Sound output device

Abstract

To provide a sound output device that achieves downsizing while ensuring high functionality.SOLUTION: A sound output device 1 includes: a housing 2 which includes a disposition space 2a therein, and in which an insertion hole 11c is formed that communicates with the disposition space 2a; a control circuit substrate 15 disposed in the disposition space 2a; an operation button 3 including a pressed part 19 and an engagement protrusion 21, the pressing part having a front surface formed to serve as a pressed surface 19a to be pressed during operation, the engagement protrusion protruding from the pressed part 19 and being inserted into the insertion hole 11c; and a flexible printed wiring board 22 on which an antenna pattern is formed. The flexible printed wiring board 22 is attached to a back surface of the pressed part 19.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a technical field regarding an audio output device that is worn on the ear and outputs audio. [Background technology]

[0002] There is an audio output device that is worn on the ears as headphones or earphones and outputs sound from a speaker. In recent years, audio output devices have been increasingly used outdoors in addition to indoors. The audio output device includes a speaker that outputs sound and a control circuit board that controls the driving of the speaker.

[0003] Some such audio output devices have an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals wirelessly, and have an operation button supported on the housing so that a predetermined function is performed when the operation button is pressed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] The acoustic output device described in Patent Document 1 is configured so that when pressure on the operating part is released, the operating part returns to its original state by the force of the coil spring, and the coil spring is conductive and also used as an antenna. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5824404 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the above-mentioned sound output device is configured to have an operation button and an antenna, which increases the functionality, but the number of parts increases, which may hinder miniaturization. In particular, when the sound output device is worn on the ear, it is desirable to minimize the part that protrudes from the ear as much as possible, and a thin design is desirable.

[0007] On the other hand, since the antenna has the function of transmitting and receiving signals, it needs to be positioned at a certain distance from the control circuit board to ensure high functionality and avoid being affected by noise that may be generated in the control circuit board.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the audio output device of the present technology is to achieve miniaturization while ensuring high functionality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The acoustic output device of the present technology comprises a housing having an arrangement space therein and having an insertion hole formed therein communicating with the arrangement space, a control circuit board arranged in the arrangement space, an operation button having a pressable portion whose surface is formed as a pressable surface that is pressed when operated and an engaging protrusion that protrudes from the pressable portion and is inserted into the insertion hole, and a flexible printed wiring board on which an antenna pattern is formed, and the flexible printed wiring board is attached to the back surface of the pressable portion.

[0010] This means that there is no space between the depressed portion of the operation button and the antenna pattern, and it is possible to reduce the distance between the control circuit board and the depressed portion while keeping the control circuit board and the antenna pattern separated by a certain distance or more.

[0011] Another audio output device relating to the present technology includes a housing having an arrangement space therein and an insertion hole formed therein communicating with the arrangement space, a control circuit board arranged in the arrangement space, and an operation button having a pressable portion whose surface is formed as a pressable surface that is pressed during operation and an engaging protrusion that protrudes from the pressable portion and is inserted into the insertion hole, and an antenna pattern is formed on at least the back surface of the pressable portion.

[0012] This means that there is no space between the depressed portion of the operation button and the antenna pattern, and it is possible to reduce the distance between the control circuit board and the depressed portion while keeping the control circuit board and the antenna pattern separated by a certain distance or more. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a sound output device according to the present technology together with FIG. 2 to FIG. 8, and is a perspective view of the sound output device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sound output device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sound output device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a flexible printed wiring board. [Diagram 5] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of assembling the sound output device. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of assembling the sound output device, subsequent to FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before an operation button is operated. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the operation button is operated. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 to FIG. 13 show a second embodiment of the sound output device according to the present technology, and this figure is a cross-sectional view of the sound output device. [Figure 10] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of assembling the sound output device. FIG. [Figure 11]11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of assembling the sound output device, subsequent to FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before an operation button is operated. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the operation button is operated. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a packing according to a first modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a packing according to a second modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a packing according to a third modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a packing according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a packing according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a packing according to a sixth modified example. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a packing according to a seventh modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the sound output device of the present technology will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The sound output device of the present technology is used as an earphone or a headphone. However, the sound output device of the present technology can be applied to a truly wireless earphone, an over-the-head headphone, a hearing aid, etc.

[0015] The sound output device described below is provided with a speaker that functions as an output section for sound, and a sound guide tube whose internal space is formed as a passage (sound guide space) for sound output from the speaker. In the following description, when directions are indicated, the axial direction of the sound guide tube is taken as the left-right direction to indicate front-rear, up-down, left-right directions.

[0016] However, the directions of front, back, up, down, left and right shown below are for the convenience of explanation, and the implementation of the present technology is not limited to these directions.

[0017] <Configuration of the Sound Output Device Pertaining to the First Embodiment> First, the configuration of a sound output device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described (see FIGS. 1 to 8).

[0018] The sound output devices 1 are used in a pair, for example, one for the left ear and the other for the right ear, although a single sound output device 1 may be used for listening to sound.

[0019] The sound output device 1 has a housing 2 provided as an outer casing, required components arranged inside the housing 2, and an operation button 3 supported by the housing 2 (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0020] The housing 2 is configured by joining a first case 4 and a second case 5 in the left-right direction.

[0021] The first case 4 is formed by integrally forming a shallow dish-shaped case portion 6 that opens on one side in the left-right direction and a sound guide tube 7 that protrudes from the case portion 6 on the other side in the left-right direction. The entire outer surface of the case portion 6 is formed into an outwardly convex curved surface. The sound guide tube 7 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape with its axial direction approximately in the left-right direction, and the internal space is formed as a sound guide space 7a. The sound guide space 7a is connected to the internal space of the case portion 6.

[0022] The second case 5 is formed in a shape having a recess that opens on the opposite side to the first case 4, and has a cylindrical peripheral surface portion 8 and a button arrangement portion 9 that is continuous with one end of the peripheral surface portion 8 in the axial direction. The peripheral surface portion 8 has an outer surface that is formed in a curved shape as a whole. The button arrangement portion 9 has an annular circumferential portion 10 that is continuous with the peripheral surface portion 8, and a protruding portion 11 that protrudes inward from the end of the peripheral surface portion 8 side of the peripheral surface portion 10. A plurality of restricting protrusions 11a are provided at the inner peripheral portion of the protruding portion 11 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The space inside the protruding portion 11 is formed such that the portions between the restricting protrusions 11a adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are each formed as an insertion notch 11b. The space inside the protruding portion 11, including the insertion notch 11b, is formed as an insertion hole 11c as a whole.

[0023] The housing 2 is formed by butting together a case portion 6 of a first case 4 and a peripheral portion 8 of a second case 5 (see FIG. 1). The interior space of the housing 2, excluding a sound conducting space 7a, is formed as an arrangement space 2a (see FIG. 3).

[0024] A speaker 12 is disposed inside the sound conduit 7 at the end on the arrangement space 2a side. Sound output from the speaker 12 passes through the sound conduit 7 and is radiated to the outside.

[0025] A board mounting member 13 is disposed in the arrangement space 2a. The board mounting member 13 has a portion formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. A battery 14 is disposed inside the board mounting member 13, and a control circuit board 15 is attached to one end of the board mounting member 13.

[0026] The control circuit board 15 is disposed on the side of the overhanging portion 11 in the arrangement space 2a, with its outer periphery facing the overhanging portion 11. The control circuit board 15 has, for example, a disk-shaped board 16, various electronic components (not shown) mounted on the board 16, and a spring terminal 17 connected to a circuit pattern (not shown) of the board 16. The spring terminal 17 functions as a connection terminal to which an antenna pattern (described later) is connected, and has a joint portion 17a joined to the circuit pattern and a plate-shaped elastic deformation portion 17b. The spring terminal 17 is mounted on the surface of the board 16 facing the overhanging portion 11. A switch 18 is mounted on the central portion of the board 16 on the surface facing the overhanging portion 11.

[0027] The operation button 3 is composed of a disk-shaped pressed portion 19, an operating shaft portion 20 protruding from the center of the pressed portion 19 in the thickness direction of the pressed portion 19, and a plurality of engaging protrusions 21 protruding from the pressed portion 19, which are integrally formed (see Figs. 1 to 3). One surface of the pressed portion 19 in the thickness direction is formed as a pressed surface 19a that is pressed during operation, and the other surface in the thickness direction is formed as an opposing surface 19b. Both the operating shaft portion 20 and the engaging protrusions 21 protrude from the opposing surface 19b, and the engaging protrusions 21 protrude from positions around the operating shaft portion 20 in the same direction as the operating shaft portion 20 protrudes. The engaging protrusions 21 are provided as regulated protrusions 21a whose tip portions are bent outward relative to other portions.

[0028] A flexible printed wiring board 22 is attached to the operation button 3. The flexible printed wiring board 22 has a circular mounting portion 23 and a lead-out portion 24 protruding from the mounting portion 23, with the lead-out portion 24 protruding from the inner periphery of the mounting portion 23. The lead-out portion 24 has a tip portion provided as a connection portion 24a and the other portion provided as a bent portion 24b. The bent portion 24b is bent in the thickness direction, for example, folded back to form a U-shape.

[0029] An antenna pattern 25 is formed on the flexible printed wiring board 22. The antenna pattern 25 is formed in a position ranging from the mounting portion 23 to the lead-out portion 24. The antenna pattern 25 functions as an antenna, and transmits and receives acoustic signals.

[0030] The flexible printed wiring board 22 is attached to the operation button 3 by having an attachment portion 23 attached to the opposing surface 19b with an adhesive 26 such as double-sided tape.

[0031] The operation button 3 is supported by the housing 2 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the operation shaft 20. With the engagement protrusions 21 inserted into the insertion notches 11b of the second case 5 and the operation shaft 20 inserted into the insertion hole 11c, the operation button 3 is supported by the housing 2 by being rotated about the axis by a predetermined angle relative to the second case 5. With the operation button 3 supported by the housing 2, the regulated protrusions 21a are each capable of engaging with the regulating protrusions 11a in the axial direction of the operation shaft 20, and the engagement of the regulated protrusions 21a with the regulating protrusions 11a prevents the operation button 3 from falling off the housing 2.

[0032] When the operation button 3 is supported by the housing 2, the opposing surface 19b of the operation button 3 is positioned opposite the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5 (see FIG. 3). Also, when the operation button 3 is supported by the housing 2, the tip surface of the operation shaft portion 20 of the operation button 3 is positioned opposite the switch 18 mounted on the substrate 16.

[0033] With the operation button 3 supported by the housing 2, the flexible printed wiring board 22 has the lead-out portion 24 inserted into the insertion hole 11c of the second case 5 and the connection portion 24a attached to the inner surface of the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5 by adhesion or the like (see FIGS. 3 and 4). With the connection portion 24a of the flexible printed wiring board 22 attached to the inner surface of the protruding portion 11, the elastic deformation portion 17b of the spring terminal 17 is pressed against the connection portion 24a (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the connection portion 24a of the flexible printed wiring board 22 is stably connected to the circuit pattern of the control circuit board 15 via the spring terminal 17.

[0034] With the operation button 3 supported by the housing 2, a packing 27 is disposed between the mounting portion 23 of the flexible printed wiring board 22 and the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5. The packing 27 is made of an elastically deformable rubber material or the like, and is formed, for example, in a ring shape with an inclined cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the packing 27 is formed in a shape in which one end 27a in the axial direction and the other end 27b are located at different positions in the radial direction.

[0035] The packing 27 is elastically deformed when disposed between the mounting portion 23 and the protruding portion 11, with one end 27a being in close contact with the mounting portion 23 of the flexible printed wiring board 22 and the other end 27b being in close contact with the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5. Therefore, a biasing force is applied to the operation button 3 from the packing 27 via the flexible printed wiring board 22, and the operation button 3 is biased in a direction away from the control circuit board 15.

[0036] Incidentally, the inclination direction of the cross-sectional shape of the packing 27 may be reversed, with one end 27a being in close contact with the protruding portion 11 and the other end 27b being in close contact with the attached portion 23.

[0037] Since the internal space of the housing 2 is separated from the external space by the packing 27, the packing 27 has a function of acoustically separating the internal and external spaces in addition to a waterproof function. The packing 27 also functions as a biasing spring that biases the operation button 3 in a direction away from the control circuit board 15.

[0038] The operation button 3 is biased by the packing 27 in a direction away from the control circuit board 15, so that the regulated protrusions 21a of the engagement protrusions 21 in the operation button 3 are engaged in a state in which they are pressed against the regulating protrusions 11a of the protrusions 11. At this time, the operation shaft 20 of the operation button 3 is positioned away from the switch 18.

[0039] An earpiece 28 made of, for example, a rubber material is attached to the tip of the sound conduit 7 in the housing 2. The earpiece 28 is detachable from the sound conduit 7.

[0040] <Assembly Procedure of the Sound Output Device According to the First Embodiment> The procedure for assembling the sound output device 1 will be described below (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0041] First, the required parts such as the speaker 12, the board mounting member 13, the battery 14, etc. are attached to the first case 4, the mounting portion 23 of the flexible printed wiring board 22 is attached to the operation button 3, and the gasket 27 is placed on the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5 (see Figure 5).

[0042] Next, the operation button 3 is supported by the second case 5, and the lead-out portion 24 of the flexible printed wiring board 22 is inserted into the insertion hole 11c of the second case 5, and the connection portion 24a of the flexible printed wiring board 22 is attached to the protruding portion 11 (see FIG. 6). At this time, the elastic deformation portion 17b of the spring terminal 17 is pressed against the connection portion 24a, and the antenna pattern 25 is connected to the circuit pattern of the control circuit board 15 via the spring terminal 17.

[0043] Finally, the first case 4 and the second case 5 are joined together by adhesive or the like, thereby completing the assembly of the sound output device 1.

[0044] <Operation on the operation button of the sound output device according to the first embodiment> Next, the operation of the operation button 3 will be described (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8).

[0045] The operation button 3 is moved in one axial direction of the operation shaft portion 20 relative to the housing 2 when the pressable surface 19a is pressed. When the operation button 3 is pressed, the direction in which it is operated is defined as the operation direction, and the direction opposite to the operation direction is defined as the return direction.

[0046] In the sound output device 1, before the operation of the operation button 3, the biasing force of the gasket 27 positions the operation button 3 at the farthest position from the control circuit board 15 in the axial direction of the operation shaft portion 20, the regulated protrusions 21a of the operation button 3 are engaged with the regulating protrusions 11a, and the operation shaft portion 20 is positioned away from the switch 18 (see Figure 7).

[0047] When the operation button 3 is pressed and moved in the operation direction, the packing 27 is elastically deformed, the bent portion 24b of the flexible printed wiring board 22 is bent and the degree of bending increases, and the switch 18 is pressed by the operation shaft portion 20 (see FIG. 8). By operating the switch 18, various functions are executed, such as turning the power on and off, changing the mode, and playing or stopping a song.

[0048] When the pressing operation on the operation button 3 is released, the packing 27 elastically returns and the pressing force of the packing 27 moves the operation button 3 in the returning direction, the degree of bending of the bent portion 24b of the flexible printed wiring board 22 decreases, and the pressing state of the switch 18 by the operation shaft portion 20 is released (see FIG. 7). When the operation button 3 is moved in the returning direction, the regulated protrusions 21a of the operation button 3 are again engaged with the regulating protrusions 11a, respectively, and the operation button 3 returns to the state before it was operated.

[0049] <Summary of the sound output device according to the first embodiment> As described above, the audio output device 1 comprises a housing 2 having an arrangement space 2a therein and having an insertion hole 11c communicating with the arrangement space 2a, a control circuit board 15 arranged in the arrangement space 2a, an operation button 3 having a pressable portion 19 formed on its surface as a pressable surface 19a that is pressed when operated and an engaging protrusion 21 protruding from the pressable portion 19 and inserted into the insertion hole 11c, and a flexible printed wiring board 22 on which an antenna pattern 25 is formed, and the flexible printed wiring board 22 is attached to the back surface (opposing surface 19b) of the pressable portion 19.

[0050] Therefore, there is no space between the pressed portion 19 of the operation button 3 and the antenna pattern 25, and it is possible to reduce the distance between the control circuit board 15 and the pressed portion 19 in a state where the control circuit board 15 and the antenna pattern 25 are spaced apart by a certain distance or more so that the antenna pattern 25 is not affected by noise that may be generated in the control circuit board 15. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the sound output device 1 while ensuring high functionality.

[0051] In particular, since the pressed portion 19 of the operating button 3 is positioned close to the housing 2 in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the operating shaft portion 20, the device can be made thinner, and the portion that protrudes from the ear when the sound output device 1 is worn on the ear can be made smaller.

[0052] In addition, the housing 2 is provided with an annular protrusion 11 positioned between the pressed portion 19 and the control circuit board 15, and a flexible printed wiring board 22 and a gasket 27 that is in close contact with the protrusion 11 are arranged between the pressed portion 19 and the protrusion 11.

[0053] Therefore, since the gasket 27 is positioned between the pressed portion 19 and the control circuit board 15 and is in close contact with the flexible printed wiring board 22 and the protruding portion 11, it is possible to miniaturize the audio output device 1 by making effective use of space while ensuring high waterproof performance.

[0054] Furthermore, since the packing 27 is formed in an annular shape, the annular packing 27 is in close contact with the flexible printed wiring board 22 and the protruding portion 11, thereby ensuring even higher waterproofing.

[0055] Furthermore, since the gasket 27 is positioned around the engaging protrusion 21, the annular gasket 27 is tightly attached to the flexible printed wiring board 22 and the protrusion 11 while being positioned around the engaging protrusion 21, thereby preventing interference between the gasket 27 and the engaging protrusion 21 and ensuring high waterproof performance without affecting the operation of the operating button 3.

[0056] Furthermore, the packing 27 is made elastically deformable, and when the direction opposite to the direction in which the operation button 3 is pressed is set as the return direction, the packing 27 applies a biasing force to the operation button 3 in the return direction.

[0057] Therefore, when the pressure on the operation button 3 is released, the biasing force of the packing 27 makes it possible to return the operation button 3 to the position it was in before it was pressed, so that the packing 27 functions as a return spring that returns the operation button 3 to its original position, thereby ensuring high operability of the operation button 3 while reducing the number of parts.

[0058] Furthermore, flexible printed wiring board 22 is provided with an attachment portion 23 that is attached to pressed portion 19, and an outflow portion 24 having a connection portion 24a that protrudes from attachment portion 23 and is connected to spring terminal 17, which is a connection terminal of control circuit board 15, and the portion of outflow portion 24 between attachment portion 23 and connection portion 24a is provided as a bent portion 24b having a folded-back shape.

[0059] Therefore, when the operation button 3 is operated and moved, the bent portion 24b bends, so that the operation button 3 is less likely to receive a load from the flexible printed wiring board 22, and good operability of the operation button 3 can be ensured.

[0060] Furthermore, since the mounting portion 23 is formed in a ring shape, the mounting portion 23 formed in a ring shape is attached to the pressure receiving portion 19 of the operation button 3, the mounting area of ​​the flexible printed wiring board 22 with respect to the operation button 3 is increased, and high mounting strength of the flexible printed wiring board 22 with respect to the operation button 3 can be ensured.

[0061] Furthermore, since the lead-out portion 24 protrudes from the inner circumference of the mounting portion 23, it becomes possible to position the lead-out portion 24 inside the mounting portion 23, and the arrangement space in the arrangement space 2a of the flexible printed wiring board 22 is reduced, thereby making it possible to miniaturize the acoustic output device 1.

[0062] Furthermore, by configuring the lead-out portion 24 to protrude from the inner circumference of the mounting portion 23, it is possible to enlarge the mounting portion 23, and therefore it is possible to increase the formation area of ​​the antenna pattern 25 relative to the operation button 3, thereby stabilizing the transmission and reception of wireless communication signals.

[0063] In addition, spring terminals 17 having elastic deformation portions 17b are provided as connection terminals for control circuit board 15, and elastic deformation portions 17b are connected in a state where they are pressed against a part (connection portion 24a) of flexible printed wiring board 22.

[0064] Therefore, even if, for example, vibrations or the like occur to the audio output device 1 from the outside, the spring terminals 17 are pressed against the flexible printed wiring board 22 in an elastically deformed state, thereby ensuring a stable connection between the flexible printed wiring board 22 and the control circuit board 5.

[0065] <Configuration of the Sound Output Device According to the Second Embodiment> The configuration of a sound output device 1A according to the second embodiment will be described below (see FIG. 9).

[0066] Incidentally, the audio output device 1A described below differs from the above-described audio output device 1 only in that an antenna pattern is formed on the operation button, and therefore only the parts that differ from the audio output device 1 will be described in detail, and the other parts will be given the same symbols as those used for similar parts in the audio output device 1 and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0067] The sound output devices 1A are used, for example, as a pair, one for the left ear and the other for the right ear, although sound may be heard using only one sound output device 1A.

[0068] The sound output device 1A has a housing 2 provided as an outer casing, required components arranged inside the housing 2, and an operation button 3 supported by the housing 2.

[0069] In the sound output device 1A, a flexible printed wiring board 22 is not provided, and an antenna pattern 25A is formed on each surface of the operation button 3. The antenna pattern 25A is formed on the operation button 3 by a three-dimensional wiring formation technology called Laser Direct Structuring.

[0070] Antenna pattern 25A is formed in a position extending from opposing surface 19b of pressed portion 19, through the outer surface of engaging protrusion 21, to opposing surface 29 of regulated protrusion 21a facing control circuit board 15. The portion of antenna pattern 25A formed on opposing surface 19b is formed as outermost portion 25a located on the outermost side, the portion formed between opposing surface 19b and opposing surface 29 is formed as intermediate portion 25b, and the portion formed on opposing surface 29 is formed as contact portion 25c.

[0071] The antenna pattern 25A is connected by pressing the elastic deformation portion 17b of the spring terminal 17 against the contact portion 25c when the operation button 3 is supported by the housing 2. Therefore, the antenna pattern 25A is connected in a stable state to the circuit pattern of the control circuit board 15 via the spring terminal 17.

[0072] With the operation button 3 supported by the housing 2 , a packing 27 is disposed between the pressed portion 19 of the operation button 3 and the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5 .

[0073] The packing 27 is elastically deformed when disposed between the pressed portion 19 and the protruding portion 11, with one end 27a being in close contact with the outermost portion 25a of the antenna pattern 25A and the other end 27b being in close contact with the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5. Therefore, a biasing force is applied from the packing 27 to the operation button 3, and the operation button 3 is biased in a direction away from the control circuit board 15.

[0074] The operation button 3 is biased by the packing 27 in a direction away from the control circuit board 15, so that the regulated protrusions 21a of the engagement protrusions 21 in the operation button 3 are engaged in a state in which they are pressed against the regulating protrusions 11a of the protrusions 11. At this time, the operation shaft 20 of the operation button 3 is positioned away from the switch 18.

[0075] <Assembly Procedure of the Sound Output Device According to the Second Embodiment> The procedure for assembling the sound output device 1A will be described below (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

[0076] First, the required parts such as the speaker 12, the board mounting member 13, the battery 14, etc. are attached to the first case 4, an antenna pattern 25A is formed on the operation button 3, and a gasket 27 is placed on the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5 (see Figure 10).

[0077] Next, the operation button 3 is supported by the second case 5 (see FIG. 11). At this time, the elastic deformation portion 17b of the spring terminal 17 is pressed against the contact portion 25c of the antenna pattern 25A, and the antenna pattern 25A is connected to the circuit pattern of the control circuit board 15 via the spring terminal 17.

[0078] Finally, the first case 4 and the second case 5 are joined together by adhesive or the like, thereby completing the assembly of the sound output device 1A.

[0079] <Operation on the operation button of the sound output device according to the second embodiment> Next, the operation of the operation button 3 will be described (see FIG. 12 and FIG. 13).

[0080] In the sound output device 1A, before the operation of the operating button 3, the biasing force of the gasket 27 positions the operating button 3 at the farthest position from the control circuit board 15 in the axial direction of the operating shaft portion 20, the regulated protrusions 21a of the operating button 3 are engaged with the regulating protrusions 11a, and the operating shaft portion 20 is positioned away from the switch 18 (see Figure 12).

[0081] When the operation button 3 is pressed and moved in the operation direction, the packing 27 is elastically deformed and the switch 18 is pressed by the operation shaft portion 20 (see FIG. 13).

[0082] When the pressing operation on the operation button 3 is released, the packing 27 elastically returns and the operating button 3 is moved in the returning direction by the biasing force of the packing 27, and the pressing state of the switch 18 by the operating shaft 20 is released (see FIG. 12). When the operation button 3 is moved in the returning direction, the regulated protrusions 21a of the operation button 3 are again engaged with the regulating protrusions 11a, respectively, and the operation button 3 returns to the state before it was operated.

[0083] <Summary of the sound output device according to the first embodiment> As described above, the acoustic output device 1A comprises a housing 2 having an arrangement space 2a therein and having an insertion hole 11c communicating with the arrangement space 2a, and a control circuit board 15 arranged in the arrangement space 2a, and an antenna pattern 25 is formed on at least the back surface (opposing surface 19b) of the pressed portion 19.

[0084] Therefore, there is no space between the pressed portion 19 of the operation button 3 and the antenna pattern 25A, and it is possible to reduce the distance between the control circuit board 15 and the pressed portion 19 in a state where the control circuit board 15 and the antenna pattern 25A are spaced apart by a certain distance or more so that the antenna pattern 25A is not affected by noise that may be generated in the control circuit board 15. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the sound output device 1A while ensuring high functionality.

[0085] In particular, since the pressed portion 19 of the operating button 3 is positioned close to the housing 2 in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the operating shaft portion 20, the device can be made thinner, and the portion that protrudes from the ear when the sound output device 1A is worn on the ear can be made smaller.

[0086] In addition, the housing 2 is provided with an annular protrusion 11 positioned between the pressed portion 19 and the control circuit board 15, and an antenna pattern 25A and a gasket 27 that is in close contact with the protrusion 11 are arranged between the pressed portion 19 and the protrusion 11.

[0087] Therefore, since the gasket 27 is placed between the pressed portion 19 and the control circuit board 15 and is in close contact with the antenna pattern 25A and the protruding portion 11, it is possible to miniaturize the audio output device 1A by making effective use of space while ensuring high waterproof performance.

[0088] Furthermore, since the packing 27 is formed in an annular shape, the annular packing 27 is in close contact with the antenna pattern 25A and the protruding portion 11, ensuring even higher waterproof performance.

[0089] Furthermore, since the gasket 27 is positioned around the engaging protrusion 21, the annular gasket 27 is tightly attached to the antenna pattern 25A and the protrusion 11 while being positioned around the engaging protrusion 21, thereby preventing interference between the gasket 27 and the engaging protrusion 21 and ensuring high waterproof performance without affecting the operation of the operating button 3.

[0090] Furthermore, the packing 27 is made elastically deformable, and when the direction opposite to the direction in which the operation button 3 is pressed is set as the return direction, the packing 27 applies a biasing force to the operation button 3 in the return direction.

[0091] Therefore, when the pressure on the operation button 3 is released, the biasing force of the packing 27 makes it possible to return the operation button 3 to the position it was in before it was pressed, so that the packing 27 functions as a return spring that returns the operation button 3 to its original position, thereby ensuring high operability of the operation button 3 while reducing the number of parts.

[0092] In addition, the antenna pattern 25A is formed at a position extending from the pressed portion 19 to the tip surface (opposite side 29) of the engaging protrusion 21, the portion of the antenna pattern 25A formed on the tip surface of the engaging protrusion 21 is made into a contact portion 25c, a spring terminal 17 having an elastic deformation portion 17b is provided as a connection terminal of the control circuit board 15, and the contact portion 25c is connected to the spring terminal 17.

[0093] Therefore, since the spring terminal 17 is elastically deformed as the operation button 3 moves, the operation button 3 is unlikely to be subjected to a load from the spring terminal 17, and a stable connection state between the antenna pattern 25A and the control circuit board 15 is ensured while ensuring good operability of the operation button 3.

[0094] <Modified packing> Modified examples of the packing will be described below (see Figs. 14 to 20). Note that the following describes an example in which the modified packing is used in the above-mentioned first embodiment having the flexible printed wiring board 22. However, the modified packing may also be used in the above-mentioned second embodiment not having the flexible printed wiring board 22.

[0095] Packing 27A according to the first modified example has a cross-sectional shape formed into a semicircular arc convex toward pressed portion 19 (see FIG. 14). Packing 27A is elastically deformed when disposed between mounting portion 23 of flexible printed wiring board 22 and protruding portion 11 of second case 5, with an intermediate portion between the inner periphery and the outer periphery being brought into close contact with mounting portion 23 and with the inner periphery and the outer periphery being brought into close contact with protruding portion 11.

[0096] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the gasket 27A may be formed into a semicircular arc convex toward the protrusion 11, and the portion between the inner and outer periphery may be tightly attached to the protrusion 11, and the inner and outer periphery may be tightly attached to the mounting portion 23.

[0097] Since the packing 27A is in close contact with the protruding portion 11 or the mounted portion 23 at two points, a particularly high level of waterproofing can be ensured.

[0098] Packing 27B according to the second modified example has a cross-sectional shape formed into a generally V-shape convex toward pressed portion 19 (see FIG. 15). Packing 27B is elastically deformed when disposed between mounting portion 23 of flexible printed wiring board 22 and protruding portion 11 of second case 5, with an intermediate portion between the inner periphery and the outer periphery being tightly attached to mounting portion 23 and the inner periphery and the outer periphery being tightly attached to protruding portion 11.

[0099] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the gasket 27B may be formed into an approximately V-shape convex toward the protruding portion 11, and the portion between the inner and outer periphery may be closely attached to the protruding portion 11, and the inner and outer periphery may be closely attached to the mounting portion 23.

[0100] The packing 27B is in close contact with the protruding portion 11 or the mounted portion 23 at two points, so that a particularly high level of waterproofing can be ensured.

[0101] A packing 27C according to the third modification is formed to have an inclined cross-sectional shape like the packing 27, and is thicker than the packing 27 (see FIG. 16).

[0102] The gasket 27C is elastically deformed when positioned between the mounting portion 23 of the flexible printed wiring board 22 and the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5, with one end being closely adhered to the mounting portion 23 and the other end being closely adhered to the protruding portion 11.

[0103] Incidentally, the packing 27C may have a cross-sectional shape with its inclination direction reversed, with one end being in close contact with the protruding portion 11 and the other end being in close contact with the attached portion 23.

[0104] Since the packing 27C is thick, the contact area between the mounting portion 23 and the protruding portion 11 tends to be large when the packing 27C is elastically deformed, and therefore a particularly high level of waterproofing can be ensured.

[0105] A packing 27D according to the fourth modification is formed to have an inclined cross-sectional shape like the packing 27, and one end and the other end are thicker than the packing 27 (see FIG. 17).

[0106] The gasket 27D is elastically deformed when positioned between the mounting portion 23 of the flexible printed wiring board 22 and the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5, with one end being closely adhered to the mounting portion 23 and the other end being closely adhered to the protruding portion 11.

[0107] Incidentally, the inclination direction of the cross-sectional shape of packing 27D may be in the opposite direction, with one end being in close contact with overhanging portion 11 and the other end being in close contact with attached portion 23. Since the thickness of one end and the other end of packing 27D is made thick, the contact area between attached portion 23 and overhanging portion 11 tends to be large in the elastically deformed state, and particularly high waterproofing can be ensured.

[0108] Packing 27E according to the fifth modified example has a cross-sectional shape formed in a U-shape that opens toward pressed portion 19 (see FIG. 18). Packing 27E is elastically deformed when disposed between mounting portion 23 of flexible printed wiring board 22 and protruding portion 11 of second case 5, with each tip portion of the inner periphery and outer periphery being closely attached to mounting portion 23, and the flat portion extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery being closely attached to protruding portion 11.

[0109] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the gasket 27E may be formed into a U-shape opening toward the protruding portion 11, and the tip portions of the inner and outer periphery may be closely adhered to the protruding portion 11, and the flat portion extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery may be closely adhered to the mounting portion 23.

[0110] Gasket 27E is in close contact with protruding portion 11 or attached portion 23 at two points and is in close contact with protruding portion 11 or attached portion 23 in a surface-to-surface contact state, thereby ensuring particularly high waterproofing.

[0111] The packing 27F according to the sixth modified example has an H-shaped cross section (see FIG. 19). The packing 27F is elastically deformed when disposed between the attachment portion 23 of the flexible printed wiring board 22 and the protruding portion 11 of the second case 5, with one of the two tip portions being closely attached to the attachment portion 23 and the other two tip portions being closely attached to the protruding portion 11.

[0112] The packing 27F is in close contact with the protruding portion 11 and the mounted portion 23 at two points each, so that a particularly high level of waterproofing can be ensured.

[0113] Packing 27G according to the seventh modified example has an M-shaped cross section (see FIG. 20). Packing 27G is elastically deformed when disposed between mounting portion 23 of flexible printed wiring board 22 and protruding portion 11 of second case 5, with one pair of tip ends being tightly attached to mounting portion 23 and the other pair of tip ends being tightly attached to protruding portion 11.

[0114] The packing 27G is in close contact with the protruding portion 11 and the mounted portion 23 at two points each, so that a particularly high level of waterproofing can be ensured.

[0115] <This technology> The present technology can be configured as follows.

[0116] (1) a housing having an arrangement space therein and an insertion hole communicating with the arrangement space; A control circuit board arranged in the arrangement space; an operation button having a pressed portion having a surface formed as a pressed surface to be pressed during operation, and an engagement protrusion protruding from the pressed portion and inserted into the insertion hole; A flexible printed wiring board on which an antenna pattern is formed, The flexible printed circuit board is attached to the back surface of the pressed portion. Audio output device.

[0117] (2) the housing is provided with an annular protruding portion located between the pressed portion and the control circuit board, A packing is disposed between the pressed portion and the protruding portion, the packing being in close contact with the flexible printed wiring board and the protruding portion. The sound output device according to (1) above.

[0118] (3) The packing is formed into an annular shape. The sound output device according to (2) above.

[0119] (4) The packing is positioned around the engaging protrusion. The sound output device according to (3) above.

[0120] (5) The packing is elastically deformable, When the direction opposite to the direction in which the operation button is pressed is defined as the return direction, The packing applies a biasing force to the operation button in the return direction. The sound output device according to any one of (2) to (4).

[0121] (6) the flexible printed wiring board is provided with an attachment portion attached to the pressed portion and a lead-out portion having a connection portion protruding from the attachment portion and connected to a connection terminal of the control circuit board, A portion of the lead-out portion between the attached portion and the connection portion is provided as a bent portion having a folded shape. The sound output device according to any one of (1) to (5).

[0122] (7) The mounting portion is formed in an annular shape. The sound output device according to (6) above.

[0123] (8) The lead-out portion protrudes from the inner periphery of the mounting portion. The audio output device according to (6) or (7).

[0124] (9) A spring terminal having an elastic deformation portion is provided as a connection terminal of the control circuit board, The elastic deformation portion is connected in a state where it is pressed against a part of the flexible printed wiring board. The sound output device according to any one of (1) to (8).

[0125] (10) a housing having an arrangement space therein and an insertion hole communicating with the arrangement space; A control circuit board arranged in the arrangement space; an operation button having a pressed portion formed as a pressed surface that is pressed during operation, and an engagement protrusion protruding from the pressed portion and inserted into the insertion hole; An antenna pattern is formed on at least the rear surface of the pressed portion. Audio output device.

[0126] (11) the housing is provided with an annular protruding portion located between the pressed portion and the control circuit board, A packing is disposed between the pressed portion and the protruding portion, the packing being in close contact with the antenna pattern and the protruding portion. The sound output device according to (10) above.

[0127] (12) The packing is formed into an annular shape. The sound output device according to (11) above.

[0128] (13) The packing is positioned around the engaging protrusion. The sound output device according to (12) above.

[0129] (14) The packing is elastically deformable, When the direction opposite to the direction in which the operation button is pressed is defined as the return direction, The packing applies a biasing force to the operation button in the return direction. The sound output device according to any one of (11) to (13).

[0130] (15) the antenna pattern is formed at a position extending from the pressed portion to the tip surface of the engaging protrusion, a portion of the antenna pattern formed on a tip surface of the engaging protrusion serves as a contact portion, A spring terminal having an elastic deformation portion is provided as a connection terminal of the control circuit board, The elastic deformation portion is connected in a state where it is pressed against a part of the flexible printed wiring board. The sound output device according to any one of (10) to (14). [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1. Sound output device 2. Housing 2a Placement space 3 Operation buttons 11 Overhang 11c Insertion hole 15 Control circuit board 17 Spring terminal 17b Elastic deformation part 19 Pressurized part 19a Pressed surface 20 Operation shaft section 21 Engagement protrusion 22 Flexible printed wiring board 23 Mounting part 24 Derivation part 24a Connection 24b Bend part 25 Antenna Pattern 27 Gasket 1A Audio output device 25A Antenna Pattern 25c Contact part 27A Gasket 27B Gasket 27C Gasket 27D Packing 27E Gasket 27F Gasket 27G Gasket

Claims

1. a housing having an arrangement space therein and an insertion hole communicating with the arrangement space; A control circuit board arranged in the arrangement space; an operation button having a pressed portion having a surface formed as a pressed surface to be pressed during operation, and an engagement protrusion protruding from the pressed portion and inserted into the insertion hole; A flexible printed wiring board on which an antenna pattern is formed, The flexible printed circuit board is attached to the back surface of the pressed portion. Audio output device.

2. the housing is provided with an annular protruding portion located between the pressed portion and the control circuit board, A packing is disposed between the pressed portion and the protruding portion, the packing being in close contact with the flexible printed wiring board and the protruding portion. The sound output device according to claim 1 .

3. The packing is formed into an annular shape. The sound output device according to claim 2 .

4. The packing is positioned around the engaging protrusion. The sound output device according to claim 3 .

5. The packing is elastically deformable, When the direction opposite to the direction in which the operation button is pressed is defined as the return direction, The packing applies a biasing force to the operation button in the return direction. The sound output device according to claim 2 .

6. the flexible printed wiring board is provided with an attachment portion attached to the pressed portion and a lead-out portion having a connection portion protruding from the attachment portion and connected to a connection terminal of the control circuit board, A portion of the lead-out portion between the attached portion and the connection portion is provided as a bent portion having a folded shape. The sound output device according to claim 1 .

7. The mounting portion is formed in an annular shape. The sound output device according to claim 6.

8. The lead-out portion protrudes from the inner periphery of the mounting portion. The sound output device according to claim 6.

9. A spring terminal having an elastic deformation portion is provided as a connection terminal of the control circuit board, The elastic deformation portion is connected in a state where it is pressed against a part of the flexible printed wiring board. The sound output device according to claim 1 .

10. a housing having an arrangement space therein and an insertion hole communicating with the arrangement space; A control circuit board arranged in the arrangement space; an operation button having a pressed portion formed as a pressed surface that is pressed during operation, and an engagement protrusion protruding from the pressed portion and inserted into the insertion hole; An antenna pattern is formed on at least the rear surface of the pressed portion. Audio output device.

11. the housing is provided with an annular protruding portion located between the pressed portion and the control circuit board, A packing is disposed between the pressed portion and the protruding portion, the packing being in close contact with the antenna pattern and the protruding portion. The audio output device according to claim 10.

12. The packing is formed into an annular shape.

12. The audio output device according to claim 11.

13. The packing is positioned around the engaging protrusion.

13. The audio output device of claim 12.

14. The packing is elastically deformable, When the direction opposite to the direction in which the operation button is pressed is defined as the return direction, The packing applies a biasing force to the operation button in the return direction.

12. The audio output device according to claim 11.

15. the antenna pattern is formed at a position extending from the pressed portion to the tip surface of the engaging protrusion, a portion of the antenna pattern formed on a tip surface of the engaging protrusion serves as a contact portion, A spring terminal having an elastic deformation portion is provided as a connection terminal of the control circuit board, The elastic deformation portion is connected in a state where it is pressed against a part of the antenna pattern. The audio output device according to claim 10.

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