JP2000090772A - Key switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key switch device capable of speeding up an initial production rise without requiring any pressing mold so as to remarkably reduce a manufacturing cost of a support plate and of enhancing flexibility in view of a design of a key board device having a plurality of key switch devices. SOLUTION: A locking member 6 having a turnably locking portion 7 for turnably locking a turning shaft 18 formed at the lower end of a first link 14 in a guide member 10 for guiding a vertical motion of a key top 9 and a slidably locking portion 8 for slidably locking a slide shaft 20 formed at the lower end of a second link 15 is adhesively fixed onto a support plate 2 of a key switch device 3 via first to third adhesive layers.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a guide member in which two links are movably arranged, the upper end of one of the links being locked to the lower surface of a key top and the lower end being supported. The upper end of the other link is locked to the lower surface of the key top, and the lower end is locked to the support plate to guide the vertical movement of the key top via a guide member. Key switch device that performs switching while
In particular, by fixing a locking member that movably locks the lower end of each link on the surface of the support plate via various surface fixing means, the manufacturing cost of the support plate can be significantly reduced. Also, the present invention relates to a key switch device capable of increasing flexibility in designing a keyboard device having a plurality of key switch devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various key switch devices have been proposed which perform switching by guiding the up and down movement of a key top by a guide member in which a pair of links are arranged in a crossed manner in a movable state. For example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-5236 discloses that an upper holder is attached to the lower surface of a key top, and a first lower holder and a second lower holder are attached to a printed circuit board. A push button switch in which an X-shaped frame composed of two rectangular frames is disposed is described.

In this push button switch, the upper portion of one rectangular frame is slidably supported between the flat portion of the upper holder and the lower surface of the keytop, and the leg of the rectangular frame is formed of a first holder. To be rotatable. The upper portion of the other rectangular frame is rotatably supported in the groove of the upper holder, and the legs of the rectangular frame are slidably supported by the second holder. Further, a rubber switch on which the projection on the lower surface of the key top is mounted is arranged on the printed board, and the movable contact of the rubber switch corresponds to a fixed contact provided on the printed board.

In the push button switch, when any part of the key top is pressed, the rubber switch is pressed while maintaining the parallel state of the key top to switch the movable contact of the rubber switch and the fixed contact of the printed circuit board. Is what you can do.

However, in the push-button switch described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-5236, the first lower holder and the second lower holder attached to the printed circuit board are both provided with mounting holes (not shown) formed in the printed circuit board. (See FIGS. 2 and 4).
The lower ends of the locking pieces of the lower holder and the second lower holder are projected further downward from the lower surface of the printed circuit board.

If the lower ends of the locking pieces of the first lower holder and the second lower holder protrude from the lower surface of the printed circuit board, it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the push button switch. There is a problem that the key switch device including the switch cannot be adapted to the current situation where the thickness is being promoted.

Under such circumstances, the applicant of the present application has disclosed the specification and drawings (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No.
No. 33), an electric circuit pattern is formed on an insulating layer provided on a surface of a substrate made of a metal plate, and a circuit pattern is formed in order to cope with miniaturization and thinning of a keyboard while securing sufficient keystrokes. A key switch device in which four mounting portions are formed integrally with the substrate by pressing the substrate around the inside fixed contact pattern has been proposed. Here, two of the four mounting portions are arc-shaped rotation locking portions, and the other two are elongated hole-shaped sliding locking portions.

In this switch device, a guide support member rotatably supporting the two link members is disposed between the keytop and the substrate, and is formed above one of the link members. The locking shaft is rotatably locked to a rotation locking portion formed on the back surface of the key top, and a locking pin formed at a lower portion of the link member constitutes a sliding locking portion of the substrate. Is slidably locked to the mounting portion. Also,
A locking pin formed on the upper part of the other link member is slidably locked on a sliding locking part formed on the back surface of the key top, and a locking shaft formed on the lower part of the link member is The substrate is rotatably locked to a mounting portion that forms a rotation locking portion of the substrate.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Application No. 5-166.
No. 80 specification and drawings (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-77133)
In the key switch proposed in the above, the locking pin at the lower end of each link member and the mounting portion for locking the locking shaft so as to be slidable or rotatable with respect to the substrate made of a metal plate are formed by pressing. Since the key switch device is formed integrally with the keyboard, it is possible to realize a key switch device that can cope with the miniaturization and thinning of the keyboard while securing a sufficient key stroke.

However, in the case where a predetermined press working is performed on a metal substrate to form each mounting portion integrally with the substrate, a relatively large press die is used to process each mounting portion over the entire substrate. Required. Such press dies are expensive, which leads to an increase in the cost of the key switch device.

In general, the specifications of the key switch device, such as the arrangement of the key switches, are determined for each country of use. In order to manufacture the key switches in accordance with the specifications of all the countries of use. It is necessary to prepare a press die for each country of use in order to press a substrate in accordance with the specifications of each country. In such a case, in addition to the fact that the press die itself is originally expensive as described above, a plurality of types of press dies must be prepared, which further increases the cost of the key switch device. Will be lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has a mechanism for movably locking lower ends of two links of a guide member for guiding the vertical movement of a key top. By fixing the stop member on the surface of the support plate through various surface fixing means, the manufacturing cost of the support plate can be remarkably reduced without the need for a press die, and a plurality of An object of the present invention is to provide a key switch device capable of increasing flexibility in designing a keyboard device having a key switch device.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key switch device comprising: a key top; a support plate disposed below the key top;
The link and the second link are arranged in a mutually movable state,
The upper end of the first link and the upper end of the second link are movably locked to the lower surface of the keytop, and the lower end of the first link and the lower end of the second link are freely movable. A key switch device having a guide member locked to a support plate and a switching unit provided on the support plate and performing switching through an up / down input operation by a key top, wherein a lower end of the first link is provided. A first shaft formed at a portion of the support plate, a second shaft formed at a lower end of the second link, and fixed to a surface of the support plate via a predetermined surface fixing means; And a locking member for movably locking the second shaft.

In the key switch device according to the first aspect, the first shaft and the second shaft formed at the lower ends of the first link and the second link in the guide member for guiding the vertical movement of the key top are movable. Since the locking member for locking to the key switch device is fixed on the surface of the support plate of the key switch device via surface fixing means, it is not necessary to form the locking portion on the support plate by press working or the like. In addition, an expensive press die is not required, and the manufacturing cost of the support plate can be significantly reduced.

Even in the case where the specifications differ for each country of use of the key switch device, the locking member may be fixed on the support plate via the surface fixing means in accordance with the specifications of each country of use. Therefore, it is possible to increase flexibility in designing a keyboard device having a plurality of key switch devices without preparing a press die for each country of use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the key switch of the first aspect, the locking member is formed in a chip shape with a unit length of the key switch device. According to the key switch device of the second aspect, since the locking member fixed to the surface of the support plate is formed in a chip shape with a unit length of the key switch device, specifications for each country of use of the key switch device are provided. It is possible to further increase the design flexibility of a keyboard device having a plurality of key switch devices.

Further, the key switch device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the key switch device according to the first aspect, wherein a plurality of key switch devices are disposed on the support plate, and the locking member is The key switch device is characterized in that the guide member is formed to have a length capable of movably locking the first shaft of each first link and the second shaft of the second link. In the key switch device according to the third aspect, the first shaft of the first link and the second link of the second link of the guide member in each of the plurality of key switch devices disposed on the support plate.
Since the length of the locking member is set so that the shaft can be movably locked, the locking member may be fixed via surface fixing means corresponding to each key switch device. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of steps of fixing the locking member to the support plate and reduce the cost of the key switch device.

Here, as the above-mentioned surface fixing means,
An adhesive applied and formed on the surface of the support plate as described in claim 4 may be used.
As described in the eighth aspect, both the support plate and the locking member are formed from a metal material, and the surface fixing means may be any of welding, soldering, laser welding, and ultrasonic welding.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a key switch device according to the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment embodying the present invention with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of a keyboard device in which a large number of key switch devices according to the first embodiment are disposed on a support plate will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a keyboard device, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the keyboard device schematically showing a key switch device without a key top.

In FIG. 1 and FIG.
Is a supporting plate 2 made of a thin aluminum plate.
On top, a plurality of key switch devices 3 are arranged in rows in the vertical and horizontal directions. An insulating resist layer (not shown) is formed on the upper surface of the support plate 2, and a predetermined circuit pattern 4 is formed on the insulating resist layer using conductive ink or the like. In the circuit pattern 4, a fixed contact pattern 5 is formed at a substantially central position of an area where each key switch device 3 is provided.

In the area corresponding to each key switch device 3, a pair of locking members 6 are fixed on the support plate 2 via an adhesive while being separated from each other by a predetermined distance. The locking member 6 is formed by forming a linear material formed of a metal such as aluminum or iron into a predetermined shape, and cutting the linear material into a chip shape at a unit length of the key switch device 3. Further, as described later, the locking member 6 has a pivot formed at the lower end of the first link 14 constituting the guide member 10 for guiding the key top 9 up and down by the key switch device 3. An arc-shaped rotation locking portion 7 for rotatably locking the shaft 18, and a long hole shape for slidably locking a sliding shaft 20 formed at the lower end of the second link 15. Is formed.

Here, as the adhesive for fixing the locking member 6 to the support plate 2, a commercially available adhesive for chip components used for high-density mounting of various chip components can be used. Short time, solder heat resistance, electrical
Epoxy adhesives and the like excellent in mechanical properties, insulation resistance and the like are suitable. Further, the locking member 6 may be directly bonded and fixed to the support plate 2 or may be bonded and fixed on the insulating resist layer. When the locking member 6 is directly bonded and fixed to the support plate 2, the insulating resist layer is not formed only at the bonding portion of the locking member 6 in the area corresponding to the key switch device 3. The fixing member 6 is directly adhered and fixed to the support plate 2 with an adhesive at an adhering point where no is present.

Next, the configuration of the key switch device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the key switch device 3. In FIG. 3, the key switch device 3
Are basically arranged corresponding to the key top 9, the guide member 10 for guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the key top 9, and the fixed contact pattern 5 of the circuit pattern 4 formed on the support plate 2 below the guide member 10. And a pair of locking members 6. Circuit pattern 4
May be a one-layer, two-layer or three-layer membrane substrate. In that case, some rubber springs have movable electrodes and others do not.

Here, the key top 9 is formed of a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin, and predetermined characters, symbols, etc. are provided on the upper surface thereof by printing or the like. Further, on the lower surface of the key top 9, a sliding locking portion 12 corresponding to the sliding locking portion 8 of the locking member 6 disposed below and a rotation locking portion 7 of the locking member 6 are provided. The corresponding rotation locking portion 13 is formed integrally with the key top 9. Note that the sliding locking portion 12 and the rotation locking portion 13 may be configured by attaching a member formed separately from the key top 9 to the lower surface of the key top 9.

The guide member 10 has a shaft support 16 so that the first link 14 and the second link 15 can be rotated relative to each other.
And are supported in a cross-shaped manner through the shaft.
A sliding shaft 17 is formed at the upper end of the first link 14 so as to extend outward. The sliding shaft 17 is slidably locked in the sliding locking portion 12 of the key top 9. You. A rotation shaft 18 is formed at the lower end of the first link 14 so as to extend outward. The rotation shaft 18 is rotatable within the rotation locking portion 7 of the locking member 6. Is locked.

A rotating shaft 19 is provided at the upper end of the second link 15.
Are extended outwardly, and the pivot pin shaft is rotatably locked in the rotary locking portion 13 of the key top 9.
A sliding shaft 20 is formed at the lower end of the second link 15 so as to extend outward.
Are slidably locked in the sliding locking portion 8 of the. The structure of the first link 14 and the second link 15 forming the guide member 10 is basically the same as the structure of the link member described in the specification and drawings such as Japanese Utility Model Application No. Hei 5-16680. Therefore, the detailed structure is referred to the specification and drawings such as Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 5-16680, and the description thereof is omitted here.

The rubber spring 11 is made of silicon, EP
It is formed in an inverted cup shape from a rubber material such as DM, and a movable contact (not shown) is provided on an inner upper wall thereof. The movable contact is opposed to the fixed contact pattern 5 of the circuit pattern 4 formed on the support plate 2. On the upper part of the rubber spring 11, a shaft support 16 of the first link 14 and the second link 15 of the guide member 10 is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the locking member 6 includes a slot-shaped sliding locking portion 8 in which the sliding shaft 20 of the second link 15 is slidably locked, and the first link 14 An arc-shaped rotation locking portion 7 on which the rotation shaft 18 is rotatably locked, a first adhesive portion 21 continuous outside the sliding locking portion 8 (left side in FIG. 4), Second adhesive portion 2 connecting between stop portion 8 and rotation locking portion 7
2 and a third adhesive portion 23 which is continuous outside the rotation locking portion 7 (right side in FIG. 4). The first bonding portion 21 of each locking member 6 is bonded and fixed to the support plate 2 via a first adhesive layer 24 formed on the support plate 2 by coating, and the second bonding portion 22 is similarly formed by coating. The second adhesive layer 25 is bonded and fixed to the support plate 2 via the second adhesive layer 25, and the third adhesive portion 23 is similarly coated and formed on the third adhesive layer 23.
It is adhesively fixed to the support plate 2 via the adhesive layer 26. Thereby, each locking member 6 is bonded and fixed on the support plate 2.

In order to manufacture the locking member 6, a flat linear material wound in a roll shape is formed into a predetermined shape while being continuously pulled out, and is formed into a chip shape in units of the key switch device 3. Obtained by cutting. Further, it may be formed from a resin material by a molding method. In order to fix and fix the locking member 6 thus manufactured on the support plate 2,
First, after the support plate 2 formed in a predetermined shape is set at a predetermined position, the first adhesive layer 24, the second adhesive layer 25, and the 3. An adhesive layer 26 is applied and formed. After this,
As shown in FIG. 5, the locking member 6 is sucked and held by the suction hole 28 of the suction head 27 using an automatic mounting machine loaded with the locking member 6 formed in a chip shape as described above. , The first adhesive portion 21 and the first adhesive layer 24, the second adhesive portion 2
The second adhesive layer 25 and the third adhesive portion 23 and the third adhesive layer 26 are positioned and pressed by the suction head 27 with a predetermined pressure. As a result, the locking member 6 is moved to the first to third adhesive layers 2 at predetermined positions of the support plate 2.
It is bonded and fixed via 4, 25, 26. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower portion of the suction head 27 has a shape that matches the shape of the locking member 6, so that the locking member 6 can be attached to each of the first to third adhesive layers 24. , 25, 2
6 can be reliably pressed.

In the key switch device 3 configured as described above, when the key top 9 is pressed, the key top 9
Of the first link 14 based on the downward movement of
Is slid leftward in the sliding locking portion 12 of the key top 9, and the rotating shaft 18 is rotated counterclockwise in the rotating locking portion 7 of the locking member 6. At the same time, the rotation shaft 19 of the second link 15 rotates clockwise in the rotation locking portion 13 of the key top 9, and the sliding shaft 20 moves in the sliding locking portion 8 of the locking member 6. Slide to the left. Thereby, the first link 1
The shaft support 16 of the fourth link 15 and the second link 15 gradually presses the rubber spring 11, and when the amount of pressing exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 11 is buckled. As a result, the movable contact provided on the inner upper wall of the rubber spring 11 comes into contact with the fixed setting pattern 5 in the circuit pattern 4, and a predetermined switching operation is performed.

On the other hand, when the key top 9 is released from being pressed,
Each of the first link 14 and the second link 15 is pushed upward by the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring 11. Accordingly, the sliding shaft 17 of the first link 14, the rotating shaft 18,
In addition, the rotation shaft 19 and the sliding shaft 20 of the second link 15 perform an operation reverse to the above-described operation, and as a result,
Is returned to the original position shown in FIG.

Next, a key switch device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the key switch according to the second example has basically the same configuration as the key switch device 3 according to the first embodiment, and
In the key switch device 3 of the embodiment, the locking member 6 is formed of a flat linear material, whereas in the key switch device of the second embodiment, the locking member 6 is formed of a wire-shaped linear material. The only difference is that Accordingly, in the following description, the same members and the like as those of the key switch device 3 of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the configuration unique to the key switch device of the second embodiment will be described. The description will be made by focusing on. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the locking member is adhered and fixed to the support plate in the key switch device of the second embodiment.

In FIG. 6, a locking member 30 includes an elongated hole-shaped sliding locking portion 32 in which the sliding shaft 20 of the second link 15 is slidably locked, and a rotating shaft of the first link 14. An arc-shaped rotation locking part 31 and a sliding locking part 32 to which the rotation of the rotating member 18 is rotatably locked.
6, a second bonding portion 34 connecting between the sliding locking portion 32 and the rotation locking portion 31, and a rotation locking portion. The third bonding portion 35 is continuous outside the right side of FIG. The first bonding portion 33 of each locking member 30 is bonded and fixed to the support plate 2 via the first adhesive layer 24 formed on the support plate 2, and the second bonding portion 34 is formed by coating in the same manner. The third bonding portion 35 is bonded and fixed to the support plate 2 via the third adhesive layer 26 similarly coated and formed via the second adhesive layer 25 thus formed. . Thus, each locking member 30 is bonded and fixed on the support plate 2.

In order to manufacture the locking member 30, a wire-shaped wire material wound in a roll shape is formed into a predetermined shape while being continuously pulled out, and is formed into a chip shape in units of the key switch device 3. Obtained by cutting. In order to fix and fix the locking member 30 manufactured as described above on the support plate 2, first, the support plate 2 formed into a predetermined shape is used.
Is set at a predetermined position, and the first adhesive layer 2 corresponding to each key switch device 3 is set by a known automatic adhesive application device.
4. The second adhesive layer 25 and the third adhesive layer 26 are applied and formed. Thereafter, using the mounting head (not shown) attached to the automatic mounting machine loaded with the locking member 30 formed in a chip shape as described above, the first bonding portion 33 and the first bonding agent are used. The layer 24, the second adhesive portion 34 and the second adhesive layer 25, and the third adhesive portion 35 and the third adhesive layer 26 are positioned and pressed with a predetermined pressure by the mounting head. Thus, the locking member 30 is bonded and fixed at a predetermined position on the support plate 2 via the first to third adhesive layers 24, 25, and 26.

Next, a key switch device according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the key switch according to the third example has basically the same configuration as the key switch device 3 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In the key switch device 3 of the embodiment, the locking members 6 and 30 are formed in a chip shape with a unit length of each key switch device 3.
The key switch device of the third embodiment is different from the key switch device of the third embodiment in that the locking member is formed to have a length that extends over a plurality of key switch devices arranged in a row in the vertical and horizontal directions on the support plate. Only different. Therefore, in the following description, the key switch device 3 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described.
The same members and the like will be described with the same reference numerals, and the description will be given focusing on the configuration unique to the key switch device of the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the key switch device according to the third embodiment.

In FIG. 7, the key switch device 3 basically includes a key top 9 and a key top 9 as in the above embodiments.
A guide member 10 for guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the key top 9, a rubber spring 11 disposed below the guide member 10 and corresponding to the fixed contact pattern 5 of the circuit pattern 4 formed on the support plate 2, and a pair of rubber springs; It is composed of a locking member 40.

As shown in FIG. 7, the locking member 40 is formed to have a length covering a plurality of key switch devices 3 arranged in a row on the support plate 2. In correspondence with the key switch device 3, an arc-shaped rotation locking portion 41 for rotatably locking the rotation shaft 18 of the first link 14;
In addition, a long hole-shaped sliding locking portion 42 that slidably locks the sliding shaft 20 of the second link 15 is formed. Note that FIG.
In the long locking member 40 shown in FIG. 5, for example, a portion existing between the sliding locking portion 42 of the right key switch device 3 and the rotation locking portion 41 of the left key switch device 3 is The first bonding portion 43 is formed, and a portion existing between the sliding locking portion 42 and the rotation locking portion 41 in each key switch device 3 is a second bonding portion 44. Further, the portion of the key switch device 3 located at the end of the locking member 40 (in FIG. 7, the right end as an example) that is continuous from the rotation locking portion 41 becomes a third bonding portion 45. The number of key switch devices 3 covered by the locking member 40 can be set arbitrarily according to various specifications of the keyboard device 1.

The first adhesive portion 43 of the locking member 40 is formed by coating the first adhesive layer 24 on the support plate 2.
(See FIGS. 4 and 6) and is fixed to the support plate 2 via the second adhesive layer 25 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). 2, and the third bonding portion 45 is bonded and fixed to the support plate 2 via the third adhesive layer 26 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) similarly coated and formed. Thus, the locking member 40 is bonded and fixed on the support plate 2.

In order to manufacture the locking member 40, a flat linear material wound in a roll shape is continuously drawn, formed into a predetermined shape, and passed over a plurality of key switch devices 3. Obtained by cutting in length. In order to bond and fix the locking member 40 manufactured as described above on the support plate 2, first, similarly to the case described above, first,
After the support plate 2 formed in a predetermined shape is set at a predetermined position, the first adhesive layer 24 and the second adhesive layer 2 corresponding to each key switch device 3 are set by a known automatic adhesive application device.
5. The third adhesive layer 26 is applied and formed. Thereafter, the first bonding portion 43 and the first bonding portion 43 are held while the locking member 40 is held by the mounting head using an automatic mounting machine loaded with the locking member 40 formed in the elongated shape as described above. Adhesive layer 24, second
The bonding portion 44 and the second adhesive layer 25, and the third bonding portion 45 and the third
The adhesive layer 26 is positioned and pressed with a predetermined pressure by the mounting head. Thereby, the locking member 4
Reference numeral 0 denotes the first to third adhesive layers 24 and 25 over a plurality of key switch devices 3 at predetermined positions of the support plate 2.
26, it is bonded and fixed.

In the key switch device 3 according to the first to third embodiments, the locking members 6, 30, 40
Is bonded and fixed to the surface of the support plate 2 via the first adhesive layer 24, the second adhesive layer 25, and the third adhesive layer 26, but the locking members 6, 30, and 40 are made of an adhesive. Support plate 2 using various surface fixing methods other than adhesive fixing
Can be fixed to the surface. In the following,
Examples in which the locking member 6 in the first embodiment is fixed to the surface of the support plate 2 using various surface fixing methods will be described.

For example, it is possible to form both the support plate 2 and the locking member 6 from aluminum, iron, or the like, and fix the locking member 6 to the surface of the support plate 2 using a so-called spot welding method. . Such a case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the locking member 6 is fixed to the surface of the support plate 2 via a spot welding method.

In FIG. 8, in order to fix the locking member 6 to the surface of the support plate 2 by spot welding, first,
After the support plate 2 formed in a predetermined shape is set at a predetermined position, the locking member 6 is moved to a predetermined position on the support plate 2 by using an automatic mounting machine loaded with a locking member 6 formed into a chip shape. Deploy. At this time, the locking member 6 is fixed to the support plate
It is desirable to temporarily fix at a predetermined position on the surface of the device. Then, using a spot welding device 52 having a pair of upper electrode 50 and lower electrode 51, the upper electrode
Spot welding is performed by applying a high current between each of the upper electrode 50 and the lower electrode 51 in a state where the lower electrode 51 is in contact with the lower surface of the support plate 2 while the lower electrode 51 is in contact with the first bonding portion 21. Further, such an operation is performed by the second bonding portion 22 and the third bonding portion 22.
This is also performed for the bonding portion 23. Thereby, the locking member 6
Are fixed to the surface of the support plate 2 by welding.

It is also possible to fix the locking member 6 to the surface of the support plate 2 by using a soldering method. Such a case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the locking member 6 is fixed to the surface of the support plate 2 via a soldering method.

In FIG. 9, in order to fix the locking member 6 to the surface of the support plate 2 by a soldering method, first, the support plate 2 formed into a predetermined shape is set at a predetermined position in an automatic soldering apparatus. Then, the first cream solder layer 53 and the second cream solder layer 5 correspond to the key switch device 3.
4. The third cream solder layer 55 is applied and formed. After this,
Using an automatic mounting machine loaded with a chip-shaped locking member 6, the first adhesive portion 21 and the first cream solder layer 5 are formed.
3. The second bonding portion 22 and the second cream solder layer 54, and the third bonding portion 23 and the third cream solder layer 55 are arranged on the support plate 2 in correspondence with each other. Then, a solder reflow process is performed. Thereby, the locking member 6 is soldered to the surface of the support plate 2.

Further, the locking member 6 is formed by using a laser welding method.
Can be fixed to the surface of the support plate 2.
Such a case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the locking member 6 is fixed to the surface of the support plate 2 via a laser welding method.

In FIG. 10, in order to fix the locking member 6 to the surface of the support plate 2 by the laser welding method, first,
After the support plate 2 formed in a predetermined shape is set at a predetermined position, the locking member 6 is moved to a predetermined position on the support plate 2 by using an automatic mounting machine loaded with a locking member 6 formed into a chip shape. Deploy. At this time, it is desirable to temporarily fix the locking member 6 at a predetermined position on the surface of the support plate 2 with an adhesive or the like that does not hinder laser welding. Then, the laser beam 57 is applied by the laser head 56 of the laser welding device to the first bonding portion 21, the second bonding portion 22, and the third bonding portion 22.
Irradiation is performed continuously from above the bonding portion 23. This allows
The locking member 6 is welded and fixed to the surface of the support plate 2.

The locking member 6 is formed by using an ultrasonic welding method.
Can be fixed to the surface of the support plate 2.
Such a case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the locking member 6 is fixed to the surface of the support plate 2 via an ultrasonic welding method.

In FIG. 11, in order to fix the locking member 6 to the surface of the support plate 2 by the ultrasonic welding method, first,
After the support plate 2 formed in a predetermined shape is set at a predetermined position, the locking member 6 is moved to a predetermined position on the support plate 2 by using an automatic mounting machine loaded with a locking member 6 formed into a chip shape. Deploy. At this time, it is desirable to temporarily fix the locking member 6 at a predetermined position on the surface of the support plate 2 with an adhesive or the like that does not hinder the ultrasonic welding. Then, using an ultrasonic welding device having a pair of upper horn 58 and lower horn 59, the upper horn 58 is brought into contact with the first bonding portion 21 of the locking member 6 and the lower horn 59
Is applied between the upper horn 58 and the lower horn 59 in a state of contact with the lower surface of the support plate 2. Further, this operation is also performed for the second bonding portion 22 and the third bonding portion 23. Thereby, the locking member 6 is connected to the support plate 2.
Is ultrasonically welded to the surface of the substrate.

Further, it is also possible to fix the locking member 6 to the surface of the support plate 2 using a caulking method. Such a case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the locking member 6 is fixed to the surface of the support plate 2 via a caulking method.

In FIG. 12, in order to fix the locking member 6 to the surface of the support plate 2 by caulking, first, a so-called burring process is performed on the support plate 2 so that the first bonding portion 21 of the locking member 6 is formed. , A cylindrical burring portion 60 at a position corresponding to the second bonding portion 22 and the third bonding portion 23.
To form In addition, each of the first bonding portion 21, the second bonding portion 22, and the third bonding portion 23 of the locking member 6 has an insertion hole 61.
Is formed. After the support plate 2 is set at a predetermined position, the first to third bonding portions 21 of the locking member 6 are set using an automatic mounting machine loaded with the locking member 6 formed into a chip shape. Each insertion hole 6 formed in 22, 23
The pearling portion 60 formed on the support plate 2 is inserted into the inside 1. Thereafter, the upper punch 62 is made to face the burring 60 and the lower punch 63 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the support plate 2, and caulking is performed in this state. As a result, as shown in FIG.
It extends to the upper surface of the bonding parts 21, 22, 23, and as a result,
The locking member 6 is fixed by caulking to the surface of the support plate 2.

As described above in detail, in the key switch device 3 according to the first to third embodiments, the key member 9 is formed at the lower end of the first link 14 of the guide member 10 for guiding the vertical movement of the key top 9. Locking portions 7, 31, 41 for rotatably locking the rotating shaft 18 and the second link 1.
Locking members 6, 3 having sliding locking portions 8, 32, 42 for slidably locking the sliding shaft 20 formed at the lower end portion of the locking member 6, 3
The first and third adhesive layers 24, 25, and 26 are bonded and fixed to the support plate 2 of the key switch device 3 through the first and third adhesive layers. It is not necessary to form a part, and therefore, an expensive press die is not required, so that the manufacturing cost of the support plate 2 is significantly reduced. Further, since the die production is not required, the initial production is started up quickly. be able to.

Even when the specifications of the keyboard device 1 in which a plurality of key switch devices 3 are provided differ depending on the countries of use, the bonding on the support plate 2 in accordance with the specifications of each country of use. The locking members 6, 30, and 40 may be bonded and fixed via the agent layers 24, 25, and 26. Therefore, a plurality of key switch devices 3 are provided without preparing a press die for each country of use. Flexibility in designing the keyboard device 1 can be increased.

Further, in the key switch device 3 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the locking members 6 and 30 which are adhered and fixed on the support plate 2 are formed in a chip shape for each key switch device 3. Based on this, it is possible to further increase the design flexibility of the keyboard device 1 having the plurality of key switch devices 3 so as to match the specifications of the key switch device 3 for each country of use.

The key switch device 3 of the third embodiment
The first link 14 of the guide member 10 in each of the plurality of key switch devices 3 arranged on the support plate 2 will now be described.
Locking member 4 so that the rotating shaft 18 and the sliding shaft 20 of the second link 15 can be rotatably and slidably locked, respectively.
Since the length of 0 is set over the plurality of key switch devices 3, the locking member 40 is provided via the adhesive layers 24, 25, 26 corresponding to each row of the key switch devices 3. It suffices to bond and fix, so that the number of steps of bonding the locking member 40 to the support plate 2 can be reduced and the cost of the key switch device 3 can be reduced.

The above embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the key switch device 3 of the first embodiment, the locking member 6 is formed in a chip shape with a length corresponding to the unit length of the key switch device 3, but, for example, as shown in FIG. The locking member 6 may be divided into two members, a rotation locking member 7A and a sliding locking member 8A. As described above, when the locking member 6 is divided into the rotation locking member 7A and the sliding locking member 8A, the formation pattern of the adhesive layer applied and formed on the support plate 2 depends on each rotation member. It is necessary to change according to the stop member 7A and the slide locking member 8A.

The key switch device 3 of the second embodiment
In the above, the locking member 30 was formed from a wire-shaped linear material. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the first adhesive layer 24, the second adhesive layer 25, and the third The first bonding portion 33 and the second bonding portion 3 correspond to the adhesive layer 26.
4. The third bonding portion 35 may be formed in a flat plate shape. In such a case, each of the adhesive portions 33, 34, 35 and each of the adhesive layers 2
4, 25, and 26, the bonding area is increased, and the locking member 30
Can be more reliably and firmly adhered and fixed to the support plate 2.

Further, the key switch device 3 of the first embodiment
Then, the first to third bonding portions 21, 22, and 23 are formed,
Although the locking member 6 provided with the rotation locking portion 7 and the sliding locking portion 8 between them is used, as shown in FIG. One side (the left side in FIG. 15) of the unit 8 may be configured to be open. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the first bonding portion 21 and the third bonding portion 23 may be omitted, and two sliding locking portions 8 may be formed on both sides of the second bonding portion 22. It is necessary to change the formation pattern of the adhesive layer according to the embodiment. In this case, in addition to the sliding shaft 20 of the second link 15, the rotating shaft 18 of the first link 14 is also slid in the sliding locking portion 8. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, by bending the ends of the first bonding portion 21 and the third bonding portion 23 of the locking member 6, positioning protrusions 21A and 23A are formed, and the protrusions 21A and 23A are formed. 23A is inserted into the positioning hole 2A formed in the support plate 2 to lock the locking member 6 to the support plate 2.
May be positioned at a predetermined position.

[0058]

As described above, according to the key switch device of the first aspect, the first shaft and the first shaft formed on the lower end of the first link and the second link in the guide member for guiding the vertical movement of the key top, respectively. Since the locking member for movably locking the second shaft is fixed to the support plate of the key switch device via the surface fixing means, it is necessary to form the locking portion on the support plate by press working or the like. Not,
Therefore, an expensive press die is not required, so that the production cost of the support plate can be remarkably reduced, and the start-up of the initial production is accelerated.

Even in the case where the specifications differ for each country of use of the key switch device, the locking member may be fixed on the support plate via an adhesive in accordance with the specifications of each country of use. In addition, it is possible to increase flexibility in designing a keyboard device having a plurality of key switch devices without preparing a press die for each country of use.

Further, in the key switch device according to the second aspect, the locking member fixed on the support plate is formed in a chip shape for each key switch device.
It is possible to further increase the flexibility in designing a keyboard device having a plurality of key switch devices so as to match the specifications of the key switch device for each country of use.

Further, in the key switch device according to the third aspect, the first pin of the first link and the first link of the second link of the guide member in each of the plurality of key switch devices arranged in a row on the support plate. Since the length of the locking member is set so that the second pin can be movably locked, the locking member is fixed via an adhesive corresponding to each row of the key switch devices. As a result, the number of steps of bonding the locking member to the support plate can be reduced, and the cost of the key switch device can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a keyboard device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a keyboard device schematically showing a key switch device excluding a key top.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the key switch device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a locking member is adhered and fixed to a support plate in the key switch device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a locking member is bonded and fixed to a support plate using a suction head.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a locking member is bonded and fixed to a support plate in the key switch device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a key switch device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the locking member is fixed to the surface of the support plate via a spot welding method.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the locking member is fixed to the surface of the support plate via a soldering method.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the locking member is fixed to the surface of the support plate via a laser welding method.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the locking member is fixed to the surface of the support plate via an ultrasonic welding method.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the locking member is fixed to the surface of the support plate via a caulking method.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing a modification of the key switch device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a locking member is adhered and fixed to a support plate in a modification of the key switch device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view showing a first modification of the locking member in the key switch device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view showing a second modification of the locking member in the key switch device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view showing a third modification of the locking member in the key switch device of the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 keyboard device 2 support plate 3 key switch device 4 circuit pattern 5 fixed contact pattern 6 locking member 7 rotation locking portion 8 sliding locking portion 9 key top 10 guide member 11 rubber spring 12 sliding locking portion 13 times Dynamic locking portion 14 First link 15 Second link 16 Shaft support 17 Sliding pin of first link 18 Rotating pin of first link 19 Rotating pin of second link 20 Sliding pin of second link 21 First Adhesive part 22 Second adhesive part 23 Third adhesive part 24 First adhesive layer 25 Second adhesive layer 26 Third adhesive layer 27 Suction head 28 Suction hole 30 Locking member 31 Rotation locking part 32 Sliding member Stop portion 33 First bonding portion 34 Second bonding portion 35 Third bonding portion 40 Locking member 41 Rotation locking portion 42 Sliding locking portion 43 First bonding portion 44 Second bonding portion 45 Third bonding portion

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A key top, a support plate disposed below the key top, and a first link and a second link movably arranged with respect to each other, and an upper end of the first link and a second link. A guide member in which the upper end of the link is movably locked to the lower surface of the key top, and the lower end of the first link and the lower end of the second link are movably locked to the support plate. A key switch device provided on the support plate and having a switching unit that performs switching through an up / down input operation using a key top; a first shaft formed at a lower end of the first link; A second shaft formed at a lower end of the second link, and fixed on a surface of the support plate via predetermined surface fixing means, and movably locks the first shaft and the second shaft. With a locking member A key switch device. 2. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is formed in a chip shape with a unit length of the key switch device. 3. A plurality of key switch devices are provided on the support plate, and the locking member is a first shaft and a second link of each first link of a guide member in each key switch device. 2. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein said key switch device is formed to a length capable of movably locking said second shaft. 4. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein said surface fixing means is an adhesive applied and formed on a surface of a support plate. 5. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein said support plate and said locking member are formed of a metal material, and said surface fixing means is welding. . 6. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the support plate and the locking member are formed of a metal material, and the surface fixing means is soldered. apparatus. 7. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein said support plate and said locking member are formed of a metal material, and said surface fixing means is laser welding. apparatus. 8. The key according to claim 1, wherein said support plate and said locking member are formed of a metal material, and said surface fixing means is ultrasonic welding. Switch device.