JPH03661Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a function switch mechanism, and particularly relates to a function switch mechanism in a small electronic device or the like.

[Conventional technology]

In general, electronic devices such as cassette tape recorders have become increasingly smaller in recent years, and along with this, there has been a demand for smaller switch sections and the like.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, amidst the demand for miniaturization of electronic equipment such as cassette tape recorders, a large number of functions (for example, "PLaY", "FF", "REW",
When the number of switches is increased to provide functions such as "REC" and "STOP", if a slide switch is used as in the conventional technology, it becomes difficult to operate the switches. On the other hand, increasing the size of the switch in order to improve this problem has resulted in the significant disadvantage of increasing the size of the device itself.

The present invention was devised in view of such conventional technology, and provides a function switch mechanism that is optimal for small electronic devices, without causing the device to become bulky even when it is equipped with a large number of function functions. Its purpose is to.

[Means for solving problems]

For this reason, the present invention includes at least one wheel, a push ring that rotates integrally with the wheel, and a switch ring that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the wheel, and the switch ring has a predetermined number of push rings that rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the wheel. This object is achieved by equipping the vehicle with a switch, and by pressing the wheel from the outside, the push ring presses the predetermined switch mounted on the switch ring.

[Example of idea]

First, an overview of the present invention will be explained.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show how a cassette tape recorder 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

The cassette tape recorder 2 is rotatably equipped with a wheel 4 which selects each function and also functions as a switch. Various function symbols 6 are written on the wheel 4 at predetermined intervals, and a case 8
The operator can visually see through a window 9 provided in the window 9. That is, a rotatably equipped wheel 4 is projected from the case 8, and the operator can select a desired function by rotating the wheel 4.

Further, the wheel 4 is configured to move a predetermined distance in the direction A in the figure by being urged by an external force, and to return to the original position by a reaction force of a spring effect when the external force is removed. That is, after the operator selects the desired function as described above, the wheel 4
By pressing in the direction of A in the figure, it can operate as a switch mechanism.

Next, a specific configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 3 to 7.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wheel 4 has an integral structure with a wheel gear 10 and a wheel support shaft 12, and the wheel support shaft 12 is rotatably attached to an arm 14. Therefore, the wheel 4 can be rotated in directions C and D in the figure by the operation of the operator.

On the other hand, the arm 14 is rotatably attached to an arm support shaft 16 attached to a set (not shown), and when the operator presses the wheel 4 in the G direction, the wheel 4 and the arm 14 are connected to each other. The shaft 12, wheel gear 10, and push ring 17 rotate together in the direction E in the figure, and when the pushing operation is completed, they return to their original positions due to the reaction force of the spring effect (force toward F in the figure), which will be described later. It's starting to come back.

A biasing spring 18 that has this spring effect
A spring catch 20 provided on the arm 14 and a spring stopper 2 provided on a set (not shown)
2 is fixed on the arm 14 by
When the above-described pressing operation by the operator is completed, the arm 14 is pressed in the direction F in the figure. By supporting the arm 14 by the spring stopper 24 provided on the set, the wheel 4
is returning to its normal position. Through this series of operations, the push ring 17 presses the switch rods 30 of the switches 28, which are provided on the switch ring 26 by the number of function symbols, and the switches 28 are turned on and off.

The switch ring 26 has an integral structure with the switch ring gear 32, and is rotatably attached to a switch ring support shaft 34 which is fixed together with the switch ring gear 32, and the switch ring gear 32 is connected to the wheel. Since it is configured to mesh with the gear 10, the switch ring 26 is rotated by the rotation of the wheel 4 caused by the operator's function symbol selection operation.

Further, a switch ring rubber 36 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the switch ring 26, and
It is equipped with the same number of switches 28 as the number of function symbols (only one is shown in the figure).
Others have been omitted). This switch 28 is
This is to send on/off information to the head office in order to cause the corresponding function symbol to operate, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the switch rod 30 of the switch 28 is connected to the switch ring 26. The switch rod 30 is mounted on the switch ring 26 so as to face in the radial direction, and the switch rod 30 is configured to pass through a cutout hole 38 provided in the switch ring rubber 36.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 7, the wheel gear 10 is formed with the same number of depressions 42 as the number of function symbols, and when the function symbol 6 is correctly positioned in the window 10, the tip of the detection switch arm 44 is It is configured to fit into the recess 42. This is because a so-called click stop feeling is obtained at the position where the tip 46 of the detection switch arm 44 enters the recess 42, so that the operator can perform a correct switching operation. When it enters, open contacts 48 and 50,
This is to cause the logic controller (not shown) to send out a preparation signal for receiving a function signal (a signal that issues a function command to the logic controller when the switch 28 is turned on by a predetermined operation).

Next, the overall operation of the above embodiment will be explained.

The operator first rotates the wheel 4 and picks up a desired function symbol 6 (for example, "PLaY") through the window 9 in order to perform a desired operation. When the wheel 4 rotates in this manner, the wheel gear 10 and the switching gear 32
Due to the engagement, the switch ring 26 is rotated in the opposite direction to the wheel gear 10. When a desired function symbol 6 arrives at the window 9, a switch 30 corresponding to the function is positioned in a direction connecting the switch ring support shaft and the wheel support shaft 12.
Next, the operator operates the function (e.g.
When the wheel 4 is pushed inward in order to perform PLaY), the wheel 4 and the wheel gear 1
0, the push ring 17 moves and pushes the rod 30 of the switch 28, so the switch 28 is turned on and a desired operation command (for example, "PLaY") is sent to the logic controller.

Here, when the operator stops the external force (pressing with a finger), the reaction force of the spring 18 causes the wheel 4 to
and the associated parts return to their initial positions, and the switch 28 is turned off. At this time, the logic controller has already latched the function command and continues its processing routine to maintain its operation.

By the way, regarding each function stop operation, the logic controller should be configured so that in any function state, by pressing the wheel 4 again during the execution of the function, the logic stop routine will be started with the signal generated at that time. For example, there is no need to provide a stop switch.

FIG. 8 shows the main parts of the logic controller 52 that has a function for performing this stopping operation.

In the figure, reference numeral 54 indicates a latch circuit, which has the function of directly transmitting the on/off state of the switch 28 to the mechanical controller 58 according to signal information input to the clock terminal. 58 has a function of sending out a predetermined operation signal (for example, "PLaY") based on this information.

The clock terminal of the latch circuit 54 is designed to input the signals from each switch 28 via the OR gate 60, and since it always receives a high level signal, the latch circuit 54 always inputs the signal from the mechanical controller 58. It is equipped to send on/off information of the switch 28.

On the other hand, the output of the latch circuit 54 is also sent to a latch circuit 62 and an AND gate 64, which compares the information of the switch 28 pressed the first time and the second time, and if they are the same, AND
The output of the gate 64 becomes high level and a stop command is sent to the mechanical controller 58, thereby stopping the operation.

In addition, since the function is started and stopped by turning the switch 28 on and off twice, there is a risk of malfunction, but after the first start command, a delay time of several seconds is provided so that no stop commands will be accepted during that time. This will prevent malfunctions.

[Effect of idea]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least one wheel, a push ring that rotates integrally with the wheel, and a switch ring that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the wheel are provided, and the push ring rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the wheel. is equipped with a predetermined number of switches, and the push ring presses the predetermined switches equipped on the switch ring by an external pressing motion on the wheel, so that a single finger (for example, thumb) of one hand can press a large number of switches. In other words, since the switches are arranged in a ring shape, multiple functions (switches) can be freely switched from one operating point, thus improving operability. The device can be miniaturized and the design simplified, and the two-step operation of function selection (wheel rotation operation) and function activation (wheel pressing) reliably prevents malfunctions. It is possible to provide an excellent function switch mechanism that is completely unprecedented in the past and is also practical.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams each showing the usage state of a function switch according to one implementation of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a partial diagram showing the function switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 4 is a partially sectional side view showing the function switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 5 is a partially sectional side view showing the function switch shown in FIG. 4. An abbreviated bottom view, FIG. 6 is a side view of the switch ring, FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing the wheel gear, FIG. 8 is an electrical configuration diagram of the logic controller with a stop function, and FIG. 9 1 is a plan view of a conventional small cassette tape recorder; FIG. 4...Wheel, 17...Push ring, 2
6...Switch ring, 28...Switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] At least one wheel, a push ring that rotates integrally with the wheel, and a switch ring that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the wheel, the switch ring being equipped with a predetermined number of switches, A function switch mechanism characterized in that the push ring presses the predetermined switch provided on the switch ring by an external pressing operation on the wheel.