JP2001250448A - Key switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key switch that may be made thin. SOLUTION: This key switch comprises a key top 1, a plurality of sidewall parts 2a, 2b, 2c with the base ends turnably connected to the periphery of the key top 1 and the free ends held by a support slidably in the horizontal direction, an elastic device 8 for executing a pressure against the key top 1 in the upward direction, and a switch element 7 for performing the switching action accompanying the elevating movement of the key top 1. Two or more key switches are arranged in parallel with each other. Arranged between the adjacent key switches is a common support 24, whereby the free end 4 of the sidewall part of one key switch is slidably supported together with the free end 4 of the sidewall part of the other key switch.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key switch used for, for example, a keyboard input device, and more particularly to a key switch suitable for thinning.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of key switches for use in a keyboard input device have been proposed. One of the common ones is one in which a pantograph mechanism is arranged below a key top. This key switch allows the key top to descend in a horizontal state without tilting, even when the operator presses the vicinity of the end of the key top with a finger. A pantograph mechanism is provided below each key top in order to ascend in a proper state, that is, to move the key tops up and down in parallel.

[0003]

However, this key switch has a limit in reducing the thickness of the switch because a pantograph mechanism having a complicated structure is arranged below the key top. As a result, it becomes an obstacle in making the keyboard input device thinner.

An object of the present invention is to provide a key switch which can solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, can be made thinner, and has a simple structure.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a first means of the present invention is to provide a key top, and to guide and support the key top between an ascending position and a descending position, for raising and lowering the key top. Accordingly, the lower end slides in the horizontal direction, for example, a guide support member composed of a side wall part described later, an elastic means composed of, for example, click rubber described later for urging the key top to the ascending position side, and the elevation of the key top For example, two or more key switches each having a switching element, such as a membrane switch described below, that perform a switching operation in accordance with the operation are provided in parallel.

A common support is provided between adjacent key switches, and the lower end of the guide support of one key switch and the lower end of the guide support of the other key switch are slidable by the common support. It is characterized by being supported by.

[0007] A second means of the present invention is the first means, wherein the key tops of the adjacent key switches are located at an ascending position and the lower end of the guide support member is the farthest in the common support. Is L, and S is the moving distance of the lower end of the guide support member from when the key top starts to be pressed until the switch element is turned on, S <L <2S
Is characterized by the following relationship.

A third aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, wherein the guide support member comprises a side wall formed integrally with the key top, and is thin and can be bent near the boundary between the key top and the side wall. Wherein a portion is formed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the side wall portion is connected in at least three directions on the outer periphery of the key top.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the common support portion is formed in a frame shape, and a lower end portion (for example, a shaft portion) of the guide support member is slidable in the frame shape support portion. Characterized by being inserted into the.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the elastic means is formed of an elastic body having a click function, such as a click rubber, and is elastically deformable between the key top and the switch element. It is characterized by being interposed.

With the construction as in the first means, a pantograph mechanism having a complicated structure as in the prior art is not required, and the thickness of the key switch can be reduced. Also, when two or more key switches are arranged side by side,
Providing a support part for individually supporting the lower end of the guide support member increases the installation space and hinders miniaturization, and increases the number of components.However, the provision of the common support part requires only a small installation space. It is possible to provide an inexpensive key switch that can be reduced in size, can reduce the number of components, and can be provided.

By setting S <L <2S as in the second means, both switches are not turned on even if adjacent key tops are pressed at the same time, and a signal trouble is eliminated.

If the key top and the plurality of side walls are integrally formed as in the third means, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembling work can be improved.

If the side walls are connected in at least three directions on the outer periphery of the key top as in the fourth means, the key top can be moved up and down while maintaining a horizontal state without tilting.

If the common support portion is formed in a frame shape as in the fifth means, and a part of the lower end portion of the guide support member is slidably inserted into the frame support portion, the key top is formed. The key top can be moved up and down without tilting while maintaining a horizontal state.

If the elastic means is made of an elastic body having a click function as in the sixth means and is interposed between the key top and the switch element so as to be elastically deformable, a click feeling is given at the time of key operation. And the key top can be stably supported.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 are views for explaining the key switch according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a plan view before the key switch is pressed, FIG. 2 is a side view before the key switch is pressed, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view when the key switch is pressed, FIG. 4 is a side view when the key switch is pressed, FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a click rubber used for the key switch, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a membrane switch used for the key switch. .

In the key switch according to the present embodiment, the base ends of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c are rotatably connected to three or four sides (three sides in the present embodiment) of the square key top 1. Have been. As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment,
The key top 1 and the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c are integrally injection-molded with a highly flexible synthetic resin, and the thin portion 3 which can be bent near the boundary between the key top 1 and the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c. Are formed respectively. Side wall 2a and side wall 2b
And the boundary between the side wall 2b and the side wall 2c
Each is away.

A shaft 4 protrudes from the free end of each of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c, and is inserted and supported in a frame-shaped shaft support 6 formed on a base 5 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. I have. As shown in FIG. 2, the membrane switch 7 is disposed on the base 5, and the membrane switch 7 and the key top 1 are arranged.
The click rubber 8 is interposed between them.

As shown in FIG. 6, the membrane switch 7 has a flexible upper sheet 10 having an upper electrode 9 on the lower surface and a lower sheet 12 having a lower electrode 11 on the upper surface.
The upper electrode 9 and the lower electrode 11 are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween to form a switch unit, and each switch unit includes a pressing unit 14 provided on the click rubber 8. Is located below.

As shown in FIG. 1, an inverted bowl-shaped click rubber 8 having its bowl turned upside down is interposed between the key top 1 and the membrane switch 7 in a slightly compressed state. The side walls 2a, 2b, and 2c rise up to the ascending position, and the side walls 2a, 2b, and 2c stand up obliquely, and the shaft 4 of each of the side walls 2a, 2b, and 2c abuts one end of the shaft support 6. I have. In this state, the pressing portion 14 of the click rubber 8 is separated from the switch portions (upper electrode 9 and lower electrode 11) of the membrane switch 7, and the switch is in an off state.

When the operator depresses the key top 1, the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c open in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, and the shafts 4 of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c slide in the shaft support 6. When the key top 1 is lowered by a predetermined amount, the click rubber 8 pressed by the key top 1 buckles, and the pressing portion 1
4 deflects the upper sheet 10 of the membrane switch 7, and the upper electrode 9 contacts the lower electrode 11 to be turned on.

When the pressing force against the key top 1 is removed in this switch-on state, the click rubber 8 that has buckled is removed.
Return to the original shape by the restoring force, the upper electrode 9 separates from the lower electrode 11 and returns to the switch-off state, and the key top 1 is pushed up to the initial ascending position, and accordingly each of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c Rises diagonally.

When the end of the key top 1 is pressed as shown in the X portion of FIG. 3, the key top 1 is turned down on the X portion side and the opposite side to the X portion (the side connected to the side wall portion 2c). Although the key top 1 is tilted upward, the key top 1 does not tilt because the cooperation of the shaft portion 4 of the side wall portions 2b and 2c and the shaft support portion 6 restricts the side opposite to the X portion from rising. Is moved downward while keeping the horizontal state.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a modification of the click rubber 8 and the membrane switch 7. As shown in FIG. In this example, a conductive portion 15 is provided on the pressing portion 14 of the click rubber 8, and a first electrode 16 and a second electrode 17 are formed below the conductive portion 15 on the insulating sheet 18 so as to be separated from each other. When the click rubber 8 is pressed, the conductive portion 15 is connected to the first electrode 16 and the second electrode 1.
7 and is turned on.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view before the key switch is depressed, and FIG. 9 is a view showing an integrally molded product of the key top 1 and the side walls 2a, 2b and 2c. It is a side view.

In the case of this embodiment, when the key top 1 and the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c are integrally injection-molded with a highly flexible synthetic resin, as shown in FIG. 9, the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c are formed.
2c are formed close to each other, and the side walls 2a, 2
Each shaft 4 is inserted into the shaft support 6 while slightly expanding b and 2c. Therefore, the key top 1 and the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c can maintain the switch-off state of FIG. 8 by the restoring force of the molded product, and the click rubber 8 becomes unnecessary. A pressing projection 19 is provided on the lower surface of the keytop 1, and when the keytop 1 is pressed down, the pressing projection 19 presses the switch portion of the membrane switch 7.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view before a key switch is depressed.
1 is a side view before pressing, and FIG. 12 is a side view when pressing.

In the case of this embodiment, the key top 1 and the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c are rotatably connected by a shaft 20. At least one of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c
11 (one of the side wall portions 2b in the present embodiment) and the stopper portion 21, a leaf spring 22 is interposed to elastically urge the side wall portion 2b in the direction of the arrow, and the switch-off state of FIG. Is held.

FIG. 13 shows a fourth embodiment. A coil spring 23 is supported by a shaft 20 connecting the key top 1 and the side wall 2a and a shaft 20 connecting the key top 1 and the side wall 2c. The switch-off state in FIG. 13 is maintained by the spring force of 23.

FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment in which a key top 1 having a substantially triangular planar shape is used, and side walls 2a, 2b, 2c are rotatably connected to the corners by a shaft 20. Have been.

FIG. 15 shows a sixth embodiment in which a key top 1 having a substantially circular planar shape is used, and side walls 2a, 2b, 2c are rotated around a shaft 20 at equal intervals around the outer periphery thereof. They are freely connected.

FIGS. 16 to 20 show a seventh embodiment. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state before a key switch is depressed.
7 is a side view before pressing, FIG. 18 is a plan view when one key switch is pressed, FIG. 19 is a side view at that time, and FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a simultaneous pressing preventing function.

In the case of this embodiment, two key switches are arranged in parallel, and a frame-shaped shared shaft support 2 is provided between the two key switches.
The shaft portion 4 of the side wall portion 2c of one key switch and the side wall portion 2 of the other key switch are provided on the shared shaft support portion 24.
The shaft portions 4a are slidably inserted side by side.

As shown in FIG. 20A, the shared shaft support 2
In FIG. 4, when the key switches are off (the key top 1 is in the ascending position) and the two shafts 4 and 4 are farthest apart from each other, the interval is L. Assuming that the moving distance (stroke) of the shaft portion 4 is S, if L ≧ 2S, when two adjacent key switches are simultaneously pressed, both key switches are turned on, and a signal It causes trouble.

When one key switch is depressed, the key switch is turned on. When two key switches are depressed simultaneously, neither key switch is turned on. S <L <
2S. FIG. 20 (b) shows that the key switches are turned off (key top 1) in the shared shaft support 24.
Is in a raised position) and the two shaft portions 4 and 4 are farthest apart from each other. FIG. 3C shows a state in which one key switch is depressed and the switch is turned on. FIG. 4D shows a state in which both key switches are simultaneously pressed, the two shaft portions 4 and 4 interfere with each other in the shared shaft support portion 24, and neither key switch is turned on.

FIGS. 16 to 19 show a key switch using the click rubber 8, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, FIGS. 15 can be applied to the case where the key switches shown in FIG. In this example, two key switches are juxtaposed, but the present invention is also applicable to a case where three or more key switches are juxtaposed.

When the key top 1 and the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c are separate, the key top 1 and / or the side wall 2
a, 2b, and 2c can also be comprised with a metal plate.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a key switch according to the eighth embodiment. This key switch is
A holder member 32 attached to the base 31, a membrane switch 33 interposed between the base 31 and the holder member 32, and a click rubber 34 disposed on a switch (not shown) of the membrane switch 33. A key top 35 fitted on the click rubber 34, and a guide support member 36 for guiding and supporting the key top 35 between a raised position separated from the holder member 32 and a lowered position close to the holder member 32. As shown in the figure, two key switches are provided side by side.

The base 1 is made of a metal plate, and has a shaft supporting portion 37 projecting upward from below and a common shaft supporting portion 38 formed at a predetermined interval. The holder member 32 is also made of a metal plate, and a click rubber holding portion 39 is formed by drawing, and a lower portion of the click rubber 34 is inserted and held.
Since the configuration of the membrane switch 33 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description is omitted.

The click rubber 34 has a bowl-inverted shape as shown in the figure, and the downwardly protruding pressing portion 40 corresponds to the switch portion of the membrane switch 33. A connection protrusion 42 provided on the lower surface of the key top 35 is press-fitted into an annular concave portion 41 provided on the upper part of the click rubber 34, and the key top 35 is connected to the click rubber 34.

The key top 35 is formed of a molded body such as an ABS resin, and is provided with a first locking hole 43 having a long hole shape and a second locking hole 44 having a circular shape in addition to the connection protrusion 42. The guide support member 36 includes a first link member 45 and a second link member 46 made of a synthetic resin molded body, and both are rotatably connected by a pin 47 at an intersection.

The upper shaft portion 48 provided at the upper end of the first link member 45 is slidably inserted into the first locking hole 43 of the key top 35, and the lower shaft portion provided at the lower end of the first link member 45. The part 49 is rotatably inserted into the shaft support part 37 of the base 31. The upper shaft portion 50 provided at the upper end of the second link member 46 is connected to the second locking hole 44 of the key top 35.
The lower shaft 51 provided at the lower end of the second link member 46 is rotatably inserted into the common shaft support 38 of the base 31.
Is slidably inserted into

The figure shows a switch-off state, in which the key top 35 is lifted by the click rubber 34,
Accordingly, the guide support member 36 (the first link member 45 and the second link member 46) rises in an inclined state, and the pressing portion 40 of the click rubber 34 is separated from the membrane switch 33.

When the operator depresses the key top 35, the first link 45 and the second link 46 fall while rotating about the pin 47 as a fulcrum, and the key top 35 is
6 (the first link member 45 and the second link member 46). Click rubber 3 with this descent
4 is elastically deformed, and its buckling produces a click feeling,
Immediately after the click feeling occurs, the pressing portion 40 of the click rubber 34 presses the switching portion of the membrane switch 33 to be turned on.

When the operation force on the key top 35 is released, the click rubber 34 returns to the original state by the restoring force of the click rubber 34.
3 and is turned off, and the guide support member 36 (first link member 45, second link member 46) is turned off.
Rises and the key top 35 is pushed up.

As shown in the figure, the lower shaft portion 51 of the adjacent key switch is also inserted in the common shaft support portion 38, and the key switches are turned off (the key top 35 is turned off) in the common shaft support portion 38. The distance between the two shaft portions 51, 51 when the two shaft portions 51, 51 are farthest apart from each other in the ascending position) is L, and the key top 3 is
Shaft 5 from the start of pressing 5 to the switch-on state
When one travel distance (stroke) is S, when one key switch is pressed, the key switch is turned on. When two key switches are pressed simultaneously, both key switches are turned on. In order to prevent this from happening, the relationship of S <L <2S is satisfied as in the above embodiment.

[0049]

The present invention according to claim 1 (first means)
With such a configuration, a pantograph mechanism having a complicated structure as in the related art becomes unnecessary, and therefore, the thickness of the key switch can be reduced. Also, when two or more key switches are arranged side by side, providing a support portion for individually supporting the lower end portion of the guide support member increases the installation space, hinders miniaturization, and increases the number of parts.
By providing the common support portion, the installation space is small, the size can be reduced, and the number of parts can be reduced, and an inexpensive key switch can be provided.

By setting S <L <2S as in the present invention (second means) of the present invention, even if adjacent key tops are simultaneously pressed, both switches are not turned on and a signal Trouble is solved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the key top and the plurality of side walls are integrally formed.
The number of parts can be reduced and the assembling work can be improved.

If the side walls are connected in at least three directions on the outer periphery of the key top as in the present invention (fourth means), the key top is maintained in a horizontal state without tilting. The key top can be moved up and down as it is.

According to the present invention (fifth means), the common support portion is formed in a frame shape, and a part of the lower end portion of the guide support member is slidable in the frame shape support portion. If the key top is inserted, the key top can be moved up and down while keeping the horizontal state without tilting.

If the elastic means is an elastic body having a click function and is elastically deformable between the key top and the switch element as in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the key is It has features such as giving a click feeling during operation and stably supporting the key top.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view before a key switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention is pressed.

FIG. 2 is a side view before the key switch is pressed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view when the key switch is pressed.

FIG. 4 is a side view when the key switch is pressed.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a click rubber used for the key switch.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a membrane switch used for the key switch.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a modified example of the click rubber and the membrane switch.

FIG. 8 is a side view before a key switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention is pressed.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a key top used for the key switch and an integrally molded product of each side wall.

FIG. 10 is a plan view before pressing a key switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view before the key switch is pressed.

FIG. 12 is a side view when the key switch is pressed.

FIG. 13 is a side view before a key switch according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is pressed.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a key switch according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a key switch according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a plan view before a key switch is pressed according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view before the key switch is pressed.

FIG. 18 is a plan view when one key switch is pressed.

FIG. 19 is a side view when one key switch is pressed.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a simultaneous depression prevention function.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a key switch according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 35 Key top 2a, 2b, 2c Side wall 3 Thin part 4 Shaft 5, 31 Base 6 Shaft support 7, 33 Membrane switch 8, 34 Click rubber 9 Upper electrode 10 Upper sheet 11 Lower electrode 12 Lower sheet 13 Spacer 14, 40 pressing part 15 conductive part 16 first electrode 17 second electrode 18 insulating sheet 19 pressing protrusion 20 shaft 21 stopper 22 leaf spring 23 coil spring 24, 38 shared shaft support part 32 holder member 36 guide support member 39 click rubber Holding portion 41 Annular concave portion 42 Connecting protrusion 43 First locking hole 44 Second locking hole 45 First link member 46 Second link member 47 Pin 48,50 Upper shaft portion 49,51 Lower shaft portion

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A key top, a guide support member that guides and supports the key top between a raised position and a lowered position, and a lower end portion slides in a horizontal direction as the key top is raised and lowered, and the key top is moved to a raised position. Two or more key switches each including a resilient means for biasing to the side and a switch element which performs a switching operation in accordance with the elevating operation of the key top, a shared support portion is provided between adjacent key switches, and A key switch, wherein a lower end of a guide support member of one key switch and a lower end of a guide support member of the other key switch are both slidably supported by a common support portion. 2. The key top of claim 1, wherein the key tops of the adjacent key switches are in the mutually raised position and the lower end of the guide support member is spaced L the farthest in the common support, and the key top is pressed down. A key switch characterized by the relationship of S <L <2S, where S is the moving distance of the lower end of the guide support member until the switch element is turned on for the first time. 3. The guide support member according to claim 1, wherein the guide support member comprises a side wall integrally formed with the key top, and a bendable thin portion is formed near a boundary between the key top and the side wall. Key switch characterized by the following. 4. The key switch according to claim 3, wherein the side wall portions are connected in at least three directions on an outer periphery of the key top. 5. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein said common support portion is formed in a frame shape, and a lower end portion of said guide support member is slidably inserted into said frame shape support portion. . 6. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein said elastic means is formed of an elastic body having a click function, and is interposed between said keytop and said switch element so as to be elastically deformable. .