EP1343182A1 - Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur - Google Patents

Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1343182A1
EP1343182A1 EP02005144A EP02005144A EP1343182A1 EP 1343182 A1 EP1343182 A1 EP 1343182A1 EP 02005144 A EP02005144 A EP 02005144A EP 02005144 A EP02005144 A EP 02005144A EP 1343182 A1 EP1343182 A1 EP 1343182A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
key top
elastic member
link
link member
urging
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP02005144A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1343182B1 (de
Inventor
Mitsumasa Kako
Naoki Hayashi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brother Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Brother Industries Ltd filed Critical Brother Industries Ltd
Priority to DE60200830T priority Critical patent/DE60200830T2/de
Priority to AT02005144T priority patent/ATE272248T1/de
Priority to EP03018403A priority patent/EP1361589B1/de
Priority to EP02005144A priority patent/EP1343182B1/de
Publication of EP1343182A1 publication Critical patent/EP1343182A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1343182B1 publication Critical patent/EP1343182B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
    • H01H3/12—Push-buttons
    • H01H3/122—Push-buttons with enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor
    • H01H3/125—Push-buttons with enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
    • H01H2219/05—Key offset in relation to switch site
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2227/00—Dimensions; Characteristics
    • H01H2227/032—Operating force
    • H01H2227/034—Regulation of operating force

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a keyswitch device wherein a key top can be operated with excellent operability and a keyboard including the keyswitch device or electronic equipment including the keyboard, such as a notebook computer and a word processor.
  • the conventional keyswitch device is generally structured such that up-and-down movements of a key top are guided via a guide support member including a pair of link members. Further, a rubber spring, such as an upside-down cup, is positioned between the link members under the key top.
  • a switching operation is performed by which a membrane switch, disposed under the rubber spring, is operated by pressing and buckling the rubber spring disposed under the key top in accordance with the pressing of the key top, or by a moving contact, fixedly attached to an upper wall within the rubber spring, which is short-circuited against a fixed contact formed on a circuit board.
  • the conventional keyswitch device essentially needs a rubber spring as an elastic member for urging the key top upward and mediating the switching operation.
  • keyswitch devices having various types of rubber springs are commercially available.
  • the rubber spring is used, the reduction of the thickness and size of the keyswitch device is inevitably restricted limiting the reduction of key pitches or design of key strokes.
  • Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-172380 discloses a keyswitch device wherein up-and-down movements of a key top are guided by a link mechanism.
  • the link mechanism includes a pair of link members disposed between the key top and a base mold provided on a membrane sheet while an elastic member, made of a rubber sheet, is laid across the link members so as to cross over a middle portion of the keyswitch device under the link members.
  • a circular protrusion formed on a lower surface of the key top is urged upward via the elastic member to be held at a non-depressed position.
  • the circular protrusion is pressed against an urging force from the elastic member, so that the switching operation is performed by operating a switch portion of the membrane sheet via a protrusion formed on the lower surface of the elastic member.
  • the keyswitch device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-172380, a rubber spring is not used. Accordingly, the keyswitch device can be freely designed to provide a reduction in the thickness and size of the keyswitch device and without restricting reduction of the key pitches or the design of the key stroke.
  • the invention provides a keyswitch device in which a space is provided under a key top so that various types of electronic components, such as LEDs, can be disposed therein. This is permitted by positioning an urging member for urging the key top upward on the sides of end portions of link members such that a key top achieves excellent operability.
  • the keyswitch device includes a key top provided with a plurality of upper engaging portions at its lower surface, a support plate that is disposed beneath the key top and provided with a plurality of lower engaging portions, a guide support member that includes a pair of link members engaged by the upper engaging portions at an upper end portion and by the lower engaging portion at a lower end portion and that guides and supports up-and-down movements of the key top, an urging member that includes an elastic member stretched between a side portion of the lower end portion of the one link member and a side portion of the lower end portion of the other link member or is stretched between the side portion of the upper end portion of the one link member and the side portion of the upper end portion of the other link member and that urges the key top upward to hold the key top at a non-depressed position, and a switching member that performs a switching operation in accordance with a pressing of the key top.
  • a rubber elastic member is used as an urging member for urging the key top upward.
  • the rubber elastic member is stretched between the side portion of the lower end portion of the one link member and the side portion of the lower end portion of the other link member or is stretched between the side portion of the upper end portion of the one link member and the side portion of the upper end portion of the other link member. Therefore, the urging member can be disposed on the outer side of each link member. Accordingly, the urging member does not effect the space provided under the key top, so that the space can be effectively used.
  • an electronic component can be disposed under the key top, so that the keyswitch device of the invention can have multi-functions, and also can be reduced in its thickness and size.
  • Another keyswitch device includes a key top provided with a plurality of upper engaging portions at its lower surface, a support plate that is disposed beneath the key top and is provided with a plurality of lower engaging portions, a guide support member that includes a pair of link members engaged by the upper engaging portions at an upper end portion and by the lower engaging portion at a lower end portion and that guides and supports up-and-down movements of the key top, an urging member that includes an annular elastic member disposed to surround the lower end portion of each link member or to surround the upper end portion of each link member and contacts at least one of the link members to apply an urging force and that urges the key top upward to hold the key top at a non-depressed position, and a switching member that performs a switching operation in accordance with a pressing of the key top.
  • An annular rubber elastic member is used, in the keyswitch device structured as described above, as an urging member for urging the key top upward.
  • the annular rubber elastic member surrounds and contacts a lower end portion or an upper end portion of the pair of link members constituting the guide support member of the key top and exerts an urging force on the pair of link members. Accordingly, the urging member has no effect on the space provided under the key top, so that the space can be effectively used.
  • an electronic component such as an LED component, can be disposed under the key top, so that the keyswitch device of the invention can have multi-functions, and also can be reduced in thickness and size.
  • FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the notebook type personal computer.
  • FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing an electronic structure of the notebook type personal computer.
  • the notebook type personal computer 100 basically includes a main unit 102 in which a CPU 101, for performing various operations, is installed, and a cover 111 which is supported so that it can cover and uncover the main unit 102.
  • the cover 111 is provided with a display 103 in its inner surface, and is rotatably supported by a connecting portion 104 of the main unit 102, so that the cover 111 can cover and uncover the main unit 102.
  • the main unit 102 is provided with a keyboard 105 on which a plurality of keyswitch devices 1 are disposed.
  • the CPU 101 is connected with a ROM 106 containing programs for controlling each part of the personal computer 100, and a RAM 107 for storing various kinds of data, via a bus 108.
  • the CPU 101 is also connected with an input/output interface 109 via the bus 108.
  • the input/output interface 109 is connected with the display 103, the keyboard 105, and a hard disk device 110 that stores a document preparation program, a spreadsheet program, and the like.
  • the CPU 101 reads the programs from the hard disk device 110, executes the programs, and displays characters and symbols on the display 103, based on input data from the keyboard 105.
  • FIG. 2 is a disassembled perspective view of the keyswitch device according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of the keyswitch device according to the first embodiment.
  • the keyswitch device 1 basically includes a key top 2, a guide support member 5 that includes a pair made up of a first link member 3 and a second link member 4 and that guides up-and-down movements of the key top 2, rubber elastic members 8, 8, and a support plate 9 that supports the whole of the keyswitch device 1.
  • the rubber elastic members 8, 8 are urging members, each of which is stretched between ends of a shaft member 7 formed on both side portions of a lower end portion of the first link member 3 and a shaft member 6 formed on both side portions of a lower end portion of the second link member 4.
  • the key top 2 is formed of ABS resin or the like, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the upper surface of the key top 2.
  • two pivot-holding portions 10, 10 and two slide-holding portions 11, 11 are integrally formed with the key top 2, corresponding to the first link member 3 and the second link member 4, respectively.
  • a holding groove 10A is provided in each pivot-holding portion 10, 10, and a slide groove 11A is provided in each slide-holding portion 11, 11.
  • the holding grooves 10A, 10A of the pivot-holding portions 10, 10 rotatably catch shaft members 12, 12 formed on the ends of the upper end of the first link member 3.
  • a pressing protrusion 2A is formed on a side portion (a left-handed side in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the underside of the key top 2 at a substantially middle portion in a longitudinal direction of the key top 2.
  • the pressing protrusion 2A presses and elastically deforms a conductive portion 8C provided to the rubber elastic member 8 directly below, described later.
  • the guide support member 5 is structured by combining the first link member 3 and the second link member 4.
  • the first link member 3 has a unitary structure such that a shaft 14, including the shaft members 7, 7 to form a single substantially continuous shaft, and a shaft 15, including the shaft members 12, 12 to form a substantially continuous shaft, are connected by two connecting members 16, 16.
  • the first link member 3 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. Formed at the middle portion of each connecting member 16 is a support shaft.
  • the second link member 4 has the same basic structure as the first link member 3.
  • the second link member 4 has a unitary structure such that a shaft 17, including the shaft members 6, 6 forms a substantially continuous shaft, and a shaft 18, including the shaft members 13, 13 forms a substantially continuous shaft, are connected by two connecting members 19, 19.
  • the second link member 4 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view.
  • Each connecting member 19, has an insertion hole into which a support shaft formed on an opposing connecting member 16 of the first link member 3 is inserted to form the guide support member 5 having a scissors
  • the structure of the guide support member 5 assembled from the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 is known in the art. Therefore, a more detailed explanation concerning the structure of the guide support member 5 will be omitted.
  • the support plate 9 is a thin plate made of metal or a resin.
  • the support plate 9 is integrally provided with two bent/extending pieces 20, 20 corresponding to the keyswitch device 1 by, in the case of a metal plate, cutting and vertically bending the support plate 9.
  • the support plate 9 is incised in a substantially C-shape in two places to form two cut pieces. Then, the pieces are upwardly bent, thereby forming the bent/extending pieces 20, 20.
  • the bent/extending pieces 20, 20 would normally be molded although a cutting and shaping process can also be used.
  • Both the bent/extending, pieces 20, 20 have the same structure.
  • Each bent/extending piece 20 is formed with a pivot hole 21 and a slide hole 22.
  • the shaft members 6, 6 of the second link member 4 are pivotally retained by the respective pivot holes 21, 21.
  • the shaft members 7, 7 of the first link member 3 are slidably retained by the respective slide holes 22, 22.
  • Printed on the support plate 9, is a pair of fixed electrodes 23, 23 for performing switching.
  • a predetermined circuit pattern (not shown), connected to each fixed electrode 23, is printed adjacent to one of the bent/extending pieces 20, 20 (provided on the left-handed side in FIG. 2) by a conductive coating.
  • the fixed electrodes 23, 23 and the circuit pattern are printed after an insulation coating is formed on the upper surface of the support plate 9, by applying an insulation material. Then, the fixed electrodes 23, 23 and the circuit pattern are printed using a conductive coating.
  • the shaft members 6, 6 of the second link member 4 and the shaft members 7, 7 of the first link member 3 are retained by the respective pivot holes 21, 21 and slide holes 22, 22 formed in the bent/extending pieces 20, 20.
  • a rubber elastic member 8, made of silicon rubber, is stretched between the end of the shaft member 6, that protrudes outwardly from the pivot hole 21, and the end of the shaft member 7, that protrudes outwardly from the slide hole 22, on both sides of the guide support member. Because the rubber elastic members 8, 8 are stretched between the protruding ends of the shaft members 6, 6 and the protruding ends of the shaft members 7, 7, the rubber elastic members 8, 8 urge the shaft members 6, 6 and 7, 7 in a direction that the shaft members 6, 6 and 7, 7 pull toward each other. In accordance with an elastic force generated by the rubber elastic members 8, 8, the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 are urged in a direction to fold each other. Accordingly, the key top 2 is upwardly urged and thus is held at a non-depressed position.
  • Each rubber elastic member 8 is formed with thick portions 8A at positions where the shaft members 6, 6, and 7, 7 are inserted.
  • an insertion hole 8B is formed into which the shaft members 6, 6, and 7, 7 are inserted.
  • the thick portions 8A prevent the rubber elastic member 8 from being deformed by the surrounding area of the insertion hole 8B when the shaft members 6, 6, and 7, 7 are inserted.
  • a conductive portion 8C is provided at the substantially middle portion of each rubber elastic member 8.
  • the conductive portion 8C is elastically deformed by being pressed via the pressing protrusion 2A and the conductive portion 8C contacts the fixed electrodes 23, 23 to cause a short-circuit, thereby bringing the fixed electrodes 23, 23 into electrical contact with each other.
  • the conductive portion 8C may be integrally formed with the rubber elastic member 8 with a different color when molding the rubber elastic member 8, or may be formed with a conductive rubber fixedly attached to the rubber elastic member 8 using an adhesive.
  • the conductive portion 8C is provided to protrude outward of the rubber elastic member 8.
  • the conductive portion 8C may be provided so as to be the same member as the rubber elastic member 8.
  • the conductive member 8 may be provided to the side end portion of the thick portion 8A. In these cases, the pressing protrusion 2A needs to be formed on the underside of the key top 2 to correspond to the position where the conductive portion 8C is formed.
  • An LED component 24 is disposed on the support plate 9 between the bent/extending pieces 20, 20.
  • the rubber elastic members 8, 8, urging the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 to the key up position are provided on both sides of the first link member 3 and the second link member 4, and the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 are formed into a substantially rectangular shape. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a space under the key top 2. Accordingly, the LED component 24 can be disposed between the bent/extending pieces 20, 20. The LED component 24 lights when a switching operation is performed by pressing the key top 2.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the LED component 24.
  • a molded member 27, molded of a transparent resin to expose a lead 26 of an LED element 25, is fixed to a fixed member 28.
  • the lead 26 and a conductive rubber 29 are brought into conduction by inserting the lead 26 into the conductive rubber 29 which constitutes a wall of the fixed member 28.
  • the lower surface of the conductive rubber 29 abuts against a connecting portion of the circuit pattern formed on the support plate 9.
  • the upper portion of the molded member 27 is made of transparent silicon rubber.
  • a light diffusing member 241 Disposed above the molded member 27 is a light diffusing member 241 that diffuses the light generated by the LED.
  • the LED component 24 is fixed on the support plate 9 by applying a UV adhesive to the lower surface of the fixed member 28 but not including the lower surface of the conductive rubber 29 and curing the UV adhesive while the lower surface of the conductive rubber 29 is abutted against the connecting portion of the circuit pattern by applying pressure.
  • the LED component 24 can be firmly fixed on the support plate 9 while the conductive rubber 29, containing the lead 26 of the LED element 25, and the connecting portion of the circuit pattern are electrically connected.
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic sectional views showing states of the keyswitch device from when the key top is not depressed (FIG. 4A) to when the key top is slightly pressed (FIG. 4B) to a position where a switching operation is performed (FIG. 4C).
  • the operation described above is successively performed in accordance with the pressing of the key top 2, and the pressing protrusion 2A of the key top 2 presses and elastically deforms the conductive portion 8C of the rubber elastic member 8.
  • the conductive portion 8C acts as a cushioning material, so that the impact of the pressing protrusion 2A can be absorbed.
  • the rubber elastic member 8 intimately contacts the support plate 9 when the key is depressed, so that operating noise of the key is reduced, as compared with a conventional cap-shaped rubber spring.
  • the conductive portion 8C elastically deforms, the conductive portion 8C contacts the fixed electrodes 23, 23 on the support plate 9 to cause a short-circuit, thereby bringing the fixed electrodes 23, 23 into electrical contact with each other. As a result, a predetermined switching operation is performed to light the LED element 25 in the LED component 24. This state is shown in FIG. 4C.
  • the key top 2 Upon the release of the pressure on the key top 2, the key top 2 is urged upward due to elastic force from the rubber elastic members 8, 8 and the operation described above is reversed, thereby returning to the non-depressed position.
  • the key top 2 is urged upward via two rubber elastic members 8, 8 stretched between the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 with the ends of the shaft members 6, 6 provided to both side portions of the shaft 17 of the second link member 4 and the shaft members 7, 7 provided to both side portions of the shaft 14 of the first link member 3 supported in insertion holes 8B, 8B in thick portions 8A, 8A of each rubber elastic member 8. Therefore, the rubber elastic members 8, 8 can be disposed on the outside of the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 and the rubber elastic members 8, 8 do not affect the space to be provided under the key top 2, so that the space can be effectively used. Accordingly, an electronic component, such as the LED component 24, can be disposed within the space under the key top 2.
  • the keyswitch device according to the embodiment can have multi-functions and also can be reduced in thickness and size.
  • the conductive portion 8C is provided to the rubber elastic members 8, 8 stretched between the first link member 3 and the second link member 4.
  • the conductive portion 8C of one of the rubber elastic members 8, 8 is elastically deformed via the pressing protrusion 2A formed on the underside of the key top 2 and the fixed electrodes 23, 23 on the support plate 9 are brought into electrical contact via the conductive portion 8C. Therefore, the switching operation can be performed outside the first and second link members 3, 4. Accordingly, the members to perform the switching operation do not affect the space to be provided under the key top 2, so that it becomes easier to effectively use the space.
  • the rubber elastic members 8, 8 are stretched on both sides between the first link member 3 and the second link member 4, so that the key top 2 can be urged upward by the rubber elastic members 8, 8 with the same force from the both sides of the first link member 3 and the second link member 4. Accordingly, the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 are reliably prevented from kinking or jamming, so that the key top 2 can be smoothly depressed. In a case where there is no possibility of the occurrence of kinking or jamming, is not necessary to provide the rubber elastic member 8 on both sides of the first and second link members 3, 4.
  • the rubber elastic member 8 can be provided on only one side.
  • FIG. 7 is a disassembled, perspective view of the keyswitch device according to the second embodiment.
  • the keyswitch device according to the second embodiment is basically of the same structure as the keyswitch device 1 of the first embodiment.
  • the differences between the keyswitch device 1 of the first embodiment and that of the second embodiment are the rubber elastic member is formed in annular shape and the annular rubber elastic member is disposed so as to surround and contact a lower end of the first and second link members to apply an urging force to the first and second link members.
  • the other structure of the keyswitch device of the second embodiment is the same as the keyswitch device 1 of the first embodiment. In the description below, parts that are same as the parts used for the keyswitch device 1 of the first embodiment have the same reference numerals.
  • the keyswitch device 1 of the second embodiment basically includes a key top 2, a guide support member 5 that includes a first link member 3 and a second link member 4 to guide the up-and-down movements of the key top 2, an annular rubber elastic member 30, and a support plate 9 that supports the whole of the keyswitch device 1.
  • the annular rubber elastic member 30 is disposed so as to surround and contact a shaft 14 formed at a lower end of the first link member 3 and a shaft 17 formed at a lower end of the second link member 4 of the guide support member 5 to apply an urging force to them.
  • the key top 2 is formed of ABS resin, or the like, and characters, symbols, etc. are printed on the upper surface of the key top 2.
  • a pressing protrusion 2A is formed on the underside of the key top 2.
  • the pressing protrusion 2A presses and elastically deforms one of conductive portions 30A provided to the rubber elastic member 30 as described later.
  • Other structures of the key top 2 of the second embodiment are the same as that of the first embodiment, so that descriptions of the other structures will be omitted.
  • FIG. 7 two pivot-holding portions and two slide-holding portions of the keytop 2 are omitted from the illustration.
  • the guide support member 5 has the same structure as that of the first embodiment.
  • the guide support member 5 is structured by joining the first link member 3 and the second link member 4.
  • the first link member 3 has a unitary structure such that the shaft 14 having the shaft members 7, 7 forms a substantially continuous shaft and shafts 12 are connected to shaft 14 by two connecting members 16, 16.
  • the first link member 3 has a substantially angular C-shape in plan view.
  • a support shaft is formed at the middle portion of each connecting member 16.
  • the second link member 4 is of basically the same structure as the first link member 3.
  • the second link member 4 has a unitary structure such that a shaft 17, having the shaft members 6, 6 to form a substantially continuous shaft, and a shaft 18, having the shaft members 13, 13 to form a substantially continuous shaft, are connected by two connecting members 19, 19.
  • the second link member 4 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. An insertion hole is formed in each connecting member 19. The support shaft formed on each connecting member 16 of the first link member 3 is inserted into a corresponding insertion hole in a connecting member 19 to form a scissors-type linkage.
  • the annular rubber elastic member 30 is made of a rubber material, such as a silicon rubber, and is formed into an substantially rectangular shape in plan view.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 is provided with conductive portions 30A in two places, which are symmetric to each other.
  • a restriction on an orientation of the rubber elastic member 30 when the rubber elastic member 30 is mounted in the keyswitch device 1 is reduced. Such simplifies assembly of the keyswitch device.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 is disposed so that one of the conductive portions 30A corresponds to the pressing protrusion 2A of the key top 2. A method for positioning the rubber elastic member 30 will be described later.
  • the support plate 9 Disposed under the guide support member 5 is the support plate 9, a thin plate made of metal or a resin plate.
  • the support plate 9 is integrally provided with two bent/extending pieces 20, 20 corresponding to the keyswitch device 1 by cutting and vertically bending the support plate 9.
  • the support plate 9 is incised in a substantially C-shape in two places to form two cut pieces. Then, the pieces are upwardly bent, thereby forming the bent/extending pieces 20, 20.
  • Both the bent/extending pieces 20, 20 have the same structure.
  • Each bent/extending piece 20 is formed with a pivot hole 21 and a slide hole 22.
  • the shaft members 6, 6 of the second link member 4 are pivotally retained by the pivot holes 21, 21.
  • the shaft members 7, 7 of the first link member 3 are slidably retained by the slide holes 22, 22.
  • Near the pivot hole 21, a stepped portion 31 is formed in each bent/extending piece 20.
  • a part of the rubber elastic member 30 provided with the conductive portions 30A is disposed on the stepped portions 30A, 30A.
  • a pair of fixed electrodes 23, 23 for performing switching.
  • a predetermined circuit pattern (not shown), connected with each fixed electrode 23, is printed by a conductive coating on the support plate 9.
  • the fixed electrodes 23, 23 and the circuit pattern are printed on an insulation coating after the insulation coating is formed on the upper surface of the support plate 9 by applying an insulation material. Then the fixed electrodes 23, 23 and the circuit pattern are printed by a conductive coating.
  • the positioning method of the rubber elastic member 30 will be described below.
  • the shaft members 6, 6 of the shaft 17 of the second link member 4 are retained by the respective pivot holes 21, 21 formed in the bent/extending pieces 20, 20, and the shaft members 7, 7 of the shaft 14 of the first link member 3 are retained by the respective slide grooves 22, 22 formed in the bent/extending pieces 20, 20.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 is disposed so as to surround and contact the shaft 17 of the second link member 4 and the shaft 14 of the first link member 3 caught by the pivot holes 21 and the slide grooves 22, respectively. More specifically, the rubber elastic member 30 is disposed on the stepped portion 31 of each bent/extending piece 20 so that one of the portions of the rubber elastic member 30 to which the conductive portion 30A (in the right-hand side in FIG.
  • the conductive portion 30A is formed integrally with the rubber elastic member 30 using two different colors when molding the rubber elastic member 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the conductive portions 30A may be formed to protrude outward. In this case, the conductive portion 30A may be formed by fixedly attaching a conductive rubber using adhesives or the rubber elastic member 30 may be formed in one piece. In such a case, the pressing protrusion 2A needs to be formed on the underside of the key top 2 in correspondence with a position where the conductive portion 8C is formed.
  • an LED component (not shown in FIG. 7) can be disposed between the bent/extending pieces 20, 20 on the support plate 9.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 urging the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 is disposed around the first link member 3 and the second link member 4, and the first link member 3 is formed into an substantially angular C-shape and the second link member 4 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape. Accordingly, a space can be provided under the key top 2, so that an LED component can be disposed between the bent/extending pieces 20, 20.
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B are, schematic sectional views showing states of the keyswitch device from when the key top is not depressed (FIG. 9A) to when the key top is pressed to a position where a switching operation is performed (FIG. 9B).
  • the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 gradually open against an elastic force of the rubber elastic member 30.
  • the shaft members 6, 6 of the second link member 4 are rotated within the respective pivot holes 21, 21 provided in the bent/extending pieces 20, 20, and the shaft members 13, 13 are slid within the respective slide grooves 11A, 11A provided in the slide-holding portions 11 of the key top 2.
  • the shaft members 7, 7 of the first link member 3 are slid within the respective slide grooves 22, 22 provided in the bent/extending pieces 20, 20, and the shaft members 12, 12 are rotated within the respective pivot grooves 10A, 10A of the pivot-holding portions 10, 10 of the key top 2.
  • the first and second link members 3, 4 extend the rubber elastic member 30 so that the rubber elastic member 30 is in a slightly extended state.
  • the operation described above is successively performed in accordance with the pressing of the key top 2, and the pressing protrusion 2A of the key top 2 presses and elastically deforms the conductive portion 30A of the rubber elastic member 30.
  • the conductive portion 30A acts as a cushioning material, so that the impact of the pressing protrusion 2A can be absorbed.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 intimately contacts the support plate 9 when the key is depressed, so that operating noise of the key is reduced as compared with the rubber elastic member 8 used in the first embodiment.
  • the conductive portion 30A when the conductive portion 30A elastically deforms, the conductive portion 30A contacts the fixed electrodes 23, 23 on the support plate 9 to cause a short-circuit, i.e., an electrical connection, thereby bringing the fixed electrodes 23, 23 into electrical conductivity with each other. As a result, a predetermined switching operation is performed.
  • This state is shown in FIG. 9B.
  • the slide grooves 22, 22 of the bent/extending pieces 20, 20 are omitted from the illustration to simplify FIG. 9B.
  • a low-frictional coating can be provided in an area of the upper surface of the support plate 9 where the engagement portion of the rubber elastic member 30 and the shaft members 7, 7 move.
  • ribs can be provided to protrude from the both ends of the shaft 17 in a direction perpendicular to the shaft 17 and the engagement portion of the rubber elastic member 30 is positioned on the ribs, so that the rubber elastic member 30 does not contact the upper surface of the support plate 9.
  • the annular rubber elastic member 30 is used as an urging member to urge the key top 2 upward.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 is disposed so that a part of the rubber elastic member 30 is disposed on the stepped portion 31 of each bent/extending piece 20 to contact the shaft 17 of the second link member 4 while another part of the rubber elastic member 30 contacts the shaft 14 of the first link member 3, whereby the urging member of the rubber elastic member 30 is applied to the first and second link members 3, 4. Therefore, the rubber elastic member 30 can be disposed outside the first and second link members 3, 4 and the rubber elastic member 30 does not affect the space to be provided under the key top 2, so that the space can be effectively used. Accordingly, an electronic component, such as the LED component, can be disposed within the space under the key top 2.
  • the keyswitch device 1 of the embodiment can have multi-functions, and also can be reduced in thickness and size.
  • the conductive portions 30A are formed to the annular rubber elastic member 30 disposed outside the first and second link members 3, 4.
  • the conductive portion 30A is elastically deformed via the pressing protrusion 2A formed on the underside of the key top 2 to cause the fixed electrodes 23, 23 on the support plate 9 to be electrically connected and brought into a conduction state. Therefore, the switching operation can be also performed outside the first and second link members 3, 4. Accordingly, the members to perform the switching operation do not affect the space to be provided under the key top 2, so that it is easier to effectively use the space.
  • the conductive portion 30A is provided in at least two places, which are symmetrical to each other, in the annular rubber elastic member 30. Therefore, a restriction on an orientation of the rubber elastic member 30 when the rubber elastic member 30 is inserted into the keyswitch device 1 is reduced, so that the keyswitch device 1 can be easily assembled.
  • the rubber elastic member is disposed on the lower end side of the link members in the first and second embodiments.
  • the rubber elastic member can be provided on the upper end side of the link members.
  • the pressing protrusion 2A that presses the conductive portion 8A or 30A when the key top 2 is depressed, is provided on the underside of the key top 2, the pressing protrusion 2A may be provided to the guide support member 5.
  • the guide support member 5 is structured by mutually intersecting the first link member 3 and the second link member 4, it is not a necessary condition, for example, that the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 are crossed. It is essential only that the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 are mutually movably connected.
  • the LED component 24 is disposed directly below the key top 2.
  • a liquid crystal component that can display a function of the key may be disposed under the key top 2.
  • FIG. 10 is a disassembled perspective view of a keyswitch device 1 to be applied to the keyboard device.
  • the keyswitch device 1 basically includes a key top 2, a guide support member 5 that includes a first link member 3 and a second link member 4 that guide up-and-down movements of the key top 2, an annular rubber elastic member 30, and a support plate 9 that supports the whole of the keyswitch device 1.
  • the annular rubber elastic member 30 is disposed so as to surround and contact a shaft 14 formed at a lower end of the first link member 3 and a shaft 17 formed at a lower end of the second link member 4 of the guide support member 5 to apply an urging force to both link members 3, 4. Descriptions of the same structures of the keyswitch device 1 as found in the second embodiment will be omitted.
  • the shaft members 6, 6 of the second link member 4 are rotatably retained by respective pivot holes 21, 21.
  • the shaft members 7, 7 of the first link member 3 are slidably retained by the respective slide grooves 22, 22.
  • a substantially C-shaped clearance 32 is provided around the plate portion 301.
  • a pair of fixed electrodes 23, 23 for performing switching Near a connecting portion of the end of the plate portion 301 and the support plate 9, are a pair of fixed electrodes 23, 23 for performing switching.
  • a predetermined circuit pattern (not shown) is connected with each fixed electrode 23 by a printed conductive coating.
  • the fixed electrodes 23, 23 and the circuit pattern are printed on an insulation coating that is formed on the upper surface of the support plate 9 by applying an insulation material.
  • LED components 24, 24 Disposed substantially at the middle of the plate portion 301 are LED components 24, 24.
  • the LED components 24, 24 light when a switching operation is performed by pressing the key top 2.
  • a slide plate 33 Disposed under the support plate 9, is a slide plate 33.
  • the slide plate 33 can relatively move in a direction of an arrow with respect to the support plate 9.
  • Two engaging pieces 34, 34 are formed at the side end of the slide plate 33 for every keyswitch device 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the engaging pieces 34, 34 are inserted into the clearance 32 existing on a free end side of the plate portion 301.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 is extended and returned to its original state as described below. A sliding mechanism and the sliding operation of the slide plate 33 will be described later.
  • the positioning method for the rubber elastic member 30 is described below. As described above, the shaft members 6, 6 of the shaft 17 of the second link member 4 are caught by the respective pivot holes 21, 21 formed in the bent/extending pieces 20, 20, and the shaft members 7, 7 of the shaft 14 of the first link member 3 are caught by the respective slide grooves 22, 22 formed in the bent/extending pieces 20, 20.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 is disposed so as to surround and contact the shaft 17 of the second link member 4 and the shaft 14 of the first link member 3 retained by the pivot holes 21, 21 and the slide grooves 22, 22, respectively. More specifically, the rubber elastic member 30 is disposed so that one of the portions of the rubber elastic member 30 to which the conductive portion 30A (the right-hand portion in FIG.
  • the elastic force of the rubber elastic member 30 urges the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 in the direction to fold toward each other. Accordingly, the key top 2 is upwardly urged and thus is held at an operable non-depressed position.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 does not produce the urging force, so that the shaft 14 of the first link member 3 is freed from the urging force.
  • the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 are opened, whereby the key top 2 is held in a lower position where it is lower than the non-depressed position or a storage position.
  • the conductive portion 30A is formed integral with the rubber elastic member 30, using two different colors, when molding the rubber elastic member 30. As with the second embodiment, the conductive portions 30A may be formed to protrude outward as shown in FIG. 8.
  • the LED components 24 are disposed substantially at the middle of the plate portion 31, disposed substantially at the middle of the plate portion 31, disposed substantially at the middle of the plate portion 31, are the LED components 24. This is made possible by providing a space under the key top 2 as a result of the rubber elastic member 30 urging the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 being disposed around the first link member 3 and the second link member 4, and the first and second link members 3, 4 being formed into a substantially angular C-shape and a substantially rectangular shape, respectively.
  • the support plate 9 is provided with key stations S in accordance with the number of keyswitch devices 1 to be disposed on the keyboard device 105.
  • Each key station S includes the pair of bent/extending pieces 20, 20, the plate portion 301, the clearance 32, and the fixed electrodes 23, 23 to constitute the keyswitch device 1.
  • the pair of engaging pieces 34, 34 are formed by cutting and bending in correspondence with each key station S.
  • a connecting piece 35 is integrally formed to the side end portion of the slide plate 33 (the upper end portion in FIG. 11).
  • the connecting piece 35 is connected to one end of a link member 36.
  • a rack 37 is fixedly attached to another end of an upper surface of the link member 36.
  • the rack 37 is engaged with a rotary gear 40 fixedly attached to a support shaft 39 that is disposed to the connecting portion 104, of the notebook type personal computer 100, and rotatably supports the cover 111, via an intermediate gear 38.
  • a regulation rack 41 (only one regulation rack 41 is shown in FIG. 11) is formed at lower edges of both sides of the slide plate 33.
  • the regulation rack 41 is engaged with respective regulation gears 43 fixed to both ends of a shaft 42 rotatably supported in the main unit 102 of the notebook type personal computer 100.
  • the regulation racks 41 and the regulation gears 43 prevent the slide plate 33 from inclining by engaging each other when the slide plate 33 slides.
  • FIG. 12A is a schematic sectional view of the keyswitch device 1 in an operation state
  • FIG. 12B is a schematic sectional view of the keyswitch device 1 in a non-operation state. In this latter state, the cover 111 covers the keyboard device 105.
  • the cover 111 When the notebook type personal computer 100 is used, the cover 111 is rotated in a direction which the cover 111 uncovers the keyboard device 105.
  • the support shaft 39 When the cover 111 is rotated in a direction which the cover 111 uncovers the keyboard device 105, the support shaft 39 is rotated in a direction of arrow A. Therefore, the intermediate gear 38 is rotated in a direction of arrow B, so that the rack 37 moves in the direction of arrow C. Accordingly, the slide plate 33 is also slid in a horizontal direction shown by the arrow C via the link member 36 and the connecting piece 35.
  • FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic sectional views showing states of the keyswitch device I from when the key top is not depressed (FIG. 13A) to when the key top is pressed to a position where a switching operation is performed (FIG. 13B).
  • the key top 2 In the non-operation state of the key top 2, shown in FIG. 13A, the key top 2 is held at the upper, non-depressed position because the first and second link members 3, 4 are urged in the direction to fold toward each other in accordance with the slight extension of the rubber elastic member 30 by the engaging pieces 34, 34 via movement by the slide plate 30. Then, as the key top 2 is gradually depressed, the first link member 3 and the second link member 4 gradually open against the elastic force from the rubber elastic member 30. At that time, the shaft members 6, 6 of the second link member 4 are rotated within the respective pivot holes 21, 21 provided in bent/extending pieces 20, 20, and the shaft members 13, 13 slide within the respective slide-holding portions of the key top 2.
  • the operation described above is successively performed in accordance with the pressing of the key top 2.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 is extended to the position where the conductive portion 30A of the rubber elastic member 30 reaches the position directly below the pressing protrusion 2A. At that position, the pressing protrusion 2A of the key top 2 presses and elastically deforms the conductive portion 30A of the rubber elastic member 30.
  • the conductive portion 30A acts as a cushioning material, so that the impact of the pressing protrusion 2A is absorbed.
  • the rubber elastic member 8 intimately contacts the support plate 9 when the key is depressed, so that operating noise of the key is reduced.
  • the conductive portion 30A elastically deforms, the conductive portion 30A contacts the fixed electrodes 23, 23 on the support plate 9 to cause a short-circuit, thereby bringing the fixed electrodes 23, 23 into electrical conductivity with each other. As a result, a predetermined switching operation is performed. This state is shown in FIG. 13B.
  • the key top 2 Upon release of the pressing of the key top 2, the key top 2 is urged upward due to the elastic force from the rubber elastic member 30 and the operation described above is reversed, thereby returning to the non-depressed position.
  • the key top 2 is held at the operable non-depressed position by which the slide plate 33 is slid in one direction by rotating the cover 111 of the notebook type personal computer 100 in the open direction and the urging force from the rubber elastic member 30 is applied on the shaft 14 of the first link member 3 in accordance with the engagement of the engaging pieces 34, 34 of the slide plate 3 and the rubber elastic member 30. Further, the key top 2 is held at the lower, basically storage position, which is lower than the non-depressed position of the key top 2.
  • the rubber elastic member 30 has an annular shape
  • the rubber elastic member 30 can be disposed outside the first and second link members 3, 4.
  • the conductive portions 30A are formed with the annular rubber elastic member 30 and, therefore, disposed outside the first and second link members 3, 4.
  • the conductive portion 30A is elastically deformed via the pressing protrusion 2A formed on the underside of the key top 2 to cause the fixed electrodes 23, 23 on the support plate 9 to be brought into electrical connectivity. Therefore, the switching operation can be also performed outside the first and second link members 3, 4. Accordingly, the members to perform the switching operation do not affect the space provided under the key top 2, so that the space can be effectively used.
  • the conductive portion 30A is provided in at least two places, which are symmetrical with each other in the annular rubber elastic member 30. Therefore, a restriction on an orientation of the rubber elastic member 30 when the rubber elastic member 30 is inserted into the keyswitch device 1 is reduced, so that the keyswitch device 1 can be easily assembled.
  • an engagement pin 51 is formed on the lower surface of an elongated portion 50 extending from the side edge of the slide plate 33, and the engagement pin 51 is engaged with a cam groove 53 of a cam plate with gear 52.
  • the slide plate 33 slides when the cam plate 52 is rotated via a gear portion 54 of the cam plate 52 in synchronization with the opening and closing of the cover 111.
  • the cam plate 52 is associated with the opening and closing of the cover 111 of the personal computer 100, the key top 2 is moved to the non-depressed position as the cam plate 52 is rotated by rotating the cover 111 to the open limit. After that, even if the operator rotates the cover 111 to some degree in the closing direction, there is play in the engagement of the engagement pin 51 and the cam groove 53, so that the key top 2 is kept at the non-depressed position.
  • the keyboard device 105 is not only used as an input device for personal computers, but also used as a general input terminal.
  • the keyboard device 105 may be provided with a single keyswitch device 1 or a plurality of keyswitch devices 1.
  • a sheet-like elastic member or a rod-like elastic member having a predetermined length can be used as shown in FIG. 5a.
  • an engagement portion is may be provided at both ends of the elastic member for engaging the engaging piece 34 or the shaft member 7.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
EP02005144A 2002-03-07 2002-03-07 Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur Expired - Lifetime EP1343182B1 (de)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE60200830T DE60200830T2 (de) 2002-03-07 2002-03-07 Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur
AT02005144T ATE272248T1 (de) 2002-03-07 2002-03-07 Tastschalter, tastatur mit dem tastschalter, und elektronisches gerät mit der tastatur
EP03018403A EP1361589B1 (de) 2002-03-07 2002-03-07 Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur
EP02005144A EP1343182B1 (de) 2002-03-07 2002-03-07 Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02005144A EP1343182B1 (de) 2002-03-07 2002-03-07 Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03018403A Division EP1361589B1 (de) 2002-03-07 2002-03-07 Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1343182A1 true EP1343182A1 (de) 2003-09-10
EP1343182B1 EP1343182B1 (de) 2004-07-28

Family

ID=27741146

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02005144A Expired - Lifetime EP1343182B1 (de) 2002-03-07 2002-03-07 Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur
EP03018403A Expired - Lifetime EP1361589B1 (de) 2002-03-07 2002-03-07 Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03018403A Expired - Lifetime EP1361589B1 (de) 2002-03-07 2002-03-07 Tastschalter, Tastatur mit dem Tastschalter, und elektronisches Gerät mit der Tastatur

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (2) EP1343182B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE272248T1 (de)
DE (1) DE60200830T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10672570B2 (en) 2018-01-12 2020-06-02 Darfon Electronics Corp. Keyswitch structure
TWI688979B (zh) * 2018-01-12 2020-03-21 達方電子股份有限公司 按鍵結構
US11211212B2 (en) * 2018-04-28 2021-12-28 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Keyboard and electronic device
TWI764633B (zh) * 2021-03-19 2022-05-11 致伸科技股份有限公司 按鍵結構

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5654872A (en) * 1994-06-30 1997-08-05 Compaq Computer Corporation Collapsible keyboard structure for a notebook computer
US20010027914A1 (en) * 2000-04-07 2001-10-11 Acer Communications And Multimedia, Inc. Push-button switch

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5654872A (en) * 1994-06-30 1997-08-05 Compaq Computer Corporation Collapsible keyboard structure for a notebook computer
US20010027914A1 (en) * 2000-04-07 2001-10-11 Acer Communications And Multimedia, Inc. Push-button switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1361589A2 (de) 2003-11-12
DE60200830T2 (de) 2005-07-21
EP1343182B1 (de) 2004-07-28
EP1361589B1 (de) 2005-06-01
EP1361589A3 (de) 2004-02-18
ATE272248T1 (de) 2004-08-15
DE60200830D1 (de) 2004-09-02

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