JP3114728U - Key switch - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to achieve both a good touch feeling and a backlash elimination of a keyboard key switch having an increased bottom.
A key top supported by a first second lever is in an initial state before a pressing operation as shown in (a) by an urging force of an elastic member. The second levers 4 and 5 are raised together with the key tops 7 to form a pantograph shape. The operator touches the operation surface of the key top located at the initial height by the urging force of the elastic member 6. At this time, the key top is free from rattling due to the above-described configuration. By pressing the key top 7 downward, the first and second levers 4 and 5 that are pantograph-shaped rotate about the crossing portions 4g and 5b as fulcrums, as shown in FIG. Tilt on the film sheet on the mounting plate 2. Both the upper contact portions 4h and 5g are separated from the back surface 7b of the key top 7, but do not feel much rattling.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a key switch used for input of a personal computer or the like, and particularly to a keyboard for a thin and small personal computer called a so-called notebook type.

In recent keyboard devices, a key top is supported by the upper ends of a pair of lever members that are linked in a crossing manner in response to a demand for thinning, and a link crossing between the pair of lever members is performed as the key top moves up and down. Various so-called pantograph types have been proposed in which the angle to be changed is changed.

For example, one lever member whose upper end portion is rotatably engaged with the back surface of the key top and the other lever member whose upper end portion is slid and rotatably engaged with the back surface of the key top are mutually connected. There is disclosed a key switch having a structure in which a key top is supported by a pair of integrated lever members so that the key top can be moved up and down.
In this type of keyboard device, when the operator presses the key top, the pair of lever members tilt and are folded, and when the key top is lowered by a predetermined amount, an elastic member such as click rubber presses the key top. Then, the switch element such as a sheet-like membrane switch is pressed by the elastic member, and the switch is turned on.
When the pressing operation force on the key top is released in this switch ON state, the deformed elastic member returns to its original shape by its own elastic force, the membrane switch is turned OFF, and the pair of levers that were tilted The key top is pushed up to the height of the initial position while raising the member.

Thus, by adopting a configuration in which the key top is supported by the pair of lever members so as to be movable up and down, the operability is better than that of a conventional general keyboard device in which the key stem is slid along the guide wall. There is an advantage that it can be secured and the height dimension can be greatly reduced and the thickness can be reduced. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
JP 2002-56743 A JP-A-11-306901 JP 2002-367472 A JP 2003-31067 A JP 2003-271288 A

By the way, in recent years, there is an increasing demand for thin keyboards and good touch feeling (low operating force, high click feeling, etc.). Along with this, the noise of the key top and the noise when the key is pressed have become a problem. In particular, when the user does not press the key, for example, when the finger is placed on the surface of the key top at the home position, the backlash of the key gives the user a low-quality impression.

Therefore, some countermeasures for this problem are also known. (For example, see Patent Documents 2 to 5, including some that are not pantograph type)
As described in Patent Document 5, the method of simply increasing the dimensional accuracy of each movable part and reducing the clearance between the sliding and rotating parts leads to a decrease in productivity and yield, and consequently This can increase costs. On the other hand, in the above-mentioned document, elasticity is provided in the axial direction (parallel to the mounting surface) by a support shaft having a slit or a spherical contour, and a constant pressure is applied between the movable portion and the fixed portion in the axial direction. , Trying to get rid of backlash.

However, this method conflicts with another requirement, a good touch feeling. That is, since pressure is always applied between the movable portion and the fixed portion, the frictional force increases the operating force necessary to move the movable portion. In particular, when a low operating force is required, a return failure may occur. In addition, since friction always acts in the opposite direction to the movement of the movable part, hysteresis occurs, and the click feeling is adversely affected.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration that can simultaneously satisfy the requirements for the play reduction and the good touch feeling accompanying the thinning of the key.

As a means for solving the above-described problems, the key switch of the present invention is moved up and down to the upper sides of the first and second levers that are pivotally connected to each other and the first and second levers. A freely-supported key top, an elastic member that elastically biases the key top upward, a switch element that can be switched in accordance with a lifting operation of the key top, and the lower sides of the first and second levers And an upper rotation shaft provided on the upper side of the first lever can be rotated by an upper rotation support portion provided on the back surface of the key top. The upper slide shaft provided on the upper side of the second lever is pivotally supported by the upper slide support portion provided on the back surface of the key top so as to be slidable and rotatable. At least of the lever An upper contact portion that can contact the back surface of the key top when the key top is not pressed is formed on the upper side of the shift, and the upper contact portion is lowered when the key top is pressed. In this state, it does not contact the back surface of the key top.

With this configuration, when the key top is not pressed, both levers and the back surface of the key top are in contact with each other through the contact portion, and the upper rotation shaft is in a state where a small pressure is applied to the upper rotation support portion. The backlash in the vertical direction can be greatly reduced. In particular, in the case where the operator's finger is in contact with the operator's finger, such as a so-called home position key, the operator is given a high quality feeling for the keyboard.
On the other hand, when the key top is pushed in, the back surface of the key top and the contact portion do not come into contact with each other. Therefore, no additional pressure is generated between the upper rotation shaft and the upper rotation support portion, and the upper rotation support portion. There is no increase in friction. Further, in the depressed state, particularly in the case of a thin type, the key is normally pushed down to the bottom, so that the play in the vertical direction is hardly a problem. Therefore, the touch feeling of the key touch does not deteriorate, and no return failure is caused.

Further, a pair of the upper turning support portions are formed with a predetermined interval, and a horizontally long first crosspiece that can be engaged and supported by the pair of upper turning support portions on the upper side of the first lever. And the upper contact portion may be formed to protrude from the first crosspiece. This simplifies the structure.

Further, a pair of upper slide support portions are formed with a predetermined interval, and a horizontally elongated second crosspiece that can be slidably supported by the pair of upper slide support portions is formed above the second lever. The upper contact portion may be formed to protrude from the second crosspiece. This simplifies the structure.

Further, two or more upper contact portions may be provided on one upper side of the first and second levers. This is more effective for backlash control.

The upper contact portion may be provided on both upper sides of the first and second levers. This is also more effective for backlash control.

A lower slide shaft provided on the lower side of the first lever is pivotally supported by a lower slide support portion provided on the mounting plate so as to be slidable and rotatable, and provided on the lower side of the second lever. The lower pivot shaft is pivotally supported by a lower pivot support portion provided on the mounting plate, and the key top is not pressed below the first and second levers. In this case, the lower abutting portion may be disposed at a position where it does not abut on the mounting plate when the key top is pressed and lowered. This reduces the backlash of the lower rotating portion, which is more effective for suppressing backlash.

Further, the upper contact portion may be formed by making at least a part of the upper rotation shaft into an elliptical shape. In this way, it is not necessary to provide a separate contact portion, and the design can be facilitated.

Further, the elliptical portion of the upper pivot shaft may be formed in contact with the upper pivot support portion, and the contact portion of the upper pivot support portion with the upper pivot shaft may be formed in a non-circular shape. By doing so, the contact state between the upper rotation shaft and the upper shaft support portion can be changed depending on the angle, and the same effect can be expected.

By adopting the configuration of the present application, when the key top is not pressed, the backlash of the key top can be greatly reduced. On the other hand, when the key top is pushed in, the touch of the key touch does not deteriorate.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 2 is a top view with the key top removed, FIG. 3 is a bottom view with the key switch mounting plate removed, FIG. 4 is the back side of the key top, and FIG. 5 is the key switch. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the contact portion when not pressed, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the contact portion when pressed.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard switch 1 of the present invention is provided with a mounting plate 2 made of a metal plate such as aluminum having a predetermined thickness at the lowermost portion. A rectangular first cutout hole 2a is formed in the first cutout hole 2a, and a pair of lower slide support portions 2b and 2b are cut and formed at a predetermined height with a gap of dimension A in the back of the first cutout hole 2a. ing.
The lower slide support portion 2b is open on one side on the near side in the figure, and a lower slide shaft 4b of a first lever 4 (to be described later) can be slidably engaged with the open portion.

A pair of symmetrical second holes 2c and 2c having a predetermined interval are formed on the back side of the mounting plate 2 in the figure, and one side portion of the second hole 2c is formed in the second hole 2c. The lower rotation support parts 2d and 2d each having a substantially L-shaped open part are formed by cutting and raising the part.
Further, a part of the other side facing the lower rotation support portion 2d is cut and raised in the second punch hole 2c to form a retaining portion 2e.
The lower rotation support portion 2d is prevented from being detached by a retaining portion 2e when a second support pin 5b of a second lever 5 described later is engaged and supported by a substantially L-shaped opening portion. .

A film sheet 3 is placed on the mounting plate 2, and the film sheet 3 includes a first punch hole 3 a through which the lower slide support portion 2 b of the mounting plate 2 can be layered, a lower rotation support portion 2 d, and A pair of second punching holes 3b through which the retaining portions 2e can pass is formed.
A switch part (not shown) made of a fixed contact is formed on the upper surface of the film sheet 3 between the first and second punched holes 3a, 3b, and a dome-shaped cavity (inside) is formed on the switch part. A later-described elastic member 6 having a not-shown) is disposed.
A first lever 4 and a second lever 5 combined in a pantograph shape are disposed on the film sheet 3.

The first lever 4 has a support base portion 4a having a substantially rectangular outer shape, and a lower slide shaft that can be engaged and supported by the lower slide support portion 2b of the mounting plate 2 below the support base portion 4a. 4b is formed in a horizontally long shape in the horizontal direction in the figure.
The lower slide shaft 4b is connected to the connecting portion 4c at both ends and the center portion in the horizontal direction. The width of the connecting portion 4c at the center portion is between the pair of slide support portions 2b and 2b formed on the mounting plate 2. It is formed to be equal to or smaller than the gap dimension A.

Further, the first lever 4 is formed with a horizontally elongated first crosspiece 4d on the other end side of the support base 4a in the back of the figure, and a pair of upper turns from the left and right ends of the first crosspiece 4d in the horizontal direction. A moving shaft 4e is formed to project, and the upper rotating shaft 4e can be rotatably engaged with and supported by an upper rotating support portion 8 of a key top 7 described later.
Further, in the vicinity of the substantially central part of the left and right side walls 4f, 4f of the support base 4a shown in the figure, crossover parts 4g, 4g made of connecting pins that can be fitted into a crossover part 5b made of a fitting groove of the second lever 5 described later. Is formed to protrude outward.

Further, the support base portion 4a has a central hole 4i formed through the central portion thereof, and an elastic member 6 described later can be inserted therethrough.
Further, the first lever 4 is formed with insertion holes 4j and 4j through which the two lower slide support portions 2b and 2b formed on the mounting plate 2 can be inserted on the rear side of the portion where the shaft portions 4b and 4b are formed. Has been. When the insertion hole 4j is inserted into the lower slide support portion 2b that is cut and bent and opened, the shaft portion 4b is slidably supported by the lower slide support portion 2b.

A second lever 5 formed in a shape surrounding the first lever 4 is disposed outside the first lever 4.
The second lever 5 has a pair of arms 5a and 5a formed on the outer side facing the side wall 4f of the first lever 4, and the crossing portion of the first lever 4 is formed at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the arms 5a. Crossing portions 5b and 5b are formed of fitting grooves 4g that can be fitted and supported.

Further, the pair of arm portions 5a are connected to a horizontally long connecting shaft 5c formed on one end side in the drawing, and a lower rotating shaft 5d is projected from the connecting shaft 5c toward the left and right sides in the drawing. Yes. When the lower rotation shaft 5d is engaged with the lower rotation support portion 2d of the mounting plate 2, the lower rotation shaft 5d is prevented from being detached by the retaining portion 2e.
Thus, the second lever 5 is rotatable about the lower rotation shaft 5d as a fulcrum.

Further, the pair of arm portions 5a is connected to a second crosspiece portion 5e formed on the other end side in front of the drawing, and the outer shape of the second lever 5 is formed in a rectangular shape.
Further, an upper slide shaft 5f projects from the second crosspiece 5e toward the left and right sides in the figure, and the upper slide shaft 5f can be slidably supported on an upper slide support 10 of the key top 7 described later.
The first and second levers 4 and 5 support the lower slide shaft 4c and the lower rotation shaft 5d on the lower side of the mounting plate 2 by combining the intersecting portions 4g and 5b in a freely rotatable manner. As a result, it has a pantograph shape.

An elastic member 6 made of rubber or the like is disposed on a switch portion (not shown) formed between the first and second punched holes 3a and 3b of the film sheet 3, and a base of the elastic member 6 The part 6a is fixed to the film sheet 3 with an adhesive or the like.
The elastic member 6 has a dome-shaped hollow portion (not shown) inside, and a top portion 6b is formed in a ring shape. When the top portion 6b is pressed by a key top 7 described later, the elastic member 6 is elastically deformed, A switch operation unit (not shown) formed on the ceiling of the internal cavity presses the switch unit formed on the film sheet 3 so that the switch circuit is switched.

A key top 7 made of a resin material or the like is disposed on the elastic member 6, and the key top 7 is radially fitted on the back surface 7b facing the rectangular operation surface 7a as shown in FIG. A joint portion 7 c is formed, and the fitting portion 7 c is attached to the top portion 6 b of the elastic member 6 by press fitting or the like.
Further, the upper rotation shafts 4e and 4e formed at both ends in the laterally long direction of the first crosspiece 4b of the first lever 4 can be rotatably supported on the back surface 7b on the near side of the fitting portion 7c. Upper rotation support portions 8 and 8 are formed.
The upper rotation support portion 8 has support walls 8a and 8a facing each other with a predetermined gap, and the upper rotation shaft 4e of the first lever 4 can be snap-supported between the support walls 8a and 8a. A support portion 8b is formed.

In addition, a first upper abutting portion 4 h is provided on the first bar portion 4 d of the first lever 4. As shown in FIG. 6, when the key top 7 is not pressed, the key top 7 is in contact with or pressed against the back surface 7 b of the key top 7. In FIG. 6, it appears as if the key top back surface 7b and the first upper abutting portion 4h interfere with each other, but actually, the first crosspiece 4d and the upper rotating shaft are caused by the first upper abutting portion 4h. 4e is pushed downward and slightly bent, and at the same time, the key top 7 itself is somewhat deformed.
For this reason, even if the upper rotation shaft 4e and the upper rotation support portion 8 have a backlash in the vertical direction between them due to variations in part dimensions during molding, the key top 7 is pressed. When there is not, this rattling can be suppressed.

Then, as the key top 7 is pressed, the first lever 4 rotates, and accordingly, the upper contact portion 4h rotates about the axis of the upper rotation shaft 4e. Then, it moves away from the back surface 7b of the key top 7 and becomes as shown in FIG.
As the key top 7 is pushed in, the upper abutment portion 4h is separated from the back surface 7b of the key top 7, but each movable portion and support portion is not moved unless the operator pushes the center of the key from right above in a very accurate and vertical manner. In order to keep the key top horizontal, forces and moments are applied to each other and should be in contact. Furthermore, since the key top 7 receives a reaction force from the elastic member 6 and a force is applied to the operator's finger, the operator is less likely to feel rattling. In addition, the frictional force is not kept between the upper rotation shaft 4e and the upper rotation support portion 8 during the vertical movement operation, and a return failure is unlikely to occur.

Next, on the back surface 7b of the key top 7, a pair of upper slide supports capable of slidably supporting upper slide shafts 5f and 5f formed at both ends in the laterally long direction of the second bar portion 5e of the second lever 5 are provided. Portions 10 and 10 are formed.
The upper slide support portion 10 has a support wall 10a protruding at a predetermined height from the back surface 7b. As shown in FIG. 4, the support wall 10a has a support portion 10b having a substantially L-shaped cross section. It is formed inward.

A second upper abutting portion 5g is provided on the second bar portion 5e of the second lever 5 that engages with the upper slide support portion 10. This also has the same function as the first upper contact portion 4h described above and performs the same operation. In particular, if they are provided at both upper contact portions 4h and 5g, the play between the key top 7 and the levers 4 and 5 is greatly reduced when the key top 7 is not pressed.

Further, a lower contact portion 5h is provided on the connecting shaft 5c of the second lever 5 that engages with the lower rotation support portion 2d. This also has the same function as the first upper contact portion 4h described above and performs the same operation. As described above, by providing the abutting portions at the respective portions, the play and the operation sound are greatly reduced as a whole.

Regarding the contact amount of the upper contact portion, when the key top 7 is not pressed, the backlash dimensions of the first and second crosspieces 4d and 5e supported by the upper rotation support portion 8 and the upper slide support portion 10 are as follows. It is set large. Therefore, since the back surface 7b of the key top 7 is pressed, no play is generated. In addition, since it is pressing, depending on the shape, the upper abutting portion is slightly bent or the first or second crosspiece 4d, 5e is slightly bent. The same applies to the lower contact amount.

Next, an operation method of the keyboard switch 1 of the present invention having such a configuration will be described. First, the key top 7 supported by the first and second levers 4 and 5 is raised to a predetermined height as shown in the figure by the urging force of the elastic member 6, and is in an initial state before the pressing operation. Yes. At this time, the first and second levers 4 and 5 rise together with the key tops 7 to form a pantograph shape.
Here, the operator contacts the operation surface 7a of the key top 7 located at the initial height by the biasing force of the elastic member 6. At this time, the key top 7 is not rattled by the above-described configuration, and gives an operator who presses the key top 7 a high-quality feeling such as rattling and operation sound.

Next, by pressing the key top 7 downward, the first and second levers 4 and 5 which have been in the shape of pantographs are rotated around the respective crossing portions 4g and 5b as fulcrums, and attached. Tilt on the film sheet 3 on the plate 2.
At the same time, the elastic member 6 is elastically deformed by being pressed by the descending key top 7, and a movable contact (not shown) formed in the hollow portion comes into contact with a switch portion formed of a fixed contact formed on the film sheet 3, thereby causing the switch circuit. Switch.
In this state, both upper abutting portions 4h and 5g are separated from the back surface 7b of the key top 7, but the operator does not know why. I don't feel much rattling.

When the pressing load applied to the key top 7 is released, the key top 7 is raised to the initial state by the urging force of the elastic member 6, and the first and second levers 4 and 5 are automatically returned to the pantograph shape. During the return, the abutment portion is formed so as to protrude, so that the upper abutment portion does not hit the back surface 7b of the keytop 7 until just before the keytop 7 is fully raised, or the key top 7 is pressurized even if it hits. Almost no multiplication. Therefore, it is difficult to cause a return failure.
As described above, the keyboard switch 1 according to the present invention can achieve both the prevention of backlash between the first and second levers 4 and 5 and the key top 7 and the touch feeling by the upper abutting portion. Operation feeling can be obtained.

In the description of the embodiment of the present invention, the upper abutting portions 4h and 5g are provided near the center of the first and second crosspieces 4d and 5e. Alternatively, the second crosspieces 4d and 5e may be moved inward, and the upper contact portions 4h and 5g may be arranged on the outer side of both crosspieces.
Moreover, although the upper contact part is provided in two places on one side, the play prevention effect may be slightly reduced, but it may be in one place. Moreover, although the upper contact part is provided on both sides, only one side may be sufficient. Further, the lower contact portion may not be provided.

Next, a modified example will be described. In this example, the upper contact portion is provided at the contact portion between the upper rotation shaft and the upper rotation support portion or the contact portion between the upper slide shaft and the upper slide support portion. It will be almost the same as 7. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. However, in this case, the pressure variation due to the contact between the upper contact portion and the upper rotation support portion or the upper slide support portion depends only on the dimensions of both, and the first and second beam portions and the key top 7 are bent. It is not expected to absorb the dimensional variation due to. For this reason, the dimensions are required to have higher accuracy than the above-described embodiment.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a key switch according to the present invention. It is the top view which removed the key top of the key switch by this invention. It is the bottom view which removed the mounting plate of the key switch by this invention. A key switch according to the present invention, which is the back of the key top. It is sectional drawing which a part was abbreviate | omitted with the key switch by this invention at the time of pressing and non-pressing. It is an expanded sectional view of the contact part which abbreviate | omitted a part at the time of non-pressing with the key switch by this invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the contact part which abbreviate | omitted a part at the time of pressing with the key switch by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Key switch 2: Mounting plate 2b: Lower slide support part 2d: Lower rotation support part 3: Film sheet 3a: First release hole 3b: Second release hole 4: First lever 4a: Support base part 4b: Lower slide Shaft 4c: Connecting portion 4d: First crosspiece 4e: Upper pivot shaft 4f: Side wall 4g: Crossing portion 4h: First upper abutting portion 4i: Central hole 4j: Insertion hole 5: Second lever 5a: Arm portion 5b: Crossing part 5c: Connecting shaft 5d: Lower rotating shaft 5e: Second crosspiece 5f: Upper slide shaft 5g: Second upper abutting portion 5h: Lower abutting portion 6: Elastic member 7: Key top 7b: Back surface 7c: Fitting part 8: Upper rotation support part 8a: Support wall 8b: Support part 10: Upper slide support part 10a: Support wall 10b: Support part

Claims (7)

A first lever and a second lever which are pivotally connected to each other at an intersection;
A key top supported to be movable up and down on each upper side of the first and second levers;
An elastic member for elastically urging the key top upward;
A switch element that is switched in accordance with the lifting and lowering operation of the key top;
A mounting plate for supporting each lower side of the first and second levers in an engageable manner;
In addition,
An upper rotation shaft provided on the upper side of the first lever is pivotally supported by an upper rotation support portion provided on the back surface of the key top,
The upper slide shaft provided on the upper side of the second lever is pivotally supported so as to be slidable and rotatable by an upper slide support provided on the back surface of the key top.
On the upper side of at least one of the first and second levers, an upper abutting portion that can abut on the back surface of the key top is formed when the key top is not pressed.
The key switch, wherein the upper contact portion does not contact the back surface of the key top when the key top is pressed and lowered. A pair of the upper rotation support portions are formed with a predetermined interval, and a horizontally long first crosspiece that can be engaged and supported by the pair of upper rotation support portions is formed above the first lever. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the upper contact portion is formed to protrude from the first crosspiece. A pair of the upper slide support portions is formed with a predetermined interval, and a horizontally long second crosspiece that is slidably supported by the pair of upper slide support portions is formed on the upper side of the second lever. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the upper contact portion is formed to protrude from the second crosspiece. 2. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the upper abutting portion is provided at two or more locations above one of the first and second levers. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the upper contact portion is provided on both upper sides of the first and second levers. The lower slide shaft provided on the lower side of the first lever is pivotally supported so as to be slidable and rotatable by a lower slide support portion provided on the mounting plate.
A lower rotation shaft provided on the lower side of the second lever is pivotally supported by a lower rotation support portion provided on the mounting plate,
Under the first and second levers, the key top is in contact with the mounting plate when not pressed, but is not in contact with the mounting plate when the key top is pressed and lowered. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein a lower contact portion is provided. The upper contact portion is formed in a portion of the upper rotation shaft that is in contact with the upper rotation support portion or a portion of the upper slide shaft that is in contact with the upper slide support portion. The key switch according to claim 1.

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