JP5111085B2 - Push button device for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a push button device in an electronic device such as an emergency notification broadcast receiver, a radio or an interphone master unit.

  Conventionally, in a push button device of this type of electronic device, as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, a tact switch 52 or 62 is provided on the wiring board 53 or 63 so as to be opposed to the push button 51 or 61. It has been. When the center of the push button 51 or 61 is pressed, the tact switch 52 or 62 is pressed by the pressing portion 54 or 64 to be turned on, and the electronic device performs a predetermined operation.

  In such a push button device, as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, the push button 51 or 61 is surrounded by the opening peripheral wall 55a of the front cover member 55 or 65 or the concave guide frame 65a. The rotation of the push button 51 or 61 is restricted, and when the push button 51 or 61 is pressed, the switch is turned on by being guided along the opening peripheral wall 55a or the guide frame 65a, and the electronic device is set to a predetermined state. In addition to the operation being performed, a display unit displaying a function or the like of a push button to notify the user that the switch has been turned on is illuminated with an LED (for example, patents) References 1 and 2).

  In such a device, an LED is provided at a position opposite to the push button on the wiring board, and a switch for turning on the LED and displaying the display portion of the push button by the light emission of the LED is provided on the push button. Are biased. When the switch for lighting the LED is provided so as to be biased with respect to the push button, when the user presses the end of the push button on the side where the switch is provided, The pressing force required to turn on the tact switch is different between when the center portion of the push button is pressed and when the end portion of the push button on the side where the switch is not provided is pressed. Therefore, the user feels different when pressing the push button, and the user may feel uncomfortable.

Therefore, by devising the positional relationship among the pressing part, LED and tact switch by the push button, the tact switch can be operated with almost the same pressing force regardless of the position of the push button without causing a shadow on the display part of the push button. There is provided a push button device in an electronic device that can turn on (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-171345 JP 09-139136 A JP 2006-79940 A

  By the way, for example, the above-described receiver for emergency notification broadcasting generally has a number of functions such as FM radio, clock function, and alarm function in addition to reception of emergency notification broadcast. In such a case, the function is switched. Since many switching operations are necessary, a push button for operating a plurality of (for example, 5 to 6 or more) switches is provided. Further, a tact switch is advantageous in reducing the thickness of the receiver by simplifying the structure. However, because the tact switch has a very short stroke of about 0.2mm to 0.3mm during ON / OFF operation, even if there is a slight gap between the guide part of the push button and the guided part, There is a risk of rattling, tilting, or rotating. Therefore, in the devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, an opening peripheral wall and a guide frame for restricting the push button from being tilted or rotated are provided around the push button on the surface of the housing. .

  On the other hand, when such a guide frame is provided, the thickness of the entire apparatus increases and the structure becomes complicated, and the size of the push button is considerably limited because the push button needs to be housed in the opening or the guide frame. The Therefore, if the plurality of push buttons are arranged in a state where they are exposed on the surface of the housing, the size of the push buttons can be enlarged. In addition, symbols, characters, and the like are displayed on the surface of the push button so that the function and type thereof can be identified. In such a case, it is necessary to restrict the assembly direction (up and down or left and right) when assembling the push button, or to prevent erroneous insertion due to the tact switch. Further, in order to arrange a plurality of push buttons in a limited position as compactly as possible and to make the design look good, for example, when a plate-like rectangle is arranged and arranged side by side, a gap between adjacent push buttons is determined. Must be kept constant and parallel. Further, as described above, the tact switch has a very short stroke at the time of ON / OFF operation. Therefore, in order to improve the operability, it is necessary to extend the stroke to some extent. Furthermore, in order to enable smooth operation when the tactile switch is operated by pressing the push button, a certain amount of space is provided between the guide portion on the push button side and the guided portion on the other side for guiding the push button. It is necessary to provide a gap. In such a case, since there is no frame around the push button, it is necessary to prevent the push button from rotating.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. In an electronic apparatus having a plurality of push buttons that are arranged side by side in a state exposed on the surface and are identified by displaying symbols, characters, etc., each push button is incorporated. It can be reliably and smoothly assembled at the position of the tact switch corresponding to the time, the gap between adjacent push buttons can be kept constant and parallel in the assembled state, and the push button can rattle during ON / OFF operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a push button device that can be turned on and off without any sense of incongruity without tilting or rotating.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a push button device for an electronic device according to the present invention includes a wiring board provided in an equipment casing, and a plurality of tact switches arranged at intervals on the wiring board. In a push button device of an electronic device in which a switch is turned ON / OFF via push buttons corresponding to these tact switches, the switch is disposed to face each tact switch on the wiring board, and the push buttons are slid. A support plate having a frame-like opening that supports it, and a pressing part that is arranged in each frame-like opening and elastically supports the push button against its pushing direction. On the back surface of the push button, a guide frame member that can be inserted into the frame-shaped opening is projected, and a latch provided with a latch that can be locked to the lower edge of the frame-shaped opening of the support plate. Protruding a piece, front The rear surface of each push button is provided with at least one positioning pin also to be projected away from the guide frame member, fitted possible pin hole of the positioning pin in the vicinity of the frame-like opening of the support plate The base end of the elastic arm piece is connected to each frame-like opening corresponding to the push button, and the pressing portion is provided at the distal end of the elastic arm piece so as to face the tact switch. And

According to the push button device for an electronic device according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, each push button has a guide frame member protruding on the back surface and is slidably inserted into each frame-like opening of the support plate and is elastic. It is not necessary to surround each push button with a guide frame or opening to support it, and each push button is formed in a plate shape and exposed to the surface of the device. Therefore, the structure is simplified, the thickness can be reduced, and the design is excellent. In addition, the push button is elastically supported to resist the pushing direction, and has a pressing portion that secures a certain clearance between the push button and the push button compared to the operation stroke of the tact switch itself. The stroke at the time of pushing in can be increased, and the switch operation can be performed reliably and comfortably. Furthermore, at least one positioning pin is provided on the back surface of each push button so as to protrude away from the guide frame member, and a pin hole into which the positioning pin can be inserted in the vicinity of each frame-shaped opening of the support plate. The guide on the back side of the push button is provided even when the push button is not surrounded by the guide frame or the opening, that is, when each push button is exposed on the surface of the electronic device. Even if the push button can slide smoothly with a relatively large gap between the frame member and the frame-shaped opening of the support plate, the rotation of the push button is reliably prevented by the positioning pin. In other words, the push button is slidably supported by the insertion structure of the push button guide frame member and the frame-shaped opening of the support plate, while the push button is rotated by the insertion structure of the push button positioning pin and the pin hole of the support plate. At the same time, by changing the mounting position, mounting direction, number, etc. of the positioning pins for each push button, it is possible to prevent erroneous insertion into the frame-shaped opening of the support plate.
The base end of the elastic arm piece is connected to the frame-shaped opening of the support plate corresponding to the push button, and the pressing portion is provided at the tip of the elastic arm piece so as to face the tact switch. Therefore, the structure is simplified and the number of parts is greatly reduced compared to the case where the pressing portion of each tact switch is urged against the pressing direction of the push button by the urging member separate from the support plate. The
Furthermore, each push button is elastically supported by the elastic arm piece through the pressing portion so as to resist the pushing direction, so that the feeling during pushing operation is always good and constant in any of the plurality of push buttons. In addition, since the distance from the surface of the push button to the head of the tact switch can be shortened to a minimum, the thickness can be further reduced.

  As described in claim 2, the shape of each frame-shaped opening of the support plate is made partially or entirely common, and the shape of the guide frame member of each push button is made partially or entirely common, In the push buttons having the same shape of the guide frame member, the protruding positions of the positioning pins can be made different from each other, and pin holes can be provided in the support plate corresponding to the positioning pins.

  With this configuration, when the display for identifying the function and type of the push button is provided on the surface of each push button, the position of the positioning pin and the direction of the guide frame member protruding from the back surface of the push button, etc. By changing the number for each push button, the frame-like opening of the support plate to which the push button is attached is specified, and the push button is mistakenly installed in another frame-like opening, or the push button is attached in the wrong direction. In addition, it is not necessary to confirm the position of the frame-shaped opening to which the push button is to be attached and the direction of the push button.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to project a protruding portion that contacts the corresponding pressing portion in a normal state (non-operating state) on the back surface of each push button.

  Such a configuration eliminates rattling in the push-in direction of the push button and improves operability.

Since the push button device of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, it has the following excellent effects. That is,
Even in the case where a plurality of push buttons are arranged side by side, symbols and characters are displayed on the surface of each push button, and the function and type of the switch operation can be identified by the display part of the push button, A plurality of push buttons can definitely be assembled into a predetermined frame-shaped opening, in other words, at the corresponding tact switch position reliably and smoothly, and the assembly work can be performed efficiently and adjacent push buttons in the assembled state. The gaps between them can be kept constant and parallel, and the tact switches can be turned ON / OFF without the push button being rattled, tilted or rotated during the ON / OFF operation.

  Embodiments of a push button device for an electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the emergency notification broadcasting terminal device equipped with an electronic device push button device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the push button is removed. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the support button and the push button constituting the push button device, when viewed from the front side, and slightly from the right side. 4 is a slightly right side front perspective view of a state in which a part of the push button device is cut, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 and shows a state where one push button is pressed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an emergency notification broadcasting terminal device (electronic device) 1 has a front cover member 4 fitted to the front of a device casing 3 and a wiring board 15 accommodated in the device casing 3. The front cover member 4 is provided with a large number of small holes so that sound from a speaker (not shown) housed in the device casing 3 can be heard. In the front cover member 4 of the emergency notification broadcasting terminal device 1, a substantially rectangular opening 17 (see FIG. 5) having four corners formed in an arc shape is formed in the central portion thereof, and a wiring board under the opening. 15 (see FIG. 5), a substantially rectangular support plate 5 having four corners formed in an arc shape as shown in FIG. 3 is screwed via four mounting members 5a protruding to the back side (not shown). )). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a display panel 6 is incorporated in the upper part of the support plate 5, and a plurality (6 in this example) of push buttons 7 are arranged in three rows horizontally and vertically in the lower part. Is done. For this reason, frame-like openings 8 are opened at the lower portion of the support plate 5 corresponding to the six push buttons 7 as shown in FIGS. Here, the frame-like opening 8 means a structure in which a frame-like part 8b communicating with the front-side opening 8a is integrally projected on the back side. As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of upper wall hanging latches 21 project from the back of the device casing 3, and a stand for placing the terminal device 1 on a desk or the like below the upper one. The arm 22 is attached so that it can be raised and lowered. Further, a coaxial cable connection terminal 23 and an AC power cord connection terminal 24 for receiving an emergency notification signal and communication data from a cable television station or the like are provided in the lower center. In addition, the cover 25 of the dry battery case is each attached to the both sides so that attachment or detachment is possible.

  In the push button device 2 according to the present embodiment, each frame-shaped opening 8 opened in the support plate 5 has a shape in which a large and small square-shaped openings are stacked in two stages and opened in a series, and are opened in series. As shown in FIG. 3, the left and center two parts when viewed from the front are the smaller square opening (hereinafter referred to as a small square opening) 8d and the larger square opening (hereinafter referred to as a large square opening). In the upper and lower two stages on the right side, a small square opening 8d is arranged leftward with respect to the large square opening 8c. Further, the lower right side and the left side correspond to the arc shape of the lower side corners of the support plate 5, respectively, and the pentagonal opening 8c ′ chamfered at one side inclined at 45 ° at the corner of the large square opening 8c. Is formed. In each frame-like opening 8, the base end of the elastic arm piece 9 is connected to the center of one end in the small square opening 8d with the tip of the elastic arm piece 9 facing the center of the large square openings 8c and 8c '. A cylindrical pressing portion 10 is integrally projected upward at the tip of the elastic arm piece 9.

  On the other hand, each of the six push buttons 7 includes a rectangular or substantially rectangular plate-like portion 7a, a guide frame member 7b that protrudes from the back surface of the plate-like portion 7a and can be inserted into the frame-like opening 8, and a plate And a locking piece 7c provided at the front end with a locking tool 7d that protrudes from the back surface of the frame-shaped portion 7a and can be locked to the peripheral edge of the lower end of the frame-shaped opening 8 (frame-shaped portion 8b). On the surface of the plate-like portion 7a of each push button 7, double circles (プ ラ ス), upward triangles (Δ), plus (+) in order from the left side of the upper stage, and single circles in order from the left side of the lower stage as shown in FIG. (Circle), the downward triangle (▽), and the minus (-) symbol are displayed. Further, among the six push buttons 7, the plate-like portions 7a of the lower left push button 7 and the right push button 7 correspond to the arc shape of the lower corners of the support plate 5 as shown in FIG. Are each formed in an arc shape. In addition, a downward frame side 7e is extended to the outer edge of each plate-like portion 7a of the upper left push button 7 and the lower push button 7 on the outer edge of each plate-like portion 7a. Also, a downward frame side 7e is extended.

  Further, the guide frame member 7b of each push button 7 corresponds to the shape of the frame-like opening 8 to be inserted as shown in FIG. 3, and is formed in a square shape or a pentagon shape. Further, the opposing upper and lower sides 7f of each guide frame member 7b are notched at the central portion, and a locking piece 7c is formed by integrally forming an outward locking tool 7d at the tip in the notch 7g. It protrudes from the back surface of the plate-like portion 7a. The locking piece 7c is made of resin and is integrally formed when the guide frame member 7b is molded. However, the locking piece 7c is made narrow so that sufficient elasticity is generated, and the locking tool 7d at the tip is formed in a frame shape of the support plate 5. The opening 8 is securely locked to the lower end periphery (of the frame-like portion 8b). Furthermore, a recess 7b 'is formed on one side of each guide frame member 7b corresponding to the elastic arm piece 9. Further, in each guide frame member 7b, a cross-shaped projection 7h is integrally projected on the back surface of the plate-like portion 7a. The height (projection amount) of the projection 7h is determined by the guide of the push button 7. The frame member 7b is inserted into the frame-shaped opening 8 of the support plate 5, and the locking tool 7d of the pair of locking pieces 7c is locked to the lower edge of the frame-shaped opening 8 (the lower edge of the frame-shaped portion 8b). In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the projection 7h comes into contact with the pressing portion 10 of the elastic arm piece 9, and the pressing portion 10 elastically supports the push button 7 upward. The arm piece 9 is preferably set so that it does not deform downward, that is, the clearance between the pressing portion 10 at the tip of the elastic arm and the head portion 16a of the tact switch 16 is kept constant. By setting in this way, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, each push button 7 is mounted in the corresponding frame-shaped opening 8 of the support plate 5 and is pressed via the elastic arm piece 9. 10 is biased upward and there is no rattling.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, one positioning pin 11 is provided on the back surface of the plate-like portion 7a of each push button 7 so as to be spaced apart from the guide frame member 7b. For the four push buttons 7 provided with the guide frame member 7b, the direction or the separation distance with respect to the guide frame member 7b is changed so that the positions where the positioning pins 11 project are not matched. Further, the two push buttons 7 having the pentagonal guide frame member 7b are also changed in the direction and the distance to the guide frame member 7b so that the positions of the positioning pins 11 with respect to the guide frame member 7b do not coincide with each other. . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, pin holes 12 are formed in the support plate 5 in the vicinity of the frame-like openings 8 corresponding to the positioning pins 11 of the push buttons 7. As a result of the configuration, the six push buttons 7 are displayed on the plate-like portion 7a of the six tact switches 16 (see FIG. 5) arranged on the wiring board 15 (see FIG. 4). The tact switch 16 corresponding to FIG. In other words, the operator does not attach the push button 7 to the wrong position when assembling the emergency notification broadcasting terminal device 1 (the push button device 2). That is, in this embodiment, each push button 7 is intended to be attached to the wrong frame-shaped opening 8 in the six frame-shaped openings 8 of the support plate 5 even if one of the six push buttons 7 in FIG. Cannot be attached, even if the frame-shaped opening 8 to be attached is correct, if the attaching direction of the push button 7 is wrong, it cannot be attached. In addition, the code | symbol 26 in FIGS. 4-6 is a dry cell.

  Operation modes of the push button device 2 and the emergency notification broadcasting terminal device 1 including the push button device 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each push button 7 is elastically supported by the elastic arm piece 9 and the pressing portion 10 in a non-operating state (normal state) and biased upward. In this state, the pressing portion 10 at the tip of the elastic arm piece 9 is provided with a certain clearance from the head 16 a of the tact switch 16. In other words, the stroke corresponding to the clearance (separation distance) is added (+) to the operation stroke of the push button 7, thereby improving the operability of the tact switch 16 by the push button 7 and providing a good feeling when the switch is operated. I have to. In addition, when there is no operation, there is a clearance between the pressing portion 10 of each push button 7 and the head 16a of the tact switch 16, so that each tact switch 7 is not turned ON by malfunction.

  When an arbitrary push button 7 is pushed, as shown in FIG. 6, the push button 7 is pushed substantially vertically with the frame-shaped guide member 7b guided by the frame-shaped opening 8. In addition, each push button 7 is exposed and is not provided with a frame around the plate-like portion 7a. At the same time, the positioning pin 11 on the push button 7 side is guided by the pin hole 12, so that the push button 7 is useless. Rotation is prevented. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the six push buttons 7 are kept in a constant gap with the adjacent push buttons 7, and the vertical gaps are parallel to each other. Then, when the push-down force is removed from the push button 7, an upward biasing force is generated by a restoring force for returning the deformation downward to the elastic arm piece 9, and the push button 7 is shown in FIG. It is securely returned to the original position.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation of the emergency notification broadcasting terminal device 1 is as follows. When the push button 7 (for radio power) is pressed, the radio is turned on and the radio power lamp 27 near the display panel 6 is lit. At the same time, the time display on the display panel 6 displays the FM reception frequency. By pressing the △ or ▽ (for channel selection) push button 7, the reception frequency is changed and a desired broadcast program can be selected. Further, the volume can be adjusted by pressing the + display or − display (volume) push button 7. When the display push button 7 is pressed again, the radio is turned off, the radio power lamp 27 is turned off, and the current time is displayed on the display panel 6. When the earthquake early warning data from the Japan Meteorological Agency is received, the flashlight 28 arranged around the front cover member 4 blinks, and the predicted seismic intensity is displayed on the display panel 6. The display push button 7 is a selection button.

  Although one embodiment in which the push button device in the electronic device of the present invention is applied to the emergency notification broadcasting terminal device 1 has been described above, it can be modified as follows.

  1) Although the elastic arm piece 9 has a cantilever support structure, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which the push button 7 is supported by providing a pressing part 10 at the center part with a double-end support structure.

  2) By using two positioning pins in the above embodiment and changing the position and orientation of the positioning pin 11 with each push button 7, it is possible to correct the mounting or orientation error of the push button 7 with respect to the frame-shaped opening 8 of the support plate 5. You may make it prevent.

  3) The frame-shaped opening 8 of the support plate 5 and the guide frame member 7b corresponding thereto can be circular or elliptical. In this case, the rotation is stopped only by the positioning pin 11, but the sliding operation of the push button becomes smoother.

  4) Instead of elastically supporting the push button 7 with the elastic arm piece 9 integrally formed in the frame-shaped opening 8 of the support plate 5, a spring separate from the support plate 5 and the frame-shaped opening 8. The push button 7 can be elastically supported by the member via the pressing portion 10.

  5) The number of push buttons 7 to be arranged is not limited, but 2 or more, for example, 9 pieces, 12 pieces, 20 pieces, etc., 3 rows in 1 row, 3 rows in 1 row, 3 or 4 in one row Four stages or three stages of each can be arranged in four stages or four stages in a row, or five stages or four stages can be arranged in a row.

  6) In the above embodiment, six push buttons 7 having substantially the same shape are arranged in a horizontally long rectangular shape by three in two upper and lower stages. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 can be arranged in a circular shape (see FIG. 7A) or an elliptical shape (see FIG. 7B).

In the emergency notification broadcasting terminal device provided with the push button device of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the emergency notification broadcasting terminal device of FIG. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the support plate and the push button constituting the push button device, when viewed from the front side, slightly toward the right side. FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the push button device in a state in which a part of the push button device is cut, slightly to the right. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 and shows a state where the push button is not pressed. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 and shows a state where one push button is pressed. FIG. 7A is a front view showing an example in which a plurality of push buttons are arranged in a circular shape, and FIG. 7B is a front view showing an example in which a plurality of push buttons are arranged in an elliptical shape. It is explanatory drawing of a prior art example. It is explanatory drawing of another prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1 Emergency notification broadcasting terminal equipment (electronic equipment)
2 push button device 3 equipment casing 4 front cover member 5 support plate 5a mounting member 6 display panel 7 push button 7a plate-like portion 7b guide frame member 7b 'recess 7c locking piece 7d locking tool 7e frame side 7g notch 7h protrusion 8 frame-shaped opening 8a front side opening 8b frame-shaped part 8c large square opening 8c 'pentagonal opening 8d small square opening 9 elastic arm piece 10 pressing part (columnar pressing part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Locating pin 12 Pin hole 15 Wiring board 16 Tact switch 16a head 21 Wall hanging latch 22 Stand arm 23 Coaxial cable connection terminal 24 AC power cord connection terminal 25 Battery case cover 26 Dry cell

Claims (3)

A wiring board is provided in the equipment casing, and a plurality of tact switches are arranged on the wiring board at intervals, and each tact switch is turned on / off via a push button corresponding to the tact switch. In the push button device of the device,
A support plate disposed opposite to each tact switch on the wiring board and having a frame-like opening for slidably supporting the push buttons, and disposed in each frame-like opening, A pressing portion that elastically supports the button against its pushing direction,
A guide frame member that can be inserted into the frame-shaped opening is provided on the back surface of each push button, and a locking tool that can be locked to the lower edge of the frame-shaped opening of the support plate is provided. Protruding the locking piece,
On the back surface of each push button, at least one positioning pin protrudes away from the guide frame member, and a pin hole into which the positioning pin can be inserted in the vicinity of each frame-shaped opening of the support plate. Provided,
A base end of an elastic arm piece is connected to each frame-like opening corresponding to the push button, and the pressing portion is provided at the tip of the elastic arm piece so as to face the tact switch. Push button device for electronic equipment.   The shape of each frame-shaped opening of the support plate is made partially or entirely common, the shape of the guide frame member of each push button is made partially or entirely common, and the shape of the guide frame member is common. 2. The push button for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein each push button has a projecting position of the positioning pin different from each other, and a pin hole is provided in the support plate corresponding to each positioning pin. Button device. Wherein the rear surface of the push button, the corresponding push-button device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projecting from the protruding portion abutting on the pressing portion in a normal state.

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