Electronic device

Abstract

To prevent an operation button from being assembled to a housing in a wrong direction.SOLUTION: The electronic calculator 100 includes the operation button 212 having the flanged side 212b, and the device case 1 in which the opened side 1C into which the operation button 212 is inserted is formed, and the device case 1 is provided with the restricting portion (the frame side 1C, the guide rib side 212b) that does not overlap with the flanged side 1C when the operation button 212 is inserted into the opened side 212b in a correct direction (certain direction), and overlaps with the flanged side 1A1 when the operation button 212 is inserted into the opened side 1A2 in a direction other than the correct direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method for manufacturing the electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electronic desk calculators (electronic calculators) have been widely used for performing simple calculations. In particular, electronic desk calculators have a key layout and key touch that are designed to enable quick and accurate input operations for office use, such as performing a large number of calculations (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-128938 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The key switch disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has legs protruding from the periphery of the key top. These legs engage with the periphery of the opening in the housing to prevent the key top from jumping out of the housing. However, because the legs are protruding in four locations symmetrically in the vertical and horizontal directions, there is a risk that the key top may be installed upside down when it is attached to the housing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to prevent operation buttons from being attached to a housing in the wrong orientation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the electronic device according to the present invention comprises: an operation button having a flange; an apparatus case having an opening into which the operation button is inserted; The device case is provided with a restricting portion that does not overlap with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in a certain orientation, and that overlaps with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in an orientation other than the certain orientation. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the operation button from being attached to the housing in the wrong orientation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a scientific calculator as an example of an electronic device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a scientific calculator. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a key. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the operation button is inserted into the opening of the upper case (device case). FIG. [Figure 5] (a) is a diagram showing the state when the operation button is inserted in the correct orientation into the opening of the upper case, (b) is a diagram showing the state when the operation button is inserted in the wrong orientation into the opening of the upper case, and (c) is a diagram showing the state when the operation button inserted into the opening of the upper case is rotated clockwise on the page. [Figure 6] (a) is an enlarged view of the upper left corner of FIG. 5(a), and (b) is an enlarged view of the lower left corner of FIG. 5(a). [Figure 7] 10(a) to 10(e) are diagrams showing a state in which an operation button is being inserted into the opening of the upper case in the wrong orientation. [Figure 8] 10(a) to 10(e) are diagrams showing a state in which an operation button is being inserted into the opening of the upper case in the wrong orientation. [Figure 9](a) is a diagram for explaining a conventional guide rib, (b) is a diagram showing the state of the operation button when the edge of the operation button is pressed when the conventional guide rib is provided, and (c) is a diagram showing the state of the operation button when the edge of the operation button is pressed when the guide rib of this embodiment is provided. [Figure 10] 10(a) is a diagram showing the measurement points for various dimensions of the flange and guide rib, and FIG. 10(b) is a table showing the correspondence between the various dimensions of the Type I key group and the Type II key group. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, although the following description will be made on the case where the electronic device is a scientific calculator, the present invention is not limited to such a case and can be applied to any electronic device that has an operation button inserted into an opening in a device case so as to be operable by pressing it.

[0010] 1 is a perspective view of a scientific calculator as an example of an electronic device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the scientific calculator 100 includes an input key group 2 having various key groups, and a display 10.

[0011] The input key group 2 is a group of keys for receiving input operations of mathematical formula components such as numerical values ​​and calculation symbols from the user, and for receiving instructions for various processes, and is equipped with multiple keys (numeric keys, cursor keys, AC key, CODE key, SHIFT key, etc.) each assigned a specific function.

[0012] The display 10 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display (LCD), and is a display unit that displays various data such as characters, codes, symbols, mathematical formulas, calculation results, tables, etc. (referred to as mathematical formulas, tables, etc.) in response to operations of the input key group 2, etc., using multiple dots.

[0013] [Function Configuration] Next, the functional configuration of the scientific calculator 100 will be described. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the scientific calculator 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the scientific calculator 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a display drive unit 12, a key input unit 13, and a storage unit 14. Although not shown, the scientific calculator 100 also includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like that temporarily stores data such as mathematical formulas and tables to be displayed on the display 10.

[0014] The display drive unit 12 drives and controls the display 10 to display various types of information under the control of the CPU 11. The display drive unit 12 also adjusts the contrast ratio when displaying information on the display 10.

[0015] The key input unit 13 includes the input key group 2 described above, and outputs a key input signal corresponding to a key input by a user operation to the CPU 11. Then, the CPU 11 receives the key input signal corresponding to the key input by a user operation, and displays the corresponding mathematical formula, table, etc. on the display 10, executes calculations, or performs various other processes.

[0016] The storage unit 14 is a memory that stores programs, etc. In this embodiment, the storage unit 14 has various storage areas, and includes a storage area that stores programs that allow the CPU 11 to execute various functions of the scientific calculator 100 and data necessary for executing the programs.

[0017] The CPU 11 centrally controls each section of the scientific calculator 100. Specifically, the CPU 11 reads out a specified program from among the system programs and various application programs stored in the storage area of ​​the storage unit 14, loads it in the work area of ​​the storage unit 14, and executes various processes in cooperation with the programs loaded in the storage unit 14. The CPU 11 also controls the display driver 12 to display the necessary information on the display 10.

[0018] [Key structure] Next, the structure of each key constituting the input key group 2 will be described using a certain key 21 shown in Fig. 1 as a representative. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the key 21. Note that Fig. 3 (and Figs. 9 and 10 also show a cross section of a pair of second projecting pieces 1A22 (described later) to show the relationship between the flange 212b (described later) and the pair of second projecting pieces 1A22 (described later). This cross section is taken along the line AA in Fig. 1.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the key 21 includes an operation button 212 and a key contact member 211. The key contact member 211 is disposed in a device case 1 that is composed of an upper case 1A and a lower case 1B. An operation button 212 is disposed on the key contact member 211, and an upper portion of the operation button 212 is configured to protrude upward and be exposed through an opening 1C of the device case 1. The key contact member 211 includes a dome-shaped bulge 215 and a movable contact 216 disposed inside the bulge 215. The bulge 215 is connected to a rubber sheet 214 disposed on a circuit board 213 disposed below the upper case 1A. In this embodiment, the bulge 215 and the rubber sheet 214 are integrally formed. The key contact member 211 is configured to correspond to a plurality of openings 1C (only one is shown in FIG. 3) provided in the device case 1. The bulge 215 is connected to the lower portion of the operation button 212 by, for example, press-fitting. The movable contact 216 is made of, for example, carbon.

[0020] A fixed contact 217 is provided on the upper surface of the circuit board 213 so as to contact and face the movable contact 216. As a result, when the bulging portion 215 is pressed down by the operation button 212, the key contact member 211 is configured such that the bulging portion 215 elastically deforms and the movable contact 216 comes into contact (makes) with the fixed contact 217 (see FIG. 9(c)), thereby outputting a key input signal.

[0021] 3 and 4, the operation button 212 is a synthetic resin member including a main body 212a and a flange 212b extending radially outward from the lower end of the main body 212a. In this embodiment, the main body 212a has a cylindrical shape, but the shape of the main body 212a is not limited to this. Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state in which the operation button 212 is inserted into the opening 1C of the upper case 1A (device case 1).

[0022] 4 and 5, flange 212b has a generally rectangular shape in plan view and is formed to be larger than the area of ​​opening 1C. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3, the upper surface of flange 212b (the surface on the main body portion 212a side) abuts against the lower surface of the edge of opening 1C of upper case 1A (the surface facing rubber sheet 214), preventing flange 212b from slipping out of opening 1C.

[0023] Next, the shape of the flange 212b will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing a state in which operation button 212 is inserted into opening 1C of upper case 1A in the correct orientation (a certain orientation). Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing a state in which operation button 212 is inserted into opening 1C of upper case 1A in the wrong orientation (an orientation other than the certain orientation). Fig. 5(c) is a diagram showing a state in which operation button 212 inserted into opening 1C of upper case 1A is rotated clockwise on the page.

[0024] 5(a), the flange 212b of the operation button 212 has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view as described above, with the bottom left and bottom right corners cut out. Therefore, the width W1 in the left-right direction of the extension portion (first extension portion) 212b1 of the flange 212b extending upward on the paper surface is greater than the width W2 in the left-right direction of the extension portion (second extension portion) 212b2 extending downward on the paper surface.

[0025] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5(a), a frame portion 1A1 is provided on the underside of the upper case 1A, defining an area (a certain area) R for receiving the flange 212b. Here, the frame portion 1A1 serves as a spacer for providing the key contact member 211 (see FIG. 3) at a predetermined distance from the flange 212b. Also, a guide rib 1A2 is provided on the underside of the upper case 1A, for guiding the flange 212b to be received in the area R. The guide rib 1A2 is connected to the frame portion 1A1. In this embodiment, the guide rib 1A2 and the frame portion 1A1 are integrally formed.

[0026] 5(a), the guide rib 1A2 is composed of a pair of first protrusions 1A21 provided at the upper left and upper right corners of the region R, and a pair of second protrusions 1A22 provided at the lower left and lower right corners of the region R. The pair of first protrusions 1A21 are spaced apart at a distance greater than the width W1 of the first extending portion 212b1, and sandwich the first extending portion 212b1 from the sides when the flange 212b is received in the region R. The pair of second protrusions 1A22 are spaced apart at a distance greater than the width W2 of the second extending portion 212b2 and smaller than the width W1 of the first extending portion 212b1, and sandwich the second extending portion 212b2 from the sides when the flange 212b is received in the region R. In other words, the distance G1 between a pair of opposing outer surfaces 1A21a of the pair of first projecting pieces 1A21 (see FIG. 6(a)) is greater than the width W1, and the distance G2 between a pair of opposing outer surfaces 1A22a of the pair of second projecting pieces 1A22 (see FIG. 6(b)) is greater than the width W2 and smaller than the width W1. In FIG. 5(a), the distances G1 and G2 are illustrated at the base ends of the outer surfaces 1A21a and 1A22a, but at any point on the pair of outer surfaces 1A21a and 1A22a, the distance G1 is greater than the width W1, and the distance G2 is greater than the width W2 and smaller than the width W1.

[0027] Furthermore, the length L3 of the flange 212b in the extending direction (the direction perpendicular to the widths W1 and W2) is longer than the distance D3 between the first projecting piece 1A21 and the second projecting piece 1A22 and is longer than the gap G2. Furthermore, the length L4 of the diagonal line of the flange 212b (a straight line passing through the corner of the first extension portion 212b1 and the corner of the second extension portion 212b2 opposite to the corner of the first extension portion 212b1) is longer than the width D4 of the region R in the vertical direction (the direction in which the flange 212b extends), and is designed to be of such a length that the first extension portion 212b1 of the flange 212b engages (overlaps) with the frame portion 1A1 when an attempt is made to insert the operation button 212 into the opening 1C of the upper case 1A in an incorrect orientation (a specified orientation other than the correct orientation; for example, an angle of 10 degrees or more but less than 90 degrees clockwise from the correct orientation, an angle of more than 90 degrees but less than 170 degrees, an angle of 190 degrees or more but less than 270 degrees, or an angle of more than 270 degrees but less than 350 degrees).

[0028] 5 (i.e., when viewed from the insertion direction, the main body 212a is positioned inside the opening 1C and the operation button 212 is facing the opposite side from the correct orientation), at least a part of the extension 212b1 overlaps with the second protruding piece 1A22. In this embodiment, the opening 1C is located in the center of the region R.

[0029] As a result, if the operation button 212 is inserted into the opening 1C of the upper case 1A in the wrong orientation (for example, upside down), as shown in FIG. 5(b), the first extension portion 212b1 of the flange 212b engages with the pair of second protrusions 1A22 (the first extension portion 212b1 of the flange 212b overlaps the second protrusions 1A22), preventing the operation button 212 from being inserted (fully inserted) into the opening 1C. Note that, in this specification, "fully inserted" refers to the operation button 212 being inserted to an extent that it can be used as a product, and does not include a state in which only the tip of the main body portion 212a is positioned inside the opening 1C during insertion. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5(a), when the operation button 212 is inserted into the opening 1C of the upper case 1A in the correct orientation, the flange 212b does not engage with (does not overlap) the guide rib 1A2.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first protrusion 1A21 is disposed adjacent to the first extension 212b1, and the second protrusion 1A22 is disposed adjacent to the second extension 212b2. When the operation button 212 properly inserted into the opening 1C of the upper case 1A is rotated to a certain angle, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the flange 212b engages with the guide rib 1A2 (engages in the rotational direction), thereby preventing the flange 212b from rotating beyond the certain angle. In this embodiment, the second extension 212b2 of the flange 212b engages with the pair of second protrusions 1A22 (engages in the rotational direction), thereby preventing the flange 212b from rotating beyond the certain angle. Furthermore, depending on the clearance between the main body 212a and the opening 1C and manufacturing errors, the first extending portion 212b1 of the flange 212b may engage with the first protruding piece 1A21. This also prevents the flange 212b from rotating beyond the certain angle.

[0031] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6(a), when the operation button 212 is inserted in the correct orientation, the length L1 in the extension direction from the outer surface (surface facing the frame portion 1A1) 1A21b of the first protrusion 1A21 to the side surface (surface facing the frame portion 1A1) 212b1b of the first extension portion 212b1 is longer than the distance D1 between the side surface (surface facing the first protrusion 1A21) 212b1a of the first extension portion 212b1 and the outer surface 1A21a. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6(b), when the operation button 212 is inserted in the correct orientation, the length L2 in the extension direction from the outer surface 1A22b (the surface facing the frame portion 1A1) 1A22b of the second protruding piece 1A22 to the side surface 212b2b (the surface facing the frame portion 1A1) of the second extending portion 212b2 is longer than the distance D2 between the side surface 212b2a (the surface facing the second protruding piece 1A22) of the second extending portion 212b2 and the outer surface 1A22a. This structure prevents the flange 212b from rotating beyond the certain angle. While FIG. 6 shows only one of the pair of first protruding pieces 1A21 (and the pair of second protruding pieces 1A22), the distance between the other first protruding piece 1A21, the second protruding piece 1A22, and the extending portions 212b1, 212b2 is the same as in FIG. 6. Here, Fig. 6(a) is an enlarged view of the upper left corner of Fig. 5(a), and Fig. 6(b) is an enlarged view of the lower left corner of Fig. 5(a). The upper right corner of Fig. 5(a) and the lower right corner of Fig. 5(a) have the same configuration.

[0032] More specifically, when the operation button is biased to either the left or right on the plane of FIG. 5, the distance between one of the extensions 212b1, 212b2 and the guide rib 1A2 becomes shorter than the distance between the other of the extensions 212b1, 212b2 and the guide rib 1A2. Furthermore, when the operation button is biased to either the up or down direction, one of the lengths L1, L2 becomes longer than the other. This more reliably prevents the flange 212b from rotating beyond the certain angle. In one embodiment, the length L1 and / or the length L2 may be longer than the distances D1, D2 by the amount of clearance between the flange 212b and the opening 1C.

[0033] In this embodiment, a frame portion 1A1 and guide ribs 1A2 (a pair of first protrusions 1A21 and a pair of second protrusions 1A22) are provided on the underside of the upper case 1A, thereby preventing the operation button 212 from being erroneously inserted into the opening 1C in cases other than when the operation button 212 is inserted upside down as shown in Figure 5(b).

[0034] Specifically, as shown in Figures 7(a), 7(b), 7(d), 7(e), 8(a), 8(b), 8(d), and 8(e), for example, when an attempt is made to insert operation button 212 into opening 1C while rotating it (rotating it clockwise on the page) by any one of the angles of 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 120 degrees, 150 degrees, 210 degrees, 240 degrees, 300 degrees, and 330 degrees from the correct orientation (see Figure 5(a)), the diagonal length L4 of flange 212b is designed to be a predetermined length that is longer than the width D4 of region R in the up-down direction (the direction in which flange 212b extends), and therefore, as described above, first extension portion 212b1 of flange 212b engages with (overlaps with) frame portion 1A1, thereby preventing operation button 212 from being inserted (fully inserted) into opening 1C. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7(c) and 8(c), when an attempt is made to insert the operation button 212 into the opening 1C while it is rotated by either 90 degrees or 270 degrees (rotated clockwise on the page) from the correct orientation (see Figure 5(a)), the length L3 in the extending direction of the flange 212b (the direction perpendicular to the widths W1 and W2) is longer than the gap G2, and the width W1 is longer than the distance D3, so that the first extending portion 212b1 of the flange 212b engages (overlaps) with the pair of second protrusions 1A22, thereby preventing the operation button 212 from being inserted (fully inserted) into the opening 1C. More specifically, opening 1C is formed so that when operation button 212 is rotated by either 90 degrees or 270 degrees from the correct orientation and is to be inserted into opening 1C (i.e., when viewed from the insertion direction, main body 212a is positioned inside opening 1C and operation button 212 is rotated by either 90 degrees or 270 degrees from the correct orientation), at least a portion of second extension portion 212b1 overlaps with second protrusion 1A22.

[0035] 5(c), in this embodiment, the engagement of the second extension portion 212b2 of the flange 212b with the pair of second protruding pieces 1A22 prevents the flange 212b from rotating beyond the certain angle. The engagement of the first extension portion 212b1 of the flange 212b with the pair of first protruding pieces 1A21 also prevents the flange 212b from rotating beyond the certain angle. Therefore, by making the widths W1 and W2 of the first extension portion 212b1 and the second extension portion 212b2 as large as possible, i.e., by making the clearance (gap) between the first extension portion 212b1 and the pair of first protruding pieces 1A21 and the clearance (gap) between the second extension portion 212b2 and the pair of second protruding pieces 1A22 as small as possible, rattle of the operation button 212 can be further suppressed.

[0036] However, as shown in FIG. 9(a), in the conventional guide rib, the outer surface that can come into contact with the flange 212b (the outer surface that faces the flange 212b with a gap therebetween) is shaped to be perpendicular to the underside of the upper case 1A. Therefore, when the end of the operation button 212 is pressed to put it in a so-called diagonal pressing state, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the first extension portion 212b1 and / or the second extension portion 212b2 (flange 212b) interferes with the guide rib, causing problems such as the movable contact 216 not making contact with the fixed contact 217 or the operation button 212 not returning to its original position.

[0037] 3 and 4, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the pair of first protruding pieces 1A21 and the pair of second protruding pieces 1A22 is configured so that the distance between the pair of first protruding pieces 1A21 and the pair of second protruding pieces 1A22 and the flange 212b increases as the operation button 212 is pressed down. Specifically, each outer surface that can come into contact with the flange 212b of the pair of first protruding pieces 1A21 (i.e., the outer surface facing the flange 212b, specifically, the outer surface 1A21a that faces the flange 212b in close proximity (with a gap)) and each outer surface that can come into contact with the flange 212b of the pair of second protruding pieces 1A22 (i.e., the outer surface facing the flange 212b, specifically, the outer surface 1A22a that faces the flange 212b in close proximity (with a gap)) are inclined so as to move away from the flange 212b as the operation button 212 is pressed down. As a result, even when the end of the operation button 212 is pressed to create a so-called diagonal-press state, as shown in FIG. 9(c), it is possible to prevent the flange 212b (the second extending portion 212b2) from interfering with the guide rib 1A2 (the pair of second protruding pieces 1A22). As a result, it is possible to prevent problems such as the movable contact 216 not making contact with the fixed contact 217 and problems such as the operation button 212 not being able to return to its original position. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the opening 1C is tapered (for example, with a taper angle of 8 to 10°) so as to widen toward the pressing direction of the operation button 212. As a result, even when the end of the operation button 212 is pressed to create a so-called diagonal-press state, it is possible to prevent the operation button 212 from interfering with the inner surface of the opening 1C. This more effectively prevents problems such as the operation button 212 not being fully pressed or the operation button 212 not being able to return to its original position.

[0038] 1, the dimensions of the flanges 212b of the operation buttons 212 are made different between the upper half of the keys (Type I; smaller keys) and the lower half of the keys (Type II; larger keys) of the input key group 2, and the above-mentioned gradient of the guide rib 1A2 is also made different. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), for the Type I keys (first operation buttons), the length (A) of the flange 212b is 8.95±0.05 (mm), the notch length (B) of the flange 212b is 1.47±0.05 (mm), the clearance (C) between the flange 212b and the guide rib 1A2 is 0.20±0.20 (mm), and the gradient (D) of the guide rib 1A2 is 20°±1°. On the other hand, for the Type II key group (second operation buttons), the length (A) of the flange 212b is 11.00±0.05 (mm), the notch length (B) of the flange 212b is 2.05±0.05 (mm), the clearance (C) between the flange 212b and the guide rib 1A2 is 0.20±0.20 (mm), and the above-mentioned gradient (D) of the guide rib 1A2 is 10°±1°. In other words, the Type II key group (second operation buttons) in which the length (A) of the flange 212b is longer than that of the Type I key group are designed to have a smaller gradient (D) of the guide rib 1A2. This is because the tilt of the operation button 212 when the end of the operation button 212 is pressed is smaller for keys with a longer flange 212b length (A).

[0039] As described above, the scientific calculator 100 of this embodiment includes an operation button 212 having a flange 212b, and an equipment case 1 having an opening 1C into which the operation button 212 is inserted. The equipment case 1 is provided with a regulating portion (frame portion 1A1, guide rib 1A2) that does not overlap with the flange 212b when the operation button 212 is inserted into the opening 1C in the correct orientation (a certain orientation), but overlaps with the flange 212b when the operation button 212 is inserted into the opening 1C in an orientation other than the correct orientation. As a result, when an attempt is made to insert the operation button 212 into the opening 1C in a direction other than the correct direction, i.e., when the operation button 212 is inserted in the wrong direction, the flange 212b engages (overlaps) with the restricting portion (frame portion 1A1, guide rib 1A2), thereby preventing the operation button 212 from being inserted (completely inserted) into the opening 1C, thereby preventing the operation button 212 from being assembled to the device case 1 in the wrong direction.

[0040] Furthermore, the device case 1 of the scientific calculator 100 of this embodiment is provided with a guide rib 1A2 as the restricting portion, which guides the flange 212b into the region R of the device case 1 when the operation button 212 is inserted into the opening 1C. Therefore, the guide rib 1A2 guides the flange 212b into the region R of the device case 1 and also functions as the above-mentioned restricting part, thereby making it possible to suitably prevent the operation button 212 from being inserted into the opening 1C without complicating the structure inside the device case 1.

[0041] In the scientific calculator 100 of this embodiment, the flange 212b includes a first extending portion 212b1 extending in one of the up, down, left, and right directions, and a second extending portion 212b2 extending in the opposite direction. The width W1 of the first extending portion 212b1 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction is larger than the width W2 of the second extending portion 212b2. The guide rib 1A2 includes a pair of first protrusions 1A1 provided at an interval wider than the width W1 of the first extending portion 212b1. A21, and a pair of second protrusions 1A22 spaced apart at an interval wider than the width W2 of the second extension portion 212b2 and narrower than the width W1 of the first extension portion 212b1, the pair of first protrusions 1A21 being positioned to sandwich the first extension portion 212b1 from the sides when the flange 212b is received in region R, and the pair of second protrusions 1A22 being positioned to sandwich the second extension portion 212b2 from the sides when the flange 212b is received in region R. As a result, if an attempt is made to insert the operation button 212 into the opening 1C of the device case 1 in an upside-down orientation relative to the correct orientation, the relationship between the flange 212b and the guide rib 1A2 described above causes the first extension portion 212b1 of the flange 212b to engage with the pair of second protrusions 1A22, thereby preventing the operation button 212 from being inserted (completely inserted) into the opening 1C.

[0042] Furthermore, the device case 1 of the scientific calculator 100 of this embodiment is provided with a frame portion 1A1 that defines the region R as the above-mentioned restricting portion, and the frame portion 1A1 does not engage with (does not overlap) the flange 212b when the operation button 212 is inserted into the opening 1C in the correct orientation (a certain orientation), but engages with (overlaps with) the flange 212b when the operation button 212 is inserted into the opening 1C in the wrong orientation (a specified orientation other than the certain orientation). As a result, when the operation button 212 is inserted into the opening 1C in an incorrect orientation other than upside down, the relationship between the flange 212b and the frame portion 1A1 described above causes the flange 212b to engage (overlap) with the frame portion 1A1, thereby preventing the operation button 212 from being inserted (completely inserted) into the opening 1C, thereby more effectively preventing the operation button 212 from being assembled to the device case 1 in an incorrect orientation.

[0043] Furthermore, in the scientific calculator 100 of this embodiment, when the operation button 212 is rotated to a certain angle, the guide rib 1A2 engages with the flange 212b to prevent the operation button 212 from rotating beyond the certain angle. Therefore, by using the guide rib 1A2 to prevent the operation button 212 from rotating beyond a certain angle, rattling of the operation button 212 can be suppressed.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0045] 5(a), the flange 212b of the operation button 212 has a width W1 in the left-right direction of the extending portion (first extending portion) 212b1 extending upward on the paper surface that is larger than a width W2 in the left-right direction of the extending portion (second extending portion) 212b2 extending downward on the paper surface. However, for example, the width W1 of the extending portion (first extending portion) 212b1 extending upward on the paper surface may be smaller than the width W2 of the extending portion (second extending portion) 212b2 extending downward on the paper surface. In such a case, the positions of the pair of first protruding pieces 1A21 and the pair of second protruding pieces 1A22 in the above embodiment are reversed.

[0046] In the above embodiment, each outer side surface 1A21a that can come into contact with the flanges 212b of the pair of first protrusions 1A21 and each outer side surface 1A22a that can come into contact with the flanges 212b of the pair of second protrusions 1A22 are sloped so as to move away from the flanges 212b in the direction in which the operation button 212 is pressed down, but the slope is not limited to being sloped from the upper end to the lower end of each outer side surface (from one end to the other in the thickness direction of the device case 1). For example, the slope may be sloped from the upper end of each outer side surface 1A21a, 1A22a (the base end of the lower surface of the upper case 1A) to a predetermined height (for example, a height equivalent to the thickness of the flanges 212b). Furthermore, in one embodiment, at least a portion of either one of the pair of first protrusions 1A21, and at least a portion of either one of the pair of second protrusions 1A22, may be configured so that the distance between them and the flange 212b increases as they move in the pressing direction of the operation button 212 when the button is pressed.

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. The inventions described in the claims originally attached to this application are as follows. The claim numbers described in the appendix are the same as those of the claims originally attached to this application. [Note] <Claim 1> an operation button having a flange; an apparatus case having an opening into which the operation button is inserted; The device case is provided with a restricting portion that does not overlap with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in a certain orientation, and that overlaps with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in an orientation other than the certain orientation. An electronic device characterized by: <Claim 2> The device case is provided with a guide rib as the restricting portion, which guides the flange to be received in a certain region of the device case when the operation button is inserted into the opening. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: <Claim 3> The flange includes a first extending portion extending in one of up, down, left, and right directions, and a second extending portion extending in the opposite direction to the first extending portion; the first extending portion has a width in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction that is larger than the width of the second extending portion; the guide rib includes a pair of first protrusions provided at a distance greater than the width of the first extending portion, and a pair of second protrusions provided at a distance greater than the width of the second extending portion and narrower than the width of the first extending portion; the pair of first protruding pieces are positioned to sandwich the first extending portion from the sides when the flange is received in the certain region, The pair of second projecting pieces are provided at positions that sandwich the second extending portion from the sides when the flange is received in the certain region. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2. <Claim 4> the device case is provided with a frame portion that defines the certain area as the restricting portion, the frame does not overlap with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in the certain orientation, and overlaps with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in a predetermined orientation other than the certain orientation. 4. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device. <Claim 5> the guide rib engages with the flange when the operation button is rotated to a certain angle, thereby preventing the operation button from rotating beyond the certain angle; 5. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device. <Claim 6> preparing an equipment case having an opening into which an operation button having a flange is inserted; providing the operation button; inserting the operation button into the opening in a certain direction; Including, The device case is provided with a restricting portion that does not overlap with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in the certain orientation, and that overlaps with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in an orientation other than the certain orientation. A method for manufacturing an electronic component, comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100 Scientific Calculator 1 Equipment case 1A Upper case 1A1 Frame 1A2 Guide rib 1A21 Pair of first projections 1A22 Pair of second projections 1B Lower case 1C aperture 2 Input keys 21 keys 212 Operation Button 212a Main body 212b Tsuba 212b1 First extension 212b2 Second extension 213 Circuit Board 214 Rubber Sheet 215 Bulge 216 Movable contact 217 Fixed contacts 10. Display 11 CPU 12 Display driver 13 Key input section 14 Storage section

Claims

1. an operation button having a flange; an apparatus case having an opening into which the operation button is inserted; The device case is provided with a restricting portion that does not overlap with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in a certain orientation, and that overlaps with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in an orientation other than the certain orientation. An electronic device characterized by:

2. The device case is provided with a guide rib as the restricting portion, which guides the flange to be received in a certain region of the device case when the operation button is inserted into the opening.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a semiconductor device.

3. the flange includes a first extending portion extending in one direction among up, down, left, and right, and a second extending portion extending in a direction opposite to the first direction; the first extending portion has a width in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction that is larger than the width of the second extending portion; the guide rib includes a pair of first protrusions provided at a distance greater than the width of the first extending portion, and a pair of second protrusions provided at a distance greater than the width of the second extending portion and narrower than the width of the first extending portion; the pair of first protruding pieces are positioned to sandwich the first extending portion from the sides when the flange is received in the certain region, The pair of second projecting pieces are provided at positions that sandwich the second extending portion from the sides when the flange is received in the certain region.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

4. the device case is provided with a frame portion that defines the certain area as the restricting portion, the frame does not overlap with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in the certain orientation, and overlaps with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in a predetermined orientation other than the certain orientation.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

5. the guide rib engages with the flange when the operation button is rotated to a certain angle, thereby preventing the operation button from rotating beyond the certain angle; 5. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

6. preparing an equipment case having an opening into which an operation button having a flange is inserted; providing the operation button; inserting the operation button into the opening in a certain direction; Including, The device case is provided with a restricting portion that does not overlap with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in the certain orientation, and that overlaps with the flange when the operation button is inserted into the opening in an orientation other than the certain orientation. A method for manufacturing an electronic component, comprising:

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