JP2008153171A - Panel operating element structure of electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent sliding contact of a rocking part and an operating element corresponding hole at the time of operation and contain a clearance between an operating element unit and the operating element corresponding hole to the minimum in a structure adopting a metal panel. <P>SOLUTION: A switch 25 is arranged at the upper face 20a of a substrate 20 and an operating element corresponding hole 12 is formed in an operating panel 10 made of metal. An operating element unit 30 is constructed of a soft part 40 and a case body 32. The soft part 40 has a rocking part Y1, a hinge part 35, and a connection part 34, and a fixing section K1 is constituted of the case body 32 and the connection part 34. As a keytop 31 is pressing operated, a rocking part Y1 is rocking moved, and the switch 25 is pressed and turned on by an actuator 36. The upper end part 32ac of a wall part 32a of the fixing section K1 is engaged with the operating element corresponding hole 12 by the whole outside part in a state of close adhesion, and thereby position in horizontal direction of the operating element unit 30 to the operating element corresponding hole 12 is restricted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a panel operator structure applied to an electronic device such as an acoustic device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are some operation panels of electronic devices such as acoustic devices, which are provided with a large number of operators. In such an operation panel, for example, a switch provided on the board is turned on and off by the operation of each operator. Various functions are set. In this structure, for example, a plurality of operation unit units are fixed on the substrate, and further, the operation panels are arranged in parallel.

  In a general structure, the operation panel is provided with a stud having a pilot hole, and the substrate is provided with a reference hole corresponding to the stud, and a screw is screwed into the pilot hole of the stud through the reference hole. By doing so, the operation panel and the substrate are fixed. Further, the board is provided with a hole for attaching the operating element unit, and the operating element unit is fixed to the board by engaging the claws of the operating element unit. The operation panel is provided with an operation element corresponding hole corresponding to the operation element unit, and a key top to be pressed particularly in the operation element unit is inserted into the operation element corresponding hole.

  However, the positional deviation between the pilot hole of the stud on the operation panel and the reference hole of the board, the variation in the positioning accuracy of the operating unit with respect to the board, the positional accuracy of the operating element corresponding hole in the operating panel, etc. In some cases, the positions of the operation unit and the operation unit corresponding hole may not correspond appropriately. For this reason, if the clearance between the operating element corresponding hole and the key top becomes small and comes into contact during operation, there is a possibility of causing malfunction due to rubbing, deterioration of operation feeling, deterioration and failure.

  In particular, in a large mixer device or the like, it is often desired that the operation panel is made of metal (steel plate or the like) instead of resin for reasons such as EMI countermeasures, rigidity maintenance, and die cost reduction. Furthermore, in a mixer apparatus or the like, since the number of operation unit units arranged is large, the operation panel itself is large, and there are a large number of operation unit corresponding holes corresponding to the operation unit units. Since the distance between the farthest operating element corresponding holes becomes longer, the position error in the horizontal direction also increases, and the tendency that the position of the operating panel and the operating element corresponding hole does not correspond appropriately as described above becomes even stronger. .

  Further, the vicinity of the hole for attaching the operation unit on the board is a pattern prohibited area in which no wiring pattern can be laid, and therefore the pattern wiring efficiency deteriorates when there are a large number of operation unit units to be arranged.

Here, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, when the operation panel is made of resin, it is also possible to provide a mounting portion such as a protrusion on the operation panel side to fix the operation unit to the operation panel. .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-267373 Japanese Patent Publication No. 07-094137

  However, in a metal operation panel, if a mounting portion like the panel operation element structure of Patent Document 1 is provided by welding or the like, the accuracy is poor, and eventually the operation element corresponding hole and the key top as described above. The problem remains that sliding contact may occur.

  For this reason, especially in a structure employing a metal panel, it is necessary to set the clearance between the operation element corresponding hole and the key top to a sufficiently large value in advance, and the appearance is deteriorated due to the large clearance and variation in clearance. In addition, the visibility of individual key tops sometimes deteriorated. In addition, when the clearance is large, there is also a problem that the dustproof property is poor.

  By the way, conventionally, in the panel operation element structure, one using an elastomer as a constituent material of the operation element unit is known (Patent Document 2). In this structure, the portion including the hinge portion is made of an elastomer, and the thick portion of the elastomer is thermally fused to the upper or lower surface of the resin panel by integral molding. However, since this structure undergoes integral molding with resin, it cannot be applied to metal panels.

  There is also a membrane switch, which is difficult to apply to a metal panel and has a low degree of design freedom. In addition, it is flat and has a short stroke, not only poor operability, but also the visibility of individual controls is not good.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to prevent sliding contact between the swinging portion and the operator corresponding hole during operation in a structure employing a metal panel. Another object of the present invention is to provide a panel operator structure for an electronic device that can minimize the clearance between the operator unit and the operator corresponding hole.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device panel operator structure according to claim 1 of the present invention corresponds to a plurality of operator units (30, 130), a substrate (20), and each of the plurality of operator units. And has a metal operation panel (10) disposed in parallel to the substrate and a driven portion (25b), corresponding to each operation unit. A switch unit (25) disposed on the operation panel side surface of the substrate, and each operation unit includes a fixing unit (K1, K2) and an upper portion (34, 134) of the fixing unit. , 32ac, 132ac) and a swinging portion that is connected to the upper portion of the fixed portion via the hinge portion and is pushed and separated to swing in a direction not parallel to the substrate. Part (Y1), and the swinging part is interlocked with the swinging part. And an actuator portion (36) that presses and drives the driven portion of the corresponding switch portion, and the entire outer portion of the upper portion of the fixed portion of each operating element unit corresponds to the operation panel. It is configured to function as a horizontal position restricting portion that restricts the position of the operating element unit in a direction parallel to the substrate.

  Preferably, a connection position (P1) with the hinge portion in the upper portion of the fixed portion is equal to or higher than the surface of the operation panel (Claim 2).

  Preferably, in each of the operator units, at least a portion (31) of the swinging portion to be pressed is made of an elastomer, and the fixing portion has a portion (32) made of a resin harder than the swinging portion. Thus, each of the operating element units is integrally formed (claim 3).

  Preferably, in each of the operation unit, the hinge portion is made of the elastomer, and the connection portion (134) to the hinge portion of the upper portion of the fixing portion is made of the elastomer, and the hinge of the fixing portion is made of A portion other than the connection portion with the portion is made of the hard resin, and a connection portion with the hinge portion in the upper portion of the fixing portion is closely fitted in the fitting hole (Claim 4).

  Furthermore, a connection portion with the hinge portion in the upper portion of the fixing portion may be in contact with the back surface (10a) of the operation panel. Thereby, the sticking of the operator unit can be further suppressed.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the said parenthesis is an illustration.

  According to claim 1 of the present invention, in the structure employing the metal panel, sliding contact between the swinging portion and the operator corresponding hole during operation is prevented, and between the operator unit and the operator corresponding hole. Clearance can be minimized.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the clearance between the operating element unit and the operating element corresponding hole is controlled during operation so that the swinging of the swinging section is less likely to affect the portion of the fixed section that is lower than the surface of the operating panel. Can be prevented from changing.

  According to the third aspect, the tactile sensation of the swinging portion can be improved.

  According to the fourth aspect, the clearance between the operating element unit and the operating element corresponding hole can be made almost zero by the adhesion of the elastomer to the fitting hole, and the sticking of the operating element unit can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the panel operator structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this panel operation element structure, the operation panel 10 is disposed so as to be overlapped on the substrate 20 in parallel, and the operation element unit 30 is disposed between the substrate 20 and the operation panel 10. Although only one operating element unit 30 is shown, a plurality of operating element units 30 may be provided. This panel operator structure is applicable to various electronic devices including a mixer device and other acoustic devices, and the applied electronic device is not limited.

  2A, 2 </ b> B, and 2 </ b> C are a plan view, a side view, and a bottom view, respectively, of one operator unit 30. FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the operation unit 30 cut into two along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2A, showing a state in which the operator unit 30 is mounted on the substrate 20 and the operator unit 30.

  Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the operation panel 10 side is the upper side with respect to the substrate 20, that is, the vertical direction in FIG. 4 is the vertical direction of the panel operator structure. However, when applied to an electronic device, the operation panel 10 is not necessarily on the upper side, and may be on the side or the lower side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, panel mounting holes 22 are formed at the four corners of the substrate 20. The panel mounting holes 22 may be fool holes. As shown in FIG. 4, a switch 25 and two LEDs 29 are disposed on the upper surface 20 a of the substrate 20 corresponding to each operation unit 30. A terminal 25a of the switch 25 is exposed on the back surface 20b of the substrate 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). The switch 25 has a driven part 25b that is pressed to move. Regardless of the arrangement method of the switch 25 and the LED 29, the switch 25 and the LED 29 may be fixed to the substrate 20 before the operation panel 10 is arranged.

  The operation panel 10 is made of a metal such as a steel plate. As shown in FIG. 1, studs 11 are provided by welding or the like at four corners of the back surface 10 a of the operation panel 10, and pilot holes 11 a for self-tapping are formed in each stud 11. An operation panel corresponding hole 12 corresponding to the operation unit 30 is formed in the operation panel 10.

  FIG. 5A is an external perspective view seen from the surface side of the operation panel 10 after assembling the panel operator structure of the present embodiment. However, the operation panel 10 is shown cut away. FIG. 5B is a plan view showing a connecting portion between the two operator units 30.

  The operation unit 30 is integrally formed of resin, and as shown in FIG. 5A, a plurality of (for example, four) units having the same configuration are integrally formed by being connected by the respective connecting portions 38. The A thin groove 38a is formed between the adjacent connecting portions 38. Each operation unit 30 can be separated one by one by being folded and cut at the groove 38a.

  In a mixer apparatus or the like, as shown in FIG. 5A, it is assumed that a large number of operation unit units 30 are arranged, and a plurality of operation unit units 30 are arranged while being connected by a connecting portion 38. Sometimes. In FIG. 1, for ease of understanding, a case where the operation unit 30 is single is illustrated, but a large number of operation unit units 30 are connected or separated from the substrate 20 to the operation panel 10. The structure arrange | positioned may be sufficient.

  Such a 4-unit type operation unit 30 is an example, and may be a multi-connection configuration in which two, three, or five or more units are connected in a row. Alternatively, in addition to the plurality of connecting portions 38, a plurality of operation unit units 30 are connected in a direction orthogonal to the connecting portion 38 in the horizontal direction by a connecting portion similar to the connecting portion 38. It is good also as a multiple connection structure connected with the matrix form of multiple rows. A plurality of operation unit units 30 connected to each other may be arranged on the substrate 20 to the operation panel 10 after a predetermined number or a single unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, one operating element unit 30 is composed of a soft portion 40 and a case body 32 made of different resins, and two-color molding using two types of resins. It is integrally formed with. The soft part 40 is made of a light-transmitting elastomer, and the case body 32 is made of an opaque resin harder than the soft part 40. In particular, the elastomer employed for the soft portion 40 is not limited, but is preferably highly elastic so that the tactile feeling during operation is good.

  The soft part 40 includes a swing part Y1, a hinge part 35, and a connection part 34. The swinging part Y1 and the connection part 34 are both square in plan view, and the entire outer part (four sides) of the swinging part Y1 is connected to the connection part 34 by the hinge part 35 without a break. The swinging portion Y1 has a key top 31 that is directly touched by a user's finger when pressed, and an actuator 36 is formed integrally with the lower portion of the key top 31 (see FIG. 2C). ).

  As shown in FIGS. 2C, 3 </ b> A, 3 </ b> B, and 4, the case body 32 includes four wall portions 32 a that form a square in plan view. As shown in FIG. 4, after the operator unit 30 is assembled to the operation panel 10 and the substrate 20, the lower ends 32 ab of the four wall portions 32 a are in contact with the upper surface 20 a of the substrate 20 and the switch 25. And two LEDs 29 are enclosed. The LED 29 always emits light when the electronic apparatus is used. Or you may make it light-emit / extinguish according to ON / OFF (after-mentioned) of the switch 25 accompanying pressing of the keytop 31. FIG. Since the wall portion 32a is opaque, the light of the LED 29 is shielded by the wall portion 32a and does not leak out of the operation unit 30 and is visible only through the soft portion 40 of the operation unit 30. When the LED 29 is not provided, the color of the soft portion 40 and the case body 32 and the presence or absence of translucency do not matter.

  Since the operator unit 30 is integrally formed, the upper end surface of the upper end portion 32ac of the wall portion 32a of the case body 32 is connected to the lower end surface of the connection portion 34 of the soft portion 40. The upper end portion 32ac and the connection portion 34 have the same thickness, and the outer surface and the inner surface are both flush.

  The case body 32 and the connecting portion 34 of the swinging portion Y1 constitute a fixing portion K1 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The upper end part 32ac and the connection part 34 correspond to the upper part of the fixed part K1. In the operator unit 30, the swinging portion Y <b> 1 swings up and down with respect to the connection portion 34 via the hinge portion 35 when the key top 31 is pushed and separated. Therefore, it can be considered that the swinging portion Y1 swings with respect to the fixed portion K1 via the hinge portion 35.

  The actuator 36 swings up and down integrally with the key top 31. In the non-pressed state, the lower end of the actuator 36 is close to the driven portion 25b of the switch 25 (see FIG. 4), and when the key top 31 is pressed, the driven portion 25b is pressed by the actuator 36 and the switch 25 turns on. The switch 25 is used, for example, for setting a predetermined function. However, the switch 25 may be of any configuration and function as long as it is driven by the actuator 36 and performs an on / off operation.

  After the operator unit 30 is assembled to the operation panel 10 and the substrate 20, the upper end surface of the upper end portion 32 ac of the wall portion 32 a of the case body 32 is flush with the surface of the operation panel 10. Moreover, the upper end portion 32ac of the wall portion 32a is fitted into the corresponding operation element corresponding hole 12 of the operation panel 10. That is, the outer surface of the upper end portion 32ac is engaged with the inner side of the operating element corresponding hole 12 over the entire circumference, thereby the horizontal direction (the operating panel 10 and the substrate 20 of the operating element unit 30 with respect to the operating element corresponding hole 12). The position in a direction parallel to (2) is regulated. Therefore, the upper end portion 32ac and the operator corresponding hole 12 cooperate to play a role of a “horizontal position restricting portion” that restricts the position of the operator unit 30 in the horizontal direction.

  Moreover, since the upper end portion 32ac of the wall portion 32a is fitted to the entire outer portion in a state of close contact with the operation member corresponding hole 12, the clearance between the wall portion 32a and the operation member corresponding hole 12 is extremely small. It has become. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection position P <b> 1 of the connection portion 34 of the fixing portion K <b> 1 with the hinge portion 35 is higher than the surface of the operation panel 10. Thereby, the swing of the swinging portion Y1 is not easily transmitted to the upper end portion 32ac of the fixed portion K1, and even if the swinging portion Y1 swings, the clearance between the operator corresponding hole 12 and the upper end portion 32ac. Will not grow.

  From the viewpoint of preventing the swing of the swing portion Y1 from affecting the change in the clearance between the operator corresponding hole 12 and the upper end portion 32ac, the connection position P1 is the same as the surface of the operation panel 10. It may be higher or higher.

  On the outer side of the upper end portion 32ac of the wall portion 32a, a rib-like collar portion 39 is integrally formed over the entire circumference. After the operator unit 30 is assembled to the operation panel 10 and the substrate 20, the lower end 32ab of the wall portion 32a contacts the upper surface 20a of the substrate 20, and the upper surface of the collar portion 39 contacts the rear surface 10a of the operation panel 10. ing. Thereby, the vertical position of the operator unit 30 with respect to the substrate 20 and the operation panel 10 is also restricted. Therefore, after the operator unit 30 shown in FIG. 4 is assembled to the operation panel 10 and the substrate 20, the operator unit 30 does not need a separate fixing means such as a screw, and is in an appropriate position. Fixed.

  The collar portion 39, the lower end 32ab of the wall portion 32a, the back surface 10a of the operation panel 10, and the upper surface 20a of the substrate 20 cooperate to regulate the position of the operator unit 30 in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 20 (up and down direction). Plays the role of "Vertical Position Restriction Unit".

  As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, an air vent slit 32aa is formed in one of the four wall portions 32a. The slit 32aa is formed over the lower end 32ab and facilitates the pressing operation of the key top 31. Instead of the slit 32aa, an air vent hole may be provided in the substrate 20.

  The operation unit 30 and the operation panel 10 are assembled to the substrate 20 as follows.

  First, all the switches 25 and the LEDs 29 are arranged and fixed on the substrate 20. Hereinafter, it will be easy to understand if FIG. 1 is turned upside down. The operation panel 10 is turned over, and the soft part 40 of the operation element unit 30 is inserted into the corresponding operation element corresponding hole 12 from the back surface 10 a side, and the collar part 39 is abutted against the back surface 10 a of the operation panel 10. Thereby, the upper end portion 32ac of the wall portion 32a of the case body 32 is fitted into the operation member corresponding hole 12. Since the collar portion 39 abuts against the back surface 10a, the operator unit 30 does not move even if the operation panel 10 is tilted a little, and the subsequent assembling work is easy.

  Next, the upper surface 20 a side of the substrate 20 is placed so as to overlap the back surface 10 a side of the operation panel 10, and the positions of the panel attachment holes 22 and the studs 11 of the studs 11 a are aligned. And it screws with the screw | thread 28 from the back surface 20b side of the board | substrate 20. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the operation panel 10 is fixed in a state parallel to the substrate 20. At the same time, the lower ends 32ab of the four wall portions 32a of the operator unit 30 come into contact with the upper surface 20a of the substrate 20, and the four wall portions 32a surround the corresponding switches 25 and LEDs 29.

  Here, the dimension from the upper surface of the collar portion 39 of the wall portion 32a to the lower end 32ab is set to be the same as or slightly shorter than the length of the stud 11 (projection length from the back surface 10a). Therefore, the distance between the operation panel 10 and the substrate 20 is substantially defined by the length of the stud 11.

  In such a configuration, the swinging portion Y1 of the operator unit 30 swings in the vertical direction with respect to the connection portion 34 of the fixed portion K1 when the key top 31 is pushed and separated. Here, the upper end portion 32ac of the fixing portion K1 is fitted into the operation element corresponding hole 12, so that the horizontal position of the operation element unit 30 is regulated, and the case body 32 of the fixing portion K1 is fixed to the operation panel 10. is there. Therefore, the swinging portion Y1 does not come into contact with the operator corresponding hole 12. In addition, the positional deviation between the operation panel 10 and the substrate 20 and the positional accuracy of the operation element corresponding hole 12 itself are not affected. In particular, even if the operation panel 10 is made of metal and the operation element corresponding holes 12 are numerous and the positional accuracy of each is not so high, the operation element unit 30 (the case body 32) and the operation element corresponding holes 12 Misalignment does not occur.

  According to the present embodiment, in a structure employing a metal panel, sliding contact between the swinging portion Y1 and the operator corresponding hole 12 during operation can be prevented. In addition, since the swinging portion Y1 is made of an elastomer, it is possible to improve the tactile sensation when operating the key top 31 of the swinging portion Y1.

  Further, in the fixed portion K1, the case body 32 is made of a resin harder than the swinging portion Y1, and can be formed of two types of resin together with the swinging portion Y1 made of elastomer. Therefore, the operator unit 30 is formed by two-color molding. And easy to manufacture.

  Further, since the entire outer portion of the upper end portion 32ac of the wall portion 32a is fitted to the operation element corresponding hole 12, the clearance between the operation element unit 30 and the operation element corresponding hole 12 is minimized. be able to. As a result, not only the appearance is improved, but also the visibility of the individual key tops 31 is improved. Further, since the clearance is small, the entry of dust or the like into the operation unit 30 is suppressed, and the dust resistance is improved.

  Further, since the connection position P1 of the fixed portion K1 with the hinge portion 35 is higher than the surface of the operation panel 10, the portion where the swing of the swing portion Y1 is lower than the surface of the operation panel 10 of the fixed portion K1. It is difficult to affect (upper end portion 32ac). Thereby, it can suppress that the clearance between the operation element unit 30 and the operation element corresponding | compatible hole 12 changes at the time of operation (especially becoming large).

  Further, the operator unit 30 is sandwiched between the operation panel 10 and the substrate 20, and the position in the vertical direction is restricted and the assembly unit 30 is in an assembled state. This not only facilitates the assembly operation of the operator unit 30, but also eliminates the need for a pattern prohibition area because the substrate 20 does not have to be provided with holes for attaching and fixing the operator unit 30. Pattern wiring efficiency is improved.

  In the present embodiment, in the operator unit 30, the key top 31 swings in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a component in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 20 is present. The present invention is applicable to any configuration that swings in the direction of inclusion.

  In the present embodiment, a concave portion is not generated in the operator unit 30 in plan view. This also contributes to the appearance improvement. From this point of view, various shapes and positions of the hinge portion 35 connecting the soft portion 40, in particular, the swinging portion Y1 and the case body 32 can be adopted.

  6A to 6D are schematic cross-sectional views showing modifications of the operation unit 30 in the present embodiment. In the configuration in which the hinge part 35 is horizontal (FIG. 6A), the configuration convex outward (FIG. 6B), and the configuration convex outward and R-shaped (FIG. 6C). There may be. Alternatively, the hinge portion 35 is straight and slanted similarly to the configurations of FIGS. 1 to 4, but has a configuration in which the change in the thickness of the connection portion with the swinging portion Y1 is abrupt (FIG. 6D). It may be. Moreover, the structure (FIG. 6 (b), (c)) which made the thickness change in the connection part of the hinge part 35 and the connection part 34 abrupt may be sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, the flange portion 39 of the wall portion 32a of the case body 32 abuts on the back surface 10a of the operation panel 10, thereby serving as a “vertical position restricting portion”. However, as shown below, if it is a portion that is fixed to the fixing portion K1 and that is in contact with the back surface 10a of the operation panel 10, the configuration of the collar portion 39 is not necessary.

  FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a modified example of the operator unit 30 having a rib instead of the flange portion 39. As shown in FIG. 5A, a rib 41 is integrally formed on the outer surface of each wall portion 32a of the case body 32 instead of providing the flange portion 39. The shape of the rib 41 does not matter, but the upper surface position is the same as the upper surface of the collar portion 39. Further, the number of ribs 41 is not limited. Also by this modification, the same effect as the structure of FIGS. 1-4 can be show | played.

  FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of another modified example of the operator unit 30 when the collar portion 39 is not employed. As shown in FIG. 5B, instead of providing the flange portion 39, the wall portions 32a of the case body 32 are thickened to form a step on the outside of the upper portion thereof. The position of the upper surface 32ad of the wall portion 32a forming the step is the same as the upper surface of the collar portion 39 over the entire circumference. Also by this modification, the same effect as the structure of FIGS. 1-4 can be show | played.

  In the present embodiment, the boundary between the case body 32 and the soft portion 40, that is, the upper end surface of the upper end portion 32 ac of the wall portion 32 a of the case body 32 is flush with the surface of the operation panel 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and from the viewpoint of appropriately fulfilling the role of the “horizontal position restricting portion”, at least a part of the case body 32 made of a hard resin in the fixing portion K1 is connected to the operator corresponding hole 12. It only needs to be fitted.

  7C and 7D are partial cross-sectional views of modifications of the operation unit 30 in which the boundary between the case body 32 and the soft portion 40 is different.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the boundary P2 (the upper end surface of the upper end portion 32ac) between the upper end portion 32ac of the case body 32 and the connection portion 34 of the soft portion 40 protrudes higher than the surface of the operation panel 10. May be. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5B, the boundary P2 is lower than the front surface of the operation panel 10, but may be set higher than the back surface 10a of the operation panel 10. Even in this case, the upper end portion 32ac is fitted in the operator corresponding hole 12.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the upper end portion 32ac of the wall portion 32a is directly fitted into the operator corresponding hole 12 of the operation panel 10, and the upper end portion 32ac is a part of the case body 32. It was a portion made of a hard resin (see FIG. 4). On the other hand, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the elastomer portion is configured to be fitted into the operator corresponding hole 12.

  FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the panel operator structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The operator unit 130 in this panel operator structure is composed of a soft portion 140 and a case body 132 by two-color molding. The soft part 140 is different from the soft part 40 in the first embodiment only in that the connection part 34 is a step-like connection part 134. Further, the case body 132 is different in the shape of the upper end portion of the wall portion from the case body 32 in the first embodiment, and the upper end portion 132ac of the wall portion 132a is stepped with respect to the upper end portion 32ac. ing.

  Accordingly, the configuration of the fixing portion is different from that of the first embodiment, and the fixing portion K2 in the operation unit 130 is composed of the case body 132 and the connecting portion 134 with respect to the fixing portion K1. The upper end part 132ac and the connection part 134 correspond to the upper part of the fixed part K2. The configuration of the oscillating portion Y1 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Moreover, the resin which comprises the soft part 140 and the case body 132 is the same as that of the soft part 40 and the case body 32 in 1st Embodiment, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a ridge-shaped collar part 139 extends outward from the upper end part 132ac of the wall part 132a over the entire circumference. Further, from the inside of the upper end portion 132ac, a protrusion 138 extends upward over the entire circumference. A step is formed by the collar portion 139 and the protrusion 138.

  On the other hand, a hole fitting part 134a extends downward along the outer side surface of the protrusion 138 from the outer lower part of the connection part 134 of the soft part 140, and the hole fitting part 134a extends along the upper surface of the collar part 139. A back contact portion 134b extends outward from the lower portion. Therefore, the hole fitting portion 134a and the back surface contact portion 134b are formed in an L-shaped cross section along the step formed by the collar portion 139 and the protrusion 138.

  In such a configuration, after the operator unit 130 is assembled to the operation panel 10 and the substrate 20, the outer surface of the hole fitting portion 134 a is fitted into the operator corresponding hole 12 of the operation panel 10. At the same time, the upper surface of the back surface contact portion 134 b contacts the back surface 10 a of the operation panel 10. The outer dimension of the hole fitting portion 134a is equal to or greater than that of the operator corresponding hole 12. Since the hole fitting part 134a and the back surface contact part 134b are made of an elastomer rich in elasticity, the hole fitting part 134a and the back surface contact part 134b are in close contact with the operator corresponding hole 12 and the back surface 10a.

  According to the present embodiment, since the hole fitting portion 134a and the operation element corresponding hole 12 are in close contact with each other, the clearance between the operation element unit 130 and the operation element corresponding hole 12 should be made almost zero. Can do. In addition, since the operator unit 130 and the operation panel 10 are in close contact with each other, the operator unit 130 does not stick in use, and particularly when the panel operator structure is applied to an acoustic device, the sticking prevention is achieved. The effect is greatly exhibited. Further, at the time of the assembling work, as described above, first, the operating element unit 130 is mounted on the operation panel 10. At this time, the temporary fixing effect is achieved by the close fitting between the hole fitting portion 134 a and the operating element corresponding hole 12. There is also an effect that the operation unit 130 does not fall off due to a slight change in the attitude of the operation panel 10, and the work can be easily performed.

  Note that, from the viewpoint of preventing sticking, even a configuration including only the hole fitting portion 134a or the back surface abutting portion 134b is more effective than the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, as shown below, protrusions are provided on the hole fitting portion 134a and the back surface abutting portion 134b so as to ensure a fitting or abutting state. Also good.

  FIG. 9A is a plan view of a modified example of the operator unit 130 in the second embodiment. FIG. 9B is a partial cross-sectional view of the operator unit 130.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a protrusion 141 having a triangular shape in plan view is integrally formed on the outer surface of the hole fitting portion 134a. Further, a triangular protrusion 142 as viewed from the side is integrally formed on the upper surface of the back contact portion 134b. At least one protrusion 141, 142 is provided on the same side surface. The number and shape of the protrusions 141 and 142 are not limited, but it is preferable to make the shape such that the mold is easily pulled upward during molding.

  After the operation unit 130 is assembled to the operation panel 10 and the substrate 20, the protrusions 141 and 142 are crushed by fitting and abutting, and are in close contact with the operation element corresponding hole 12 and the back surface 10a of the operation panel 10. In this modified example, the outer dimensions of the hole fitting portion 134a in design may not be larger than that of the operator corresponding hole 12.

  According to the configuration of this modification, even if the hole fitting portion 134a and the back contact portion 134b cannot be completely adhered to the operation element corresponding hole 12 and the back surface 10a of the operation panel 10 due to manufacturing errors or the like. Since the protrusions 141 and 142 are in close contact with each other, the effect of preventing sticking is reliably ensured. In addition, even if it is a structure provided only with either one of the protrusions 141 and 142, there exists an effect compared with the case where there is neither. Furthermore, even if the configuration is such that the protrusions 141 and 142 are provided only on the side surfaces in one direction among the four sides of the connection portion 134 in a plan view, the effect is more effective than when there is no projection.

  Here, in FIGS. 8 and 9, at least a part of the case body 32 made of a hard resin (the protruding portion 138 in FIGS. 8 and 9) of the fixing portion K2 is indirectly (hole-inserted with an elastomer). Although it is the structure fitted to the operation element corresponding hole 12 (via the joint part 134a), even if it is such a structure, the said part plays the role of the above-mentioned "horizontal position control part."

  In each of the above-described embodiments, as far as the viewpoint of improving the tactile sensation during operation of the key top 31 is concerned, if at least only the portion that is directly pressed among the swinging portions Y1 is made of an elastomer. Good. Furthermore, a part of the case body 32 may be made of another resin other than the hard resin under the condition that the function of the “horizontal position restricting portion” can be secured. Further, if the dustproof effect is not considered, the hinge portion 35 may not be provided on the entire circumference, and there may be a break.

  Note that the shapes of the case bodies 32 and 132 and the soft portions 40 and 140 are not limited to a square or a square shape in plan view, and may be a circle or an ellipse.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the panel operation element structure which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view (FIG. (A)), a side view (FIG. (B)), and a bottom view (FIG. (C)), respectively, of one operator unit. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an operator unit cut into two along the line AA in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line | wire of Fig.2 (a) which shows the state with which the operation element unit was mounted | worn with the board | substrate and the operation element unit. It is the external appearance perspective view (figure (a)) seen from the surface side of the operation panel after the assembly of the panel operation element structure of this Embodiment (a figure (b)) which shows the connection part of two operation element units. . It is typical sectional drawing which shows the modification of the operation element unit in this Embodiment. A perspective view (FIG. (A)) of a modified example of the operating unit having a rib instead of the collar, a partial cross-sectional view (FIG. (B)) of another modified example of the operating unit when the collar is not employed, and a case It is a fragmentary sectional view (Drawing (c) and (d)) of a modification of a manipulator unit which changed a boundary of a body and a soft part. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the panel operation element structure concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view (figure (a)) of a modification of an operation element unit in a 2nd embodiment, and a fragmentary sectional view (figure (b)).

Explanation of symbols

  10 operation panel, 10a back surface, 12 operation element corresponding hole (fitting hole), 20 substrate, 25 switch (switch part), 25b driven part, 30, 130 operation element unit, 31 key top, 32 case body, 32ac, 132ac Upper end (part of the upper part of the fixed part, horizontal position restricting part), 34, 134 Connection part (part of the upper part of the fixed part), 35 Hinge part, 36 Actuator (actuator part), 40, 140 Soft part, Y1 rocking part, K1, K2 fixing part, P1 connection position

Claims (4)

Multiple operator units,
A substrate,
A metal operation panel provided with a fitting hole corresponding to each of the plurality of operation unit units and disposed in parallel to the substrate;
A driven portion, and a switch portion disposed on the surface of the operation panel side of the substrate corresponding to each operation element unit,
Each operator unit is connected to the upper portion of the fixed portion, the hinge portion connected to the upper portion of the fixed portion, and the upper portion of the fixed portion via the hinge portion, and is operated by being pushed and separated to be parallel to the substrate. And an oscillating portion that oscillates in a direction other than the oscillating portion. The oscillating portion is provided with an actuator portion that moves in conjunction with the oscillating portion and presses and drives the driven portion of the corresponding switch portion. And
A horizontal position in which the entire outer portion of the upper portion of the fixed portion of each operating element unit is fitted into a corresponding fitting hole of the operating panel and restricts the position of the operating element unit in a direction parallel to the substrate. A panel operator structure for an electronic device, which is configured to function as a restricting unit.   2. The panel operator structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a connection position of the upper portion of the fixed portion with the hinge portion is equal to or higher than a surface of the operation panel.   In each of the operating unit, at least a portion of the swinging portion that is operated to be pressed is made of an elastomer, and the fixing portion has a portion made of a resin that is harder than the swinging unit. 3. The panel operator structure for an electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the panel controller is integrally formed.   In each of the operating element units, the hinge portion is made of the elastomer, and the connection portion with the hinge portion of the upper portion of the fixed portion is made of the elastomer, and the fixed portion other than the connection portion with the hinge portion. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the portion is made of the hard resin, and a connection portion between the upper portion of the fixing portion and the hinge portion is closely fitted in the fitting hole. Panel operator structure.

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