JP7081618B2 - Key units and electronic devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a key unit and an electronic device having the key unit.

As an input unit for an electronic device such as an electronic dictionary, there is known a key unit 112 in which a plurality of keys are integrally molded into a sheet shape to increase the size of the key unit to improve visibility and operability.

The key unit 112 has a normal key sheet part and a function key sheet part, and as shown in FIG. 8, the crosspiece 113a of the appearance case 113 is above between the normal key sheet part and the function key sheet part. I try to hold it down from. Note that 111 in FIG. 8 shows a built-in case in which a substrate on which a circuit board having wiring, contacts, electrodes, etc. is mounted is incorporated.

Normally, a plurality of keys in the key sheet portion do not have a frame (a crosspiece of an external case) around each key, so that the key top can be enlarged. In addition, since the key of the key sheet part usually adopts a one-sided support method in which the front side strokes with the rear side of the key top as a fulcrum and comes into contact with the contacts, even a simple structure may impair operability. There is no such thing.

On the other hand, the plurality of keys in the function key sheet section are configured as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In these figures, 200 indicates a circuit board and 210 indicates a key sheet. The key sheet 210 has a pair of buckling portions (key supporting portions) 211 and 212, and the key supporting portion 213 supported by the buckling portion 212 and the key attached to the upper portion of the key supporting portion 213. It is equipped with a top 214 and a base plate 215 for mounting.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, since the frame 220 is provided around each key, the key top 214 cannot be enlarged.

Further, since the key top 214 of the key of the function key sheet is smaller than that of the key of the normal key sheet, the one-sided support method cannot be adopted, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the key top 214 is used. A structure that strokes while keeping it horizontal is adopted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-121594

As for the multiple keys in the function key sheet section, it is possible to increase the size of the key top 214 by eliminating the frame around each key, as in the case of the multiple keys in the normal key sheet section. Even in this case, since the frame of the inner case exists at the rear of the key of the function key sheet portion, the center position of the key top 214 and the center position of the key support portion 213 are shifted as shown in FIG. It is necessary to take a structure. Note that FIG. 11 shows a state before the key top 214 is attached to the key support portion 213.

However, when the center position α of the key top 214 and the center position β of the key support portion 213 are deviated by the difference δ in this way, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the user touches the center of the key top 214 with the finger P. Even if you intend to press, the force is actually applied to the position deviated from the center of the key support portion 213, so the rear side of the buckling portions 211 and 212 provided in a skirt shape around the key support portion 213. There is a problem that the buckling portion 212 of the above buckles at an early stage, and the key top 214 cannot be stroked while being kept horizontal.

An object of the present invention is to enable stable key input even when the positional relationship between the key top and the (key) support portion is restricted in the keys of the key sheet.

One aspect of the present invention is a key unit in which a plurality of keys are arranged in the left-right direction and the front-back direction, respectively , and is housed in a frame of the case, as viewed from the operator who operates the keys. Among them, the key arranged at the rear end portion in the frame of the case includes a key top member having an operation surface and a support member for supporting the key top member on the base portion via an elastic deformation portion, and has the elasticity. The deforming portion includes a first elastic deforming portion provided on the front end side in the front-rear direction of the arrangement of the plurality of keys on the operation surface, and a second elastic deformation portion provided on the rear end side facing the front end of the operation surface. It has an elastically deformed portion, and the distance of the first elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface is longer than the distance of the second elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface, and the first elastic. The elastic coefficient of the deformed portion is set to be smaller than the elastic coefficient of the second elastic deformed portion.

As one aspect of the present invention, the electronic device includes a case portion for accommodating a key unit in which a plurality of keys are arranged in the left-right direction and the front-back direction, respectively , from the viewpoint of an operator who operates the keys, and among the plurality of keys. The key arranged at the rear end portion in the frame of the case portion includes a key top member having an operation surface and a support member for supporting the key top member on the base portion via an elastic deformation portion, and the elasticity thereof. The deforming portion includes a first elastic deforming portion provided on the front end side in the front-rear direction of the arrangement of the plurality of keys on the operation surface, and a second elastic portion provided on the rear end side facing the front end of the operation surface. It has a deformed portion, and the distance of the first elastic deformed portion from the center of the operating surface is longer than the distance of the second elastic deformed portion from the center of the operating surface, and the first elastic deformation The elastic coefficient of the portion is set to be smaller than the elastic coefficient of the second elastically deformed portion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform stable key input even when there are restrictions on the positional relationship between the key top and the (key) support portion in the key of the key sheet.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the electronic device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the 1st housing of the electronic device. It is sectional drawing which looked at the key unit incorporated in the electronic device by the arrow AA in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the main part of the key unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation state in the main part of the key unit. It is a schematic diagram which shows the reference example of a key unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the main part of the key unit. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the 1st housing of the general electronic device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the key of the same key sheet. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the key of the same key sheet. It is a perspective view which shows the main part of the key of the same key sheet. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation state of the key of the same key sheet. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation state of the key of the same key sheet.

The electronic device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a schematic view showing an electronic device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a first housing 12 of the electronic device 10, and FIG. 3 is incorporated in the electronic device 10. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the key sheet (key unit) 40 viewed with an arrow taken along the line AA in FIG. In the following description, the front end is the front end side in the front-back direction of the key arrangement, and the rear end is the rear end side in the front-back direction of the key arrangement.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 10 includes a first housing 12, a second housing 14, and a hinge portion 16. The first housing 12 and the second housing 14 rotate around the hinge portion 16, and the electronic device 10 is folded so that the first housing 12 and the second housing 14 overlap each other. The electronic device 10 is, for example, an electronic dictionary. The first housing 12 and the second housing 14 are made of, for example, an insulating resin such as ABS resin, acrylic resin, and polycarbonate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first housing 12 includes a built-in case 20, a substrate 30 mounted on the built-in case 20, and a key sheet 40 arranged on the substrate 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 18 is arranged in the second housing 14. The display unit 18 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays input contents from the user, search results, and the like.

The substrate 30 is a circuit board having wiring, contacts, electrodes, and the like. When the support members of the normal key sheet portion 50 and the function key sheet portion 51 of the key sheet 40, which will be described later, come into contact with the contacts of the substrate 30, the wiring between the support member and the substrate 30 is conducted. As a result, the input to the electronic device 10 is executed.

The key sheet 40 projects from one opening 13 of the first housing 12. Further, in a state where the electronic device 10 is folded and the first housing 12 and the second housing 14 overlap each other, the key sheet 40 protruding from the opening 13 of the first housing 12 faces the second housing 14. do.

The key sheet 40 is an input unit that receives input by the user of the electronic device 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the key sheet 40 includes a normal key sheet section 50 and a plurality of function key sheet sections 51 located on the rear end side (hinge section 16 side) with respect to the normal key sheet section 50. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the normal key sheet unit 50 has a plurality of keys (so-called QWERTY keys) arranged in the left-right direction and the front-back direction. Normally, each key of the key sheet portion 50 is supported by a buckling portion provided on the rear end side and a buckling portion provided on the front end side. The buckling portion provided on the rear end side is supported by the convex portion (not shown) provided on the rear end of the key top, so that the buckling portion does not buckle and only the front side of the key top strokes. It has become. When the key is pressed, the buckling portion on the front end side buckles, and the contact portion provided on the bottom surface side of the key comes into contact with the contact of the substrate 30, so that input is performed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the function key seat portion 51 includes a seat base 60 mounted on the built-in case 20 or the substrate 30, and a front buckling portion (first elastic deformation portion) extending upward from the seat base 60. ) 61, the rear buckling portion (second elastic deformation portion) 62, the support member 70 whose peripheral edge is supported by the front buckling portion 61 and the rear buckling portion 62, and the upper portion of the support member 70. It has a key top 80 attached to. The center position of the key top 80 in the front-rear direction is indicated by N. The sheet base 60 is fastened on the substrate 30 by a base plate 90.

The upper surface of the key top 80 in the figure is an operation surface that the user's fingertips come into contact with. The distance t1 along the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in the figure) from the center position N of the front buckling portion 61 provided on the front end (first end) side of the operation surface and the key top 80 is the rear end (the rear end of the operation surface). It is set longer than the distance t2 along the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in the figure) from the center position N of the rear side buckling portion 62 and the key top 80 provided on the second end) side.

The seat base 60, the front buckling portion 61, the rear buckling portion 62, and the support member 70 are integrally made of an insulating elastic material such as silicon rubber or an elastomer. The key top 80 is made of ABS resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate and the like. The base plate 90 is made of a material having a relatively high bending rigidity, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or an aluminum alloy, or a resin such as polycarbonate.

A contact portion 71 is provided at the lower center of the support member 70. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the front buckling portion 61 and the rear buckling portion 62 that form a part of the support member 70 extend from the periphery of the support member 70 in a skirt shape to the contact portion 71 and the seat base 60. And connect. Further, the front buckling portion 61 and the rear buckling portion 62 elastically support the support member 70 with respect to the seat base 60 in a direction protruding from the opening 13 of the first housing 12. The anterior buckling portion 61 and the rear buckling portion 62 buckle when the key top 80 is pressed, and are restored when the pressing is removed from the key top 80.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rear buckling portion 62 has a thick portion 62a formed on the support member 70 side, and the buckling range is formed shorter than that of the front buckling portion 61. That is, the anterior buckling portion 61 is formed to have a smaller elastic modulus than the posterior buckling portion 62. The thick portion 62a may be integrally molded with the same material as the rear buckling portion 62, or may be formed of the same or different materials and adhered.

The key unit configured in this way operates as follows. That is, the support member of the normal key sheet portion 50 is pressed by the user, the rear end side is used as a fulcrum, and the front end side is displaced downward. On the other hand, the support member 70 of the function key seat portion 51 is supported by the front buckling portion 61 and the rear buckling portion 62, but when the center position of the key top 80 is pressed by the user, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the anterior buckling portion 61 and the posterior buckling portion 62 buckle. At this time, since the posterior buckling portion 62 is short and the elastic modulus is large, it is less likely to be deformed than the front buckling portion 61. Therefore, the pressing force input to the center position is greatly applied to the posterior buckling portion 62 near the pressing position, but the anterior buckling portion 61 that is easily deformed and the posterior buckling portion 62 that is difficult to deform are simultaneously seated. Succumb. That is, the support member 70 descends perpendicularly to the substrate 30, and the bottom surface of the support member 70 and the substrate 30 come into contact with each other to conduct conduction. This will execute the input.

Therefore, when the user presses the center position of the key top, the key top 80 can be stroked without being greatly tilted.

Further, even if the user tries to press the center position of the key top 80, the key top 80 may be deviated from the center position. Therefore, even if the user presses the position deviated from the center position to some extent, the inclination of the key top 80 is within the allowable inclination. It is desirable to do so.

In this case, the area that is likely to deviate from the center position is set as a virtual area (for example, the virtual area is set as allowing a 10% positional deviation with respect to the length of the entire key top 80 in the front-rear direction). The tilt of the key top 80 when the key top 80 is pressed in the region is set to be equal to or less than the allowable tilt (for example, 10 ° or less).

Then, in order to satisfy such a condition, the length of the front and rear of the key top 80, the distance between the front and rear buckling portions provided on the support member 70, and the amount of deviation between the center of the key top 80 and the center of the support member 70. , Elastic modulus of each front and rear buckling part, etc. are set. These conditions may be determined experimentally.

Further, when the user tries to press the free position of the key top 80 without trying to press the center position of the key top 80, the pressed position becomes a position greatly deviated from the center of the key top 80. In some cases, the distance to the anterior buckling part with respect to the front end of the keytop 80 and the distance to the rear end of the keytop 80, rather than the distance to the front and rear buckling parts with respect to the center of the keytop 80. In some cases, the distance to the posterior buckling is more important.

In that case, the distance to the front buckling portion with respect to the front end of the key top 80 is shorter than the distance to the rear buckling portion with respect to the rear end of the key top 80, and the elastic modulus of the front buckling portion. The coefficient shall be set smaller than the elastic modulus of the buckling portion on the rear side.

Then, a region in which the distance from the periphery of the key top 80 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value may be set as the virtual region, and the design may be made so as to satisfy the above-mentioned conditions.

Therefore, even when there are restrictions on the positional relationship between the key top 80 and the support member 70, such as the keys on the function key sheet, stable key input can be performed.
Further, even when a position deviated from the center of the key top 80 is pressed, the key top 80 can be reliably input without being greatly tilted, and a pressing position with respect to the center of the key top 80 can be performed. If the deviation is within a predetermined range, the inclination of the key top 80 can be kept within an allowable range, and the degree of freedom of user operation can be increased. Further, if the distance to the pressing position with respect to the end of the key top 80 is at least a predetermined distance, the inclination of the key top 80 can be kept within an allowable range, and the degree of freedom of user operation can be further increased.

In addition, since it is not necessary to press the key sheet from above with the crosspiece of the outer case, there is no frame around the keys, and by maximizing the size of each key, usability can be maintained. When the key sheet is stored in the case, even if the key located in the peripheral part such as the function key is located near the wall of the inner case, the freedom of design of the key part to maintain the operability of the key The degree can be increased.

Note that FIG. 6 is a reference diagram for supplementing the effect of the above-mentioned key unit. That is, it is possible to adopt the structure as shown in FIG. 6 so that the center position α of the key top 214 and the center position β of the key support portion 213 do not deviate, but in this case, the area of the key top 214 On the other hand, since the area of the buckling portions 211 and 212 provided in a skirt shape around the key support portion 213 becomes small, the key top 214 tends to tilt in either the front-back or left-right direction and is unstable. be.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the main part of the key unit. In this modification, the rear buckling portion 63 is provided instead of the rear buckling portion 62. The posterior buckling portion 63 is formed to be thicker than the anterior buckling portion 61 as a whole. Therefore, since the elastic modulus of the posterior buckling portion 63 is large, it is less likely to be deformed than the front buckling portion 61. Therefore, as in the case of using the posterior buckling portion 62 described above, the pressing force input to the center position is greatly applied to the posterior buckling portion 63 near the pressing position, but the anterior buckling portion is easily deformed. The portion 61 and the posterior buckling portion 63, which is difficult to deform, buckle at the same time. That is, the support member 70 descends perpendicularly to the substrate 30, and the bottom surface of the support member 70 and the substrate 30 come into contact with each other to conduct conduction. This will execute the input.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-mentioned example, a plurality of keys are applied to a key sheet integrally molded into a sheet shape, but the present invention is not particularly limited to the integrally molded key sheet, and even if the normal key sheet portion and the function key sheet portion are separated. good.

The electronic device 10 provided with such a key unit is not limited to an electronic dictionary, but may be a calculator, a mobile phone, a keyboard of a PC, or the like. Further, the combination of inclinations includes those other than those described above, and the combination of inclinations may be combined. In addition, it goes without saying that various modifications can be carried out without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. The inventions described in the original claims of the present application are described below.
[Appendix 1]
A key top member with an operation surface and
A support member having an elastically deformed portion and supporting the key top member on the base portion via the elastically deformed portion in a strokeable state.
In the key structure with
The elastically deformed portion includes a first elastically deformed portion provided on the first end side of the operation surface and a second elastically deformed portion provided on the second end side facing the first end of the operation surface. , Has,
The distance of the first elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface is longer than the distance of the second elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface, and the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion is the first. 2 Key structure set to be smaller than the elastic coefficient of the elastically deformed part.
[Appendix 2]
The distance of the first elastically deformed portion from the first end side of the operation surface is shorter than the distance of the second elastically deformed portion from the second end side, and the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion. Is the key structure according to [Appendix 1], which is set to be smaller than the elastic coefficient of the second elastic deformation portion.
[Appendix 3]
By making the length of the first elastically deformed portion longer than the length of the second elastically deformed portion, the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion becomes smaller than the elastic coefficient of the second elastically deformed portion. The key structure described in [Appendix 1] or [Appendix 2] that has been set.
[Appendix 4]
By making the thickness of the first elastically deformed portion smaller than the thickness of the second elastically deformed portion, the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion becomes smaller than the elastic coefficient of the second elastically deformed portion. The key structure according to any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 3] that has been set.
[Appendix 5]
A virtual area assumed to be pressed by the user is set on the operation surface, an allowable inclination which is an allowable inclination of the key top member is set, and the operation surface is pressed within the set virtual area. The length of the front and back of the key top member, the first elastically deformed portion and the second elastic portion provided on the support member so that the tilt of the key top member is equal to or less than the set allowable tilt. The distance from the deformed portion, the amount of deviation between the center of the key top member and the center of the support member, and the elastic modulus of each of the first elastic deformed portion and the second elastic deformed portion are set [Appendix 1] to The key structure according to any one of [Appendix 4].
[Appendix 6]
A key unit in which keys are arranged in the left-right direction and the front-back direction, respectively.
Of the keys, the key placed at the rear end is
A key top member with an operation surface and
A support member for supporting the key top member on the base portion via an elastic deformation portion is provided.
The elastically deformed portion includes a first elastically deformed portion provided on the front end side of the operation surface in the front-rear direction of the key arrangement, and a second elastically deformed portion provided on the rear end side facing the front end of the operation surface. Has an elastically deformed part,
The distance of the first elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface is longer than the distance of the second elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface, and the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion is the first. 2 A key unit that is set to be smaller than the elastic coefficient of the elastically deformed part.
[Appendix 7]
The key is the key unit according to [Appendix 6], which is formed of a key sheet.
[Appendix 8]
The key unit according to [Appendix 6] or [Appendix 7], wherein the first end is a front end in the front-rear direction of the key arrangement, and the second end is a rear end in the front-back direction of the key arrangement.
[Appendix 9]
A case unit that houses key units in which keys are arranged in the left-right direction and the front-back direction, respectively.
Of the keys, the keys arranged on the rear end side in the front-back direction of the key arrangement are
A key top member with an operation surface and
A support member for supporting the key top member on the base portion via an elastic deformation portion is provided.
The elastically deformed portion includes a first elastically deformed portion provided on the front end side of the operation surface in the front-rear direction of the key arrangement, and a second elastically deformed portion provided on the rear end side facing the front end of the operation surface. Has an elastically deformed part,
The distance of the first elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface is longer than the distance of the second elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface, and the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion is the first. 2 An electronic device that is set to be smaller than the elastic coefficient of the elastically deformed part.

10 ... Electronic equipment, 12 ... 1st housing, 13 ... Opening, 14 ... Second housing, 16 ... Hinge part, 18 ... Display part, 20 ... Built-in case, 30 ... Board, 40 ... Key sheet (key unit) ), 50 ... normal key seat part, 51 ... function key seat part, 60 ... seat base, 61 ... front buckling part (first elastic deformation part), 62 ... rear side buckling part (second elastic deformation part), 62a ... thick part, 63 ... rear buckling part, 70 ... support member, 71 ... contact part, 80 ... key top, 81 ... front end, 82 ... rear end, 90 ... base plate, 112 ... key unit, 113 ... Appearance case, 113a ... Crosspiece, 200 ... Circuit board, 210 ... Key sheet, 211 ... Buckling part (key support part), 212 ... Buckling part (key support part), 213 ... Key support part, 214 ... Key top , 215 ... base plate, 220 ... frame.

Claims (7)

A key unit in which a plurality of keys are arranged in the left-right direction and the front-back direction from the viewpoint of the operator who operates the keys, and is housed in the frame of the case .
Of the plurality of keys, the key arranged at the rear end within the frame of the case is
A key top member with an operation surface and
A support member for supporting the key top member on the base portion via an elastic deformation portion is provided.
The elastically deformed portion is provided on the first elastically deformed portion provided on the front end side in the front-rear direction of the arrangement of the plurality of keys on the operation surface, and on the rear end side facing the front end of the operation surface. Has 2 elastically deformed parts,
The distance of the first elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface is longer than the distance of the second elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface, and the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion is the first. 2 A key unit that is set to be smaller than the elastic coefficient of the elastically deformed part. The key unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of keys are formed of a key sheet. The distance of the operation surface of the first elastically deformed portion from the front end side is shorter than the distance of the second elastically deformed portion from the rear end side, and the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion is the above. The key unit according to claim 1 or 2, which is set to be smaller than the elastic coefficient of the second elastic deformation portion. By making the length of the first elastically deformed portion longer than the length of the second elastically deformed portion, the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion becomes smaller than the elastic coefficient of the second elastically deformed portion. The key unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 that has been set. By making the thickness of the first elastically deformed portion smaller than the thickness of the second elastically deformed portion, the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion becomes smaller than the elastic coefficient of the second elastically deformed portion. The key unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 that has been set. A virtual area assumed to be pressed by the user is set on the operation surface, an allowable inclination which is an allowable inclination of the key top member is set, and the operation surface is pressed within the set virtual area. The length of the front and back of the key top member, the first elastically deformed portion and the second elastic portion provided on the support member so that the tilt of the key top member is equal to or less than the set allowable tilt. Claims 1 to 1 to which the distance from the deformed portion, the amount of deviation between the center of the key top member and the center of the support member, and the elastic modulus of each of the first elastic deformed portion and the second elastic deformed portion are set. The key unit according to any one of 5. A case unit that houses a key unit in which multiple keys are arranged in the left-right direction and the front-back direction when viewed from the operator who operates the keys.
Of the plurality of keys, the key arranged at the rear end portion in the frame of the case portion is
A key top member with an operation surface and
A support member for supporting the key top member on the base portion via an elastic deformation portion is provided.
The elastically deformed portion is provided on the first elastically deformed portion provided on the front end side in the front-rear direction of the arrangement of the plurality of keys on the operation surface, and on the rear end side facing the front end of the operation surface. Has 2 elastically deformed parts,
The distance of the first elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface is longer than the distance of the second elastically deformed portion from the center of the operating surface, and the elastic coefficient of the first elastically deformed portion is the first. 2 An electronic device that is set to be smaller than the elastic coefficient of the elastically deformed part.

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