KR200264994Y1 - Structure of multi-function key of portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a structure of a multi function key in a portable terminal, and more particularly, to a multi function key structure in which a key input configuration for center selection in a multi function key can be manufactured as a single component.

According to the present invention, the upper surface of the multi-function key is integrally formed with a central pressing surface and a plurality of peripheral pressing surfaces around the central pressing surface, so that a key input configuration for selecting the central portion of the multi-function key can be manufactured as a single component. It provides a multi-function key structure.

According to the present invention, a key through hole is formed in a face portion of a front housing of a portable terminal so that a multi function key penetrates and is exposed, and a plurality of pressing surfaces are provided on an upper surface of the multi function key, The multi-function key projections protrude downward at a position corresponding to the pressing surface, and a plurality of through holes are formed on the surface portion of the key fixing plate coupled to the housing of the portable terminal to insert and fix the multi-function key projections. The upper surface of the keypad rubber is formed into a coupling surface that is recessed so that the multi-function key projections can be coupled, the lower surface of the keypad rubber protrudes downward to correspond to the multi-function key projections, The metal dome responds to each of the keypad rubber bumps by the user. When pressed to contact the lower portion of the key printed circuit board contact portion, the key printed circuit board is electrically connected to the main printed circuit board of the portable terminal and provided with a contact portion at a position corresponding to the keypad rubber protrusions In the multi-function key structure of a portable terminal for generating corresponding key data according to a user's pressing operation, a central pressing surface and a plurality of peripheral pressing surfaces around the central pressing surface are formed on an upper surface of the multi function key, and the main The printed circuit board is formed with a center contact portion corresponding to the center pressing surface and peripheral contact portions corresponding to the peripheral pressing surfaces, and a distance between a central multi-function key protrusion corresponding to the center pressing surface and the center contact portion A distance between the peripheral multi-function key projections corresponding to the peripheral pressing surfaces and the peripheral contact portions; Characterized in that the shorter.

As a result, unlike the prior art in which a separate center selection key is placed at the center of the multi function key, a key input configuration for center selection in the multi function key can be manufactured as a single part, and the manufacturing process is simplified. have. In addition, since the upper surface of the multi-function key can be manufactured in a simple design, the product competitiveness of the portable terminal is increased.

Description

Multi-Function Key Structure for Portable Terminals {STRUCTURE OF MULTI-FUNCTION KEY OF PORTABLE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a structure of a multi-function key in a portable terminal, and more particularly, to a multi-function key structure in which a key input configuration for selecting a central portion of the multi-function key can be manufactured as a single component.

Portable terminals currently on the market are equipped with multi-function keys incorporating a plurality of function keys mounted in mutually distributed locations and functioning individually as one key.

1 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional multi-function key, Figure 2a is a front view showing an embodiment of a conventional multi-function key, Figure 2b is a rear view of the Figure 2a, Figure 3 is a CC of Figure 2a Line cross section. Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described.

The key printed circuit board 40, the shield frame 50, and the main printed circuit board 60 are coupled to the lower side of the keypad 30. On the keypad 30, a rib 31 having a groove 31a formed in the center with both function keys 32 and 32 'interposed therebetween is provided upwardly, and between the function keys 32 and 32'. The multi-function key 10 is mounted on the keypad 30, but the multi-function key 10 has a plurality of pressing parts for pressing down certain portions of the multi-key 10 by pressing the fingers up, down, left, and right of the upper surface. , Frequently used function keys such as the "Menu" key, the "Search" key, the "Korean / English" and "Arrow" keys, the "Message" and the "Arrow" keys, respectively. The pressing surface which consists of the corresponding 1st press part 11a, the 2nd press part 11b, the 3rd press part 11c, and the 4th press part 11d is provided, and each said press part 11a- is provided. 11d), and the first, fourth, and fourth pressing protrusions 12, 12 ', 13, and 13' corresponding to the terminals of the key printed circuit board 40 are formed on the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the bottom surface. In the center between (12, 12 ', 13, 13') ) Is formed downward, and the position fixing groove 15 for fixing the key mounting portion of the mobile communication terminal to prevent the rotation of the multi-key is formed.

The front cover 20 is coupled to the upper side of the keypad 30, and the front cover 20 has a key exposure opening through which the function keys 32 and 32 'located at both sides of the keypad 30 pass through. 22, 22 ', and the key exposure port 21 through which the multi-function key 10 penetrates between the key exposure ports 22 and 22', and the pressing surface 11 of the multi-function key 10 is exposed to the outside. ) Is formed.

On the other hand, recently released portable terminals have a separate center selection key protruding outward from the center of the upper surface of the multi-function key (see 410 in FIG. 4). It is independent of the multi-function key structure described in 3.

That is, a through hole through which the center selection key penetrates is formed at the center of the multi function key (see 10 in FIG. 1), and when the user presses the pressing surface 410 of the upper portion of the center selection key, the pressing surface 410 is opposed to the pressing surface 410. The lower end of the center selection key is in direct contact with the contact portion on the key key printed circuit board 40 (not shown.)

However, in manufacturing a conventional multi-function key having a separate center selection key, there is a problem that two parts (multi function key and center selection key) are needed instead of a single part (multi function key). There is a problem that a separate process for installing the key is required.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is the upper surface of the multi-function key is formed integrally with the center pressing surface and a plurality of peripheral pressing surface around the center pressing surface, the key input configuration for selection in the center portion of the multi-function key is a single part To provide a multi-function key structure that can be produced by.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a key through-hole is formed in the face portion of the front housing of the portable terminal so that the multi-function key is penetrated, exposed, a plurality of pressing surface is provided on the upper surface of the multi-function key, the multi-function Multi-function key protrusions protrude downward on the bottom surface of the key at a position corresponding to each pressing surface, and a plurality of through-holes are formed on the surface portion of the key fixing plate coupled to the housing of the portable terminal. The protrusions are inserted and fixed, and the upper surface of the keypad rubber is formed into a coupling surface that is recessed so that the multi-function key protrusions can be coupled, and the lower surface of the keypad rubber corresponds to the multi-function key protrusions downward. Is formed to protrude, the metal dome corresponds to each of the keypad rubber protrusions When the user presses a specific pressing surface, the key printed circuit board contact portion of the lower portion is contacted, and the key printed circuit board is electrically connected to the main printed circuit board of the portable terminal and corresponds to the keypad rubber protrusions. In the multi-function key structure of a portable terminal having contact points at positions to generate corresponding key data according to a user's pressing operation, a plurality of peripheral presses on the upper surface of the multi-function key and around the center pressing surface The surface is formed, the distance between the central multi-function key projection corresponding to the center pressing surface and the central contact portion, the peripheral multi-function key projections corresponding to the peripheral pressing surfaces and the peripheral multi-function key projections It characterized in that the shorter than the distance between the peripheral contact portion on the key printed circuit board respectively corresponding to.

1 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional multi-function key.

Figure 2a is a front view showing an embodiment of a conventional multi-function key.

FIG. 2B is a rear view of FIG. 2A;

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 2A.

4 is a front view showing another embodiment of the conventional multi-function key.

5 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-function key module according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the multi-function key structure of the present invention is applied to the watch phone.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the watch phone to which the multi-function key structure of the present invention is applied.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

5 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-function key module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the multi-function key structure of the present invention is applied to the watch phone, Figure 7 is a multi-function of the present invention A perspective view showing the appearance of a watch phone to which a key structure is applied. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to the drawings.

Reference numeral ① and reference numeral ⑨ mean front housing and bottom housing of the terminal body, respectively, and FIG. 5 shows a multi-function key assembly (②) mounted inside the housings ① and ⑨. To ⑧) is modular. The front housing ① and the bottom housing ⑨ are fastened vertically.

A key through hole is formed in the surface portion of the front housing ① so that the multi function key ② and the side keys ④ formed around the multi function key ② are penetrated and exposed. Side key (④) is fitted to the engaging portion formed to protrude at the corresponding position on the upper surface of the keypad rubber (⑥).

On the other hand, a plurality of pressing surfaces (see Figure 7) is formed on the upper surface of the multi-function key (②), each pressing surface has a high frequency of use up / down / left / right direction switching, phone number search, message confirmation, network Corresponds to command keys, such as a connection. By the way, according to the present invention, the pressing surface is composed of a central pressing surface 701 and a plurality of peripheral pressing surfaces 703 formed around the central pressing surface 701 (see FIG. 7).

On the lower surface of the multi function key ②, projections are formed downward at positions corresponding to the respective pressing surfaces 701 and 703. (hereinafter referred to as " multi function key projections ") (refer to ② in Fig. 6). The function key projection is inserted into the mating surface formed in a rough shape on the upper surface of the keypad rubber (⑥). Each of the multi-function key projections corresponds to a corresponding contact portion on the key printed circuit board ⑧.

The key fixing part ③ may be manufactured in a thin press, and a plurality of holes are formed on the surface portion thereof so that the multi-function key protrusion may be inserted and fixed. In addition, the key fixing portion ③ is formed with a screw coupling portion for coupling with the inner surface of the front housing (①).

The keypad rubber (⑨) is made of a material (e.g. silicone rubber) having a predetermined elastic force so that the user can easily press the keys (multi-function key (②) and side keys (④)) and then elastically recover. Is done. The upper surface of the keypad rubber (⑥) is shaped so that the multi-function key projections and the side key (④) can be combined. That is, as described above, the coupling surface is formed in the upper surface of the keypad rubber (⑥) so that the multi-function key projections can be inserted, and the coupling portion is formed to protrude so that the side key (④) can be fitted.

In addition, the portion corresponding to the multi-function key protrusions and the side key (④) in the keypad rubber (⑥) is formed protruding, and the bottom surface of the keypad rubber (⑥) corresponding to each protrusion to receive the elastic force when the user presses a key It is cut to form a space. Further, protrusions are formed downward on the lower surface of the keypad rubber ⑥ corresponding to each protrusion so as to press the metal dome ⑦ (hereinafter, referred to as “keypad rubber protrusion”). In the figure, the keypad rubber (⑥) structure corresponding to the side key (④) is not shown.)

On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a through hole is formed in the center of the keypad rubber (⑥), the center of the multi-function key projection formed corresponding to the center pressing surface 701 of the multi-function key (②) is It directly contacts the center contact portion on the key printed circuit board (8) through the through hole.

As shown, the metal dome ⑦ may be formed on a thin plate. The metal dome (⑦) corresponds to each keypad rubber protrusions formed downward on the bottom surface of the keypad rubber (⑥), and when the user presses the keys (②, ⑦), the metal dome (⑦) contacts the contact parts on the lower key printed circuit board (⑧). Metal dome (⑦) has its own elastic force so that the user can get a sense of operation when the key is pressed.

On the other hand, the distance between the multi-function key projection of the center corresponding to the center pressing surface 701 described above in the present invention and the center contact portion on the key printed circuit board (8) is formed corresponding to the peripheral pressing surfaces 703 It is shorter than the distance between the peripheral multi-function key protrusions on the bottom of the function key ② and the peripheral contact portions on the key printed circuit board ⑧. This is to prevent the peripheral pressing surfaces 703 from being pressed when the user presses the center pressing surface 701.

The key printed circuit board (8) is provided with a plurality of contact portions at positions corresponding to the keys (2) and (7) to generate key data corresponding to the pressing operation of the user. The plurality of contact portions may include a center contact portion corresponding to the center pressing surface 701, peripheral contact portions corresponding to peripheral pressing surfaces 703, and side key contact portions corresponding to a side key ④. The key printed circuit board (⑧) is electrically connected to the main printed circuit board (not shown) of the terminal body through a connector or the like, and is fixed to the front housing (①).

The spring ⑤ is installed on the outer circumferential surface of the center contact portion on the key printed circuit board ⑧ and supports between the bottom surface of the multi function key ② and the key printed circuit board ⑧. The spring ⑤ prevents the keypad rubber ⑥ from being restored to its original state by applying excessive force to the keypad rubber ⑥ by its elastic force. In addition, the spring (⑤) is contracted by the key pressing operation, when the excessive pressure is applied to the central pressing surface 701, the peripheral pressing surfaces 703 are pressed due to the length of the spring (⑤) itself in the contracted state Prevent it.

As described above, in the present invention, the upper surface of the multi-function key is integrally formed with a central pressing surface and a plurality of peripheral pressing surfaces around the central pressing surface, and the lower surface of the multi-function key corresponds to the pressing surfaces. The protrusions protrude downward, and the distance between the central multi-function key protrusion corresponding to the center pressing surface and the central contact portion is such that the peripheral multi-function key protrusions and the peripheral multi-function key protrusions corresponding to the peripheral pressing surfaces are formed. Shorter than the distance between the peripheral contact portions on the key printed circuit board, respectively.

As a result, unlike the prior art in which a separate center selection key is placed at the center of the multi function key, a key input configuration for selection at the center portion of the multi function key can be manufactured as a single part, and the manufacturing process is simplified. The manufacturing cost is reduced. In addition, since the upper surface of the multi-function key can be manufactured in a simple design, the product competitiveness of the portable terminal is increased.

Claims (2)

A key through hole is formed in the face of the front housing of the portable terminal so that the multi function key penetrates and is exposed. A plurality of pressing surfaces are provided on an upper surface of the multi function key, and a respective pressing surface is provided on the lower surface of the multi function key. Multi-function key protrusions protrude downward in a corresponding position, and a plurality of through-holes are formed on the surface portion of the key fixing plate coupled to the housing of the portable terminal, so that the multi-function key protrusions are inserted and fixed. An upper surface of the keypad rubber is formed into a coupling surface so as to be coupled to the multi-function key projections, the keypad rubber projections protrude downward to correspond to the multi-function key projections, the metal dome In response to each of the keypad rubber protrusions, the user presses a specific pressing surface. The key printed circuit board is in contact with the lower portion of the key printed circuit board, the key printed circuit board is electrically connected to the main printed circuit board of the portable terminal and provided with a contact portion at a position corresponding to the keypad rubber protrusions of the user In the multi-function key structure of the portable terminal for generating the corresponding key data according to the pressing operation, A central pressing surface and a plurality of peripheral pressing surfaces around the central pressing surface are formed on an upper surface of the multi function key, and the main printed circuit board corresponds to a central contact portion corresponding to the central pressing surface and corresponding to the peripheral pressing surfaces. Peripheral contact portions are formed, and the distance between the central multi-function key projection corresponding to the center pressing surface and the central contact portion is the distance between the peripheral multi-function key projections corresponding to the peripheral pressing surfaces and the peripheral contact portions. Multi-function key structure of a portable terminal, characterized in that shorter. The method according to claim 1, A through-hole is formed in the center of the keypad rubber, and a multi-function key projection corresponding to the center pressing surface directly contacts the center contact portion on the key printed circuit board through the through-hole. Multi-function key structure.