KR20090024566A

KR20090024566A - Button array and button assembly having the same

Info

Publication number: KR20090024566A
Application number: KR1020070089648A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김상협
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2007-09-04
Filing date: 2007-09-04
Publication date: 2009-03-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to a button array and a button assembly having the same. The present invention is mounted on the rear surface of the front plate 20, the guide ring 42 formed of a material capable of elastic deformation; A plurality of buttons 48 provided at one side of the guide ring 42 and exposed to the front of the front plate 20; Is provided on one surface of the button 48 is supported on the substrate 56 provided on the front plate 20, and comprises a support protrusion 50 that is the center of rotation when the button 48 is pressed . According to the present invention as described above, there is an effect that the number of work required for the assembling work of the product is reduced, and the malfunction of the button is prevented from occurring.

Description

Button array and button assembly having same {Button array and button assembly having the same}

The present invention relates to a button array, and more particularly to a button array and a button assembly having the same according to the direction in which one button is pressed.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main configuration of a button assembly according to the prior art.

As shown therein, the button 10 has its front surface exposed to the outside of a front plate (not shown) of the electronic device. The button 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a connecting boss 11 is formed at the center of the rear surface thereof. The push protrusions 12 are formed at regular intervals surrounding the rear edge of the button 10. The push protrusion 12 is a portion for selectively pressing a plurality of switches installed on a substrate (not shown) installed adjacent to the rear surface of the front plate.

A button holder 14 is provided to support the button 10. The button holder 14 is installed on the front plate or the substrate to support the button 10. The button mounting portion 15 is formed at the center of the button holder 14. The button mounting portion 15 is a portion to which the connection boss 11 is coupled. The rear surface of the button mounting portion 15 is provided with a center pin 15 'supported on the substrate. The center pin 15 ′ is supported by a substrate when the button 10 is pressed, so that the edge portion thereof may be pressed rather than the center of the button 10.

A plurality of support legs 16 surrounding the edge of the button mounting portion 15 is formed to extend radially. The support leg 16 is made of an elastic deformation easy shape, so that the button mounting portion 15 can be more easily flow with the button 10. Fixing columns 17 extend in the extending direction of the center pin 15 ′ at ends of the support legs 16, respectively. The fixed column 17 is fixed to the front plate or the substrate.

However, the prior art as described above has the following problems.

First, the conventional button array is composed of a button 10 and a button holder 14 provided separately from the button 10 as described above. As such, since the button array is composed of two parts, there is a problem in that workability is inferior in the assembling process.

In the related art, the button holder 14 supports the center pin 15 'and the fixed column 17 on the front plate or the substrate, and the button mounting portion 15 is adapted to the elastic deformation of the support leg 16. This causes the flow of the button 10 to occur. However, since the shape of the support leg 16 may be elastically deformed in various directions without the direction of elastic deformation, two push protrusions 12 of the button 10 simultaneously press the switch, respectively, causing a malfunction. have.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and to provide a button array and a button assembly having the same to minimize the number of parts required for the product.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a button array and a button assembly having the same to prevent a malfunction occurs in the process of pressing a button.

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention includes a circular guide ring mounted on the back of the front plate, formed of a material capable of elastic deformation; A plurality of buttons provided at one side of the guide ring and exposed to the front of the front plate; It is provided on one side of the button is supported on the substrate provided on the front plate, characterized in that it comprises a support projection that is the center of rotation when the button is pressed.

The guide ring corresponding to the button is characterized in that the fixing projection is inserted into the insertion groove formed in the front plate is fixed to protrude.

The button is provided on a locking rib formed to protrude toward the outside of the guide ring, the locking rib is characterized in that it has a longitudinal section that protrudes further outward than the button.

A pressing part for pressing the switch is formed at a position corresponding to the outermost portion of the locking rib.

The button is characterized in that four provided so as to form a 90 ° to each other around the guide ring.

According to another feature of the invention, the invention and the front plate is provided with a guide rib protruding on the back; A switch mounted on the substrate and pressed on and off by operation of the button; It characterized in that it comprises a button array of any one of claims 1 to 5 mounted to the front plate to surround the edge of the guide rib.

The guide ring may be hooked to a plurality of hook hooks provided at predetermined intervals along the edge of the guide rib.

Both sides of the insertion groove is provided with a fixing fence for supporting both sides of the fixing projections is characterized in that the guide ring is prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction.

The front plate is characterized in that the locking jaw is formed that the locking rib is caught in the button array is mounted.

In the present invention, the button array can be mounted to the front plate as one component through the guide ring capable of elastic deformation. Therefore, the number of parts required for the product is reduced, thereby reducing the labor required during assembly.

In addition, in the present invention, the guide ring is prevented from being rotated in the circumferential direction while mounted on the front plate, and each button is operated by the user in the state located in the button hole. Therefore, the flow is prevented in the process of the user operating the button has the effect that the button can press the switch accurately. This results in improved operation reliability of the product.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a button array and a button assembly having the same according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the front plate is equipped with a button array according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the button array according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a button array according to the present invention on the front plate Back view showing the mounted state.

As shown in these figures, the front face of the electronic device is formed by the front plate 20. The front plate 20 has a substantially flat plate shape, and is generally formed of a material such as synthetic resin.

The front plate 20 is formed with a through hole 22 penetrating the front and rear of the front plate 20. The operation button 54 to be described below is inserted into the through hole 22. Guide ribs 24 surrounding the edge of the through hole 22 is provided. The guide rib 24 is formed to protrude rearward of the front plate 20. In addition, the guide ribs 24 are provided with a plurality of guide pins 26 having a predetermined interval. The operation button 54 to be described below is coupled to the guide pin 26.

The front plate 20 is formed with a plurality of button holes 28 through which the button 48 to be described below. The button hole 28 is formed to correspond to the shape of the button 48 so that the button 48 can be exposed to the outside. In the present embodiment, four button holes 28 are formed on the top, bottom, left and right sides of the guide rib 24.

On the other hand, a plurality of hook hooks 30 are provided at the edges of the guide ribs 24. The hook hook 30 is formed to be spaced apart from the guide rib 24 by a predetermined distance. In the present embodiment, four hook hooks 30 are formed to have a predetermined interval. That is, the hook hooks 30 are formed between the button holes 28, respectively. The hook hook 30 is fixed to the fixing projections 44 of the guide ring 42 to be described below. The hook hook 30 is made of a material capable of elastic deformation.

In addition, fixing fences 32 protrude from both sides of the hook hook 30, respectively. Therefore, an insertion groove 34 into which the fixing protrusion 44 to be described below is inserted is formed between the fixing fence 32. As such, since the fixing protrusion 44 is inserted into and fixed to the insertion groove 34, the button array 40 to be described below is prevented from flowing in the state mounted on the front plate 20.

2 and 3, the button array 40 is mounted on the rear surface of the front plate 20. The button array 40 is provided with a circular guide ring 42 seated on the outside of the guide rib 24. That is, the guide ring 42 is formed to surround the guide rib 24. The guide ring 42 has a circular shape and is formed of a material capable of elastic deformation. The guide ring 42 is fixed to the hook hook 30 by walking.

On the other hand, the guide ring 42 is provided with a plurality of fixing projections (44). The fixing protrusion 44 is a portion to be inserted into the insertion groove 34 to be fixed, and is formed to correspond to the position where the insertion groove 34 is formed. In other words, the fixing protrusions 44 are provided at respective portions between the buttons 48. The fixing protrusion 44 is prevented from being rotated in the circumferential direction of the guide ring 42 by the fixing fence 32 in the state inserted into the insertion groove (34).

A locking rib 46 is provided at one side of the guide ring 42. The locking rib 46 is formed at a corresponding position of the button hole 28 and protrudes toward the outside of the guide ring 42. The locking ribs 46 serve to prevent the button 48 from moving forward of the front plate 20 by being caught by the locking jaw 60 to be described below.

And, one side of the locking rib 46 is provided with a pressing portion 47 for pressing the switch 58 to be described below (see Fig. 6). In this embodiment, the pressing part 47 constitutes a part of the locking rib 46, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided to protrude from the pressing part 47. The pressing part 47 is formed at the outermost part of the locking rib 46.

In addition, the locking rib 46 is provided with a button 48 penetrating the button hole 28 and exposed to the front of the front plate 20. The button 48 is preferably formed integrally with the locking rib 46. In the present embodiment, four buttons 48 are formed such that each of the buttons 48 is 90 ° about the guide ring 42.

The button 48 is a portion that the user presses to operate the electronic device. In this way, since the button 48 is located in the button hole 28, the user is prevented from malfunctioning by pressing another button 48 in the process of operating the button 48.

The locking ribs 46 are formed to protrude from the button 48 in the longitudinal section. This is for the locking rib 46 to be hooked to the locking jaw 60 to be described below.

A support protrusion 50 protrudes from a surface of the locking rib 46 opposite to the surface on which the button 48 is provided. The support protrusion 50 serves to support the locking rib 46 in contact with one surface of the substrate 56 to be described below. The support protrusion 50 is formed to be positioned on an extension line extending rearward from the guide ring 42. In addition, the support protrusion 50 also serves as a center of rotation when the button 48 rotates in this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, the support protrusion 50 is formed to be opposite to the portion where the pressing portion 47 is formed. Therefore, when the user presses the button 48, the button 48 is rotated in the direction of the arrow with the support protrusion 50 as the center of rotation.

On the other hand, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the front of the electronic device equipped with a button array according to the present invention, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.

As shown in these figures, the front plate 20 is provided with a button case 52 which is located in the portion provided with the button array 40. The button case 52 forms a front appearance of a portion where the button array 40 is provided.

In addition, the through hole 22 is installed to expose the operation button 54 to the outside. The operation button 54 is an input means for performing a function different from the button 48, for example, it can be configured to rotate to perform a function for adjusting the volume of the electronic device.

The substrate 56 is installed behind the front plate 20. Various components including the switch 58 pressed by the operation of the button 48 are mounted on the substrate 56. The switch 58 is mounted at a position corresponding to the pressing portion 47 and selectively turned on and off by the operation of the button 48. On the other hand, the front plate 20 is provided with a locking jaw (60) on which the locking rib 46 is hooked.

Hereinafter, the operation of the button array and the button assembly having the same according to the present invention having the configuration as described above in detail.

First, look at the process of assembling the button array 40 to the electronic. Referring to FIG. 4, the button array 40 is seated on an outer side of the guide rib 24 formed on the front plate 20. That is, the guide ring 42 of the button array 40 is seated to surround the guide ribs 24.

In this process, the fixing protrusion 44 of the guide ring 42 is hooked to the hook hook (30). At the same time, the opposite side of the fixing projection 44 is inserted into the insertion groove 34 and fixed, and rotates in the circumferential direction of the guide rib 24 by the fixing fence 32 provided on both sides of the insertion groove 34. Is prevented. In addition, each button 48 formed in the button array 40 is exposed to the outside through the button hole (28).

As such, when the button array 40 is mounted on the front plate 20, the button array 40 may be assembled by simply allowing the operator to hook the guide ring 42 to the hook hook 30. Do.

Then, the operation button 54 is coupled to penetrate through the through hole 22 to be exposed to the outside. The operation button 54 is coupled to the rear surface of the front plate 20 through the guide pin 26. Subsequently, the substrate 56 and various components are installed behind the front plate 20. The substrate 56 is installed at a position where the switch 58 corresponds to the pressing part 49.

As described above, when the assembly of the button array 40 and the operation button 54 is completed, the user can use the electronic device by operating the button 48 and the operation button 54. Referring to FIG. 6, when the user presses the button 48 in the direction of the arrow, the button 48 is rotated clockwise about the support protrusion 50. This is possible because the guide ring 42 is made of a material capable of elastic deformation.

At this time, the pressing portion 49 of the locking rib 47 is pressed the switch 58, the signal is input to the electronic device. When the user removes the force applied to the button 48, the guide ring 42 is restored and the button 48 moves to the original position and waits for the next operation. In addition, the user can rotate the operation button 54 in a desired direction to adjust the volume of the electronic device.

In the above-described operation process, since the fixing protrusion 44 hangs on the hook hook 30, only the guide ring 42 corresponding to the fixing protrusion 44 when the user operates the button 48. The elastic deformation does not occur only in the guide ring 42 connected to the other button 48, the elastic deformation does not occur. Therefore, malfunctions are prevented from occurring in the process of the user operating the button 48.

The rights of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, but are defined by the claims, and various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the claims. It is self-evident.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing the main configuration of the button assembly according to the prior art.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the front plate is equipped with a button array according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the button array according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a rear view showing a state in which the button array is mounted on the front plate according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the front of the electronic device equipped with a button array according to the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

20: front plate 22: through hole

24: guide rib 28: button ball

30: hook hook 32: fixing fence

34: insertion groove 40: button array

42: guide ring 44: fixing protrusion

46: jamming rib 47: pressing part

48: button 50: support protrusion

52: button case 56: substrate

58: switch 60: jamming jaw

Claims

A circular guide ring mounted on a rear surface of the front plate and formed of a material capable of elastic deformation;

A plurality of buttons provided at one side of the guide ring and exposed to the front of the front plate;

The button array is provided on one side of the button is supported on the substrate provided on the front plate, the button array characterized in that it comprises a support projection that is the center of rotation when the button is pressed.

The method of claim 1,

The guide ring corresponding to the button array button, characterized in that the fixing projection is inserted into the insertion groove formed in the front plate is protruded.

The method of claim 2,

The button is provided on the locking ribs formed to protrude toward the outside of the guide ring, the locking ribs button array characterized in that it has a longitudinal section protruding further outward than the button.

The method of claim 3, wherein

The button array, characterized in that the pressing portion for pressing the switch is formed at the position corresponding to the outermost from the locking rib.

The method of claim 4, wherein

The button array button array, characterized in that four provided so as to form a 90 ° to each other around the guide ring.

A front plate provided with guide ribs protruding from the rear surface thereof;

A switch mounted on the substrate and pressed on and off by operation of the button;

Button assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5 mounted on the front plate to surround the edge of the guide rib.

The method of claim 6,

The guide ring is a button assembly, characterized in that the hanging on a plurality of hook hooks are provided with a predetermined interval along the edge of the guide rib.

The method of claim 7, wherein

Both sides of the insertion groove is provided with a fixing fence for supporting both sides of the fixing projections is provided button assembly, characterized in that to prevent the guide ring from rotating in the circumferential direction.

The method of claim 7, wherein

The front assembly has a button assembly, characterized in that the locking jaw is formed that the locking rib is caught in the button array is mounted.