plate member sandwiched between the illumination units in the thickness direction of the housing, and the key top includes a first passing means for allowing light from the illumination unit to pass between the plurality of key members. And the plate member is arranged to face the back side of the key top, and has second passage means for allowing light from the illumination unit to pass through to the first passage means. To do.

  Preferably, the key top is formed by arranging the plurality of key members having a substantially rectangular shape, and the second passing means is provided at a position facing the four contact points of the plurality of key members. The hole is provided.

  Preferably, the plurality of key members constituting the frameless key are not connected to each other.

  Preferably, a transmission diffusion unit that transmits and diffuses light is provided between the key top and the key frame.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the electronic device provided with the operation part comprised by the frameless key, even if an operation part is illuminated from the inside, it is possible to provide the electronic device which a user can identify each key. .

It is a perspective view of the mobile phone which is an embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 2nd housing | casing. (A) It is a front view of the key top part of a 2nd housing | casing. (B) It is a disassembled perspective view of the part of (a). (C) It is an enlarged view of the part enclosed with the dotted line in (a). It is a front view of the key top part of a 2nd housing | casing. It is an exploded view of a key top. (A) It is a front view of the key top part of a 2nd housing | casing. (B) It is sectional drawing of the key top in the YY direction shown by Fig.6 (a). It is sectional drawing in the XX direction in FIG. It is the figure which showed the conventional mobile telephone.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic apparatus according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the scale of each member is appropriately changed in order to make each member a recognizable size.

  In the present embodiment, a mobile phone will be described as an example of the electronic apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile phone K of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the mobile phone K of the present embodiment includes a first housing 1 having a display 4 and a speaker 5, and a plurality of key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e. The second housing 2 in which the key top is exposed is connected via the hinge portion 3 and can be folded as necessary (for example, in a standby state). In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the cellular phone K of the present embodiment employs a frameless key structure in which the key tops 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e are arranged adjacent to each other. For this reason, between the key tops 2a-2e, 3a-3e, 4a-4e, a part of housing | casing is arrange | positioned as a frame for supporting each keytop 2a-2e, 3a-3e, 4a-4e. Not.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the second housing 2.

  The second housing 2 is arranged in the housing thickness direction so as to overlap the front case 10, the key top 12, the plate member 8, the rubber sheet 7, the substrate 9, and the rear case 11 in this order.

  The front case 10 is one of the members that make up the appearance of the second housing 2. The front case 10 is a portion that comes into contact with the display 4 when the mobile phone K is folded. Further, in order to expose the key top to the outside of the second housing 2, the front case 10 has a large opening at the approximate center thereof. Further, the front case 10 has a hinge portion 3 for connecting to the first housing.

  The rear case 11 is one of the members that make up the appearance of the second housing 2. In combination with the front case 10 described above, the rear case 11 constitutes the appearance of the second housing 2. The rear case 11 has a shape of a housing that is open on only one surface. The rear case 11 constitutes the external appearance of the second housing 2 by being assembled with the front case 10 at the opening portion described above. The rear case 11 includes several types of parts such as a speaker for transmitting an incoming call to the outside world.

  The key top 12 includes key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e. Of the key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e, the key members 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e constitute a numeric keypad, a calling key, a power key, and the like. The key member 1a is used as a determination key that, when pressed, causes the user to determine the content selected and displayed on the display 4, for example. The key member 1b is a selection key that allows the user to select the plurality of selection items by pressing down in the vertical direction or the left-right direction when a plurality of selection items are displayed on the display 4, for example. is there. When pressed, the key member 1c and the key member 1d function as soft keys that allow a user to select and determine a predetermined operation drawn on a screen displayed on the display 4, for example.

  The key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e are made of a resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic. Further, as described above, the plurality of key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e are not provided with a partition by a frame that extends from the front case 10, for example, at a location where they are adjacent to each other. It has a structure.

The plurality of key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e are separate members that are not connected one by one. Of the plurality of key members, the key members 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e each have a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The key member 1a has a rectangular shape. The key member 1b has a rectangular frame shape surrounding the key member 1a. In addition, the key member 1c and the key member 1d each have a U-shape. The key member 1c and the key member 1d are combined so as to form a square frame shape and surround the key member 1b.

  These key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e, which are separate members, are arranged side by side so as to be spread in a direction parallel to the front case 10, thereby forming the key top 12. This will be described in detail later.

  The plate member 8 is a member disposed between the key top 12 and the rubber sheet 7. The plate member 8 is made of metal, for example. Specifically, the raw material of the plate member 8 is preferably a light and high strength metal such as stainless steel or titanium. The thickness of the plate member 8 is about 0.15 mm.

  The plate member 8 includes an opening 82. The opening 82 is disposed on the plate member 8 so as to face the pusher provided on the rubber sheet 7 and the key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e. The pusher is a protrusion formed integrally with the rubber sheet 7 and is disposed on the rubber sheet 7 so as to be in contact with the apex of the dome switch 92. Therefore, it is not shown in FIG.

  Therefore, although the plate member 8 is disposed between the key top 12 and the rubber sheet 7, it is possible to transmit the press applied from the key top 12 to the rubber sheet 7. Therefore, a pusher (not shown) provided on the rubber sheet 7 can transmit the depression of the key top 12 to the dome switch 92 provided on the substrate 9.

  The plate member 8 further includes a hole 81. The hole 81 is a hole that is smaller than the opening 82 described above. Specifically, the substantially rectangular opening 82 arranged to face the numeric keypad has a long side of about 10 mm and a short side of about 6 mm, whereas the diameter of the hole 81 is about 0.5 mm. . As shown in FIG. 3A, the hole 81 is arranged so as to face the point A where the key members 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b come into contact. Further, the hole 81 is also arranged at a location facing the point B where the key members 2b, 2c, 3b, and 3c come into contact. Moreover, the hole 81 is also arranged at a location facing the point C where the key members 2c, 2d, 3c, and 3d come into contact. The hole 81 is also arranged at a location facing the point D where the key members 2d, 2e, 3d, and 3e come into contact. Moreover, the hole part 81 is distribute | arranged also to the location facing the point E where the key members 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b contact. The hole 81 is also arranged at a location facing the point F where the key members 3b, 3c, 4b, and 4c come into contact. Further, the hole 81 is also arranged at a location facing the point G where the key members 3c, 3d, 4c, and 4d come into contact. Also, the hole 81 is disposed at a location facing the point H where the key members 3d, 3e, 4d, and 4e come into contact. That is, a total of eight holes 81 are provided in the plate member 8.

  The rubber sheet 7 (“transmission diffusion portion” in the claims) is provided between the substrate 9 and the plate member 8. The rubber sheet 7 is made of flexible silicon rubber or the like. The rubber sheet 7 is transparent or translucent. Therefore, the rubber sheet 7 can transmit light. The rubber sheet 7 can also reflect a part of the amount of light incident on itself. The rubber sheet 7 bends when the key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e are pressed. The pusher provided on the back side (rear case 11 side) of the rubber sheet 7 presses the top of the dome switch 92 provided on the substrate 9.

  The substrate 9 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the plate member 8 and the rear case 11. The board 9 is provided with electronic components such as a control unit for operating the computer program and a storage unit for storing the computer program.

  The substrate 9 includes a dome switch 92. The dome switch 92 generates an electrical signal when pressed from the outside. The control unit appropriately processes the electrical signal, so that the dome switch 92 can reflect an input from the outside on the operation of the mobile phone K.

  The substrate 9 further includes a plurality of LEDs 91 (illumination units in the claims). LED is an abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode, and is an element that emits light when a voltage is applied. In addition, in this embodiment, although LED is used as an illumination part, if it is an element light-emitted by electricity, it can be utilized as an illumination part. For example, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) etc. are mentioned as an example.

  The LED 91 is provided at a position facing at least the hole 81 provided in the plate member 8. Accordingly, LEDs are provided at a total of 8 points A to H. The LED 91 may be further provided at a place other than the points A to H.

  The substrate 9 is further provided with a white sheet 93 on the surface on which the LED 91 and the dome switch 92 are arranged. The role played by the white sheet 93 will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 3A is a front view of the key members 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e. As described above, the points A to H are arranged so as to face the hole 81. The hole 81 is arranged so as to face the LED 91. Therefore, the points A to H, the hole 81 and the LED 91 are aligned with each other in the thickness direction of the second housing 2. FIG. 3B shows the state. In order to make the drawing easier to see, the drawing is made by omitting the rubber sheet 7 that originally exists between the key top 12 and the plate member 8. As indicated by the arrows, the LED 91, the hole 81, and the points A to H are aligned on a straight line.

  FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the point A surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. The key members 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b have a substantially rectangular shape. However, as shown in FIG. 3C, the point A has rounded corners. Therefore, as shown by L in the figure, a larger gap is generated at the point A than when the corners of the key members 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b are perpendicular. In the present embodiment, the length of L is about 0.46 mm. Although only the enlarged view of point A is shown in the figure, points B to H have the same shape.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the state of the key top 12 when the LED 91 is lit. The star shape shown in the figure indicates the light emitted from the LED 91. As shown in the drawing, the light of the LED 91 passes through the hole 81 and the points A to H and is emitted to the outside. Accordingly, the LED 91 causes the points A to H to shine locally.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state of the key top 12 of the mobile phone K in a dark place. As shown in FIG. 8, when the illumination on the back side (inside the casing) of the key top 12 is lit in a dark place, the entire key top 12 is lit in a conventional mobile phone. The visibility of one will be worse. However, since the key top 12 of the mobile phone K according to the present invention is locally lit at points A to H, which are four points formed by the key members 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e, The local light is a measure of the boundary between the plurality of key members. Therefore, as indicated by a broken line in the figure, the user can recognize the key member without seeing the boundary. Therefore, the user can comfortably perform key operations even in a dark place.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the key top 12. The key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e are not connected to each other as shown in the figure, but are formed one by one. (Note that the “plurality of key members” in the claims includes a case where the key members are formed one by one as shown in FIG. 5 and a case where the plurality of key members are continuous. (In other words, “a plurality of key members” means that there are a plurality of key members including both disjoint and continuous keys pressed by the user.)
As described above, the key tops 12 a to 1 d, 2 a to 2 e, 3 a to 3 e, and 4 a to 4 e are separated, so that the key top 12 can be placed at a point other than the predetermined points A to H. For example, it is possible to generate a gap also on the boundary line between the key members 2a and 3a and the boundary line between the key members 2a and 3a. This gap is, for example, the gap M and the gap N shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the size of this gap is about 0.15 mm for both M and N.

  Therefore, at the points A to H, not only the light of the LED 91 is locally emitted to the outside world, but also the light leaks from the gaps M and N and is emitted. Therefore, as indicated by the thick line in FIG. 6, the light of the LED 91 is emitted from all the gaps between the key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e. Visibility is improved more.

  In addition, the key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e are formed one by one, thereby providing the following effects. The effect will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view in the YY direction shown in FIG.

  The effect described above is to prevent erroneous recognition of the mobile phone K and improve user operability. The effect will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  If the key tops are formed continuously, the “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8”, and “9” keys around the “5” key are also linked. Will move up and down (the upper part of FIG. 6B). Accordingly, “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8”, and “9” also press the rubber sheet 7 immediately below them, so that “1” “2” There is a possibility that the dome switch 92 corresponding to “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8”, and “9” is pressed. Therefore, when “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8”, and “9” are pressed, the mobile phone K may be erroneously recognized and the user operability may be deteriorated. was there.

  However, since the key members 1a to 1d, 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e, and 4a to 4e are present apart from each other as described above, the present invention provides “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “ “6”, “7”, “8”, and “9” do not move in conjunction with the pressing of “5” (the lower row in FIG. 6B). Therefore, the problem that occurs when a plurality of key members are continuously formed as described above does not occur.

  FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view in the XX direction shown in FIG. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. Specifically, it is a cross-sectional view when the mobile phone K is cut along a plane that passes through the points D and H and is perpendicular to the key top 12.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, light emitted from the LED 91 disposed on the substrate 9 passes through the permeable rubber sheet 7, the hole 81, and the point D and is radiated to the outside (dashed arrow). Y). At the same time, some of the light emitted from the LED 91 is not emitted from the point D (dashed arrow Z). The light Z not emitted from the point D is reflected by the plate member 8 and the white sheet 93 and propagates between the rubber sheet 7 and the substrate 9 in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction of the second housing 2. Then, the light Z reaches a place where the LED 91 other than the one that radiates itself is disposed (for example, the LED 91 immediately below the point H), and is emitted to the outside from the gap between the key tops 12 facing the LED 91. That is, among the light radiated from the LED 91, the light radiated in the direction other than the gap between the key tops 12 facing each other can be radiated to the outside, so that the light radiated from the LED 91 is the second light. It is not trapped inside the housing 2. Therefore, the light emitted from the LED 91 is not wasted. Therefore, there is an effect that light can be used more efficiently.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and design changes and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, in the above embodiment, a mobile phone has been described as an example of the electronic apparatus of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to a mobile phone, and can be applied to any electronic device including a plurality of keys for pressing, such as a keyboard of a personal computer.

  Further, although the mobile phone of the above embodiment is of a folding type, the present invention is also applicable to a straight type mobile phone that does not include the hinge portion 3.

  Moreover, although it demonstrated that the plate member 8 consists of metal sheet metal in this embodiment, even if this invention is not the said material, it can exhibit the effect. For example, a transparent plate made of resin may be coated on a surface other than the portion corresponding to the hole 81.

K ... cellular phone 1 ... first housing 2 ... second housing 7 ... rubber sheet 8 ... plate member 9 ... substrate 10 ... front case 11 ... rear cases 1a-1d, 2a-2e, 3a-3e, 4a-4e ... Key member 81 ... Hole 82 ... Opening 91 ... LED
92 ... Dome switch 93 ... White sheet

Claims (5)

A housing,
A plurality of key members arranged on the surface of the housing;
An illumination unit provided in the housing;
With
A structure in which light from the illuminating unit is emitted to the surface from between adjacent key members of the plurality of key members, and light from the illuminating unit is not emitted from at least the surface of the outer peripheral portion of the key member . An electronic device further comprising: The plurality of key members includes four key members arranged in a matrix,
2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein light from the illumination unit is emitted to the surface from a position between adjacent key members and surrounded by corners of the four key members. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of key members are arranged in a frameless key structure. A plate member disposed between the key member and the illumination unit in the thickness direction of the housing;
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plate member includes a passing unit that allows light traveling from the illumination unit to pass between the key members. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a rubber sheet disposed between the key member and the illuminating unit in a thickness direction of the housing and having translucency.

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