JP2002007058A - Input device and electronic equipment having the input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of stably supporting a pointing device, improving the operability of the pointing device and smoothly lifting and lowering the pointing device. SOLUTION: A keyboard 9 has a movable cylinder 37 supported by a keyboard base 25 attached to a casing 5 in a rotatable manner, and a pedestal 38 is held by the movable cylinder. The pedestal can be lifted and lowered in the axial direction of the movable cylinder and also be rotated around the axis, and the pointing device 27 is supported on the upper surface of the pedestal. The pedestal has a plurality of radially projecting guide pins 45, and the movable cylinder has a plurality of cam holes 42 through which a guide pin is made to go in a slidable manner. The pedestal linearly performs reciprocating motion in the axial direction of the movable cylinder in accordance with the opened shape of the cam hole at the time of rotating the movable cylinder around the axis.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an input device having a pointing device and an electronic device such as a portable computer incorporating the input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a book-type portable computer in which a pointing device is integrated into a keyboard. This type of pointing device is for selectively moving a cursor displayed on a display screen of a display unit to an arbitrary position, and is usually installed at the center of a keyboard.

[0003] The pointing device has an operation unit located between adjacent key tops, and detects a distortion generated when the operation unit is pressed with a fingertip. Output to the control circuit. Therefore, the cursor on the display screen is moved at a desired speed in a desired direction in accordance with a signal from the pointing device.

By the way, the operation part of the pointing device is projected about 1 mm above the upper surface of the adjacent key top in order to enhance the operability when pressing with a fingertip. At this time, the display unit of the portable computer is closed so as to cover the keyboard from above when not in use, so that the display screen of this display unit faces the upper end of the pointing device. Therefore, if the display screen and the upper end of the operation unit interfere with each other when the display unit is closed, the display screen may be damaged or local pressure may be applied to the operation unit, causing a failure of the pointing device. Become.

Accordingly, in a portable computer having a pointing device, when the display unit is closed, a clearance must be secured between the display screen and the operation unit, and the thickness of the portable computer is reduced by the clearance. A problem such as increase occurs.

[0006] As a countermeasure, a portable device in which the pointing device is moved up and down in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the display unit so that the upper end of the operation unit of the pointing device sinks below the keytop when the display unit is closed. Various computers have been proposed.

[0007] For example, "Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-204267"
Discloses an example of a portable computer that moves a pointing device up and down. In this prior art, a base portion of a pointing device is supported on a base of a keyboard so as to be vertically rotatable in a cantilever state. For this reason, the pointing device pivots around one end of the base portion as a fulcrum, between a pop-down position where the base portion is inclined to sink below the base and a pop-up position where the base portion is located on the same plane as the base. And is always biased by the spring to the pop-down position.

[0008] A slide plate extending in the front-rear direction is arranged on the lower surface of the base of the keyboard. The slide plate is slidably mounted on the base over a first position at which a tip of the slide plate advances below the base of the pointing device and a second position at which the tip separates from the base of the pointing device. Supported.

The slide plate is slid to a first position when the display unit is opened, whereby the tip of the slide plate contacts the lower surface of the base of the pointing device, The base is pushed up against the spring. Therefore, the base portion rotates upward about the attachment portion to the base, and the pointing device is held at the pop-up position.

When the display unit is closed, the slide plate is slid to the second position in conjunction with the closing operation of the display unit. By this sliding, the slide plate is detached from the lower surface of the base, and the lifting of the base by the slide plate is released. Therefore, the base portion is forcibly rotated downward by the spring, and the pointing device is held at the pop-down position.

Therefore, when the display unit is closed, the display screen and the pointing device do not interfere with each other, and the portable computer can be made thin while preventing the display screen from being damaged.

[0012]

According to the configuration shown in the above prior art, the pointing device supported in a cantilever manner on the base of the keyboard is held in the pop-up position by being pushed up by the slide plate. ing.

However, since the slide plate is formed of a thin metal plate so as not to hinder the thinning of the portable computer, the strength of the slide plate itself tends to be insufficient. For this reason, although it is possible to push up the pointing device from the pop-down position to the pop-up position, the pointing device cannot be held firmly at the pop-up position.

That is, since the pointing device outputs a signal for moving the cursor to a desired position by detecting a distortion generated when the operation unit is pressed with a fingertip, the operation unit is strongly directed downward. It receives such a force as to be pressed. Then, since the conventional pointing device is of a cantilever type, much of the force when pressing the operation portion is concentrated on the thin slide plate through the base portion, and the slide plate bends down to the pressing force and bends downward. It can happen.

Accordingly, each time the operation unit is pressed, the pointing device is easily displaced in the vertical direction, and the posture of the operation unit becomes unstable. As a result, the touch when the operation unit of the pointing device is pressed with a fingertip becomes worse, and it becomes difficult to quickly move the cursor on the display screen to a desired position, and there is room for improvement in operability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and allows a pointing device to be firmly supported without succumbing to a pressing force applied to an operating portion, thereby improving operability and improving the pointing device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device capable of moving up and down smoothly and an electronic apparatus having the input device.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device comprising: a base mounted on a housing; and a vertical axis supported on a lower surface of the base and extending vertically. A cylindrical movable member rotatable around,
A pedestal held by the movable member, capable of moving up and down in the axial direction of the movable member, and relatively rotatable in the direction around the axis of the movable member, supported on the upper surface of the pedestal, and mounted on the base. A pointing device having an exposed operation unit, and installed on the movable member and the pedestal, when the movable member is rotated around the axis, to convert the movement of the movable member into a linear motion in the vertical direction Conversion means for transmitting the signal to the pedestal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an input device is provided between a base attached to a housing, a plurality of key tops arranged side by side on an upper surface of the base, and adjacent key tops. And a pointing device having a pressing portion. A cylindrical movable member is supported on the lower surface of the base so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis along a vertical direction, and a pedestal supporting the pointing device is movable up and down in the axial direction of the movable member. The movable member and the pedestal hold the movement of the movable member in the vertical direction when the movable member is rotated around the axis. A conversion means for converting the linear motion into the linear motion and transmitting the linear motion to the pedestal is provided.

In such a configuration, when the movable member is rotated about the vertical axis, the pedestal moves up and down linearly in accordance with the movement of the movable member, whereby the pointing device on the pedestal moves up and down. I do.

At this time, since the pedestal supporting the pointing device operates vertically while maintaining the horizontal posture, the pedestal can be firmly held without tilting. For this reason, it is possible to sufficiently oppose the force when the operation unit of the pointing device is pressed downward,
The posture of the operation unit is stabilized.

Further, when the rotational motion of the movable member is converted into a linear motion and transmitted to the pedestal, the moving direction of the pedestal can be guided by the movable member. For this reason, the rotational movement of the movable member can be smoothly transmitted to the pedestal, and the operability when the pointing device moves up and down is improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, comprising: an apparatus main body; an input device installed on an upper surface of the apparatus main body; A display unit having a display screen rotatable between a covering closed position and an open position for exposing the input device, and having a display screen facing the input device when rotated to the closed position. I have.
The input device includes a base attached to the device main body, a cylindrical movable member supported on a lower surface of the base, and rotatable around a vertical axis along a vertical direction. A pedestal that can be moved up and down in the axial direction of the member and relatively rotatable around the axis of the movable member; and a display unit supported on the upper surface of the pedestal and exposed on the base, and A pointing device having an operation unit facing the display screen when the movable member is rotated to the closed position, and the movable member and the pedestal are installed on the pedestal. When the movable member is rotated around the axis, the movable member Converting means for converting the motion into a linear motion in the vertical direction and transmitting the motion to the pedestal, wherein the movable member of the input device is an interlocking unit interlocking with the opening and closing operation of the display unit. Is connected to, it is characterized by being rotated around the axis by following the opening and closing operation of the display unit.

In such a configuration, when the display unit is opened and closed, the movement of the display unit is transmitted to the movable member via the interlocking member, and the movable member is rotated about the vertical axis. This pivoting movement of the movable member
The linear motion is converted into vertical motion and transmitted to the pedestal, and the pointing device on the pedestal moves up and down.

For this reason, if the pointing device is lowered when the display unit is rotated to the closed position, the operation unit of the pointing device does not interfere with the display screen of the display unit, and the display screen is not damaged. The operation unit can be prevented from being damaged. Further, when the pointing device is raised when the display unit is turned to the open position, the operation unit of the pointing device can be greatly protruded above the base, so that the operability when pressing the operation unit with a fingertip is improved. Is improved.

When the pointing device moves up and down, a pedestal supporting the pointing device is held by a movable member. Therefore, the pedestal operates vertically while maintaining the horizontal posture, and the pedestal can be firmly held without tilting. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently oppose the force when the operation unit of the pointing device is pressed downward, and the posture of the operation unit is stabilized.

When the rotational movement of the movable member is converted into a linear movement and transmitted to the pedestal, the moving direction of the pedestal can be guided by the movable member. For this reason, the movement of the movable member interlocking with the opening / closing operation of the display unit can be smoothly transmitted to the pedestal, and the operability when the pointing device moves up and down is improved.

An electronic device according to the present invention according to claim 8 includes a device main body, an input device installed on an upper surface of the device main body, a closed position supported by the device main body and covering the input device, A display unit having a display screen rotatable over an open position exposing the input device and facing the input device when rotated to the closed position. The input device includes a base attached to the device main body, a number of keytops arranged on an upper surface of the base in accordance with a predetermined rule, and a pivot supported on a lower surface of the base and extending around a vertical axis along a vertical direction. A movable cylindrical movable member, a pedestal held by the movable member, capable of moving up and down in the axial direction of the movable member, and rotatable relative to the axis of the movable member; A pointing device having an operation unit facing the display screen when the display unit is rotated to the closed position, and the movable member and the pedestal. And a conversion means for converting the movement of the movable member into a linear motion in the vertical direction and transmitting the linear motion to the pedestal when the movable member is rotated around the axis. The key top is movable up and down over the base in a use position extending above the base in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the display unit and a storage position sinking so as to overlap the base. In addition to being supported, the movable member is connected to an interlocking member that interlocks with the opening and closing operation of the display unit, and is rotated around an axis following the opening and closing operation of the display unit. .

In such a configuration, when the display unit is opened and closed, the keytop projects over the base or sinks so as to overlap the base in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the display unit. At the same time, the movement of the display unit is transmitted to the movable member via the interlocking member, and the movable member is rotated about the vertical axis. The turning motion of the movable member is converted into a linear motion in the vertical direction and transmitted to the pedestal, and the pointing device on the pedestal moves up and down following the keytop.

Therefore, if the operation unit of the pointing device is lowered together with the keytop when the display unit is rotated to the closed position, the operation unit does not interfere with the display screen of the display unit, and Can be prevented from being damaged and the operation section being damaged.

Further, when the pointing device is raised to a position higher than the key top when the display unit is turned to the open position, the operation unit of the pointing device projects from between the adjacent key tops, and this operation unit Operability when pressing with a fingertip is improved.

When the pointing device moves up and down, a pedestal supporting the pointing device is held by a movable member. Therefore, the pedestal operates vertically while maintaining the horizontal posture, and the pedestal can be firmly held without tilting. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently oppose the force when the operation unit of the pointing device is pressed downward, and the posture of the operation unit is stabilized.

Further, when the rotational movement of the movable member is converted into a linear movement and transmitted to the pedestal, the moving direction of the pedestal can be guided by the movable member. For this reason, the movement of the movable member interlocking with the opening / closing operation of the display unit can be smoothly transmitted to the pedestal, and the operability when the pointing device moves up and down is improved.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 discloses a notebook-type portable computer 1 as an electronic apparatus. The portable computer 1 includes a device main body 2 and a liquid crystal display unit 3.

The device main body 2 has a housing 5 placed on the installation surface 4 such as a desk top plate, for example. The housing 5 has a flat box shape having a bottom wall 5a, an upper wall 5b, a front wall 5c, left and right side walls 5d, and a rear wall 5e. The circuit board 6 is housed inside the housing 5. I have. Upper wall 5b of housing 5
Has a palm rest 7 and a keyboard mounting portion 8.

The palm rest 7 extends in the front half of the housing 5 along the width direction of the housing 5. The keyboard attachment section 8 is located behind the palm rest 7. The keyboard attachment section 8 is formed by a depression that opens inside the housing 5, and a keyboard 9 as an input device is installed in the keyboard attachment section 8.

At the rear end of the upper wall 5b, a protruding portion 11 that protrudes upward is formed. The protrusion 11 extends over the entire width of the housing 5, and the rear end of the protrusion 11 is connected to the rear wall 5 e of the housing 5. The convex portion 11 has a pair of display support portions 12a and 12b. The display supporting portions 12a and 12b are located at both ends of the convex portion 11 that are separated in the longitudinal direction. These display support portions 12a and 12b are formed of depressions that are continuous toward the front, upward and rear of the convex portion 11.

The liquid crystal display unit 3 includes a display housing 13 and the display housing 1.
3 and a liquid crystal panel 14 housed inside.
The liquid crystal panel 14 has a display screen 15 for displaying an image, and the display screen 15 is exposed to the outside through an opening 16 on the front surface of the display housing 13.

The display housing 13 has a pair of legs 18a, 18b at one end. Leg 18
a, 18b are the display support portions 12a, 1 of the housing 5.
2b, and each is supported by the housing 5 via the hinge device 20.

The hinge device 20 includes a first hinge bracket 21, a second hinge bracket 22, and a hinge shaft 23, as typically shown in FIG. The first hinge bracket 21 is screwed to the bottom wall 5a of the housing 5, and the tip 21a is guided to the side of the display support 12b.

The second hinge bracket 22 is screwed to the back of the display housing 13. Second
The tip portion 22a of the hinge bracket 22 is
Guided inside.

The hinge shaft 23 extends between the distal end 21a of the first hinge bracket 21 and the distal end 22a of the second hinge bracket 22, and extends horizontally along the width direction of the housing 5. I have. One end of the hinge shaft 23 is rotatably supported in the direction around the axis by the tip 21 a of the first hinge bracket 21, and the other end of the hinge shaft 23 is attached to the tip of the second hinge bracket 22. It is fixed to the portion 22a.

Therefore, the liquid crystal display unit 3
The closed position is tilted so as to cover the palm rest 7 and the keyboard 9 from above with the hinge shaft 23 as a fulcrum, and the open position is raised to expose the palm rest 7, the keyboard 9 and the display screen 15 of the liquid crystal panel 14. It is supported by the housing 5 so that it can rotate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard 9 includes a keyboard base 25, a number of key tops 26, and a pointing device 27. The keyboard base 25 is made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, and has a flat plate shape that fits tightly into the keyboard mounting portion 8. The lower surface of the keyboard base 25 is covered by a metal shield plate 28.

The key tops 26 are arranged on the keyboard base 25 in accordance with a predetermined standard, and each has a size that can be pressed with a fingertip. Each key top 26 is provided with a pantograph-type key top support mechanism 29.
And is supported on the upper surface of the keyboard base 25 so as to be able to move up and down.

The pointing device 27 is for moving a cursor displayed on the display screen 15 to a desired position, and is installed at a substantially central portion of the keyboard 9. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pointing device 27 is
1 and a support plate 32 for supporting the pointing stick 31.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pointing stick 31 is vertically erected through the keyboard base 25 and the shield plate 28, and has an operation section 33 at the upper end thereof which is pressed by a fingertip. . Operation unit 33
Are made of a rubber material having an excellent feel when touched by hand, and are located between adjacent key tops 26. Therefore, when the liquid crystal display unit 3 is rotated to the closed position, the upper end surface of the operation unit 33 faces the display screen 15.

The pointing device 27 includes a detection element (not shown) for detecting a distortion generated when the operation section 33 of the pointing stick 31 is pressed with a fingertip. The detection element is installed on the support plate 32 and is electrically connected to a cursor control circuit on the circuit board 6 via a flexible wiring board (not shown).
The detection element outputs a signal corresponding to the distortion applied to the operation unit 33 to the cursor control circuit, and displays the display screen 1 based on the control signal from the cursor control circuit.
5 is moved at a desired speed in a desired direction.

Such a pointing device 27
Is moved up and down in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the liquid crystal display unit 3. The specific structure will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pointing device 27 is supported by the keyboard 9 via a lifting unit 35. The elevating unit 35 includes a fixed cylinder 36 as a fixed member, a movable cylinder 37 as a movable member, and the pedestal 3.
8.

The fixed cylinder 36 has a hollow cylindrical shape. A flange portion 39 that protrudes radially outward is formed at the upper end opening edge of the fixed cylinder 36.
9 is screwed in such a manner as to overlap the lower surface of the shield plate 28 of the keyboard 9. Therefore, the fixed cylinder 36 is fixed to the keyboard 9 and the keyboard 9
Overhangs downward.

The fixed cylinder 36 has three guide holes 40. The guide holes 40 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the fixed cylinder 36, and each have a slit shape extending in the axial direction of the fixed cylinder 36. The upper ends of the guide holes 40 are continuously opened from the upper end opening edge of the fixed cylinder 36 to the flange portion 39.

The movable cylinder 37 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The movable cylinder 37 is fitted inside the fixed cylinder 36 so as to be able to move up and down in the axial direction of the fixed cylinder 36 and to be rotatable around the axis. It is coaxial.

The movable cylinder 37 has three cam holes 42. The cam hole 42 is opened at a position corresponding to the guide hole 40. As shown in FIG. 5, each cam hole 42 has a first end 42a located on the upper part of the movable barrel 37.
And a second end 42b located at the lower part of the movable cylinder 37.
And a guide portion 42c connecting the first and second ends 42a and 42b. The first end 42a and the second end 42b are shifted from each other in the circumferential direction of the movable cylinder 37 and extend in the circumferential direction of the movable cylinder 37. The guide portion 42c includes first and second end portions 42a,
The movable cylinder 37 is inclined with respect to the axis of the movable cylinder 37.

The movable cylinder 37 has a lever 43. The lever portion 43 extends radially outward from the upper end of the movable barrel 37, and the tip of the lever portion 43 is guided to the outside of the fixed barrel 36.

The pedestal 38 has a disk shape having a predetermined thickness. The pedestal 38 is accommodated coaxially inside the movable cylinder 37, and the support plate 32 of the pointing device 27 is fixed to the upper surface of the pedestal 38. On the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal 38, for example, three guide pins 45 project radially. After these guide pins 45 slidably pass through the cam holes 42 of the movable cylinder 37,
The pedestal 38 and the movable barrel 37 are held by the fixed barrel 36 by this fitting.

When the movable cylinder 37 is rotated around the axis, the positional relationship between the guide hole 40 and the cam hole 42 changes relatively. The pedestal 38 is moved up and down in the axial direction inside the movable cylinder 37 by being moved in the axial direction of the fixed cylinder 36 in accordance with the shape of the opening 42.

Therefore, the pointing device 27
8 is a pop-up position in which the upper end of the operation unit 33 projects upward by a dimension H1 from the upper surface of the key top 26 (FIG. 8).
), And the upper end of the operation unit 33 is moved up and down over a pop-down position (shown in FIG. 9) in which the upper end of the operation unit 33 sinks by a dimension H2 below the upper surface of the key top 26.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lever 43 of the movable barrel 37 is linked to an interlocking member 47. The interlocking member 47 extends in the front-rear direction of the housing 5 below the keyboard 9. The front end of the interlocking member 47 is a lever 43
A pin 48 is fixed to the front end of the interlocking member 47 so as to protrude upward. Pin 48
Is inserted into a pin hole 49 opened at the tip of the lever 43. The pin hole 49 has a long hole shape along the rotation direction of the movable cylinder 37.
Can move freely.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rear end of the interlocking member 47 is guided below the protrusion 11 inside the housing 5, and a pin 51 is provided on the upper surface of the rear end of the interlocking member 47. The movable plate 52 is fixed via the movable plate 52. Movable plate 5
2 extends in the width direction of the housing 5 below the convex portion 11, and one end of the movable plate 52 is adjacent to one display support portion 12b. Movable plate 52
Are first and second drive pins 54 projecting upward.
a and 54b. These drive pins 54a, 54
b are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 52.

The hinge shaft 23 of one hinge device 20 is
It has a rotating shaft portion 55 extending toward the movable plate 52. The rotating shaft portion 55 enters the inside of the convex portion 11, and a gear portion 56 is formed at the tip of the rotating shaft portion 55. The gear portion 56 meshes with an interlocking gear 58 of a rotary drum 57 as shown in FIG. Rotating drum 5
Numeral 7 is disposed horizontally above the movable plate 52 along the width direction of the housing 5 and is rotatably supported by the housing 5 via a bracket (not shown).

Therefore, when the hinge shaft 23 is turned around the axis following the opening and closing operation of the liquid crystal display unit 3, the turning motion of the hinge shaft 23 is transmitted via the gear 56 and the interlocking gear 58. It is transmitted to the rotating drum 57, and the rotating drum 57 is rotated in a direction opposite to the hinge shaft 23.

On the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 57, first and second guide grooves 60 and 61 are formed along the circumferential direction. The guide grooves 60 and 61 are arranged apart from each other in the axial direction of the rotating drum 57.
The first and second drive pins 54a, 54b are slidably fitted in 61.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the first guide groove 60 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear half of the rotary drum 57 by approximately 180 degrees.
It is formed over an angle range of °. One end 60a of the first guide groove 60 is connected to the first drive pin 54a when the liquid crystal display unit 3 reaches just before the open position.
To come into contact with.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the second guide groove 61 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the front half of the rotary drum 57 by approximately 180 degrees.
It is formed over an angle range of °. One end 61a of the second guide groove 61 is connected to the second drive pin 54b when the liquid crystal display unit 3 reaches just before the closed position.
To come into contact with.

In the portable computer 1 having such a configuration, a description will be given of the operation of pushing up and down the pointing device 27 accompanying the opening and closing operation of the liquid crystal display unit 3.

When the liquid crystal display unit 3 is rotated toward the open position, the rotating drum 57 rotates counterclockwise as shown by an arrow in FIG. 7A, and the liquid crystal display unit 3 is opened. When it reaches just before
One end 60a of the guide groove 60 of the first drive pin 54a
Hit. Thereby, the first drive pin 54 a is pressed toward the rear of the housing 5, and the movable plate 52 is pushed out of the keyboard 9.

The movement of this movable plate 52 is
The interlocking member 47 is slid toward the rear of the housing 5. At this time, since the pin 48 of the interlocking member 47 is inserted with play into the pin hole 49 formed in the lever 43 of the movable barrel 37, the pin 48 is positioned relative to the lever 43. While moving in the pin hole 49 with the change, when the interlocking member 47 is slid by a predetermined amount, it comes into contact with the inner surface of the pin hole 49 and transmits the movement of the interlocking member 47 to the movable barrel 37 via the lever 43. .

As a result, the movable cylinder 37 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 4, and the positional relationship between the cam hole 42 of the movable cylinder 37 and the guide hole 40 of the fixed cylinder 36 changes. In other words, when the liquid crystal display unit 3 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG.
b is in a state of communicating with the lower portion of the guide hole 40. From here, as the movable cylinder 37 is rotated in the above direction, the cam hole 4
The second second end 42b is separated from the guide hole 40, and the guide portion 42c connected to the second end 42b is positioned so as to intersect the guide hole 40.

Then, the guide portion 42c of the cam hole 42 is
At this time, the guide pin 45 of the pedestal 38 penetrating the cam hole 42 and the guide hole 40 is tilted upward along the rotation direction of the movable cylinder 37, and the guide hole 45 is guided by the guide hole 40. The guide member 42 is pushed up along the edge of the guide portion 42c.

Then, when the liquid crystal display unit 3 reaches the open position, as shown in FIG.
Is connected to the upper part of the guide hole 40, and the guide pin 45 is guided to the first end 42a.

As a result, the base 38 is pushed up to the upper end of the fixed cylinder 36 with the rotation of the movable cylinder 37, and the pointing device 27 is held at the pop-up position. When the pointing device 27 reaches the pop-up position, the upper end of the operation unit 33 projects upward from the keytop 26. For this reason, when pressing the operation unit 33 with a fingertip, the adjacent key tops 26 do not interfere, and the operability of the operation unit 33 is improved.

When the liquid crystal display unit 3 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the rotating drum 57 rotates clockwise as shown by an arrow in FIG. With this rotation, one end 60a of the first guide groove 60 moves away from the first drive pin 54a, and
When the liquid crystal display unit 3 reaches just before the closed position, one end 61a of the second guide groove 61 abuts on the second drive pin 54b. Thereby, the second drive pin 54b is pressed toward the front of the housing 5, and the movable plate 52 is pushed forward of the keyboard 9.

The movement of this movable plate 52 is
Is transmitted to the interlocking member 47 through the
Slides toward the front of the housing 5, and the movable barrel 37 is
Rotate clockwise. As a result, the first end 42a of the cam hole 42 comes off the guide hole 40,
The guide portion 42c connected to the first end portion 42a is positioned so as to intersect the guide hole 40.

At this time, the guide portion 42c of the cam hole 42 is
Since it is inclined downward along the rotation direction of the movable cylinder 37, the guide pin 45 of the pedestal 38 penetrating the cam hole 42 and the guide hole 40 guides the cam hole 42 while being guided by the guide hole 40. It is pushed down along the edge of the portion 42c.

When the liquid crystal display unit 3 reaches the closed position, the second end 42b of the cam hole 42
Are connected to the lower portion of the guide hole 40, and the guide pin 45 is
To the end 42b.

As a result, the base 38 is pushed down to the lower end of the fixed cylinder 36 with the rotation of the movable cylinder 37, and the pointing device 27 is held at the pop-down position. When the pointing device 27 reaches the pop-down position, the upper end of the operation unit 33 sinks below the key top 26. Therefore, when the display unit 3 is rotated to the closed position, the display screen 15 and the operation unit 33 of the pointing device 27 do not interfere with each other.
The display screen 15 can be prevented from being damaged, and the operation unit 3
3 can prevent the pointing device 27 from being damaged by the local pressurization.

Further, when the liquid crystal display unit 3 is closed, the operation section 33 of the pointing device 27 sinks, so that it is not necessary to secure a clearance between the operation section 33 and the display screen 15. Portable computer 1 when unit 3 is closed
Can be reduced in thickness.

The pointing device 27 having the above structure is supported by a shield plate 28 on the lower surface of the keyboard 9 via a lifting unit 35 so as to be movable up and down.
In this elevating unit 35, the pedestal 38 to which the pointing device 27 is fixed is connected to the three guide pins 45 projecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal 38.
By being fitted into the guide hole 40 of the fixed cylinder 36 fixed to 8, the fixed cylinder 36 is held so as to be able to move up and down.

For this reason, the pedestal 38 including the pointing device 27 is held inside the fixed cylinder 36 at three places spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and vertically moves while maintaining the horizontal posture. Thus, the pedestal 38 can be firmly supported without tilting. Therefore, when the pointing device 27 is pushed up to the pop-up position, the operation unit 33 of the pointing device 27
Can be sufficiently opposed to this pressing force even when is pressed with a fingertip.

As a result, the posture of the operation unit 33 is stabilized, and there is no possibility that the operation unit 33 is shaken or displaced up and down. Therefore, the operability of the operation unit 33 is improved, and the cursor on the display screen 15 can be moved to a desired position. Can be reliably moved to the position.

In addition, the movable cylinder 3 for moving the pedestal 38 up and down
7 is coaxially fitted inside the fixed cylinder 36 while surrounding the pedestal 38, so that the guide pins 45 of the pedestal 38 are guided vertically by the guide holes 40 of the fixed cylinder 36, Depending on the shape of the opening of the cam hole 42 of the movable cylinder 37, the movable cylinder 37 receives a force in a direction of pushing up or a force in a direction of pushing down.

Therefore, when the rotational movement of the movable cylinder 37 is converted into a linear movement by the contact between the cam hole 42 and the guide pin 45 and transmitted to the pedestal 38, the moving direction of the pedestal 38 is moved around the entire circumference by the movable cylinder 37. Can be guided. Therefore, there is an advantage that the movement of the movable cylinder 37 can be smoothly transmitted to the pedestal 38, and the operability when the pointing device 27 moves up and down in conjunction with the display unit 3 is improved.

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment, and FIGS. 10 to 18 show a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, the pointing device 2 follows the opening / closing operation of the display unit 3.
7 and the key top 26 are simultaneously moved up and down. The basic configuration for moving the portable computer 1 and the pointing device 27 up and down is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the key top 26 of the keyboard 9 has a pair of bearings 1 on its back surface.
00a, 100b and a pair of shaft support portions 101a, 101
b. The bearing portions 100a and 100b are arranged at the front end of the key top 26 in the width direction of the key top 26. Shaft supports 101a, 10
1b are arranged at the rear end of the key top 26 in the width direction of the key top 26. Each of the shaft support portions 101a and 101b has a guide groove 102 extending in the depth direction of the key top 26.

On the upper surface of the keyboard base 25,
A pair of bearing portions 103a and 103b and a pair of shaft support portions 1
04a and 104b are formed. Bearing part 103
a and 103b are arranged in the width direction of the key top 26 at a position corresponding to the front end of the key top 26. The shaft support portions 104a and 104b are arranged side by side in the width direction of the key top 26 at positions corresponding to the rear end of the key top 26. Each of the shaft support portions 104a and 104b has a guide groove 105 extending in the depth direction of the key top 26.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the key top support mechanism 29 of the keyboard 9 has a first link lever 108 and a second link lever 109. The first link lever 108 is formed of a sheet metal stamped component made of a metal plate such as a stainless steel plate. The first link lever 108 has a plate-shaped lever body 110, and a pair of flange parts 111 bent downward on both side edges of the lever body 110.
a and 111b are integrally formed. Flange part 111
a and 111b extend in the depth direction of the key top 26, and first to third shaft portions 112a, 112b and 112c are protruded from the flange portions 111a and 111b, respectively.

The first shaft portion 112a is connected to the flange portion 111
At the front end portions of the flange portions 111a and 111b, they protrude horizontally toward the outside of the flange portions 111a and 111b. The second shaft portion 112b is connected to the flange portion 1
At the rear end portions of 11a and 111b, they protrude horizontally toward the inside of the flange portions 111a and 111b so as to be coaxial with each other. The third shaft portion 112c is located at an intermediate portion between the front end portion and the rear end portion of the flange portions 111a and 111b. These third shaft portions 112c are coaxial with each other and horizontally protrude outward from the flange portions 111a and 111b.

The second link lever 109 is made of a synthetic resin material. This second link lever 109
Has a pair of arm portions 114a and 114b.
The arm portions 114a and 114b extend in the depth direction of the key top 26 and are arranged in parallel with each other. The front ends of the arm portions 114a and 114b are connected via a connecting portion 114c.

The arm portions 114a and 114b are respectively
And second shaft portions 116a and 116b and fitting hole 116
c. The first shaft 116a is connected to the arm 1
At the front ends of 14a and 114b, they protrude horizontally toward the outside of the arms 114a and 114b so as to be coaxial with each other. The second shaft 116b is connected to the arm 1
At the rear ends of the arms 14a and 114b, they protrude horizontally toward the outside of the arms 114a and 114b so as to be coaxial with each other. The fitting hole 116c is
a, 114b are located in the middle between the front end and the rear end.

The first link lever 108 is located between the arms 114a and 114b of the second link lever 109. The third shaft portion 112c of the first link lever 108 is fitted in the fitting hole 116c of each of the arm portions 114a and 114b.
The link lever 108 and the second link lever 109 are connected so as to be vertically rotatable in a state of being crossed in an X-shape.

As best shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the first shaft portion 112a of the first link lever 108
Are supported by bearings 100a and 100b of the key top 26 so as to be rotatable around the axis. The second shaft 112b of the first link lever 108 slides in the guide groove 105 of the keyboard base 25. It is fitted as possible.

The first shaft portion 116a of the second link lever 109 is connected to the bearing portion 103 of the keyboard base 25.
a and 103b so as to be rotatable around the axis, and a second shaft portion 116 of the second link lever 109.
b is slidably fitted in the guide groove 102 of the key top 26.

For this reason, the first and second link levers 108 and 109 are relatively rotated in the vertical direction about the third shaft portion 112c. Reference numeral 26 denotes a use position (shown in FIG. 12) pushed up above the keyboard base 25, and a retracted storage position (FIG. 1) which sinks along the keyboard base 25.
3 (shown in FIG. 3).

The lever body 1 of the first link lever 108
10 has an opening 117 and a tongue piece 118. The opening 117 is located at the center of the lever body 110,
It has a circular opening shape. The tongue piece 118 is formed by sheet metal pressing integrally with the lever body 110, and the opening 1
While extending rearward from the front edge of 17,
It is bent so as to project below the lever body 110.

For this reason, the tongue piece 118 is
The key top 26 is supported in a cantilevered state, and can be elastically deformed up and down along the stroke direction of the key top 26. A pressing projection 118a projecting downward is formed integrally with the tip of the tongue piece 118.

A through hole 119 for adjusting the spring multiplier (load characteristic) of the tongue piece 118 is opened at the base of the tongue piece 118. The opening area and number of the through holes 119 are as follows. It can be appropriately changed according to the spring multiplier (load characteristic) to be obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 16, the keyboard 9 has a membrane switch 121 which is fixed on the upper surface of the keyboard base 25 in a superimposed manner. The membrane switch 121 has a three-layer structure including an upper sheet 122, a spacer sheet 123, and a lower sheet 124. Each of the sheets 122 to 124 is made of a flexible synthetic resin material, and is stacked without any gaps therebetween.

Upper Sheet 122 and Spacer Sheet 1
23 has a large number of through holes 125 that are continuous with each other. The through-hole 125 is formed by the pressing protrusion 118 of the tongue piece 118.
The fixed contact 126 is provided on the upper surface of the lower sheet 124 facing the through hole 125.

The movable sheet 1 is placed on the upper sheet 122.
28 are stacked. The movable sheet 128 is made of a flexible synthetic resin material, and covers the entire upper surface of the membrane switch 121. Movable seat 12
A movable contact 129 is provided on the lower surface of 8. The movable contact 129 faces the through hole 125, and the movable contact 129 and the fixed contact 126 are
Are separated from each other by an amount corresponding to the thickness of

The upper surface of the movable sheet 128 is the key top 2
6 and a large number of projections 130 are provided on the upper surface of the movable sheet 128. The protrusion 130 is made of a thin metal plate, has a disk shape when viewed in plan, and has a cross-sectional shape that protrudes upward in an arc shape above the movable sheet 128. This protrusion 130
It has a spring property so that it can be deformed up and down along the direction in which it comes into contact with and separates from the movable sheet 128, and maintains a shape protruding above the movable sheet 128 in a free state.

The projection 130 is held on the movable sheet 128 via a protection sheet 131, and the protection sheet 131 is made of a flexible synthetic resin material.

The movable seat 128 is supported by the keyboard base 25 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction over a pop-up position shown in FIG. 12 and a pop-down position shown in FIG. When the movable sheet 128 is slid to the pop-up position, the protrusion 130 enters below the pressing projection 118a of the tongue piece 118 and pushes up the pressing projection 118a. When the movable sheet 128 is slid to the pop-down position, the protrusion 130 moves forward of the pressing protrusion 118a and separates from the pressing protrusion 118a. Therefore, the pushing-up of the pressing projection 118a by the projection 130 is released.

The movable sheet 128 has a through-hole 132 immediately after the projection 130. When the movable sheet 128 is slid to the pop-down position, the through-hole 132 matches the through-hole 125 of the membrane switch 121 and faces the pressing protrusion 118 a of the tongue piece 118.

As shown in FIG. 10, the movable sheet 128
Has an extension 134 extending toward the rear of the keyboard 9. The extension portion 134 is guided to the inside of the housing 5 through above the interlocking member 47.
4 is fixed to the upper surface of the movable plate 52 via a pin 135.

A description will be given of the operation of pushing up and sinking the key top 26 in opening and closing the liquid crystal display unit 3 in the portable computer 1 having such a configuration.

When the liquid crystal display unit 3 is rotated toward the open position, the rotating drum 57 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
When the liquid crystal display unit 3 reaches just before the open position, one end 60a of the first guide groove 60 abuts on the first drive pin 54a as shown by an arrow in FIG. Thereby, the first drive pin 5
4a is pressed toward the rear of the housing 5, and the movable plate 5
2 is pushed out behind the keyboard 9.

Therefore, at the same time as the interlocking member 47 interlocking with the pointing device 27 is slid backward, the movable sheet 128 slides to the pop-up position shown in FIG. 118 enters below the pressing protrusion 118a.

Then, the pressing projection 118a of the first link lever 108 is pressed upward by the projection 130, so that the first link lever 108 is
The second shaft portion 112b slides along the guide groove 105 while being pushed up to the fulcrum 2b. Further, the second link lever 109 rotates upward about the first shaft portion 116 a as a fulcrum so as to follow the first link lever 108, and the second shaft portion 116 b moves along the guide groove 102. Slide.

As a result, the first and second link levers 108 and 109 stand in an X-shape around the third shaft portion 112c, and the key top 26 is moved above the membrane switch 121 by a desired stroke S. It is held at the use position that just pops out.

When the key top 26 in the use position is pressed down with a fingertip, the first and second link levers 108 and 1 are pushed down.
09 rotates downward about the third shaft portion 112c, and the second shaft portions 112 of these link levers 108 and 109 are rotated.
b and 116b slide along the guide grooves 102 and 105, respectively. Then, with the rotation of the first link lever 108, the tongue piece 118 is pressed down, and the pressing protrusion 118a is strongly pressed against the convex portion 130, and the upper sheet 122 of the membrane switch 121 is pressed through the convex portion 130. Pressed. By this pressing, the movable contact 1
29 and the fixed contact 126 come into contact with each other, and the membrane switch 121 is closed.

When the key top 26 is released from being depressed,
The first and second link levers 108 and 109 are pushed up by the elasticity of the projection 130 and the tongue piece 118, and the key top 26 returns to the use position. With it,
Since the pressing of the upper sheet 122 by the tongue piece 118 is released, the upper sheet 122 returns to its original state by its own restoring force, and the movable contact 129 is separated from the fixed contact 126.
Therefore, the membrane switch 121 is opened.

When the liquid crystal display unit 3 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the rotating drum 57 rotates clockwise as shown by an arrow in FIG. Due to this rotation, one end 60a of the first guide groove 60 moves away from the first drive pin 54a, and when the liquid crystal display unit 3 reaches just before the closed position, one end 60a of the second guide groove 61 is formed. 61a abuts on the second drive pin 54b. Thereby, the second drive pin 54b is pressed toward the front of the housing 5, and the movable plate 52 is pushed forward of the keyboard 9.

Therefore, at the same time as the interlocking member 47 interlocking with the pointing device 27 is slid forward, the movable sheet 128 slides to the pop-down position shown in FIG. The piece 118 is separated forward from below the pressing protrusion 118a. As a result, the lifting of the tongue piece 118 by the protrusion 130 is released, and the first and second link levers 108,
109 rotates downward about the third shaft portion 112c by its own weight, and
8, 109 second shaft portions 112b, 116b slide along the guide grooves 102, 105.

As a result, the first and second link levers 108 and 109 are horizontally folded along the movable sheet 128 and the through-hole 13 of the movable sheet 128 is formed.
2 coincides with the through holes 125 of the membrane switch 121, and the pressing projections 118 a of the tongues 118 enter into these through holes 132 and 125.

Accordingly, the key top 26 is moved from the movable seat 12
8 is held at the retracted storage position so as to approach, and the thickness of the keyboard 9 is reduced by an amount corresponding to the stroke S of the key top 26.

According to such a configuration, both the key top 26 and the pointing device 27 of the keyboard 9 can be simultaneously moved up and down following the opening and closing operation of the display unit 3. Therefore, key top 26
In addition, the keyboard 9 and thus the portable computer 1 can be made thinner and more compact while ensuring sufficient operability of the operation unit 33 of the pointing device 27.

[0119]

According to the present invention described in detail above, the pedestal supporting the pointing device can be firmly held without tilting. When the pointing device is pushed up, the operating portion of the pointing device is pressed with a fingertip. In this case, the pressing force can be sufficiently opposed. Therefore, the posture of the operation unit is stabilized, and there is no possibility that the operation unit is shaken or vertically displaced, so that the operability of the pointing device is improved.

Further, when the rotational movement of the movable member is converted into a linear movement and transmitted to the pedestal, the moving direction of the pedestal can be guided by the movable member. Therefore,
There is an advantage that the movement of the movable member can be smoothly transmitted to the base, and the operability when the pointing device moves up and down in conjunction with the display unit is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a portable computer according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the portable computer illustrating a state in which a keyboard is incorporated in a housing;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portable computer showing a positional relationship between a rotating drum interlocked with a hinge shaft and a driving pin of a movable plate.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the pointing device is incorporated in a lifting unit.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the elevating unit in which a pedestal, a movable cylinder, and a fixed cylinder to which the pointing device is fixed are exploded.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between a rotating drum interlocked with a hinge shaft and a driving pin of a movable plate.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between a rotating drum and a driving pin when a pointing device is pushed up to a pop-up position. (B) is a sectional view showing the positional relationship between the rotating drum and the drive pin when the pointing device sinks to the pop-down position.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing a positional relationship with a keytop when the pointing device is pushed up to a pop-up position. (B) is a side view showing the positional relationship between the guide pin of the pedestal and the cam hole of the movable cylinder when the pointing device is pushed up to the pop-up position.

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship with a keytop when the pointing device sinks to a pop-down position. (B) is a side view showing the positional relationship between the guide pin of the pedestal and the cam hole of the movable cylinder in a state where the pointing device is sunk to the pop-down position.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary sectional view of a portable computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portable computer showing a positional relationship between a rotating drum interlocked with a hinge shaft and a driving pin of a movable plate.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the keyboard showing a state where the key top is pushed up to a use position.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the keyboard, showing a state where the key tops are sunk in the storage position.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the keyboard showing a positional relationship between the key top and the key top support mechanism.

FIG. 15A is a plan view showing a first link lever in a partial cross section. (B) is a top view which shows a 2nd link lever by a partial cross section.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a membrane switch.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between a rotary drum interlocked with a hinge shaft and a drive pin of a movable plate.

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between a rotary drum and a drive pin when a keytop is pushed up to a use position. (B) is a sectional view showing the positional relationship between the rotating drum and the drive pin when the keytop sinks into the storage position.

[Explanation of symbols]

2. Device main unit 3. Display unit (liquid crystal display unit) 5. Casing 9. Input device (keyboard) 15. Display screen 25. Base (keyboard base) 26. Key top 27. Pointing device 33. Operation unit 37. Member (movable cylinder) 38 Base 42, 45 Conversion means (cam hole, guide pin) 47 Interlocking member

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A base attached to a housing, a cylindrical movable member supported on a lower surface of the base and rotatable about a vertical axis along a vertical direction, and a movable member held by the movable member, A pedestal that can move up and down in the axial direction and is relatively rotatable around the axis of the movable member; and a pointing device that is supported on the upper surface of the pedestal and has an operation unit exposed on the base. A conversion means installed on the movable member and the pedestal, wherein when the movable member is rotated around the axis, the movement of the movable member is converted into a linear motion in the vertical direction and transmitted to the pedestal;
An input device comprising: 2. A base attached to a housing, a number of key tops arranged side by side on an upper surface of the base, and a pointing device having a pressing portion located between adjacent key tops. A cylindrical movable member supported on the lower surface of the base and rotatable about a vertical axis along a vertical direction, held by the movable member, and movable up and down in the axial direction of the movable member. And a pedestal supporting the pointing device, which is rotatable about an axis, and is provided on the movable member and the pedestal. When the movable member is rotated about the axis, the movable member Conversion means for converting the movement of the pedestal into a linear movement in the vertical direction and transmitting the movement to the pedestal;
An input device comprising: 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The input device, wherein the movable member is coaxially housed inside a cylindrical fixed member, and is supported on a lower surface of the base via the fixed member. 4. The fixing device according to claim 3, wherein the fixing member has guide holes extending in an axial direction at a plurality of positions spaced apart in a circumferential direction, and the converting means radially extends from an outer peripheral surface of the pedestal. The guide member includes a plurality of guide pins protruding and slidably fitted in the guide holes, and a plurality of cam holes formed in the movable member and through which the guide pins slidably pass. When turned around the axis,
An input device wherein the guide pin linearly reciprocates in the axial direction of the fixing member according to the opening shape of the cam hole while being guided by the guide hole. 5. An apparatus main body, an input device installed on an upper surface of the apparatus main body, a closed position supported by the device main body and covering the input device, and an open position for exposing the input device. A display unit having a display screen facing the input device when rotated to the closed position, wherein the input device is attached to the device main body. A base, a cylindrical movable member supported on the lower surface of the base and rotatable about a vertical axis along the vertical direction, and held by the movable member, and capable of moving up and down in the axial direction of the movable member; A pedestal that is relatively rotatable around the axis of the movable member, and is supported on an upper surface of the pedestal and is exposed on the base,
When the display unit is turned to the closed position, a pointing device having an operation unit facing the display screen is installed on the movable member and the pedestal, and when the movable member is turned around the axis, this Conversion means for converting the movement of the movable member into a linear movement in the vertical direction and transmitting the movement to the pedestal.The movable member of the input device is connected to an interlocking member interlocking with the opening and closing operation of the display unit, An electronic device, wherein the electronic device is rotated around an axis following an opening and closing operation of the display unit. 6. The input device according to claim 5, wherein the input device has a plurality of key tops arranged side by side on the upper surface of the base, and an operation unit of the pointing device is located between the adjacent key tops. The pedestal includes a pop-up position in which the upper end of the operation unit projects above the key top, and a pop-down position in which the upper end of the operation unit sinks below the key top. An electronic device characterized by being movable up and down. 7. The pedestal according to claim 6, wherein:
An electronic device, wherein the electronic device is moved to the pop-up position when the display unit is turned to the open position, and is moved to the pop-down position when the display unit is turned to the closed position. 8. An apparatus main body, an input device installed on an upper surface of the apparatus main body, a closed position supported by the device main body and covering the input device, and an open position exposing the input device. A display unit having a display screen facing the input device when rotated to the closed position, wherein the input device is attached to the device main body. A base, a number of key tops arranged on a top surface of the base in accordance with a predetermined rule, a cylindrical movable member supported on a bottom surface of the base, and rotatable about a vertical axis along a vertical direction; A pedestal held by the member, capable of moving up and down in the axial direction of the movable member, and relatively rotatable around the axis of the movable member; A pointing device having an operation unit facing the display screen when the display unit is rotated to the closed position, which is located between the matching key tops, and the movable member and the pedestal, wherein the movable member is provided. A conversion unit that converts the movement of the movable member into a linear movement in the vertical direction and transmits the movement to the pedestal when the movable unit is rotated around the axis, and the key top is used for opening and closing the display unit. A use position that extends in conjunction with the base above,
The movable member is connected to an interlocking member that interlocks with the opening and closing operation of the display unit, and is supported by the base so as to be able to move up and down over a storage position where it sinks so as to overlap the base. An electronic device, wherein the electronic device is rotated around an axis following an opening and closing operation of a display unit. 9. The key top according to claim 8, wherein the key top rises to the use position when the display unit is turned to the open position, and the key top is raised when the display unit is turned to the closed position. The pedestal sinks to the storage position, and the pedestal is moved up to the pop-up position where the operation unit follows the keytop when the display unit is turned to the open position, and the display unit is turned to the closed position. The electronic device is capable of moving up and down over a pop-down position where the operation unit follows the key top and sinks when pressed.