JP2602421Y2 - 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 key switch used for a keyboard of an input device such as a word processor and a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a key switch in a keyboard 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 Laid-Open No. 60-89011. A rubber spring with a contact portion on the lower surface is arranged below the stem while being guided through the key holder portion so that it can move up and down,
A key switch in which a switching member such as a membrane switch having an electric contact formed on a flexible sheet is disposed at a lower end of the rubber spring is generally used.

However, in such a keyboard, when an attempt is made to increase the stroke amount, a key stem and a stem guide for guiding the key stem so as to move only in the vertical direction increase.
There is a problem that it is difficult to make the keyboard thinner.

Therefore, the present applicant has previously filed Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 3-330.
No. 160 proposed a keyboard configuration that solves the above problems and achieves a large stroke amount and can be made thin. In this keyboard, the vertical guide means of the key top is constituted by a first link and a second link which are arranged in an X-shape when viewed from the side, and both links are rotatably connected at an intersecting portion thereof. One of the free ends of the first link and the second link is rotatably locked to the lower surface of the keytop and the holder member, and the other of the free ends of the first link and the second link is connected to the keytop. A cap-shaped elastically deformable rubber spring is disposed below the middle crossing portion of both links so as to be slidably locked to the lower surface and the holder member. It has been proposed that the rubber spring is pressed and deformed, thereby switching the switching section.

[0005]

The present invention is to provide a way, said Keith
In the switch, the key top is connected via a spring member.
At the beginning of key top operation
Does key operability deteriorate when the key top moves?
When the key top is not pressed down, the key top
Should be regulated. On the other hand, the key top is
Guided and supported by a link structure consisting of two link members
And the upper end of each link member and / or
The lower end connects the lower surface of the key top and / or the key switch.
Sliding groove of sliding locking part formed in supporting plate to support
The key top is pressed down in such a case.
In this state, the upper and lower ends of each link member are
Section (wall), bending stress is applied to the link member.
May reduce the durability and cause breakage, etc.
Each key is pressed when the key top is pressed.
The upper and lower ends of the link member contact the end of the sliding
Desirably not.

However, with the key switch described above,
Are the key tops in the non-pressed state and the pressed state.
Key top and support plate
No suggestion or disclosure about the locking relationship with the sliding locking part
The key top is not pressed and the key top is not pressed.
Configuration for restricting the ascending position, and key-top pressed state
No configuration is provided to prevent breakage of link members
I haven't.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, while coping with a thin type of keyboard,
Keystroke can be kept large, and key
ー Restrict the key-top position when the top is not pressed
And at the top of the two links with the key top pressed
Side free end or lower free end is the key top or holder member.
Do not touch the end of the sliding locking part to ensure key operability.
Key switch that can prevent breakage of the link
The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key switch, wherein the key switch is connected and locked to a lower surface of the key top and a holder member below the key top. A key switch comprising a spring elastically deformable by an up / down input operation by the key top, and a switching unit that performs a switch operation by elastic deformation of the spring , wherein the guide means comprises: together constituting a the first link and the second link cross disposed X-shape in a side view, a both said links connected in a freely variable dynamic in its middle cross section, each free end of the first link and the second link Lower surface of the key top and holder
In a key switch connected and locked to a member, the key switch
Formed on the lower surface of the
One upper free end of the second link is slidably locked, and
A first closed end at the end and a first strike opposite the first closed end.
A first sliding engagement portion having a stopper portion, wherein the upper free end is provided.
Touches the first stopper when the key top is not pressed
The rising position of the key top is regulated, and the first sliding engagement portion is provided.
The sliding length of the key top is pushed down to the lowest position
In this state, the upper free end does not contact the first closed end.
Is set as follows.

A key switch according to a second aspect is a key switch.
And lock it to the lower surface of the
-Guide means for guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the top, and
Key that can be elastically deformed by up / down input operation with key top
Switch movement due to spring and elastic deformation of the spring
Key switch consisting of a switching unit
A first means in which the guide means are arranged crosswise in an X shape in side view.
Link and a second link, and both links
Link movably at the halfway intersection, and the first link
And each free end of the second link with the lower surface of the key top and
In the key switch connected and locked to the holder member,
The first link and the first link are formed on the holder member.
One lower free end of the second link is slidably locked, and one
A second closed end at the end and a second strike opposite the second closed end.
A second sliding engagement portion having a stopper portion, wherein the lower free end is provided.
Touches the second stopper when the key top is not pressed
The rising position of the key top is regulated, and
The sliding length of the key top is pushed down to the lowest position
In this state, the lower free end does not come into contact with the second closed end.
Is set as follows.

[0010]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a key switch, in which a key switch 1 has a key top 2 and a first key switch.
A guide means 3 in which a link 4 and a second link 5 are arranged in an X shape in side view, a cap-shaped rubber spring 6 pressed by the guide means 3, and a synthetic resin for supporting the guide means 3 Member 7, a flexible printed circuit board 9 stretched on the lower surface of the holder member 7 so that the switching portions 29, 29 (see FIG. 7) face the mounting holes 7a of the holder member 7, and the lower surface side thereof. And a reinforcing plate 10 stretched.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the rubber spring 6 is provided in the mounting hole 7a of the holder member 7 so as to cover the switching portions (electric contact portions) 29, 29 on the printed circuit board 9. To be inserted and arranged. 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 truncated head extending downward from the periphery of the head. It is integrally formed in a downwardly open cap shape including a conical dome portion and a thick flange portion extending radially outward in a substantially horizontal direction on the outer periphery of the dome portion. When the keytop is depressed, the lower surface of the head of the rubber spring 6 pressed by the lower surface of the connection intersection between the first link 4 and the second link 5 comes into contact with the contact portions of the switching portions 29, 29. A movable contact portion 30 made of conductive rubber having conductivity for electrically turning on and off both switching portions is fixed. The entire rubber spring 6 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 characters such as numerals and letters on the upper surface (surface) by engraving or printing. Key top 2
A longitudinal groove-shaped slide for locking the pin portions 11a, 11b on the upper free end side of the first link 4 to be described later in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the key top 2. The locking portions 16, 16 and the hole-shaped rotation locking portions 15, 15 for locking the pin portions 13 a, 13 b at the upper free end of the second link 5 only for rotation are integrally provided. The pair of left and right locking members 17, 17 having the front and rear lengths are integrally formed or adhered with an adhesive or the like to protrude (see FIG. 3).

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a first link 4 and a second link 4 made of a synthetic resin such as a glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin.
The link 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 4A shows the first link 4.
FIG. 4B is a plan view of the second link 5.
The first link 4 is formed integrally with the base 18 and the upper and lower free ends 19 and 20 in a substantially H-shape in plan view. The base 18 has a support hole 21 penetrating in a horizontal direction on a side surface thereof. Pin portions 12a, 12b are provided on the side surfaces of the arm portions 20a, 20b extending from both left and right ends of the lower free end portion 20, respectively.
Is projected sideways, and a pin 1 is provided on the side of the upper free end 19.
1a and 11b are protruded sideways.

Further, the second link 5 is also integrally formed into a substantially H shape in plan view by the base portion 22 and the upper and lower free ends 23 and 24. One side of the base 22 has a pivot shaft 25 on its side.
The pivot shaft 25 is inserted into the support hole 21 of the first link 4, and the first link 4 and the second link 5 are rotatably connected around the pivot shaft 25. Arm 2 extending from both left and right ends of lower free end 24 of second link 5
Pin portions 14a and 14b are provided on the side surfaces of the upper free end 23 on the side surfaces of the pin portions 13a and 14b, respectively.
a, 13b are protruded sideways.

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.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a part of a holder member 7 made of synthetic resin such as glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin. The holder member 7 is provided with a flange at the lower end of the cap-shaped rubber spring 6. A substantially rectangular mounting hole 7a which can be inserted so as not to be displaced is formed. A pair of left and right rotation locking portions 27 and sliding locking in a longitudinal longitudinal groove shape are provided on both left and right side edges of the mounting hole 7a. The part 28 is integrally injection-molded so that the locking parts 27, 28 are opened downward. The pin portions 12a, 12b on the lower end side of the first link 4 are rotatably fitted into the rotation locking portions 27, 27, and the pin portions 12a, 12b are rotatably inserted into the sliding locking portions 28, 28. After the pins 14a, 14b on the lower end side of the two links 5 are inserted so as to slide back and forth, the printed circuit board 9 is fixed to the lower surface of the holder member 7, and the pins 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b fall off. It is configured not to do so.

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. 5, 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 about the rotation locking portion 27 of the holder member 7, so that the first link 4 and the second link 5 are rotated. The halfway intersection, which is pivotally connected in an X-shape in side view, presses the head of the rubber spring 6 obliquely downward.

The front and rear lengths of the sliding grooves of the respective sliding locking portions 28 in the holder member 7 (the length from the front stopper portion 31 to the rear end portion 32 is (L1), and the key top 2 is directed downward. In a state where the key top 2 is not pressed (free state), the elastic force of the rubber spring 6 causes the key top 2 to move.
Is located at the highest position, the pin portions 14a, 14b on the lower end side of the second link 5 are the front stopper portions 31 of the sliding locking portions 28, 28, the side surfaces on the side closer to the rotation locking portion 27).
It is configured to abut against.

In addition, the up-and-down distance of the key top 2 from the highest position to the point where the rubber spring 6 is pressed downward by the guide means 3 as much as possible (called a push-off state) is called a stroke. Even in the state, the pin portions 14a on the lower end side of the second link 5,
The length (L1) of the sliding groove is set so that the sliding stop 14b does not abut on the rear end 32 of the side surface of the sliding locking portion 28, 28 that is farther from the rotation locking portion 27.

In this case, by changing the horizontal distance (L2) from the rotation locking portion 27 to the front stopper portion 31, the height from the upper surface of the holder member 7 when the key top 2 is at the highest position is changed. The height dimension (H1) can be regulated. As a result, even if the length (L1) of the sliding groove is the same,
Only by changing the position of the front stopper portion 31, the highest position of the key top 2 and the substantial stroke can be changed simultaneously. For example, a keyboard having a short stroke and a low highest position of the key top can be used. Can be provided.

Moreover, if the length (L1) of the sliding groove is increased, it is possible to prevent the keystroke from being secured even when various keystrokes are arranged as described above. Absent. That is, the first and second links having a single shape can be used when a key switch having different keystrokes is installed in a single keyboard or when a keyboard having different keystrokes is manufactured. Further, even when the rubber spring 6 is in the pushed-off state, since the pins 14a and 14b of the second link do not abut on the rear end portion 32, no excessive force acts on the pin portion of the second link 5 or the like. In addition, accidents such as breakage can be prevented.

In order to change the distances (L1) and (L2), the position of the sliding locking portion 28 and / or the groove length of the sliding groove in one of the injection molding dies of the holder member 7 can be changed. May be changed, or the thickness of the sliding locking portion 28 may be formed by injection molding to a large thickness, and then the sliding groove of the sliding locking portion 28 at a position where the stroke is to be changed may be cut. It may be adjusted so that the front stopper portion 31 and / or the rear end portion 32 are determined.

In order to regulate the highest position of the key top 2 and to adjust the stroke size, not the holder member 7 but
The shape of the pair of locking members 17 provided on the lower surface of the key top 2 may be changed. That is, the sliding locking portions 16, 1 for locking the pin portions 11a, 11b on the upper free end side of the first link 4 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction in a substantially horizontal direction.
Alternatively, the position of the front stopper 31 (the side closer to the rotation locking portion 15) and / or the length of the sliding groove of the sliding locking portion 16 may be changed. Further, the rotation locking portion 15 and the sliding locking portion 16 may be separately provided on the lower surface of the key top 2.

Incidentally, in order to increase the length of the sliding groove in the sliding locking portion 28, it may be formed as a locking groove of a rearward opening type in which the rear end portion 32 is substantially absent. further,
Flexible printed circuit board 9 forming switching section 29
Alternatively, a substrate such as a membrane switch circuit board may be used, and the present invention is also applicable to a variable capacity keyboard.

[0026]

[Operation and effect of the present invention] In short, the key of the present invention
In switches, the key top is attached upward by a spring
When the key top is not pressed down, the first link and the
One upper free end of the two links is the first slide of the keytop
Abutting against a first stopper portion of the locking portion;
One lower free end of the link and the second link is a holder member.
Is in contact with the second stopper portion of the second sliding engagement portion.
As a result, the ascending position of the key top is regulated,
Good key operation without moving the key top at the start
Workability can be maintained.

When the key top is pressed, the first reset is performed.
One of the upper free ends of the link and the second link is a first sliding engagement portion.
Does not come into contact with the first closed end of the
Link and one of the lower free ends of the second link are also second sliding engagement portions.
Is not brought into contact with the second closed end of the first. in this way,
When the key top is pressed, the first link or the second
The upper free end and the lower free end of the link
Without contacting the first closed end and the second closed end,
Therefore, breakage of the first link and the second link can be reliably prevented.
can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a key switch.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view when a key switch is in a pressed-off state.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the key top.

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

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a rubber spring and a mounting hole.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mounting hole of a holder member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key switch 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 15, 27 Rotation locking part 16 , 28 Sliding locking part 25 Pivot shaft 29 Switching part 30 Movable contact part 31 Front stopper part 32 Rear end part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Isao Mochizuki 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi Inside Brother Industries, Ltd. (56) References JP-A 2-5236 (JP, U) JP-A 61 −88620 (JP, U) Actually open 63-131032 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 13/00-13/76

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A guide means for connecting and locking to a lower surface of a key top and a holder member therebelow to guide and support the vertical movement of the key top, and can be elastically deformed by an up / down input operation by the key top. A key switch comprising a spring and a switching portion which performs a switching operation by elastic deformation of the spring ; wherein the guide means comprises a first link and a second link arranged in an X-shape in a side view ; both links connected freely soluble moving at the middle intersection, the lower surface of the key top of each free end of the first link and the second link and Hol
A key switch connected and locked to the key member ;
The upper free end of one of the link and the second link is slidable
Locked, with one end closed at the first closed end and opposite the first closed end
A first sliding engagement portion having a first stopper portion, and the upper free end is provided with a first stopper when the keytop is not pressed.
Raised position of the key top to the path portion contacts is restricted, the sliding length of the first Suridogakari stop portion, the key top lowermost
The upper free end is in the first closed state when pressed to the position.
A key switch characterized in that it is set so as not to abut on the end . 2. A lower surface of a key top and a holder portion thereunder.
Guides and supports the vertical movement of the key top by connecting and locking to the material
Up and down input operation with the key top
Spring elastically deformable by
It consists of a switching unit that switches by deformation
A key switch, wherein said guide means is provided with a first link having an X-shape in a side view.
Link and a second link, and both links
Is movably connected at the halfway intersection, and the first link and
Connect each free end of the second link to the lower surface of the key top and the holder.
A key switch connected and locked to the holder member, wherein the first link is formed on the holder member;
And slidably lock one lower free end of the second link
And a second closed end on one end and a second closed end on the opposite side of the second closed end .
A second sliding engagement portion having a second stopper portion, wherein the lower free end is provided with a second stopper when the keytop is not pressed down.
Raised position of the key top to the path portion contacts is restricted, the sliding length of the second Suridogakari stop portion, the key top lowermost
The lower free end is in the second closed state when pressed down to the position.
It is set so that it does not touch the end
Key switch.