JP4546365B2 - Keyboard switch and portable electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a keyboard switch and a portable electronic device.

  In recent years, portable electronic devices such as a portable electronic dictionary have been provided. This type of portable electronic device includes a control unit including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like in the casing, a display unit that displays a result processed by the control unit, and an input unit that transmits an input signal to the control unit. And is configured. The input unit is configured by arranging a plurality of switches (hereinafter referred to as keyboard switches) to which appropriate input signals are assigned in a keyboard shape. As this keyboard switch, a so-called membrane switch is provided that includes a fixed contact that is fixed and a movable contact that is provided on a flexible sheet formed into an elastically deformable dome (patent). Reference 1). In addition, a hard cover body that does not elastically deform is provided at a position exposed on the movable contact, and a guide mechanism that guides the depression of the cover body is provided below the cover body. (See Patent Document 2).

On the other hand, as for the keyboard switch constituting the input unit of the portable electronic device described above, for the purpose of improving the operation visibility, a keyboard switch configured to emit light is being provided. For example, a keyboard switch composed of the above-described membrane switch may be configured with a built-in LED (light emitting diode) or an EL (electroluminescence) sheet attached to a flexible sheet. To emit light.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-274331 JP 2002-251937 A

  However, in a membrane switch configured with built-in LEDs, it is necessary to prepare the built-in LEDs in accordance with the number of keyboard switches, and it has been pointed out that the manufacturing cost increases. . In addition, in a membrane switch configured by adhering an EL sheet to a flexible sheet, although it can be manufactured at a low cost, it has an input feel that is unique to the membrane switch, For example, it has been pointed out that it is not suitable for a portable electronic device having an input unit arranged like a keyboard like a portable electronic dictionary.

  That is, it is preferable that the keyboard switch is provided with a hard cover body that does not elastically deform as described above. However, the keyboard switch that is provided with this cover body emits light. Light is blocked by the cover body itself. As a result, a desired effect such as flashing the keyboard switch itself cannot be obtained. In order to solve such a problem, it has been proposed that the cover is constituted by a transparent cover body. However, in the case of using a transparent cover body, various contact points provided under the cover body and It has been pointed out that the guide mechanism and the like are visible and the appearance is poor.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a keyboard switch and a portable electronic device that can be manufactured at a low cost while being a keyboard switch with a good input feel, and further have improved operational visibility. There is to do.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a keyboard switch and a portable electronic device as described below.
A keyboard switch according to the present invention includes a fixed contact provided on a substrate and a movable contact provided above the fixed contact and supported so as to be able to approach and leave the fixed contact. Comprising a switch mechanism, a cover body that covers the switch mechanism and that can be interlocked with the movable contact, and a light emitting unit that is provided on the substrate around the switch mechanism. A keyboard switch, wherein the cover body is parallel to the substrate and covers the switch mechanism, and a side wall end portion that extends from the periphery of the pressure plate portion toward the substrate and faces the light emitting portion. The pressing plate portion and the peripheral side wall portion are integrally formed of a permeable resin, and the switch machine is provided on the lower surface of the pressing plate portion. Wherein the shielding portion ranging from is provided.

In the keyboard switch according to the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting unit provided on the substrate around the switch mechanism enters the peripheral side wall from the side wall end facing the light emitting unit. And the light which entered the peripheral side wall part permeate | transmits the inside of the peripheral side wall part formed with resin which has permeability | transmittance. Next, the light transmitted through the peripheral side wall portion is transmitted through the pressing plate portion formed of a resin having transparency. That is, since the pressing plate portion and the peripheral side wall portion constituting the cover body are integrally formed of a permeable resin, there is a density difference between the permeable resin and external air. The light is likely to be reflected in the transparent resin due to the density difference between the transparent resin and the outside air, and preferably proceeds in the transparent resin. Thereby, the light that has entered from the end of the side wall is transmitted through the peripheral side wall and is preferably transmitted to the pressing plate and spreads.
Accordingly, in the cover body that is exposed to the outside so as to cover the switch mechanism, not only the peripheral side wall portion but also the pressing plate portion preferably shines. As a result, the cover body itself is illuminated and the visibility of the cover body is enhanced.

  In addition, since the lower surface of the pressing plate portion is provided with a shielding portion that covers the range of the switch mechanism provided below the pressing plate portion, the switching mechanism provided below the pressing plate portion is shielded from the shielding mechanism. It is shielded by the part and cannot be seen from the outside. Therefore, the poor appearance due to the switch mechanism being visible from the outside is eliminated, and the visibility of the identification display portion printed on the cover body (pressing plate portion) is also improved. In addition, since the light emitting portion provided on the substrate only needs to be provided at a position facing the end portion of the side wall, the capacity of the light emitting portion provided can be reduced, leading to a reduction in manufacturing cost.

  In the keyboard switch according to the present invention, the upper surface portion of the peripheral edge of the pressing plate portion from which the peripheral sidewall portion extends is formed as an inclined surface inclined downward toward the outer edge of the pressing plate portion. Features.

  In the keyboard switch according to the present invention, the upper surface portion of the peripheral edge of the pressing plate portion where the peripheral side wall portion extends is formed by an inclined surface inclined downward toward the outer edge of the pressing plate portion. The light entering from the end portion is likely to be totally reflected by the inclined surface when passing through the peripheral side wall portion and entering the pressing plate portion, and easily proceeds in the direction in which the pressing plate portion extends. Therefore, the light that has entered from the end of the side wall is transmitted through the peripheral side wall, and is preferably transmitted to the pressing plate and spreads.

  When the peripheral side wall portion is formed to extend from the peripheral edge of the pressing plate portion in a direction orthogonal to the pressing plate portion, the inclination angle of the inclined surface is set to 45 degrees with respect to the peripheral side wall portion. Is particularly preferred. That is, when the inclination angle of the inclined surface is set to 45 degrees with respect to the peripheral side wall portion, the light entering from the end of the side wall enters the inclined surface at an angle of 45 degrees, and this Reflects at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the inclined surface. In addition, the light entering from the end of the side wall is more likely to be totally reflected by the inclined surface set at 45 degrees. Here, since the light reflected at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the inclined surface is in the same direction as the direction in which the pressing plate portion extends, the light entering from the side wall end portion is transmitted through the peripheral side wall portion. Preferably it penetrates to the pressing plate and spreads.

  In the keyboard switch according to the present invention, the upper surface portion of the peripheral edge of the pressing plate portion from which the peripheral side wall portion extends is formed by a step portion that is lowered by one step from the central upper surface of the pressing plate portion toward the substrate. It is characterized by being.

  In the keyboard switch according to the present invention, the upper surface portion of the peripheral edge of the pressing plate portion where the peripheral side wall portion extends is formed by a step portion that is lowered by one step toward the substrate from the central upper surface of the pressing plate portion. The light entering from the end of the side wall more strongly illuminates the top surface of the stepped portion. That is, since the upper surface of the stepped portion lowered by one step is located at a distance closer to the light emitting portion, the light entering from the end of the side wall hits the upper surface of the stepped portion with little attenuation of intensity. This strongly illuminates the upper surface. Therefore, it can be preferably used when the peripheral edge of the keyboard switch is desired to be emphasized appropriately. For example, it is advantageous when it is desired to highlight a specific keyboard switch so that the user can easily identify it.

  The keyboard switch according to the present invention is characterized in that a notched recess is provided on the upper surface on the center side of the pressing plate.

  In the keyboard switch according to the present invention, as described above, the light emitted from the light emitting part enters from the side wall end part, permeates the peripheral side wall part, and permeates to the pressing plate part and spreads. The light that has been transmitted and spread to the pressing plate portion collides with the inner surface formed by the notched recess provided in the upper surface on the center side of the pressing plate portion. Thereby, the inner surface formed by the cut-out recess is more strongly illuminated. Therefore, the center side of the pressing plate part of the cover body can be more emphasized and illuminated, and the visibility of the cover body is enhanced.

  The keyboard switch according to the present invention is characterized in that the shielding portion is formed of a material having a luminous property.

  In the keyboard switch according to the present invention, since the shielding portion provided on the lower side surface of the pressing plate portion is formed of a material having a phosphorescent property, the shielding portion spreads through the pressing plate portion. The light is stored. As a result, the pressing plate portion shines stronger together with the light stored in the shielding portion, and the visibility of the cover body is further enhanced.

  A portable electronic device according to the present invention includes an input unit that transmits an input signal, a control unit that processes an input signal transmitted from the input unit, and a display unit that displays a result processed by the control unit. The portable electronic device is characterized in that the input unit is configured by arranging a plurality of the keyboard switches.

  In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, since the input unit is configured by arranging a plurality of keyboard switches with improved visibility of the cover body as described above, the input with improved visibility. Part. Therefore, the portable electronic device is easy for the user to input.

  A portable electronic device according to the present invention includes an input unit that transmits an input signal, a control unit that processes an input signal transmitted from the input unit, and a display unit that displays a result processed by the control unit. In the portable electronic device configured by arranging the plurality of keyboard switches in the input unit, the plurality of arranged keyboard switches are divided into predetermined groups, and the stepped portion is divided into the predetermined groups. It is characterized by being formed along the boundary.

  In the portable electronic device according to the present invention, a plurality of arranged keyboard switches are divided by a predetermined group, and the step portion is formed along the boundary divided by the predetermined group. The boundaries divided by the predetermined group are easily identified by the above-described stepped portion that emits light with emphasis. Therefore, it is possible to make the user visually recognize a predetermined group, and the portable electronic device is easy to perform an input operation.

  According to the keyboard switch according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a keyboard switch that can be manufactured at low cost and has improved operation visibility while being a keyboard switch having a good input feel. Moreover, according to the portable electronic device which concerns on this invention, operation visibility improves and it can be set as the portable electronic device which an input operation is easy for a user.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of a keyboard switch and a portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view of a portable electronic dictionary as an example of a portable electronic device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a keyboard portion, and FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a keyboard switch (first embodiment). 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 are other examples of the keyboard switch of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a keyboard portion provided with a step portion along a divided boundary.

[First Embodiment]
Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1A is a portable electronic dictionary as an example of a portable electronic device according to the present invention. The portable electronic dictionary 1 is configured such that two casings are hinged and can be folded in two. One casing (display-side casing) A is provided with a liquid crystal screen 2 corresponding to the display section in the present invention. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the other casing (operation side casing) B incorporates a control device 3 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like corresponding to the control section in the present invention. Has been. Further, the keyboard device 4 exposed to the outside is provided on the surface of the operation side housing B that is combined with the display side housing A. The keyboard device 4 corresponds to an input unit in the present invention. That is, in the portable electronic dictionary 1, the user can input from the keyboard device 4, and the input signal that is input is transmitted to the control device 3. The input signal transmitted to the control device 3 is subjected to predetermined processing, and the control device 3 displays the processing result on the liquid crystal screen 2.

Further, the keyboard device 4 is roughly configured to include a power switch unit 4a and a keyboard unit 4b. The keyboard unit 4b is configured by arranging a plurality of keyboard switches 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of keyboard switches 10 are arranged on the substrate 11 at appropriate intervals. The substrate 11 is provided with the control device 3 described above, and is provided with various electric wirings. As shown in FIG. 3, the keyboard switch 10 is roughly configured by including a switch mechanism 20 and a cover body 30 provided so as to cover the switch mechanism 20. Reference numeral 101 (10) in FIG. 2 denotes a keyboard switch from which the cover body 30 is removed, and the switch mechanism 20 is exposed. Moreover, the code | symbol 102 (10) in FIG. 2 is a keyboard switch provided with the normal cover body 30, and the switch mechanism 20 under the cover body 30 cannot be seen.

  Reference numeral 12 in FIG. 2 is an EL sheet attached to the upper surface of the substrate 11. The EL sheet 12 corresponds to the light emitting unit according to the present invention, and specifically, is configured by an organic EL sheet that emits light. As shown in FIG. 2, the EL sheet 12 is formed by providing a square hole at a position where the switch mechanism 20 protrudes, and is adhered to the substrate 11. However, as shown in a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 and the like, the EL sheet 12 adhered is present at a location adjacent to the switch mechanism 20 and facing the side wall end portion 35 of the cover body 30.

  First, the switch mechanism 20 constituting the keyboard switch 10 will be described. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3, the switch mechanism 20 is composed of a fixed contact (fixed contact) 21 fixed on the substrate 11 and a rubber resin formed in a dome shape and elastically deformable. An elastic member 22 and a movable contact (movable contact) 23 provided at the tip of a bell portion 22b extending downward from the ceiling portion 22a of the elastic member 22 are generally configured. The elastic member 22 is elastically deformed so that the dome is crushed when the ceiling portion 22a is pushed downward. The movable contact 23 provided at the tip of the bell portion 22b is supported movably so as to approach or leave (separate) the fixed contact 21 by elastic deformation of the elastic member 22. ing. When the movable contact 23 and the fixed contact 21 come into contact with each other, the contacts 21 and 23 are electrically connected to each other, and a signal assigned to the keyboard switch 10 is transmitted to the control device 3. To do.

  Next, the cover body 30 provided so as to cover the switch mechanism 20 configured as described above will be described. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the cover body 30 includes a pressing plate portion 31 extending in parallel to the substrate 11, and the substrate 11 from the periphery of the pressing plate portion 31. It is generally composed of a peripheral side wall portion 33 extending in the orthogonal direction. That is, the pressing plate portion 31 and the peripheral side wall portion 33 are formed of a transparent transmissive resin that is integrated in a substantially U shape in a cross-sectional view. Further, a side wall end portion 35 formed in a planar shape parallel to the substrate 11 is provided below the peripheral side wall portion 33 of the cover body 30. The side wall end 35 is disposed so as to face the EL sheet 12 described above, and light emitted from the EL sheet 12 irradiates the side wall end 35.

  On the upper side surface (hereinafter, upper surface) 31a of the pressing plate portion of the cover body 30, an identification display portion 32 that is assigned to the keyboard switch 10 and that means a signal transmitted to the control device 3 is printed and provided. Yes. In addition, the identification display part 32 of the example of illustration is formed by printing an appropriate hiragana. Further, a shielding portion 37 that shields light is provided on the lower side surface (hereinafter referred to as the lower surface) 31 b of the pressing plate portion 31. The shielding portion 37 is provided over the range of the switch mechanism 20 described above, and specifically, an appropriate paint for shielding light is applied to all of the lower surface 31b of the pressing plate portion 31. Is formed. The switch mechanism 20 disposed at the lower portion of the cover body 30 is not visible from the outside by providing the shielding portion 37.

  In addition, the identification display part 32 mentioned above should just be provided so that visual recognition from the outside is possible. That is, since the pressing plate portion 31 is made of a permeable resin, even if the identification display portion 32 is provided on the lower surface 31b of the pressing plate portion 31, it can be visually recognized from the outside. In that case, before the shielding part 37 is formed on the lower surface 31 b of the pressing plate part 31, it is necessary to be printed on the pressing plate part 31. Thus, when the identification display part 32 is provided in the lower surface 31b of the press board part 31, since it can form continuously with the shielding part 37, there exists a profit regarding reduction of manufacturing cost or manufacturing time.

  Moreover, the shielding part 37 mentioned above may be formed with the material which has luminous property. Thus, when the shielding part 37 is formed of a material having a phosphorescent property, the shielding part 37 accumulates the light that has spread through the pressing plate part 31. As a result, the pressing plate portion 31 is more strongly illuminated with the light stored in the shielding portion 37, and the visibility of the cover body 30 is further enhanced.

  Further, the upper surface of the ceiling portion 22a of the elastic member 22 provided with the movable contact point 23 described above is in contact with the lower surface 31b of the pressing plate portion 31 on which the shielding portion 37 is formed. Thus, the cover body 30 is supported by the elastic force of the elastic member 22. When the cover body 30 is pushed down against the elastic force of the elastic member 22, the ceiling portion 22a is pushed down so that the elastic member 22 is crushed, and the movable side provided at the tip of the bell portion 22b. The contact 23 approaches the fixed side contact 21. When the contact points 21 and 23 are in contact with each other, the contact points 21 and 23 are electrically connected. Thus, the cover body 30 is configured to be able to be interlocked with the movable contact point 23.

  Further, a pressing guide mechanism 40 for guiding the pressing of the cover body 30 is provided below the pressing plate portion 31. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the push guide mechanism 40 includes a first arm mechanism 41 and a second arm mechanism 45 that are composed of two sets. Each of these arm mechanisms 41, 45 is generally constituted by arm portions 42, 46 and shaft support portions 43, 44, 47, 48 that support the arm portions 42, 46.

  Specifically, in the first arm mechanism 41, the first arm portion 42 formed in a substantially U shape is disposed to be inclined with respect to the substrate 11. The first arm portion 42 has a substrate side first shaft support portion 43 provided on the substrate 11 adjacent to the back side D1 of the switch mechanism 20 so that the inclination angle with respect to the substrate 11 can be appropriately changed. (Not shown in FIG. 3). Further, the upper portion of the first arm portion 42 is pivotally supported by an upper first pivot support portion 44 provided on the lower surface 31 b of the pressing plate portion 31 adjacent to the front side D <b> 2 of the switch mechanism 20.

  Even in the second arm mechanism 45, the second arm portion 46 formed in a substantially plate shape is disposed to be inclined with respect to the substrate 11. The second arm portion 46 has a lower side portion provided on the substrate 11 adjacent to the back side D1 of the switch mechanism 20 so that the inclination angle with respect to the substrate 11 can be appropriately changed. Is pivotally supported. Further, the upper portion of the second arm portion 46 is pivotally supported by an upper second pivotal support portion 48 provided on the lower surface 31b of the pressing plate portion 31 adjacent to the back side D1 of the switch mechanism 20.

  By being configured in this way, the back side D1 place and the near side D2 place of the cover body 30 described above are supported by the first arm part 42 and the second arm part 46. Accordingly, when the cover body 30 is pushed down, the cover body 30 is preferably pushed down without being inclined in the back side D1 and the near side D2 or in the width direction.

The keyboard switch 10 configured as described above has the following operation.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the light L emitted from the EL sheet 12 provided on the substrate 11 adjacent to the switch mechanism 40 is transmitted from the side wall end 35 facing the EL sheet 12 to the peripheral side wall 33. to go into. And the light which entered the peripheral side wall part 33 permeate | transmits the inside of the peripheral side wall part 33 formed with resin which has transparency. Next, the light transmitted through the peripheral side wall 33 is transmitted through the pressing plate 31 formed of a resin having transparency. That is, since the pressing plate portion 31 and the peripheral side wall portion 33 constituting the cover body 30 are integrally formed of a permeable resin, there is a density difference between the permeable resin and outside air. It becomes easy to be reflected in the transparent resin, and preferably proceeds in the transparent resin (arrow E1). Thereby, the light that has entered from the side wall end portion 35 is transmitted through the peripheral side wall portion 33 and is preferably transmitted to the pressing plate portion 31 and spreads. Therefore, in the cover body 30 that is exposed to the outside so as to cover the switch mechanism 20, the pressing plate portion 31 as well as the peripheral side wall portion 33 shines preferably. Thereby, the cover body 30 itself is illuminated and the visibility of the cover body 30 is enhanced.

  Further, since the lower surface 31b of the pressing plate portion 31 is provided with the shielding portion 37 over the range of the switch mechanism 20 provided below the pressing plate portion 31b, the switching mechanism provided below the switching mechanism 20 is provided. 20 is shielded by the shielding part 37 and cannot be seen from the outside. Therefore, the poor appearance due to the switch mechanism 20 being visible from the outside is eliminated, and the visibility of the identification display part 32 printed on the pressing plate part 31 is also improved. Further, since the EL sheet 12 provided on the substrate 11 only needs to be provided at a location facing the side wall end 35, the capacity of the provided EL sheet 12 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. It leads to reduction. Further, the keyboard switch 10 is a keyboard switch that has a good input feel, unlike the membrane switch, by providing the cover body 30.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment, which is a modification of the keyboard switch 10 in the above-described first embodiment, will be described. Note that a description of portions that are configured similarly to the keyboard switch 10 of the first embodiment described above will be omitted.
In other words, in the keyboard switch 10a shown in FIG. It is formed with the inclined surface 39a inclined in the direction. The inclined surface 39a in the illustrated example is set to have an inclination angle of 45 degrees with respect to the peripheral side wall portion 33 extending in a direction orthogonal to the pressing plate portion 31.

  In this keyboard switch 10a, light entering from the side wall end portion 35 enters the pressing plate portion 31 through the peripheral side wall portion 33 and enters the inclined surface 39a at an angle of 45 degrees. Then, the light is reflected at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the inclined surface 39a (arrow E2). Here, since the light reflected at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the inclined surface 39a is in the same direction as the direction in which the pressing plate portion 31 extends, the light that enters from the side wall end portion 35 passes through the peripheral side wall portion 33. It penetrates and particularly preferably penetrates to the pressing plate portion 31 and spreads. Further, the light entering from the side wall end 35 is more easily totally reflected by the inclined surface 39a set at 45 degrees. Therefore, the light that has entered from the side wall end portion 35 is transmitted through the peripheral side wall portion 33 and is further preferably transmitted to the pressing plate portion 31 and spreads.

  In addition, in the inclined surface 39a mentioned above, it formed simply by notching the upper surface location 31a1 of the peripheral edge 31c of this press plate part 31. FIG. However, the inclined surface 39a is not limited to this, and an appropriate paint may be applied to the inclined surface 39a so that the inner side of the cover body 30 is finished in a mirror shape. Good. Thus, when the inclined surface 39a is formed as a mirror surface, the light that enters from the side wall end portion 35 and passes through the peripheral edge portion 33 is reflected when reflected by the inclined surface 39a toward the pressing plate portion 31. As a result, the pressure plate 31 is more shining.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment, which is a modification of the keyboard switch 10 in the first embodiment described above, will be described. Note that a description of portions that are configured similarly to the keyboard switch 10 of the first embodiment described above will be omitted.
That is, in the keyboard switch 10 b shown in FIG. 5, the upper surface portion 31 a 1 of the peripheral edge 31 c of the pressing plate portion 31 provided so that the peripheral side wall portion 33 extends extends from the central upper surface 31 a 2 of the pressing plate portion 31 to the substrate 11. It is formed by a step portion 39b that is lowered by one step toward. The step portion 39b in the illustrated example is formed such that the upper surface portion 31a1 is appropriately cut out.

  In this keyboard switch 10b, the upper surface 39c of the stepped portion 39b lowered by one step is located at a distance closer to the EL sheet 12, so that the light entering from the side wall end portion 35 is less attenuated in intensity. It hits the upper surface 39c of the stepped portion 39b in the state. As a result, the upper surface 39c is more strongly illuminated than in the first embodiment described above. Accordingly, the peripheral edge 31c of the cover body 30 can be preferably used when it is desired to emphasize the light appropriately. For example, when configuring the keyboard unit 4b, when this keyboard switch 10b is used as a specific keyboard switch, the keyboard switch 10b can be emphasized and lighted, so that it can be easily distinguished from other keyboard switches. Thus, the portable electronic device is easy for the user to input. In addition, the above-mentioned step part 39b is not limited to being formed over the entire periphery of the peripheral edge 31c, and may be formed only on a part of the peripheral edge 31c.

  Moreover, the above-mentioned step part 39b may be comprised as follows. That is, when a plurality of keyboard switches arranged in the keyboard portion 4b are divided by a predetermined group, as shown in FIG. 6, the step portion 39b is arranged along the boundary divided by the predetermined group. It may be formed. For example, when the keyboard portion 4b is composed of character keys and numeric keys, as shown in FIG. 6, a step portion 39b is provided for each of the keyboard switches 10b. That is, each of the keyboard switches 10b constituting the numeric key group is formed with a step portion 39b along a boundary that divides the numeric key group. When the keyboard unit 4b is configured in this way, the numeric key group is easily seen by this boundary, and the portable electronic device is easy for the user to perform an input operation. Examples of such groups include character keys, numeric keys, function keys to which a series of processes are assigned.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment, which is a modification of the keyboard switch 10 in the first embodiment described above, will be described. Note that a description of portions that are configured similarly to the keyboard switch 10 of the first embodiment described above will be omitted.
That is, in the keyboard switch 10c shown in FIG. 7, a concave portion 49 formed so as to be cut out is provided in the center of the center-side upper surface 31a2 of the pressing plate portion 31.

  In the keyboard switch 10c, when the light emitted from the EL sheet 12 enters from the side wall end portion 35, passes through the peripheral side wall portion 33, and passes through the pressing plate portion 31, the light spreads. The pressing plate 31 collides with an inner surface 49a formed by a notched recess 49 provided on the center-side upper surface 31a2. In this way, the inner surface 49a formed by the notched recess 49 is more strongly illuminated. Therefore, the center side of the pressing plate portion 31 of the cover body 30 is more emphasized and illuminated. That is, the visibility of the cover body 30 is improved.

  In addition, this recessed part 49 may be cut and formed according to the identification display part 32 provided in this press plate part 31. FIG. Specifically, the upper surface 31a may be formed by cutting out according to the characters printed on the upper surface 31a of the pressing plate portion 31. When the notch recess 49 is provided in this way, the inner surface 49a formed by the notch recess 49 is strongly illuminated, and the recess 49 (character) is strongly illuminated so as to rise. . Therefore, each keyboard switch constituting the keyboard unit 4b is easily identified, and a keyboard switch and a portable electronic device that are easy for the user to perform an input operation can be obtained.

  Further, the notched recess 49 may be formed such that a material having an appropriate luminous property is applied or embedded in the inner surface 49a or the like. As described above, when the inner surface 49a is formed so that a material having an appropriate luminous property is applied or embedded, the applied or embedded material having the luminous property is applied to the pressing plate portion. The light transmitted through 31 and spread is stored. Then, the cover body 30 is more shining with this material and is easily visible.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning, it can change suitably.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the push-down guide mechanism for guiding the pressing of the cover body is constituted by two sets of arm mechanisms, but is not limited to such a form. The configuration may be changed as appropriate. Moreover, even if it is in the movable contact of a switch mechanism, as long as it is provided appropriately movable, there is no problem and it is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

1 is a perspective view of a portable electronic dictionary as an example of a portable electronic device according to the present invention. It is an expansion perspective view of a keyboard part. It is a vertical sectional view of a keyboard switch (first embodiment). It is another example of the keyboard switch of FIG. It is another example of the keyboard switch of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the keyboard part in which the step part was provided along the divided boundary. It is another example of the keyboard switch of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable electronic device 10 Keyboard switch 11 Board | substrate 12 EL sheet | seat (light emission part)
20 switch mechanism 30 cover body 31 pressing plate part 33 peripheral side wall part 35 side wall end part 37 shielding part

Claims (6)

A switch mechanism comprising: a fixed contact provided on a substrate; and a movable contact provided above the fixed contact and supported so as to be able to approach and leave the fixed contact; and the switch mechanism A keyboard switch configured to include a cover body provided so as to be capable of interlocking with the movable contact and a light emitting unit provided on the substrate around the switch mechanism,
A pressing plate portion that covers the switch mechanism in parallel with the substrate; and a peripheral side wall portion having a side wall end portion that extends from the peripheral edge of the pressing plate portion toward the substrate and faces the light emitting portion. Comprising,
The pressing plate part and the peripheral side wall part are integrally formed of a permeable resin,
On the lower surface of the pressing plate portion, a shielding portion is provided over the range of the switch mechanism ,
A keyboard switch , wherein the shielding portion is made of a material having a luminous property . The keyboard switch according to claim 1,
The keyboard switch according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface portion of the peripheral edge of the pressing plate portion extending from the peripheral side wall portion is formed with an inclined surface inclined downward toward the outer edge of the pressing plate portion. The keyboard switch according to claim 1,
The keyboard switch, wherein the upper surface portion of the peripheral edge of the pressing plate portion extending from the peripheral side wall portion is formed by a step portion lowered from the central upper surface of the pressing plate portion toward the substrate. . In the keyboard switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A keyboard switch, characterized in that a notched recess is provided on an upper surface on the center side of the pressing plate portion. A portable electronic device comprising: an input unit that transmits an input signal; a control unit that processes an input signal transmitted from the input unit; and a display unit that displays a result processed by the control unit,
A portable electronic device, wherein the input unit is configured by arranging a plurality of the keyboard switches according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An input unit that transmits an input signal, a control unit that processes an input signal transmitted from the input unit, and a display unit that displays a result processed by the control unit, wherein the input unit is claimed in claim 3. In a portable electronic device configured by arranging a plurality of the keyboard switches described in
A plurality of keyboard switches arranged in a predetermined group,
The portable electronic device, wherein the stepped portion is formed along a boundary divided by the predetermined group.

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