JPH09293424A - Key structure for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key structure which can realize optimum key response for an operator without replacing a key top by its setting condition. SOLUTION: This key structure comprises a push switch 3, flat spring 5 fixing one end side relatively moving the other end side relating to the push switch 3 to fix it pressable down in a cantilever shape, the key top 20 provided on the flat spring 5 with a mounting direction changeable and a protrusion part 20a provided in the key top 20 so as to make a contact position different relating to the flat spring 5 by a mounting direction of the key top 20. By changing the mounting direction of the key top 20, the contact position of the protrusion part 20a relating to the flat spring 5 is changed, press down force of the key top 20 necessary for pressing down the push switch 3 is made adjustable.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a push-down key structure provided in electronic devices such as copying machines, printers, facsimiles and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some electronic devices such as copying machines, printers, and facsimiles are provided with one or more push-down keys for operating and controlling the devices. For example, the operation unit of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. 5 includes a plurality of push-down keys 2 for controlling the start of copying, the number of copies, and mode switching.
Is provided.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a conventional key structure provided in such an electronic device. As shown in the figure, the push switch 3 is mounted on the circuit board 4 in the housing. The key top 2 is guided by the housing of the electronic device, and the tip of the protrusion 2a extending from the lower surface of the key top 2 is brought into contact with the push switch 3. This makes key top 2
When is pressed by the operator, the push switch 3 is pressed by the protrusion 2a.

[0004]

However, the force with which the key top 2 is pressed differs depending on the operator, and it is difficult to optimize the threshold value of the force with which the push switch 3 is activated. Further, when the responsiveness of the push switch 3 is deteriorated due to deterioration over time, there is a problem that the key top 2 needs to be strongly pressed.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-110918, a key top having two or more sizes of punched-out portions is provided on one flat keyboard, and each key is provided with an optimum operating force. What prevents malfunction is shown. However, even in this invention, 1
Since key tops having different operability are selectively installed for one key, it is necessary to replace the key tops according to changes in the responsiveness of the operator or the push switch.

Further, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-62722, two or more protrusions of a key top for pressing a push switch are provided at positions displaced from the center of the key top, and the installation direction of the key top is changed. , One of which is brought into contact with a push switch to press the push switch. However, in this case, it is necessary to strictly align the key top with each protrusion, and to select the optimum setting for the operator from among the number of protrusions, which is widely applicable to the operator. The key cannot be installed.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems and provides a key structure of an electronic device which can realize an optimum key responsiveness for an operator depending on the setting state without replacing the key top. Is intended.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a key structure of an electronic device which allows the setting of keys according to the operator to be performed very easily.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key structure for an electronic device, wherein a push switch and one end side are fixed and the other end side is moved relative to the push switch. A leaf spring in which the push switch is fixed in a cantilever manner so that it can be pushed down, a key top provided on the leaf spring so that the mounting direction can be changed, and a contact position to the leaf spring differ depending on the mounting direction of the key top. As described above, the key top is provided with the protrusion.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the key top is circular and is guided in a circular hole formed in the housing of the electronic device, and the protrusion is eccentrically provided on the circular key top. Is characterized by.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a concave portion is formed on the surface of the key top corresponding to the position of the protruding portion.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a key structure for an electronic device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the key structure in a first installed state. In these drawings, the push switch 3 is fixed to the circuit board 4 in the electronic device housing 1. In the figure, 5 is a leaf spring formed of an elastic member such as metal. One end of the leaf spring 5 is fixed to the circuit board 4 in a cantilever manner, and the tip side of the leaf spring 5 has a push switch 3
Facing the upper part of. As shown in FIG.
As is apparent from the above, the push switch 3 is faced, and when the tip side is pressed from above, the push switch 3 is touched and pressed.

A circular hole is formed on the housing of the electronic device 1 above the push switch 3 and the leaf spring 5, and the key top 20 is held there. The key top 20 is
It has a circular plane shape and has a brim portion 20b on the lower edge.
have. The key top 20 has an outer shape slightly smaller than the circular hole of the electronic device housing, and is rotatably supported while its flange portion 20b is in contact with the inside of the circular hole as shown in FIG.

On the lower surface of the key top 20, there is integrally provided a protruding portion 20a which extends vertically from the lower surface and contacts the tip portion of the leaf spring 5. When the operator presses the key top 20, the protrusion 20a pushes the leaf spring 5 downward, and the push switch 3 is pushed. Here, the protrusion 20a is eccentrically provided on the circular key top 20 at a position displaced from the center thereof. Therefore, by rotating the key top 20 with respect to the housing of the electronic device, the protrusion 20 a changes the contact position with the leaf spring 5.

2 to 4 show an example of an installation mode of the key top 20 in which the contact position of the protrusion 20a with respect to the leaf spring 5 is different. In FIG. 2, the protrusion 20a of the key top is in contact with the leaf spring 5 near the fixed end. The leaf spring 5 swings its tip end side around the fixed end. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the force (rotational moment) applied to the leaf spring 5 by pressing the key top 20 in a state where the protrusion 20a is in contact with the fixed end of the leaf spring 5.
Is relatively small. Therefore, in order to operate the push switch 3, it is necessary to apply a relatively large force to the key top 20.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the key top 20 is rotated 1/2 turn from the state shown in FIG. 2 so that the protrusion 20a is brought into contact with the tip side of the leaf spring 5. In this state, key top 2
The force (rotational moment) applied to the leaf spring 5 by pressing 0 becomes larger than that in the case of FIG. Therefore, in order to operate the push switch 3, the key top 2
The force applied to 0 can be relatively small.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the key top 20 is rotated a quarter turn from the state shown in FIG. 2 or the state shown in FIG. 3 so that the protrusion 20a is positioned in the middle of the contact positions in FIGS. In this case, the force given by the key top 20 is
This is an intermediate size between the cases of FIG. 2 and FIG.

The key top 20 is formed by subtly changing the amount of rotation of the key top 20 with respect to the housing of the electronic device, so that the projection 2
It is possible to change the ground contact position of the leaf spring 0a with respect to the leaf spring 5 little by little, so that the hardness can be finely adjusted according to the user.

Further, a concave portion 20c is provided on the upper surface of the key top 20 so as to correspond to the position of the protruding portion 20a.
The recess 20c serves as a mark for the protrusion 20a and indicates the position of the protrusion 20a with respect to the electronic device housing. Therefore, the user can easily adjust the hardness of the key top 20 while confirming the position of the recess 20c. Also, this recess 2
The key top 20 can be rotated by inserting the pen tip into 0c, and the key top can be adjusted more easily.

[0020]

As described above, the key structure of the electronic device according to the present invention makes it easy to adjust the operating force of the key top to the operator's preference simply by rotating the key top with respect to the housing of the electronic device. The effect is that it can be changed to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the key top has a circular shape, and the key top is guided in a circular hole formed in the housing of the electronic equipment, and the protrusion is circular. Since the key top is eccentric, the hardness of the key top can be adjusted steplessly, and there is an effect that it is possible to perform delicate adjustment according to the operator.

In addition to the effect of claim 2, the key structure of the electronic device according to claim 3 forms a recess on the surface of the key top corresponding to the position of the protrusion, thereby confirming the position of the recess. Since the hardness of the key top can be adjusted and the key top can be rotated by inserting a pen tip or the like into the recess, there is an effect that the operability of the adjustment is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a key structure of an electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the key structure according to the present invention in a first installed state.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure according to the present invention in a second installed state.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure according to the present invention in a third installed state.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a copying machine including a plurality of push keys.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional key structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Electronic Equipment 2 Key Top 3 Push Switch 4 Circuit Board 5 Leaf Spring 20 Key Top 20a Projection 20c Recess 20b Collar

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A push switch, a leaf spring having one end fixed and one end fixed relative to the push switch so that the push switch can be pressed in a cantilever manner, and the mounting direction can be changed. An electronic device comprising: a key top provided on the leaf spring; and a protrusion provided on the key top so that a contact position with respect to the leaf spring varies depending on a mounting direction of the key top. Key structure. 2. The key top is circular and is guided in a circular hole formed in a housing of an electronic device, and the protrusion is eccentrically provided on the circular key top. Electronic device key structure. 3. A key recess is formed on the surface of the key top corresponding to the position of the protrusion.
Electronic device key structure.