Straight button structure and group of straight button structures

Abstract

To provide a straight button structure with a good operation feeling.SOLUTION: A straight button structure 101 comprises, a button 10, a panel 20, and a substrate 30. The button 10 comprises: a design part 11 that includes a design surface 111 which is in contact when a user depressing it; and a base part 12 which is smaller in diameter in a plan view than the design part 11 and comes into contact with a switch 32 when it is depressed. The panel 20 comprises: a wall part 22 surrounding the base part of the button 10; and a plate spring 23. The plate spring 23 comprises: a first connection part 231 that is connected to the wall part 22; a beam part 232 that is extended in a direction substantially vertical to a depression direction of the button 10, and comes into contact with the base part 12 of the button 10; and a first bent part 233 that is bent in a direction directed to an inner side of the wall part 22 on an outside of the wall part 22 in plan view between the first connection part 231 and the beam part 232.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a straight button structure.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a button structure including a button, a panel, and a substrate. A user presses the button to perform a command operation. A spring function is provided for a switch pressing component fastened to the button and the panel so that the button returns to its original position when the user releases their hand from the button. When the button is pressed, this spring is deformed, and the button is configured to return to its original position by the repulsive force of the spring.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The repulsive force of the spring affects the operating feeling of the button. When the repulsive force of the spring is too large, it is necessary to increase the spring length and decrease the spring constant. However, it has been difficult to increase the spring length for the spring provided on the button due to restrictions in its arrangement and the like.

[0005] This disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a straight button structure with a good operating feeling.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In the present disclosure The first aspectThe straight button structure comprises a button, a panel that secures the button so that a user can press it down, and a circuit board fixed to the panel on which a switch that contacts the pressed button is mounted. The button comprises a design portion having a design surface that the user contacts when pressed down, and a base portion that is smaller in dimensions than the design portion in a plan view and contacts the switch when pressed down. The panel comprises a wall portion surrounding the base portion of the button and a first leaf spring. The first leaf spring comprises a first connecting portion connected to the wall portion, a beam portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the button is pressed down and contacting the base portion of the button, and a first bent portion between the first connecting portion and the beam portion, which is bent in a direction toward the inside of the wall portion on the outside of the wall portion in a plan view. The first leaf spring comprises a second connecting portion connected to the wall portion at a position different from the first connecting portion, and a second bent portion between the second connecting portion and the beam portion, which is bent in a direction toward the inside of the wall portion on the outside of the wall portion in a plan view, and the beam portion contacts the base of the button pressed down by the user at an intermediate point between the first bent portion and the second bent portion. ru. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The straight button structure of this disclosure includes a first leaf spring in the panel. Since the first leaf spring protrudes outward from the wall portion in a plan view, the spring length can be increased and the spring constant can be reduced. Therefore, a straight button structure with good operability is obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a button according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a button according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of the panel according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the panel according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 1 along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 9]Cross-sectional view of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 1 along line B-B of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 1 along line C-C of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 12] Diagram showing the movement of the leaf spring of the panel when the button of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 1 is pressed. [Figure 13] Diagram for explaining the effect of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 14] Cross-sectional view of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 15] Diagram showing the movement of the leaf spring of the panel when the button of the straight button structure according to Embodiment 2 is pressed. [Figure 16] Perspective view of the straight button structure group according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 17] Perspective view of the straight button structure group according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 18] Perspective view of the straight button structure group according to Embodiment 3.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <A. Embodiment 1> <A-1. Structure> FIG. 1 is a plan view of a straight button structure 101 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the straight button structure 101. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the straight button structure 101. The straight button structure 101 is used, for example, as an input interface of an electronic device mounted on a vehicle. The straight button structure 101 includes a button 10 for a user to perform an input operation, a panel 20 for supporting the button 10, and a substrate 30. In FIGS. 2 and 3, only a part of the configurations existing around the button 10 of the panel 20 and the substrate 30 are shown. When the user presses the button 10, the whole of the button 10 sinks in a direction perpendicular to the design surface 111 instead of a part of the design surface 111. Such a button structure including the button 10 is called a straight button structure.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the button 10 viewed from one direction. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the button 10 viewed from a direction different from that in FIG. 4. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the button 10 includes a design portion 11 and a base portion 12. The design portion 11 constitutes the appearance of a product including the straight button structure 101 and is a portion pressed by the user. The design portion 11 includes a design surface 111 which is a surface pressed by the user and a side surface 112 substantially perpendicular to the design surface 111.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 4, a design width W1 of the button 10 is defined by the width of the design surface 111. The base portion 12 is a portion not visible to the user located inside the product including the straight button structure 101. Comparing the dimensions in a plan view, the base portion 12 is smaller than the design portion 11. In other words, in a plan view, the base portion is formed inside the design portion 11. The upper side of the base portion 12 is connected to the design portion 11, and a leaf spring 14A is provided at the lower end of the base portion 12. Although two leaf springs 14A are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the number of the leaf springs 14A may be one or more. The shape of a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the leaf spring 14A is rectangular.

[0012] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the leaf spring 14A is connected to the base 12 at one point, and is a cantilevered structure with the other end opposite to the connection end to the base 12 being open. In other words, the leaf spring 14A has a connecting portion 141 that extends continuously downward from the base 12, i.e., in the direction in which the button 10 is pressed, and a tip portion 142 that extends continuously from the connecting portion 141 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the button 10 is pressed. Furthermore, a projection 143 is provided at the open end of the leaf spring 14A that protrudes in the direction in which the button 10 is pressed. The projection 143 is the part that contacts the leaf spring 23A of the panel 20, which will be described later. In a plan view, the leaf spring 14A is provided on the inside of the design surface 111 of the button 10.

[0013] Furthermore, the base portion 12 is provided with a boss 13 that presses the switch 32 on the circuit board 30 when the button 10 is pressed, and a fitting hole 15 into which the claw 24 of the panel 20 engages.

[0014] Figure 6 is a perspective view of panel 20 from the front. Figure 7 is a perspective view of panel 20 from the rear.

[0015] Panel 20 is a component that supports the button 10 such that the design surface 111 is exposed to the user. Panel 20 comprises a frame 21, a wall 22, a leaf spring 23A, and a claw 24. The frame 21 surrounds the side surface 112 of the design surface 11 of the button 10. The design surface 111 of the base 12 is exposed to the user from the frame 21. The wall 22 surrounds the base 12 of the button 10. In plan view, the wall 22 of panel 20 is formed inside the design surface 11 of the button 10. The upper side of the wall 22 is connected to panel 20, and a leaf spring 23A is provided on the lower side of the wall 22. The cross-sectional shape of the leaf spring 23A perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is rectangular. The leaf spring 23A contacts the leaf spring 14A of the button 10, giving the button 10 a reaction force in the opposite direction to the direction in which it is pressed. In this specification, the leaf spring 23A of panel 20 is also referred to as the first leaf spring, and the leaf spring 14A of button 10 is also referred to as the second leaf spring. In Figures 7 and 8, panel 20 is provided with two leaf springs 23A, but the number of leaf springs 23A shown here is illustrative. The same number of leaf springs 23A are provided as the leaf springs 14A of button 10. The claws 24 fit into the fitting holes 15 of button 10. By fitting the claws 24 into the fitting holes 15 of button 10, button 10 is supported by panel 20.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a circuit board 30 is fixed to the side of the panel 20 opposite to the button 10. An LED 31 and a switch 32 are mounted on the circuit board 30.

[0017] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the straight button structure 101 along line AA in Figure 1. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the straight button structure 101 along line BB in Figure 1. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the straight button structure 101 along line CC in Figure 1.

[0018] Figures 8 and 9 show the state when button 10 is pressed by the user. In Figure 9, the direction in which button 10 is pressed is indicated by arrow A1. At this time, the boss 13 of button 10 contacts the switch 32 on the circuit board 30, pressing the switch 32. Simultaneously, the projection 143 of the leaf spring 14A of button 10 contacts the leaf spring 23A of panel 20, and receives a reaction force from the leaf spring 23A in the opposite direction to the direction in which button 10 is pressed. In Figure 9, the direction of the reaction force is indicated by arrow A2.

[0019] As shown in Figure 9, a clearance L1 exists between the leaf spring 23A and the substrate 30. Therefore, the presence of the leaf spring 23A does not impose any constraints on the layout of electronic components on the substrate 30.

[0020] Figure 10 shows the state when the user has released their hand from button 10. Button 10 moves upward due to the reaction force received from the leaf spring 23A, but because the fitting hole 15 of button 10 is engaged with the claw 24 of panel 20, it does not move upward beyond its original position. Button 10 comes to rest when the lower end of the fitting hole 15 contacts the claw 24. Even when the button 10 is at rest, it is still receiving a reaction force from the leaf spring 23A, so it does not move due to vehicle vibrations, and abnormal noise is suppressed. As shown in Figure 10, since the fitting hole 15 is formed to be larger than the claw 24, button 10 can move vertically when the claw 24 is engaged with the fitting hole 15.

[0021] Next, the shape of the leaf spring 23A of the panel 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the straight button structure 101 similar to FIG. 9. The leaf spring 23A is continuously formed from the wall portion 22 of the panel 20. The leaf spring 23A has a first connection portion 231 whose one end is connected to the wall portion 22 of the panel 20, and an open end whose other end is not connected to anything. That is, the leaf spring 23A has a cantilever structure. The portion including the open end of the leaf spring is a beam portion 232 that contacts the protrusion 143 of the leaf spring 14A. The beam portion 232 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pressing direction of the button 10. Further, the leaf spring 23A includes a first bent portion 233 that is typically bent 180 degrees in a direction from the outside of the wall portion 22 to the inside of the wall portion 22 outside the wall portion 22 in plan view between the beam portion 232 and the first connection portion 231. In this way, by configuring the leaf spring 23A to protrude outside the wall portion 22, the spring length L2 that affects the spring constant of the leaf spring 23A can be increased.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 12, the operation of the leaf spring 23A will be described. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the straight button structure 101 similar to FIG. 9. When the button 10 is pressed, the beam portion 232 of the leaf spring 23A that contacts the protrusion 143 of the leaf spring 14A moves in a rotational direction with point a in the first bent portion 233 as a fulcrum. That is, the beam portion 232 moves in the direction indicated by arrow A3 in FIG. 1). This moving component has a component in the button pressing direction and a component in a direction perpendicular thereto. Among the moving components of the beam portion 232, due to the component in the direction perpendicular to the button pressing direction, the beam portion 232 may rub against the protrusion 143 and generate a squeaking sound.

[0023] Note that the leaf spring 23A protruding outside the wall portion 22 described in FIGS. 11 and 12 may be a part of the leaf spring 23A provided on the panel 20. Although two leaf springs 23A are shown in FIG. 7, only one of them protrudes outside the wall portion 22.

[0024] <A-2. Modified Example> In the above description, the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the leaf spring 23A provided on the panel 20 is rectangular, but it may be cylindrical.

[0025] <A-3. Effect> As described above, the straight button structure 101 according to Embodiment 1 includes a button 10, a panel 20, and a substrate 30. The panel 20 fixes the button 10 so that the user can press down the button 10. The substrate 30 is fixed to the panel 20, and a switch 32 that contacts the pressed button 10 is mounted thereon. The button 10 includes a design portion 11 and a base portion 12. The design portion 11 has a design surface 111 that the user contacts when pressing down. The base portion 12 is smaller in size in plan view than the design portion 11 and contacts the switch 32 when pressed down. The panel 20 includes a wall portion 22 that surrounds the base portion of the button and a leaf spring 23A that is a first leaf spring. The leaf spring 23A includes a first connection portion 231, a beam portion 232, and a first bending portion 233. The first connection portion 231 is connected to the wall portion 22. The beam portion 232 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pressing direction of the button 10 and contacts the base portion of the button 10. The first bending portion 233 is bent between the first connection portion 231 and the beam portion 232 in a direction from the outside to the inside of the wall portion 22 in plan view.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the straight button structure 101 of the present embodiment. The horizontal axis in FIG. 13 indicates the pressing amount X of the button 10, and the vertical axis indicates the reaction force F that the button 10 receives from the panel 20.

[0027] The thin solid line in FIG. 13 shows the characteristics of the straight button structure of the first comparative example in which the leaf spring 23A does not protrude outside the wall portion 22. In the first comparative example, the relational expression between the reaction force F and the pressing amount X is expressed as F = kX + B. B is the initial reaction force when the pressing amount of the button 10 is 0. As the pressing amount X of the button 10 increases, the reaction force F increases. When the reaction force F exceeds F1, the operation feeling of the button 10 deteriorates. The area indicated by the lane in FIG. 13 shows the range where the operation feeling of the button 10 is good.

[0028] In the straight button structure of the first comparative example, when the button press amount X exceeds X1, the reaction force F exceeds F1, and the feel of operating the button 10 deteriorates. Therefore, if the button press amount is to be increased, the initial reaction force must be reduced from B to B'. Such adjustment is made by adjusting the contact between the button 10 and the leaf spring 23A of the panel 20 in the initial state, i.e., when the button is not pressed.

[0029] The straight button structure in the first comparative example, with the initial reaction force reduced to B', is designated as the second comparative example. The thin dotted line in Figure 13 shows the characteristics of the straight button structure in the second comparative example. In the second comparative example, the relationship between the reaction force F and the amount of depression X is expressed as F = kX + B'. According to the second comparative example, the amount of depression X that provides a good tactile feel can be increased to X2, which is greater than X1. On the other hand, because the initial reaction force is small at B', the button may rattle due to vehicle vibrations, potentially generating abnormal noise.

[0030] In the straight button structure 101 of this embodiment, a leaf spring 23A is provided on the panel 20, and the leaf spring 23A is bent on the outside of the wall portion 22. Therefore, the spring length of the leaf spring 23A can be increased, that is, the spring constant can be reduced. The thick solid line in Figure 13 shows the characteristics of the straight button structure 101. In the straight button structure 101, the relationship between the reaction force F and the amount pressed X is expressed as F = k'X + B. In the straight button structure 101, by keeping the initial reaction force of the button 10 at B and lowering the spring constant, it is possible to increase the amount pressed to X3, which is greater than X2, without degrading the feel of operating the button 10. In other words, the deterioration of operability due to the amount pressed of the button 10 is reduced, and a robust design is possible.

[0031] The arrangement of the leaf spring 14A of the button 10 is restricted by the boss 13. Also, if the leaf spring 14A is configured to protrude outside the wall portion of the panel 20, it becomes difficult to assemble the button 10 to the panel 20. For such reasons, there is a limit to increasing the spring length of the leaf spring 14A. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a leaf spring 23A is provided on the panel 20 to achieve a large spring length.

[0032] In the present embodiment, a leaf spring 23A is provided on the panel 20, and a leaf spring 14A is also provided on the button 10. As long as the button 10 is configured to contact the leaf spring 23A, it can receive the reaction force from the leaf spring 23A. Therefore, the leaf spring 14A of the button 10 is not an essential component of the straight button structure 101. However, by also providing the leaf spring 14A on the button 10, a combined spring composed of the leaf spring 14A and the leaf spring 23A substantially exists between the button 10 and the panel 20, and the spring constant of this combined spring can be made smaller.

[0033] The leaf spring 23A of the present embodiment has a cantilever beam structure. The leaf spring 23A with a cantilever beam structure can achieve the same spring constant with a smaller spring length than the leaf spring with a fixed - end beam structure described in Embodiment 2 to be described later. Therefore, miniaturization of the straight button structure 101 is achieved.

[0034] <B. Embodiment 2> <B - 1. Configuration> FIG.  14 is a cross - sectional view of a straight button structure 102 according to Embodiment 2. The straight button structure 102 is different from the straight button structure 101 in that the panel 20 includes a leaf spring 23B instead of the leaf spring 23A of Embodiment 1, and the button 10 includes a leaf spring 14B instead of the leaf spring 14A of Embodiment 1.

[0035] The leaf spring 23A has a cantilever structure connected to the wall portion 22 only at the first connection portion 231, whereas the leaf spring 23B has a fixed-end beam structure connected to the wall portion 22 at two locations, namely the second connection portion 234 in addition to the first connection portion 231. The leaf spring 23B includes a second bent portion 235 that is typically bent 180 degrees in a direction from the outside to the inside of the wall portion 22 in a plan view between the second connection portion 234 and the beam portion 232. That is, the second bent portion 235 is located at the end of the beam portion 232 on the opposite side of the first bent portion 233.

[0036] In addition to the connection portion 141 which is the first connection portion, the leaf spring 14B is also connected to the base portion 12 of the button 10 at the connection portion 144 which is the second connection portion. The connection portion 144 is continuous with the base portion 12 and extends in the pressing direction of the button 10. The tip portion 142 is connected to the connection portion 141 at one end and to the connection portion 144 at the other end. The protrusion 143 is provided at the midpoint of the tip portion 142. The protrusion 143 contacts the midpoint of the beam portion 232 of the leaf spring 23B of the panel 20.

[0037] <B-2. Effect> As described above, the leaf spring 23B which is the first leaf spring in the straight button structure 102 of the second embodiment includes the second connection portion 234 and the second bent portion 235. The second connection portion 234 is connected to the wall portion 22 at a position different from the first connection portion 231. The second bent portion 235 is bent 180 degrees on the outside of the wall portion 22 in a plan view between the second connection portion 234 and the beam portion 232. The beam portion 232 contacts the base portion 12 of the button 10 at the midpoint between the first bent portion 233 and the second bent portion 235.

[0038] According to such a configuration, as the button 10 is pressed, the leaf spring 23B moves in the pressing direction of the button 10 indicated by the arrow A4 in FIG. 15. Therefore, the squeaking noise due to the friction between the button 10 and the panel 20 is suppressed.

[0039] <C. Third Embodiment> <C-1. Configuration> Figs. 16 to 18 are perspective views showing a straight button structure group 103 according to Embodiment 3. The straight button structure group 103 is formed by arranging a plurality of straight button structures 101 according to Embodiment 1. Instead of the straight button structure 101, a plurality of straight button structures 102 according to Embodiment 2 may be arranged, or a plurality of straight button structures 101 and 102 may be mixed and arranged.

[0040] In the straight button structure group 103, the leaf springs 23A of the panel 20 of each straight button structure 101 project outward from the wall portion 22, that is, toward another adjacent straight button structure 101. Therefore, in order to arrange the straight button structures 101 closely, it is desirable that the leaf springs 23A be arranged such that the projecting directions of the leaf springs 23A do not overlap each other on the opposing surfaces of the wall portions 22 of two adjacent straight button structures 101.

[0041] <C-2. Effect> The straight button structure group 103 according to Embodiment 3 is a straight button structure group 103 in which a plurality of straight button structures 101 and 102 described in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 are arranged. On the opposing surfaces of the wall portions 22 of the panel 20 in two adjacent straight button structures, the projecting directions of the leaf springs 23A and 23B do not overlap each other.

[0042] In Figures 15 to 17, on the opposing surfaces of the two wall portions 22 in two adjacent straight button structures 101, the leaf springs 23A protruding from the wall portion 22 in one straight button structure 101 are arranged alternately so as not to overlap with the leaf springs 23A protruding from the wall portion 22 in the other straight button structure 101. In other words, on the opposing surfaces of the wall portions 22 of the panel 20 in two adjacent straight button structures 101, the protruding directions of the leaf springs 23A do not overlap. This configuration reduces the distance L3 between the opposing surfaces of the two wall portions 22 in two adjacent straight button structures 101, allowing the buttons 10 to be arranged closely together. At the same time, it is possible to ensure sufficient spring length for the leaf springs 23A and reduce the spring constant.

[0043] Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0044] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0045] (Note 1) Buttons and, A panel that holds the button in place so that the user can press it down, It comprises a circuit board fixed to the panel and on which a switch is mounted that makes contact with a pressed button, The button is, A design portion having a design surface that comes into contact when the user presses down, It comprises a base portion that is smaller in dimensions in plan view than the design portion and contacts the switch when pressed down, The panel is The wall surrounding the base of the button, It comprises a first leaf spring, The first leaf spring is, A first connection part connected to the wall, A beam portion extending in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the button is pressed, and contacting the base of the button, Between the first connecting portion and the beam portion, there is a first bent portion that is bent in a direction toward the inside of the wall portion on the outside of the wall portion in a plan view, Straight button structure.

[0046] (Note 2) The end of the beam section opposite the first bend is an open end. The straight button structure is as described in Appendix 1.

[0047] (Note 3) The first leaf spring is, A second connection part connected to the wall at a different location from the first connection part, Between the second connecting portion and the beam portion, there is a second bent portion that is bent in a direction toward the inside of the wall portion on the outside of the wall portion in a plan view, The beam section, at an intermediate point between the first and second bends, contacts the base of the button pressed down by the user. The straight button structure is as described in Appendix 1.

[0048] (Note 4) The button is provided at the lower end of the base and includes a second leaf spring that contacts the first leaf spring of the panel. The second leaf spring is located on the inside of the design surface in a plan view. The straight button structure described in any one of the items from Appendix 1 to Appendix 3.

[0049] (Note 5) A group of straight button structures having multiple straight button structures arranged in any one of the items described in Appendix 1 to Appendix 4, In two adjacent straight-button structures, the protruding directions of the first leaf springs do not overlap on the opposing surfaces of the panel walls. Straight button structure.

[0050] (Note 6) Used in electronic equipment installed in vehicles, A straight button structure as described in any one of the items from Appendix 1 to Appendix 4. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 10 Button, 11 Design part, 12 Base part, 13 Boss, 14A Leaf spring, 14B Leaf spring, 15 Fitting hole, 20 Panel, 21 Frame part, 22 Wall part, 23A Leaf spring, 23B Leaf spring, 24 Claw, 30 Circuit board, 31 LED, 32 Switch, 101 Straight button structure, 102 Straight button structure, 103 Straight button structure group, 111 Design surface, 112 Side surface, 141 Connection part, 142 Tip part, 143 Protrusion, 144 Connection part, 231 First connection part, 232 Beam part, 233 First bend part, 234 Second connection part, 235 Second bend part.

Claims

1. Buttons and, A panel that fixes the button so that the user can press the button down, The panel is fixed to the circuit board on which a switch is mounted that contacts the pressed-down button, The aforementioned button is, A design portion having a design surface that comes into contact when the user presses down, It comprises a base portion that is smaller in dimensions in plan view than the aforementioned design portion and contacts the switch when pressed down, The aforementioned panel is The wall portion surrounding the base of the aforementioned button, It comprises a first leaf spring, The first leaf spring is, A first connecting portion connected to the wall portion, A beam portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the button is pressed down, and in contact with the base of the button, Between the first connecting portion and the beam portion, there is a first bent portion that is bent in a direction toward the inside of the wall portion on the outside of the wall portion in a plan view, The first leaf spring is, A second connecting portion connected to the wall portion at a different position from the first connecting portion, Between the second connecting portion and the beam portion, there is a second bent portion that is bent in a direction toward the inside of the wall portion on the outside of the wall portion in a plan view, The beam portion contacts the base of the button pressed down by the user at an intermediate point between the first bend and the second bend. Straight button structure.

2. A button and, A panel that fixes the button so that the user can press the button down, The panel is fixed to the circuit board on which a switch is mounted that contacts the pressed-down button, The aforementioned button is, A design portion having a design surface that comes into contact when the user presses down, It comprises a base portion that is smaller in dimensions in plan view than the aforementioned design portion and contacts the switch when pressed down, The aforementioned panel is The wall portion surrounding the base of the aforementioned button, It comprises a first leaf spring, The first leaf spring is, A first connecting portion connected to the wall portion, A beam portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the button is pressed down, and in contact with the base of the button, Between the first connecting portion and the beam portion, there is a first bent portion that is bent in a direction toward the inside of the wall portion on the outside of the wall portion in a plan view, The button is provided at the lower end of the base and includes a second leaf spring that contacts the first leaf spring of the panel. The second leaf spring is provided on the inside of the design surface in a plan view. Straight button structure.

3. The end of the beam section opposite to the first bent portion is an open end. The straight button structure according to claim 2.

4. A group of straight button structures comprising a plurality of straight button structures according to claim 1 or claim 2, In two adjacent straight button structures, the protruding directions of the first leaf springs do not overlap on the opposing surfaces of the wall portions of the panels. Straight button structure.

5. Used in electronic equipment installed in vehicles, The straight button structure according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Images