JPH04315715A - Integrated type key button device for switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize miniaturization as well as to enhance operability and mouldability of a key button by integrally joint-moulding a plurality of key buttons at both ends in the X-axis direction by means of an L-shape hinge along a rod-like frame in the X-axis direction. CONSTITUTION:Each key button 23 is supported at both ends thereof in the X-axis direction by a short-side part 24b of an L-shape hinge part 24. A long- side part 24a of the hinge part 24 is joined from the Y-axis direction to both side positions or one side position of a frame 22 formed into a rod-shape in the X-axis direction. Accordingly, when the key button 23 is depressed the upper surface thereof, while keeping a horizontal state, ascends, thus enhancing operability. Also, an arrangement pitch of a button 23 in the X-axis direction is shortened and each button is miniaturized so that the number of the buttons can be increased. Moreover, at the time of manufacturing, in a synthetic resin molding metal mold a synthetic resin is injected from a runner through a gate 23c of each button 23 and pressed into the frame 22 through the hinge part 24 so as to form a key button device 21, thus making moldability excellent.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an integrated key button device for use in, for example, operation panel switches of portable radio equipment.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional integrated key button device for switches shown in Utility Application No. 1-91261, and FIG. 8 is a push button switch incorporating the key button device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the main part of the device. Figures 7 and 8
1 is an integrated key button device, which is constructed as follows. 2 is a frame made of transparent synthetic resin,
A plurality of key buttons 3 are integrally formed via a hinge portion 4. 3a is a collar provided around the lower part of the key button 3. 5 is a key bottom made of colored synthetic resin,
It is joined to the uneven joint surface 3b on the lower surface of the key button 3, and a protrusion 5a is provided at the lower part. Reference numeral 7 denotes a printed display such as characters placed on the upper surface of the key button 3.

A push button switch device 10 incorporating the conventional key button device 1 described above is constructed as follows. 11 is a printed circuit board on which a plurality of light emitting diodes 12 for illuminating the key buttons 3 are mounted. Reference numeral 13 denotes a membrane switch attached to the printed circuit board 11. A single sheet is bent, a spacer is sandwiched between the membrane switches, and contacts are provided on each of the vertically opposing inner surfaces. A through hole is provided so that both contacts can be opened and closed, but these elements are not shown. Reference numeral 14 designates a plurality of metal springs disposed on the membrane switch 13 above each of the contacts. The key button device 1 is mounted on a membrane switch 13 so that the protruding portion 5a of the key bottom 5 at the bottom of each key button 3 is positioned on each corresponding metal spring 14. Reference numeral 15 denotes a front cover that is attached to the frame 2 and has each key button 3 protruding through a through hole 15a.
The collar portion 3a of the key button 3 is received from above on the lower surface of the periphery of the key button 3.

Next, the operation will be explained. Key button 3 is
It is supported by the frame 2 by a hinge part 4 on one side forming a cantilever beam. When the key button 3 is pressed, the hinge portion 4 is bent and pressed down. Then, the lower protrusion 5a presses against the metal spring 14, producing a warped click feeling. The bent metal spring 14 presses against the membrane switch 13, making the internal contacts conductive. The protruding portion 5a at the bottom of the key button 3 is provided at a position far from the hinge portion 4, so that a small pressing force is required.

[0005] Generally, operation switches for portable radios and the like require a backlight, so the frame 2 and key buttons 3 are integrally formed of transparent synthetic resin, and the emitted light from the light emitting diode 12 on the printed circuit board 11 is The light passes through the frame 2 and illuminates the key button 3.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional integrated key button device 1 as described above, in order to increase the strength of the hinge portion 4 against moment, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient length of the hinge portion 4. However, there was a problem in that the arrangement pitch of the key buttons 6 became large, which hindered miniaturization. Also, when the key is pressed down, the key button 3 moves to the anti-hinge section 4.
There was a problem in that the operation feeling was impaired because it tilted to the side and descended.

Furthermore, from the viewpoint of manufacturing, the plate-shaped frame 2
A large number of key buttons 3 are integrally formed within the frame 2, and the injection moldability of synthetic resin for each thick key button 3 is poor, limiting the number of key buttons 3. Furthermore, the frame 2 has a large area. Therefore, a large amount of synthetic resin is required,
The problem was that it was expensive.

[0008] This invention was made to solve these problems, and it can be made smaller, the number of key buttons can be increased, and the operability of the key buttons can be improved. Another object of the present invention is to obtain an integrated key button device for a switch that has good moldability when integrally formed using synthetic resin.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] An integrated key button device for a switch according to the present invention has a frame formed into a rod shape extending in the X-axis direction, and a plurality of key buttons arranged in the X-axis direction on both sides or one side of the frame. A pair of L-shaped hinge parts are arranged in the Y-axis direction from the side of the frame, and the ends of the short sides of the pair of hinge parts in the X-axis direction are integrally connected to both sides of the key button in the X-axis direction. The frame, hinge part, and key button are integrally formed from synthetic resin.

0010

[Operation] In this invention, each key button is integrally formed and supported by the frame via a pair of L-shaped hinges at both ends, and when the key button is pressed down, the top surface is lowered while maintaining a horizontal state. , the operability is improved, the arrangement pitch of each key button in the X-axis direction is shortened, the size is reduced, and the number of key buttons is increased. Furthermore, in manufacturing,
Each key button can be injection molded by providing a sprue from a runner using a synthetic resin mold, improving moldability.

[0011]

[Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an integrated key button device for a switch according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of a main part of a push button switch device incorporating this integrated key button device. 7, 11 to 15 are the same as in FIG. 8 above. Reference numeral 21 denotes an integrated key button device integrally molded from white (milky white) synthetic resin with good light transmittance, and is constructed as follows. Reference numeral 22 denotes a rod-shaped frame extending in the X-axis direction, and a through hole 22a is provided at the lower part of the frame in a portion corresponding to the light emitting diode 12. Reference numeral 23 denotes a plurality of key buttons arranged in the X-axis direction at both sides of the frame 22. A collar part 23a is provided at the lower part of the side periphery so that the key buttons 23 can be received from above on the lower surface of the periphery of the through hole 15a of the front cover 15. I have to. A protrusion 23b corresponding to the metal spring 14 is formed at the lower part of the key button 23. Reference numeral 24 denotes a pair of hinge parts extending from both sides of the frame 22 and corresponding to each key button 23, with a long side 24a in the Y-axis direction and a short side 24b in the X-axis direction bent at a bent part 24c. It is shaped like a letter. The tips of the short side portions 24b are integrally connected to both sides of the key button 23 in the X-axis direction.

FIG. 2 shows the key button device 21 incorporated therein.
In the push button switch device 30 shown in FIG. 1, 25 is a spacer fixed on the membrane switch 13, and is made of polyester, for example. A key button device 21 is mounted on this spacer 25, and a front cover 1 is mounted on this.
5 is installed.

The operation of the push button switch device 30 by the key button device 21 is as follows. key button 2
When 3 is pressed down, the pair of hinge parts 24 are bent and the key button 23 is lowered. At this time, the hinge portion 24 is formed in an L-shape, and is twisted downward between the bent portion 24c and the short side portion 24b, and the key button 23 descends while maintaining a horizontal posture. This improves the feel of operating the key buttons.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the key button 23 is pressed down, the metal spring 14 is bent by the protrusion 23b, and the contact point of the membrane switch 13 is closed. When the key button 23 is no longer pressed, the hinge portion 24 elastically returns, the key button 23 rises, and returns to the state shown in FIG. 2.

The formation of the key button device 21 by injection molding of synthetic resin will be explained with reference to FIG. Hinge part 24
Since the wall thickness of the key button 23 affects the pressing force of the key button 23, it is necessary to make it as thin as possible. Furthermore, since the key button 23 itself is thick, sufficient filling pressure with resin is required. For this reason, the frame 22 is made into a rod shape in the X-axis direction, and the key button 23 is arranged on both sides or one side of the frame 22,
Each key button 23 is provided with a sprue 23c (see FIG. 1) on the side opposite to the frame 22 side. A runner 27 is provided in the X-axis direction by a molding die. The injected synthetic resin is press-fitted from the runner 27 through each sprue 23c into each key button 23 part, and furthermore, the synthetic resin is press-fitted into the frame 22 part from each pair of hinge parts 24. 24d shows the knockout portion of the resin-molded key button device when it is removed from the mold. In this way, unnecessary resin portions are cut and removed at each gate 23c, as shown by chain lines. As a result, an integrated key button device 21 as shown in FIG. 1 is formed.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the short side 24b of the hinge portion 24 is integrally connected to the center portion of the side portion of the key button 23 in the Y-axis direction, but as another embodiment, as shown in FIG. You can also do this. The long side 24a of the hinge part 24 is extended, and the short side 24b is integrally connected to the side of the key button 23 on the side farther from the frame 22 in the Y-axis direction. In this way, the extended hinge portion 24 has less stress due to bending, and the pressing force for pressing the key button 23 can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the frame 22 and each key button 23 are integrally formed of a monochromatic transparent synthetic resin, but they may be formed as a third embodiment shown in FIG. A key bottom 5 made of colored synthetic resin is bonded to the lower part of the key button 23 made of transparent synthetic resin, and a protrusion 5a is provided at the lower part of the key bottom 5. These two colors provide a great design effect.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, the frame is formed into a bar shape in the X-axis direction, and a plurality of key buttons are arranged in the X-axis direction on both sides or one side of the frame. A pair of L-shaped hinge parts are extended from the frame in the Y-axis direction, and each end of the short side in the X-axis direction of the pair of hinge parts is integrally connected to both sides of the key button in the X-axis direction. Since the hinge part and the key button are integrally formed of synthetic resin, the pitch of each key button in the X-axis direction is shortened, the size is reduced, and the number of key buttons can be increased. Moreover, the operability of key buttons is improved. Furthermore, in terms of manufacturing, moldability of integrally formed synthetic resin is improved, and the material used to form the frame can be saved and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an integrated key button device for a switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a main part of a push button switch device incorporating the key button device of FIG. 1;

3 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part of the push button switch device in a state where the key button of FIG. 2 is pressed down; FIG.

4 is a plan view showing a runner structure molded from synthetic resin of the integrated key button device of FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a main part of a push button switch device incorporating an integrated key button device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a main part of a push button switch device incorporating an integrated key button device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional integrated key button device.

8 is a side sectional view of a main part of a push button switch device incorporating the integrated key button device of FIG. 7; FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 Integrated key button device 22 Frame 23 Key button 24 Hinge part 24a Long side 24b Short side

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A frame formed into a rod shape in the X-axis direction, a plurality of key buttons arranged in the X-axis direction on both sides or one side of the frame, and a long side extending from the side of the frame in the Y-axis direction. L between the part and the short side bent in the X-axis direction
The key button has a pair of hinge parts integrally connected and supported at the tips of the short sides on both sides of the key button in the X-axis direction, and each of the key buttons connects to the frame through the pair of hinge parts. An integrated key button device for a switch, characterized in that it is integrally formed by synthetic resin molding.