JP5545672B2 - Waterproof switch member and electronic device including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof switch member and an electronic device including the same.

  Recently, there is an increasing demand for electronic devices such as portable electronic terminals, cameras, and watches equipped with a waterproof structure. In order to improve the waterproofness of electronic devices, it is indispensable to prevent water from entering from an opening / closing part such as a lid and a driving part such as a push button. As a typical structure for waterproofing the drive part, for example, a through hole is formed in a part of the housing, a switch is arranged on the inside, and a push button is arranged on the outside. A structure is known in which an elastomeric cup member is interposed, the outer periphery of the cup member and a through-hole are brought into close contact with each other for waterproofing, and the cup member is reinforced by a flange integral with the cup member (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

JP 2006-344528 A

  However, the switch member having the waterproof structure has the following problems. In the switch member, when the push button is pushed, the bottom of the elastomer cup member extends downward, thereby realizing the input of the switch. For this reason, the bottom part of a cup member needs to be formed thinly to such an extent that it can expand and contract. However, when the push button is repeatedly pressed and released, there is a high risk that the thin stretchable portion of the bottom of the cup member will be fatigued and damaged. Moreover, since the bottom part of a cup member elastically expands and contracts locally, a press feeling is bad.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a waterproof switch member that realizes high durability and good pressing feeling, and an electronic device including the waterproof switch member. .

  One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a waterproof switch member comprising at least one or more plate-like members and an elastic member covering at least one surface of the plate-like member, The member has one or more through holes penetrating in the thickness direction, pressing portions arranged in the inner regions of the respective through holes and projecting on both sides in the thickness direction of the plate-like member, It is a waterproof switch member that includes one or more flexible arm portions that connect the periphery and the pressing portion, and closes the through hole with an elastic member.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a waterproof switch member in which the width of the arm portion is the same as or smaller than the width of the elastic member adjacent to the arm portion in the plane.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a waterproof switch member further including an outer edge convex portion protruding from the outer periphery of the plate-like member on the entire periphery of the elastic member.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a waterproof switch member in which both the plate-like member and the elastic member are translucent members.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a waterproof switch member in which an arm portion is curved or inclined so as to protrude toward the pressing side of the pressing portion.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a waterproof switch member in which a part or all of the end portion on the switch side of the pressing portion is covered with an elastic member.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the outer periphery of the through hole in the plate-like member further includes an annular protrusion that protrudes toward the pressing side of the pressing portion, and at least the outer periphery of the annular protrusion is covered with an elastic member. It is a waterproof switch member provided with a rib that can be in close contact with the housing in the covering region.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a waterproof switch member further including a bellows portion that moves up and down in the thickness direction on the arm portion.

  Another embodiment of the present invention further includes a push button having a bottom area larger than the area of the end face of the pressing portion on the side opposite to the switch side of the pressing portion, and restricts the inclination to a part or all of the outer periphery of the pressing button. It is a waterproof switch member provided with a flange.

  One embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device including any one of the above waterproof switch members.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the high durability of the waterproof switch member with which an electronic device is equipped and a favorable press feeling are realizable.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a portable electronic terminal which is an example of an electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view in which the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. 1 is partially disassembled. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the main part of the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. 2 is turned over. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing only a plate-like member constituting the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of the main part of the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the pressing portion of the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in the vicinity of the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in the vicinity of the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view (A) when the vicinity of the waterproof switch member of the electronic device according to the second embodiment is cut along the line BB shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view (B) of the area | region X of. FIG. 10 is a side view of a part of a plate-like member constituting the waterproof switch member according to the third embodiment and a side view of a waterproof movable body in which one surface of the plate-like member is covered with an elastic member. It is. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof switch member according to the fourth embodiment, as viewed in FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing only a plate-like member constituting the waterproof switch member according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13: is sectional drawing (A) when the waterproof switch member vicinity of the electronic device which concerns on 5th Embodiment is cut | disconnected by the same line as the BB line shown in FIG. 1, and the said sectional drawing It is an enlarged view (B) of the area | region Y of. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating some modified examples of the arm portion of the waterproof switch member. FIG. 15 is a view showing another modification example of the arm portion different from the modification example shown in FIG. 14, and is a plan view (A) of the modification example, and a sectional view taken along the line DD in the plan view (A) (B ) And a sectional view (C) of a further modification.

  Next, embodiments of the waterproof switch member and the electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, each embodiment of the waterproof switch member will be described in the description of each embodiment of the electronic device. Hereinafter, a portable electronic terminal will be described as an example of the electronic device. However, the electronic device is not limited thereto, and may be a mobile phone, a portable music player, a remote controller, or the like.

<First embodiment>
1. Configuration of Waterproof Switch Member and Waterproof Structure of Electronic Device FIG. 1 is a front view of a portable electronic terminal which is an example of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the portable electronic terminal 1 which is an example of the electronic device which concerns on this Embodiment is provided with the waterproof switch member 2 below the display part in the main operation surface. The waterproof switch member 2 has a structure including three operation push buttons.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view in which the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. 1 is partially disassembled. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the main part of the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. 2 is turned over. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing only a plate-like member constituting the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of the main part of the waterproof switch member shown in FIG.

  The waterproof switch member 2 includes at least one waterproof movable body 3. The waterproof movable body 3 is a member that is waterproofed from the outside and is configured to be partially movable when pressed. The waterproof movable body 3 has a configuration in which a plate-like member 4 elongated in one direction and an elastic member 5 that is also elongated in one direction are overlapped and integrated in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the elastic member 5 covers one surface of the plate-like member 4. However, both surfaces of the plate-like member 4 can be covered with the elastic member 5. The plate-like member 4 is made of a material that is higher in rigidity than the elastic member 5 and hardly deforms, and functions as a reinforcing member that reinforces the elastic member 5. The plate-like member 4 is made of, for example, resin, metal, ceramics, glass, and carbon. Preferably, the plate-like member 4 is a polycarbonate that is a kind of a transparent thermoplastic resin so as to have a high strength and high transparency. Made of resin (PC resin). The elastic member 5 is made of a material that is softer and more elastic than the plate-like member 4, and has a function of waterproofing and driving a pressing portion described later. The elastic member 5 is made of, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermosetting elastomer, or natural rubber, and is preferably made of a silicone rubber that has excellent heat resistance and is also transparent.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the plate-like member 4 includes three through holes 10 penetrating in the thickness direction at predetermined intervals in the length direction of the plate-like member 4. The plate-like member 4 has one pressing portion 11 projecting on both sides in the thickness direction of the plate-like member 4 in the inner region of each through-hole 10, and connects the periphery of each through-hole 10 and the pressing portion 11. A flexible arm portion 12 of the book. The arm portion 12 extends substantially flat with respect to the surface of the plate-like member 4 within the surface of each through hole 10, and meanders within the surface to connect to the pressing portion 11. When the pressing portion 11 is pushed inward, the arm portion 12 bends inward, and when the pressing to the pressing portion 11 is released, the arm portion 12 returns to the original state. The arm portion 12 is connected to the pressing portion 11 at intervals of 180 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the central axis extending in the length direction of the pressing portion 11. For this reason, the pressing part 11 can move up and down while maintaining the perpendicular to the plate-like member 4. Since the pressing portion 11 and the arm portion 12 are made of the same material as that of the plate-like member 4, compared to the case where the portion corresponding to the arm portion 12 is made of a soft material such as an elastomer, the pushing operation is performed. Durability is high and uniform adhesion to the elastic member 5 can be achieved. From the viewpoint of improving the assembly efficiency, it is preferable to form the pressing portion 11 and the arm portion 12 integrally with the plate member 4. The plate-like member 4 is provided with a positioning hole 13 for fixing the plate-like member 4 to the mold at the time of insert molding at a desired position in the length direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the pressing portion 11 includes a first thin portion 20 whose outer surface is covered with the elastic member 5. The top surface of the pressing portion 11 is not covered by the first thin portion 20 and is exposed. In addition, the 1st thin part 20 is not an essential structure. Further, each through hole 10 of the plate-like member 4 is closed by the elastic member 5 from one surface side (in this embodiment, the inner side of the portable electronic terminal 1). For this reason, the arm portion 12 is covered with the elastic member 5 on its inner side surface and side surfaces. The filling region 21 that fills and closes each through hole 10 with the elastic member 5 has a function of waterproofing and controlling a load necessary to move the pressing portion 11 up and down. As the filling region 21 of the through hole 10 occupying the periphery of the pressing portion 11 is wider, the pressing portion 11 can be pushed in with a lower load.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the elastic member 5 closes each through hole 10 and covers one surface side of the plate-like member 4. The elastic member 5 is formed in a larger area than the plate-like member 4, and includes an outer edge convex portion 22 protruding from the outer periphery of the plate-like member 4 on the entire circumference of the elastic member 5. The outer edge convex portion 22 is a portion that is in close contact with the housing of the portable electronic terminal 1 and is waterproofed. Thinning of the waterproof switch member 2 can be promoted by providing an outer edge convex portion 22 around the outer periphery without providing a special waterproof portion in the thickness direction of the waterproof movable body 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing portion 11 includes a second thin portion 23 whose outer side surface on the inner side is covered with the elastic member 5. The bottom surface of the pressing portion 11 is not covered with the second thin portion 23 and is exposed. Note that the bottom surface of the pressing portion 11 may be covered with the second thin portion 23. On the side covered with the elastic member 5 of the waterproof movable body 3, a plurality of concave portions 24 exposing the plate-like member 4 are provided. The said recessed part 24 is the trace which was in contact with the fixing pin from the metal mold | die which fixes the plate-shaped member 4 to the metal mold | die for insert molding. The recess 24 is not an essential configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the waterproof switch member 2 has a bottom area larger than the area of the end face of the pressing portion 11 along the length direction of the waterproof movable body 3 on the outer side of the portable electronic terminal 1. Three push buttons 6 are provided. The push button 6 is made of a material that is higher in rigidity than the elastic member 5 and hardly deformed, like the plate-like member 4, for example, made of resin, metal, ceramics, glass, carbon, and preferably has high strength. In order to obtain a member having high transparency, it is made of a polycarbonate resin (PC resin) which is a kind of transparent thermoplastic resin. The push button 6 is not an essential configuration. A part of the outer periphery of the push button 6 is provided with plate-like flanges 30 and 31 protruding outward. The flanges 30 and 31 are regulating portions for preventing the push button 6 from being excessively inclined when the push button 6 is pushed in. When the push button 6 is inclined, the flanges 30 and 31 are not inclined more than a certain amount due to contact with the inside of the casing. Therefore, even if the area of the upper end surface of the pressing portion 11 is excessively small with respect to the bottom area of the push button 6, the push button 6 can be stably pressed while maintaining the parallelness of the surface. The flanges 30 and 31 can be formed around the entire periphery of the side surface of the push button 6 in accordance with the shape of the push button 6 and the casing.

  6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the pressing portion of the waterproof switch member shown in FIG.

  The width (W1) of the arm portion 12 is preferably equal to or smaller than the width (W2) of the elastic member 5 adjacent thereto. This is because as the width (W1) of the arm portion 12 is smaller and the filling region 21 occupying the through hole 10 is wider, the flexibility of the arm portion 12 is increased, and the pressing portion 11 is easily pushed at a lower pressure. Thus, in order to obtain a desired movable pressure of the pressing portion 11, it is preferable to adjust the width (W1) of the arm portion 12 and the width (W2) of the elastic member 5 adjacent thereto.

  7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in the vicinity of the waterproof switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in the vicinity of the waterproof switch member shown in FIG.

  The portable electronic terminal 1 has a structure in which an inner casing 40 and an outer casing 50 are stacked in this order from the inside toward the top. The inner casing 40 includes, on its inner wall, a protrusion 41 for placing and holding the waterproof movable body 3 of the waterproof switch member 2 so as to protrude inward in the width direction of the waterproof movable body 3. The protrusion 41 has a function of restricting the waterproof switch member 2 from being pushed inward excessively. The external housing 50 includes an opening 51 having a size that allows only the portion above the flanges 30 and 31 of the push button 6 to be inserted and arranged. Moreover, the inside of the internal housing 40 is sized so that the inner wall and the outer edge convex portion 22 of the waterproof movable body 3 can be in close contact with each other. For this reason, even if water enters from the opening 51, the water is blocked by the close contact portion between the outer edge convex portion 22 and the inner wall of the inner housing 40, and beyond the waterproof movable body 3 to the inside. Do not enter.

  Each push button 6 is provided with one concave portion 32 in the approximate center of the back surface thereof. The recessed part 32 has a form in which the upper part of the pressing part 11 can be inserted. The push button 6 can be fixed, for example, via the upper portion of the pressing portion 11 and an adhesive, or by a method such as fitting. A circuit board 60 in which a switch 61 typified by a dome switch or a tact switch is arranged and electrically connected to the inside of the protrusion 41 of the internal housing 40 is incorporated. One switch 61 is disposed immediately below each pressing portion 11, one for each pressing portion 11, so that input is possible by pressing each pressing portion 11. When the push button 6 is pressed in the direction of arrow F, the pressing portion 11 moves downward using the bending of the arm portion 12 and presses the switch 61. As a result, the switch 61 enters the input state. Since the main body of the waterproof movable body 3 does not move greatly up and down with respect to the vertical movement of the pressing portion 11, high waterproofness can be realized between the inner wall of the internal housing 40. In addition, the recessed part 32 is not an essential structure, For example, you may fix the smooth bottom face of each pushbutton 6 and the upper part of the press part 11 via an adhesive agent.

2. 2. Manufacturing method of waterproof switch member The waterproof switch member shown in FIG. 2 can be manufactured by the following methods as an example. First, a melt of a thermoplastic resin typified by a PC resin is supplied into an injection mold, and the plate-like member 4 shown in FIG. 4 is manufactured. Next, the plate-like member 4 is set in a mold for insert molding. At this time, a positioning pin protruding from the lower mold constituting the mold is inserted into the positioning hole 13 of the plate member 4. Further, a fixing pin from the upper mold is brought into contact with the plate-like member 4 to fix the plate-like member 4 in the mold. Next, the composition for curing the elastic member 5 is supplied from the supply port formed in the mold toward the contact surface side of the fixing pin of the plate-like member 4 and is cured. Next, the mold for insert molding is opened, and the waterproof movable body 3 is taken out. In parallel with this, a melt of a thermoplastic resin typified by PC resin is supplied into a mold for injection molding to manufacture the push button 6 shown in FIG. Next, decoration is applied to at least one of the back surface, top surface, and side surface of the push button 6. The decoration can be suitably realized by a technique such as printing and pasting a printed film. Finally, the recess 32 of each push button 6 and the upper end surface of each pressing portion 11 of the waterproof movable body 3 are fixed to complete the waterproof switch member 2.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a waterproof switch member and an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, parts common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

1. Structure of waterproof switch member and waterproof structure of electronic device FIG. 9 is a cross section of the vicinity of the waterproof switch member of the electronic device according to the second embodiment, similar to the line BB shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing (A) at the time, and an enlarged view (B) of the region X in the sectional view.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the waterproof switch member 2 according to the second embodiment has a configuration that can be illuminated. The specific configuration is as follows. The circuit board 60 fixes one or more light sources 72 typified by LEDs so as to be electrically connected to a battery. Both the plate-like member 4 and the elastic member 5 are made of a translucent member. More specifically, the plate-like member 4 is made of a highly translucent resin material such as PC resin or acrylic resin. Moreover, the elastic member 5 is comprised from translucent elastomers, such as urethane rubber and silicone rubber. Further, when the waterproof switch member 2 is provided with the push button 6, the push button 6 is made of a resin material having high translucency such as PC resin and acrylic resin, or glass.

  Further, when it is desired to transmit light only from characters, patterns, symbols, etc. on the top surface of the push button 6, light-shielding ink (black ink or the like) is removed from the top surface and side surface of the push button 6 except the light-extracted character area 71 to be transmitted. Is applied to form the light shielding layer 70. Further, in order to prevent light leakage from the gap between the push buttons 6 or the gap between the push button 6 and the opening 51, the light shielding ink is applied to the surface of the plate-like member 4 of the waterproof movable body 3 at a position immediately below the gap. The light shielding film which apply | coated is stuck, and the light shielding layer 70 is formed. According to such a configuration, since the configuration other than the light shielding layer 70 transmits the light from the light source 72, the light can be transmitted from the extracted character region 71 formed on the top surface of the push button 6.

2. Manufacturing method of waterproof switch member The waterproof switch member 2 according to the second embodiment can be manufactured by the same method as that according to the first embodiment. As described above, the light shielding layer 70 added in the second embodiment is positioned immediately below the gap between the push buttons 6 or the gap between the push buttons 6 and the opening 51 after the waterproof movable body 3 is manufactured. Formed. Further, after the push button 6 is manufactured, the light shielding layer 70 is formed on the top and side surfaces of the push button 6 except for the blank character region 71. A scratch-proof layer using transparent ink or a transparent film may be formed on the light shielding layer 70 of the push button 6.

<Third embodiment>
Next, a waterproof switch member and an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that, in the third embodiment, portions that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

1. Configuration of Waterproof Switch Member and Waterproof Structure of Electronic Device FIG. 10 is a side view of a part of a plate-like member constituting the waterproof switch member according to the third embodiment and one side of the plate-like member. It is a side view of the waterproof movable body which coat | covered the elastic member.

  The waterproof switch member 2 according to the third embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the arm portion 12 is curved so as to protrude toward the pressing side of the pressing portion 11. The length of the pressing portion 11 protruding toward the switch 61 is larger than the length protruding upward from the surface of the plate-like member 4. For this reason, the space between the pressing part 11 and the push button 6 becomes narrow, and it is difficult to curve or incline the arm part 12 so as to protrude above the pressing part 11. On the other hand, the space from the surface of the plate-like member 4 to the lower end of the pressing portion 11 is wider than the upper space. Further, it is easier to stably push the pressing portion 11 in the vertical direction when the arm portion 12 is connected to a position closer to the center of the pressing portion 11 in the length direction. For the same purpose, the arm portion 12 may be protruded toward the switch 61 and inclined in a plane.

2. Manufacturing method of waterproof switch member The waterproof switch member 2 according to the third embodiment can be manufactured by the same method as that according to the first embodiment.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a waterproof switch member and electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that, in the fourth embodiment, portions that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

1. Configuration of Waterproof Switch Member and Waterproof Structure of Electronic Device FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof switch member according to the fourth embodiment, as viewed in FIG.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the waterproof switch member 2 according to the fourth embodiment covers the entire surface of the end portion on the switch 61 side of the pressing portion 11 with the elastic member 5. The covering portion 23 a formed at the lower end of the pressing portion 11 by the covering of the elastic member 5 reduces the sound generated due to the contact between the pressing portion 11 and the switch 61 and contributes to the improvement of the durability of the switch 61. To do. The covering portion 23a may not cover the lower end of the pressing portion 11 completely, but may cover only a part. For example, the contact between the lower end of the pressing portion 11 and the switch 61 can also be prevented by exposing only the central portion of the lower end of the pressing portion 11 and covering the periphery with the elastic member 5.

2. Manufacturing method of waterproof switch member The waterproof switch member 2 according to the fourth embodiment can be manufactured by the same method as that according to the first embodiment.

<Fifth embodiment>
Next, a waterproof switch member and an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that in the fifth embodiment, parts that are the same as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

1. Configuration of Waterproof Switch Member and Waterproof Structure of Electronic Device FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing only a plate-like member constituting the waterproof switch member according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13: is sectional drawing (A) when the waterproof switch member vicinity of the electronic device which concerns on 5th Embodiment is cut | disconnected by the same line as the BB line shown in FIG. 1, and the said sectional drawing It is an enlarged view (B) of the area | region Y of.

  Unlike the switch according to the first embodiment, the waterproof switch member 2 according to the fifth embodiment has an annular protrusion protruding on the pressing side of the pressing portion 11 on the outer periphery of each through hole 10 of the plate-like member 4. Part 80. The elastic member 5 covers at least the outer periphery of the annular projecting portion 80, and includes a rib 81 that can be in close contact with the protrusion 41 of the inner housing 40 in the outer peripheral covering region. Waterproofing between the waterproof movable body 3 and the inner housing 40 is preferably realized by a rib 81 formed of the elastic member 5 on the outer periphery of the annular protrusion 80. For this reason, even if the outer edge convex part 22 is not formed in the outer periphery of the elastic member 5 of the waterproof movable body 3, waterproofness is securable. However, the outer edge convex portion 22 may be formed in addition to the rib 81. Further, the rib 81 may not be formed, and the surface of the elastic member 5 that covers the outer periphery of the annular protrusion 80 may be brought into close contact with the protrusion 41 to achieve waterproofing. Further, the elastic member 5 may cover the inner periphery in addition to the outer periphery of the annular protrusion 80.

2. Manufacturing method of waterproof switch member The waterproof switch member 2 according to the fifth embodiment can be manufactured by the same method as that according to the first embodiment.

<Other embodiments>
As mentioned above, although each embodiment of the waterproof switch member concerning this invention and an electronic device provided with the same was described, this invention is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, and does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. As long as it is possible, various modifications can be made.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating some modified examples of the arm portion of the waterproof switch member.

  As shown to (A) of FIG. 14, the arm part 12 extended from the plate-shaped member 4 may be formed in a spiral shape, and may be connected with the press part 11 only at one place. Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, the arm portion 12 may be formed in a crank shape and connected to the pressing portion 11 at two locations. The two arm portions 12 are preferably connected to the pressing portion 11 at intervals of 180 degrees around the pressing portion 11 in the plane of the plate-like member 4 from the viewpoint of enabling the pressing portion 11 to be pushed vertically. Further, as shown in FIG. 14C, the arm portion 12 may be formed in a curved shape similarly to the waterproof switch member 2 according to the first embodiment, and may be connected to the pressing portion 11 at three locations. . The three arm parts 12 are preferably connected to the pressing part 11 at intervals of 120 degrees around the pressing part 11 in the plane of the plate-like member 4 from the viewpoint of enabling the pressing part 11 to be pushed vertically. Even if the number of the arm portions 12 is four or more, it is preferable that the arm portions 12 are connected to the pressing portions 11 at substantially the same central angle intervals for the same purpose. In any of the forms (A), (B), and (C) of FIG. 14, it is preferable that the width of the arm portion 12 is equal to or smaller than the width of the elastic member 5 adjacent thereto.

  FIG. 15 is a view showing another modification example of the arm portion different from the modification example shown in FIG. 14, and is a plan view (A) of the modification example, and a sectional view taken along the line DD in the plan view (A) (B ) And a sectional view (C) of a further modification.

  As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, even if the arm portion 12 extends linearly from one place on the inner periphery of the through-hole 10 and the arm portion 12 is connected to the pressing portion 11 only at one place. good. With such a configuration, when the pressing portion 11 is pressed toward the switch 61, the pressing portion 11 is inclined obliquely downward and easier to move than the configuration shown in FIG. 14, but the pressing stroke is extremely short. There is no problem in case. Further, as shown in FIG. 15C, the arm portion 12 may be provided with a bellows portion 12a that goes up and down in the thickness direction. Thus, when the bellows portion 12 a is provided in part or all of the length direction of the arm portion 12, the arm portion 12 may be extended from one place on the inner periphery of the through hole 10 and connected to the pressing portion 11. When the pressing part 11 is pushed down, the movable distance of the bellows part 12a becomes longer. For this reason, the pressing feeling of the switch 61 is improved, and the positional deviation from the switch 61 accompanying the inclination of the pressing portion 11 is also reduced. The bellows portion 12a may be formed on the arm portion 12 in the first to fifth embodiments in addition to the arm portions 12 shown in FIG.

  Any of the waterproof switch members 2 described above includes only one plate-like member 4, but two or more plate-like members 4 may be provided separately. In addition, any of the waterproof switch members 2 described above includes the three through holes 10 in the plate member 4, but may include only one, two, or four or more through holes 10. . Further, the shape of the plate-like member 4 and the shape of the elastic member 5 are not limited to a shape that is long in one direction, and may be any shape such as a circle, a square, a bent shape, or the like.

  Further, the first to fifth embodiments described above and the modifications shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 may be combined with one or more features of each other, unless they cannot be combined with each other. For example, the waterproof switch member 2 according to the second, fourth, and fifth embodiments is combined with the waterproof switch member 2 according to the third embodiment, and protrudes to the pressing side of the pressing portion 11. You may provide the arm part 12 which curves or inclines. Further, the waterproof switch member 2 according to the fourth embodiment is combined with the waterproof switch member 2 according to the second and fifth embodiments, and the lower end of the pressing portion 11 is partially formed by the elastic member 5. A structure that completely or completely covers the surface may be provided. Further, the annular protrusion 80 and the rib 81 may be provided by combining the waterproof switch member 2 according to the fifth embodiment with the waterproof switch member 2 according to the fifth embodiment. These are merely examples, and a plurality of types of configurations of each embodiment may be combined. In the first embodiment, the width (W1) of the arm portion 12 is made larger than the width (W2) of the elastic member 5 adjacent thereto, or another waterproof portion is formed without forming the outer edge convex portion 22. You may do it.

  The present invention can be used for electronic devices, particularly small electronic devices.

1 Portable electronic terminal (an example of electronic equipment)
2 Waterproof switch member 4 Plate member (translucent member)
5 Elastic member (translucent member)
6 push button 10 through-hole 11 pressing part 12 arm part 12a bellows part 22 outer edge convex part 30, 31 flange 40 internal housing (an example of housing)
61 switch 80 annular protrusion 81 rib

Claims (10)

One or more plate-like members;
An elastic member covering at least one surface of the plate-like member;
A waterproof switch member comprising at least
The plate-like member is
One or more through holes penetrating in the thickness direction;
A pressing portion that is disposed in an inner region of each of the through holes and protrudes on both sides in the thickness direction of the plate-like member;
1 or 2 or more flexible arm parts which connect the circumference of each above-mentioned penetration hole and the above-mentioned press part,
A waterproof switch member that closes the through-hole by filling a region adjacent to the arm in the same plane as the arm of the through-hole with the elastic member.   The waterproof switch member according to claim 1, wherein a width of the arm portion is equal to or smaller than a width of the elastic member adjacent to the arm portion in a plane.   3. The waterproof switch member according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member includes an outer edge convex portion that protrudes from an outer periphery of the plate-like member on the entire periphery thereof. 4.   The waterproof switch member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plate-like member and the elastic member are both translucent members.   The waterproof switch member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the arm portion is curved or inclined so as to protrude toward the pressing side of the pressing portion.   The waterproof switch member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an end of the pressing portion on a switch side is partially or entirely covered with the elastic member. The plate-like member includes an annular protrusion that protrudes toward the pressing side of the pressing portion on the outer periphery of the through-hole,
7. The elastic member according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member covers at least an outer periphery of the annular projecting portion, and a rib capable of being in close contact with the housing is provided in a covering region of the outer periphery. The waterproof switch member as described.   The waterproof switch member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the arm portion includes a bellows portion that moves up and down in a thickness direction thereof. On the opposite side to the switch side of the pressing part, a push button having a bottom area larger than the area of the end surface of the pressing part,
The waterproof switch member according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a flange that regulates the inclination of a part or all of the outer periphery of the push button. An electronic device comprising the waterproof switch member according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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