CN115512988A

CN115512988A - Switch device and key input device

Info

Publication number: CN115512988A
Application number: CN202210497971.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 岸成信; 仲畑圭悟; 仲真美子
Original assignee: Omron Corp
Current assignee: Omron Corp
Priority date: 2021-06-22
Filing date: 2022-05-09
Publication date: 2022-12-23
Also published as: TW202301392A; JP2023002012A; TWI815431B

Abstract

The invention provides a switch device and a key input device, which can generate clicking sound and clicking feeling when being pressed. A switch device (1) and a key input device provided with the switch device (1) are provided with: the device comprises a fixed member (11) which can be fixed on a substrate (10), and a movable member (12) which is movably supported on the fixed member (11) and moves downward by a pressing operation. And is provided with: a striking member (13) which is attached to the movable member (12) so as to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the movable member (12) and strikes the other member; and an elastic member (16) having an engaged portion (160) that engages with the striking member (13). The striking member has an engaging portion (130) that engages with the engaged portion, and strikes the other member when the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion as the movable member moves downward and the engaging portion disengages from the engaged portion as the movable member moves further downward.

Description

Switch device and key input device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a switch device including a movable member that moves in a depression direction when depressed, and a key input device including such a switch device.

Background

A keyboard having a plurality of key switches arranged therein is widely used as an input device for an electronic apparatus such as a computer, and a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a notebook PC) as an electronic apparatus main body having the input device. For example, patent document 1 discloses a keyboard device that is thinned using a rubber spring.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2003-141962

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, the keyboard device described in patent document 1 has a problem that the tactile sensation and the sound when the key switch is pressed, that is, the click sensation and the click sound, are insufficient because a rubber spring is used.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object thereof is to provide a switch device capable of satisfying a requirement relating to the pressing of a key switch.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a key input device using such a switch device.

In order to solve the above problem, a switch device (key switch) disclosed by the present invention includes: the disclosed device is provided with: a fixing member which can be fixed to the substrate; a movable member movably supported by the fixed member and moved in a pressing direction by a pressing operation; a biasing member that biases the movable member in a direction opposite to a pressing direction, the switch device further comprising: a striking member that is attached to the movable member so as to be movable in a pressing direction and a direction opposite to the pressing direction with respect to the movable member, and strikes another member; and an elastic member fixed to the fixed member, wherein the elastic member has an engaged portion engaged with the striking member, the striking member has an engaging portion engaged with the engaged portion, and the striking member strikes another member when the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion in accordance with the movement of the movable member in the pressing direction and the engaging portion is disengaged from the engaged portion in accordance with the further movement of the movable member in the pressing direction.

In the switch device, the elastic member is formed using a coil spring, and the engaging portion of the striking member is configured to press the convex portion of the elastic member, and the coil spring as the elastic member is pressed and extended by engaging the engaging portion of the striking member.

Further, a switching device according to the present invention includes: a fixing member which can be fixed to the substrate; a movable member movably supported by the fixed member and moved in a pressing direction by a pressing operation; and a biasing member that biases the movable member in a direction opposite to the pressing direction, wherein the switch device further includes a striking member that is attached to the movable member so as to be movable in the direction opposite to the pressing direction with respect to the movable member and strikes another member, the biasing member includes an engaged portion that is engaged with the striking member, the striking member includes an engaging portion that is engaged with the engaged portion, and the striking member strikes the other member when the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion in accordance with the movement of the movable member in the pressing direction and the engaging portion is disengaged from the engaged portion in accordance with the further movement of the movable member in the pressing direction.

In the above-described switch device, the biasing member is formed using a compression coil spring, and the engaged portion is formed by extending one end of a coil forming the compression coil spring.

In the switch device, the striking member is restricted from moving relative to the fixed member by the engagement of the engaging portion with the engaged portion.

Further, a key input device (keyboard) disclosed in the present invention is a key input device provided with a plurality of key switches, and is characterized in that the key input device is provided with the switch device as the provided key switches.

Further, the key input device is characterized by comprising: a light emitting section that emits light; a light receiving section that receives light emitted from the light emitting section; and a shielding portion that is attached to a movable member provided in the key input device and shields light emitted from the light emitting portion, wherein the shielding portion shields or releases the light emitted from the light emitting portion in accordance with movement of the movable member in a pressing direction.

A striking member is attached to a movable member so as to strike another member in accordance with the movement of the movable member in a depression direction.

Effects of the invention

In the switch device and the key input device of the present invention, the striking member is attached to the movable member that moves in the depression direction by the depression operation, and the striking member strikes the other member in accordance with the movement of the movable member. The striking member strikes the other member, thereby satisfying the demand for the pressing-down, and providing an excellent effect.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a keyboard to which a key input device disclosed in the present invention is applied.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a movable member and a striking member provided in a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a movable member and a striking member provided in the key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the striking member and the elastic member provided in the key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the striking member and the biasing member provided in the key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a key switch disclosed in the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

KB keyboard (Key input device)

1 key switch (switch device)

10 substrate

103 light emitting part

104 light receiving part

11 fixing part

12 moving part

124 shielding plate (shielding part)

13 beating component

130 engaging part

14 force application part

140 is engaged with

15 guide element

16 elastic member

160 is engaged part

17 holding member

Detailed Description

(example of application)

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The key input device disclosed in the present invention is used as a keyboard for inputting data such as characters, numerals, symbols, and various commands to an electronic device such as a computer. A plurality of switch devices disclosed by the invention are arranged on a keyboard as key switches. Next, a description will be given, with reference to the drawings, of an example of the keyboard KB and the key switch 1 shown in the drawings.

(keyboard (Key input device))

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a keyboard KB to which a key input device disclosed in the present invention is applied. In the keyboard KB, as a switch device, a plurality of key switches 1 such as character keys, numeric keys, and other function keys are arranged in a QWERTY arrangement or the like. In the following description, the user uses the keyboard KB placed on a desk in a normal posture, and the directions of the keyboard KB and the key switches 1 provided in the keyboard KB are defined from the viewpoint of the user. That is, in the present invention, the near side (lower left side in fig. 1) is described as the front side, and the direction in which the key switch 1 is pressed is described as the lower side.

Next, the key switch 1 provided in the keyboard KB will be described. The key switch 1 provided in the keyboard KB disclosed in the present invention can be realized in various ways, and the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described as examples thereof.

(Key switch (switch device))

(first embodiment)

(example of construction)

A configuration example of the key switch 1 will be explained. Fig. 2 and 3 are schematic perspective views showing an example of an appearance of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 2 shows the key switch 1 from an oblique upper viewpoint, and fig. 3 shows the key switch 1 from an oblique lower viewpoint. The key switch 1 includes: a substrate 10 built in the keyboard KB, a fixed member 11 fixed to the substrate 10, and a movable member 12 which is pressed downward by a pressing operation of a user and is movable up and down. A detachable key top 120 is attached to the upper surface of the movable member 12. The upper surface of the movable member 12 to which the key top 120 is attached has a substantially square shape in plan view.

The substrate 10 has a three-layer structure in which a circuit layer in which wirings and electronic circuits are formed from the lower side, a protective layer for protecting the wirings and the electronic circuits formed on the substrate 10, and a cover layer covering the inside of the keyboard KB so as not to be visible from the upper side are stacked. A substantially rectangular insertion opening 100 is opened in the substrate 10, and the lower portion of the fixing member 11 is inserted into the insertion opening 100. In the substrate 10, the periphery of the fitting opening 100 is a frame 101. A pair of substantially rectangular attachment pieces 102 are formed from one side of the frame portion 101 facing the insertion opening 100 so as to protrude toward the inside of the insertion opening 100. A Light emitting section 103 of a Light emitting element such as an LED (Light emitting diode) for emitting Light is mounted on the mounting sheet 102. The other mounting piece 102 is mounted with a light receiving portion 104 of a light receiving element such as a PD (Photo Diode) or PT (Photo Transistor) for detecting light. The light emitting portion 103 and the light receiving portion 104 are installed to face each other, and the light emitting portion 103 emits light to the light receiving portion 104, and the light receiving portion 104 receives the light emitted from the light emitting portion 103. An illumination portion 105 using a light emitting element such as an LED is attached to the frame portion 101 at a position on the periphery of the side opposite to the side on which the attachment piece 102 is formed across the fitting opening 100. The illumination unit 105 illuminates the key switches 1 and their surroundings, and causes the keyboard KB to emit light. In the keyboard KB, the substrate 10 may be disposed for each key switch 1, or a plurality of key switches 1 may share one substrate 10.

The internal structure of the key switch 1 will be explained. Fig. 4 and 5 are schematic perspective views showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 4 shows the movable member 12 with the key top 120 removed. Fig. 5 shows the movable member 12 removed. Fig. 6 shows a cross section in the a-B direction shown in fig. 4. Fig. 7 shows the movable member 12 with the key top 120 removed.

The key switch 1 includes various members such as a striking member 13, an urging member 14, a guide member 15, an elastic member 16, and a holding member 17 in addition to the substrate 10, the fixed member 11, and the movable member 12 described above.

As described above, the substrate 10 has a three-layer structure of the circuit layer, the protective layer, and the cover layer. The base plate 10 is provided with an insertion opening 100. A pair of mounting pieces 102 is formed on a frame 101 at the peripheral edge of the insertion opening 100 of the substrate 10. As shown in fig. 3, a light emitting unit 103 and a light receiving unit 104 are mounted on a mounting piece 102 of a substrate 10, and an illumination unit 105 is mounted on a frame 101 facing the mounting piece 102.

The fixing member 11 is fixed to the substrate 10 in a state where the lower portion thereof is fitted into the fitting opening 100 of the substrate 10. The fixing member 11 has a substantially rectangular box shape, and an upper surface and one side surface thereof are open. A rectangular slit 110 connected to the open side surface is formed in the bottom surface of the fixing member 11. When the fixing member 11 is fitted into the substrate 10, the light emitting portion 103 and the light receiving portion 104 mounted on the substrate 10 are disposed in the notch 110 of the fixing member 11. A substantially cylindrical inner wall 111 is formed on the bottom surface of the substrate 10.

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the movable member 12 and the striking member 13 provided in the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the movable member 12 and the striking member 13 provided in the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 8 shows the movable member 12 and the striking member 13 attached to the movable member 12 from a perspective obliquely downward. Fig. 9 shows a cross section in the C-D direction shown in fig. 8. The movable member 12 will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 9. The movable member 12 is movably supported by the fixed member 11, and moves in a pressing direction in response to a pressing operation. The movable member 12 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view, and a guide piece 121 that engages with the guide member 15 to guide the vertical movement is formed in the vicinity of the vertex of each of the four portions so as to extend downward. The guide piece 121 is formed with an opening that engages with the guide member 15. A fitting cylinder 122 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extends downward from the vicinity of the center of the lower surface of the movable member 12. Since the outer diameter of the fitting cylinder 122 is formed to be slightly shorter than the inner diameter of the inner wall 111 of the fixed member 11, the fitting cylinder 122 is loosely fitted inside the fixed member 11 so as to be movable up and down. The movable member 12 is guided by the guide piece 121 and the fitting cylinder 122 fitted with the guide piece 121 with play and moves up and down. A pair of rectangular plate-like support pieces 123 are formed on the lower surface of the movable member 12 so as to extend downward around the fitting cylinder 122. A bent back portion 123a bent in a hook shape is formed at the lower end of the support piece 123. The support piece 123 supports the striking member 13 so as to be movable up and down. A rectangular plate-shaped shielding plate 124 (shielding portion) extending downward is formed near one side of the movable member 12. The shielding plate 124 is formed in a direction in which the plane direction is orthogonal to the adjacent side. The shielding plate 124 moves up and down in accordance with the up and down movement of the movable member 12, and when moving down, enters between the light emitting unit 103 and the light receiving unit 104 mounted on the substrate 10, and shields the light emitted from the light emitting unit 103.

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the striking member 13 and the elastic member 16 provided in the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the striking member 13 and the elastic member 16 in a state where the movable member 12 is not pressed, so that the positional relationship can be easily understood. The striking member 13 is explained with reference to fig. 4 to 10. The striking member 13 is attached to the movable member 12 so as to be movable relative to the movable member 12 in the vertical direction (the pressing direction and the direction opposite to the pressing direction). The striking member 13 strikes another member, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a folded portion 123a formed at the lower end of the support piece 123 of the movable member 12, by moving. The striking member 13 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape in plan view, and the vicinity of the center of the long side is curved outward in an arc shape, and is fitted with play to the outer side of the inner wall 111 of the fixing member 11 and the biasing member 14 surrounding the inner wall 111. On one of the curved long sides of the striking member 13, an engaging portion 130 that engages with the elastic member 16 is formed as a convex portion that protrudes outward. The short sides of the striking member 13 are fitted to the support pieces 123 of the movable member 12, and are supported by the support pieces 123 so as to be movable relative to the movable member 12 in the vertical direction. The upper limit of the moving direction of the striking member 13 is a position abutting against the bottom surface of the movable member 12, and the lower limit of the moving direction of the striking member 13 is a position abutting against the folded portion 123a at the lower end of the support piece 123. Fig. 10 shows the positional relationship between the striking member 13 and the elastic member 16 in a state where the movable member 12 is not pressed, and when the movable member 12 moves downward from the state shown in fig. 10, the engaging portion 130 of the movable member 12 engages with the elastic member 16. The pushed movable member 12 further moves downward, and the striking member 13 moves downward with the movement of the movable member 12, and when the striking member 13 is disengaged from the elastic member 16, the striking member 13 strikes the folded portion 123a of the movable member 12.

The urging member 14 will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 7. The urging member 14 is formed using a compression coil spring. The biasing member 14 is disposed so as to surround the inner wall 111 of the fixed member 11 and the fitting cylinder 122 of the movable member 12, has a lower end fixed to the inner bottom surface of the fixed member 11, and biases the movable member 12 upward (in the direction opposite to the pressing direction) at an upper end.

The guide member 15 will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 7. The guide member 15 is formed by combining a first link member 15a and a second link member 15 b. The first link member 15a has a substantially U-shape in which 2 arm portions 150 having swing axes on first end sides are connected by a connecting portion 151 formed on a second end side opposite to the first end side. An engaging projection 152 that engages with an opening of the guide piece 121 of the movable member 12 is formed on the second end side of the first link member 15 a. A fulcrum 153 that engages with the fixing member 11 is formed near the center on the second end side of the first link member 15 a. The first link member 15a is formed in a substantially L-shape bent at the fulcrum portion 153. The second link member 15b has a substantially H-shape in which 2 arm portions 150 having swing axes on the first end sides are connected by a connecting portion 151 formed near the center of the arm portions 150. In the second link member 15b, an engagement projection 152 is formed in an opening of the guide piece 121 of the movable member 12 on a second end side opposite to the first end side. A fulcrum 153 that engages with the fixed member 11 is formed near the center on the second end side of the second link member 15 b. The second link member 15b is formed in a substantially L-shape bent at the fulcrum portion 153. The guide member 15 is formed in a substantially W-shape in side view by combining the swing shaft of the first link member 15a and the swing shaft of the second link member 15 b. The fulcrum 153 of the guide member 15 is engaged with the fixed member 11 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and the engaging projection 152 of the first link member 15a and the engaging projection 152 of the second link member 15b forming the guide member 15 are engaged with the opening of the guide piece 121 of the movable member 12 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. The guide member 15 has a function of guiding the upper surface of the movable member 12 not to be inclined when the movable member 12 moves up and down. That is, when the movable member 12 moves downward, the engaging protrusions 152 of the guide member 15 engage with the guide pieces 121 formed at the apexes of the 4 locations of the movable member 12, and the first link member 15a and the second link member 15b tilt so that the W-shape of the guide member 15 opens while maintaining a substantially plane-symmetrical state. Thereby, the movable member 12 moves downward without being inclined. Similarly, when the movable member 12 moves upward, the movable member 12 moves upward without being inclined, while being guided by the guide member 15. The second end side of the second link member 15b is inclined toward the side where the light emitting section 103 and the light receiving section 104 are arranged, but since the connection section 151 is formed near the center rather than on the second end side, interference with the light emitting section 103 and the light receiving section 104 does not occur even when the second end side is inclined.

The elastic member 16 and the holding member 17 will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 7 and 10. The elastic member 16 is formed using an elastic body such as a tension coil spring. Both ends of the elastic member 16 are held by the holding member 17. The holding member 17 holds both ends of the elastic member 16 and is fixed to the fixing member 11 such that the screw axis of the holding member 17 is in the horizontal direction. The vicinity of the center of the holding member 17 functions as an engaged portion 160 that engages with the engaging portion 130 of the striking member 13. The elastic member 16 may be formed using a coil spring such as a compression coil spring.

(example of operation)

An operation example of the key switch 1 according to the present invention configured as above will be described. Fig. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 11 shows a state in which the key switch 1 has not been pressed after the key top 120 is removed. As shown in fig. 11, in a state where the movable member 12 is not pressed, the movable member 12 is biased upward by the biasing member 14 and positioned at the upper end of the movement range. Since the movable member 12 is located at the upper end, the shielding plate 124 formed on the lower surface of the movable member 12 is located above the light emitting section 103 and the light receiving section 104. The striking member 13 attached to the movable member 12 is located at the lower end of the movement range with respect to the movable member 12, but is located above the elastic member 16, and the engaging portion 130 of the striking member 13 does not engage with the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16.

Fig. 12 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 12 shows a state in which the movable member 12 is moved downward by being pressed from the state illustrated in fig. 11. The movable member 12 is pushed down and moved downward. The striking member 13 moves downward as the movable member 12 moves downward. When the striking member 13 moves downward, the engaging portion 130 abuts against the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16, and engages with the engaged portion 160, thereby restricting the downward movement of the striking member 13. The striking member 13 is relatively moved upward with respect to the movable member 12 by being restricted from moving downward. When the striking member 13, the movement of which is restricted, moves to the upper limit of the movement range, the striking member 13 moves downward along with the downward movement of the movable member 12, and presses the elastic member 16 while engaging with the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16. In the first embodiment, a state in which the engaging portion 130 of the striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16 in accordance with the movement of the movable member 12 is referred to as a state in which the engaging portion 130 engages with the engaged portion 160 in accordance with the movement. Fig. 12 shows a state in which the striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16 by engagement. The striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the elastic member 16 (in the left direction in fig. 12), and the elastic member 16 is pressed and extended.

Fig. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 13 shows a state in which the movable member 12 has further been pressed from the state illustrated in fig. 12 and moved to the lower limit of the movement range. As shown in fig. 12, when the movable member 12 is further pressed from the state where the striking member 13 is engaged with the elastic member 16, the striking member 13 moving along with the movable member 12 releases the engagement between the engaging portion 130 and the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16. The striking member 13 disengaged from the engaged portion 160 moves downward, and strikes the folded portion 123a formed at the lower end of the support piece 123 of the movable member 12 with the lower end. The operator can feel the sound and vibration of the striking member 13 striking the movable member 12 as click sound and click feeling.

When the operator releases the pressing of the movable member 12 from the state illustrated in fig. 13, the movable member 12 is moved upward by the upward biasing force of the biasing member 14, and returns to the state illustrated in fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 14 shows the key switch 1 from a perspective obliquely downward, corresponding to the state illustrated in fig. 11. Fig. 14 shows a state where the key switch 1 has not been pressed. As shown in fig. 11, in a state where the key switch 1 is not pressed, the shielding plate 124 formed on the lower surface of the movable member 12 is positioned above the light emitting unit 103 and the light receiving unit 104. Therefore, the optical path between the light emitting portion 103 and the light receiving portion 104 is not blocked, and the light emitted from the light emitting portion 103 is detected by the light receiving portion 104.

Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 15 shows a state in which the movable member 12 is moved to the lower limit of the movement range upon receiving a pressing operation from the state illustrated in fig. 14, and corresponds to the state illustrated in fig. 13. When the movable member 12 moves to the lower limit of the movement range, the shielding plate 124 formed on the lower surface of the movable member 12 enters between the light emitting unit 103 and the light receiving unit 104. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 103 is blocked by the blocking plate 124 and does not reach the light receiving unit 104.

When the operator releases the pressing of the movable member 12 from the state illustrated in fig. 15, the movable member 12 is moved upward by the upward biasing force of the biasing member 14, and the shielding plate 124 releases the shielding of light, and returns to the state illustrated in fig. 14.

As the operation of the keyboard KB, the user touches the movable member 12 of the key switch 1, and performs a pressing operation of pressing the movable member 12, whereby the shielding plate 124 formed on the movable member 12 shields the light emitted from the light emitting unit 103. The shielding plate 124 shields the optical path from the light emitting section 103 to the light receiving section 104, switches the connection/disconnection state of the circuit, and outputs an on signal for each key switch 1 from the keyboard KB, which detects the switching of the connection/disconnection state, to the connected electronic device such as the personal computer. When the operator releases the pressing of the movable member 12, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 103 is blocked, and the light receiving unit 104 detects the light emitted from the light emitting unit 103. By releasing the blocking of the optical path from the light emitting section 103 to the light receiving section 104, the connected/disconnected state of the circuit is also restored to the original state.

(second embodiment)

In the second embodiment, the striking member 13 is engaged with the biasing member 14 without using the elastic member 16 and the holding member 17 in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is referred to, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(structural example)

The appearance of the key switch 1 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment.

The internal structure of the key switch 1 will be explained. Fig. 16 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 16 shows the movable member 12 with the key top 120 removed. The key switch 1 includes various members such as a substrate 10, a fixed member 11, a movable member 12, a striking member 13, an urging member 14, and a guide member 15. The shapes and functions of the substrate 10, the fixed member 11, the movable member 12, and the guide member 15 according to the second embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the striking member 13 and the urging member 14 provided in the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the striking member 13 and the biasing member 14 in a state where the movable member 12 is not pressed, so that the positional relationship can be easily understood. The striking member 13 and the biasing member 14 will be described with reference to fig. 16 and 17. The striking member 13 has a rectangular frame shape in plan view, and the vicinity of the center of the long side is curved outward in an arc shape so as to be fitted with the inner wall 111 of the fixing member 11 and the outer play of the biasing member 14 surrounding the inner wall 111. On one of the curved long sides of the striking member 13, an engaging portion 130 that engages with the biasing member 14 is formed as a convex portion that protrudes outward.

The urging member 14 of the second embodiment is formed using a compression coil spring. The urging member 14 has a lower end fixed to the inner bottom surface of the fixed member 11 and an upper end for urging the movable member 12 upward. The lower end of the coil of the compression coil spring used as the biasing member 14 extends straight toward the engaging portion 130 of the striking member 13, and is bent in two stages at a position where it engages with the engaging portion 130, thereby forming an engaged portion 140 that engages with the engaging portion 130.

(example of operation)

An operation example of the key switch 1 according to the present invention configured as described above will be described. Fig. 18 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 18 shows a state in which the key switch 1 is not pressed after the key top 120 is removed. As shown in fig. 18, in a state where the movable member 12 is not pressed, the movable member 12 is biased upward by the biasing member 14 and positioned at the upper end of the movement range. The striking member 13 attached to the movable member 12 is located at the lower end of the moving range with respect to the movable member 12.

Fig. 19 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 19 shows a state in which the movable member 12 is moved downward by receiving a pressing operation from the state illustrated in fig. 18. The striking member 13 moves downward in accordance with the downward movement of the movable member 12 subjected to the pressing operation. When the striking member 13 moves downward, the engaging portion 130 engages with the engaged portion 140 of the biasing member 14, and when the striking member 13 engages with the engaged portion 140, the downward movement of the striking member 13 is restricted. The striking member 13 is relatively moved upward with respect to the movable member 12 by being restricted from moving downward. When the movable member 12 moves to the upper limit of the movement range, the striking member 13 whose movement is restricted moves downward in accordance with the downward movement of the movable member 12, and presses the biasing member 14 while engaging with the engaged portion 140 of the biasing member 14. In the second embodiment, a state in which the engaging portion 130 of the striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 140 of the biasing member 14 in accordance with the movement of the movable member 12 is referred to as a state in which the engaging portion 130 engages with the engaged portion 140 in accordance with the movement. Fig. 19 shows a state in which the striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 140 of the biasing member 14 by engagement. The striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 140 of the biasing member 14, and the biasing member 14 is pressed to push out the engaged portion 140 in the pressing direction (in the left direction in fig. 19).

Fig. 20 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Fig. 20 shows a state in which the movable member 12 has moved to the lower limit of the movement range upon further receiving the pressing operation from the state illustrated in fig. 19. As shown in fig. 20, when the movable member 12 is further pressed from the state where the striking member 13 is engaged with the biasing member 14, the striking member 13 moving along with the movable member 12 releases the engagement between the engaging portion 130 and the engaged portion 140 of the biasing member 14. The striking member 13 disengaged from the engaged portion 140 moves downward, and strikes the folded portion 123a formed at the lower end of the support piece 123 of the movable member 12 with the lower end. The operator can feel the sound and vibration of the striking member 13 striking the movable member 12 as click sound and click feeling.

When the operator releases the pressing of the movable member 12 from the state illustrated in fig. 20, the movable member 12 is moved upward by the upward biasing force of the biasing member 14, and returns to the state illustrated in fig. 18.

As described above, the key switch 1 (switch device) and the keyboard KB (key input device) disclosed in the present invention include the striking member 13 attached to the movable member 12 movably in the vertical direction, and when a pressing operation is received from the operator, the striking member 13 strikes another member such as the movable member 12. The operator feels the sound and vibration generated when the striking member 13 strikes another member, that is, the so-called click sound and click feeling. This provides an excellent effect that the operator can satisfy the demand for the operation feeling and the operation sound associated with the pressing. In particular, the key switch 1 and the keyboard KB disclosed in the present invention can generate a sufficient click sound and click feeling even when applied to the thin key switch 1.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in other various forms. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all aspects and cannot be interpreted in a limiting sense. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, and is not limited in any way by the text of the specification. Further, all the modifications and variations of the equivalent range belonging to the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the striking member 13 strikes the inner bottom surface of the fixed member 11 as another member, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and the other member struck by the striking member 13 may be a part or member other than the folded portion 123a of the movable member 12. For example, the striking member 13 may be configured to strike the inner bottom surface of the fixing member 11 as another member.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a key input device such as a keyboard KB for mainly inputting characters, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a key input device can be realized as a notebook PC equipped with the key switch 1 disclosed in the present invention. Further, the present invention can be applied to a key input device dedicated to numeric keys such as numeric keys, and various key input devices such as various switches used in electronic devices other than computers, for example, game machines.

Claims

1. A switch device is provided with: a fixing member which can be fixed to the substrate; a movable member movably supported by the fixed member and moved in a pressing direction by a pressing operation; a biasing member that biases the movable member in a direction opposite to a pressing direction,

the switch device further includes:

a striking member that is attached to the movable member so as to be movable in a direction opposite to a pressing direction with respect to the movable member, and strikes another member;

an elastic member fixed to the fixing member,

the elastic member has an engaged portion engaged with the striking member,

the striking member has an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion,

the striking member strikes the other member when the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion with movement of the movable member in the pressing direction and when the engaging portion disengages from the engaged portion with further movement of the movable member in the pressing direction.

2. The switching device according to claim 1,

the elastic member is formed using a coil spring,

the engaging portion of the striking member is configured to press the convex portion of the elastic member,

the engaging portion engaging with the striking member presses and extends a coil spring serving as the elastic member.

3. A switch device is provided with: a fixing member which can be fixed to the substrate; a movable member movably supported by the fixed member and moved in a pressing direction by a pressing operation; a biasing member that biases the movable member in a direction opposite to a pressing direction,

the switch device further includes a striking member that is attached to the movable member so as to be movable in a pressing direction and a direction opposite to the pressing direction with respect to the movable member, and strikes another member,

the urging member has an engaged portion engaged with the striking member,

4. The switching device according to claim 3,

the force application member is constructed using a compression coil spring,

the engaged portion is formed by extending one end of a coil constituting the compression coil spring.

5. The switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the striking member is restricted from moving relative to the fixed member by the engagement of the engaging portion with the engaged portion.

6. A key input device provided with a plurality of key switches,

the key switch provided with the switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The key input device according to claim 6, comprising:

a light emitting section that emits light;

a light receiving section that receives light emitted from the light emitting section;

a shielding section attached to a movable member provided in the key input device and shielding light emitted from the light emitting section,

the shielding portion shields or unblocks light emitted from the light emitting portion in accordance with movement of the movable member in a pressing direction.