JP2003197060A - Key switch device and keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key switch device where miniaturization and thinning are easy and key input can be carried out by positively contacting a contact part even when a circumferential rim part of a key top face is pressed by fingers or the like, and a keyboard device provided with the key switch device. <P>SOLUTION: The key switch device 1 is provided with a plurality of lever members 3-5 with one end sides turnably engaged with a base plate 2, a holding member 6 supported so as to vertically move with respect to the base plate 2 by engaging with other end sides of the lever members 3-5, and a switching element 9 provided between the base plate 2 and the holding member 6 and carrying out a switching action following vertical movement of the holding member 6. Turning shafts (shaft parts 3f and 4f) of the bilaterally symmetrical first and second lever members 3 and 4 are engaged with a groove part 6f (a guide groove) of the holding member 6, and a turning shaft (a shaft part 5d) of the lever member 5 is arranged so as to cross the turning shafts (the shaft parts 3f and 4f) of engagement parts of the lever members 3 and 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key switch device suitable for application to a keyboard device used for input / output devices such as word processors and personal computers, and a keyboard device including the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional X-type key switch device applied to a keyboard device will be described below with reference to FIGS. The mounting member 31 made of a metal plate or the like has a bottom wall 31a,
A relatively long support portion 31b formed by cutting and raising from the bottom wall 31a in a cantilever state, and a plurality of aligned and formed supporting portions 31b and a cantilever state from the bottom wall 31a.
It has a semi-arcuate holding portion 31c formed by aligning a plurality of pieces so as to form a pair with b. A flexible substrate (not shown) having a plurality of fixed contacts 32 is arranged on the upper surface of the bottom wall 31a. Movable contact member 33
Has a cup-shaped movable portion 33a made of a resin material and the like, and a contact portion 33b provided on the inner upper surface of the movable portion 33a,
The movable contact member 33 is mounted on the flexible substrate while facing the fixed contact 32. When the movable portion 33a is pushed and moves, the contact portion 33b
Contact the fixed contact 32, and when the pressing of the movable portion 33a is released, the movable portion 33a self-returns and the contact portion 33a
b returns to the non-contact state. The first lever member 34 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a U shape,
It has a pair of arm portions 34a, a connecting portion 34b that connects one end portions of the pair of arm portions 34a, and a cylindrical locking portion 34c provided at the other end portions of the pair of arm portions 34a. The second lever member 35 made of a synthetic resin molded product has an H shape,
It has a pair of arm portions 35a, a connecting portion 35b that connects the central portions of the pair of arm portions 35a, and columnar locking portions 35c and 35d provided at both ends of the pair of arm portions 35a. Then, the first and second lever members 34, 35 locate the second lever member 35 in the first lever member 34 and place the second lever member 35 at the center thereof, and the first and second lever members 34, 35 are rotated by the rotating shaft 34d. Two
Lever members 34 and 35 are rotatably combined in an intersecting manner to form an X-type pantograph structure.
Is rotated about the fulcrum, and the first and second lever members 34, 3 are rotated.
The upper side of 5 can be moved up and down. To attach the first and second lever members 34 and 35 combined in this manner to the attachment member 31, first, one end side of the pair of arm portions 35a of the second lever member 35 should be moved to the position shown in FIG. As shown in, when the pressing portions in the arrow X direction are released after the locking portion 35c is aligned with the holding portion 31c by pressing in the arrow X direction to bring them close to each other, the self-returning force of the arm portions 35a causes The locking portion 35c is locked in the holding portion 31c. next,
As shown in FIG. 4, one end side of the pair of arm portions 34a of the first lever member 34 is pressed in the arrow Y direction to be brought close to each other, and the locking portion 34c is aligned with the support portion 31b. After that, when the pressing force in the direction of the arrow Y is released, the arm 34a
The locking portion 34c is locked in the support portion 31b by the self-returning force of. As described above, both the first and second lever members 34 and 35 are attached to the attachment member 31 while pressing the pair of arm portions 34a and 35a. When the first and second lever members 34 and 35 are attached to the attachment member 31, the movable contact member 33 is located below the cross-shaped center portion, and the movable contact member 33 is moved by the second lever member 35. 33 can be pressed. The key top 36 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a boat-like shape that is turned upside down, and includes a guide portion 36a that is a vertical groove provided inside the lower surface and a guide groove that is laterally provided inside the lower surface. It has a portion 36b. In the key top 36, the connecting portion 34b of the first lever member 34 is fitted into the guide portion 36a, and the locking portion 35d of the second lever member 35 is fitted into the guide portion 36b, so that the first and the first Two
The lever members 34 and 35 are attached and supported. One key top 36 configured in this way, a pair of first and second lever members 34, 35,
The movable contact member 33, the fixed contact 32, and the mounting member 31 form one key switch device, and a keyboard device is configured by disposing a plurality of such key switch devices. Next, the operation of such a conventional key switch device will be described. First, when the upper surface of the key top 26 is pressed, the first and second lever members 3 are pressed.
4, 35 are pushed, and the first and second lever members 34, 3
5 rotates about the rotating shaft 34d as a fulcrum and descends. At this time, the locking portion 35a of the second lever member 35 rotates while being held by the holding portion 31c, and the locking portion 34c of the first lever member 34 is supported by the support portion 31b. In the state, slide laterally, and key top 3
When placed on the 6 side, the locking portion 35d of the second lever member 35
Slides in the guide portion 36b in the lateral direction, and the connecting portion 34b of the first lever member 34 moves the guide portion 3b.
6a is slid vertically.

Then, the first and second lever members 3
The movable parts 3 of the rotary contact member 33 are moved by the lowering of 4, 35.
3a is pushed and the contact portion 33b comes into contact with the fixed contact 32 to be in the ON state. Next, when the pressing force of the key top 36 is released, the first and second lever members 34 and 35 are pushed back by the self-recovery of the movable portion 33a and ascend, and the key top 36 also rises to the first and first Second lever member 34,
35 and the key top 36 return to the original state before pressing,
It is turned off.

[0004]

The key switch device having the above-described structure is widely used for a keyboard device of a personal computer, etc., but with the recent miniaturization of electronic equipment, the key switch device is also made smaller and thinner. There is a tendency for the demand for the conversion to increase. However, in the key switch device having the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotation shaft 34d that is the rotation center of the lever members 34 and 35 is located at the center of the lever members 34 and 35 in the longitudinal direction. A key top 36 is connected to the upper ends of the lever members 34 and 35 with the center of
Since the lower ends of the lever members 34 and 35 are connected to the mounting member 31 side, when the lever members 34 and 35 are shortened in order to make the key switch device smaller and thinner,
There is a limit that the lever members 34 and 35 can be smoothly rotated, and there is a drawback that further downsizing and thinning cannot be performed. Further, in the key switch device in which the lever portion is arranged in the X-shape in side view, when the key top 36 is pushed down at the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the key top 36 on the shaft support side, the key top 36 is inclined in the directions of FIGS. There is a case where the key top is pushed down without being lowered horizontally, and there is a case where the contact portion 33b and the fixed contact 32 are not brought into contact with each other even though the key top is pushed down. Therefore, there has been a demand for a key switch device capable of surely bringing the contact portions into contact with each other to perform a key input even when the peripheral portion of the upper surface of the key top is pressed with fingers or the like.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is easy to reduce the size and thickness,
Even if you press the peripheral part of the top of the key top with your fingers,
An object of the present invention is to provide a key switch device capable of surely contacting a contact portion to perform a key input. It is another object of the present invention to provide a keyboard device including the above key switch device, which can be easily downsized and has excellent operability.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following constitutions. A key switch device according to the present invention includes a base portion, a plurality of lever members movably engaged with the base portion at one end side thereof, and the base portion by being engaged with the other end side of the lever member. A key top supported so as to be able to move up and down, and a switch element that performs a switching operation according to the raising and lowering operation of the key top are provided, and the lever member is pivoted in its pivoting plane at the engaging portions at both ends of the lever member. First rotating shafts are formed respectively, and one engaging portion of the lever member movably supports the rotating shafts with respect to the base portion or the key top.
And the other engaging portion is a second engaging portion that pivotally supports the rotating shaft, and the plurality of lever members are first and second lever members and these. And a third lever member having a rotating shaft intersecting with the rotating shafts of the first and second lever members or the rotating shaft line.
An engagement portion of the lever member on the key top side is a first engagement portion in which a rotation groove of the first and second lever members is movably engaged with a guide groove formed in the key top. It is characterized by that.

In the key switch device having the above-mentioned structure, each lever member does not have the two lever members axially locked at the intersecting position as in the conventional key switch device, but independently engages with the base and the key top. They are arranged so that the rotation axis of at least one lever member intersects with the rotation axis of another lever member. With such a configuration, even if the length of the lever member is shortened for the purpose of downsizing and thinning the key switch, the operability at the time of key input is not impaired, and the conventional X-type The key switch device can be made smaller and thinner than the key switch device having the support structure.

Further, when the peripheral portion of the upper surface of the key top is pressed at the time of key input, the key top is not lowered in a tilted state, but is lowered while maintaining a substantially horizontal state. Considering, for example, a case where two key members are used to support the key top, the rotation axes of the key members on the key top side are arranged in parallel as in the conventional key switch device. Although the tilting of the keytop in a direction perpendicular to these rotation axes is allowed, in the configuration of the present invention, one of the rotation axes of the two lever members is rotated in the rotation direction. The tilt is restricted by the lever member having the rotation axis intersecting with the rotation axis, and as a result, the key top is moved up and down while being kept horizontal. Therefore, according to the key switch device of the present invention, the rattling of the key top in the horizontal direction can be prevented, and the key top is moved up and down without tilting, and the switching operation of the switch element is surely performed at the time of key input.

Alternatively, the base, a plurality of lever members having one end movably engaged with the base, and the other end of the lever member are engaged with the base to support the base to move up and down. And a switch element that performs a switching operation according to the lifting operation of the key top,
Revolving shafts that allow the lever member to rotate within its rotating surface are formed in the engaging portions at both ends of the lever member, and one engaging portion of the lever member is the base portion or the key. The first engaging portion movably supports the rotating shaft with respect to the top, and the other engaging portion is a second engaging portion pivotally supporting the rotating shaft, The plurality of lever members include first and second lever members, and a third lever member having a rotation shaft that intersects with the rotation shafts or rotation shaft lines of the first and second lever members. The first and second
An engaging portion on the key top side of the lever member is a second engaging portion that pivotally supports the rotating shafts of the first and second lever members in a guide groove formed in the key top. A configuration characterized by the above can also be applied. Also with this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the above key switch device.

Next, the key switch device according to the present invention is
The plurality of lever members are U-shaped or frame-shaped in a plan view having a pair of arm portions and at least one connecting portion connecting the arm portions, and the rotating shafts are provided at both end portions of the arm portions. It is characterized by having. According to the above configuration, the switch element can be arranged inside the lever member without lowering the supporting strength of the key top by the lever member.

Next, the key switch device according to the present invention is
The rotation shaft on the key top side of the third lever member is arranged below the rotation shaft on the key top side of the first and second lever members. According to the above configuration, the first
A third device having a rotation shaft that intersects with the rotation shaft of the second lever member.
By disposing the lever member below the first and second lever members, the space under the key top can be effectively used, and the key switch device can be made thinner and more compact.

Next, the key switch device according to the present invention is
The first and second lever members are sandwiched by a pair of hook-shaped rotary bearing portions formed on the base portion that engage with each other, and the first and second lever members are sandwiched by the pair of hook-shaped rotary bearing portions. ,
The position of the second lever member is restricted in the lengthwise direction of the rotation axis. According to the above configuration, the movement of the first and second lever members in the rotation axis direction is restricted, so that rattling of the key top can be effectively suppressed.

Next, the key switch device according to the present invention is
The third lever member is engaged by sandwiching a pair of hook-shaped sliding bearing portions formed on the base portion.
The lever member is characterized in that its position is regulated in the lengthwise direction of its rotation axis by the hook-shaped sliding bearing portion. According to the above configuration, the movement of the third lever member in the rotation axis direction can also be restricted, so that rattling of the key top can be further suppressed.

Next, the key switch device according to the present invention is
The key top and the third lever member are engaged with each other at a rotary bearing portion of the key top and a shaft portion of the third lever member, and the rotary bearing portion is the third lever member. The position is regulated by being sandwiched by a pair of arm portions. According to the above configuration, the key top and the third
Since the positions of the lever member and the lever member are mutually regulated, the rattling of the key top can be suppressed more effectively.

Next, the key switch device according to the present invention is
The key top includes a holding member engaged with the lever member, and a key cap attached to the holding member. With such a configuration, the component member including the holding member, the lever member, and the base portion can be used as a common member regardless of the type of the keycap, so that the application range is wide and the keycap and the like can be replaced. It is possible to provide an easy key switch device.

Next, the key switch device according to the present invention is
The guide groove that movably supports the shaft portion on the key top side of the first and second lever members is provided in the recessed portion formed in the holding member and the key cap attached to the holding member. It is characterized by being sandwiched and formed. With such a configuration, the first and second lever members and the key top can be more easily engaged with each other, and the assembling work of the key switch device can be facilitated. Further, since the rotation shafts of the first and second lever members are sandwiched between the keycap and the holding member, the rotation shaft and the keycap are always kept in parallel, and the keycap is less likely to tilt. You can

Next, a keyboard device according to the present invention is characterized by including any of the key switch devices described above. Since the keyboard device having such a configuration is equipped with the key switch device of the present invention, it can be easily downsized and thinned, and the key tops of the key switch can be moved up and down while always keeping the horizontal position. When the key switch device is pressed, the key input can be surely performed, and excellent operability can be obtained.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. FIG. 1 is a perspective configuration diagram showing a key switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the key switch device shown in FIG. 1.
3A is a plan perspective view of the key switch device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a side view showing a partial cross-sectional structure of the key switch device shown in FIG.

The key switch device 1 shown in these figures is
A base plate (base portion) 2, a first lever member 3, a second lever member 4, and a third lever member 5 whose one end is engaged with the base plate 2, and end portions of the lever members 3 to 5 opposite to the base plate 2. The holding member 6 engaged with the holding member 6 and the key cap 10 attached via the holding member 6 are provided. In this embodiment, the holding member 6
The keycap of the keyswitch device 1 is configured by the keycap 10 and the keycap 10.

The base plate 2 is a substantially flat plate member made of a metal material. In order to rotatably engage the lever members 3, 4 and 5, a part of the base plate 2 is cantilevered and raised. The rotary bearings 23 and 24 and the sliding bearing 25 are formed by a pair of side-view hook-shaped cut-and-raised parts formed in parallel with each other. Of these sliding bearings, the rotary bearings 23 and 24 are the hook-shaped tip side 23.
a and 24a are arranged so as to face each other, one cut-and-raised portion of the sliding bearing portion 25 is arranged between the rotary bearing portions 23, and the other cut-and-raised portion thereof is the rotary bearing portion 24. It is located between. The cut-and-raised portions of the rotary bearing portions 23 and 24 and the cut-and-raised portions of the sliding bearing portion 25 are orthogonal to each other in a plan view, and the bearings 23b and 23b formed on the rotary bearing portions 23 and 23 are coaxial with each other. , The bearings 24b formed on the rotary bearing portions 24, 24 are coaxial with each other, and the bearings 25 formed on the sliding bearing portions 25, 25
b and 25b are also formed coaxially. Also,
The size of the base plate 2 can be freely changed within a range in which the lever members 3 to 5 can be engaged and supported, and the material thereof can be changed to another material such as a resin material.

Each of the lever members 3 to 5 is made of a resin material, a metal material, or the like, and functions to support the holding member 6 and the key cap 10 so as to be able to move up and down, and to keep the lifting width within a predetermined range. The first lever member 3 has a U-shape in a plan view, and a pair of arm portions 3a and 3b and a shaft portion (connecting portion) 3 that connects the inner surface side of the distal end portions of these arm portions 3a and 3b.
and f are integrally formed. Further, shaft portions 3d and 3d, which are engaged with the rotary bearing portion 23 of the base plate 2, project outside the lever member 3 on the outer surfaces of the tip portions of the arm portions 3a and 3b opposite to the shaft portion 3f. The shaft portions 3d and 3d are formed coaxially, and the rotary bearing portions 23 and 23 are
The first lever member 3 is engaged with the bearings 23b and 23b, respectively, and is rotatable with respect to the base plate 2 about the shaft portions 3d and 3d. That is, the rotary bearing portions 23, 23 of the base plate 2 and the shaft portions 3d, 3d of the first lever member 3 provide the rotary engaging portions (second engaging portions) 13, 1, respectively.
3 is formed. Further, a taper portion 3m is formed on the lower surface side (base plate 2 side) of the tip end portion of the arm portions 3a, 3b of the first lever member 3 so that the same inclination angle is formed with respect to the arm portions 3a, 3b. Has been formed. These tapered portions 3m determine the angle of the first lever member 3 with respect to the base plate 2, and when the first lever member 3 is maximally erected, these tapered portions 3m abut the upper surface of the base plate 2. In this state, the first lever member 3 acts so as to define the standing angle.
In addition, a columnar shaft portion 3f is provided on the holding member 6 side of the first lever member 3, and the first lever member 3 is moved by engaging the shaft member 3f with a holding member 6 described later. The holding member 6 is rotatable and slidable with respect to a groove 6f (described later) of the holding member 6, and the holding member 6 side of the first lever member 3 is a sliding engagement portion (first engagement portion) 16a. ing.

The second lever member 4 is formed in the same shape as that of the first lever member 3, and is composed of arm portions 4a and 4b and a shaft portion (connecting portion) 4f connecting the inner surfaces of the tip portions thereof. Has been done. Also, the arm portion 4 on the side opposite to the shaft portion 4f
Shafts 4d and 4d are provided on the outer surface side of the tip end portions of a and 4b so as to project coaxially. The lever shafts 4d and 4d are rotatable about the shafts, and the shafts 4d and 4d are rotatable within the rotary bearing 24. In addition, the cylindrical shaft portion 4f has the holding member 6
The groove 6f is engaged with the groove 6f so as to be rotatable and slidable. Therefore, the shaft portions 4d, 4d of the second lever member 4
And the rotary bearing portions 24, 24 of the base plate 2 form rotary engaging portions (second engaging portions) 14, 14.
The shaft engaging portion 4f of the lever member 4 and the groove portion 6f of the holding member 6 form a sliding engaging portion (first engaging portion) 16a. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a taper portion 4m is formed on the lower surface side of the tip end portions of the arm portions 4a and 4b so that the standing angle of the second lever member 4 can be regulated.

The third lever member 5 is formed in a U shape in plan view, and more specifically, tilted with respect to the base plate 2 like the arms of the first and second lever members 3 and 4. It is composed of arm portions 5a and 5b, and a shaft portion 5c that is provided at both ends of the arm portions 5a and 5b. Further, on the inner surface side of the tip end portions of the arm portions 5a and 5b, a cylindrical shaft portion 5d,
5d is projected. These shaft portions 5d, 5d are rotatably and slidably engaged with a sliding bearing portion 25 formed on the base plate 2, and the shaft portion 5c is rotatably supported by the holding member 6. It has become. Therefore, in the third lever member 5, as shown in FIG. 3A, the shaft portions 5d and 5d that are engaged with the base plate 2 are engaged with the sliding bearing portions 25 and 25, and the sliding engagement portion (first engagement portion) is formed. The shaft portion 5c together with the holding member 6 forms a rotary engagement portion (second engagement portion) 16d. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the inner side of the arms 5a and 5b of the third lever member 5 has an inverted bowl shape of the switch element 9 for preventing interference with the switch element 9 housed inside. Recesses 5h and 5h having a shape along the outer shape are formed.

In the above-mentioned lever members 3-5, when assembled in the key switch device 1, the lever member 3 and the lever member 4 are arranged symmetrically as shown in FIG. 3B. The lever member 5 is arranged below the lever members 3 and 4. Then, the shaft portions 3f, 4f of the first and second lever members 3, 4 and the shaft portion 5 of the third lever member 5
c is arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other in a plan view.
Further, the base plate 2, the first and second lever members 3,
In the engaging portion with 4, the lever members 3 and 4 are sandwiched by the rotary bearing portions 23 and 24 engaged with the lever members 3 and 4, respectively, so that their movement in the rotary axis direction is restricted. Three
In the lever member 5, the sliding bearing portion 25 is sandwiched between the arm portions 5a and 5b, so that the sliding bearing portion 25 causes the shaft portion 5d.
Since the movement of the lever members in the length direction of the rotating shaft is restricted, the rattling of the lever members 3 to 5 on the base plate 2 can be suppressed.

The holding member 6 is formed in a concave shape in a side view, and more specifically, it is a substantially flat plate-shaped substrate portion 6a and side wall portions 6c and 6c provided upright on both sides of the lower substrate portion 6a. When,
The lower substrate portion 6a and the upper substrate portions 6b and 6b which are continuously formed on the side wall portions 6c and 6c are provided. That is, the holding member 6 is provided with a groove portion (guide groove) 6f at the center thereof. Also, the upper substrate portions 6b, 6b
Is formed such that one side in the extending direction of the groove portion 6f is projected more than the lower substrate portion 6a, and two parallel bearing portions 6d, 6d are provided on the base plate 2 side below the projecting portion. Is formed so as to project. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the shaft portions 3f and 4f of the first and second lever members 3 and 4 are rotated in the groove portion (guide groove) 6f formed in the central portion of the holding member 6. And slidably engaged to form a sliding engagement portion (first engagement portion) 16a, and the bearing portion 6
The shaft portion 5c of the third lever member 5 is inserted through d and 6d to form a rotary engagement portion (second engagement portion) 16d.
In addition, the shaft portions 3f, 4f of the first and second lever members 3, 4
And the shaft portion 5c of the third lever member 5 are orthogonal to each other in a plan view, and the shaft portion 5c is arranged below the shaft portions 3f and 4f. By arranging the shaft portion 5c on the lower side in this way, the space under the keycap 10 can be effectively used, and the key switch device 1 can be made thinner easily.

The switch element 9 comprises an inverted cup-shaped movable portion 9b made of a resin material having elasticity such as rubber, and a contact portion 9a provided on the upper portion of the inner surface thereof, and has a wide mouth. It is placed on the base plate 2 surrounded by the substrate portion 6a of the holding member 6 and the lever members 3 to 5 with its side facing the base plate 2 side. Contact point 9
“A” is arranged to face a fixed contact (not shown) provided on the base plate 2. Further, the switch element 9 has a function of urging the holding member 6 to the raised position when not in use. The switch element 9 is a sheet switch in which an upper sheet having a movable contact and a lower sheet having a fixed contact are laminated so that the respective contacts face each other, and the sheet switch is arranged above or below the base plate 2. May be replaced with

The keycap 10 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape by a molding process or the like, and has an inverted boat shape with the lower part opened. Further, letters (not shown) such as numbers and alphabets are formed on the upper surface by printing. The key cap 10 is connected to the holding member 6 and constitutes a key top of the key switch device 1. Further, the shaft portions 3f and 4f of the lever members 3 and 4 are engaged in the space formed by the keycap 10 and the groove portion 6f of the holding member 6. As a result, the key cap 10 and the holding member 6 are prevented from inclining in the rotating direction of the shaft portion 5c of the third lever member, and further, the lower base plate portion 6a of the holding member 6 is provided with the first and second lever members. The shaft portions 3f, 4f are sandwiched between the arm portions 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b of 3, 4
The movement of the holding member 6 in the length direction is restricted.

In the key switch device 1 of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned components, the holding member 6 and the key cap 10 are urged upward by the elastic force of the switch element 9 as shown in FIG. Has been done. Then, when the key is pressed from the upper surface side of the keycap 10, the holding member 6 connected to the keycap 10 is interlocked and lowered. Then, the switch element 9 pressed on the lower surface side of the holding member 6 is deformed, the contact portion inside the switch element 9 is brought into contact with the fixed contact on the base plate 2, the switch is turned on, and the key cap 10 is pressed. When the finger is released, the elastic return force of the switch element 9 again urges the holding member 6 and the key cap 10 upward.

As the keycap 10 is moved up and down, the lever members 3 to 5 operate as follows. The first lever member 3 and the second lever member 4, which are symmetrically arranged, move as the engaging portion with the holding member 6 moves downward.
The shaft portion 3d engaged with the rotary bearing portions 23, 24 of the fixed shaft,
The arms 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b are tilted about 4d. The shaft portion 3 engaged with the groove portion 6f of the holding member 6
The f and 4f are guided by the groove 6f and horizontally move in a direction in which they approach each other. Further, the third lever member 5 has the arm portion 5 centered around the shaft portion 5c engaged with the shaft portion 6d of the holding member 6.
The shaft portions 5d and 5d are horizontally moved while the a and 5b are tilted and the slide bearings 25a and 5b are slid in the sliding bearing portion 25 of the base plate 2 accordingly.

Thus, the key switch 1 of this embodiment
Unlike the key switch device having the conventional X-type support structure, since the pivot shaft is not formed in the central portion of the lever member, each lever member is required for downsizing and thinning of the key switch device. Even if the lengths of 3 to 5 are shortened, the smoothness of the raising and lowering operation of the key switch device is not impaired, and the lever members 3 to 5 can be made shorter and smaller than before. Therefore, if the key switch device 1 of the present embodiment is provided as the input means, the keyboard device and the electronic device can be easily downsized and thinned without impairing the operability at the time of key input.

Further, the key switch device 1 of the present embodiment
Can move up and down while holding the keycap 10 horizontally, preventing the key from being idle and enabling reliable key input. This is the lever members 3 to 5 described above.
This is because the keycap 10 (holding member 6) does not incline even when the peripheral portion of the keycap 10 is pressed down. That is, considering the case where the third lever member 5 is not provided, the holding member 6 is provided in the first and second lever members 3 and 4 which are symmetrically arranged.
Although the holding member 6 can be tilted in the direction around the shafts 3f, 4f on the side, the lever member 5 is provided in the present embodiment, so that the shafts in the directions intersecting these shafts 3f, 4f. The inclination of the shaft portions 3f and 4f in the axial direction is restricted by the portion 5d.

Further, the key switch device 1 of the present embodiment
Has almost no rattling in the horizontal direction of the key top, and excellent operability can be obtained during key input.
This is because a structure for suppressing the rattling in the horizontal direction is adopted in the engaging portions of the lever members 3 to 5, the holding member 6 and the base plate 2. That is, in the engaging portion between the base plate 2 and the lever members 3 and 4,
First, since the bearing portions 23 and 24 are composed of a pair of parallel cut-and-raised portions, the lever members 3 and 4 engaged in the position sandwiched by the bearing portions 23 and 24 in the rotational axis length direction are engaged. The movement is restricted by the bearing portions 23 and 24. In the third lever member 5, the arm portions 5a and 5b of the lever member 5 sandwich the cut-and-raised portion of the sliding bearing portion 25. As a result, the movement of the lever member 5 in the direction of the rotation axis length is restricted. On the other hand, at the engaging portion between the holding member 6 and the third lever member 5, the bearing portions 6d and 6d of the holding member 6 are sandwiched by the arm portions 5a and 5b of the third lever member 5, so that the holding portion is held. The member 6 regulates the movement of the lever member 5 in the lengthwise direction of the rotation axis.

As described above, according to the key switch device 1 of the present embodiment, the key top does not tilt when the key top is raised or lowered during key input, and there is almost no rattling of the key top. It is possible to obtain excellent operability without hitting.

(Keyboard Device) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a keyboard device provided with the key switch device of the above-described embodiment.
It is configured to include a plurality of key switch devices 102 arranged on one unit. According to the keyboard device 100 according to the present embodiment having such a configuration, the horizontal position of the key top can be maintained during the up-and-down operation of the key top, and the key switch device with almost no rattling of the key top. By providing 102, it is possible to comfortably perform key input without hitting the key blank when key input. In the key switch device 103 having a large size such as a space key, a plurality of constituent members excluding the key cap 10 from the key switch device 1 shown in FIG. 1 may be arranged below the horizontally long key cap.

[0035]

As described above in detail, the key switch device according to the present invention includes a base portion, a plurality of lever members movably engaged with the base portion at one end side, and other lever members. An engaging portion at both ends of the lever member, which includes a key top that is supported to be able to move up and down with respect to the base portion by being engaged with an end side, and a switch element that performs a switching operation in accordance with the raising and lowering operation of the key top Rotation shafts that allow the lever member to rotate within its rotation surface are formed on one side, and one engagement portion of the lever member has the rotation shaft with respect to the base portion or the key top. Is movably supported, and the other engaging part is a second engaging part that pivotally supports the rotating shaft, and the plurality of lever members are the first engaging part. , A second lever member, and a rotation shaft of the first and second lever members Is composed of a third lever member having a rotation axis intersecting with the rotation axis, and the keytop-side engaging portions of the first and second lever members are provided in a guide groove formed in the keytop. A conventional X-type support structure is provided by providing a configuration in which the first and second lever members are engaged with the rotational shafts of the first and second lever members in a rotatable and slidable manner as a first engaging portion. It is easier to make the device smaller and thinner than the key switch device, and the operability at the time of key input is not impaired even when the device is made smaller and thinner. In addition, it prevents the rattling of the key top in the horizontal direction, and when the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the key top is pressed, the key top is not lowered in a tilted state, but lowered while maintaining a substantially horizontal state. It is supposed to be done. Therefore, according to the key switch device of the present invention, there is no idling at the time of key input, and there is no rattling of the key top, so that excellent operability can be obtained.

Next, the keyboard device according to the present invention is equipped with the above-mentioned key switch device of the present invention, so that it is easy to miniaturize the keyboard device and is excellent in operability for performing comfortable key input. It is regarded as a device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective configuration diagram of a key switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the key switch device shown in FIG.

3A is a top perspective view of the key switch device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a side view showing a partial cross-sectional structure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a keyboard device including a conventional key switch device.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the key switch device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a keyboard device including a key switch device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Key switch device, 2 ... Base plate (base),
3 ... 1st lever member, 4 ... 2nd lever member, 5 ... 3rd lever member, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b ... Arm part, 3d, 4d, 5d ... Shaft part (rotating shaft), 3f, 4f,
5c ... Shaft part (connecting part), 23, 24, 6d ... Rotating bearing part, 25 ... Sliding bearing part, 6f ... Groove part (guide groove), 13,
14, 16d ... Rotating engagement portion (second engagement portion), 16a,
15 ... Sliding engagement portion (first engagement portion), 6 ... Holding member (key top), 9 ... Switch element, 10 ... Key cap (key top)

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A base portion, a plurality of lever members movably engaged with the base portion at one end side thereof, and supported so as to be vertically movable with respect to the base portion by being engaged with the other end side of the lever member. And a switch element that performs a switching operation as the key top moves up and down, and the engaging portions at both ends of the lever member are configured to rotate the lever member within a rotation plane thereof. Moving shafts are respectively formed, and one engaging portion of the lever member serves as a first engaging portion that movably supports the rotating shaft with respect to the base portion or the key top, and the other engaging portion. The joint portion is a second engaging portion that pivotally supports the rotation shaft, and the plurality of lever members include first and second lever members and rotation of the first and second lever members. And a third lever member having a rotation axis intersecting the rotation axis. Are, first, the engagement portion of the key top side of the second lever member,
The first and second guide grooves are formed in the guide groove formed in the key top.
A key switch device, comprising a first engaging portion movably engaged with a rotating shaft of a lever member. 2. The plurality of lever members are U-shaped or frame-shaped in a plan view having a pair of arm portions and at least one connecting portion connecting the arm portions, and are provided at both end portions of the arm portions. The key switch device according to claim 1, further comprising the rotating shaft. 3. The key top side rotation shaft of the third lever member is disposed below the key top side rotation shaft of the first and second lever members. The key switch device according to 1 or 2. 4. The first and second lever members are sandwiched by a pair of hook-shaped rotary bearing portions formed on the base portion that engage with each other, and the pair of hook-shaped rotary bearings. The key switch device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the first and second lever members are positionally regulated by a portion in the lengthwise direction of the rotation axis. 5. The third lever member is engaged by sandwiching a pair of hook-shaped sliding bearing portions formed on the base portion, and the third lever member is the hook-shaped sliding bearing. The key switch device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the position of the key switch device is restricted by the portion in the lengthwise direction of the rotation axis. 6. The key top and the third lever member are engaged with each other at a rotation bearing portion of the key top and a shaft portion of the third lever member, and the rotation bearing portion includes: The position is regulated by being sandwiched by a pair of arm portions of the third lever member.
5. The key switch device according to any one of items 1 to 5. 7. The key top comprises a holding member engaged with the supporting member, and a key cap attached to the holding member, according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Key switch device described in. 8. The guide groove for movably supporting the key-top-side shaft portions of the first and second lever members is attached to the holding member and the concave portion formed in the holding member. The key switch device according to claim 7, wherein the key switch device is formed by being sandwiched between the key switch and the key cap. 9. A keyboard device comprising the key switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.