JP6727430B2 - Push-button structure and electronics - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a push-type button structure and an electronic device including the push-type button structure.

A conventional push-type button structure (for example, see Patent Document 1) includes a push button and a tubular portion into which the push button is slidably inserted. A groove that extends in the sliding direction of the push button is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion, and a rib that can slide in the groove is formed on the outer surface of the push button. The width of the rib is set narrower than the width of the groove so that the rib can smoothly slide in the groove when the push button is operated. However, because the rib width is set to be narrower than the groove width, the push button rattles in the left and right direction and the up and down direction with respect to the tubular part when the push button is not operated, and abnormal noise such as vibration noise is generated. It could happen.

If the width of the rib and the width of the groove are made equal in order to suppress the rattling, there is a problem that the push button cannot slide smoothly and the operability is impaired. It is also possible to set the width of the rib and the width of the groove to an appropriate dimension that does not cause rattling, but due to the error in the molding accuracy of the push button and the tubular portion and the distortion after molding, The rattling when the push button was not operated could not be fundamentally suppressed.

In the button guide structure according to Patent Document 1, a substantially V-shaped projection holding groove for holding the projection is formed in a portion of the guide groove where the projection is located when the push button is not operated. When no operation is performed, the protrusion is held by the protrusion holding groove to prevent the push button from rattling.

JP, 2005-209504, A

However, in the button guide structure according to Patent Document 1, the length of the protrusion is shorter than the sliding distance of the push button. Therefore, there is a problem that the protrusion in the groove is easily tilted from the sliding direction of the push button, and the push button rattles during operation.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent rattling of a push button when it is not operated and when it is operated.

A push-type button structure according to the present invention includes a panel having a tubular portion, a push button slidably installed on the tubular portion to operate a switch, and a push button formed on one of the tubular portion and the push button. A groove extending in the sliding direction and a rib that is formed on the other side of the tubular portion or the push button and that can slide in the groove, and the end of the groove that abuts the end of the rib when the push button is not operated a V-shape, two sides of the V-shaped contact with the ends of the ribs, the ribs, rather longer than the sliding distance of the push button, the end portion of the V-shaped groove, the bottom surface is the V-shaped The rib has an inclined shape that becomes shallower toward the tip of the shape, and the end of the rib that comes into contact with the V-shaped end of the groove when the push button is not operated is the bottom surface of the groove inclined shape and the two sides of the V-shape. The shape is such that it abuts against.

According to this aspect of the invention, the V-shaped end of the groove is brought into contact with the end of the rib for positioning, so that the rattling of the push button when it is not operated can be prevented. Further, since the rib is made longer than the sliding distance of the push button, the rib in the groove is less likely to tilt from the sliding direction of the push button as compared with the conventional case, and rattling at the time of operating the push button can be prevented.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device including the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment is viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment is viewed obliquely from the rear. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the push-type button structure according to Embodiment 1 is viewed obliquely from behind. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, showing a state before the push button is attached to the front panel. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, showing an enlarged groove and rib. It is sectional drawing which cut|disconnected the push-type button structure which concerns on Embodiment 1 along the AA line of FIG. 2, FIG. 8A shows a state when a push button is operated, and FIG. 8B shows a state when it is not operated. 9A, 9B and 9C are diagrams showing modified examples of the groove and rib of the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a push-type button structure according to a second embodiment as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the second embodiment taken along the line BB in FIG. 10, showing a state before the push button is attached to the front panel. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the second embodiment taken along the line C-C in FIG. 10, showing a groove and a rib in an enlarged manner. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the front panel of the push-type button structure according to the third embodiment taken along the line D-D in FIG. 2, showing a rib in an enlarged manner. It is sectional drawing which cut|disconnected the push button of the push-type button structure which concerns on Embodiment 3 along the D-D line of FIG. 2, and shows an enlarged groove. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the third embodiment taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, showing an enlarged groove and rib. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the third embodiment taken along the line EE in FIG. 2, showing a groove and a rib in an enlarged manner.

Hereinafter, in order to explain the present invention in more detail, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device 10 including a push-type button structure according to the first embodiment. The electronic device 10 includes a resin front panel 11, a resin push button 23, a circuit board 13, and a switch 25. The front panel 11 constitutes a front surface that is a design surface of the electronic device 10. The push button 23 is attached to the front panel 11 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The circuit board 13 is attached to the front panel 11 and the rear portion of the push button 23. The switch 25 is mounted on the circuit board 13. Thereafter, the front direction of the electronic device 10 is the X-axis positive direction, the rear direction is the X-axis negative direction, the right direction is the Y-axis positive direction, the left direction is the Y-axis negative direction, the up direction is the Z-axis positive direction, and the down direction is. Z direction is negative.

The button body 23a of the push button 23 is exposed in the opening 11a formed in the front wall 11j of the front panel 11. When the button body portion 23a is pushed in the X-axis negative direction, the push button 23 slides in the X-axis negative direction to bring the movable contact of the switch 25 into contact with the fixed contact, and the switch 25 is turned on. As a result, a circuit (not shown) provided on the circuit board 13 is closed to energize, and the function of the electronic device 10 is executed.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment as seen obliquely from the front.
The push-type button structure includes the front panel 11 and the push button 23.

The front panel 11 includes a substantially flat plate-shaped front wall 11j, an opening 11a formed in the front wall 11j, and a tubular portion 11b extending from the front wall 11j in the negative direction of the X axis.

The push button 23 includes a button body portion 23a that is an operation portion that is pushed by a finger and the like, and an outer cylinder portion 23b that has a larger outer shape when viewed from the X-axis direction than the button body portion 23a and that has a guide function. Depending on the difference in decoration, the push button 23 may be formed by configuring the button body portion 23a and the outer cylinder portion 23b as separate parts and assembling and integrating them. The button body portion 23a and the outer cylinder portion 23b of the push button 23 are inserted from the rear of the front panel 11 into the opening 11a and the cylinder portion 11b in the positive direction of the X axis. The outer cylinder portion 23b also hooks on the edge of the opening 11a and also functions as a retainer for the push button 23.

The outer cylinder portion 23b of the push button 23 includes an upper wall 23h, a lower wall 23j, and side walls 23m and 23n. The outer surfaces of the upper wall 23h, the lower wall 23j, and the side walls 23m and 23n are referred to as outer surfaces 23w. On the outer surface 23w of the upper wall 23h, a groove 23k extending from the front edge portion in the negative direction of the X-axis, that is, extending in the sliding direction of the push button 23 is formed. Similarly, grooves 23k are also formed on the outer surfaces 23w of the lower wall 23j and the side walls 23m and 23n.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from the rear. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from the rear.

The cylinder portion 11b of the front panel 11 includes an upper wall 11d, a lower wall 11e, and side walls 11f and 11g. The inner surfaces of the upper wall 11d, the lower wall 11e, and the side walls 11f and 11g are called the inner surface 11w. A rib 11k extending from the front wall 11j in the negative direction of the X axis, that is, extending in the sliding direction of the push button 23 is formed on the inner surface 11w of the upper wall 11d. Similarly, ribs 11k are also formed on the inner surfaces 11w of the lower wall 11e and the side walls 11f and 11g. The rib 11k of the upper wall 11d engages with the groove 23k of the upper wall 23h and slides in the groove 23k in the X-axis direction. Similarly, the ribs 11k of the lower wall 11e and the side walls 11f and 11g engage with the grooves 23k of the lower wall 23j and the side walls 23m and 23n, and slide in the grooves 23k in the X-axis direction.

A switch contact portion 23t protruding toward the outer cylinder portion 23b is formed on the back surface of the button body portion 23a. The switch contact portion 23t pushes the movable contact of the switch 25 to the fixed contact side when the push button 23 is pushed in the X-axis negative direction.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, showing a state before the push button 23 is attached to the front panel 11. As shown in FIG. 6, the rib 11k of the upper wall 11d is arranged at the center of the horizontal width of the tubular portion 11b. Although not shown hidden in FIG. 6, the rib 11k of the lower wall 11e is also arranged at the center of the left and right width of the tubular portion 11b. The ribs 11k of the side walls 11f and 11g are arranged at the center of the vertical width of the tubular portion 11b. Since the width W2 of the groove 23k is larger than the width W1 of the rib 11k, a gap is formed between the rib 11k and the groove 23k, and the rib 11k can smoothly slide in the groove 23k.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, showing the groove 23k and the rib 11k in an enlarged manner. FIG. 7 shows a state where the push button 23 is not operated.

The end of the groove 23k, which comes into contact with the end of the rib 11k when the push button 23 is not operated, has a V-shape formed of slopes 23p and 23q. Further, the end portion of the rib 11k that comes into contact with the end portion of the groove 23k when the push button 23 is not operated is a V-shape formed by the slopes 11p and 11q. When the push button 23 is not operated, the slopes 11p and 11q at the tip of the rib 11k come into contact with the slopes 23p and 23q at the tip of the groove 23k, so that the push button 23 is positioned and does not rattle. More specifically, the slopes 11p and 11q of the rib 11k of the upper wall 11d and the slopes 23p and 23q of the groove 23k of the upper wall 23h contact each other, and the slopes 11p and 11q of the rib 11k of the lower wall 11e and the groove 23k of the lower wall 23j. The push buttons 23 are positioned in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction by the contact between the slopes 23p and 23q. Further, the slopes 11p and 11q of the rib 11k of the side wall 11f and the slopes 23p and 23q of the groove 23k of the side wall 23m come into contact with each other, and the slopes 11p and 11q of the rib 11k of the side wall 11g and the slope 23p of the groove 23k into the side wall 23n come into contact with each other. As a result, the push button 23 is positioned in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

If the end of the rib 11k and the end of the groove 23k are not V-shaped but planar, the rattling can be suppressed by adjusting the width W1 of the rib 11k and the width W2 of the groove 23k. Conceivable. However, it is more difficult to adjust the widths W1 and W2 than the V-shaped dimension adjustment. Therefore, by making the end of the rib 11k and the end of the groove 23k into a V shape, dimensional control becomes easy, leading to a reduction in manufacturing cost.

8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of the push button structure according to the first embodiment, taken along line AA of FIG. 8A shows a state when the push button 23 is operated, and FIG. 8B shows a state when the push button 23 is not operated.
A gap is formed between the inner surface 11w of the tubular portion 11b and the outer surface 23w of the outer tubular portion 23b, and the push button 23 can slide smoothly.

When the button body portion 23a of the push button 23 is pushed, the push button 23 slides in the negative direction of the X-axis by the slide distance L1 to be in the state shown in FIG. 8A. In this state, the switch contact portion 23t of the push button 23 brings the movable contact of the switch 25 (not shown) into contact with the fixed contact. When the pushing force of the push button 23 disappears, the push button 23 receives the elastic force of the movable contact of the switch 25 and slides in the X-axis positive direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the slopes 23p and 23q of the groove 23k come into contact with the slopes 11p and 11q of the rib 11k.

The length L2 of the rib 11k is longer than the sliding distance L1 of the push button 23. Therefore, the rib 11k in the groove 23k is unlikely to tilt from the sliding direction. Therefore, when the push button 23 is operated, rattling of the push button 23 is small. On the other hand, in the button guide structure according to Patent Document 1 described above, since the length of the protrusion is shorter than the slide distance, the protrusion easily tilts from the sliding direction and the push button has a large rattling.

The end shape of the rib 11k may be any shape as long as it is in contact with each of the slopes 23p and 23q of the groove 23k. 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams showing modified examples of the groove 23k and the rib 11k of the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment.
For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a rounded portion 11r may be provided at the tip of the rib 11k. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the end of the rib 11k is formed into a polygonal portion 11s or a semicircular shape, and at the two contact points 30p and 30q, the polygonal portion 11s of the rib 11k and the slopes 23p and 23q of the groove 23k are formed. It may be configured to abut. Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 9C, the slopes 11p and 11q and the slopes 23p and 23q may be inclined in opposite directions.

As described above, the push-type button structure according to the first embodiment includes the front panel 11 having the tubular portion 11b, the push button 23 slidably mounted on the tubular portion 11b to operate the switch 25, and the push button 23. The button 23 includes a groove 23k extending in the sliding direction and a rib 11k formed in the tubular portion 11b and slidable in the groove 23k. The end of the groove 23k that contacts the end of the rib 11k when the push button 23 is not operated is V-shaped, and the V-shaped slopes 23p and 23q contact the end of the rib 11k. As a result, the end of the rib 11k abuts against the V-shaped end of the groove 23k and is positioned, so that rattling of the push button 23 when it is not operated can be prevented. Further, since the length L2 of the rib 11k is made longer than the sliding distance L1 of the push button 23, the rib 11k in the groove 23k is less likely to tilt from the sliding direction of the push button 23 as compared with the conventional case, and the push button 23 is operated. It can prevent the rattling of time.

Embodiment 2.
In the first embodiment, the rib 11k is formed on the tubular portion 11b of the front panel 11, and the groove 23k is formed on the push button 23. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the groove 23k is formed in the tubular portion 11b of the front panel 11, and the rib 11k is formed in the push button 23.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the push-type button structure according to the second embodiment as seen obliquely from the front. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the second embodiment taken along the line BB in FIG. 10, showing a state before the push button 23 is attached to the front panel 11. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the second embodiment taken along the line C-C in FIG. 10, showing the groove 23k and the rib 11k in an enlarged manner. FIG. 12 shows a state in which the push button 23 is not operated. 10 to 12, parts that are the same as or correspond to those in FIGS. 1 to 9 of the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In the tubular portion 11b of the front panel 11, a groove 23k is formed on the inner surface 11w of the upper wall 11d so as to extend from the rear edge portion in the positive direction of the X-axis, that is, in the sliding direction of the push button 23. Similarly, a groove 23k is also formed on the inner surfaces 11w of the lower wall 11e and the side walls 11f and 11g.

In the outer cylinder portion 23b of the push button 23, a rib 11k extending from the rear edge portion in the positive direction of the X-axis, that is, extending in the sliding direction of the push button 23 is formed on the outer surface 23w of the upper wall 23h. Similarly, ribs 11k are also formed on the outer surfaces 23w of the lower wall 23j and the side walls 23m and 23n. As in the first embodiment, by making the width of the groove 23k larger than the width of the rib 11k, the rib 11k can smoothly slide in the groove 23k. Further, by making the length of the rib 11k longer than the sliding distance of the push button 23, rattling at the time of operating the push button 23 is suppressed.

The end of the groove 23k, which comes into contact with the end of the rib 11k when the push button 23 is not operated, has a V-shape formed of slopes 23p and 23q. Further, the end portion of the rib 11k that comes into contact with the end portion of the groove 23k when the push button 23 is not operated is a V-shape formed by the slopes 11p and 11q. Similar to the first embodiment, when the push button 23 is not operated, the push buttons 23 are positioned and do not rattle when the slopes 11p and 11q at the tips of the ribs 11k contact the slopes 23p and 23q at the tips of the grooves 23k.

As described in the first embodiment, the end shape of the rib 11k may be any shape as long as it is in contact with each of the slopes 23p and 23q of the groove 23k.

Embodiment 3.
In the third embodiment, a configuration example in which the bottom surface of the V-shaped end portion of the groove 23k described in the first embodiment has an inclined shape that becomes shallower toward the tip of the V-shaped portion will be described.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the front panel 11 having the push-type button structure according to the third embodiment, taken along the line D-D in FIG. 2 and showing the rib 11k in an enlarged manner. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the push button 23 having the push-type button structure according to the third embodiment, taken along the line D-D in FIG. 2 and showing an enlarged groove 23k. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the third embodiment taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, showing the groove 23k and the rib 11k in an enlarged manner. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the push-type button structure according to the third embodiment taken along the line EE in FIG. 2, showing the groove 23k and the rib 11k in an enlarged manner. 15 and 16 show a state in which the push button 23 is not operated. 13 to 16, parts that are the same as or correspond to those in FIGS. 1 to 9 of the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, a sphere-shaped portion 11u having a substantially 1/4 sphere is formed at the end of the rib 11k formed on the inner surface 11w of the lower wall 11e. Similarly, a spherical shaped portion 11u of approximately ¼ sphere is also formed at the end of the rib 11k formed on the inner surface 11w of the upper wall 11d and the side walls 11f and 11g. As shown in FIG. 14, the end portion of the groove 23k formed on the outer surface 23w of the upper wall 23h has a V shape formed by the slopes 23p and 23q, and the bottom surface of this end portion faces the tip of the V shape. It has the inclined bottom surface 23u which becomes shallower as it goes on.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the push button 23 is not operated, the spherical portion 11u at the tip of the rib 11k contacts the slopes 23p, 23q at the tip of the groove 23k at two contact points 30p, 30q. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, when the push button 23 is not operated, the spherical portion 11u at the tip of the rib 11k contacts the inclined bottom surface 23u at the tip of the groove 23k at one contact point 30u. Therefore, the end of the rib 11k and the end of the groove 23k come into contact with each other at the three contact points 30p, 30q, 30u. By abutting at three points as in the third embodiment, positioning accuracy is improved and rattling can be further prevented as compared with the case of abutting at two points as in the first embodiment. More specifically, the end of the rib 11k of the upper wall 11d and the end of the groove 23k of the upper wall 23h contact at three points, and the end of the rib 11k of the lower wall 11e and the end of the groove 23k of the lower wall 23j. By contacting each other at three points, the push button 23 is positioned in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. Further, the end of the rib 11k of the side wall 11f and the end of the groove 23k of the side wall 23m come into contact with each other, and the end of the rib 11k of the side wall 11g and the end of the groove 23k of the side wall 23n come into contact with each other, whereby the push button 23 Are positioned in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction.

The end of the rib 11k of the upper wall 11d and the end of the groove 23k of the upper wall 23h abut at three points, and the end of the rib 11k of the lower wall 11e and the end of the groove 23k of the lower wall 23j are 3 points. Since the push button 23 is positioned in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction by abutting at the points, the ribs 11k of the side walls 11f and 11g and the grooves 23k of the side walls 23m and 23n are unnecessary. Is possible.
Alternatively, the end of the rib 11k of the side wall 11f and the end of the groove 23k of the side wall 23m come into contact with each other, and the end of the rib 11k of the side wall 11g comes into contact with the end of the groove 23k of the side wall 23n, so that the push button 23 Is positioned in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, it is possible to eliminate the ribs 11k of the upper wall 11d and the lower wall 11e and the grooves 23k of the upper wall 23h and the lower wall 23j. ..

In the illustrated example, the end portion of the rib 11k is formed into a spherical shaped portion 11u having a substantially 1/4 sphere, but the end portion of the rib 11k is not limited to this shape, and the end portion of the groove 23k is contacted at three points. Any shape may be used as long as they are in contact with each other.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the V-shaped end portion of the groove 23k has the inclined bottom surface 23u having an inclined shape that becomes shallower toward the tip of the V-shape. Further, the end portion of the rib 11k that abuts the V-shaped end portion of the groove 23k when the push button 23 is not operated has a shape that abuts the slopes 23p and 23q and the inclined bottom surface 23u of the groove 23k. This improves the positioning accuracy when the push button 23 is not operated and further prevents rattling.

In the third embodiment, an example in which the inclined bottom surface 23u and the spherical portion 11u are applied to the groove 23k and the rib 11k of the first embodiment has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and the second embodiment is not limited thereto. The inclined bottom surface 23u and the spherical portion 11u may be applied to the groove 23k and the rib 11k.

It should be noted that, within the scope of the invention, the present invention can freely combine the respective embodiments, modify any constituent element of each embodiment, or omit any constituent element of each embodiment.
For example, in each of the illustrated examples, the push button having a rectangular cross section has a structure in which ribs 11k and grooves 23k are formed at four positions on the upper, lower, left and right sides, two positions on the upper and lower sides, or two positions on the left and right sides. It is not limited to. For example, when the push button has a circular cross section, the ribs 11k and the grooves 23k may be formed at three positions separated by 120 degrees or two positions separated by 180 degrees.

Since the push-type button structure according to the present invention prevents rattling, it is suitable for use in a vehicle-mounted electronic device used in a vibrating environment.

10 electronic devices, 11 front panel, 11a opening, 11b cylinder, 11d upper wall, 11e lower wall, 11f side wall, 11g side wall, 11j front wall, 11k rib, 11p slope, 11q slope, 11r rounded part, 11s polygonal shape Portion, 11u spherical portion, 11w inner surface, 13 circuit board, 23 push button, 23a button body portion, 23b outer cylinder portion, 23h upper wall, 23j lower wall, 23k groove, 23m side wall, 23n side wall, 23p slope surface, 23q slope surface , 23t switch contact portion, 23u inclined bottom surface, 23w outer surface, 25 switch, 30p, 30q, 30u contact point.

Claims (2)

A panel with a tubular portion formed,
A push button that is slidably installed on the tubular portion and operates a switch,
A groove formed in one of the tubular portion or the push button and extending in the sliding direction of the push button,
A rib slidable in the groove, which is formed on the other side of the tubular portion or the push button,
The end of the groove that contacts the end of the rib when the push button is not operated is V-shaped, and two sides of the V-shape contact the end of the rib.
The rib is longer than the slide distance of the push button,
The V-shaped end of the groove has an inclined shape in which the bottom surface becomes shallower toward the tip of the V-shape,
An end of the rib that comes into contact with the V-shaped end of the groove when the push button is not operated has a shape that comes into contact with the inclined bottom surface of the groove and the two sides of the V-shape. and to Help Mesh-type button structure. An electronic device comprising the push-type button structure according to claim 1.

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