JP2021190348A - Switch, switch assembly, key input device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a switch, a switch assembly, and a key input device, capable of expanding a function.SOLUTION: A switch (a key switch 1) is assembled into a key input device (a key board) as a switch assembly attached to a substrate. The switch 1 assembled into the key input device, comprises: a fixed member 10; and a movable member 11 moved to a depressing direction by a depressing operation. The switch 1 also comprises: a contact member 14 having a contact/non-contact part 141 that contacts/is non-contacted by moving the movable member 11; and a light reception unit 16 having a light reception element detecting a light. The switch can open and close a first circuit by contacting and non-contacting the contact/non-contact part 141 in accordance with the movement of the movable member 11, and can open and close a second circuit by penetrating and shielding the light detected by the light reception element 161 by moving the movable member 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a switch that switches an electrical contact / detachment state by pressing a movable member, a switch assembly including such a switch, and a key input device including such a switch.

As an input device for an electronic device such as a computer, a keyboard in which a plurality of key switches are arranged side by side has become widespread. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a push button switch that gives a reliable feel when the switch contacts are closed.

Tokuho 4-47932 Gazette

In recent years, various demands have been made for the production of light emission or the like according to the operation, the improvement of reliability for lowering the mechanical failure rate, and the like, and improvement of various characteristics and expansion of functions are required.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a switch capable of improving various characteristics and expanding functions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch assembly using such a switch.

Further, the present invention has yet another object to provide a key input device using such a switch.

In order to solve the above problems, the switch (key switch) described in the present application is a switch including a fixing member and a movable member that moves in the pressing direction by a pressing operation, and the movable member is brought into contact with and separated from the moving member. A contact member having a contact / detachment portion and a light receiving element for detecting light are provided, and the first circuit can be opened / closed by bringing the contact / detachment portion into contact with each other as the movable member moves. The second circuit can be opened and closed by moving and transmitting / shielding the light detected by the light receiving element.

Further, in the switch, the movable member has a light-shielding plate that shields light to be received by the light-receiving element, and when the movable member moves, the light-shielding plate receives light detected by the light-receiving element. It is characterized by transmitting / shielding.

Further, in the switch, the movable member has an engaging portion that engages with the contact member, and as the movable member moves, the engaging portion engages with the contact member to engage the contact / detachment portion. It is characterized by being brought into contact with each other.

Further, the switch described in the present application is a switch including a movable member that operates based on an external pressure, and is a contact mechanism capable of opening and closing the first circuit by connecting and detaching according to the operation of the movable member. It is characterized by including a non-contact mechanism capable of opening and closing the second circuit based on the detection result by the detection unit that detects the detection target according to the operation of the movable member.

Further, in the switch, the first circuit and the second circuit are different circuits.

Further, in the switch, the first circuit and the second circuit are the same circuit.

Further, the switch assembly described in the present application is a switch assembly including a switch including a fixing member and a movable member that moves in the pressing direction by a pressing operation, and a substrate to which the fixing member of the switch is attached, and detects light. The switch includes a light receiving element, and the switch includes a contact member having a contact / detachment portion that is brought into contact with and detached by the movement of the movable member. The circuit can be opened and closed, and the second circuit can be opened and closed by moving the movable member to transmit / shield the light detected by the light receiving element.

Further, in the switch assembly, the light receiving element is surface-mounted on the substrate.

Further, the switch assembly described in the present application is a switch assembly including a fixing member and a switch including a movable member that operates based on an external pressure, and a substrate to which the fixing member of the switch is attached, and the detection target is a switch assembly. Detection by a detection unit to detect, a contact mechanism that can open and close the first circuit by moving in and out according to the operation of the movable member, and a detection unit that detects the detection target according to the operation of the movable member. It is characterized by including a non-contact mechanism capable of opening and closing the second circuit based on the result.

Further, the key input device (keyboard) described in the present application is a key input device in which a plurality of key switches are arranged, and is characterized in that the switch is provided as the arranged key switches.

Further, the key input device described in the present application is a key input device including a plurality of key switches and a switch assembly to which the key switches are attached, and is characterized in that the switch assembly includes the switch assembly.

The switch, switch assembly, and key input device described in the present application can open and close a first circuit using a contact / detachment portion and a second circuit using a detection element such as a light receiving element for detecting a detection target such as light. Is.

The switch, switch assembly, and key input device according to the present invention include a contacted mechanism capable of opening and closing the first circuit and a non-contact mechanism capable of opening and closing the second circuit. Thereby, in the present invention, since each opening / closing mechanism can be used for various purposes, it is possible to expect improvement of various characteristics or functions of the switch, the switch assembly and the key input device. , Has an excellent effect.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the keyboard to which the key input device described in this application is applied. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic exploded perspective view which shows an example of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic top view which shows an example of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic perspective sectional view which shows an example of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic external view which shows an example of the light emitting unit provided in the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic top view which shows an example of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic top view which shows an example of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the key switch described in this application. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the 1st Embodiment of the switch assembly described in this application. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the 2nd Embodiment of the switch assembly described in this application. It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the appearance of the 3rd Embodiment of the switch assembly described in this application. It is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the 1st Embodiment of the keyboard described in this application. It is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the 2nd Embodiment of the keyboard described in this application.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Application example>
The key input device described in the present application is used as a keyboard used for inputting data such as various commands in addition to characters, numbers and symbols to an electronic device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer). Further, the switch described in the present application is incorporated as a key switch in a device such as various electronic devices including a key input device. The key switch is incorporated in the key input device as a switch assembly (hereinafter referred to as a switch assembly) mounted on the board. Hereinafter, the key input device KB and the key switch 1 exemplified in the drawings will be described with reference to the drawings, and the switch assembly 3 in which the key switch 1 is attached to the substrate 2 will be described.

<Keyboard KB>
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a keyboard KB to which the key input device described in the present application is applied. On the keyboard KB, a plurality of key switches 1 such as character keys, numeric keys, and other function keys are arranged side by side as switches.

<Key switch 1>
Next, the key switch 1 arranged on the keyboard KB will be described. The key switch 1 included in the keyboard KB described in the present application can be realized in various forms, and here, a part of the forms will be illustrated and described.

The structure of the key switch 1 will be described. 2 and 3 are schematic perspective views showing an example of the appearance of the key switch 1 described in the present application. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the key switch 1 from an obliquely upper viewpoint, and FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the key switch 1 from an obliquely lower viewpoint. The key switch 1 includes a fixing member 10 fixed to a substrate 2 (see FIG. 14 and the like) built in the keyboard KB, and a movable member 11 that can be moved up and down and is pushed downward by a user's pressing operation. There is. A key top 12 is detachably attached to the upper end of the movable member 11 as a pressed member that accepts a user's pressing operation. The key top 12 and the movable member 11 move downward by such pressing, and when released from the pressing, they are urged upward by the elastic member 13 (see FIG. 4 and the like) described later. Moving.

The lower surface of the fixing member 10 which is the lower surface of the key switch 1 has a substantially square shape, and a pair of insertion holes 100 through which the terminal 140 of the contact member 14 is inserted are formed in the vicinity of a pair of sides of the four facing sides. Has been done. Of the four sides of the lower surface of the fixing member 10, a columnar leg portion 101 for mounting on the substrate 2 is formed in the vicinity of the other pair of sides on which the insertion hole 100 is not formed. Further, a substantially rectangular through hole 102 is provided near the center of the lower surface of the fixing member 10. A substantially rectangular fitting port 103 for fitting the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 is opened in the vicinity of both long sides of the through hole 102 so as to face each other with the through hole 102 interposed therebetween. The two fitting openings 103 sandwiching the substantially rectangular through hole 102 are provided so that their long sides are parallel to each other. The terminals 140 of the contact member 14 project downward from the insertion holes 100 of the fixing member 10, respectively. The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are fitted to the fitting port 103 of the fixing member 10 in a state of being fitted. Two first terminal pairs 150 project downward from the light emitting unit 15. Two second terminal pairs 160 project downward from the light receiving unit 16.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the user can operate the keyboard KB with the key top 12 attached to the key switch 1. When the user touches the key top 12 of the key switch 1 arranged on the keyboard KB and presses the key top 12, the contact / detach state of the electric circuit is switched in the key switch 1 and the contact / detach state is changed. The on signal for each key switch 1 is output from the keyboard KB that detects the change to the connected electronic device such as a personal computer. Further, by releasing the pressing of the key top 12, the key switch 1 released from the pressing is urged by the elastic member 13 to rise and return to the original position.

The internal structure of the key switch 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the key switch 1 described in the present application. FIG. 5 is a schematic top view showing an example of the key switch 1 described in the present application. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 described in the present application. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 described in the present application. FIG. 4 shows the key top 12 omitted. FIG. 5 shows the upper half body 10a of the fixing member 10, the movable member 11, and the key top 12 omitted so that the internal structure can be easily understood. 6 and 7 omit the key top 12 for easy understanding of the internal structure. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a state cut by a vertical plane including the AB line segment shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a state cut by a vertical plane including the AB line segment shown in FIG. 2 as a perspective sectional view from an obliquely upper viewpoint. As described above, the key switch 1 includes various members such as a fixing member 10, a movable member 11, a key top 12, an elastic member 13, a contact member 14, a light emitting unit 15, and a light receiving unit 16.

The fixing member 10 will be described. The fixing member 10 is a housing having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is formed by combining an upper half body 10a and a lower half body 10b as shown in FIG. A substantially square-shaped insertion port 104 for inserting the movable member 11 is provided on the upper surface of the fixing member 10. A through hole 102 is provided in the vicinity of the center on the inner bottom surface of the fixing member 10. A plate-shaped light-shielding plate 110 formed in the movable member 11 is inserted through the through hole 102 so as to be movable up and down. A fitting opening 103 is opened on the outside of the through hole 102, and a fitting wall 105 is erected from the inner bottom surface of the fixing member 10 so as to cover the periphery of the fitting opening 103. The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 inserted from the fitting port 103 are fixed in a state of being sandwiched by the fitting wall 105. On the outside of the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16, an elastic member 13 such as a compression coil spring that presses the movable member 11 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction is arranged so as to wind around the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16. ing. An inner wall 106 is erected from the inner bottom surface of the fixing member 10 around the elastic member 13. The lower end of the elastic member 13 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the fixing member 10 and is positioned by the inner fitting wall 105 and the outer inner wall 106. On the outside of the inner wall 106, the contact member 14 is an inner bottom surface of the fixing member 10 as a contact mechanism 17 (see FIG. 17 etc.) capable of opening and closing a first circuit (see FIG. 17 etc.) described later by being brought into contact with each other. It is erected by press fitting. The contact member 14 has a square tubular shape formed by molding and combining two metal plates, and is fitted so as to surround the inner wall 106. Further, two terminals 140 extending from each of the two metal plates project downward from the lower end of the contact member 14. The two terminals 140 penetrate the insertion holes 100 provided in the inner bottom surface of the fixing member 10 and project further downward from the lower surface of the fixing member 10.

The movable member 11 will be described. The movable member 11 has a substantially square shape when viewed from above and has a substantially box-shaped outer shape with an open upper portion. A mounting portion 111 for mounting the key top 12 is formed on the upper portion of the movable member 11. From the central portion of the outer bottom portion of the substantially box-shaped movable member 11, a light-shielding plate 110 having a substantially rectangular plate shape extends downward and passes between the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16. When the movable member 11 is pressed and moves downward, the lower end of the light-shielding plate 110 penetrates the through hole 102 on the lower surface of the fixing member 10 and protrudes downward. The light-shielding plate 110 is provided with a transmission hole 110a for passing light emitted from the light emitting unit 15. On the outer bottom surface of the movable member 11, a fitting groove 112 into which the upper end of the elastic member 13 is fitted is recessed in a substantially annular shape around the light-shielding plate 110. Further, a pair of pressing side walls 113 extending downward are formed from a pair of opposite side surfaces of the movable member 11 having a substantially box shape. In the vicinity of the lower end of the pressing side wall 113 of the movable member 11, a contact pressing projection 113a (engaging portion) for pressing the contact member 14 is projected inward.

The movable member 11 is located at the upper end of the moving range (hereinafter referred to as top dead center) when the key top 12 is not pressed by the pressing operation, and is located at the lower end of the moving range (hereinafter referred to as the lower) when the key top 12 is pressed. Move to the dead center). Then, when released from the pressing, the movable member 11 is pressed upward by the elastic member 13 and moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center.

The contact member 14 will be described. The contact member 14 is erected on the inner bottom surface around the inner wall 106 of the fixing member 10, and includes two terminals 140 protruding downward from the lower surface of the fixing member 10. The contact member 14 is formed with a contact / detachment portion 141 that opens and closes the first circuit by receiving a pressing action accompanying the movement of the movable member 11. The contact / detachment portion 141 of the contact member 14 is configured such that a fixed piece 141a forming a side surface of the contact member 14 and a movable piece 141b flexed by pressing are superimposed on each other by two metal plates constituting the contact member 14. Has been done. The fixed piece 141a is located outside the movable piece 141b. The movable piece 141b comes into contact with the fixed piece 141a by being pressed by the contact pressing projection 113a of the moving movable member 11 and flexing, and when the pressing is released, the movable piece 141b returns to its original shape and separates from the fixed piece 141a. Contact points are provided on the opposing surfaces of the fixed piece 141a and the movable piece 141b, respectively. The contact / separation of the fixed piece 141a and the movable piece 141b formed of the two metal plates constituting the contact member 14 opens and closes the first circuit connected to the two terminals 140 of the contact member 14. An on signal based on opening / closing is output from the keyboard KB to an electronic device such as a personal computer.

The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic external view showing an example of a light emitting unit 15 included in the key switch 1 described in the present application. The light emitting unit 15 included in the key switch 1 emits light, and the light receiving unit 16 receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 15. The light emitting unit 15 is configured by using a light emitting element 151 such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 is molded in the unit housing 152 made of resin, and the first terminal pair 150 protrudes from the unit housing 152. Inside the unit housing 152, two substantially linear lead frames 153 are arranged. One end of the lead frame 153 protrudes from the inside of the unit housing 152 to the outside, and has a first terminal pair of 150. The other end side of the lead frame 153 is located in the unit housing 152, and the light emitting element 151 is placed and bonded by the wire 154. The light emitting element 151, the lead frame 153, and the wire 154 are arranged at the bottom of the recess formed in the unit housing 152. The recess formed in the unit housing 152 is filled with a resin having a high transmittance such as epoxy resin in the manufacturing process, and the members such as the light emitting element 151 are visible from the outside in the unit housing. It is molded in 152. FIG. 8 shows a light emitting unit 15 in which the unit housing 152 is filled with a resin having a high transmittance and the inside can be visually recognized. The light receiving unit 16 is configured by using a light receiving element 161 such as a PD (Photo Diode) or a PT (Photo Transistor) as a detection unit for detecting light. Since the configuration of the light receiving unit 16 is substantially the same as the configuration of the light emitting unit 15, the description of the light emitting unit 15 will be taken into consideration, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The light emitting element 151 and the first terminal pair 150 described as the configuration of the light emitting unit 15 shall be read as the light receiving element 161 and the second terminal pair 160 when understanding the light receiving unit 16.

In the key switch 1, the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 receive the light emitted from the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 so that the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16 receives the light light emitting element 151 and the light receiving element 161. Are arranged so as to face each other. By energizing the light emitting unit 15 through the first terminal pair 150, the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 emits light. Since the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16 changes the energization state when light is detected, an on signal based on the change in the energization state due to the light reception is output from the second terminal pair 160.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the key switch 1 described in the present application. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view conceptually showing a part of the assembly process of the key switch 1, and shows a process of incorporating the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 into the key switch 1. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are fitted from below after incorporating various members such as a movable member 11, an elastic member 13, and a contact member 14 into the fixing member 10. The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 that can be incorporated into the fixing member 10 from the outside can also be removed from the fixing member 10 for the purpose of changing specifications, replacing parts, and the like. The key top 12 is attached to the movable member 11 at the stage of being incorporated into the switch assembly 3 or the keyboard KB.

The operation of the key switch 1 described in the present application configured as described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic top view showing an example of the key switch 1 described in the present application. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 described in the present application. FIG. 12 is a schematic top view showing an example of the key switch 1 described in the present application. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 described in the present application. 11 and 13 show cross-sectional views of a state cut in a vertical plane including the AB line segment shown in FIG. 2. 10 and 12 show the upper half body 10a of the fixing member 10, the movable member 11, and the key top 12 omitted. 11 and 13 show the key top 12 omitted.

10 and 11 show a state in which the key top 12 of the key switch 1 is not pressed and the movable member 11 is located at the top dead center. When the key top 12 of the key switch 1 is not pressed and the movable member 11 is located at the top dead center, the movable piece 141b of the contact member 14 is the fixed piece 141a as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. There is no conduction between the two terminals 140 because they are separated from each other. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the light emitted from the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 is blocked by the light shielding plate 110 of the movable member 11 and therefore does not reach the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16. Therefore, the light receiving element 161 cannot detect light and does not output an on signal.

12 and 13 show a state in which the key top 12 is pressed from the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and the movable member 11 is located at the bottom dead center. When the movable member 11 moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center, the contact pressing protrusion 113a projecting from the pressing side wall 113 of the movable member 11 presses the movable piece 141b of the contact member 14. The movable piece 141b is pressed and bent, and comes into contact with the fixed piece 141a, so that the contact / detachment state of the contact member 14 is switched. That is, the contact pressing projection 113a of the movable member 11 functions as an engaging portion that engages with the contact member 14, and the contact pressing projection 113a as the engaging portion engages with the contact member 14 as the movable member 11 moves. As a result, the contact / detachment portion 141 is brought into contact with each other. When the fixed piece 141a and the movable piece 141b of the contact member 14 come into contact with each other, the two terminals 140 of the contact member 14 conduct with each other, a current flows as shown by an arrow in FIG. 12, and the first circuit becomes a first circuit. Closed.

Further, when the movable member 11 is located at the bottom dead center, the light shielding plate 110 of the movable member 11 moves downward, and the light between the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16 The transmission hole 110a of the light-shielding plate 110 is located on the road. Therefore, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 13, the light emitted from the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 reaches the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16 through the transmission hole 110a of the light shielding plate 110 of the movable member 11. do. When the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16 detects the light received, the energization state of the light receiving element 161 changes, and the second circuit is closed.

From the state shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the user releases the pressing of the key top 12, the movable member 11 released from the pressing is pressed by the elastic member 13 from below and moves to the top dead center. When the movable member 11 moves to the top dead center, it returns to the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Therefore, the movable piece 141b of the contact member 14 is separated from the fixed piece 141a. Further, the optical path between the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16 is blocked by the light shielding plate 110.

<Switch assembly 3>
Next, a mounting example of the switch assembly 3 described in the present application in which the key switch 1 is attached to the substrate 2 will be described. The key switch 1 described in the present application is incorporated in the keyboard KB as a switch assembly 3 mounted on the substrate 2. FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the first embodiment of the switch assembly 3 described in the present application. FIG. 14 shows the key switch 1 included in the switch assembly 3 and the substrate 2 separated from each other so that the relationship between the key switch 1 and the substrate 2 can be easily grasped. The board 2 has a terminal mounting hole 20 for inserting a pair of terminals 140, a first terminal pair mounting hole 21 for inserting a first terminal pair 150, and a second terminal pair mounting hole for inserting a second terminal pair 160. 22 has been opened. In the switch assembly 3, the terminals 140, the first terminal pair 150, and the second terminal pair 160 of the key switch 1 have a terminal mounting hole 20, a first terminal pair mounting hole 21, and a second terminal pair provided in the board 2. It is inserted through the mounting hole 22 and mounted on the substrate 2 by a mounting method such as soldering. Although FIG. 14 shows a form in which one key switch 1 is mounted on one board 2, a plurality of key switches 1 are actually mounted on one board 2. In addition to the key switch 1, electronic members such as various circuits and elements are mounted on the substrate 2 included in the switch assembly 3, and each electronic member is formed on the substrate 2 by a method such as etching. It is electrically connected by the wiring.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the second embodiment of the switch assembly 3 described in the present application. FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the switch assembly 3, and shows the key switch 1 and the board 2 provided in the switch assembly 3 separately so that the relationship between the key switch 1 and the board 2 can be easily grasped. ing. The board 2 is provided with a terminal mounting hole 20, a first terminal pair mounting hole 21, and a second terminal pair mounting hole 22. The first terminal pair 150 of the light emitting unit 15 is previously attached to the first terminal pair mounting hole 21 provided in the substrate 2 by a mounting method such as soldering, and is attached to the second terminal pair mounting hole 22. The second terminal pair 160 of the light receiving unit 16 is attached in advance by an attachment method such as soldering. Then, in the assembly process, the key switch 1 not provided with the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 is attached to the substrate 2 to which the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are preliminarily attached. The key switch 1 is attached so as to cover the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 on the substrate 2. Further, the pair of terminals 140 of the key switch 1 are inserted into the terminal mounting holes 20 and mounted on the substrate 2 by a mounting method such as soldering.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the third embodiment of the switch assembly 3 described in the present application. FIG. 16 shows still another embodiment of the switch assembly 3, and the key switch 1 and the board 2 provided in the switch assembly 3 are separated so that the relationship between the key switch 1 and the board 2 can be easily grasped. Shows. The board 2 is provided with a terminal mounting hole 20. A conductive metal is pre-wired on the substrate 2 by a method such as etching, and the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are preliminarily mounted on the wiring of the substrate 2 by a method such as surface mounting. The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 illustrated in FIG. 16 are surface mount optical units and are directly mounted on the substrate 2. The key switch 1 is attached so as to cover the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 on the substrate 2. Further, the pair of terminals 140 of the key switch 1 are inserted into the terminal mounting holes 20 and mounted on the substrate 2 by a mounting method such as soldering.

As described above, as illustrated by exemplifying the first to third embodiments, the switch assembly 3 in which the key switch 1 is attached to the substrate 2 is formed by various methods.

Next, an implementation example of the keyboard KB equipped with the key switch 1 described in the present application will be described. FIG. 17 is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the first embodiment of the keyboard KB described in the present application. The key switch 1 includes a contact mechanism 17 using a member such as a contact member 14, and a non-contact mechanism 18 using members such as a light emitting unit 15 and a light receiving unit 16. Further, the keyboard KB includes a signal output unit 4 that outputs an electric signal to an external device such as a personal computer, and an output load unit 5 that outputs light emission, audio output, vibration, and the like. The contact mechanism 17 opens and closes the circuit of the signal output unit 4, which is the first circuit, by moving the movable member 11, and outputs an electric signal to an external device such as a personal computer. The non-contact mechanism 18 opens and closes the circuit of the output load unit 5, which is a second circuit, by moving the movable member 11, and outputs light emission, voice output, vibration, and the like. The first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 is an embodiment in which the first circuit and the second circuit are configured as different circuits. In the first embodiment, a personal computer is obtained by pressing the key top 12 of the keyboard KB. In addition to outputting signals to external electronic devices such as, light emission, audio output, vibration, etc. are output. As a result, when operating the keyboard KB, it is possible to produce light emission, voice output, vibration, and the like, so that it is possible to improve the characteristics such as expansion of the functions of the keyboard KB, the switch assembly 3, and the key switch 1. .. Further, the circuit of the output load unit 5 can be opened and closed by the contact mechanism 17, and the circuit of the signal output unit 4 can be opened and closed by the non-contact mechanism 18.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram conceptually showing an example of the second embodiment of the keyboard KB described in the present application. The second embodiment is an example in which the first circuit and the second circuit are configured as the same circuit. In the second embodiment, the signal output unit 4 is used as a first circuit that opens and closes by the contact mechanism 17 and a second circuit that opens and closes by the non-contact mechanism 18. By making the first circuit and the second circuit the same circuit, both the contact mechanism 17 and the non-contact mechanism 18 open and close the signal output unit 4, so that the contact mechanism 17 and the non-contact mechanism 18 are opened and closed. Even if a problem occurs on one side, it can be compensated for on the other side. Therefore, it is possible to improve the characteristics such as the improvement of the reliability of the keyboard KB and the key switch 1.

The embodiment of the keyboard KB described in the present application can be developed into various forms regardless of the implementation examples described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. For example, a mechanism for opening and closing a circuit using an optical element as exemplified as the non-contact mechanism 18 requires continuous or intermittent energization of the optical element, which may cause a problem of standby power. In order to solve such a problem, by using the contact mechanism 17 as a mechanism for opening and closing the energization circuit to the optical element, it is possible to suppress the standby power. Specifically, the key switch 1 is in an off state in which the power supply to the non-contact mechanism 18 is cut off during standby. Then, when the contact mechanism 17 is turned on, the non-contact mechanism 18 is energized and turned on until a certain period of time elapses after the contact mechanism 17 is turned on or turned on, and the contact mechanism is turned on. It is possible to deploy it in the form of operating 18. The non-contact mechanism 18 that is energized and turned on can open and close the circuit according to the operation of the key switch 1. In the above mounting example, a circuit for controlling energization to a plurality of key switches 1 is shown as an example of mounting the keyboard KB, but in order to control energization for each switch assembly 3 and further for each key switch 1. It is possible to develop it in various forms such as mounting the circuit of. As described above, the key switch 1, the switch assembly 3, and the keyboard KB described in the present application can improve various characteristics such as suppression of standby power.

As described above, the switch, switch assembly 3, and keyboard KB described in the present application have a contact mechanism 17 using members such as a contact member 14, and a non-contact mechanism 18 using members such as a light emitting unit 15 and a light receiving unit 16. And have. This has excellent effects such as expansion of functions, improvement of reliability, and improvement of various characteristics such as suppression of standby power.

The present invention is not limited to the respective embodiments described above, and can be developed into various other embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments described above are merely exemplary in all respects and should not be construed in a limited way. The technical scope of the present invention is described by the claims and is not bound by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and modifications that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, when the movable member 11 moves to the bottom dead center, the contact member 14 comes into contact with the contact member 14, and the light receiving element 161 receives light, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, when the movable member 11 moves to the bottom dead center, the contact member 14 is separated and the light emitted from the light emitting element 151 can be shielded as appropriate. Further, it is possible to appropriately design such that the light emitted from the light emitting element 151 is not shielded / transmitted but shielded / reflected.

Further, for example, in the above embodiment, the non-contact mechanism 18 is configured by an optical mechanism using a light emitting element 151 that emits light and a light receiving element 161 as a detection unit that detects light as a detection target. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various mechanisms having no contacts can be used. For example, it can be applied to various forms such as forming a non-contact mechanism 18 by using a magnet that generates a magnetic force and a Hall element as a detection unit that detects the magnetic force as a detection target.

Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, a mode applied to a key input device for mainly inputting characters such as a keyboard KB is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be applied to various key input devices such as key input devices dedicated to numeric keys such as a numeric keypad, and other electronic devices other than computers, for example, various switches used for game dedicated machines.

KB keyboard (key input device)
1 key switch (switch)
10 Fixed member 11 Movable member 110 Light-shielding plate 110a Through hole 113 Pressing side wall 113a Contact pressing protrusion (engaging part)
12 Key top 13 Elastic member 14 Contact member 140 Terminal 141 Contact / detachment part 141a Fixed piece 141b Movable piece 15 Light emitting unit 151 Light emitting element 16 Light receiving unit 161 Light receiving element (detection part)
17 Contact mechanism 18 Non-contact mechanism 2 Board 3 Switch assembly (switch assembly)
4 Signal output section 5 Output load section

Claims (11)

A switch including a fixed member and a movable member that moves in the pressing direction by a pressing operation.
A contact member having a contact / detachment portion that is brought into contact with or detached by moving the movable member,
Equipped with a light receiving element that detects light
The first circuit can be opened and closed by bringing the contact / detachment portion into contact with each other as the movable member moves.
A switch characterized in that the second circuit can be opened and closed by moving the movable member to transmit / shield the light detected by the light receiving element. The switch according to claim 1.
The movable member has a light-shielding plate that shields light to be received by the light-receiving element.
A switch characterized in that the light-shielding plate transmits / shields light detected by the light-receiving element by moving the movable member. The switch according to claim 1 or 2.
The movable member has an engaging portion that engages with the contact member.
A switch characterized in that, as the movable member moves, the engaging portion engages with the contact member to engage and disengage the contacting and disengaging portion. A switch equipped with a movable member that operates based on external pressure.
A contact mechanism that can open and close the first circuit by connecting and detaching according to the operation of the movable member.
A switch including a non-contact mechanism capable of opening and closing a second circuit based on a detection result by a detection unit that detects a detection target according to the operation of the movable member. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A switch characterized in that the first circuit and the second circuit are different circuits. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
A switch characterized in that the first circuit and the second circuit are the same circuit. A switch assembly including a switch including a fixing member and a movable member that moves in the pressing direction by a pressing operation, and a substrate to which the fixing member of the switch is attached.
Equipped with a light receiving element that detects light
The switch includes a contact member having a contact / detachment portion that is brought into contact with and detached by moving the movable member.
The first circuit can be opened and closed by bringing the contact / detachment portion into contact with each other as the movable member moves.
A switch assembly characterized in that the second circuit can be opened and closed by moving the movable member to transmit / shield the light detected by the light receiving element. The switch assembly according to claim 7.
The light receiving element is a switch assembly characterized in that it is surface-mounted on the substrate. A switch assembly comprising a switch including a fixing member and a movable member that operates based on external pressure, and a substrate to which the fixing member of the switch is attached.
A detector that detects the detection target and
A contact mechanism that can open and close the first circuit by connecting and detaching according to the operation of the movable member.
A switch assembly comprising a non-contact mechanism capable of opening and closing a second circuit based on a detection result by a detection unit that detects a detection target according to the operation of the movable member. A key input device with multiple key switches.
A key input device comprising the switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, as the arranged key switch. A key input device including a plurality of key switches and a switch assembly to which the key switches are attached.
A key input device comprising the switch assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 9, as the switch assembly.

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