Electronic equipment

Abstract

To provide electronic equipment capable of improving a click feeling in key depression.SOLUTION: Electronic equipment comprises: a wiring board; tactile switches mounted on the wiring board; a key sheet which is arranged on the wiring board, has key parts protruding toward the tactile switches, respectively, and are formed of an elastomer material; a holding member which is arranged between the wiring board and the key sheet, and has holding holes where the key parts are inserted; pushers which protrudes from a reverse surface of the key parts to press the tactile switches, and are formed of a harder material than the key sheet; and a panel which is arranged on the key sheet and has openings formed to expose top surfaces of the key parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which, by pressing a key top, a metal dome is pressed via a rubber sheet presser, causing a switch pattern to become conductive. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-109486 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned technology, in which the presser is made of rubber, when a key is pressed, the presser may deform, dispersing the force or shifting position, resulting in a loss of the clicking feeling.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can improve the clicking sensation when a key is pressed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wiring board, a tactile switch mounted on the wiring board, a key sheet arranged on the wiring board and having a key portion protruding toward the tactile switch and formed of an elastomer material, a holding member arranged between the wiring board and the key sheet and having a holding hole into which the key portion is inserted, a presser formed of a material harder than the key sheet and protruding from a lower surface of the key portion to press the tactile switch, and a panel arranged on the key sheet and having an opening through which the upper surface of the key portion appears. This makes it possible to improve the clicking sensation when a key is pressed.

[0007] In the above aspect, the presser may be embedded in the key portion, extend toward the tactile switch, and protrude from the lower surface of the key portion. This increases the rigidity of the key portion, thereby making it possible to further improve the clicking sensation.

[0008] In the above aspect, an upper end of the pusher may be located above an upper end of a periphery of the holding hole of the holding member. This increases the rigidity of the key portion, making it possible to further improve the clicking sensation.

[0009] In the above aspect, the retaining member may have a bottom of the retaining hole, and a through hole through which the pusher passes may be formed in the bottom. This makes it possible to improve the positional accuracy of the pusher with respect to the tactile switch.

[0010] In the above aspect, the lower end of the pusher may have a shape that allows it to pass through the through hole, and the upper end of the pusher may have a shape that does not allow it to pass through the through hole. This makes it possible to dispose the pusher in a predetermined direction.

[0011] In the above aspect, the peripheral portion of the retaining hole of the retaining member may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and an inner wall surface of the peripheral portion may be in contact with a side surface of the key portion, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the pusher with respect to the tactile switch.

[0012] In the above aspect, the key sheet may have a plurality of the key parts, and upper surfaces of the plurality of the key parts may be exposed in the opening of the panel. This makes it possible to arrange a plurality of keys in one opening. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of an electronic device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a key sheet. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a key sheet. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing an example of the configuration of the key sheet. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing an example of the configuration of the key sheet. [Figure 6] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 4A to 4C are plan views showing configuration examples of a holding member. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration example of a holding member. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a left side view showing an example of a configuration of a holding member. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are bottom views showing a configuration example of a holding member. [Figure 12] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 8. [Figure 13] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 8. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration example of a pusher. [Figure 15] 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views showing configuration examples of a key sheet, a holding member, and a pusher. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification and each drawing, elements similar to those described above with reference to the previous drawings are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted as appropriate.

[0015] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of an electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 includes a wiring board 2, a key sheet 3, a holding member 4, and a front panel 6. In this figure, the illustration of a housing, a display unit, and the like is omitted. In the following description, the direction in which the front panel 6 is located relative to the wiring board 2 is referred to as the upward direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the downward direction.

[0016] A plurality of tactile switches 21 are mounted on the wiring board 2. The plurality of tactile switches 21 are arranged in a lattice pattern.

[0017] The key sheet 3 is disposed on the wiring board 2. The key sheet 3 has a plurality of key portions 31 corresponding to the plurality of tactile switches 21. The key sheet 3 is formed of an elastomer material such as silicone rubber.

[0018] Each of the multiple key units 31 holds a presser 5. When the key unit 31 is pressed by a person's finger, the presser 5 held by the key unit 31 presses the tactile switch 21. The presser 5 is made of a material harder than the key sheet 3, such as a synthetic resin.

[0019] The holding member 4 is disposed between the wiring board 2 and the key sheet 3. The holding member 4 is fixed to the front panel 6 with screws or the like, and the key sheet 3 is held between the holding member 4 and the front panel 6. The holding member 4 is formed with a plurality of holding holes 4a into which a plurality of key portions 31 are inserted.

[0020] The front panel 6 is disposed on the key sheet 3. The front panel 6 is formed with an opening 6a through which the upper faces of the multiple key portions 31 are exposed.

[0021] The specific configurations of the key sheet 3, the holding member 4, and the pusher 5 will be described below.

[0022] 2 to 5 are a plan view, a front view, a left side view, and a bottom view showing a configuration example of the key sheet 3. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 2.

[0023] 8 to 11 are a plan view, a front view, a left side view, and a bottom view showing an example of the configuration of the holding member 4. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in Fig. 8. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 8.

[0024] Fig. 14 is a front view showing a configuration example of the pusher 5. Fig. 15 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration example of the key sheet 3, the holding member 4, and the pusher 5.

[0025] In the following description, the X1 direction in the drawings is the forward direction, the X2 direction is the backward direction, the Y1 direction is the rightward direction, the Y2 direction is the leftward direction, the Z1 direction is the upward direction, and the Z2 direction is the downward direction.

[0026] 2 to 7, the key sheet 3 has a rectangular frame portion 39, and has a plurality of key portions 31 inside the frame portion 39. The key sheet 3 is formed into a substantially rectangular plate shape as a whole.

[0027] The key portion 31 protrudes downward and has an upper surface 32 and a lower surface 33. Specifically, the key portion 31 has a rectangular plate-shaped head and a columnar protrusion protruding downward from the head. The protrusion becomes thinner as it extends downward. The upper surface 32 of the key portion 31 is formed in a rectangular shape, and the lower surface 33 of the key portion 31 is formed in an elliptical shape.

[0028] An embedding hole 3a extending in the vertical direction for holding the pusher 5 is formed in the key portion 31. The embedding hole 3a opens to the lower surface 33 of the key portion 31. The pusher 5 is embedded in the key portion 31 such that its lower portion protrudes from the lower surface 33 of the key portion 31.

[0029] A wall portion 34 extending in the vertical direction is provided between two adjacent key portions 31. The key portions 31 and the wall portion 34 are connected by a connecting film 342 (see FIG. 15). Specifically, the connecting film 342 is provided between the head of the key portion 31 and the upper end portion of the wall portion 34.

[0030] 8 to 13, the holding member 4 has a rectangular plate-shaped portion 49, and a plurality of holding holes 4a are formed in the plate-shaped portion 49. The holding holes 4a are holes that open upward and have a bottom.

[0031] A through hole 4b that penetrates in the vertical direction is formed in the bottom 43 of the holding hole 4a. The through hole 43 is located above the pressed part of the tactile switch 21 (see FIG. 15). The pusher 5 held by the key portion 31 presses the tactile switch 21 through the through hole 4b.

[0032] The peripheral portion 41 of the retaining hole 4a is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the inner wall surface of the peripheral portion 41 contacts the side surface of the key portion 31 (see FIG. 15). The peripheral portion 41 is formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape corresponding to the insertion portion of the key portion 31.

[0033] Between two adjacent holes 4a, a connecting portion 44 is provided. The wall portion 34 of the key sheet 3 is placed on the connecting portion 44 (see FIG. 15). An upwardly extending wall portion 414 is provided at an end of the connecting portion 44.

[0034] An upper end of the wall portion 414 is connected to an upper end of the peripheral portion 41. Therefore, the wall portion 414 and the peripheral portion 41 have an inverted U-shape that opens downward.

[0035] 14, the pusher 5 is formed in a shaft shape extending in the vertical direction. The pusher 5 has a flange 51 in the middle in the vertical direction. The part above the flange 51 is called an upper part 52, and the part below the flange 51 is called a lower part 53.

[0036] A plurality of ribs 524 are formed on the upper portion 52 of the pusher 5, and a plurality of ribs 534 are also formed on the lower portion 53 of the pusher 5. The upper portion 52 of the pusher 5 is formed thicker than the lower portion 53.

[0037] 15, the upper end 522 of the pusher 5 embedded in the key portion 31 is located above the upper end of the periphery 41 of the retaining hole 4a. Therefore, the upper end 522 of the pusher 5 is located near the upper surface 32 of the key portion 31.

[0038] The lower end 533 of the pusher 5 has a shape that allows it to pass through the through hole 4b of the bottom 43 of the holding hole 4a, and passes through the through hole 4b to protrude downward from the bottom 43 and press the tactile switch 21.

[0039] The upper end 522 of the pusher 5 has a shape that prevents it from passing through the through-hole 4b. Therefore, if the pusher 5 is mistakenly attached upside down to the key portion 31, the upper end 522 cannot pass through the through-hole 4b.

[0040] According to the embodiment described above, by providing the presser 5 made of a material harder than the key sheet 3 in the key portion 31, it is possible to improve the clicking sensation when the key portion 31 is pressed.

[0041] Generally, as the tactile switch 21 becomes smaller and thinner, the depressed portion becomes smaller and harder, and higher positional accuracy is required for the pressing side. However, by providing the key portion 31 with a presser 5 made of a harder material than the key sheet 3, as in this embodiment, it becomes possible to press the tactile switch 21 accurately.

[0042] In particular, by providing a through hole 4b at the bottom 43 of the retaining hole 4a for passing the pusher 5 through, and by making the peripheral portion 41 of the retaining hole 4a cylindrical so as to come into contact with the side of the key portion 31, the positional accuracy of the pusher 5 relative to the tactile switch 21 is improved, making it possible to press the tactile switch 21 accurately.

[0043] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art.

[0044] Representative embodiments of the present invention will be listed below.

[0045] (1) A wiring board; a tactile switch mounted on the wiring board; a key sheet that is disposed on the wiring board, has a key portion protruding toward the tactile switch, and is made of an elastomer material; a holding member disposed between the wiring board and the key sheet, the holding member having a holding hole into which the key portion is inserted; a presser that protrudes from a lower surface of the key portion and presses down the tactile switch, the presser being made of a material harder than the key sheet; a panel disposed on the key sheet and having an opening through which an upper surface of the key portion is exposed; An electronic device comprising:

[0046] (2) The pusher is embedded in the key portion, extends toward the tactile switch, and protrudes from a lower surface of the key portion. (1) An electronic device as described in (1).

[0047] (3) The upper end of the pusher is located above the upper end of the periphery of the holding hole of the holding member. (2) An electronic device as described in (1).

[0048] (4) The retaining member has a bottom of the retaining hole, A through hole through which the pusher passes is formed in the bottom portion. An electronic device according to any one of (1) to (3).

[0049] (5) The lower end of the pusher has a shape that allows it to pass through the through hole, The upper end of the pusher has a shape that cannot pass through the through hole. (4) An electronic device as described in (4).

[0050] (6) The peripheral portion of the holding hole of the holding member is formed into a cylindrical shape, The inner wall surface of the peripheral portion contacts the side surface of the key portion. An electronic device according to any one of (1) to (5).

[0051] (7) the key sheet has a plurality of the key portions, The upper surfaces of the plurality of key portions are exposed through the opening of the panel. An electronic device according to any one of (1) to (6). [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 electronic device, 2 wiring board, 21 tactile switch, 3 key sheet, 31 key portion, 32 upper surface, 33 lower surface, 34 wall portion, 342 connecting film, 39 frame portion, 3a embedding hole, 4 holding member, 4a holding hole, 4b through hole, 41 peripheral portion, 414 wall portion, 43 bottom portion, 44 connecting portion, 49 plate-shaped portion, 5 pusher, 51 flange portion, 52 upper portion, 522 upper end portion, 524 rib, 53 lower portion, 533 lower end portion, 534 rib, 6 front panel, 6a opening

Claims

1. A wiring board; a tactile switch mounted on the wiring board; a key sheet that is disposed on the wiring board, has a key portion protruding toward the tactile switch, and is made of an elastomer material; a holding member disposed between the wiring board and the key sheet, the holding member having a holding hole into which the key portion is inserted; a presser that protrudes from a lower surface of the key portion and presses down the tactile switch, the presser being made of a material harder than the key sheet; a panel disposed on the key sheet and having an opening through which an upper surface of the key portion is exposed; An electronic device comprising:

2. The pusher is embedded in the key portion, extends toward the tactile switch, and protrudes from a lower surface of the key portion.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The upper end of the pusher is located above the upper end of the periphery of the holding hole of the holding member.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

4. The retaining member has a bottom of the retaining hole, A through hole through which the pusher passes is formed in the bottom portion.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. The lower end of the pusher has a shape that allows it to pass through the through hole, The upper end of the pusher has a shape that cannot pass through the through hole.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4.

6. The peripheral portion of the holding hole of the holding member is formed into a cylindrical shape, The inner wall surface of the peripheral portion contacts the side surface of the key portion.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

7. the key sheet has a plurality of the key portions, The upper surfaces of the plurality of key portions are exposed in the opening of the panel.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

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