JP2600991Y2 - Key switch - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a key switch used for a keyboard or the like as an input device of a word processor, a personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a key switch of this type, a stem projecting downward from the lower surface of a key top is formed on a holder member as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-33250. Through the stem guide section
In general, the key top is configured to be guided and supported so as to be vertically movable.

However, in this configuration, if the vertical length of the stem guide portion is reduced to increase the vertical movement stroke of the key top, the vertical sliding length with the stem is insufficient, and the key top is pressed down. Occasionally, there is an inconvenience that a key touch cannot be made smoothly due to the occurrence of a twist, so that the vertical length of the stem guide must be increased, and the keyboard cannot be made thinner.

[0004] To solve this problem, the present applicant previously in Japanese Application flat No. 3-330160, first the guide means of the key top moves up and down, crossing disposed X-shape in a side view
A link and a second link, which are rotatably connected at an intermediate portion of the two links, and one of the free ends of the first link and the second link is rotated by the lower surface of the keytop and the holder member. In this configuration, the other free end is slidably engaged with the lower surface of the key top and the holder member, and the head of the rubber spring is pressed at the lower surface near the intersection of the two links.

[0005]

By the way, the size of the operation surface of the keytop in this kind of keyboard, that is, the size of the plane area of the keytop, is large or small in consideration of the type of input, the frequency of use, the usability, and the like. Multiple types of key tops are arranged. For example, the most frequently used key tops for English and katakana letters and numbers should be of normal medium size with a square shape in plan view,
For the tab key, etc., use a rectangular key top with a large width,
As an auxiliary function key or the like, a horizontally long key top (hereinafter, referred to as a half unit key) that is approximately half the size of the medium-sized key top is used.

[0006] Normally, the hand is held above the key top so that the fingertip of the operator extends from the front side to the rear side of the keyboard. Therefore, the direction in which the key top is pressed (keystroke direction) is directly below. Instead, the pressing force usually acts obliquely downward toward the rear side of the keyboard. Therefore, in the most frequently used normal medium-sized key top, the axial direction of the rotation fulcrum of the halfway intersection of a pair of links arranged below in an X-shape below the key top, and hence the key top lower surface Arranging the pair of links such that the axial direction of the free end of each link to the rotation locking portion and the sliding locking portion with respect to the holder member is in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the keyboard, This is preferable in reducing the bearing resistance between the free end and the rotation fulcrum and the rotation locking portion or the sliding locking portion.

However, when the key top is depressed, the projected length of the pair of links in plan view is substantially equal to the length of each link itself.
The distance between the lower free ends of the pair of links is increased. Moreover, in order to obtain the required keystroke, the length of the link must be increased to some extent. Therefore, when the direction of the guide means by the pair of links with respect to the half unit key having a small operation area is arranged in the same direction as that of a normal key top as described above,
Although the length of the operation surface of the half unit key with respect to the front-back direction of the keyboard is short (the width of the key top is short), from the relationship of the required plane projection length of the pair of links,
There has been a problem that the arrangement interval of the half unit keys with respect to the depth of the keyboard must be increased, and the operation area of the keyboard cannot be reduced.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems.
The width of the operation surface with the keyboard
Even when using a small long key top,
While maintaining the large keystroke between the key tops arranged
Operate the entire keyboard without unnecessarily widening the gap
That it is possible to reduce the area and make it compact
Even when the long key top is pressed,
Key that allows up and down input operations while maintaining the parallel
-To provide a switch.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a key switch according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a key switch connected to a lower surface of a long key top and a holder member thereunder. A key switch comprising: guide means for stopping and guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the key top; a spring elastically deformable by an up / down input operation by the key top; and a switching unit which performs a switching operation by elastic deformation of the spring. so
The key means , wherein the guide means comprises a first link and a second link cross-arranged in an X-shape in side view , and both links are rotatably connected at an intermediate crossing portion thereof.
The first member formed on the holder member;
The lower free end of one of the link and the second link is rotatable
A first rotation locking portion for locking, and a first rotation locking portion formed on the holder member;
And the lower free end of the other of the first link and the second link.
A first sliding engagement portion for slidably engaging the key top;
On the lower surface of the key in the area of the key top in plan view.
Provided at a position deviated from the means, and the length of the key top
A posture holding lever having a longitudinal shaft portion along the direction.
Provided, in the region of the plan view of the key top, wherein
Intermediate link for rotatably connecting the first link and the second link
The pivot axis at the fork is the longitudinal direction of the key top in plan view.
, And are arranged so as to cross each other .

Here, in the key switch, a contract
As described in claim 2, the lower surface of the key top
Formed on one of the first link and the second link
A second sliding locking portion for slidably locking the side free end;
The first link and the second link are formed on the lower surface of the keytop.
The second lock for pivotally locking the other upper free end of the link
It is desirable to have a dynamic locking portion.

The key switch according to claim 3 is a key switch.
Connected to the lower surface of the key top and the holder member below it.
Proposal for binding and locking to guide and support the vertical movement of the key top
Elastic by internal means and up / down input operation by the key top
A deformable spring and elastic deformation of the spring.
Key switch consisting of a switching part
Switch, wherein the guide means is cross-shaped in an X-shape in side view.
And a first link and a second link
The two links are movably connected at the halfway intersection.
In the key switch, the holder member is formed on the
Lower end of at least one of the first link and the second link
A rotation locking portion for rotatably locking the portion, and the key top
On the lower surface of the key top, within the area of the key top in plan view,
It is provided at a position off the step, and the longitudinal direction of the key top
A position holding lever having a longitudinal shaft along the direction.
In the area of the key top in plan view, the rotation
The rotation axis of the lower end portion locked by the dynamic locking portion is
Are arranged so that they intersect with the longitudinal direction of the
It is characterized by having.

Further, the key switch according to the fourth aspect is a key switch.
Connected to the lower surface of the key top and the holder member below it.
Proposal for binding and locking to guide and support the vertical movement of the key top
Elastic by internal means and up / down input operation by the key top
A deformable spring and elastic deformation of the spring.
Key switch consisting of a switching part
Switch, wherein the guide means is cross-shaped in an X-shape in side view.
And a first link and a second link
The two links are movably connected at the halfway intersection.
In the key switch, the key switch is disposed on the holder member,
Move the lower end of one of the first link and the second link
A first locking portion that locks in place;
And the other lower end of the first link and the second link
A second locking portion that is movably locked;
Longitudinal along the longitudinal direction of the key top within the area of view
And a posture holding lever having a shaft portion of
Set the cross axis at the fork in the longitudinal direction of the key top in plan view.
It is characterized by being arranged so as to cross over.

[0013]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a key switch 1 of one of a plurality of half unit keys arranged on a keyboard, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a plan view of a horizontally long key top, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view, and FIG. The sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2 is shown. The lower side in FIG. 1 and the left side in FIG. 3 correspond to the front side of the keyboard.

The key switch 1 comprises a key top 2, a guide means 3 in which a first link 4 and a second link 5 are arranged in an X shape in side view, and a cap-shaped rubber spring pressed by the guide means 3. 6, a holder member 7 made of synthetic resin for supporting the guide means 3, and a lower surface of the holder member 7 so that the switching portions 29, 29 (see FIG. 5) face the mounting holes 7a of the holder member 7. It comprises a flexible printed board 9 to be stretched and a reinforcing plate 10 stretched to the lower surface side thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rubber spring 6 is provided with a mounting hole for the holder member 7 so as to cover above the switching portions (electric contact portions) 29, 29 (see FIG. 5) on the printed circuit board 9. 7a. The rubber spring 6 of the present invention is made of an electrically insulating silicone rubber or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene methylene) or the like, and has a substantially disk-shaped thick head in plan view and a cut extending downward from the periphery of the head. It is integrally formed into a downwardly open cap having a frustoconical dome portion and a thick flange portion extending substantially horizontally and radially outward on the outer periphery of the dome portion. When the key top is depressed, the switching portion 29, the switching portion 29, are provided on the lower surface of the head of the rubber spring 6 pressed by the pressing portion 26 on the lower surface of the connection crossing portion between the first link 4 and the second link 5.
29, and both switching sections are electrically connected to O
A movable contact portion 30 made of conductive rubber having conductivity for N-OFF is fixed. In addition, rubber spring 6
The whole may be formed to have conductivity by dispersing and filling conductive particles such as carbon black in silicone rubber.

The key top 2 formed of a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin is provided with predetermined characters such as numerals and alphabets on the upper surface (surface) by engraving or printing. As shown in FIG. 1, the key top 2 has a left-right operation surface, and on its lower surface, pin portions 11a and 11b on an upper free end side of a first link 4 described later are provided in a substantially horizontal direction. Sliding locking portions 16, 16 in the form of left and right longitudinal grooves for locking slidably along the left and right longitudinal directions, and the pin portions 13 a, 13 b at the upper free end of the second link 5 can only rotate. A pair of front and rear locking members 17, 17, which are integrally provided with hole-shaped rotation locking portions 15, 15 for locking, are integrally formed or are protruded by being bonded with an adhesive or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4 (a) and 4 (b), a first link 4 made of a synthetic resin such as a glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin.
And the second link 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 (a) shows the first
FIG. 4B is a plan view of the link 4, and FIG. The first link 4 has a base 18 and an upper and lower free end 19,
And a support hole 21 is formed in the side surface of the base portion 18 in a lateral direction, and an arm portion 20 extending from both side ends of the lower free end portion 20 is formed.
Pin portions 12a and 12b are laterally protruded from the outer surfaces of the upper and lower free ends 19, respectively.
a, 11b are protruded sideways.

The second link 5 also has a base 22 and an upper and lower free end 2.
3 and 24 to form a substantially H-shape integrally in plan view. A pivot shaft 25 is protruded laterally from one side surface of the base 22, and the pivot shaft 25 is rotatably fitted into the support hole 21 of the first link 4. Arms 24a and 24b extending from both ends of lower free end 24 of second link 5
Pin portions 14a and 14b are respectively provided on the outer side surface of the upper free end portion 23, and pin portions 13a and 13b
Is protruded sideways. Then, the first link 4 and the second link 5 assembled as described later are arranged such that the axial direction of the pivot shaft 25 is orthogonal to the left-right longitudinal direction of the key top 2.

Here, the support hole 21 of the first link 4 and the second
The portion of the link 5 including the pivot 25 is the first link 4
The second link 5 constitutes a halfway intersection, and the axis of the pivot 25
Is the rotation axis at the halfway intersection. In this embodiment,
In the key switch 1, the first link 4 and the second link 5
Are rotatably connected to each other, but the first link 4
And the second link 5 are not necessarily connected rotatably.
It is not necessary, and the first link 4 and the second link 5
Even if it is connected movably around the intersection axis
Good. Such an intersecting axis is, like the pivot axis, a key top.
It is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the left-right longitudinal direction of the step 2.

In this embodiment, when viewed from the side, the first
The distance from the center line of the support hole 21 in the link 4 to the center line of the upper and lower pin portions 11a and 12a and the second link 5
From the center line of the pivot shaft 25 at the pin portions 13a, 14a
Are formed so that the distances to each other are equal. With this configuration, as described later, the key top 2 is rotated by the guide means 3 about the pin portions 12a and 12b on the lower free end side of the first link 4 so that the key top 2 is fixed to the holder member 7. It can move up and down in parallel to the upper surface.

Although not shown, downwardly convex polygon-shaped pressing portions are formed on the lower surfaces of the base portion 18 of the first link 4 and the base portion 22 of the second link 5, respectively. The upper surface of the head may be pressed.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a part of a holder member 7 made of a synthetic resin such as a glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the holder member 7 is flat. The holder member 7 is provided with a substantially rectangular mounting hole 7a into which a flange at the lower end of the cap-shaped rubber spring 6 can be inserted without displacement.
A pair of rotation locking portions 2 are provided on both front and rear edges of the mounting hole 7a.
7 and a sliding engagement portion 28 in the form of a longitudinal groove are integrally formed by injection so that the engagement portions 27 and 28 open downward.

In this case, the U-shaped locking groove 27a having a downward U-shape and the right and left
When one of the molding dies is formed so as to open in the normal direction with respect to the back surface of the holder member 7, the die-shaped locking groove 28 makes it extremely easy to remove the mold after injection molding of synthetic resin. become.

Then, the links 4 and 5 are connected to the pivot shaft 25 in advance.
And an X-shape in side view at the position of the support hole 21, and then the upper pin portions 11 a, 11 b, 1 of both links 4, 5.
3a and 13b are connected to the rotation locking portions 15 of the key top 2;
15 and the sliding engagement portions 16, 16, the pins 12 a, 12 b, 14 a, 14 b are attached with the gap between the lower end free ends 20, 24 of the links 4, 6 narrowed. Insert so as to come out of the hole 7a to the back side of the holder member 7,
Thereafter, the distance between the lower free ends 20 and 24 of the links 4 and 5 is increased, and the pin portions 12a and 12b on the lower end side of the first link 4 are attached to the rotation locking portions 27 and 27 from below. The second link 5 is inserted into the sliding engagement portions 28, 28.
When the printed circuit board 9 is stretched and fixed to the lower surface of the holder member 7 after the lower end side pin portions 14a and 14b are inserted and slid from front to back from below, the links 4 and 5 are separated from the holder member 7. Never fall off.

As described above, the first link 4 and the second link 5
Are assembled into the holder member 7, the rotation
Pin portion of first link 4 rotatably locked to stop portion 27
The shaft centers of 12a and 12b form a rotation axis, and
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tip 2 in plan view.
Are located in

At this time, the pin portions 11a, 11b and 14
a, 14b and the shape of the sliding locking portions 16, 28 are as follows:
The first link 4 and the second link 5 are substantially immovable in the left-right direction in FIG. 3, and the pin portions 11a and 14a of FIG.
It is determined so as not to hinder the sliding in the middle left and right directions. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the tip of each pin portion slides substantially in contact with the outer side surface of the corresponding sliding engagement portion. Therefore, the pivot shaft 25 is prevented from coming out of the support hole 21.

With this configuration, when the key top 2 is pressed down, the first link 4 rotates downward (clockwise in FIG. 2) about the position of the rotation locking portion 27 of the holder member 7.
On the other hand, the second link 5 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 around the pivot shaft 25. Then, the head of the rubber spring 6 is pressed downward by the pressing portion 26 near the cross connection portion of the two links 4 and 5, and the movable contact 30 on the lower surface thereof contacts the switching portions 29 and 29 to perform a switching operation. It is.

As in the present embodiment, when the rotation axis of the pivotal support shaft 25 of the cross connection between the first link 4 and the second link 5 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the horizontally long key top 2, the key The pair of links 4 and 5 along the longitudinal direction of the top 2
Can be arranged so that their longitudinal directions are along. In other words, by disposing a pair of links 4 and 5 having a narrow width and a long length, a keystroke of a predetermined required size can be obtained, and the arrangement interval of the key tops of the adjacent half unit keys can be reduced. It can be prevented from spreading more than necessary,
This has the effect that the operation area of the keyboard can be reduced to make it compact.

In another embodiment, a large-diameter head is formed at the end of the pivot shaft 25 of the second link 5, while a downward opening is formed on the lower surface of the base 18 of the first link 4 in a side view. C
A pair of links 4 and 5 are formed in an X-shape by forming a holding member having a U-shape (both not shown) and fitting the pivotal support shaft 25 with the holding member from a direction intersecting the axis thereof. It is also possible to realize prevention of detachment after assembly and prevention of lateral displacement (expansion of the interval between the links 4 and 5).

FIGS. 6 and 7 show that the key top 2 'having a horizontally long operation surface, such as a tab key, can be pressed in any position by pressing the key top 2'. The device is a device for raising and lowering, and has, on the lower surface of the key top 2 ′, a substantially U-shaped posture holding lever 31 having a longitudinal shaft portion 31 a extending in the laterally long direction. In this case, the longitudinal shaft portion 31a is formed by a pair of upwardly-bifurcated fitting locking members 32, 32 protruding from the upper surface of the holder member 7.
The support member 31b, 31b of the attitude maintaining lever 31 made of a metal bar is slidably engaged with the sliding locking pieces 33, 33 provided on the lower surface of the key top 2 '. Stop.

At this time, the posture holding lever 31 is
As clearly shown in the above, the key top 2 'flat
From a pair of the first link 4 and the second link 5 in the area viewed from above
The first link 4 and the second link 4
No problem occurs in the operation of the link 5.

The fitting and locking members 32, 32 may be penetrated from the back side through holes formed in the holder member 7, or may be formed integrally with the holder member 7. good.

With this configuration, even if the end of the operation surface of the key top 2 'is pressed, the key top 2' moves up and down in parallel. Since the shapes, structures and arrangements of the first link 4, the second link 5 and the rubber spring 6 in this embodiment are substantially the same as those in the above-described embodiments, detailed description will be omitted.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show that the longitudinal shaft portion 31a of the posture holding lever 31 is pivotally attached to the lower surface of the key top 2 'so as to be rotatable only.
This is an embodiment of the sliding locking portion 34 formed in the holder member 7 for slidably locking the b. The supporting projections 36 are provided on both side edges on the surface side of the hole 35 formed in the holder member 7. And the holding portion 37 are integrally protruded. With this configuration, the support portion 31b of the posture holding lever 31 inserted between the support protrusion 36 and the holding portion 37 can slide while rotating. Reference numeral 38 denotes a stopper for preventing the support portion 31b from coming off in the horizontal direction.

In each of the above embodiments, a substrate such as a membrane switch circuit board may be used instead of the flexible printed board 9 forming the switching section 29, and the present invention can be applied to a variable capacity keyboard.

[0036]

[Operation and effect of the present invention ] In short, the key of the present invention
The switch is rotatably locked to a rotation axis of a halfway intersection of the first link and the second link and a rotation locking portion of the holder member.
Axis of rotation of the lower end of the first link or the second link
Line, or transverse line in middle cross section, so arranged so as to cross the longitudinal direction of the elongated key top, long
The pair of links can be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the key top in the shape of a letter so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along. In other words, by arranging a pair of links that are narrow but long in width,
It is possible to obtain a keystroke predetermined desired size or can be prevented from spreading more than necessary the arrangement interval of key Toppu, an effect that can be made compact by reducing the operation area of the keyboard.

[0037] In addition, at the lower surface of the elongated key top, key
-The position of the top deviating from the guide means within the area in plan view
In addition, since the position holding lever is arranged so that the shaft part is along the longitudinal direction, when the key top is made long horizontally long,
There is an effect that even if any operation portion of the key top is pressed, the key top can be moved up and down in parallel, and the position holding lever can be arranged without disturbing the arrangement of the pair of links.

As described above, according to the present invention, the keyboard
Using a long keytop with a small operating surface
Key while maintaining a large keystroke
The keyboard can be positioned without extending the top
To reduce the operation area of the entire board to make it compact
It is possible and at the pressing position of the long key top
Up and down input while maintaining the parallel state of the key top regardless
An operable key switch can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a key switch.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the key switch.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1;

4A is a plan view of a first link, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of a second link.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting hole of a holder member.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a long key top.

7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the locking portion of the posture holding lever.

9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key switch 2, 2 'key top 3 Guide means 4 1st link 5 2nd link 6 Rubber spring 7 Holder member 7a Mounting hole 9 Printed circuit board 10 Reinforcement board 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b Pin part 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b Pin portion 15, 27 Rotation locking portion 16, 28 Sliding locking portion 18, 22 Base 21 Support hole 25 Pivot shaft 31 Position holding lever 31a Shaft portion 31b Support portion 32 Fitting locking member 33 Sliding Locking piece 34 Sliding locking part 35 Hole 36 Supporting projection 37 Holding part 38 Stopper part

Claims (4)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A guide means for connecting and locking to a lower surface of a long key top and a holder member therebelow to guide and support the vertical movement of the key top, and a vertical input operation by the key top. A key switch comprising an elastically deformable spring and a switching portion that performs a switch operation by elastic deformation of the spring , wherein the guide means is provided by a first link and a second link which are arranged in an X shape in a side view. together constitute a both said link key switch coupled rotatably with the middle intersection
And the first link and the second link formed on the holder member.
1st rotation for rotatably locking one lower free end of the link
A locking portion formed on the holder member, the first link and the second link;
1st slide which slidably locks the other lower free end of the link
An area in a plan view of the key top on the locking portion and the lower surface of the key top
Provided at a position deviated from the guiding means
Posture holding with a longitudinal shaft along the longitudinal direction of the top
And a use lever, in the region of the plan view of the key top, the first Li
Link and the 2nd link are connected at the midway
Of the key top with respect to the longitudinal direction of the key top in plan view
A key switch, which is arranged so as to cross each other . 2. The key top is formed on a lower surface of the key top, and
The upper free end of one of the first and second links can slide
A second sliding engagement portion for engaging the first link;
A second link for rotatably locking the other upper free end of the second link;
The two-rotation locking part is provided.
Key switch. 3. A lower surface of a long key top and a lower portion thereof.
Guides the vertical movement of the key top by connecting and locking to the holder member
Guide means for supporting, up and down by the key top
A spring that can be elastically deformed by an input operation;
A switching unit that operates by elastic deformation of the
A key switch comprising: a first link in which the guide means are arranged crosswise in an X shape in side view.
Link and a second link, and both links
To the key switch movably connected at the halfway intersection
And the first link and the second link formed on the holder member.
Lock at least one lower end of the link
A region in a plan view of the key top on the rotation locking portion and the lower surface of the key top.
Provided at a position deviated from the guiding means
Posture holding with a longitudinal shaft along the longitudinal direction of the top
And a use lever, in the region of the plan view of the key top, the pivot engaging
The rotation axis of the lower end portion locked to the stop portion is key-topped.
Are arranged so as to intersect with the longitudinal direction in plan view.
And a key switch. 4. A lower surface of a long key top and a lower portion thereof.
Guides the vertical movement of the key top by connecting and locking to the holder member
Guide means for supporting, up and down by the key top
A spring that can be elastically deformed by an input operation;
A switching unit that operates by elastic deformation of the
A key switch comprising: a first link in which the guide means are arranged crosswise in an X shape in side view.
Link and a second link, and both links
To the key switch movably connected at the halfway intersection
And the first link and the second link are disposed on the holder member.
First locking portion for movably locking one lower end of the link
And the first link and the second link disposed on the holder member.
Second locking portion for movably locking the other lower end of the link
And the length of the key top within the area of the key top in plan view.
A posture holding lever having a longitudinal shaft along the hand direction;
The provided, a transverse line in the middle intersection of the key top in plan view
It is characterized by being arranged to cross in the longitudinal direction.
Key switch.