JP3286303B2 - Key switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key switch structure used for a keyboard or the like as an input device of a word processor, a personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a key switch of this type, a stem projecting downward from the lower surface of a key top is formed on a holder member as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-33250. Through the stem guide section
In general, the key top is configured to be guided and supported so as to be vertically movable.

However, in such a structure, if the vertical movement of the stem is shortened in order to increase the vertical movement stroke of the key top, the vertical sliding length with the stem is insufficient, and the key top is depressed. Occasionally, there is an inconvenience that a key touch cannot be made smoothly due to the occurrence of a twist, so that the vertical length of the stem guide must be increased, and the keyboard cannot be made thinner.

[0004] In order to solve this problem, the applicant of the present application has previously described in the specification and drawings attached to Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
A first link and a second link that are arranged in an X-shape when viewed from the side; the first link and the second link are rotatably connected to each other at a midway intersection of the two links; and one of the free ends of the first link and the second link Is rotatably locked to the lower surface of the key top and the holder member, while the other free end is slidably locked to the lower surface of the key top and the holder member, and the head of the rubber spring intersects the intersection of the two links. A configuration in which pressing is performed on the lower surface in the vicinity is proposed.

[0005]

By the way, the size of the operation surface of the keytop in this kind of keyboard, that is, the size of the plane area of the keytop, is determined by taking into account the type of input, the frequency of use, the usability, and the like. There are several types, and large and small key tops are arranged. For example, the most frequently used key tops for hiragana (Katakana), alphabetic characters, and numbers are of normal medium size with a square shape in plan view, and rectangular keys with a large horizontal aspect ratio for the space key, tab key, etc. As a key top, an auxiliary function key or the like uses a key top that is approximately half the size of the medium-sized key top and that is horizontally long (hereinafter, referred to as a half unit key). . Among these various key tops, in particular, in the case of a key switch using a long key top such as a space key or a tab key, the key top may be depressed depending on the pressed position due to the long key top. May move up and down in an inclined state. For example, when the end of the space key is pressed, the space key moves up and down in an inclined state, which may cause a problem in the switching operation.

However, the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 3-330
In the key switch described in the specification and the drawing of No. 160, in the case of the above-mentioned character key or half unit key, the key top is held in a parallel state by the guide means including the first link and the second link. It is possible to guide up and down while moving, but in the case of a long key top such as a space key or a tab key, the up and down guide while maintaining the parallel state of the key top with only the first link and the second link It was difficult to do.

In order to guide the vertical movement of a long key top such as a space key or a tab key, the vertical movement is generally performed through a space bar made of a metal bar. However, when using the guide means including the two first links and the second links described above,
Since the first link and the second link need to be rotationally and slidably engaged with the key top and the holder member, how to arrange the space bar and the like is an important issue. That is, depending on how the space bar and the like are arranged, the first link, the second link and the space bar and the like interfere with each other when the key top is moved up and down, so that the key input operation can be performed properly. There is a risk of disappearing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the key switch as a whole is effectively used by effectively using the thickness of the holder member while maintaining a large stroke amount of the key top. the height lower, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the key switch, regardless of the pressing position of the key Toppu, guide portion by the attitude holding lever when the input operation
Input operation can be performed accurately without disturbing the guiding action
It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch capable of performing an operation.

[0009]

To SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, the key switch according to the present invention, an elongated key top, while being disposed below side of the key top, a plurality
A holder member having the engaging portion is formed in the lower surface of the key Toppu
And it has a link to coupling engagement with a plurality of engagement portions of the holder member, a guide member for guiding the vertical movement of the key top, and a rubber spring for urging the key Toppu upward vertical movement of the key Toppu in line rainy season over switch switching operation based on the elastic deformation of the rubber spring associated with, formed in the holder member, the holder with the upper end portion of the rubber spring housing arrangement a portion of the rubber spring in the thickness of the holder member the arrangement hole for protruding from the upper surface of the member at the lower surface of the key <br/> Toppu, provided at a position deviated from the plan <br/> inner member in the region of the plan view of the key top, the key top longitudinal And a posture holding lever having a longitudinal shaft along the axis.

[0010]

With the key switch according to the present invention having the above-described structure, when the key top is depressed, the lower surface of the key top and the hold are pressed.
It has a link for connecting and locking the plurality of locking portions of the dowel member
The key top is guided downward via the guide member and the attitude holding lever, and the rubber spring arranged in the arrangement hole formed in the holder member is pressed down, and is elastically deformed to perform a switching operation. At this time, regardless of the pressed position of the key top , the posture holding lever is
The guiding action of the guiding member is not
Input operation can be performed accurately . And
When the pressing of the key top is stopped, the key top is pushed upward by the urging force of the rubber spring, and returns to the original position.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a key switch 1 of one of a plurality of half unit keys arranged on a keyboard, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a plan view of a horizontally long key top, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view, and FIG. The sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2 is shown. The lower side in FIG. 1 and the left side in FIG. 3 are the near side (operator side) of the keyboard.

As shown in FIG. 2, the key switch 1 includes a key top 2, a guide member 3 in which a first link 4 and a second link 5 are arranged in an X shape in side view, and A cap-shaped rubber spring 6 to be pressed, a synthetic resin holder member 7 for supporting the guide member 3, and switching portions 29, 29 provided in the arrangement holes 7 a of the holder member 7.
It comprises a flexible printed circuit board 9 stretched on the lower surface of the holder member 7 so as to face (see FIG. 5), and a reinforcing plate 10 stretched on the lower surface side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rubber spring 6 is provided with an arrangement hole of the holder member 7 so as to cover above the switching parts (electric contact parts) 29, 29 (see FIG. 5) on the printed board 9. 7a. In this state, the rubber spring 6 is placed on the printed circuit board 9 as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the lower portion of the rubber spring 6 is stored within the thickness of the holder member 7, and It is possible to dispose it below corresponding to the thickness of the member 7. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the overall height of the key switch 1 by effectively using the thickness of the holder member 7 while maintaining a large stroke amount of the key top 2, and to reduce the thickness of the key switch 1. be able to.

When the rubber spring 6 is disposed in the arrangement hole 7a as described above, the upper end of the rubber spring 6 is exposed from the upper surface of the holder member 7 as shown in FIG. Is in contact with Here, the pressing portion 26 of the guide member 3 is in contact with the upper end of the rubber spring 6, but a pressing portion is formed from the keytop 2, and the pressing portion is in contact with the upper end of the rubber spring 6. It may be.

The rubber spring 6 according to the present invention is made of an electrically insulating silicone rubber or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene methylene) or the like. And a thick flap portion extending substantially radially outward on the outer periphery of the dome portion, and is integrally formed in a downward open cap shape. When the keytop is depressed, contact portions of the switching portions 29, 29 are provided on the lower surface of the head of the rubber spring 6 pressed by the pressing portion 26 on the lower surface of the connection crossing portion between the first link 4 and the second link 5. , A movable contact portion 30 made of conductive rubber having conductivity for electrically turning on and off both switching portions is fixed. The entire rubber spring 6 may be formed to have conductivity by dispersing and filling conductive particles such as carbon black in silicone rubber.

The key top 2 formed of a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin is provided with predetermined characters such as numerals and alphabets on the upper surface (surface) by engraving or printing. As shown in FIG. 1, the key top 2 has a left-right operation surface, and on its lower surface, pin portions 11a and 11b on an upper free end side of a first link 4 described later are provided in a substantially horizontal direction. Sliding locking portions 16, 16 in the form of left and right longitudinal grooves for locking slidably along the left and right longitudinal directions, and the pin portions 13 a, 13 b at the upper free end of the second link 5 can only rotate. A pair of front and rear locking members 17, 17, which are integrally provided with hole-shaped rotation locking portions 15, 15 for locking, are integrally formed or are protruded by being bonded with an adhesive or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b),
The first link 4 and the second link 5 made of a synthetic resin such as a glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin will be described in detail. FIG. 4A is a plan view of the first link 4, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the second link 5. The first link 4 has a base 18 and an upper and lower free end 1
9 and 20, which are formed substantially integrally in a substantially H shape in plan view. A support hole 21 is formed in the side surface of the base 18 in a lateral direction, and arm portions 20 extending from both side ends of the lower free end portion 20.
Pin portions 12a and 12b are laterally protruded from the outer surfaces of the upper and lower free ends 19, respectively.
a, 11b are protruded sideways.

The second link 5 also has a base 22 and an upper and lower free end 2.
3 and 24 to form a substantially H-shape integrally in plan view. A pivot shaft 25 is protruded laterally from one side surface of the base 22, and the pivot shaft 25 is rotatably fitted into the support hole 21 of the first link 4. Arms 24a and 24b extending from both ends of lower free end 24 of second link 5
Pin portions 14a and 14b are respectively provided on the outer side surface of the upper free end portion 23, and pin portions 13a and 13b
Is protruded sideways. The first link 4 and the second link 5, which are assembled as described later, are arranged such that the axial direction of the pivot 25 is orthogonal to the left-right longitudinal direction of the key top 2.

In this embodiment, when viewed from the side, the first
The distance from the center line of the support hole 21 in the link 4 to the center line of the upper and lower pin portions 11a and 12a, and the distance from the center line of the pivot 25 in the second link 5 to the pin portions 13a and 14
It is formed so that the distances to a are equal to each other.
With such a configuration, as described later, the key top 2 is rotated by the guide member 3 centering on the pin portions 12a and 12b on the lower free end side of the first link 4, so that the key top 2 is fixed to the holder member 7. It can move up and down in parallel to the upper surface.

Although not shown, downwardly convex polygonal pressing portions are formed on the lower surfaces of the base portion 18 of the first link 4 and the base portion 22 of the second link 5, respectively. The upper surface of the head may be pressed.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a part of a holder member 7 made of a synthetic resin such as a glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the holder member 7 is flat. The holder member 7 is provided with a substantially rectangular arrangement hole 7a in which a flange at the lower end of the cap-shaped rubber spring 6 can be inserted without displacement, and a pair of front and rear edges of the arrangement hole 7a are provided. Rotation locking part 27
And a sliding locking portion 28 in the shape of a front and rear longitudinal groove are integrally formed by injection so that the locking portions 27 and 28 are opened downward.

In this case, the U-shaped locking groove 27a having a downward U-shape and the right and left
When one of the molding dies is formed so as to open in the normal direction with respect to the back surface of the holder member 7, the die-shaped locking groove 28 makes it extremely easy to remove the mold after injection molding of synthetic resin. become.

Next, a method of assembling the key switch thus configured will be described. First, both links 4
5 is assembled at the position of the pivot shaft 25 and the support hole 21 in an X-shape in side view, and then the upper pin portions 11 of both links 4 and 5 are assembled.
a, 11b, 13a, and 13b are inserted into the rotation locking portions 15, 15 and the sliding locking portions 16, 16 of the key top 2, and then the lower end free ends 20, 24 of the links 4, 6 are inserted. With the intervals narrowed, the pin portions 12a, 12b, 14a,
14b is inserted so as to protrude from the arrangement hole 7a to the back side of the holder member 7. Then, lower free end 2 of both links 4 and 5
The distance between the pin portions 12a and the lower end side of the first link 4 is increased with respect to the rotation locking portions 27 and 27.
12b is inserted from below, and the pin portions 14a, 14 on the lower end side of the second link 5 are inserted into the sliding locking portions 28, 28.
If the printed circuit board 9 is stretched and fixed to the lower surface of the holder member 7 after the member b is inserted so as to slide back and forth from below, the links 4 and 5 do not fall off the holder member 7.

At this time, the pin portions 11a, 11b and 14
a, 14b and the shape of the sliding locking portions 16, 28 are as follows:
The first link 4 and the second link 5 are substantially immovable in the left-right direction in FIG. 3, and the pin portions 11a and 14a of FIG.
Is determined so as not to hinder sliding in the left-right direction at
More specifically, in the present embodiment, the tip of each pin portion slides substantially in contact with the outer side surface of the corresponding sliding engagement portion. Therefore, the pivot shaft 25 is prevented from coming out of the support hole 21.

With this configuration, when the key top 2 is pressed, the first link 4 rotates downward (clockwise in FIG. 2) around the rotation locking portion 27 of the holder member 7.
On the other hand, the second link 5 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 around the pivot shaft 25. Then, the head of the rubber spring 6 is pressed downward by the pressing portion 26 near the cross connection portion of the two links 4 and 5, and the movable contact 30 on the lower surface thereof contacts the switching portions 29 and 29 to perform a switching operation. It is.

As in the present embodiment, when the rotation axis of the pivotal support shaft 25 of the cross connection between the first link 4 and the second link 5 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the horizontally long key top 2, the key The pair of links 4 and 5 along the longitudinal direction of the top 2
Can be arranged so that their longitudinal directions are along. In other words, by disposing a pair of links 4 and 5 having a narrow width and a long length, a keystroke of a predetermined required size can be obtained, and the arrangement interval of the key tops of the adjacent half unit keys can be reduced. It can be prevented from spreading more than necessary,
This has the effect that the operation area of the keyboard can be reduced to make it compact.

As another embodiment, a large-diameter head is formed at the tip of the pivot 25 of the second link 5, while the first
A substantially C-shaped holding member, which is open downward and is viewed from the side, is formed on the lower surface of the base 18 of the link 4 (both are not shown), and the supporting shaft 25 is covered with the holding member from a direction crossing the axis thereof. The fitting prevents the pair of links 4 and 5 from coming off after assembling them in an X-shape and widens the gap (the distance between the links 4 and 5 increases).
May be realized.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show that the key top 2 'having a horizontally long operation surface, such as a tab key, can be pressed in any position by pressing the key top 2'. The device is a device for raising and lowering, and has, on the lower surface of the key top 2 ′, a substantially U-shaped posture holding lever 31 having a longitudinal shaft portion 31 a extending in the laterally long direction. In this case, the longitudinal shaft portion 31a is formed by a pair of upwardly-bifurcated fitting locking members 32, 32 protruding from the upper surface of the holder member 7.
The support member 31b, 31b of the attitude maintaining lever 31 made of a metal bar is slidably engaged with the sliding locking pieces 33, 33 provided on the lower surface of the key top 2 '. Stop.

At this time, the posture holding lever 31 is
As shown in FIG. 5, the key top 2 ′ is provided at a position deviated from the pair of first link 4 and second link 5 in the area of the key top 2 ′ in plan view. There is no problem in operation.

The fitting and locking members 32, 32 may be penetrated from the back side through holes formed in the holder member 7 or may be formed integrally with the holder member 7. good.

With this configuration, even if the end of the operation surface of the key top 2 'is pressed, the key top 2' moves up and down in parallel. That is, a long key top
On the lower surface of 2 ', within the area of key top 2' in plan view,
The shaft part extends along the longitudinal direction at a position off the inner member 3
The posture holding lever 31 is arranged as
Key top 2 'is parallel regardless of the pressed position of
Up and down input operations can be performed while maintaining
By the guide member 3 by the posture holding lever 31 during operation
Perform input operations accurately without disturbing the guidance function
be able to. The first link 4 in this embodiment, the shape of the second link 5, and rubber spring 6, since the structure and arrangement relationship is substantially the same as those in the respective embodiments, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show that the longitudinal shaft portion 31a of the attitude holding lever 31 is pivotally attached to the lower surface of the key top 2 'so as to be rotatable only.
This is an embodiment of the sliding locking portion 34 formed in the holder member 7 for slidably locking the b. The supporting projections 36 are provided on both side edges on the surface side of the hole 35 formed in the holder member 7. And the holding portion 37 are integrally protruded. With this configuration, the support portion 31b of the posture holding lever 31 inserted between the support protrusion 36 and the holding portion 37 can slide while rotating. Reference numeral 38 denotes a stopper for preventing the support portion 31b from coming off in the horizontal direction. In each of the above embodiments, a substrate such as a membrane switch circuit board may be used instead of the flexible printed circuit board 9 forming the switching section 29, and the present invention is also applicable to a variable capacity keyboard.

[0033]

As described in detail above, according to the key switch of the present invention , the rubber spring is arranged in the arrangement hole formed in the holder member, and a part of the rubber spring is kept within the thickness of the holder member. as well as housing, by so as to protrude the upper end of the rubber spring from the upper surface of the holder member, while maintaining a stroke amount of the key top large, the entire key switch by effectively using the thickness of the holder member The height can be reduced, and the thickness of the key switch can be reduced.

Further, at the lower surface of the elongated key top, in a position off the guide member in the region of the plan view of the key top, placing the posture holding Gillet bar so that the axis portion along its longitudinal direction since the, proposal by the attitude holding Gillet bar at the time of the input operation
Precise insertion without hindering the guiding action of the inner member
Force operation can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a key switch.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the key switch.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 1;

4A is a plan view of a first link, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of a second link.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an arrangement hole portion of the holder member.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a long key top.

7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the locking portion of the posture holding lever.

9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key switch 2, 2 'key top 3 Guide member 4 1st link 5 2nd link 6 Rubber spring 7 Holder member 7a Arrangement hole 9 Printed circuit board 10 Reinforcement board 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b Pin part 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b Pin portion 15, 27 Rotation locking portion 16, 28 Sliding locking portion 18, 22 Base 21 Support hole 25 Pivot shaft 31 Posture holding lever 31a Shaft portion 31b Support portion 32 Fitting locking member 33 Sliding Locking piece 34 Sliding locking part 35 Hole 36 Supporting projection 37 Holding part 38 Stopper part

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A and elongated key top, while being disposed below side of the key top, and a plurality of holder members engaging portion is formed, a plurality of the key top of the lower surface and the holder member With the locking part
A guide member having a link for connecting and locking and guiding the vertical movement of the key top; a rubber spring for urging the key top upward; and switching based on elastic deformation of the rubber spring accompanying the vertical movement of the key top. in line rainy season over switch operation is formed in the holder member, while housed and arranged part of the rubber spring in the thickness of the holder member, distribution for projecting the upper end portion of the rubber spring from the upper surface of the holder member <br / A position holding lever, which is provided on the lower surface of the key top at a position deviated from the guide member in a region of the key top in a plan view and has a longitudinal shaft along the longitudinal direction of the key top; A key switch comprising: