JP2015141868A - Keyboard device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyboard device which can satisfy both thinning and durability, and to provide an electronic apparatus including the keyboard device.SOLUTION: A keyboard device 16 includes a base plate 30, and a plurality of key tops 24 disposed movably up and down on the upper surface side of the base plate 30, where the adjacent key tops 24 are sectioned by a frame 26. In the keyboard device 16, the key top 24 is provided with protrusions 25L, 25R protruding outward from the lower end of the side face 24b thereof, and capable of abutting against the lower surface of the frame 26, and the base plate 30 is provided with escape holes 40L, 40R, into which the protrusions 25L, 25R enter when the key top 24 is depressed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a keyboard device used in an electronic device such as a personal computer, and an electronic device including the keyboard device.

  A keyboard device used in an electronic device such as a personal computer usually includes a base plate, a membrane sheet provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the base plate, and a key top disposed on the upper surface side of the base plate so as to be movable up and down. In such a keyboard device, when the key top is pressed, a signal corresponding to the pressed key is output by the contact of the membrane sheet coming in contact, and provided inside when the key top is released. The key top returns to the original position by the elastic force of the elastic member.

  By the way, in electronic devices such as notebook personal computers (notebook PCs), there is a strong demand for thinning the casing, and a keyboard device integrated with the casing is also required to be thinner. However, if the keystroke is reduced to reduce the thickness of the keyboard device, the operational feeling of the keyboard is deteriorated. On the other hand, if the keystroke is reduced while the keystroke is maintained, problems such as the bottom of the key top occur.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a configuration in which a slit is provided at a position corresponding to the peripheral portion of the key top of the base plate. With this configuration, since the peripheral portion of the pressed key top enters the slit, it is possible to secure the key stroke while reducing the overall structure.

International Publication No. 2004/114343

  On the other hand, in recent years, electronic devices such as those described above have been widely used in educational sites for infants and children and work sites such as factories, and in addition to the demands for thinning from the viewpoint of handling and portability. There is also a growing demand for durability of keyboard devices. In other words, at educational sites and work sites, key touch may be performed more erratically than in general offices, etc., and an external force may be applied to the key top in the drop-off direction (upward) by an infant or the like. There is also. Therefore, such a keyboard device is required to be both thin and sufficiently durable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a keyboard device capable of achieving both a reduction in thickness and durability, and an electronic apparatus including the keyboard device. .

  A keyboard device according to the present invention is a keyboard device comprising a base plate and a plurality of key tops arranged on the upper surface side of the base plate so as to be movable up and down, and in which adjacent key tops are partitioned by a frame, The key top is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the lower end of the side surface and can contact the lower surface of the frame, and the protruding portion enters the base plate when the key top is pressed. A relief hole is provided.

  In addition, an electronic device according to the present invention includes a main body having a keyboard device in which a key top is vertically movable on the upper surface side of the base plate, and a frame between adjacent key tops, and a display unit having a display. The key top is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes outward from a lower end portion of the side surface thereof and can come into contact with the lower surface of the frame. Is provided with an escape hole into which the protrusion enters when the key top is pressed.

  According to such a configuration, even when an external force directed upward by a fingertip or the like is applied to the side surface of the key top, the protruding portion is hooked on the lower surface of the frame, so that the key top is prevented from falling off. Further, by providing the base plate with an escape hole into which the protruding portion enters, it is avoided that the protruding portion bottoms out on the base plate. As a result, the key top is prevented from coming off while securing a sufficient key stroke, so that both a reduction in thickness and durability can be achieved.

  The key top may have a substantially quadrangular shape, and the protrusion may be provided at two corners in a diagonal direction among the four corners of the key top. This minimizes the number of protrusions that protrude from the key top, increases the degree of freedom in installing the key top, and prevents the protrusion from becoming a single hinge regardless of the external force applied to any of the four sides. It is possible to prevent the key top from falling off more reliably.

  A plurality of rows in which the key tops are arranged along the left-right direction of the keyboard device are provided in a plurality of rows along the front-rear direction of the keyboard device, and the protrusions are arranged on the key tops in a plan view. It is good also as a structure which protrudes in the left-right direction and does not protrude in the front-back direction. As a result, there is no protrusion protruding from the front and rear portions of each key top, and a space extending in the left-right direction can be secured between the key tops of the front and rear rows. For this reason, wiring, components, and the like can be appropriately disposed in this space, the utilization efficiency of the empty space is improved, and the keyboard device can be further reduced in size and thickness.

  A membrane sheet is provided between the upper surface of the base plate and the lower surface of the key top, or on the lower surface side of the base plate. The membrane sheet contacts and separates when the key top is pressed, and the membrane sheet is attached to the key top. A wiring assembly may be provided in which a plurality of wirings from corresponding contacts are collected, and the wiring assembly may extend between the key top rows in the front-rear direction along the left-right direction. Then, it is possible to prevent the protruding portion from being placed on the wiring assembly in which the wiring is assembled, the degree of freedom of installation of the wiring and the wiring assembly is improved, and further, the wiring assembly is formed by the pressing operation of the key top pressed. It is possible to avoid applying a load to the body.

  In the electronic apparatus, the main body and the display unit may pass through a 180 degree position where the display and the keyboard device face in the same direction and parallel to each other from a 0 degree position where the display and the keyboard device face each other. The structure which can be rotated to the 360-degree position where backs face may be sufficient. Even in this configuration, since the keyboard device provided in the electronic device achieves both thinning and durability as described above, for example, in the case of a usage mode in which the display unit is positioned 360 degrees due to thinning. In addition, the key top exposed on the back surface can be prevented from falling off by improving the durability of the keyboard device and improving the durability of the keyboard device.

  According to the present invention, since the key top is provided with the protruding portion and the base plate is provided with the escape hole into which the protruding portion enters, the key top is prevented from coming off while ensuring a sufficient key stroke, and the thinning and durability are achieved. Coexistence is achieved.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of how the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 is used in a notebook PC. FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of a usage pattern in a tablet PC where the display unit is rotated in the opening direction with respect to the main body unit from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a key provided in the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a key top constituting the key shown in FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the key shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from above. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the key shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from below. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing the operation of the keyboard device. FIG. 8A is a side sectional view showing a state where the key top is not depressed, and FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the state which pressed down the top. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the operation of a keyboard device according to another configuration example, and FIG. 9A is a side sectional view showing a state where the key top is not pressed down. (B) is a side sectional view showing a state where the key top is pressed. FIG. 10 is an explanatory plan view showing an example of the wiring structure of the membrane sheet of the keyboard device. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a key top in which the position and shape of the protruding portion are changed. FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of the key top in which the position of the protruding portion is changed. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of a key top in which the shape of the protruding portion is changed.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a keyboard device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving preferred embodiments in relation to an electronic device equipped with the device.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of a usage pattern of the electronic device 10 shown in FIG. 1 in a notebook PC. FIG. 3 is a direction in which the display unit 12 is opened from the state shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows an example of the type of usage with the tablet-type PC rotated to 360 degree position.

  The electronic apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can be suitably used as a notebook PC using the keyboard device 16 in a state where the display unit 12 is rotated to an angular position of about 90 degrees with respect to the main body unit 14 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 1). 2), the display unit 12 can be suitably used as a tablet personal computer (tablet PC) that does not use the keyboard device 16 when the display unit 12 is rotated to a position of 360 degrees with respect to the main body unit 14 (see FIG. 3). This is a so-called convertible tablet personal computer (convertible PC). As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, if the display unit 12 is slightly raised from a 360-degree position, it can be used as a stand-type tablet PC based on the main body unit 14. The present invention can be applied to a keyboard device used in various electronic devices such as a general notebook PC and a desktop personal computer (desktop PC), in addition to such a convertible PC.

  Hereinafter, the keyboard device 16 provided on the upper surface of the main body unit 14 is operated while visually recognizing the display 18 provided on the front surface of the display unit 12 based on the usage pattern in the notebook PC shown in FIGS. In the direction seen from the user, the front side is called the front side (front), the back side is the rear side (rear), the width direction is the left and right direction (left side and right side), and the thickness direction of the main body 14 is called the vertical direction. explain.

  For convenience of explanation, the display unit 12 is completely closed with respect to the main body unit 14 with respect to the angular positions of the main body unit 14 and the display unit 12 via the hinge mechanism 20, and the display 18 and the keyboard device 16 face each other. The posture is called a 0 degree position (not shown). Then, with this 0 degree position as a reference, the display unit 12 is called while being angled in a direction in which the display unit 12 is rotated in the opening direction. For example, the display 18 and the keyboard device 16 are 180 in the same direction and parallel to each other. The position in which the display 18 and the back surface of the keyboard device 16 face each other is referred to as a 360-degree position (see FIG. 3). Note that the 0-degree position, 180-degree position, and 360-degree position are angular positions that are slightly deviated from the exact angular positions indicated by the angle numbers due to the structure of the main body 14, the display unit 12, or the hinge mechanism 20. As a matter of course, the angle position including these shifted positions is also referred to as a 0 degree position in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 10 includes a display unit 12 having a display 18 and a main body unit 14 having a keyboard device 16, and the display unit 12 and the main body unit 14 are rotated by a pair of left and right hinge mechanisms 20. It is connected so that it can rotate from the 360 degree position to the 360 degree position.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hinge mechanism 20 includes a first shaft 20 a that pivotally supports the display unit 12 and a second shaft 20 b that pivotally supports the main body 14. 2 axis structure. In the hinge mechanism 20, the first shaft 20a rotates from the 0 degree position to the 180 degree position, and the second shaft 20b rotates from the 180 degree position to the 360 degree position. Is pivotally supported from 0 degree position to 360 degree position. For such a hinge mechanism 20, a publicly known structure may be used.

  The display unit 12 is electrically connected to the main body unit 14 by a cable (not shown) that has passed through the hinge mechanism 20. The display 18 is composed of, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device.

  As for the main-body part 14, the hinge mechanism 20 is provided in the rear-end edge part of the housing | casing 14a formed in the flat box shape. Inside the housing 14a, various electronic components such as a substrate, a computing device, and a memory (not shown) are housed, and the keyboard device 16 is exposed on the upper surface of the housing 14a.

  The keyboard device 16 includes an isolation type keyboard including a plurality of keys (key switch devices) 22 and a frame (isolation frame) 26 that fills a gap around a key top 24 that constitutes an operation surface of each key 22. Device. That is, in the keyboard device 16, each key top 24 is partitioned from the adjacent other key tops 24 by the frame 26, and each key top 24 is arranged independently.

  The frame (keyboard frame) 26 is a frame in which a plurality of holes 26a (see FIG. 7) through which the key tops 24 of the respective keys 22 are inserted into a single plate-like member formed of resin or the like. The frame 26 is attached to the housing 14a so as to be substantially flush with or slightly lower than the upper surface of the housing 14a.

  Next, a specific configuration of the keyboard device 16 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the key 22 provided in the keyboard device 16 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the key top 24 constituting the key 22 shown in FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the key 22 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from above, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the key 22 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from below.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7, the keyboard device 16 includes a key 22 that supports the key top 24 so as to be movable up and down by a guide mechanism 28, a base plate 30 that supports the key 22 on the upper surface side, and a base plate 30. A membrane sheet 32 laminated on the lower surface side of the housing 14 and an auxiliary plate 34 fixed to the upper surface (inner surface) of the bottom plate of the housing 14a.

  The base plate 30 serves as a mounting plate for the keys 22, and all the keys 22 arranged in the keyboard device 16 share one base plate 30. The base plate 30 is obtained by, for example, cutting and raising a metal plate member such as an aluminum plate having a thickness of 0.6 mm and performing stamping or punching. Locking pieces 36 and 38 for attaching the guide mechanism 28 are formed on the upper surface of the base plate 30 in a pair of left and right sides (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Furthermore, escape holes 40L and 40R are formed in the base plate 30 at positions opposite to the left and right on the front side and the rear side. The escape holes 40L and 40R are holes into which the protruding portions 25L and 25R protruding outward from the lower end portion of the side surface 24b of the key top 24 enter. The frame 26 is installed on the upper surface of the base plate 30 (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

  The membrane sheet 32 is a switch sheet having a three-layer structure that closes contacts when pressed, and is laminated under the base plate 30. When the position where the fixed contact and the movable contact overlap is pressed, the membrane sheet 32 closes the contact by bringing the fixed contact and the movable contact into close contact with each other. The membrane sheet 32 is provided between the lower sheet having the fixed contact formed on the upper surface, the upper sheet having the movable contact facing the fixed contact formed on the lower surface, and the lower sheet and the upper sheet. In FIG. 2, a spacer sheet separating the fixed contact and the movable contact is laminated. For example, the membrane sheet 32 has a total thickness of 0.25 mm in three layers. In the case of the present embodiment, the membrane sheet 32 is formed with a pair of circular concave cushion portions 42 that are cut through the spacer sheet and the lower sheet and remain elastic by leaving only the upper sheet (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 7). (See FIG. 8).

  The auxiliary plate 34 serves as an attachment plate to the housing 14 a of the keyboard device 16 and is laminated under the membrane sheet 32. The auxiliary plate 34 is made of a metal plate-like member such as stainless steel (SUS) having a thickness of 0.2 mm.

  The key top 24 is an operation member for inputting signals, and is disposed above the base plate 30 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the key top 24 has a substantially quadrangular shape in plan view, and has an upper surface 24 a serving as an operation surface and side surfaces 24 b extending downward from edges of four sides of the upper surface 24 a. . The upper surface 24a is a curved surface with a recessed center so that the key 22 (key top 24) can be reliably pressed with a finger. A protrusion 25L protrudes outward from the front corner of the left side 24b, and a protrusion 25R protrudes outward from the rear corner of the right side 24b. An inner space of the key top 24 surrounded by the upper surface 24a and the side surfaces 24b is an installation space for the guide mechanism 28 and the rubber dome 44 (see FIG. 8A). A pair of left and right shaft holes 46 and 48 for supporting the guide mechanism 28 are formed inside the lower surface of the key top 24 (see FIG. 7).

  The projecting portions 25L and 25R are outwardly projecting from the side surface 24b, and are wing-shaped portions having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and having an arc shape on the front side or the rear side. As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusions 25L and 25R have a shape that protrudes only in the left-right direction of the key top 24 in a plan view and does not protrude in the front-rear direction. Since the key tops 24 of the keys 22 adjacent to the left and right are alternately arranged in the front-rear direction with one protrusion 25L and the other protrusion 25R (see FIG. 10), the protrusions of the key tops 24 adjacent to the left and right The portions 25L and 25R can be prevented from interfering with each other, and the keys 22 can be arranged side by side in a compact manner in the left-right direction. The protrusions 25L and 25R can move up and down within a groove 26b formed in the inner surface of the hole 26a of the frame 26 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), and are hooked on the top surface of the groove 26b (the lower surface of the frame 26). In this way, the upper part is prevented from coming off. On the lower surface of the projecting portions 25L and 25R, a hemispherical projection 25a that lands on the cushion portion 42 and absorbs an impact when the key top 24 is pressed is projected at a position corresponding to the cushion portion 42 of the membrane sheet 32. (See FIGS. 7 and 8).

  The rubber dome 44 is an elastic member for pressing the membrane sheet 32 when the key top 24 is pressed and for returning the key top 24 to the original position when the pressing operation of the key top 24 is released. In addition, it is disposed between the membrane sheet 32 and the key top 24 (see FIG. 8A). The rubber dome 44 is made of a flexible elastic material such as silicon rubber. The rubber dome 44 expands in an umbrella shape downward from the lower end of the top portion 44a in contact with the lower surface of the key top 24, and passes through the circular opening portion 30a penetrating the base plate 30 in the thickness direction. A base portion 44b fixed on the sheet 32 and a pressing portion 44c that protrudes downward at the inner center of the base portion 44b and that presses the membrane sheet 32 through the opening 30a.

  In the key 22, when the key top 24 is pressed, the operating force is transmitted to the top portion 44 a of the rubber dome 44, the base portion 44 b is elastically deformed, and the pressing portion 44 c presses the membrane sheet 32. Thereby, the membrane sheet 32 closes a contact. On the other hand, when the pressing operation on the key top 24 is released, the base portion 44b returns to the original shape and the pressing portion 44c returns to the original position by the elastic restoring force of the rubber dome 44. Thereby, the key top 24 returns to the original position, and the membrane sheet 32 opens the contact.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the guide mechanism 28 is for supporting the key top 24 so as to be movable up and down, and is foldably attached between the base plate 30 and the key top 24. The guide mechanism 28 includes an inner frame 50 and an outer frame 52 that forms a pair with the inner frame 50.

  The inner frame 50 is a frame body in which an opening through which the rubber dome 44 is inserted is formed at the center, and the outer shape is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view and the inner shape is formed in a circular shape in plan view. The inner frame 50 has a pair of left and right shafts 54, 54 that are movable and rotatable with respect to the front locking pieces 36, 36 of the base plate 30, and a pair of left and right shafts formed on the rear side. 56 and 56 are rotatably supported in shaft hole portions 48 and 48 of the key top 24. The outer frame 52 is a frame body into which the inner frame 50 is fitted, and the outer shape and the inner shape are formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. The outer frame 52 has a pair of left and right shafts 58, 58 formed on the front side rotatably supported by shaft hole portions 46, 46 of the key top 24, and a pair of left and right shafts 60, 60 formed on the base plate 30. It is locked to the rear locking pieces 38, 38 so as to be movable and rotatable.

  Thus, the inner frame 50 and the outer frame 52 constituting the guide mechanism 28 are attached in a brace shape, and support the key top 24 on the base plate 30 so as to be movable up and down.

  Next, operations and effects of the keyboard device 16 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing the operation of the keyboard device 16, FIG. 8A is a side sectional view showing a state where the key top 24 is not pressed, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a state where the key top 24 is pressed. 8A and 8B, illustration of the guide mechanism 28, the locking piece 36 that supports the guide mechanism 28, and the like is omitted in order to ensure the visibility of the drawing. Further, in FIG. 8B, illustration of the rubber dome 44 is also omitted, and the same applies to FIGS. 9A and 9B described later.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the key top 24 is not depressed and the key top 24 is in the upward movement position by the rubber dome 44, the protrusion 25L (25R) of the key top 24 is formed on the frame 26. At the upper position of the groove portion 26b, the inner surface of the top surface of the groove portion 26b is prevented from coming off. Therefore, even if a claw or the like is applied to the side surface 24b of the key top 24 to apply a pulling force upward, the protruding portion 25L (25R) is caught on the top surface of the groove portion 26b (the lower surface of the frame 26). Is prevented from falling upward.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), when a pressing force is applied to the key top 24 and the key top 24 is pushed down against the elastic force of the rubber dome 44 to the down position, The protrusion 25L (25R) of the top 24 enters the escape hole 40L (40R) of the base plate 30. For this reason, the projecting portion 25L (25R) does not contact the base plate 30 and its thickness does not interfere with the vertical movement of the key top 24, so that a sufficient key stroke can be ensured. At this time, in this embodiment, since the protrusion 25a provided on the lower surface of the protruding portion 25L (25R) abuts against the cushion portion 42 of the membrane sheet 32, the impact when the key top 24 is pressed is effected by the cushion portion 42. It is absorbed and enhances its operational feeling.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the membrane sheet 32 is laminated under the base plate 30 as shown in FIG. 8 is illustrated, but the membrane sheet 32 may be laminated on the base plate 30 as shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, similarly to the base plate 30, the membrane sheet 32 is also formed with a relief hole 62 </ b> L (62 </ b> R) into which the protruding portion 25 </ b> L (25 </ b> R) of the key top 24 enters. Therefore, also in the case of this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the key top 24 is not pressed down, the protrusion 25L (25R) of the key top 24 is formed in the groove 26b of the frame 26. It is in the upper position and is prevented from coming off by the top surface of the groove 26b. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the key top 24 is pressed down, the projecting portion 25L (25R) of the key top 24 becomes the escape hole 62L (62R) of the membrane sheet 32 and the escape hole of the base plate 30. In order to enter 40L (40R), a sufficient key stroke is secured.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, when the key top 24 is pressed, the protrusion 25L (25R) of the key top 24 passes through the escape hole 62L (62R) of the membrane sheet 32. And the protrusion 25a of the protrusion part 25L (25R) corresponding to this is not provided. Further, since the rubber dome 44 can be directly disposed on the upper part of the membrane sheet 32, the opening 30a of the base plate 30 is also omitted.

  As described above, the keyboard device 16 according to the present embodiment includes the base plate 30 and the plurality of key tops 24 arranged on the upper surface side of the base plate 30 so as to be movable up and down. 26. The key top 24 is provided with projecting portions 25L and 25R that project outward from the lower end of the side surface 24b and can come into contact with the lower surface of the frame 26. Relief holes 40L and 40R into which the protrusions 25L and 25R enter when the key top 24 is pressed are provided.

  Accordingly, even if an external force is applied to the side surface 24b of the key top 24, the projecting portions 25L and 25R are caught on the lower surface of the frame 26, so that the key top 24 is prevented from dropping upward. Furthermore, by providing the relief holes 40L and 40R in the base plate 30, it is avoided that the protruding portions 25L and 25R bottom out on the base plate 30. Thereby, in the keyboard apparatus 16, since the key top 24 is prevented from coming off while securing a sufficient key stroke, both reduction in thickness and durability can be achieved. For this reason, the keyboard device 16 and the electronic apparatus 10 including the keyboard device 16 may be touched more gently than in general offices, for example, and may be dropped on the key top 24 by an infant or the like. Therefore, it can be suitably used for use in environments where external force may be applied, for example, in educational sites and work sites.

  In addition, in the keyboard device 16, as shown in FIG. 5, the protrusions 25 </ b> L and 25 </ b> R are provided at two corners in the diagonal direction among the four corners of the key top 24 having a substantially square shape in plan view. For this reason, the number of protrusions 25L and 25R protruding from the key top 24 is minimized to increase the degree of freedom of installation of the key top 24, and the protrusion 25L can be applied to any of the four side surfaces 24b. 25R can be prevented from becoming a single hinge, and the key top 24 can be more reliably prevented from falling off.

  Further, in the electronic device 10 including such a keyboard device 16, the main body 14 and the display unit 12 are arranged so that the display 18 and the keyboard device 16 from the 0-degree position where the display 18 and the keyboard device 16 (key top 24) face each other. A structure is employed in which the display 18 and the keyboard device 16 can be rotated to a 360-degree position where the back surfaces of the keyboard 18 face each other through 180-degree positions facing in the same direction and parallel to each other. Therefore, in the case of a usage form as a tablet PC with the display unit 12 positioned at 360 degrees, the entire device is made thinner to improve its handling and the keyboard device 16 (key top exposed on the back surface of the device). 24) durability for preventing breakage is important. In this regard, the keyboard device 16 is particularly effective for the electronic device 10 that is also used as a tablet PC as described above, because it is both thin and durable as described above. it can.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, in the keyboard device 16, a plurality of rows in which a plurality of key tops 24 are arranged along the left-right direction are provided in a plurality of columns along the front-rear direction. The protrusions 25L and 25R of the key top 24 protrude only in the left-right direction of the key top 24 in a plan view of the key top 24, and do not protrude in the front-rear direction (see FIGS. 5 and 10). As a result, the protrusions 25L and 25R do not protrude from the front and rear portions of each key 22, and a space extending in the left-right direction is secured between the keys 22 in the front and rear rows. Therefore, in the keyboard device 16, wirings, parts, and the like can be appropriately disposed in this space, the utilization efficiency of the empty space is improved, and further miniaturization is possible.

  For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the membrane sheet 32 has a wiring assembly 66 in which a plurality of wirings (circuits, patterns) 64 from contacts corresponding to the keys 22 (key tops 24) are collected. The wiring assembly 66 extends along the left-right direction between the rows of the key tops 24 in the front-rear direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the protrusions 25L and 25R from overlapping the wiring assembly 66 in which the wirings 64 are assembled, the degree of freedom of installation of the wiring 64 and the wiring assembly 66 is improved, and the key that has been pressed down. It is possible to avoid applying a load to the wiring 64 and the wiring assembly 66 by the protrusions 25L and 25R of the top 24.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the protrusions 25L and 25R of the key top 24 of each key 22 for inputting alphabets and numbers, etc., arranged in a plurality in the left-right direction and in a plurality of rows in the front-rear direction. It is set as the structure which does not protrude forward and backward. On the other hand, for example, the key tops 70 of the other keys 68 such as function keys disposed at the front end and the rear end of the keyboard device 16 do not protrude forward and backward, like the protrusions 25L and 25R. Only a protruding portion (not shown) protruding only may be provided, or a protruding portion (not shown) protruding forward and backward may be provided. This is because no other keys are arranged on the front side or the rear side of these keys 68, so that a sufficient wiring space or the like can be secured on the front side or the rear side.

  Of course, the protrusions 25L and 25R of the key top 24 may have other shapes. In short, it is sufficient that the key top 24 can be securely hooked on the frame 26 to prevent the key top 24 from being pulled upward. The escape hole corresponding to this should just be formed. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, protrusions 72L and 72R may be provided at the centers of the left and right side surfaces 24b of the key top 24, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, protrusions 25 </ b> L and 25 </ b> R may be provided at all four corners of the key top 24. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, protrusions 74 </ b> L and 74 </ b> R that protrude from the left and right side surfaces 24 b of the key top 24 to the front and rear side surfaces may be provided. In each of the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the key top 24 may be prevented from coming off, although each of the configuration examples may have a more inconvenient point than the configuration shown in FIG. 5 in relation to the wiring 64 and the wiring assembly 66. There are also advantageous points, etc., which can be used effectively depending on the specifications of the keyboard device in which these are used.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be freely changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, the relief holes 40L and 40R of the base plate 30 need only have a depth that can prevent the protruding portions 25L and the like from bottoming on the base plate 30 when the key top 24 is pressed down. It may be a concave hole that does not penetrate in the thickness direction.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic device 12 Display part 14 Main body part 14a Case 16 Keyboard apparatus 18 Display 20 Hinge mechanism 22, 68 Key 24, 70 Key top 24a Upper surface 24b Side surface 25a Protrusion 25L, 25R, 72L, 72R, 74L, 74R Protrusion part 26 Frame 26b Groove portion 28 Guide mechanism 30 Base plate 32 Membrane sheet 34 Auxiliary plate 40L, 40R, 62L, 62R Escape hole 42 Cushion portion 64 Wiring 66 Wiring assembly

Claims (6)

A keyboard device comprising a base plate and a plurality of key tops arranged on the upper surface side of the base plate so as to be movable up and down, wherein the adjacent key tops are partitioned by a frame,
The key top is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the lower end portion of the side surface and is capable of contacting the lower surface of the frame.
A keyboard device, wherein the base plate is provided with an escape hole into which the protruding portion enters when the key top is pressed. The keyboard device according to claim 1.
The key top has a substantially rectangular shape,
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided at two corners in a diagonal direction among the four corners of the key top. The keyboard device according to claim 1 or 2,
Rows in which a plurality of key tops are arranged along the left-right direction of the keyboard device are provided in a plurality of columns along the front-rear direction of the keyboard device,
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion protrudes in the left-right direction of the key top in a plan view of the key top and does not protrude in the front-rear direction. The keyboard device according to claim 3, wherein
A membrane sheet between the upper surface of the base plate and the lower surface of the key top, or on the lower surface side of the base plate, the contact of which contacts when the key top is pressed down;
The membrane sheet has a wiring assembly in which a plurality of wirings from contacts corresponding to the key tops are collected, and the wiring assembly extends between the key top rows in the front-rear direction along the left-right direction. A keyboard device characterized by that. A key top is disposed on the upper surface side of the base plate so as to be movable up and down, and a main body having a keyboard device in which adjacent key tops are partitioned by a frame and a display having a display are connected by a hinge mechanism so as to be rotatable. Electronic equipment,
The key top is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the lower end portion of the side surface and is capable of contacting the lower surface of the frame.
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base plate is provided with an escape hole into which the protruding portion enters when the key top is pressed. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein
The main unit and the display unit face each other from the 0 degree position where the display and the keyboard device face each other through a 180 degree position where the display and the keyboard apparatus face in the same direction and are parallel to each other, and the back surfaces of the display and the keyboard device face each other. An electronic apparatus characterized in that it can be rotated to a 360-degree position.

Images