JP2003140806A - Keyboard device and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thin-type lightweight keyboard device and a method of manufacturing this type of keyboard device at a low cost. SOLUTION: This keyboard device is composed of a case 1, a key switch unit 2 enclosed in the case 1, and a cover 3 put on the upper face of the case 2. In manufacturing the keyboard device, the previously manufactured key switch unit 2 is enclosed in the case 1, and a switch sheet support plate 18 constituting a part of the key switch unit 2 is thread-fastened to bosses 7 formed at the case 1. After electrically connecting a switch sheet 15 constituting a part of the key switch unit 2, to a circuit part 6 enclosed in the case 1, each key top 11 provided at the key switch unit 2 is projected from a key top through hole 21. In this state, the case 1 and the cover 3 are integrated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device used as an input device such as a personal computer and a manufacturing method thereof, and in particular, it is constructed as a separate body independent from an external device such as a personal computer body, and The present invention relates to a keyboard device connected to an external device in a wired or wireless manner and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a desktop personal computer is constructed separately from the personal computer body, and
A keyboard device is provided that is connected to the main body of the computer by a cable via a cable. In recent years,
In order to enhance the convenience of the keyboard device, a keyboard device has been proposed which wirelessly performs data communication with the main body of the personal computer.

As shown in FIG. 4, a conventionally known keyboard device of this type includes a case 101, a circuit board 102 housed in the case 101 and attached to an inner surface of the case 101, and First and second fixed contacts 103, 104 formed on the circuit board 102, a rubber spring 105 set on the fixed contact formation surface side of the circuit board 102, and a movable set on the inner surface of the rubber spring 105. The contact 106 and the circuit board 10
A housing 107 mounted on the fixed contact formation surface side of the second member 2 through a spacer (not shown);
7, a key top 108 in which a shaft portion 108a is inserted in a tubular portion 107b, and a cover 109 attached to the upper portion of the case 101. The circuit board 10
As 2, there is used, for example, a high-rigidity insulating substrate made of glass epoxy or the like, on the surface of which a required circuit pattern is formed. Further, as the housing 107,
A resin-made tubular portion 107b is bonded to the opening 107a of a highly rigid perforated steel plate.

This keyboard device is manufactured in case 10
The circuit board 102 to which the rubber springs 105 are adhered in the required arrangement is housed and fixed in the housing 1, and then the housing 107 is mounted above the circuit board 102 via a spacer (not shown).
After inserting the shaft portion 108a of the key top 108 into the tubular portion 107a provided in the key top 108, the cover 109 is attached to the upper surface of the case 101, and the key top through hole 109a opened in the cover 109 is used to insert the key top. The procedure is to project 108.

[0005]

Since the keyboard device according to the conventional example uses the thick and high-rigidity circuit board 102 and the housing 107 as essential components, the keyboard device becomes thick and heavy, and is used in the sales channel. There is a problem that not only a large space is required for transportation, display and storage, but also handling during use is inconvenient. In particular, in a wireless communication type keyboard device, the inconvenience during use becomes remarkable.

In the conventional keyboard device manufacturing method, the circuit board 102, the housing 107, the key tops 108, and the cover 109 are sequentially assembled to the case 101. There is also a problem that the cost is likely to increase.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the deficiency of the prior art, and its object is to provide a thin and lightweight keyboard device, and a keyboard device of this type. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for inexpensively manufacturing.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a keyboard device. Firstly, the keyboard device is constructed separately from the external device and is wired or wirelessly connected to the external device. A keyboard device connected by means of a plurality of key tops, a rubber spring for giving a click feeling to the operation of the key tops, a movable support member of the key tops, and opening and closing by operating the key tops. A switch sheet having a contact, and a key switch unit formed by integrating a support plate of the switch sheet, the key switch unit is housed in a case, and a cover is attached to an upper part of the case, The key top is projected from the key top through hole formed in the cover.

As described above, when the switch sheet is used instead of the high-rigidity circuit board, the switch sheet is much thinner and lighter than the high-rigidity circuit board, so that the keyboard device can be made thinner and lighter. Can be promoted. Further, when the movable support member of the keytop is used instead of the high-rigidity housing, the movable support member of the keytop is significantly thinner and lighter than the high-rigidity housing, so that the keyboard device can be made thinner. The weight can be reduced.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a keyboard device. Secondly, the movable support member of the key top has two levers rotatably connected to each other at intersections, and And a support plate that rotatably supports the lower end of the lever and a support plate that slidably supports the lower end of the other lever.

As described above, when the movable support member of the key top having the panto structure is used, a good operation feeling of the key top can be obtained with a small stroke, so that the keyboard device can be made thin. You can

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a keyboard device. Thirdly, the thickness of the key top is 3 mm or less, and the height from the front surface of the key top to the back surface of the support plate is 6 mm. The configuration is as follows.

Thus, if the thickness of the key top is 3 mm or less and the height from the front surface of the key top to the back surface of the support plate is 6 mm or less, the thickness of the keyboard device can be 20 mm or less at the maximum. The keyboard device can be made thinner.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a keyboard device, wherein the keyboard device is configured separately from the external device and is connected to the external device by wire or wirelessly. A manufacturing method, comprising a plurality of key tops, a rubber spring for giving a click feeling to the operation of the key tops, a movable support member of the key tops, and a switch sheet having contacts opened and closed by operating the key tops. And a key switch unit formed by integrating the support plate of the switch sheet, a case accommodating the key switch unit, and a cover attached to the upper part of the case, respectively, and the manufactured key switch unit. Stored in the case,
After connecting the key switch unit and a circuit portion provided in the case, a cover is attached to the upper part of the case, and the key top is projected from a key top through hole formed in the cover. I chose

As described above, the required number of key tops, rubber springs, movable support members for the key tops, the switch seat, and the support plate for the switch seat are integrated to form a key switch unit, and the key switch unit is housed in the case. When the keyboard device is manufactured by covering the upper part of the case with the cover, the circuit board, the housing and the key top are sequentially assembled in the case, and then the cover is adhered to the upper surface of the case. Since the keyboard device can be manufactured more easily than the method, the manufacturing cost of the keyboard device can be reduced.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An example of a keyboard device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a keyboard device according to an embodiment example, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a key switch unit included in the keyboard device according to the embodiment example, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a keyboard device according to the embodiment example. Is.

As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard device of this example is constructed separately from an external device (not shown) and is connected to the external device by wire or wirelessly. , Key switch unit 2 and cover 3
It is mainly composed of and.

The case 1 is formed in the shape of a shallow dish with a plastic molding, and inside the case 1,
A power source unit 5 for accommodating the battery 4 and a circuit unit 6 electrically connected to the power source unit 5 are incorporated, and a screw hole 7a for fixing the key switch unit 2 is formed on the inner surface of the outer peripheral portion. Is formed with a boss 7. The circuit unit 6 may include a circuit for wireless communication or a circuit for wired communication.

As shown in FIG. 2, the key switch unit 2 includes a resin key top 11 and the key top 11.
An actuator 12 disposed below the lever, a pair of levers 13 and 14 for supporting the key top 11 so that the key top 11 can be moved up and down via the actuator 12, and each of these levers 1.
A support plate 15 for supporting the lower end portions of 3, 14 and a switch sheet 16 having a contact (not shown) opened and closed by operating the key top 11, and a switch sheet 16 mounted on the switch sheet 16 A rubber spring 17 that transmits the operating force of the switch 11 to the switch sheet 16 to open and close a contact (not shown) and gives a click feeling to the operation of the key top 11, and a rubber spring 17 disposed on the lower surface of the switch sheet 16 The switch seat support plate 18 that supports the seat 16 is mainly configured, and these members are integrally assembled. As shown in FIG. 1, a fixing portion 19 having a screw hole 19a is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the switch sheet support plate 18 at a position corresponding to the boss 7 formed on the case 1.

The two levers 13 and 14 have a panter structure in which they are rotatably connected to each other at their intersections. Of the two levers 13 and 14, the lower end of one lever 13 has the above-mentioned structure. The lever 14 is rotatably supported by the support plate 15, and the lower end portion of the other lever 14 is slidably supported by the support plate 15 to form a movable support member that supports the key top 11 so as to be able to move up and down. .

In the keyboard device of this embodiment, in order to reduce the thickness, the thickness T of the key top 11 is 3 mm or less,
The height H from the front surface of the key top 11 to the back surface of the support plate 15 is 6 mm or less.

The cover 3 is formed in a frame shape with a plastic molding, and the key switch unit 2 is provided.
The key top through holes 21 corresponding to the arrangement of the key tops 11 provided in the are opened. A plurality of pairs of snap claws 22 and snap claw engaging portions 23 are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cover 3 and the case 1, and the snap claws 22 and the snap claw engaging portions 23 are engaged with each other. As a result, the case 1 and the cover 3 can be integrated. When the case 1 and the cover 3 are integrated, each key top 11 provided in the key switch unit 2 has a key top through hole 2 opened in the cover 3.
It is projected to the outside from 1 and can be operated from the outside of the cover 3.

The keyboard device according to the embodiment is
In place of the high-rigidity circuit board used in the conventional keyboard device, the switch sheet 16 which is significantly thinner and lighter than the high-rigidity circuit board is used, so that the keyboard device is thin and lightweight. Can be promoted. Also,
In place of the high-rigidity housing used in the conventional keyboard device, a movable support member for the keytop including the actuator 12, the levers 13 and 14, and the support plate 15 which is significantly lighter than the high-rigidity housing is used. Since this is used, the weight of the keyboard device can be reduced also in this respect.

Further, since the keyboard device according to the above-described embodiment uses the movable support member of the key top 11 having the pantograph structure, a good operation feeling of the key top 11 can be obtained with a small stroke. The keyboard device can be made thinner.

Further, in the keyboard device according to the above embodiment, the thickness of the key top 11 is 3 mm or less, and the height from the front surface of the key top 11 to the back surface of the support plate 15 is 6 mm or less. As described above, the thickness S of the keyboard device can be set to 20 mm or less at the maximum,
It is possible to reduce the thickness of a keyboard device that is configured separately from a conventional external device and that is connected to the external device by wire or wirelessly.

Next, a method of manufacturing the keyboard device according to the present invention will be described.

First, the case 1 in which the power source unit 5 for accommodating the battery 4 and the circuit unit 6 electrically connected to the power source unit 5 are assembled is manufactured. In addition, in parallel with this, the key top 11, the actuator 12, the levers 13 and 14, the support plate 15, the switch sheet 16, the rubber spring 17, and the switch sheet support plate 18 are integrally assembled to produce the key switch unit 2. To do. Further, in parallel with this, the cover 3 having the key-top through holes 21 opened is produced.

Thereafter, the key switch unit 2 is housed in the case 1 in a predetermined direction, and is formed on the outer periphery of the boss 7 formed on the case 1 and the switch sheet support plate 18 constituting the key switch unit 2. Fixed part 19
And match. Then, a screw (not shown) is passed through the screw hole 19a formed in the fixing portion 19 of the switch sheet support plate 18, and the tip end thereof is screwed into the screw hole 7a formed in the boss 7, and the key is inserted into the case 1. Fix the switch unit 2. Next, the switch sheet 15 constituting the key switch unit 2 and the circuit section 6 housed in the case 1 are electrically connected.

Finally, the cover 3 is attached from above the case 1, and each key top 1 provided in the key switch unit 2 is provided through the key top through hole 21 opened in the cover 3.
1 is projected, and then the snap claws 22 and snap claw engaging portions 23 formed on the outer peripheral portions of the case 1 and the cover 3 are engaged with each other to integrate the case 1 and the cover 3.

According to the method for manufacturing the keyboard device according to the embodiment, the key switch unit 2 manufactured in advance is stored in the case 1, and the key switch unit 2 is fixed to the case 1 and stored in the case 1. Since the required keyboard device can be manufactured only by attaching the cover 3 to the upper part of the case 1 after the connection work between the circuit part 6 and the key switch unit 2 is performed, it is possible to manufacture the circuit board in the case. The keyboard device can be manufactured more easily, and the manufacturing cost of the keyboard device can be reduced, as compared with the conventional method in which the housing and the key top are sequentially assembled and then the cover is attached to the upper surface of the case. .

[0031]

As described above, the key switch device of the present invention is much thinner than the high-rigidity circuit board in place of the high-rigidity circuit board used in the conventional keyboard device. And because I used a lightweight switch sheet,
It is possible to reduce the thickness and weight of the keyboard device. Further, instead of the high-rigidity housing used in the conventional keyboard device, a keytop movable support member having a panto structure which is significantly lighter than the high-rigidity housing is used. The weight can be reduced.

Further, according to the method of manufacturing the key switch device of the present invention, the key switch unit manufactured in advance is housed in the case, the work of fixing the key switch unit to the case, the circuit portion housed in the case, and the key. After connecting to the switch unit, the required keyboard device can be manufactured simply by covering the upper part of the case with the cover.Therefore, the circuit board, the housing, and the key top are sequentially assembled in the case. As a result, the keyboard device can be manufactured more easily, and the manufacturing cost of the keyboard device can be reduced, as compared with the conventional method in which the cover is attached to the upper surface of the case.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a keyboard device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of a key switch unit included in the keyboard device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a keyboard device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a keyboard device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 case 2 key switch unit 3 cover 5 power supply 6 circuit section 11 key tops 12 actuators 13,14 lever 15 Support plate 16 switch sheet 17 Rubber Spring 18 Switch sheet support plate 21 key top through hole

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard device, which is configured separately from an external device and is connected to the external device in a wired or wireless manner, and has a plurality of key tops and a click feeling when operating the key tops. A key spring unit that integrates a rubber spring that imparts a force, a movable support member of the key top, a switch sheet having a contact that is opened and closed by operating the key top, and a support plate of the switch sheet. A keyboard characterized in that the key switch unit is housed in a case, a cover is attached to an upper portion of the case, and the key top is projected from a key top through hole formed in the cover. apparatus. 2. A movable support member of the keytop rotatably supports two levers rotatably connected to each other at intersecting portions and a lower end portion of one lever and a lower end portion of the other lever. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard device has a panto structure including a support plate that slidably supports the keyboard. 3. The keyboard device according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the key top is 3 mm or less, and the height from the front surface of the key top to the back surface of the support plate is 6 mm or less. 4. A method of manufacturing a keyboard device, which is configured separately from an external device and is connected to the external device by wire or wirelessly, comprising a plurality of key tops and an operation of the key tops. A rubber spring for giving a click feeling, a movable support member for the key top, a switch sheet having a contact opened and closed by operating the key top, and a key switch unit formed by integrating a support plate for the switch sheet, A case for housing the key switch unit and a cover attached to the upper part of the case are manufactured, and the manufactured key switch unit is housed in the case, and the key switch unit and the case are provided. After connecting with the circuit part, the cover is attached to the upper part of the case, and the key top is opened on the cover. A method for manufacturing a keyboard device, wherein the key top is projected from a through hole.