JP2021015764A - Key structure - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of normally pressing a switch even when a user presses an end of a key top.SOLUTION: A key structure for pressing a push button switch in the present invention includes a key top which is provided in a direction opposite to a pressing direction with respect to the push button switch, a main body portion which is provided between the push button switch and the key top and pressed by the key top, and an intermediate pusher that protrudes from the main body portion in the pushing direction and has a pusher portion in which the center of the tip of the protruding portion substantially matches the central axis of the push button switch. The key top includes a first key pusher protruding from a portion facing the main body portion in the pressing direction so as to be in contact with the intermediate pusher, the center of the protruding tip thereof substantially matching the central axis thereof, and a second key pusher that protrudes in the pressing direction from a portion which is spaced from the first key pusher at a predetermined interval in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction in the portion facing the main body portion, and has a predetermined gap between the protruding tip and the main body portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a key structure.

As a key for operating a press-type switch, for example, a key formed from a key top and a pusher that protrudes from the back surface of the key top to the vicinity of the center of the switch and can press the switch is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). -3).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-101957 JP-A-2002-216568 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-154782

When the user presses the end of the key top, for example, the key may be tilted with respect to the pressing direction. In such a case, the key moves in the direction in which the switch is provided in a tilted state. Therefore, the center of the tip of the pusher pushes the portion deviated from the center of the switch. Therefore, it is conceivable that the switch is not pressed, or the click feeling felt by the user is reduced even when the switch is pressed. Here, in order to improve such a situation, it is conceivable to arrange another switch in advance at a position where the center of the tip of the tilted pusher is located. However, in the case of such a countermeasure, the component cost increases.

In one aspect, the present invention aims to provide a technique capable of successfully pressing a switch even when the user presses the end of a key top.

In one embodiment, there is a key structure for pressing the push button switch, which is provided between the key top provided in the direction opposite to the pressing direction with respect to the push button switch and the push button switch and the key top. The main body pressed by the key top and the center of the tip of the protruding portion protruding from the main body in the pressing direction pass through the center of the pressable portion of the push button switch and substantially coincide with the central axis along the pressing direction. The key top is provided with an intermediate pusher having a pusher portion, and the key top projects from a portion facing the main body portion in the pressing direction so as to be in contact with the intermediate pusher, and the center of the protruding tip is the central axis. A first key press that substantially matches the above, and a portion facing the main body portion that protrudes from the first key pusher in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction at a predetermined distance in the pressing direction. A second key pusher having a predetermined gap between the protruding tip and the main body portion, and the second key pusher has the key top pressed in the pressing direction. In this case, it is a key structure that passes through the predetermined gap and comes into contact with the main body portion.

The above key structure allows the switch to be pressed normally even when the user presses the end of the key top.

FIG. 1 illustrates an outline of a key according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an example of an outline when the user presses the end of the key top with a finger. FIG. 3 shows an example of an outline when the user presses the center of the key top with a finger. FIG. 4 shows an example of an outline of a conventional key. FIG. 5 shows a first modification of the outline of the key. FIG. 6 shows a second modification of the outline of the key. FIG. 7 shows a third modification of the outline of the key.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiments shown below are examples of embodiments of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an outline of the key 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of the key 100. Further, FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1A. The key 100 according to the present embodiment comes into contact with, for example, a push-type switch 20 provided inside the housing 23 of an electronic device. Here, it is assumed that the switch 20 is mounted on the substrate 21 housed inside the housing 23.

The key 100 includes a key top 1 that fits into a hole provided in the housing 23 and a part of the surface thereof is exposed to the outside. Here, the shape of the surface of the key top 1 exposed to the outside of the housing 23 is substantially rectangular, and FIG. 1 shows an example of a cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction of the key top 1. Further, the key top 1 is provided with a flange 5 extending outward in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the switch 20 is pressed (hereinafter referred to as a pressing direction). The key top 1 is prevented from coming off from the hole provided in the housing 23 by the flange 5 being caught on the inner surface of the housing 23. Here, the flange 5 is an example of the "extending portion" of the present invention.

Further, the key top 1 is provided with a central pusher 2 protruding in the pressing direction. Here, in the cross section shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the central pusher 2 is semicircular. Further, the center pusher 2 is provided so that its center overlaps the central axis of the switch 20 and is symmetrical with respect to the central axis. Here, the central pusher 2 is an example of the "first key pusher" of the present invention.

Further, the key top 1 is provided with an end pusher 3 protruding in the pressing direction. The end pusher 3 is provided at a place different from that of the center pusher 2 and is provided near the end of the key top 1. The distance from the central pusher 2 to the end pusher 3 is, for example, about 1 mm to 1.5 mm. Further, the length of the end pusher 3 in the pressing direction is set shorter than the length of the center pusher 2 in the pressing direction. Further, in the cross section shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the end pusher 3 is semicircular. Here, the end pusher 3 is an example of the "second key pusher" of the present invention.

Further, the key 100 includes an intermediate pusher 4. The intermediate pusher 4 is arranged between the key top 1 and the switch 20. The intermediate pusher 4 is a substantially flat plate-shaped member, and is formed of, for example, Duracon (registered trademark). The intermediate pusher 4 is provided with a protrusion 6 protruding in the pushing direction. Here, the protrusion 6 is provided so that its center overlaps the central axis of the switch 20. Further, the protrusion 6 is an example of the "pushing portion" of the present invention. Further, in the key 100, the tip of the central pusher 2 of the key top 1 is brought into contact with the surface of the intermediate pusher 4. At this time, there is a gap of about 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm from the tip of the end pusher 3 to the surface of the intermediate pusher 4.

Here, the arrangement position of the end pusher 3 and the length in the pressing direction are determined by rotating and pressing the key top 1 with the contact portion where the inner surface of the housing 23 and the flange 5 abut as a fulcrum when the key top 1 is pressed in the pressing direction. While moving in the pressing direction while tilting with respect to the direction, the end pusher is before the switch 20 is pressed by the central pusher 2 pushing the intermediate pusher 4 in the pressing direction and the operation of the switch 20 is established. The tip of 3 is provided so as to come into contact with the surface of the intermediate pusher 4.

Further, the key 100 includes a protrusion 8 protruding from the surface of the substrate 21 on which the switch 20 is mounted in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. The protrusion 8 is prismatic. The intermediate pusher 4 is provided with a through hole 7 having a predetermined clearance with the outer surface of the protrusion 8 and through which the protrusion 8 can penetrate. Further, in the present embodiment, the shape of the protrusion 8 is prismatic, but the shape of the protrusion 8 is not limited to the prismatic shape, and may be, for example, a columnar shape or a wall shape. Here, the protrusion 8 is an example of the "restricting member" and the "protruding member" of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an outline when the user presses the end of the key top 1 with a finger. When the end of the key top 1 is pressed, the key top 1 has a contact portion between the flange 5 and the inner surface of the housing 23 as a fulcrum, and the pressed portion and the center of the key top 1 are included in the pressing direction. A rotatable moment acts in a parallel cross section. Here, since the central pusher 2 has a semicircular shape in the cross section, the key top 1 rotates while pushing the intermediate pusher 4 in the pressing direction in the cross section. That is, the key top 1 is tilted with respect to the central axis while moving in the pressing direction. Then, in such a state, the tip of the end pusher 3 located below the finger comes into contact with the surface of the intermediate pusher 4. That is, the key top 1 comes into contact with the intermediate pusher 4 via two points, the tip of the center pusher 2 and the tip of the end pusher 3. After that, when the user further pushes the key top 1, a force is applied to the intermediate pusher 4 from the key top 1 in the pressing direction through two contact points of the tip of the center pusher 2 and the tip of the end pusher 3. It works. Therefore, the intermediate pusher 4 moves substantially in parallel in the pressing direction. Therefore, the switch 20 is pressed by a predetermined amount or more, and the operation of the switch 20 is established.

Further, the intermediate pusher 4 is provided with a through hole 7, and the protrusion 8 penetrates the through hole 7 with a predetermined clearance. Therefore, when the intermediate pusher 4 is tilted with respect to the pushing direction while moving in the pushing direction, the inner surface 9 of the through hole 7 comes into contact with the outer surface of the protrusion 8. Therefore, tilting of the intermediate pusher 4 beyond a certain level is suppressed. Further, since the intermediate pusher 4 is formed by the Duracon, the intermediate pusher 4 moves smoothly in the pressing direction even when the inner surface 9 comes into contact with the outer surface of the protrusion 8.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an outline when the user presses the center of the key top 1 with a finger. When the center of the key top 1 is pressed, the key top 1 and the intermediate pusher 4 are in contact with each other via the tip of the center pusher 2, so that the tip of the center pusher 2 is attached to the middle pusher 4. A force acts in the pressing direction through the button. The portion of the intermediate pusher 4 that the central pusher 2 contacts is the central portion of the middle pusher 4. Therefore, the intermediate pusher 4 moves substantially in parallel in the pressing direction. Further, when the intermediate pusher 4 is tilted with respect to the pushing direction while moving in the pushing direction, the inner surface 9 of the through hole 7 comes into contact with the outer surface of the protrusion 8. Therefore, tilting of the intermediate pusher 4 beyond a certain level is suppressed. Further, since the intermediate pusher 4 is formed of the Duracon, the intermediate pusher 4 moves smoothly in the pressing direction even when the inner surface 9 comes into contact with the outer surface of the protrusion 8.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an outline of the conventional key 200. The conventional key 200 includes a key top 201 and a central pusher 202 projecting in the direction of the switch 20. In the case of such a key 200, when the end of the key top 201 is pressed by the user, the key top 201 is set on the central axis of the switch 20 with the portion where the central pusher 202 abuts the flange 5 and the housing 23 as a fulcrum. By rotating with respect to the central axis, the keyboard is tilted. Therefore, it is conceivable that the central pusher 202 slides sideways at the contact portion with the switch 20, and the portion in contact with the switch 20 deviates from the center of the switch 20. That is, in the conventional key 200, it is assumed that the central pusher 202 is tilted and the portion deviated from the center of the switch 20 is pressed. Therefore, in the conventional key 200, there is a situation in which the switch 20 is not pressed when the user presses the end of the key top 201, or the click feeling felt by the user is reduced even when the switch 20 is pressed. Be done.

(Action effect)
According to the key 100 as described above, when the user presses the end of the key top 1 as shown in FIG. 2, the key top 1 moves in the pressing direction including the pressed portion and the center of the key top 1. On the other hand, in a cross section parallel to the cross section, the intermediate pusher 4 is pushed and rotated in the pushing direction. At this time, since the central pusher 2 has a semicircular shape in the cross section, the key top 1 rotates smoothly. Therefore, the user can obtain a feeling that the surface of the key top 1 follows the surface of the finger pressing the key top 1. Therefore, the user feels the ease of pressing even when the end of the key top 1 is pressed.

After that, when the user further pushes the key top 1 in the pressing direction, the intermediate pusher 4 is subjected to a force in the pressing direction from the key top 1 with the two points of the tip of the center pusher 2 and the tip of the end pusher 3 as contact points. Works. Therefore, the intermediate pusher 4 is suppressed from being tilted with respect to the pushing direction, and moves substantially in parallel in the pushing direction. Further, the protrusion 8 penetrating the through hole 7 also suppresses the intermediate pusher 4 from tilting with respect to the pressing direction. Therefore, the protrusion 6 provided on the intermediate pusher 4 presses the center of the switch 20. Therefore, the user can press the switch 20 normally, and can obtain a more natural click feeling. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, even when the user presses the center of the key top 1, the intermediate pusher 4 moves substantially in parallel in the pressing direction. Therefore, the protrusion 6 provided on the intermediate pusher 4 presses the center of the switch 20. That is, according to the above key 100, the switch 20 can be normally pressed regardless of which part of the key top 1 is pressed by the user, and a more natural click feeling can be obtained.

Further, according to the key 100 as described above, the intermediate pusher 4 is suppressed from being tilted with respect to the pressing direction, so that the center of the tip of the protrusion 6 when the intermediate pusher 4 is tilted is located. , It is not necessary to arrange another switch in advance. Therefore, the increase in component cost is suppressed.

Further, unlike the key 200, the key 100 as described above has two members, a key top 1 exposed to the outside of the housing 23 and an intermediate pusher 4 arranged inside the housing 23 to press the switch 20. It is composed of. Therefore, it is possible to form the key top 1 from a material whose coating is hard to peel off, and to form the intermediate pusher 4 from a highly slidable material such as Duracon. That is, it is possible to improve the design of the key top 1 and to smoothly move the key top 1 in the pressing direction.

(Modification example 1)
FIG. 5 shows an example of an outline of the key 100A. The key 100A includes the same components as the key 100. However, the intermediate pusher 4A included in the key 100A is not provided with the through hole 7. The intermediate pusher 4A has a shape that can be fitted to the portion sandwiched by the protrusions 8. Even with such a key 100A, the same effect as that of the key 100 can be obtained.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 6 shows an example of an outline of the key 100B. The key 100B includes the same components as the key 100. However, the length of the central pusher 2B included in the key 100B in the pressing direction is equal to the length of the end pusher 3B in the pressing direction. Further, in the shape of the intermediate pusher 4B included in the key 100B, the portion facing the end pusher 3B is recessed in the pressing direction. That is, a predetermined gap is formed from the tip of the end pusher 3 to the surface of the intermediate pusher 4. Even with such a key 100B, the same effect as that of the key 100 can be obtained.

(Modification 3)
In the above embodiment, the shape of the surface of the key top 1 exposed to the outside of the housing 23 is substantially rectangular, but the shape may be substantially square. FIG. 7 shows an example of an outline of the key 100C. The key 100C has a key top 1C having a substantially square shape. Further, the end pushers 3C project from the four corners of the key top 1C in the direction of the switch 20. Such a key 100C may be applied to, for example, a computer keyboard. With such a key 100C, the same effect as that of the key 100 can be obtained.

Further, in the above embodiment, the shapes of the central pusher 2 and the end pusher 3 in the cross section parallel to the pressing direction including the portion of the key top 1 pressed by the user and the center of the key top 1 are semicircular. Although it was shaped like this, the shapes of the central pusher 2 and the end pusher 3 are not limited to such a shape. Further, in the above embodiment, the protrusion 8 is provided, and by penetrating the protrusion 8 through the through hole 7, the intermediate pusher 4 is prevented from being tilted more than a certain level with respect to the pressing direction. It is not necessary to provide a member for suppressing the intermediate pusher 4 from tilting more than a certain amount with respect to the pushing direction as described above. Further, in the above modification 3, the length in the pressing direction of the center pusher 2B and the length in the pressing direction of the end pusher 3B are equal to each other, but the length in the pressing direction of the end pusher 3B is It may be longer than the length of the central pusher 2B in the pressing direction. Then, the portion of the intermediate pusher 4B facing the end pusher 3B is recessed in the pressing direction, and a predetermined gap is formed between the surfaces of the end pusher 3B and the intermediate pusher 4 in a state where the key top 1B is not pressed. It may be provided. Further, the material of the intermediate pusher 4 is not limited to the Duracon, and the material may have a coefficient of dynamic friction when moving in contact with the protrusion 8 to be the same as or less than that of the Duracon. Further, when the "restricting member" of the present invention such as the protrusion 8 is not provided, the material of the intermediate pusher 4 may be any material.

The embodiments and modifications disclosed above can be combined with each other.

1, 1B, 1C: Key top 2, 2B: Central pusher 3, 3B, 3C: End pusher 4, 4A, 4B: Intermediate pusher 5: Flange 6: Protrusion 7: Through hole 8: Protrusion 9: Inner surface 20 : Switch 21: Board 23: Housing 100, 100A, 100B, 100C: Key 200, 200C: Key 201: Key top 202: Center pusher

Claims (7)

It is a key structure that presses the push button switch.
A key top provided in the direction opposite to the pressing direction with respect to the push button switch,
A main body portion provided between the push button switch and the key top and pushed by the key top, and a portion that protrudes from the main body portion in the pressing direction and the center of the tip of the protruding portion is a pushable portion of the push button switch. An intermediate pusher having a pusher portion that passes through the center of the center and substantially matches the central axis along the pressing direction.
The key top is
A first key pusher that protrudes from a portion facing the main body portion in the pressing direction so as to be in contact with the intermediate pusher, and the center of the protruding tip substantially coincides with the central axis.
In the portion facing the main body portion, the first key pusher protrudes in the pressing direction from a portion at a predetermined distance in the direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, and between the protruding tip and the main body portion. With a second key pusher, which has a predetermined gap in
When the key top is pressed in the pressing direction, the second key press passes through the predetermined gap and comes into contact with the main body.
Key structure. The portion of the main body portion facing the first key pusher and the second key pusher is flat.
The length of the second key presser in the pressing direction is shorter than the length of the first key presser in the pressing direction.
The key structure according to claim 1. When the main body of the intermediate pusher is pressed by the key top, a limiting member that limits the inclination of the intermediate pusher with respect to the pressing direction and moves the intermediate pusher substantially in parallel to the pressing direction is further provided.
The key structure according to claim 1 or 2. The limiting member includes a protruding member that projects around the push button switch in a direction opposite to the pushing direction.
The intermediate pusher further has a through hole capable of penetrating the protruding member in the pushing direction.
The key structure according to claim 3. The intermediate pusher is formed of a material having a coefficient of dynamic friction when moving in contact with the limiting member to a predetermined value or less.
The key structure according to claim 3 or 4. In a cross section parallel to the pressing direction, the shape of the first key press is a semicircle convex in the pressing direction.
The key structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The key top extends in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, and comes into contact with the inner surface of the housing in which the push button switch is housed and located in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. It has an extension part and
The position where the second key pusher is provided is such that the key top is pressed in the pressing direction and the contact portion where the inner surface of the housing and the extending portion abut is used as a fulcrum with respect to the pressing direction. Before the push button switch is pressed by the first key pusher pushing the intermediate pusher in the push direction while moving in the push direction while tilting, and the operation of the push button switch is established. This is the position where the tip of the second key pusher protruding in the pressing direction comes into contact with the main body.
The key structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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