JPH07335083A - Control key device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] A control key device, and even if a strong impact force is applied to a key top provided in the control key device, the impact force causes a wiring pattern or the like on a wiring board to be formed. In addition to preventing damage, even when pressing between the cross-shaped ribs of the key top, the movable conductive parts on the left and right of the pressed portion can simultaneously and correctly contact the lower fixed electrode. [Structure] In the control key device 1, a holding member 3
The annular support piece 4 is provided inside the upper end of the cylindrical body 8 that is erected on the peripheral edge of the
To provide. A taper surface 4b is formed on the upper surface of the annular support piece 4, and the key top 6 is configured to move up and down in the center hole 4a thereof. The key top 6 includes an upper member 6a and a lower member 6b. And the lower member 6b
The peripheral edge of is formed so as to be freely contactable with the lower surface of the annular support piece 4. On the other hand, ribs 9 and 9a are provided on the side surface of the upper member 6a in four directions corresponding to each movable conductive portion 3a or in eight directions by adding between them.
The protruding piece 10 is provided while being formed in b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control key device, and more particularly, to a control provided with a key top and applied to a directional switch for designating an arbitrary direction based on the movement of the fingertip of an operator. It relates to a key device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional control key device of this type, one described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-50594 is known. Thus, in the control key device described in the publication, when the pressing surface of the key top is vertically pressed downward by the finger tip, a fulcrum member protruding in a hemispherical shape at the center of the lower surface of the key top is provided. The key top is supported by contacting the wiring board against the elastic force of the holding member. At this time, any conductive portion held by the holding member is configured not to contact the lower fixed electrode corresponding to the husband or the like. Further, when one end of the cross piece of the keytop is pushed down, the semicircular fulcrum member comes into contact with the wiring board to form a fulcrum, and the keytop is centered on the fulcrum in the pressed direction. Is tilted and pressed by a disk provided under the key top so that the conductive portion comes into contact with the fixed electrode on the wiring board to establish electrical conduction.

[0003]

The control key device described in the above publication has a structure in which the key top is tilted with a hemispherical fulcrum member projecting on the lower surface of the key top serving as a rotation fulcrum. When a strong impact force is applied to the key top, the impact force is directly transmitted to the wiring board and has a defect such as damaging a wiring pattern or the like on the wiring board.

Furthermore, the control key device described in this publication has a structure in which when two or more key tops are simultaneously pressed, they simultaneously contact fixed electrodes provided on corresponding wiring boards. However, in order to simultaneously contact two or more conductive parts with the corresponding fixed electrodes, the positions of the conductive parts and the fixed electrodes are left unchanged, and the direction of the key top is shifted by 45 degrees. There is a complication that it must be said.

Therefore, even if a strong impact force is applied to the key tops, the impacts are prevented from being directly transmitted to the wiring board, and the adjacent conductive fixing portions, the fixed electrodes and the key tops are fixed without changing the direction of arrangement. The technical problem to be solved arises in order to be able to connect the corresponding conductive portion to the electrode and to be able to determine the pressing direction even by the combination of two adjacent contact points. Aims to solve the problem.

[0006]

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, and the electrode is provided directly above a fixed electrode symmetrically arranged on a predetermined circumference on a wiring substrate. A movable conductive portion that connects and disconnects is provided, and the movable conductive portion is provided on the lower surface of a holding portion that is provided on a holding member that elastically deforms when receiving a pressing force from above, and further, the upper surface of the holding member. In a control key device, which is provided with a key top for applying the pressing force, and wherein the key top is exposed from the perforated hole provided in the upper case and a pressing portion is formed, The key top is composed of an upper member and a lower member.On the other hand, an annular bearing piece obliquely provided toward the center from the vicinity of the opening and perforation of the upper case is provided, and the key top is provided in the center hole of the annular bearing piece. It is loosely inserted so that the body can move up and down. At the same time, the lower member connected to the body has an upper surface formed in a substantially horizontal plane, and is formed in a substantially disc shape so that its peripheral portion can abut the lower surface of the annular support piece. Further, the upper member is a peripheral side surface of the body portion and in four directions immediately above the movable conductive portion,
Alternatively, ribs for pressing, which are added with an intermediate portion thereof, in eight directions are continuously provided so as to project from the upper surface of the annular support piece, and
The lower surface of the rib is formed to be inclined corresponding to the inclined surface of the annular support piece, and when the key top is pressed vertically, none of the movable conductive portions contact the fixed electrode, and When one end of the rib provided directly above the conductive portion is pressed, the movable conductive portion disposed below the rib contacts the corresponding fixed electrode, or between the ribs directly above the movable conductive portion. (EN) Provided is a control key device configured such that, when a provided rib is pressed down, both movable conductive parts located immediately below and to the right and left of the rib can simultaneously contact both fixed electrodes facing each other. To do.

[0007]

According to the present invention, when the key top is vertically pressed downward, the protrusion protruding from the lower surface of the rib of the key top is locked at an arbitrary position on the tapered surface of the annular support piece.
None of the movable conductive parts provided on the lower surface of the holding part provided on the holding member comes into contact with the fixed electrodes symmetrically arranged on the predetermined circumference of the wiring board.

When one end of the rib of the key top is depressed, the lower member end edge of the key top on the opposite side of the depressed portion rotates the contact portion in a state of contacting the lower surface of the annular support piece. As a dynamic fulcrum, the key top of the movable conductive portion arranged on the lower surface of the pressed portion is elastically deformed against the elastic force of the holding member to move downward, thereby moving the movable conductive portion. It makes electrical contact with the fixed electrodes facing each other. At this time, since the lower surface of the rib of the key top and the upper surface of the annular support piece are symmetrically formed as tapered surfaces, when one end of the rib is pressed, the rib of the key top on the opposite side of this portion is pressed. In a state in which the tip end portion of the ring is in contact with the lower surface of the annular support piece, the tapered surface of the rib of the depressed portion slides on the tapered surface of the annular support piece with the contact point as a pivot. The protrusion provided on the rib reaches the hole edge of the annular bearing piece. Thus, the movable conductive portion corresponding to the pressed portion comes into contact with the fixed electrode provided on the wiring board. At this time, even if one of the ribs arranged in the middle of each rib provided on the upper surface of the movable conductive portion is pressed, the ribs are adjacent to the left and right of the rib by the same action as described above. It is also possible to simultaneously contact the lower fixed electrode corresponding to the movable conductive part that is in contact with the movable conductive part to establish electrical conduction, and to determine the pressing direction.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. In the figure, 1 is a control key device. The control key device 1 is used, for example, as a character movement switch of an electronic game device, and includes a wiring board 2, a holding member 3, an annular support piece 4, an upper case 5, a key top 6 and a lower case (not shown). Consists of. Thus, the wiring board 2 has two pairs of fixed electrodes 2a, 2a, 2 on the circumference C as shown in FIGS.
a and 2a are provided. Furthermore, the holding member 3 also has a fixed space immediately above the fixed electrodes 2a, 2a, 2a, 2a facing the movable electrodes 3a, 2a, 2a, 2a, 2a.
3a, 3a, 3a are arranged. Thus, the movable conductive portions 3a, 3a, 3a, 3a are provided on the lower surface of each of the holding portions 3b, 3b, 3b, 3b provided on the holding member, and the holding member 3 is Since it is composed of an elastic member such as rubber, the movable conductive portion 3a on the pressed side is elastically deformed by receiving a pressing force from above.
However, it is configured so as to come into contact with the fixed electrodes 2a facing each other for electrical conduction, and the above-mentioned character is selectively displayed on the display unit (not shown) according to the pressing direction.

Further, a rising portion 7 is provided on the peripheral portion of the holding member 3, and a cylindrical wall portion 8 integrally formed with the upper case 5 so as to be closely fitted to the inner side surface of the rising portion 7 is provided on the holding member. 3 is erected on the upper surface in the vicinity of the peripheral portion of 3, and the key top 6
An annular support piece 4 is provided so as to project toward the center of the open perforation 5a which allows vertical movement and tilting of the. Further, the center hole 4a of the annular support piece 4 is formed to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the body 6c so that the body 6c of the upper member 6a of the key top 6 can be vertically moved and tilted. Further, the upper surface of the annular support piece 4 is formed as a taper surface 4b which is inclined from the outer edge portion toward the inner downward direction.

On the other hand, open perforation 5a of the upper case 5
On the same vertical cross section as the movable conductive parts 3a, 3a, 3a, 3a provided with the holding member 3 in which a rib 9 capable of vertically moving and tilting inside is projected outward from the side surface of the body part 6c of the key top 6. Set up. As shown in FIG. 5, the rib 9 is formed in a cross shape immediately above the movable conductive portions 3a, 3a, 3a, 3a in plan view, or as shown in FIG. as,
Other intermediate ribs 9a, 9a, 9a, 9a may be further formed at the intermediate portions of the cross-shaped ribs 9, 9, 9, 9.

The lower surfaces of the ribs 9, 9, 9, 9 or the intermediate ribs 9a, 9a, 9a, 9a are symmetrical to the tapered surface 4b formed on the upper surface of the annular support piece 4.
b, 9b ... Are formed and projecting pieces 10, 10 ... Further, the lower member 6b of the key top 6 is continuously provided on the lower surface of the body portion 6c, and the peripheral portion thereof is the ribs 9, 9,
9, 9 and the intermediate ribs 9a, 9a, 9a, 9a are formed to be substantially equal to the circle connecting the outer ends thereof, and the peripheral edge portion abuts the lower surface of the annular support piece 4 so that the key top 6 is It is configured so as not to fall off the upper case 5.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate ribs 9a, 9a,
9a, 9a, the lower part of 9a or the intermediate ribs 9a, 9
In the case shown in FIG. 5 which does not have a, 9a, 9a, the lower surface of the annular support piece 4 at a portion corresponding to the lower part of the middle portion of the ribs 9, 9, 9, 9 is recessed to provide a recess S. , The intermediate ribs 9a, 9a, 9a, 9a or the intermediate ribs 9a, 9
When not having a, 9a, 9a, each rib 9, 9, 9,
When the middle portion of 9 is depressed, the edge of the lower member 6b corresponding to the opposite side is recessed in the recess S to increase the depression stroke, and the movable conductive portions 3a adjacent to each other on the left and right sides of the depression portion. , 3a corresponding to the fixed electrodes 2a, 2a
Configured to ensure reliable contact with, but should not be limited to this.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate ribs 9a,
9a, 9a, 9a or the intermediate ribs 9a, 9a, 9a,
In the case of not having the ribs 9a, the peripheral portion of the lower member 6b corresponding to the lower portion of the middle portion of the ribs 9, 9, 9, 9 is cut, and the distance b between the facing cut portions is set to the rib 9, By forming the distance a between the parts corresponding to the lower parts of 9, 9, 9 smaller than the distance a, the rotation range, that is, the pressing stroke of the key top 6 is set with the other end of the distance b as the rotation fulcrum. Also by increasing the size, it is possible to surely bring the movable conductive portions 3a, 3a adjacent to the left and right of the pressed portion into contact with the fixed electrodes facing each other to measure the electrical conduction.

Therefore, if the substantially central portion of the key top 6 is pressed by the fingertip and the key top 6 is pressed substantially vertically, as shown in FIG. 2, the ribs 9 and 9 of the key top 6 are formed. , 9, 9 and the intermediate ribs 9a, 9a, 9a, 9a, the protrusions 10, 10 ... Provided on the lower surface of the intermediate ribs 9a, 9a, 9a, 9a are tapered surfaces of the upper surface of the annular support piece 4. The downward movement of the key top 6 is stopped by engaging with the key 4b. Thus, the movable conductive portions 3a, 3a, 3a, 3a do not come into contact with the fixed electrodes 2a, 2a, 2a, 2a facing each other, so that electrical conduction is not made.

Then, any rib 9 of the key top 6
Alternatively, when the intermediate rib 9a or the intermediate rib 9a is not provided, when the intermediate portions of the ribs 9, 9, 9, 9 are pressed by the fingertips, for example, when the right side is pressed, as shown in FIG. The pressing direction of the key top 6 inclines downward against the elastic force of the holding member 3 with a point P where the edge portion of the left side portion of the member 6b is in contact with the lower surface of the annular support piece 4 as a rotation fulcrum, and The movable conductive portion 3a in the pressing direction or the adjacent ribs 9,
When the middle part of 9 is pressed, the left and right movable conductive parts 3a, 3a in the pressing direction respectively contact the fixed electrodes 2a or 2a, 2a facing each other to establish electrical conduction, and
The characters are selected and displayed on the display unit according to the pressing direction.

Thus, the elastic force of the holding member 3, the distance between the movable conductive portion 3a and the fixed electrode, the stroke of vertical movement when the key top 6 is pressed, the height of the annular support piece 4, and the upper surface thereof. The angle and length of the formed tapered surface 4b, and the position and the amount of projection of the rib 9 protruding on the key top 6 and the tapered surface 4b and the protruding piece 10 provided on the intermediate rib 9a are effective for the above-described action. Therefore, it is a matter of course that it is properly determined in advance.

Further, since the lower surface of the key top 6 does not come into direct contact with the wiring board 2 when the key top 6 is pushed down, even if a strong impact force is applied to the key top 6, the wiring is The wiring pattern and the like arranged on the substrate 2 will not be damaged. The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention extends to the modified one.

[0019]

As described in detail in the above one embodiment of the present invention, when the key top is vertically pushed down, the protrusion provided on the lower surface of the rib protruding from the upper member of the key top is an annular bearing piece. The downward movement of the key top is stopped by being locked to the taper surface of the upper surface of the above, and therefore, neither of the movable conductive parts comes into contact with the fixed electrode facing the movable conductive part.

When any one of the ribs or the intermediate rib of the key top, or the intermediate portion of the adjacent rib when the intermediate rib is not provided, is pressed, it is on the opposite side of the pressed portion and The upper edge portion of the lower member of the key top is supported on the lower surface of the annular support piece, and the pressed portion of the key top is tilted downward with the supporting portion as a pivot. Thus, the movable conductive portion of the depressed portion comes into contact with the fixed electrodes facing each other to establish electrical conduction. Therefore, not only in the conventional four directions, but also in the intermediate direction thereof. It is possible to determine the pressing direction.

Further, based on the pressing operation of the key top, conventionally, a supporting member projecting from the central portion of the lower surface of the key top gives an impact to the wiring board, thereby damaging the wiring pattern or the like on the wiring board. However, the present invention provides an extremely significant effect such that the key top does not directly contact the wiring board, so that the above-mentioned conventional defects are eliminated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a control key device of the present invention in a state where a key top is not pressed.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the key top is vertically pushed down from the state of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a rib of the key top or an intermediate portion of the rib is pushed down from the state of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway vertical sectional view showing a state in which a concave portion is provided on the lower surface of the annular support piece.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which ribs are provided in four directions on the key top.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which ribs are provided in eight directions on the key top.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Control Key Device 2 Wiring Board 3 Holding Member 3a Movable Conductive Part 3b Holding Part 4 Annular Supporting Piece 4a Center Hole 4b Tapered Surface 5 Upper Case 5a Open Perforation 6 Key Top 6a Upper Member 6b Lower Member 6c Body 8 Wall 9 Rib 9a Intermediate rib 9b Tapered surface 10 Projection piece

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Tetsuzo Nakazawa 8-8 Kokuryo-cho, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 2 Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A movable conductive portion that connects and disconnects with a fixed electrode symmetrically arranged on a predetermined circumference on a wiring board, and the movable conductive portion is pressed from above. The key is provided on the lower surface of the holding portion provided on the holding member that is elastically deformed in response to the force, and further includes a key top arranged on the upper surface of the holding member for applying the pressing force. In a control key device in which a top is exposed from a perforated hole provided in an upper case and a pressing portion is formed, the key top includes an upper member and a lower member,
On the other hand, an annular support piece obliquely provided toward the center from the vicinity of the perforated opening of the upper case is provided, and the body portion of the upper member is loosely inserted in the center hole of the annular support piece so as to move up and down. The lower member connected to the body has an upper surface formed in a substantially horizontal plane, and is formed in a substantially disc shape so that its peripheral portion can abut the lower surface of the annular support piece.
Further, the upper member is a peripheral side surface of the body, and ribs for pressing in four directions immediately above the movable conductive portion or in eight directions with an intermediate portion added are provided on the upper surface of the annular support piece. The ribs are continuously connected so as to project, and the lower surface of the rib is cut out correspondingly to the inclined surface of the annular support piece, and when the key top is pressed vertically, any of the movable conductive portions is fixed. When the one end of the rib provided directly above the movable conductive portion is pressed down without touching the electrode, the movable conductive portion disposed below the rib contacts the corresponding fixed electrode, Alternatively, when a rib disposed between the ribs directly above the movable conductive portion is pressed down, both of the adjacent movable conductive portions located right below and right below the rib can simultaneously contact both fixed electrodes facing each other. Control characterized by being configured as Over apparatus.