JP4003871B2 - Electronic device operation key mounting structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an operation key mounting structure for an electronic device such as a personal computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Terminals of operation keys operated by the user are soldered to a printed wiring board mounted on the console of the electronic device. The operation key is pressed by the user during operation. Since this pressing force is applied to the terminal of the operation key, the soldered portion may be damaged.
[0003]
Therefore, in order to prevent such damage, a holding bracket that disperses the pressing force applied to the operation key is provided, and the operation key is attached to the holding bracket, and the operation key is sandwiched between the printed wiring board and the holding bracket. After fixing the operation key, the terminal of the operation key was soldered to the printed wiring board.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When an independent holding bracket is used for each operation key group formed from a plurality of operation keys as a holding bracket, an operation key insertion opening formed on the operation panel surface and an operation key held by the holding bracket It is a very difficult task to match the relative positional relationship between the two.
[0005]
In order to avoid this, when using a holding bracket that integrally fixes the entire operation key to maintain the relative positional relationship between the opening and the operation key held by the holding bracket, the operation that is a maintenance part When replacing the keys, it is necessary to remove all the operation keys from the printed wiring board, which is a very difficult task.
[0006]
Also, printed wiring boards have variations in flatness, and some are curved. When an operation key is mounted on such a printed wiring board, the height of the button forming the operation part of the operation key protruding from the board surface may vary and the surface position may not be aligned. In such a case, there is a problem that the appearance quality cannot be secured unless adjustment work is performed during assembly.
[0007]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for adjusting the position of the operation key by providing a pressure receiving holding plate for holding the operation key group held by the holding member. Thus, it is an object to provide an operation key mounting structure for an electronic device that can improve the assembly workability and can eliminate the fluffy feeling from the feeling when the operation keys are operated.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a plurality of operation key groups formed of two or more operation keys and a plurality of key fitting holes in which the operation keys are positioned in the horizontal and vertical directions are aligned. A plurality of holding members, a pressure receiving holding plate in which a plurality of key group fitting holes for positioning the operation key group in the horizontal and vertical directions are arranged, and a mounting portion to which the operation key mounting portion can be mounted are formed. A printed wiring board, and the holding member is disposed between the pressure receiving holding board and the printed wiring board so as to be fixed to both the pressure receiving holding board and the printed wiring board, and the printed wiring The plate is configured to be fixable to the pressure receiving holding plate, and the pressure receiving holding plate is configured to be able to receive a pressing force applied to the operation key via the holding member.
[0009]
Therefore, according to the present invention, each operation key group is aligned by positioning each operation key by fitting each operation key into the key fitting hole of the holding member. Positioning between the operation key groups is performed by fitting into the key group fitting holes of the pressure receiving holding plate. For this reason, it is not necessary to adjust the positional relationship between the operation keys or the positional relationship between the operation keys and other parts during the assembly work, and therefore the assembly workability can be improved. In addition, since the operation keys are positioned not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction, the height of the operation keys does not vary in the vertical direction even when the surface of the printed wiring board is curved. In combination, the assembly is further improved. Furthermore, since the holding members are divided into a plurality of parts and are independent of each other, when replacing operation keys in maintenance work, it is not necessary to remove all operation key solders from the printed wiring board as in the prior art. Workability is improved. Furthermore, since the pressing force applied to the operation key is received by the pressure receiving holding plate, it is possible to eliminate the fluffy feeling from the feeling when the operation key is pressed.
[0010]
Further, according to the present invention, the holding member has first and second protrusions, and the first protrusion is configured to be fitted in an attachment hole formed in the pressure receiving holding plate, and the second protrusion Is configured such that it can be fitted into a mounting hole formed in the printed wiring board, and the first protrusion is formed from a substantially L-shaped claw part that can be fitted into a mounting hole formed in the pressure receiving holding plate. And the second protrusion is formed of a substantially L-shaped claw that can be fitted into an attachment hole formed in the printed wiring board, and the protrusion of each of the claw parts from the attachment hole. It is conceivable that the wire is twisted so as to be prevented from coming out of the mounting hole.
[0011]
Accordingly, in the present invention, since the first and second protrusions for fixing the holding member to the pressure receiving holding plate and the printed wiring board are formed to be twistable, the holding member is fixed to the pressure receiving holding plate and the printed wiring board. Therefore, a screw, a spacer, and the like are not required, so that the number of parts can be reduced and workability is improved.
[0012]
Furthermore, the present invention has a case that can accommodate a key unit composed of the key operation group, the holding member, the pressure receiving holding plate, and the printed wiring board, and forms an upper portion of the case. The upper case has an opening through which the operation part of the operation key group can project, and an attachment means for attaching the pressure receiving holding plate, and the lower case forming the lower part of the case is provided via the attachment means. Thus, it is conceivable that the upper case can be attached.
[0013]
Therefore, according to the present invention, when the key unit is housed in the case, it is not necessary to adjust the position between the two, and in combination with the above, further assembly can be improved.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of an operation key mounting structure for an electronic device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, 1 is a key unit, 40 is an upper case on the upper side of the case in which the key unit 1 is stored, and 50 is a lower case. Hereinafter, these will be sequentially described.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the key unit 1. Each of the operation key group 2 which is one of the components of the key unit 1 is formed by arranging two or more operation keys 3 vertically and horizontally.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation key 3 is formed of a button 4 operated by a user and a quadrangular prism-like fitting portion 5 protruding downward from the button 4. The width of the front and rear (the front and rear direction of the case is the front and rear) of the upper portion of the fitting portion 5 is formed to be larger than that of the lower portion and is formed in the mounting step portion 6.
[0018]
On the other hand, on both the left and right sides of the fitting portion 5, a vertical groove 7 with a lower surface closed and an upper surface opening is formed, and an elastic piece 8 stands up from the lower surface of the vertical groove 7 in a slightly inclined state outward. Further, four terminals 9 protrude from the lower surface of the fitting portion 5.
[0019]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a holding member made up of a holding metal fitting, which has a fitting hole 11 into which the operation key 3 is fitted as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0020]
The holding members 10 are provided in almost the same number as the operation key groups 2 corresponding to the arrangement of the operation key groups 2. Both front and rear ends of the holding member 10 are bent downward to form bent portions 12 and 12.
[0021]
L-shaped first attachment claws 13, 13 for hanging on a printed wiring board 20 to be described later hang down from the left and right parts of the bent portion 12 positioned forward among these bent portions 12, 12. Yes.
[0022]
In addition, from the left and right side surfaces of the holding member 10 in the front-rear direction intermediate portion or rear portion, second L-shaped second attachment claws 14 and 14 are attached to be attached to a pressure receiving holding plate 30 described later.
[0023]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a printed wiring board. As shown in FIG. 6, an operation key mounting unit 21 for mounting the operation key group 2 corresponds to the number of operation key groups 2 at the front part. Is provided.
[0024]
Each operation key mounting portion 21 is formed with a terminal insertion hole 22 through which the terminal 9 of the operation key 3 is inserted. The terminals 9 are soldered to the printed wiring board 20 after being inserted into the terminal insertion holes 22.
[0025]
In addition, an attachment hole 23 through which the first attachment claw portions 13 and 13 formed in each holding member 10 are inserted is formed at an appropriate position in the front portion of the printed wiring board 20.
[0026]
Further, screw insertion holes 24 are formed at appropriate positions in the front portion of the printed wiring board 20. These screw insertion holes 24 are used to pass screws (not shown) that are screwed into struts with screw holes arranged between the printed wiring board 20 and a pressure receiving holding plate 30 to be described later. The board 30 is fixed to the printed wiring board 20.
[0027]
On the other hand, a connector 25 that is electrically connected to an external device is provided at the rear end portion of the printed wiring board 20, and the printed wiring board 20 portion between the operation key mounting portion 21 and the connector 25 is provided at both left and right portions. Electronic components 26 for forming an electronic circuit are respectively arranged.
[0028]
In FIG. 2, 30 is a pressure receiving holding plate, and as shown in FIG. 7, a bent portion 32 is formed by bending the front, rear, left and right side end portions of a relatively thin rectangular plate 31 upward. The strength of the plate 31 is increased.
[0029]
The plate body 31 is formed with a fitting hole 33 into which the mounting step portion 6 in each of the operation key groups 2 is fitted, and the second mounting claw portions 14 formed in the respective holding members 10, A mounting hole 34 is formed in which 14 is fitted.
[0030]
A screw insertion hole 35 is formed at an appropriate position of the plate body 31. These screw insertion holes 35 are used for passing screws for fixing the printed wiring board 20 to the plate body 31 through the above-mentioned pillars with screw holes (not shown). The plate body 31 is connected to the printed wiring board by these pillars and screws. Fix to 20.
[0031]
Further, the plate body 31 has a through hole 36 through which a set screw (not shown) to be screwed into a screw seat 43 formed in the upper case 40 described later, and an insertion hole 37 of the electronic component 26 provided in the printed wiring board 20. And are formed.
[0032]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 40 denotes an upper case. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation portion 41 a of the upper case body 41 is formed with an opening 42 from which the button 4 of each operation key group 2 protrudes. Yes.
[0033]
Further, at the four corners on the back surface of the operation portion 41a, screw seats 43 are protruded so as to be screwed with set screws (not shown) inserted through the through holes 36 of the pressure receiving holding plate 30. Further, on the rear wall 44 depending from the rear end of the upper case main body 41, a hooking claw 45 fitted into an engagement hole 52 of the lower case 50 described later protrudes forward.
[0034]
On the other hand, a through-hole 47 through which a screw (not shown) that is screwed into a boss 54 with a screw hole projecting from a front wall 53 of the lower case 50 described later is formed in the front wall 46 depending from the front end of the upper case body 41. Has been. A display 48 for displaying various information is provided at the front of the upper case body 41.
[0035]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 50 denotes a lower case. As shown in FIG. 10, an engagement hole 52 is formed at the rear end of the lower case body 51 to engage the hooking claws 45 of the upper case 40. ing.
[0036]
A boss 54 with a screw hole to which a screw (not shown) inserted through a through hole 47 formed in the front wall 46 of the upper case body 41 is screwed is formed on the front wall 53 depending from the front end of the lower case body 51. Has been.
[0037]
Next, an assembly procedure of the operation key mounting structure of the electronic device according to the above configuration will be described. First, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the fitting portion 5 of the operation key 3 is fitted into the fitting hole 11 of the holding member 10 corresponding to each operation key group 2 from above the holding member 10.
[0038]
Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the lower surface of the mounting step portion 6 of each operation key 3 is placed by being engaged with the outer peripheral portion of the fitting hole 11, and formed on the left and right side surfaces of each operation key 3. Since the elastic piece 8 thus engaged is engaged with the left and right side surfaces of the fitting hole 11 and elastically deformed inward, the fitting of the operation key 3 with respect to the fitting hole 11 becomes stronger. Positioning between the operation keys 3 is achieved.
[0039]
Next, the first attachment claw 13 of the holding member 10 is inserted into and fitted into the attachment hole 23 of the printed wiring board 20, and the terminal 9 of the operation key 3 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 22.
[0040]
Subsequently, the second mounting claw 14 of the holding member 10 is inserted into the mounting hole 34 of the pressure receiving holding plate 30 so that the button 4 of the operation key 3 protrudes from the fitting hole 33 of the pressure receiving holding plate 30. .
[0041]
Next, a post with a screw hole (not shown) is arranged between the printed wiring board 20 and the pressure receiving holding plate 30, a screw (not shown) is screwed into the post through the screw insertion hole 35, and the tip of the screw is screwed into the screw insertion hole 24. Tighten with nuts.
[0042]
At this time, the elastic pieces 8 on the left and right side surfaces of the operation key group 2 are engaged with the left and right side surfaces of the fitting hole 33, whereby positioning between the operation key groups 2 is achieved. Thereafter, the terminal 9 of the operation key 3 is soldered from the back surface of the printed wiring board 20.
[0043]
In the above description, the printed wiring board 20 and the pressure-receiving holding plate 30 are fixed to each other by using a post with a screw hole and a screw (not shown). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the L-shaped first and second mounting claws are not limited thereto. It is also possible to fix the horizontal portions 13a and 14a of the portions 13 and 14 by twisting.
[0044]
According to the above procedure, the operation key group 2, the holding member 10, the printed wiring board 20, and the pressure receiving holding board 30 are integrally formed into a key unit 1, and then the key unit 1 is fitted into the upper case 40 for operation. The button 4 of the key 3 is projected from the opening 42.
[0045]
Next, the key unit 1 is fixed to the upper case 40 by inserting a screw (not shown) from the fixing hole 36 of the unit pressure holding plate 30 and screwing it into the screw seat 43 of the upper case 40.
[0046]
Finally, the hooking claw 45 of the upper case 40 is fitted into the engagement hole 52 of the lower case 50, and then a screw (not shown) is inserted through the through hole 47 of the upper case 40 to provide a screw hole boss of the lower case 50. The lower case 50 is attached to the upper case 40 by being screwed onto the upper case 40.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention provides a plurality of operation key groups formed of two or more operation keys, a plurality of holding members in which a plurality of key fitting holes in which the operation keys are positioned in the horizontal and vertical directions are aligned, A pressure receiving holding plate in which a plurality of key group fitting holes are arranged in which the operation key group is positioned in the horizontal and vertical directions, and a printed wiring board on which a mounting portion to which the operation key mounting portion can be mounted is formed. The holding member is disposed between the pressure receiving holding plate and the printed wiring board and can be fixed to both the pressure receiving holding plate and the printed wiring board, and the printed wiring board is attached to the pressure receiving holding plate. Since the pressure receiving holding plate is configured to be able to receive pressure pressure applied to the operation key via the holding member, the following effects can be obtained.
[0048]
Each operation key group is aligned by positioning each operation key by fitting each operation key into the key fitting hole of the holding member, and each operation key group is arranged on the key group of the pressure receiving holding plate. Positioning between the operation key groups is performed by fitting in the fitting holes. For this reason, it is not necessary to adjust the positional relationship between the operation keys or the positional relationship between the operation keys and other parts during the assembly work, and therefore the assembly workability can be improved.
[0049]
In addition, since the operation keys are positioned not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction, the height of the operation keys does not vary in the vertical direction even when the surface of the printed wiring board is curved. In combination, the assembly is further improved.
[0050]
Furthermore, since the holding members are divided into a plurality of parts and are independent of each other, when replacing operation keys in maintenance work, it is not necessary to remove all operation key solders from the printed wiring board as in the prior art. Workability is improved.
[0051]
Furthermore, since the pressing force applied to the operation key is received by the pressure receiving holding plate, it is possible to eliminate the fluffy feeling from the feeling when the operation key is pressed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an operation key mounting structure of an electronic device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the key unit.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the operation key, similarly;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one holding member.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the entire holding member.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the printed wiring board.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pressure receiving holding plate.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the upper case in the same manner.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the upper case as seen from below.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lower case in the same manner.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an assembling procedure.
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the key unit, similarly.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key unit 2 Operation key group 3 Operation key 9 Operation key terminal 10 Holding member 13 1st attachment nail | claw part 14 2nd attachment nail | claw part 20 Printed wiring board 23 and 34 Attachment hole 40 Upper case 42 Opening part 50 Lower case

Claims (4)

A plurality of operation key groups formed of two or more operation keys;
A plurality of holding members in which a plurality of key fitting holes in which the operation keys are positioned in the horizontal and vertical directions are aligned;
A pressure receiving holding plate in which a plurality of key group fitting holes in which the operation key group is positioned in the horizontal and vertical directions are arranged;
It is composed of a printed wiring board on which an attachment part to which the operation key attachment part can be attached is formed,
The holding member is disposed between the pressure receiving holding plate and the printed wiring board and can be fixed to both the pressure receiving holding plate and the printed wiring board, and the printed wiring board can be fixed to the pressure receiving holding plate. And an operation key mounting structure for an electronic device, wherein the pressure receiving holding plate is configured to be able to receive a pressing force applied to the operation key via the holding member. The holding member has first and second protrusions, the first protrusion is configured to be fitted in an attachment hole formed in the pressure receiving holding plate, and the second protrusion is formed on the printed wiring board. 2. The operation key attachment structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the operation key attachment structure is configured to be fitted in the formed attachment hole. The first protrusion is composed of a substantially L-shaped claw that can be fitted into an attachment hole formed in the pressure receiving holding plate, and the second protrusion is formed in an attachment hole formed in the printed wiring board. It is comprised from the substantially L-shaped nail | claw part which can be fitted, and the protrusion part from the said attachment hole of each said nail | claw part is formed so that twisting is possible so that it may not slip out from the said attachment hole, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. An operation key mounting structure for an electronic device according to claim 2. A case capable of storing a key unit composed of the key operation group, the holding member, the pressure receiving holding plate, and the printed wiring board;
The upper case forming the upper part of the case has an opening through which the operation part of the operation key group can project, and an attachment means for attaching the pressure receiving holding plate, and a lower part forming the lower part of the case 4. The operation key attachment structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the case is configured to be attachable to the upper case via attachment means.

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