JP4071579B2 - KEY SWITCH DEVICE, AND MOBILE TELEPHONE DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a key switch device capable of operating a multi-directional key switch with one button for use in an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a telephone or a FAX, and a mobile phone device and an electronic device provided with the key switch device. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Mobile phone devices such as mobile phones and PHS (Personal Handyphone System) are provided with a display unit made up of a display screen such as a liquid crystal display for displaying various data such as registered phone numbers of other parties. Yes. In recent years, the function of this mobile phone device has been remarkably improved. For example, with respect to the display screen, many types of information and functions such as GPS (Global Positioning System) can be displayed on the display unit as the display screen becomes larger. . In addition, the large number of pieces of information displayed on the display unit can be freely moved up, down, left, and right so that the user can freely select desired information from among the various types of information. Key switches that can be used have been developed and used.
[0003]
As a key switch for operating the liquid crystal display screen or the like of such a mobile phone device, for example, one having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 is known.
That is, the key switch includes a contact 103 provided on the printed circuit board 102 inside the main body case 101 of the telephone 100, a diaphragm 105 attached by a protective sheet 104 and disposed immediately above the contact 103, and a rubber sheet 107. Thus, a rubber key 106 movably supported between the contact 103 and the diaphragm 105 and a resin key top 108 placed on the rubber key 106 are provided.
[0004]
Further, in FIG. 4, the key switch is configured to perform a switching operation (a diaphragm is brought into contact / conduction with a contact) by a pressing force acting on the key top 108. For this reason, the rubber key 106 is provided around the lower surface. Peripheral switch projections 106A to 106D that perform menu selection by moving the cursor in the front / rear and left / right directions, and a central switch projection 106E project from the center of these projections 106A to 106D.
[0005]
In addition, on the lower surface of the rubber key 106 around the protrusion 106E, for example, in order to prevent the central switch from switching simultaneously when the peripheral switch is operated (and vice versa), each press of the peripheral switch and the central switch Stopper ribs 106F are provided so as to separate the switches during operation and prevent malfunctions.
[0006]
In the key switch configured as described above, in FIG. 3, for example, when the key top 108 is pressed once to scroll a liquid crystal display unit (not shown) provided in the mobile phone, the rubber key 106 tilts.
Then, one of the protrusions provided on the rubber key 106, for example, the protrusion 106C is pushed in and brought into contact with and pressed against the diaphragm 105 attached to the printed board 102.
As a result, the diaphragm 105 comes into contact with the contact 103 and becomes conductive, and the peripheral switch performs a switching operation. As a result, a desired selection (scroll) operation can be performed by moving the cursor of the liquid crystal display unit provided in the chassis main body 101.
[0007]
Next, when the determination (confirmation) operation is performed on the selected item, the vicinity of the center of the key top 108 may be pressed. As a result, the rubber key 106 is pressed, and the central switch protrusion 106E provided on the rubber key 106 comes into contact with the diaphragm 105 at the center by this pressing operation. As a result, the diaphragm 105 is brought into contact / conduction with the central contact 103 and the central switch performs a switching operation, thereby completing one operation in the liquid crystal display unit.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional key switch described above, the peripheral switch and the central switch are close to each other, so that when the key top is tilted and operated, the central switch at the center of the key top is pressed. There was a risk of malfunctions often occurring.
[0009]
In order to prevent this malfunction, it is known that the rubber key 106 is provided with a stopper rib 106F. However, the stopper rib 106F is formed of rubber, and even if the stopper rib 106F is present, it is easily deformed, and there is a problem that malfunction is likely to occur.
In order to prevent malfunction, it is also considered to install a dedicated part separately. However, since the number of parts increases accordingly, there is a problem that the assembly becomes complicated and the cost increases.
[0010]
The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and is an excellent key capable of reliably performing multi-directional key operation and providing a light click feeling without providing special parts. The object is to provide a switch device.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a key switch device according to the present invention has a central contact provided on a printed circuit board, a contact portion having a plurality of peripheral contacts provided around the central contact, and a constant distance from the contact portion. A conductive diaphragm provided immediately above the flexible diaphragm, a flexible push key provided so as to be swingable in the direction of the diaphragm in order to depress the diaphragm, and a layer disposed immediately above the push key. A key switch device comprising a key top,
The key top includes a rib that passes through a part of the push key and protrudes toward the printed circuit board and is positioned between the central contact and the peripheral contact.
[0012]
With this configuration, the relatively rigid rib attached to the key top acts as a support rod, so that only the desired key portion can be pushed to prevent the pushing operation of other adjacent keys. Thus, multi-directional key operations can be reliably performed without providing special parts.
[0013]
The key switch device according to the present invention is characterized in that the push key is supported in a state where it is bulged through a thin portion at a predetermined portion of a rubber sheet.
[0014]
With this configuration, it is possible to provide a stroke function to the key top with a simple structure and to perform an operation with a light click feeling.
[0015]
In the key switch device of the present invention, the push key includes a central portion and a plurality of protrusions around the central portion,
The protruding portion of the central portion is characterized by protruding beyond the protruding portion around the central portion.
[0016]
With this configuration, it is possible to improve the certainty of the switch operation at the time of pressing at the center of the pressing key.
[0017]
In the key switch device of the present invention, the key top is insert-molded to the push key and formed integrally with the push key.
[0018]
With this configuration, the number of assembling steps between the casing portion and the printed circuit board is reduced, and the assembling work is facilitated.
[0019]
Further, the key switch device of the present invention is formed separately from the key top and the push key, and a rib of the key top is formed in an insertion hole formed in the push key. It is characterized by being formed by press-fitting.
[0020]
With this configuration, the key top and the push key are reliably integrated over a long period of time and can be prevented from generating a gap or a gap therebetween, so that a highly reliable key switch device can be provided.
[0021]
In the key switch device of the present invention, the key top is formed by being attached to a push key.
[0022]
With this configuration, both can be easily fixed and integrated.
[0023]
The telephone device of the present invention is a mobile phone device that performs voice communication or data communication by wireless communication,
The key switch device described above is provided as an operation means for operating in multiple directions and instructing selection or determination of information content displayed on the display unit.
[0024]
With this configuration, it is possible to provide a highly reliable key switch device that does not malfunction with respect to the mobile phone device.
[0025]
The electronic device according to the present invention is a key switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electronic device is operated in multiple directions to select or determine information content displayed on the display unit. It is characterized by providing a device.
[0026]
With this configuration, it is possible to provide a highly reliable key switch device that does not malfunction with respect to an electronic device.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a key switch device for a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. This key switch is generally provided on a printed circuit board 2 attached to the inside of a casing 1 of the mobile phone. A contact portion 3; a diaphragm 4 provided immediately above the contact portion 3 with a certain gap; a rubber key 5 as a pressing key for pressing down the diaphragm 4; and a rib penetrating the rubber key 5. And a key top 6 on which 61 is projected.
[0028]
The contact portion 3 is formed of an appropriate thin metal material having good conductivity, and has peripheral contacts 31 for peripheral switches (hereinafter referred to as “scroll switches”) arranged concentrically at four locations; A center contact 32 for a center switch (hereinafter referred to as “decision switch”) arranged at the center of these contacts 31 is provided.
[0029]
Here, the scroll switch is used to select a desired item from the menu or to give an instruction to move the cursor in a desired (up / down / left / right) direction on the menu. Each of the positions corresponding to the movement direction is provided with a function of giving an instruction of the movement direction, and the peripheral contact 31 constituting this scroll switch together with the diaphragm is a position (up and down and left and right) on the resin key top 6 ( All are composed of four peripheral contacts 31 </ b> A to 31 </ b> D provided near the outer edge of the resin key top 6.
[0030]
On the other hand, the decision switch is for giving an instruction to decide and execute one item selected from the scroll items with the scroll switch and a certain moving direction. The central contact 32 to be configured is provided at a position corresponding to the central portion of the resin key top 6.
[0031]
Diaphragm 4 is formed of a conductive and (plate) thin plate metal material having a curved shape in a substantially arc shape, and on the surface of printed circuit board 2 provided with contact portion 3, for each contact. It is installed in a state of holding a predetermined gap opposite to this, in other words, in a state of bulging in a substantially convex shape toward the upper side with the rubber key 5, and a switch between each contact point. Is configured. That is, the diaphragm 4 includes peripheral diaphragms 41A to 41D that hold the peripheral contacts 31A to 31D and a central diaphragm 42 that holds the central contact 32.
[0032]
The diaphragm 4 is also provided with a function of giving a click feeling during the pressing operation by the key top 6, and is deformed in the direction of being crushed by the pressing operation of the key top 6, but the pressing operation is released. It is configured to return to its original bulging state with its own restoring force. The diaphragm 4 is fixed to the printed circuit board 2 and at the same time, in order to provide insulation between the diaphragms adjacent to each other, each of the peripheral portions is individually protected by a protective sheet 7 made of insulating resin or the like. It is covered or attached, and only the central part is exposed toward the rubber key 5.
[0033]
The rubber key 5 gives a stroke when the key top 6 is pressed and pressed, and is formed to be approximately the same size as the key top 6 by using an appropriate resin material such as a flexible material such as silicone rubber. The key top 6 is supported and supported. For this reason, the rubber key 5 is supported and supported by the rubber sheet 8 attached in close contact with the printed circuit board 2 so as to be displaceable downwardly with the diaphragm 4 through the thin wall portion 81. The switch space S for installing the plurality of contact portions 3 and the diaphragm 4 is formed by the lower surface of the rubber sheet 8 and the wall surface 82 of the rubber sheet 8.
[0034]
Further, the rubber key 5 is provided with a protrusion for pressing down the diaphragm 4 on the lower surface facing the switch space S and facing each diaphragm 4, specifically, the peripheral diaphragms 41A to 41D. Peripheral protrusions 51A to 51D functioning as keys for a scroll switch (hereinafter referred to as “scroll key”) provided directly above, and keys for a determination switch (hereinafter referred to as this) provided directly above the central diaphragm 42. And a central protrusion 52 functioning as a “decision key”. Among these, the peripheral protrusions 51A to 51D all protrude to the diaphragm side by the same length, and the central protrusion 52 is formed to protrude longer than the peripheral protrusions 51A to 51D.
[0035]
Further, the rubber key 5 has four insertion holes 53 through which ribs 62 projecting from a key top 6 (described later) pass so as to surround the central protrusion 52 between the central protrusion 52 and the peripheral protrusions 51A to 51D. It is drilled.
The rubber sheet 8 for supporting and supporting the rubber key 5 is formed integrally with a rubber key provided on an adjacent key top (not shown) and further on all key tops for the purpose of installation and assembly work and cost reduction. It consists of a single piece.
[0036]
The key top 6 is formed of an appropriate resin material that is hard to some extent, and is installed in a state of protruding outward from the button hole 1A provided in the casing 1 of the mobile phone, and is laminated and disposed immediately above the rubber key 5. However, in a state where the pressing operation is not normally performed, a hook-like protrusion 61 is provided on the outer peripheral edge portion so as to be sandwiched between the rubber key 4 and the button hole 1A of the housing 1.
[0037]
The key top 6 passes through the insertion hole 53 of the rubber key 4 and protrudes toward the printed circuit board 2, and ribs 62 for positioning between the central contact 52 and the peripheral contacts 51 </ b> A to 51 </ b> D are provided on the bottom surface 4. In this embodiment, the rubber key 4 is press-fitted and integrated.
[0038]
The rib 62 separates and independently separates the switches during the pressing operation of the scroll key and the decision key in order to prevent the decision switch from operating simultaneously when the scroll switch is operated (and vice versa). In this case, the rib 62 itself has a certain degree of rigidity and rigidity when the keys are pressed, and functions as a projecting support rod. It is configured so that malfunction can be avoided by effectively exhibiting the above.
[0039]
For this reason, the rib 62 of the present embodiment is formed so that its length is adjusted so that it protrudes toward the printed circuit board 2 in a state slightly shorter than the peripheral protrusions 51A to 51D, although it is shorter than the central protrusion 52. Thus, it is constructed so as not to impair a light click feeling at the time of each switch operation and to not sacrifice a stroke. Further, one rib 62 is disposed between the central protrusion 52 and each of the peripheral protrusions 51A to 51D, but the rib 62 is formed in a substantially elongated rectangular shape with a cross section having an increased length ratio. In addition, the short side is arranged so as to coincide with the direction connecting the central protrusion 52 and the peripheral protrusions 51A to 51D, so that the maximum stroke can be obtained even in a narrow space. ing.
[0040]
Further, the key top 6 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which it is formed separately from the rubber sheet 8 to which the rubber key 5 is attached and then press-fitted and integrated, but it is fixed with an adhesive. Alternatively, it may be formed by so-called insert molding.
That is, the key top 6 that has been previously molded with a resin may be set in a predetermined mold in advance, and then a rubber sheet including a rubber key may be formed by injection molding or the like.
[0041]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
For example, when operating a liquid crystal display unit (not shown) provided on the telephone and pressing the vicinity of the peripheral edge portion on the left side of the key top 6, the peripheral projection 51C for the scroll switch provided on the corresponding rubber key 5 is displayed. Press down the peripheral diaphragm 41C. As a result, the peripheral diaphragm 41 </ b> C is depressed downward and is brought into contact / conduction with the peripheral contact 31 </ b> C provided on the printed circuit board 2. As a result, the scroll switch for moving to the left performs a switching operation, and the cursor of the liquid crystal display unit described above moves to the left.
[0042]
At this time, for example, the user presses the vicinity of the left edge of the key top 6 too much, or presses the key top 6 slightly near the center, and presses the decision key simultaneously with the scroll key or before the scroll key. The rib 62 provided between the peripheral protrusion 51C and the central protrusion 52 of the rubber key 5 can be prevented from malfunctioning.
[0043]
That is, the tip of the rib 62 contacts the protective sheet 7 on the printed circuit board 2 side before the central protrusion 52 of the rubber key 5 comes into contact with the central diaphragm 42 and descends to a position where the central diaphragm 42 can be depressed. Further, since the central protrusion 52 is prevented from further descending, it is possible to prevent the decision switch from switching.
[0044]
In this way, by repeating the scrolling operation, the cursor of the liquid crystal display unit is moved between desired positions, and finally the center of the key top 6 is pressed when the cursor is positioned at the position where the command is to be finalized. As a result, the central projection 52 provided at the central portion of the rubber key 5 presses the central diaphragm 42 facing the central projection 52. As a result, the central contact 32 provided on the printed circuit board 2 by the central diaphragm 42 is brought into contact / conduction, and the decision switch is turned on.
[0045]
In this way, by disposing the rib 62 protruding from the key top 6 between the peripheral projections 51A to 51D for the scroll switch of the rubber sheet 5 and the central projection 52 for the decision switch, The cursor of the liquid crystal display unit can be freely moved back and forth and right and left by operating the knurling key without pressing the enter key, in other words, without causing a malfunction. Further, when the enter key is operated, an erroneous operation of pressing the scroll key is not caused, and the screen operation on the liquid crystal display unit can be comfortably performed without any erroneous operation with one key top 6. Become.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a multi-directional key switch device that operates a liquid crystal display unit provided in a mobile phone, but other than this, for example, for operating a display unit provided in a PHS, FAX, or other electronic device. It can also be applied to multi-directional switches.
[0047]
In the present embodiment, the scroll key is applied to a configuration having four scroll switches for moving the cursor in four directions, up, down, left, and right, but eight scroll switches for moving the cursor in eight directions. You may apply to the thing of the structure provided with 2 or the thing of the structure provided with two scroll switches which move a cursor to two directions of right and left or up and down.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated part for preventing malfunction, and it is possible to use the cursor movement selection operation and the determination operation with one key top without any malfunction. Can be operated.
[0049]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly reliable key switch device that does not malfunction with respect to a mobile phone device or an electronic device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a key switch device of a telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an explanatory view showing a rubber key back surface portion of the key switch device shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a key switch device of a conventional mobile phone.
4 is an explanatory diagram showing a rubber key back surface portion of the key switch shown in FIG. 3; FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case (cell-phone) 2 Printed circuit board 3 Contact part 31A-31D
Peripheral contact 32 Center contact 4 Diaphragms 41A-41D
Peripheral diaphragm 42 Center diaphragm 5 Rubber keys 51A to 51D which are push keys
Peripheral protrusion 52 Central protrusion 53 Insertion hole
62 rib 6 key top 7 protective sheet 8 rubber sheet 81 thin part 82 wall surface S switch space

Claims (8)

A contact portion having a central contact provided on a printed circuit board and a plurality of peripheral contacts provided around the central contact, a conductive diaphragm provided immediately above the contact portion while maintaining a certain distance, and the diaphragm A key switch device provided with a push key provided so as to be able to swing in the direction of the diaphragm to press the key, and a key top stacked on the push key. A key switch device comprising a rib penetrating a part of a push key and projecting toward the printed circuit board, and disposed between the central contact and the peripheral contact.   2. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein the push key is supported in a state of bulging through a thin portion at a predetermined portion of the rubber sheet.   The push key includes a central portion and a plurality of protruding portions around the central portion, and the protruding portion of the central portion protrudes more than the protruding portion around the central portion. The key switch device according to 1.   4. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein the key top is insert-molded to the push key and is formed integrally with the push key. 5.   The key top and the push key are formed separately, and are formed by press-fitting the rib of the key top into an insertion hole formed in the push key. The key switch device according to claim 1.   The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein the key top is formed by being attached to the push key.   7. A mobile phone device for performing voice communication or data communication by wireless communication, wherein the operation means operates in multiple directions and selects or determines information content displayed on a display unit. A cellular phone device comprising the key switch device according to claim 1.   7. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein the key switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided as an operation unit that operates in multiple directions to instruct selection or determination of information content displayed on a display unit. Electronics.

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