JP6241497B2 - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch unit and an electronic device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an electronic device that includes a display member such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) unit inside a housing and a touch panel mounted on the upper side of a frame member that forms the housing. A slate PC (Personal Computer) is known as an example of such an electronic apparatus. An electronic device may be equipped with a switch unit having a pressing portion for turning on and off the switch on the surface of the touch panel. The switch unit includes a flexible board on which a switch is formed and a strip-like plate-like body in which the flexible board is arranged on one side. The plate-like body supports the pressed switch. The switch unit is assembled to an electronic device by attaching a plate-like body to a frame member, for example. For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 disclose switches used in electronic devices.

JP 2005-251534 A JP 2002-343192 A

  By the way, the switch included in the switch unit is required to be appropriately disposed below the pressing portion provided on the surface of the touch panel in order to obtain a reliable operation and a good operational feeling. However, depending on the relationship between the display member and the frame member forming the housing, it is assumed that it is difficult to maintain an appropriate positional relationship between the switch and the pressing portion. For example, if the dimension of the display member is enlarged in a situation where the outer diameter dimension of the frame member is determined, the display member and the pressing part overlap in plan view even if the pressing part is arranged as close to the edge of the electronic device as possible. It is assumed that When the display member and the pressing portion are overlapped, it is difficult to provide a portion that supports the plate-like body on which the flexible substrate is disposed between the display member and the pressing portion. Moreover, it is difficult to appropriately arrange the switch below the pressing portion in combination with the plate-like body having a certain thickness.

  The above-mentioned patent documents propose improvements of the switch, but none of them can improve the arrangement of the switch unit in a state where the display member and the pressing portion overlap each other, and the above problem is not solved.

  Therefore, it is an object of the switch unit and the electronic device disclosed in the present specification to realize an appropriate positional relationship between the switch and the pressing portion in a state where the display member and the pressing portion of the switch overlap each other.

  In order to solve such a problem, a switch unit disclosed in this specification includes a switch provided on a flexible substrate, a mounting portion on one side of a frame-shaped frame member included in the electronic device, and the switch is installed. A touch panel disposed on the upper side of the display member and disposed on a position overlapping with a display member included in the electronic device, and an extension portion connecting the mounting portion and the switch installation portion. And a pressing portion for pressing the switch.

  The electronic device disclosed in the present specification includes a frame member, a display member, and a switch unit. The switch unit includes a switch provided on a flexible substrate, and a frame-shaped frame member. The display member is disposed at a position overlapping with the display member, a mounting portion on one side, a switch mounting portion where the switch is installed, an extending portion connecting the mounting portion and the switch installation portion, and the display member Facing the button hole provided on the touch panel arranged on the upper side, and a pressing portion that presses the switch, and the extending portion extends between the display member and the pressing portion, And it is attached to the said frame member in the state in which the said switch installation part was located under the said press part.

  By connecting the attachment part to the frame member and the switch installation part by the extension part, the switch can be arranged below the pressing part in a state where the display member and the pressing part of the switch overlap.

  According to the switch unit and the electronic device disclosed in the present specification, it is possible to realize an appropriate positional relationship between the switch and the pressing portion in a state where the display member and the pressing portion of the switch overlap each other.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the electronic device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. 3A is a perspective view of the upper cover, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a switch unit incorporated in the electronic device of the first embodiment. 5A is a plan view of the switch unit, FIG. 5B is a front view of the switch unit, and FIG. 5C is a side view of the switch unit. FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the electronic device of the first embodiment. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the electronic device of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the electronic device of the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in the drawings, the dimensions, ratios, and the like of each part may not be shown so as to completely match the actual ones. In some cases, details are omitted in some drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the electronic device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a slate PC 10 is shown as an example of an electronic device. Referring to FIG. 1, the slate PC 10 can be used with a keyboard dock 20 connected thereto. Referring to FIG. 2, the slate PC 10 includes a lower cover 11. Various electronic components are accommodated in the lower cover 11. The slate PC 10 includes an LCD unit 12 and an upper cover 13 disposed on the lower cover 11. The LCD unit 12 is an example of a display member. The upper cover 13 corresponds to a frame member, and forms the housing of the slate PC 10 when combined with the lower cover 11.

  3A and 3B, the upper cover 13 is provided with a button portion 13a. The button part 13a serves as a pressing part for pressing a switch 15d1 described later. Referring to FIG. 3A, the button portion 13a is provided integrally with the upper cover 13 via the arm portion 13b. The button part 13a can also be formed separately from the upper cover 13. The button portion 13a can be included in the switch unit 15 described in detail later. Referring to FIG. 2, a touch panel 14 is disposed on the upper cover 13. The touch panel 14 is provided with a button hole 14a. The button portion 13a faces the button hole 14a. As a result, the user of the slate PC 10 can perform the on / off operation of the switch 15d1 by pressing the button portion 13a. As will be described in detail later, the button portion 13 a is disposed at a position overlapping the LCD unit 12. Referring to FIG. 2, the slate PC 10 includes a switch unit 15 attached to the upper cover 13.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the switch unit 15 incorporated in the slate PC 10 of the first embodiment. 5A is a plan view of the switch unit 15, FIG. 5B is a front view of the switch unit 15, and FIG. 5C is a side view of the switch unit 15. FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 and 5A to 5D, the switch unit 15 includes a switch 15d1 provided on a flexible substrate 15d. The switch 15d1 has a dome shape, and is turned on and off by pressing a portion having the dome shape. The switch 15d1 is required to be pressed as close to the center as possible in order to obtain its reliable operation and good operational feeling. For this reason, the switch 15d1 is required to be appropriately disposed below the button portion 13a.

  The switch unit 15 includes an attachment portion 15a to the upper cover 13 corresponding to a frame member. The shape of the attachment portion 15a is a strip shape. However, the shape of the attachment portion 15a is not limited to a strip shape. Various shapes can be adopted for the attachment portion 15 a in response to a request for attachment to the upper cover 13. The attachment portion 15a includes a screw hole 15a1, and is attached to the upper cover 13 with a screw 16 using the screw hole 15a1. The screw hole 15a1 is provided only on one end side of the attachment portion 15a, and the other end side is attached so as to be inserted into the engagement portion of the upper cover 13.

  The switch unit 15 includes a switch installation unit 15c in which the switch 15d1 is installed. The switch installation portion 15c is a plate-like body that supports the pressed switch.

  The switch unit 15 includes an extending portion 15b that connects the attaching portion 15a and the switch installing portion 15c. When the slate PC 10 is in an assembled state, the extending portion 15b is extended in a state of being inserted between the LCD unit 12 that is a display member and the button portion 13a. Thereby, the switch installation part 15c can be located below the button part 13a. Here, as is apparent from FIGS. 4C and 4D, the extension portion 15b rises from the attachment portion 15a, and the attachment portion 15a and the switch installation portion 15c have different height positions. . Thus, the switch installation part 15c can be guide | induced to the lower side of the button part 13a by varying the height position of the attaching part 15a and the switch installation part 15c. In the first embodiment, the extending portion 15b forms an inclined surface, but may be raised vertically. The flexible substrate 15d on which the switch 15d1 is formed is disposed along the extended portion 15b. Positioning the flexible substrate 15d along the extended portion 15b makes it difficult for the switch 15d1 to be displaced on the switch installation portion 15c. Further, damage and deterioration of the flexible substrate 15d itself are suppressed. The mounting portion 15a, the extending portion 15b, and the switch installing portion 15c included in the switch unit 15 are formed from a single sheet metal.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of the electronic device, that is, the slate PC 10. 7 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 3, the button part 13 a is arranged in a state of facing the outside from a button hole 14 a provided in the touch panel 14. Then, referring to FIG. 7, the LCD unit 12 is in a state of being overlapped with the button portion 13a. Here, the state where the LCD unit 12 and the button portion 13a overlap each other means that the LCD unit 12 and the button portion 13a overlap each other when seen in a plan view. That is, when the slate PC 10 is observed from the touch panel 14 side and represented as a perspective view, a part of the LCD unit 12 is hidden by the button portion 13a. In this case, it is not a requirement that the LCD unit 12 and the button portion 13a are in contact with each other. Further, the state in which the LCD unit 12 and the button portion 13a overlap includes a state in which a part of both overlaps. As shown in FIG. 7, the slate PC 10 of the first embodiment is in a state where a part of the LCD unit 12 overlaps the button portion 13a. When the LCD unit 12 and the button part 13a overlap each other, it is difficult to dispose the mounting part 15a of the switch unit 15 between the LCD unit 12 and the button part 13a. In the switch unit 15 according to the first embodiment, the attachment portion 15a is attached to the upper cover 13, and the extending portion 15b extends from the attachment portion 15a toward directly below the button portion 13a. Thereby, switch 15d1 can be arrange | positioned in the position pressed appropriately by the button part 13a.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the attachment surface of the attachment portion 15 a of the upper cover 13 is located below the upper surface of the LCD unit 12. Even in the case where the upper cover 13 and the LCD unit 12 are in such a positional relationship, since the extending portion 15b is raised, the switch installing portion 15c can be disposed below the button portion 13a. Referring to FIG. 7, a recess 13a1 is provided on the back side of the button portion 13a, and a protrusion 13a2 is formed at the center thereof. The switch 15d1 is pressed by the convex portion 13a2. By making the convex portion 13a2 coincide with the center portion of the switch 15d1, it is possible to obtain a reliable operation and a good operational feeling of the switch 15d1. The extension portion 15b rises from the attachment portion 15a, so that the switch installation portion 15c can face the recess 13a1 of the button portion 13a. Thereby, switch 15d1 and convex part 13a2 approach, and pressing of switch 15d1 by convex part 13a2 becomes easy.

  According to the slate PC 10 including the switch unit 15 of the present embodiment, an appropriate positional relationship between the switch 15d1 and the button portion 13a can be realized in a state where the LCD unit 12 and the button portion 13a that presses the switch 15d1 overlap. Accordingly, the switch 15d1 can be disposed below the button portion 13a, and a reliable operation and a good operational feeling of the switch 15d1 can be obtained. As electronic devices such as the slate PC 10 become thinner and smaller, it becomes difficult to install the switch unit. However, the switch unit 15 of the first embodiment can save space, and the electronic device can be made thinner and smaller. It can correspond to.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic device of the second embodiment is a slate PC 110 as in the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, the slate PC 110 includes an LCD unit 12, an upper cover 113 and a touch panel 14 that are integrally provided with a button portion 113a. Further, the slate PC 110 includes a switch unit 115 having an attachment portion 115a, an extension portion 115b, and a switch installation portion 115c. A switch 115d1 provided on the flexible substrate 115d is disposed in the switch installation portion 115c. In this regard, the second embodiment is common to the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, the extending portion 115b does not rise, and the mounting portion 115a and the switch installation portion 115c have the same height. In this regard, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, the switch unit mounting surface of the upper cover 113 of the slate PC 110 and the upper surface of the LCD unit 12 are substantially the same height. The switch unit 115 in which the mounting portion 115a and the switch installation portion 115c have the same height can be suitably used for such a slate PC 110. The switch unit 115 is attached to the upper cover 113 by attaching an attachment portion 115 a with a double-sided tape 116.

  Even in the switch unit 115 of the second embodiment, an appropriate positional relationship between the switch 115d1 and the button portion 113a can be realized in a state where the LCD unit 12 and the button portion 113a that presses the switch 115d1 overlap. Accordingly, similarly to the first embodiment, the switch 115d1 can be disposed below the button portion 113a, and a reliable operation and a good operational feeling of the switch 115d1 can be obtained. In addition, the switch unit 115 of the second embodiment can save space and can cope with the reduction in thickness and size of the electronic device, as in the first embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic device of the third embodiment is a slate PC 210 as in the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, the slate PC 210 includes an LCD unit 12, an upper cover 213 in which a button unit 213 a is integrally provided, and a touch panel 14. Further, the slate PC 210 includes a switch unit 215. This point is common to the first embodiment. However, the switch unit 215 of the third embodiment does not include an attachment portion and an extension portion, and has only a switch installation portion 215c in which a switch 215d1 provided on the flexible substrate 215d is disposed. Such a switch unit 215 is mounted on the LCD unit 12 via a double-sided tape 216 with the switch installation portion 215c positioned below the button portion 213a.

  Even in the switch unit 215 of the third embodiment, an appropriate positional relationship between the switch 215d1 and the button part 213a can be realized in a state where the LCD unit 12 and the button part 213a that presses the switch 215d1 overlap. Thereby, similarly to the first embodiment, the switch 215d1 can be disposed below the button portion 213a, and a reliable operation and a good operational feeling of the switch 215d1 can be obtained. In addition, the switch unit 215 of the third embodiment can save space and can cope with the reduction in thickness and size of the electronic device, as in the first embodiment.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications of these embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. It is apparent from the above description that various other embodiments are possible within the scope. In the above embodiment, a slate PC is assumed as an electronic device, but the above switch unit can also be equipped in other electronic devices.

10, 110, 210 Slate PC (electronic device)
11 Lower cover 12 LCD unit (display member)
13, 113, 213 Upper cover (frame member)
13a, 113a, 213a Button part (pressing part)
13a1 Concave part 13a2 Convex part 13b Arm part 14 Touch panel 14a Button hole 15, 115, 215 Switch unit 15a, 115a Mounting part 15a1 Screw hole 15b, 115b Extension part 15c, 115c, 215c Switch installation part 15d, 115d, 215d Flexible substrate 15d1 115d1, 215d1 Switch 16 Screw 116, 216 Double-sided tape

Claims (3)

A frame member;
A display member;
A switch unit,
The switch unit includes a switch provided on a flexible substrate, a frame-shaped attachment part to the frame member, a switch installation part in which the switch is installed, the attachment part, and the switch installation part. An extension portion to be connected; a pressing portion that is disposed at a position overlapping the display member and faces a button hole provided on a touch panel disposed on the upper side of the display member and presses the switch; The switch installation portion connected to one end of the extension portion is guided to the space between the display member and the pressing portion by the extension portion so that the switch installation portion is positioned below the pressing portion. The electronic device is attached to the frame member via the attachment portion connected to the other end of the extending portion .   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion rises from the attachment portion, and the attachment portion and the switch installation portion have different height positions.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is disposed along the extended portion.

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