JPH0877875A - Key top structure and key operating panel structure using this - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a key top structure of low cost and without erroneous installation by supporting key tops with elastic runners having a vertically movable structure as a shape according to a function, and supporting the whole elastic runners with a support frame as an integral structure. CONSTITUTION: In a key top structure formed by arranging plural key tops 50, the respective key tops 50 are formed in a proper shape according to a switch function, and the function is printed and displayed, and a guide part 54 to engage with a plane key switch on a printed board is arranged in an under part. These respective key tops 50 are supported with elastic runners 14 having a vertically movable structure. These elastic runners 14 are all supported with a support frame 12 of a fixed frame as an integral structure. A decorative panel is applied to this key top structure, and longitudinal lateral directional positional dislocation when the key tops 50 are pressed is prevented, and an accurately actuating key operating panel structure is obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key-top structure of a plurality of push-button switches used on the front face of an operation panel in a key operation panel such as a measuring instrument which is produced in a small or medium amount. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a conventional key top is a case where an individually manufactured key top is inserted into a fitting portion of a key switch to form an operation panel. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). The operation panel used here is a plurality of types of commonly used operation panels used for measuring instruments produced in medium to small quantities. Depending on the model of the product, the number of switches on this operation panel may increase or decrease, and the characters printed on the surface of the key top may also differ.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the structure of the operation panel is composed of a plurality of key tops 80, a decorative panel 30, a plurality of slam-equipped key switches 60, and a printed board 70. The decorative panel 30 is formed of a molded resin material or a sheet metal material, and is subjected to desired printing to form the appearance of the operation panel. On the printed board 70, the switch lead wires of the plurality of slam-equipped key switches 60 are soldered and fixed in an array.

The key switch 60 with a slam is a switch that opens and closes electrical contacts by pressing the upper slam 62 portion, and has a convex slam for fitting with the key top 80. . The key top 80 is a portion that is pressed by a finger, is formed of a resin molded product, and has an individual character symbol 58 corresponding to the arrangement position of each key top on the front surface, as shown in FIG. 3B. Has been printed. A guide portion 84 is formed on the bottom of the key top 80, and the key top 80 is supported by being inserted into the convex portion of the key switch 60 with a slam and fitted and fixed. Here, the key top 80 on which the characters and symbols are printed is attached to the slam-equipped key switch 60 located at a position corresponding to the printed character.

On the other hand, in order to reduce the manufacturing cost and the number of parts in stock, the key top 80 is commonly used for the manufacturing shape.
The key top 80 has a unified outer shape limited to several types. These are collectively injection-molded, manufactured, and stored in stock. Next, regarding the printing of the character symbols 58, individual key symbols 80 are produced by printing desired character symbols on the surface of the molded key tops 80, and the individual key tops 80 are manufactured and stored.

[0006]

As described above, since desired print symbols are individually printed on the surface of the non-printed key top 80, the manufacturing cost is high. Further, in the mounting work of the key tops 80, a large number of individually printed key tops 80 are mounted on the key switch 60 with the slam at the corresponding predetermined position, so that the mounting work man-hours are increased and the different positions are mounted. There is also the possibility of making a mistake. In addition, key tops 80 with a uniform number of shapes
Has a large number of key tops of the same shape arranged on the operation panel surface. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the function of the key cannot be determined based on the outer shape, which may cause a user's key operation error, which is also ergonomically undesirable. It is also a factor that limits the design of the operation panel.

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a structure in which all of the keytops are integrally supported to form a keytop having a unique shape corresponding to the switch function,
In addition, it is an object to manufacture all the key tops at a low cost by collectively performing a printing process.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the structure of the present invention, each key top 50 is supported, and the elastic runner 14 formed in the elastic shape of the vertically movable structure is provided. The elastic runner 14 for supporting the whole is provided as a structural means by which the supporting frame 12 for supporting the elastic runner 14 as a whole by a fixed frame is provided. This allows individual key tops 50
Realizes a structure in which the key tops can be freely moved up and down by pushing the key tops, and all the key tops 50 can be supported and fixed at desired positions. In addition, the makeup panel 30 is a key top 50.
Achieves prevention of vertical and horizontal misalignment when is pressed,
A key operation panel applicable to both the slam-equipped key switch 60 or the plane key switch 65 is realized.

[0009]

The elastic runner 14 has a function of freely moving the key top 50 up and down by the elastic runner 14 and positioning and supporting the key top 50. In addition to the slam-equipped key switch 60, the flat key switch 65, the membrane type key switch, and the planar key switch can also be used. The support frame 12 has a function of supporting and fixing the entire key tops 50 and positioning each key top 50 at a predetermined position. As a result, the character symbols on the surface of the key top 50 can be printed collectively. The keytops 50 having an integral structure can form any shape of the keytops 50, and individual keytops having unique shapes and sizes optimal for each key function can be formed.

[0010]

EXAMPLE An example of the key top of the present invention is a case where a supporting structure in which all the key tops are connected is provided and the supporting structure is integrally formed by injection molding. About this,
A description will be given with reference to (a), (b) and (c). The structure of the operation panel is as shown in FIG.
, A plurality of slammed key switches 60 or plane key switches 65, a printed board 70, a plurality of key tops 50, a support frame 12, and an elastic runner 14. Here, the decorative panel 30, the slam-equipped key switch 60, and the printed board 70 are the same as conventional ones.

The elastic runner 14, as shown in FIG.
The key top 50 is formed so that it can freely move up and down when pressed, and the key top 50 is positioned, supported and fixed. That is, the resin having elasticity is given elasticity to such an extent that it can be repeatedly moved up and down at an angle of several degrees. Therefore, the runner shape is curved to give a desired length, thickness and width. Further, in the case of a large-sized key top 50, a plurality of elastic runners 14 are formed and fixedly supported. The elastic runner 14 also serves as a flow path for the molten resin during injection molding.

As shown in FIG. 1, the key tops 50 are individually connected to the support frame 12 by elastic runners 14 and are supported and fixed. Further, each key top 50 is guided by the corresponding hole of the decorative panel 30, so that excessive vertical and horizontal positional displacement does not occur when the key top is pressed. Further, a cosmetic brim 52 is provided to prevent the key top from protruding to the front side of the operation panel.

Further, at the bottom of the key top 50, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), a guide portion 54 is provided, and it is possible to handle two types of key switches. The first usage pattern is the same as the conventional one, and as shown in FIG. 2C, a cross groove corresponding to the key switch 60 with a slam is formed, and the slam 62 is inserted and fitted. It is a form that is fixed and used. The second usage pattern is a case where the flat key switch 65 having no slam 62 is applied, and the flat key switch 65 is pressed by the tip surface of the guide portion. In this case,
Although the key top 50 is not fixed to the switch side and is in a free state, the key top 50 is supported by the elastic runner 14 and is guided by the hole of the decorative panel 30 to prevent vertical and horizontal displacement, so that it can be used. It is possible. Also, like the plane key switch 65, a disk-shaped metal disk (Me
It can be similarly applied to a membrane type key switch using a tal disk) and a planar key switch using a film substrate. Many key switches are flat key switches 65
In this case, the support frame 12 itself is fixed to the printed board 70 side or the decorative panel 30 side for use.

Further, the printing of the characters and symbols on the surface of the key top 50 is carried out in a batch. This makes it possible to reduce the printing cost. In addition, the key top 50 having an integrated structure includes a key top common to product models and a key top portion for each model. This integrated key top 50
Then, in order to reduce the cost of the molding die, we will manufacture with the maximum number of key tops. Unnecessary key tops that are not mounted depending on the model are the corresponding elastic runners 14.
Make common by cutting and deleting.

The support frame 12 is a structure of an outer frame or an intermediate frame that connects the entire key tops 50, supports and fixes them, and positions each key top 50 at a predetermined position. An elastic runner 14 is formed from the support frame 12 to support and fix the key top 50. The support frame 12 shown in FIG. 1 is only the outer frame, but if necessary, the support frame 12 of the intermediate frame is provided between every four rows of the key tops 50 to facilitate the formation of the elastic runners 14, Further, the position of the key top 50 is stabilized.

[0016]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. The elastic runner 14 can freely move the key top 50 up and down, and has an effect of positioning, supporting and fixing the key top 50. As a result, in addition to the slammed key switch 60, the flat key switch 65, the membrane type key switch, and the planar key switch can be used, which has the effect of expanding the applicable range. Support frame 12 is key top 5
The effect that the whole 0 is supported and fixed and each key top 50 is positioned at a predetermined position can be obtained.

Printing of characters and symbols on the surface of the key top 50
With the integrated structure, there is an advantage that all the key tops can be collectively printed, and the printing cost can be reduced. The keytops 50 having an integral structure allow each keytop 50 to have an arbitrary shape, which has the advantage of individually forming a keytop having a unique shape and size suitable for each key function. The key tops can be mounted all at once in a short time by the key top 50 having an integrated structure, and the mistaken mounting of different key tops as in the past can be eliminated, so that the number of mounting work steps can be reduced. can get. As a result, the key top can be manufactured at a low cost, and the economic effect is great.

[0018]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of a keytop structure according to the present invention in which all keytops are connected to each other to provide a supporting structure to form an integrally molded structure.

FIG. 2 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a structural relationship among a decorative panel, a key top, and a key switch according to the present invention. (B) It is a top view of two types of key switch forms. (C) It is a bottom view of the key top 50 of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view illustrating a conventional mounting structure for a plurality of key tops. (B) It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning state of many conventional key tops of the same shape.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Support frame 14 Elastic runner 30 Decorative panel 50, 80 Key top 52 Decorative collar 54, 84 Guide part 58 Character symbol 60 Key switch with slam 62 Slam 65 Flat key switch 70 Printed board

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A key top structure in which a plurality of key tops (50) are arranged and used, wherein each key top (50) is supported and an elastic runner (14) formed in an elastic shape of a vertically movable structure is provided. , The elastic runner (1) supporting each keytop (50)
4) A key top structure characterized by including a support frame (12) that supports the whole structure integrally with a fixed frame, and is equipped with the above. 2. A structure of a key top that is used by arranging a plurality of key tops (50), wherein a decorative panel (30) for preventing positional displacement in the vertical and horizontal directions when the key tops (50) are pressed is provided. The key operation panel structure according to claim 1, wherein: