JP2002237230A - Key switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key switch device capable of moving a key top downward while keeping the key top in an approximately horizontal position, despite a depressed position, and of performing certain switching operation, and being thinned. SOLUTION: When the key top 1 is depressed, the key top 1 is guided upward and downward by both link members 7, 8 with the depression. In this case, a locking rod 13 of the link member 7 slides and is locked by a slide locking portion 2, and locking pins 15, 16 are movably locked by a locking portion 26 15, 16 formed on a holder plate 25. Locking pins 23, 24 of the link member 8 slides and is locked by a slide locking portion 3, and locking rod 21 is movably locked by a locking portion 27 of the holder plate 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention guides the vertical movement of a keytop via a link member disposed between the keytop and a holder member, and performs a switching operation in accordance with the vertical movement of the keytop. The present invention relates to a key switch device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a key switch device used for this kind of keyboard, a key member integrally having a key stem is inserted into a key holder portion formed on a holder plate to guide and support the key member. A key switch device provided with a switching member is generally used. In such a key switch device, the vertical movement of the key stem in the key member is slidably guided through the key holder portion, and when the key member is pressed, the switching member is operated by the lower portion of the key stem to perform the switching operation.

When a key is operated by such a key switch device, the key member is moved up and down by sliding the key stem of the key member through the key holder portion of the holder plate as described above. Depending on the pressing position (for example, when pressing an end position other than the center portion on the key member), the key member may move up and down in an inclined state. As described above, if the key member moves up and down in an inclined state, a twist occurs between the key stem and the key holder portion, and as a result, serious trouble occurs in key operation, and in some cases, the key member is pressed. It is also possible that it will not be possible.

In order to solve such a problem, a key switch device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 60-62017 is known in order to prevent the key from being depressed in an inclined state when the key is depressed. ing.

The key switch device described in Japanese Patent Application No. 60-62017 supports a key member on two scissor-shaped members crossed by a shaft in a scissor shape.
A switching member is arranged at a position distant from the center of the key member, and when the key member is pressed, a plurality of pins formed at the end of each scissor-shaped member are horizontally moved between the back surface of the key member and the top surface of the substrate. In addition, the switching member is pressed by the pressing portion while the pressing portion specially provided on the key member is slid up and down through the holder portion.

With this configuration, the key switch device can guide the vertical movement of the key while maintaining a horizontal state regardless of the pressed position of the key regardless of the pressed position.

[0007]

However, in the key switch device, as is apparent from the drawing, each pin formed at each end of the scissor-like member is horizontal on the back surface of the key member and the top surface of the substrate. Although it is configured to be slidably guided in the direction, there is no provision for positioning the pin on the lower side among the pins in the sliding guide portion formed on the upper surface of the substrate. Therefore, when the key member is not depressed, there is a possibility that the scissor-shaped member is unnecessarily moved in the horizontal direction without being positioned.

In particular, when the key member is not depressed, the scissors-like member is unnecessarily moved in the horizontal direction, thereby deteriorating the operability of the key. There is a problem that there is a possibility that the operation cannot be performed reliably or that there is a possibility that the operation may occur.

Further, the pins formed on the lower side of each scissor-like member are slidably supported via a guide pocket of a non-movable key portion attached to the substrate. The non-movable key portion is formed separately from the substrate, and in such a configuration in which the non-movable key portion is attached to the substrate, the assembly is complicated and the cost is increased.

Furthermore, in this key switch device, even if the key top is supported via two scissor-shaped members, the ends of each scissor-shaped member are slid and guided between the key top side and the substrate side. It is undeniable that rattling (torsion) occurs between the key top and the substrate and each scissor-like member due to the presence of the key top and the substrate. In this way, when the backlash (torsion) occurs, the keytop may move up and down in a state where the keytop is inclined when the keytop is pressed.

In such a case, since the switch body (rubber spring) is disposed at a position deviated from the center position of the key member (key top), the pressing force based on the pressing of the key top is applied from the pressing portion to the switch body. In some cases, the switching operation may not be properly performed, and the switching body may not be able to perform the switching operation properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a key top can be moved downward while maintaining a substantially horizontal state, regardless of a pressed position, and a reliable switching operation is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch device which is capable of being thinned.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key switch device comprising: a key top having a plurality of sliding engagement portions formed on a lower surface; and a key top disposed below the key top. A holder member forming a plurality of locking portions, a plurality of sliding locking portions of the key top, and a plurality of locking portions of the holder member, which are connected and locked to each other to guide and support the vertical movement of the key top. A first link member and a second link member, a circuit board disposed below the holder member and having a switch electrode, and a switching operation is performed by acting on the switch electrode of the circuit board as the keytop moves up and down. And a spring member having an action portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the key switch device, the spring member is disposed in a region surrounded by the plurality of locking portions of the holder member.

[0015]

In the key switch device according to the present invention having the above-described structure, when the keytop is depressed during the switching operation, the keytop is guided up and down by the two link members with the depression. At this time, the upper end portion of the first link member is slidably locked by the sliding lock portion of the key top, and the lower end portion is movably locked by the locking portion formed on the holder member. The upper end of the link member is slidably locked by the sliding locking portion of the key top, and the lower end is movably locked by the locking portion of the holder member. Regardless, it is moved downward while maintaining a substantially horizontal state.

When the key top is released,
The reverse operation is performed based on the elastic restoring force of the spring member, and the keytop is raised by the spring member, whereby the keytop is returned to the original non-pressed position.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a key switch device according to the present embodiment.
Is molded from a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin, and letters such as alphabets are formed on the upper surface thereof by printing or the like. Also, from the back surface of the key top 1, two locking portions 2, 3 (each locking portion 2, 3 has a pair in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and FIG. 1 shows only one of each pair). Is provided integrally with the key top 1 body downward.

The locking portion 2 locks a locking bar 13 formed at one end of one of the two link members 7 and 8 described later so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. A groove 4 is formed, and a locking groove 5 for locking the locking pins 23 and 24 formed at one end of the other link member 8 slidably in the horizontal direction is formed in the locking portion 3. Is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the locking grooves 4 and 5 is opened in the direction in which the key top 1 is pressed (downward).

The locking groove 4 is formed with a locking guide portion 4A which is continuous with the locking groove 4. The locking guide portion 4A connects the locking rod 13 of the link member 7 with the locking groove. The guide guides toward the locking groove 4 when snapping into the inside. Further, a locking guide portion 5A is provided at a position below the locking groove 5 of the locking portion 3, and the locking guide portion 5A connects the locking pins 23 and 24 of the link member 8 to the locking groove 5. It is guided toward the locking groove 5 when snapping into the inside.

Further, a pair of locking claws 34 are vertically provided integrally with the key top 1 from both side edges on the back surface of the key top 1, and a locking projection 35 is provided at a lower end of each locking claw 34. ing. Each of the locking claws 34 is formed by a pair of claw guide grooves 33 of a pair of guide walls 33 erected on a holder plate 25 described later.
A, and each locking projection 35 is locked to a lower end surface of a closing portion 33C provided at an upper end of the guide wall 33 (see FIG. 4).

A guide support member 6 for guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the key top 1 is provided below the key top 1, and the guide support member 6 includes two link members 7 and 8.

One link member 7 is formed in a U-shape in plan view as shown in FIG. 2 and has a pair of plate members 9 and a locking bar 13 between one ends of each plate member 9. Are formed integrally, and the other end of each plate-like body 9 is provided with a locking pin 1.
5 and 16 are formed. Such locking rod 1
3 is snapped into the locking groove 4 of the locking portion 2 via the locking guide portion 4A, and each locking pin 15, 16 is snapped to a locking portion 26 formed on a holder plate 25 described later. It is something that is inserted.

The shaft 1 is located at a central position opposing each other on both the inside and outside of each plate-like body 9.
2A and 12B are formed, and the shaft 12A is rotatably supported by shaft holes 20 formed in each plate 17 of the link member 8 described later. Further, the shaft body 12B is provided with a shaft guide groove 33 of a guide wall 33 erected on a holder plate 25 described later.
B is fitted inside. The locking bar 13 of the link member 7 and the locking pins 15 and 16 are configured so that the distances from the shafts 12A and 12B are equal.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the other link member 8 has a pair of plate-like members 17 and a locking bar 21 is integrally formed between one end of each plate-like member 17. Lock pins 23 and 24 are formed at the other end of each plate-like body 17. Both ends of the locking bar 21 are locked by locking portions 27 of a holder plate 25 described later, and the locking pins 23 and 24 are locked by the locking guide portion 5A. It is snapped into the groove 5.

Further, between the central positions inside the plate-like members 17, they are mounted on the upper surface of a rubber spring 31, which will be described later, and when the key top 1 is pressed, the link members 7, 8 are mutually connected. Rubber spring 31 with rotation
There is provided a push rod 18 for pushing downward. Thus, the pressing rod 18 presses the rubber spring 31 in accordance with the pressing of the key top 1 to perform a switching operation.

A shaft hole 20 is formed at a central position facing each other on the outside of each plate 17, and each shaft hole 20 is formed in each plate 9 of the link member 7. The respective shafts 12A are rotatably supported. Thereby, both link members 7 and 8 are connected to each shaft 12A and shaft hole 20.
The shafts 12A and the shaft holes 20 form a shaft supporting portion A (see FIG. 4). The locking bar 21 of the link member 8 and the locking pins 23 and 24 are configured so that the distances from the shaft holes 20 are equal.

Next, a resin holder plate 25 is provided below the guide support member 6, and the holder plate 25 has an engaging portion 26 corresponding to each switch device.
27 (two locking portions 26 and 27 are provided, respectively, but only one locking portion 26 and 27 is shown in FIG. 1). The holder plate 25 is provided with a mounting hole H for positioning and positioning the rubber spring 31 at a substantially central position between the locking portions 26 and 27 (see FIG. 4).

Each of the locking portions 26 and 27 includes a pair of locking pieces 26A and 26B and a pair of locking pieces 27A and 27B, respectively.
Each of the locking pieces 26A, 27A is formed with locking guide portions 26C, 27C having inwardly inclined surfaces. An insertion opening 26D into which the locking pins 15 and 16 formed on the link member 7 are inserted is formed between the pair of locking pieces 26A and 26B, and is formed between the pair of locking pieces 27A and 27B. Has an insertion opening 27D into which the locking rod 21 formed in the link member 8 is inserted.

The two locking pieces 26 in the locking portion 26
A and 26B form a locking groove 28, in which locking pins 15, 1 formed in the link member 7 are formed.
6 is snapped in through the insertion opening 26D by the resin elasticity of the locking guide portion 26C. Further, a locking groove 29 similar to the locking groove 28 is formed by both locking pieces 27A and 27B in the locking portion 27, and the locking rod 21 formed in the link member 8 is formed in the locking groove 29. Both ends are locking guide 27C
Is snapped in through the insertion opening 27D due to the resin elasticity of.

On the holder plate 25, a pair of guide walls 33 (see FIG. 4) for guiding the outer surface of each plate-like body 9 of the link member 7 between the locking portions 26 and 27.
Is erected. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, each guide wall 33 has a claw guide groove 33 </ b> A that slides and guides a locking claw 34 formed on the key top 1 in the vertical direction on the outer side, and inside the claw guide groove 33 </ b> A. The shaft guide groove 33B for slidingly guiding the shaft body 12B of the link member 7, and the locking projection 3 of the locking claw 34
5 is provided with a closing portion 33C for closing the upper end of the claw guide groove 33A so as to lock the lower end of the hook.

The holder plate 2 configured as described above
As shown in FIG. 4, a flexible circuit board 30 on which a switch electrode 30A is formed corresponding to each key switch is arranged below 5, and an inverted cup shape corresponding to the switch electrode 30A. Rubber spring 31
Is a through hole H formed in the holder plate 25.
The flexible circuit board 30 is positioned and arranged in the
Is placed on top. Further, a movable electrode 31A as an action portion is fixed to the inner top wall of the rubber spring 31 so as to face the switch electrode 30A on the circuit board 30.
The pressing rod 18 formed on the link member 8 is disposed on the upper surface of the rubber spring 31.

As a result, when the push rod 18 moves downward with the depression of the key top 1, the rubber spring 31
Is depressed by the push rod 18 and exceeds a certain amount, the rubber spring 31 is buckled to move the movable electrode 31A.
The switching operation is performed when the switch electrode 30A on the flexible circuit board 30 comes into contact with the switching electrode 30A.

A switch support plate 32 is provided below the flexible circuit board 30, and the switch support plate 32 is provided above each of the circuit boards 30,
This supports the holder plate 25.

Next, the operation of the key switch device configured as described above will be described. First, in the non-pressed position of the key top, as shown in FIG.
Is locked to the closing portion 33C of the guide wall 33, so that the key top 1 does not move unnecessarily in the left-right direction in FIG. There is no end.

When the key top 1 is depressed downward, as the key top 1 moves downward, each locking claw 3 is moved.
4 is slidably guided downward along the claw guide groove 33A of the guide wall 33. Thus, the key top 1 is not moved in the left and right directions in FIGS. 1 and 5 when the key top 1 is pressed.

Further, as the key top 1 moves downward, the locking rod 13 of the link member 7 slides horizontally (leftward in FIG. 1) in the locking groove 4 of the locking portion 2. The locking pins 23 and 24 of the link member 8 slide horizontally (rightward in FIG. 1) in the locking groove 5 of the locking portion 3. At the same time, the locking rod 21 of the link member 8 is horizontally (leftward in FIG. 1) in the locking groove 29 of the locking portion 27 in the holder plate 25, similarly to the locking rod 13.
And the locking pins 15, 1 of the link member 7
6 slides in the horizontal direction (right direction in FIG. 1) in the locking groove 28 of the locking portion 26, like the locking pins 23 and 24.

At the same time, the link member 7 and the link member 8 rotate relative to each other about the center of the shaft support A, and accordingly, the shaft support A moves downward. When the shaft support A moves downward, the outer surface of each plate-like body 9 of the link member 7 moves downward along the inner wall surface of each guide wall 33,
The shaft body 12B formed on each plate 9 is slidably guided along the shaft guide groove 33B of each guide wall 33.

Therefore, even from this point, the key top 1
When the key is pressed, the key top 1 is not moved in the left-right direction in FIG. Further, since the key top 1 is moved while being supported by the link members 7 and 8, the key top 1 does not move in an inclined state when the key top 1 is pressed.

As a result, the push rod 18 of the link member 8 is moved downward, and the rubber spring 31 is gradually pushed down. When the pushed amount exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 31 buckles. Is done. Thus, the movable electrode 31A in the rubber spring 31 short-circuits the switch electrode 30A on the flexible circuit board 30, and a predetermined switching operation is performed.

When the pressing of the key top 1 is released, the pressing bar 18 of the link member 7 is pushed upward by the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring 31. Accordingly, the locking bar 13 and the locking pins 15 and 16 of the link member 7 and the locking bar 21 and the locking pins 23 and 24 of the link member 8 perform operations reverse to the above-described operations. As a result, the key top 1 is returned to the original position.

As described above, even when the key top 1 returns to the original non-pressed position, each locking claw 34 is slid and guided upward along the claw guide groove 33A of the guide wall 33.
The key top 1 is not moved in the left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 5 when returning. In addition, the outer surface of each plate 9 in the link member 7 moves upward along the inner wall surface of each guide wall 33, and the shaft 12 </ b> B formed on each plate 9 is The key top 1 is not slidably guided along the guide groove 33B, so that the key top 1 is not moved in the left-right direction in FIG.

As described above, the key top 1 is unnecessarily forward and backward (left and right in FIGS. 1 and 5) and left and right both when pressed and when the key top 1 returns to the original non-pressed position. (Left and right direction in FIG. 4). In this embodiment,
Since the key top 1 is moved while being supported by the link members 7, 8, it is possible to prevent the key top 1 from moving in an inclined state.

In order to assemble the key switch device having the above-described structure, each of the shaft members 12A of the link member 7 is fitted into each of the shaft holes 20 of the link member 8 to assemble the guide support member 6, and then the link member 7 is assembled. Of the other shaft body 12B from above the shaft guide groove 33B formed in the guide wall 33.
Insert into 3B. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the locking pins 15 and 16 of the link member 7 is provided with a locking guide 26C and a locking piece 26B formed on a locking piece 26A of a locking portion 26 of the holder plate 25. And the locking rod 21 of the link member 8 includes a locking guide 27C and a locking piece 27B formed on a locking piece 27A of the locking portion 27.
And placed between. In this state, as shown in FIG. 6, both the link member 7 and the link member 8 are in a substantially horizontal state.

Subsequently, the key top 1 is disposed on the guide support member 6, and the locking rod 13 of the link member 7 is opposed to the locking guide 4A of the locking portion 2 of the key top 1. The locking pins 23 and 24 of the link member 8 are opposed to the locking guide 5A of the locking portion 3 of the key top 1 (see FIG. 6).

Thereafter, when the key top 1 is lightly pressed downward, the locking pins 15 and 16 of the link member 7 are snapped into the locking grooves 28 via the resin elasticity of the locking guide portions 26C. The locking rod 21 of the link member 8 is also snapped into the locking groove 29 via the resin elasticity of the locking guide 27C. At the same time, the locking rod 1 of the link member 7
3 is snapped into the locking groove 4 via the locking guide portion 4A, and each locking pin 23, 24 of the link member 8 is snapped.
Is snapped into the locking groove 5 via the locking guide portion 5A. Thereby, the assembly of the key switch device is completed.

As described above, the connection between the link members 7 and 8 and the holder plate 25 and the key top 1 can be easily performed only by lightly pressing the key top 1, whereby the key switch device can be easily connected. The assembly work can be simplified and the work load can be reduced.

As described in detail above, in the key switch device according to the present embodiment, a pair of claw guides 34 formed on the guide wall 33 on the holder plate 25 by forming a pair of locking claws 34 erected from both side edges of the key top 1. Since the key top 1 is inserted into the groove 33A, the key top 1 can be prevented from moving in the front-rear and left-right directions even when the key top 1 moves up and down when the key top 1 is operated. Therefore, the key operability of the key top 1 can be significantly improved.

Also, since each shaft 12B of the link member 7 is inserted into the shaft guide groove 33B formed in the guide wall 33, even if the key top 1 moves up and down when the key top 1 is operated, the key top 1 can be moved. The key top 1 does not move in the front, rear, left, and right directions, so that the key top 1 can be reliably moved up and down while maintaining the horizontal state of the key top 1 in combination with the above effects.

Further, when the key top 1 is not operated, the locking projection 35 of the locking claw 34 is
3C, the key top 1 is guided by the guide wall 33.
It is possible to reliably prevent the key top 1 from falling off, and to properly regulate the non-pressed position of the key top 1 in combination with the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring 31.

Since the key top 1 is vertically guided by the guide support member 6 including two link members 7 and 8 rotatably intersecting with each other, the key top 1 is operated when the key top is operated. The key top 1 is prevented from moving up and down in an inclined state. As a result, the key operability of the key top 1 can be remarkably improved in combination with the fact that the key top 1 can be prevented from moving in the front-rear and left-right directions. is there.

Further, the rubber spring 31 is provided with a mounting hole H formed through the holder plate 25 on the circuit board 30.
The positioning can be easily and reliably performed. Further, since the mounting hole H is formed at a substantially central position between the locking portions 26 and 27 formed in the holder plate 25, the key top 1 is pressed regardless of the pressed position of the key top 1 when the key top is pressed. It is possible to perform the switching operation of the rubber spring 31 through the substantially central portion, and therefore, it is possible to always perform the reliable switching operation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the movable electrode 31A fixed to the inner top wall of the rubber spring 31 is disposed above the upper surface of the holder plate 25. When the rubber spring 31 is pressed down by the push rod 18 of the link member 8, the movable electrode 31A of the rubber spring 31 is formed on the flexible circuit board 30 disposed below the holder plate 25 via the mounting hole H. The switching operation is performed in contact with the switched electrode 30A. Therefore, the movable electrode 31A, which is the action portion of the present invention, contacts the switch electrode 30A disposed below the holder plate 25 through the through hole H to perform a switching operation. The keystroke can be increased by the minute.

In order to lock the locking rod 13 of the link member 7 and the locking pins 23 and 24 of the link member 8 with the locking portions 2 and 3 of the key top 1, the pressing direction of the key top 1 is reduced. Grooves 4, 5 and locking guide portions 4A, 5A opened to the
Are formed on each of the locking portions 26 and 27 of the holder plate 25.
Since the locking grooves 28 and 29 for slidably locking the locking bar 21 of the link member 8 are formed, the locking pins 15 and 16 of the link member 7 and the locking bar 21 of the link member 8 are In the state of being locked in the locking grooves 28, 29 of the locking portions 26, 27,
In addition, the locking rod 13 and the locking pins 23 and 24 are respectively connected to the locking portions 2 and 3 by a simple operation of lightly pressing the key top 1 while both the link members 7 and 8 are substantially horizontal. The locking groove 4, via the locking guide portions 4A, 5A,
5 can be snapped into the locking portions 2 and 3 from the open side. Thereby, the assembling work of the key switch device can be easily performed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0055]

As described above, according to the key switch device of the present invention, the key top can be moved downward while maintaining a substantially horizontal state regardless of the pressed position, and a reliable switching operation can be performed. And can be made thinner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a key switch device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one link member.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the other link member.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the key switch device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a locking claw and a claw guide groove.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state before assembling the key switch device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key top 2 Lock part 3 Lock part 4, 5, 28, 29 Lock groove 6 Guide support member 7 Link member 8 Link member 13 Lock bar 15, 16 Lock pin 21 Lock bar 23, 24 Lock Pin 25 Holder plate 26 Locking portion 26D insertion port 27 Locking portion 27D insertion port 30 Flexible circuit board 30A Switch electrode 31 Rubber spring 32 Switch support plate H Mounting hole

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A key top forming a plurality of sliding locking portions on a lower surface, a holder member disposed below the key top and forming a plurality of locking portions, and a plurality of sliding of the key top. A first link member and a second link member that are connected and locked to the locking portion and the plurality of locking portions of the holder member, and guide and support the vertical movement of the key top; and a switch disposed below the holder member. A switch device comprising: a circuit board having an electrode; and a spring member having an operation portion that performs a switching operation by acting on a switch electrode of the circuit board in accordance with the vertical movement of the key top. . 2. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein the spring member is disposed in a region surrounded by a plurality of locking portions of the holder member.