JP3201341B2 - 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, and more particularly to a key switch used for a thin keyboard attached to a notebook personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional key switch employs a configuration in which a key stem vertically provided from the back surface of a key top is inserted into a key holder portion formed on a holder member and guided vertically. In the key switch having such a configuration, if the portion slidably guided by the key holder portion of the key stem is made large, the key operability is improved, but the keyboard cannot be made thinner. On the other hand, if the portion where the key stem is slid and guided by the key holder portion is reduced in order to cope with the thinning of the keyboard, there is a disadvantage that the operability of the key is reduced due to the torsion occurring between the two.

In order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional key switch, the present applicant has eliminated the key stem and the key holder portion, and made the keyboard thinner and improved the key operability shown in FIGS. The switch was proposed in the specification and drawings attached to the application form of Japanese Patent Application No. 3-330160 (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-330160,
Unpublished at the time of the original filing of the present application).

An outline of such a key switch will be described. As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG.
The key switch described in No. 160 crosses the first and second resin-made link members 107 and 108 in an X-shape (scissors shape) in a side view to form a guide support member 106, and the guide support member 106 is used as a key. Top 101 and holder member 125
It is arranged and arranged between them. Specifically, on the back surface of the key top 101 and on the top surface of the holder member 125, two sets of resin locking portions 102, 103, 126,
127 are formed, and both ends 113 to 11 of both link members 107 and 108 constituting the guide support member 106 are formed.
6, 121 to 124, the locking portions 102, 103,
The guide support member 106 is disposed between the key top 101 and the holder member 125 by being locked in the insides 126 and 127. The key top 101 can be moved up and down by the guide support member 106. When the key top 101 is pressed, both link members 107 and 10 are moved.
The rubber spring 131 is buckled by the shaft support A to which the motors 8 are connected, and a switching operation is performed.

[0005]

However, in the key switch described in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-330160, the linking operation between the key top 101 and the link members 107 and 108 forming the guide support member 106 is performed in the following manner. All are performed using the resin elasticity of each member. Therefore, at the time of such connection work, the key top 101 must be pressed with a large force against the guide support member 106.
There is no member for guiding the key tops 3 and 114 into the respective locking holes 104. Therefore, if the pressing position of the key top 101 is slightly shifted with respect to the guide support member 106, the key top 1
01 and the guide support member 106 cannot be connected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a key switch that can easily connect a key top and a guide support member.

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, a key switch according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a key top having a rotation locking portion or a sliding locking portion formed on a lower surface thereof, and a key top of the key top. A holder member disposed below and having a rotation locking portion or a sliding locking portion formed corresponding to each locking portion of the key top, and a locking portion of the key top and the holder member, respectively. A guide support member that is connected and locked and guides the vertical movement of the key top; and a switching member that urges the key top upward and performs a switching operation in accordance with the vertical movement of the key top. the guide support member is arranged cross to X-shape in a side view, a first link member and a second phosphorus made possible movable at the intersection
It includes a click member, the first link member and the second phosphorus
Each end of the click member is intended to be sealed the key top or rotation locking portion or Suridogakari stop portions respectively so as to be rotatable or slidable in engagement of the holder member, a at the lower surface of the key top In the vicinity of the rotation locking portion of the key top, the first
Link member or guide ribs of the end of the rotation of the second link member guide to the rotation locking portion of the key top, the times
It is erected separately from the dynamic locking portion .

[0008] The key switch according to the second aspect is the first aspect.
In the key switch described above, the guide rib is locked in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the guide support member by the first or second link portion locked by a rotation locking portion of the key top. > At a distance slightly larger than the width of the end on the rotating side of the material,
The key top is provided with a pair of first guide ribs that are provided upright outside the rotation locking portion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key switch.
In the key switch described above, a first guide wall that is inclined toward a rotation locking portion of the key top is formed on a lower surface of the first guide rib.

The key switch according to the fourth aspect is the first aspect.
4. The key switch according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the guide rib is provided upright on the rotation locking portion of the keytop on a sliding direction side of the guide support member when the keytop is raised. A second guide rib.

The key switch according to the fifth aspect is the fourth aspect of the present invention.
In the key switch described above, a second guide wall is formed on a lower surface of the second guide rib and is inclined toward a rotation locking portion of the key top.

[0012] The key switch according to the sixth aspect is the first aspect.
5. The key switch according to any one of to 5, wherein the key top is formed with a predetermined thickness,
A predetermined concave portion is formed on the lower surface of the keytop, and the rotation locking portion and the guide rib are formed on the lower surface of the keytop so as not to protrude from inside the concave portion.

[0013]

According to the key switch of the present invention, when the key top is not pressed down, the key top is urged upward by the switching member and is held upward. When the keytop is pressed from such a state, the keytop descends against the urging force of the switching member. With the lowering operation of the key top, the locking end portions of the first link member and the second link member of the guide support member rotate or slide in the locking portions of the key top and the holder member, respectively. The switching operation is performed by guiding the lowering operation of the keytop and pressing the switching member by the keytop or the guide support member. On the other hand, when the pressing of the keytop is released, the keytop is urged upward by the switching member, so that the keytop is pushed upward by the urging force while being supported by the guide support member, and returns to the original position. .

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 8 show a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a key switch according to a first embodiment. A key top 1 is molded from a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin, and letters such as alphabets are formed on the upper surface thereof by printing or the like. . In addition, key top 1
2, two locking portions 2 and 3 are provided integrally with the key top 1 body downward. In addition, the locking part 2,
3 has a pair in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and FIG. 1 shows only one of each pair.

The locking portion 2 has a locking groove 4 for rotatably locking a locking bar 13 formed at one end of the first link member 7 among two link members 7 and 8 described later. Is formed. The locking portion 3 has a locking groove 5 for locking the locking pins 23 and 24 formed at one end of the second link member 8 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction.

The locking groove 4 is formed by a pair of sandwiching walls 4b and 4c arranged side by side on the back surface of the key top 1. The locking groove 4 is continuous with the locking groove 4 and goes downward. A locking guide portion 4a that is opened so as to gradually expand is formed. The locking guide portion 4a guides the locking rod 13 of the first link member 7 toward the locking groove 4 when snapping into the locking groove 4. Further, the locking portion 3
The lower position of the locking groove 5 of is provided with a locking guide portion 5a formed by forming a slope extending downward, the second re
The locking pins 23 and 24 of the link member 8 are guided toward the locking groove 5 when snapping into the locking groove 5.

As shown in FIG. 8, on the back surface of the key top 1, two pairs of locking rods 13 of the first link member 7 are guided into the locking grooves 4 of the locking portion 2 of the key top 1. Guide rib 50,
51, 52 and 53 are erected toward the holder plate 25. The first guide ribs 52 and 53 are opposed to each other in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the guide support member 6, and are spaced apart from the width of the end of the first link member 7 on the keytop 1 side slightly larger. , With the locking portion 2 inside. The lower surfaces of the pair of first guide ribs 52 and 53 have first guide walls 52 a and 5 inclined toward the locking groove 4.
3a are respectively formed. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second guide ribs 50 and 51 are provided upright on the locking portion 2 on the sliding direction side of the guide support member 6 when the key top 1 is raised. I have. On the lower surfaces of the pair of second guide ribs 50, 51, second guide walls 50a, 51a inclined toward the locking groove 4 are formed, respectively.

Therefore, when snapping the locking rod 13 of the first link member 7 into the locking groove 4, the locking rod 13
To the first guide ribs 52, 53 and the first guide walls 52a,
Positioning is performed in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the guide support member 6 by 53a, and is performed in the sliding direction of the guide support member 6 by the second guide ribs 50, 51 and the second guide walls 50a, 51a. Thus, it can be guided into the locking groove 4. In addition, each guide rib 50,51,52,
53 is erected on the back surface of the key top 1, but is formed so as not to protrude from the concave portion 1a on the back surface of the key top 1.
The guide ribs 50, 51, 52, 53 do not reduce the key stroke of the key switch.

Below the key top 1, a guide support member 6 for guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the key top 1 is provided. The guide support member 6 is composed of two link members 7, 8. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the first link member 7 is
It is formed in a U-shape in plan view. This first link member 7
Has a pair of plate-like bodies 9, a locking rod 13 is integrally formed between one ends of the respective plate-like bodies 9, and the locking rods 13
Is integrally formed with a reinforcing member 13a formed thick in a plan view. The reinforcing member 13a on the opposite side of the locking bar 13 extends in parallel with the locking bar 13 and is formed in an H-shape (together) with the locking bar 13. The H-shaped locking bar 13 and the reinforcing member 1
Both ends with 3a are connected to a pair of plate-like bodies 9, respectively. Therefore, the two openings that occur because the locking bar 13 and the reinforcing member 13a are formed in an H shape are closed by the pair of plate-like bodies 9, respectively, and the rigidity of the locking bar 13 is improved. . As described above, the rigidity of the locking rod 13 is improved by the reinforcing member 13a.
3 through the locking guide portion 4a, the locking groove 4 of the key top 1
Can be snap-in (press-fit) inside.

Locking pins 15 and 16 are formed at the other end of each plate-like body 9, respectively.
Reference numerals 5 and 16 denote locking portions 2 formed on the holder plate 25.
6 locked. Further, a pair of shaft bodies 12 are provided at positions facing each other from the central position on the side of each plate body 9 facing each other. Each of these shafts 12
Are supported by a shaft hole 20 formed in the second link member 8. The locking rod 13 of the first link member 7 and each locking pin 1
5 and 16 are configured so that the distance from each shaft body 12 is equal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second link member 8 has a pair of plate-like members 17, and a locking bar 21 is integrally formed between one end of each plate-like member 17. In addition, a pair of plate-like bodies 1
A thick reinforcing member 21a is integrally formed on an inner portion of a connecting portion between the locking rod 7 and the locking rod 21 so that both ends of the locking rod 21 project in a pin shape. The rigidity of both ends of the pin-shaped locking bar 21 is improved by the reinforcing member 21 a, and the locking bar 21 is attached to the holder plate 2.
5 can be press-fitted.

At the other end of each plate 17, locking pins 23 and 24 are formed. Each of the locking pins 23 and 24 is snapped into the locking groove 5 of the locking portion 3 of the key top 1 via the locking guide portion 5a. Further, a shaft hole 20 is formed at a central position facing each other outside each plate-like body 17,
Each shaft body 12 formed in each plate-like body 9 of the first link member 7 is rotatably fitted into each of the shaft holes 20. As a result, the two link members 7 and 8 are rotatable crossing each other via the shafts 12 and the shaft holes 20, and the shaft supports A are formed by the shafts 12 and the shaft holes 20. Is done. The locking bar 21 of the second link member 8 and the locking pins 23 and 24 are configured so that the distance from the shaft hole 20 is equal.

[0024] Between the central position with respect to the plate-like body 17, while being placed on the upper surface of the rubber spring 35 to be described later, each link when the pressed key top 1 members 7
A pressing portion 18 is provided for pressing down the rubber spring 35 in accordance with the mutual rotation. Than this,
When the keytop 1 is pressed, the pressing unit 18 presses the rubber spring 35 to perform a switching operation.

Below the guide support member 6, a resin holder plate 25 is provided. On the holder plate 25, a locking portion 26 and a holding portion 27 are formed corresponding to each switch device. Have been. In addition, although each of the locking portion 26 and the holding portion 27 is provided with two each, FIG. 1 shows one locking portion 26 and the holding portion 27.

The engaging portion 26 is formed with a sliding groove 32 whose right side in FIG. 1 is an open side. The sliding groove 32 of the engaging portion 26 is formed on the first link member 7. Locking pin 1
5 and 16 are inserted. In addition, on the side opposite to the opening of the sliding groove 26, a limiting wall 26a whose upper part is closed is erected,
The restricting wall 26a regulates the sliding of the locking pins 15, 16 of the first link member 7 inward.

The holding portion 27 is formed by a first guide portion 28 and a second guide portion 29.
0 is formed, and the second link is
Both ends of a locking rod 21 formed at one end of the locking member 8 are clamped. The groove 28 is provided outside the first guide portion 28.
a, and the elasticity of the first guide portion 28 is increased by the groove portion 28a.

The locking pins 15, 16 of the first link member 7 of the guide support member 6 are slid on the holder plate 25 from the opening side of the sliding groove 32, so that the locking pins 15, 16 slide. It is inserted into the moving groove 32. Furthermore, the second
By pressing the locking bar 21 of the link member 8 against the holding portion 27 of the holder plate 25, the first guide portion 28 moves elastically, and the locking bar 21 is held in the rotation groove 30.

The holder plate 2 constructed as described above
5, a flexible circuit board 40 on which switch electrodes 40a are formed corresponding to the respective key switches is arranged as shown in FIG. Rubber spring 35 is mounted on the flexible circuit board 40. Furthermore,
A movable electrode (not shown) is fixed to the inner top wall of the rubber spring 35 facing the switch electrode 40a on the circuit board 40. The pressing portion 18 formed on the second link member 8 is disposed on the upper surface of the rubber spring 35.

As a result, when the pressing portion 18 moves downward with the pressing of the key top 1, the rubber spring 35 is pressed by the pressing portion 18, and when a certain amount of pressing is exceeded, the rubber spring 35 buckles and the movable electrode is buckled. The switching operation is performed by the contact of the switch electrode 40a on the flexible circuit board 40 with the switch electrode 40a.

A switch support plate 42 is provided below the flexible circuit board 40, and the switch support plate 42 is provided above each of the circuit boards 40,
This supports the holder plate 25.

Next, a method of assembling the key switch configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the flexible circuit board 40 and the holder plate 25 are placed on the switch support plate 42, and each shaft 12 of the first link member 7 is connected to the second link member 8
The guide support member 6 is assembled by fitting into each of the shaft holes 20.

Thereafter, the respective link members 7 and 8 are rotated to each other so as to be in the state shown in FIG. 5, and the locking pins 15 and 16 of the first link member 7 are moved to the open side of the sliding groove 32 in the locking portion 26. Then, the locking rod 21 of the second link member 8 is arranged on the guide portion of the holding portion 27 while being slid toward the inside of the slide groove 32 on the holder plate 25. From this state, the locking bar 21 is pressed into the rotating groove 30 and clamped. At this time, the first
The guide portion 28 is elastically moved with the press-fitting of the locking rod 21, so that the locking rod 21 can be easily held. Thus, the connection between the guide support member 6 and the holder plate 25 is completed.

Next, are opposed to the locking groove 4 of the engagement rod 13 and the key top 1 of the first link <br/> member 7 held in the state of FIG. 6, also of the second link member 8 After the locking pins 23 and 24 and the locking groove 5 of the key top 1 are opposed to each other, the key top 1 is lightly pressed down (see FIG. 7). At this time, the guide ribs 50, 51, 52,
53, the key top 1 can be smoothly connected to the link member 7,
8 can be led. Thereby, the locking rod 13 of the first link member 7 is snapped into the locking groove 4 while being guided by the locking guide part 4a, and at the same time, each locking pin 23 of the second link member 8 is locked. , 24 are snapped into the locking groove 5 while being guided by the locking guide portion 5a. Such a state is shown in FIG. Thus, the connection between the guide support member 6 and the key top 1 is completed.

The assembly of the key switch with the above operation is completed, but the link members 7 and 8 and the holder plate 25
In addition, the connection work with the key top 1 can be performed extremely easily, thereby simplifying the work of assembling the key switch, shortening the assembling time, and ensuring the assembling of the key switch. is there.

Next, the operation of the key switch assembled as described above will be described. When the key top 1 is pressed down, the key top 1 is rotated downward in the locking hole 4 of the locking portion 2 of the first link member 7 as the key top 1 moves downward, and the second link is rotated. Locking pin 2 of member 8
The reference numerals 3 and 24 slide horizontally in the locking groove 5 of the locking portion 3. At the same time, the locking rod 21 of the second link member 8 rotates clockwise in the rotation groove 30 of the holding portion 27 of the holder plate 25, and the locking pins 15 and 16 of the first link member 7 It slides horizontally in the sliding groove 32 of the locking portion 26.

As a result, the shaft supporting portion A which supports the link members 7 and 8 with each other moves downward and gradually presses the rubber spring 35, and when the pressing amount exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 35 is pressed. The spring 35 is buckled.
Thereby, the movable electrode (not shown) in the rubber spring 35 is connected to the switch electrode 4 on the flexible circuit board 40.
0a is short-circuited and predetermined switching is performed.

[0038] When you release the pressing of the key top 1, both phosphorus
Shaft support A of click members 7 and 8 is pushed upward by the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring 35. Accordingly, the first
Locking rod 13, locking pins 15, 16 of link member 7, and
The locking bar 21 and the locking pins 23 and 24 of the second link member 8 perform operations reverse to those described above, and as a result, the key top 1 returns to the original position.

Here, since the locking rods 13 and 21 do not move in the horizontal direction but only rotate in the locking groove 4 and the rotation groove 30, respectively, the key top 1 is moved in the horizontal direction. The key top 1 is moved up and down without being moved, while keeping the key surface of the key top 1 horizontal.

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described in detail above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example,
The locking bar 21 of the second link member 8 in this embodiment may be a locking pin formed on each plate 17. In addition, the holding portion 27 formed on the holder plate has only the resin-specific elasticity of the first guide portion 28 and the second guide portion 29,
The locking bar 21 may be sandwiched.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the structure of the holding portion 27. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the holding portion 61 in the second embodiment includes a wall portion 62 erected from the holder plate 25 over the entire width of the holder plate 25, and the holder plate 25 near both ends of the wall portion 62. And the rubber spring 35 of the wall portion 62
The elastic piece 63 facing the surface facing the
And formed from Outside wall portion 62 (inelastic piece 63 side)
Is formed with a groove 62a, thereby increasing the elasticity of the wall 62. The elastic piece 63 is provided so as to be elastically deformable toward the rubber spring 35, and has a projection 63a projecting toward the wall 62 at its upper end as shown in FIG.
Are formed.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, in the vicinity of the inside of both locking portions 26, a bending preventing wall 64 is provided upright from the holder plate 25 at a predetermined interval from the locking portions 26. ing. The deflection preventing wall 64 is formed of the first phosphorus.
The locking member 7 is bent inward and the locking pins 15 and 16 are locked in the locking portion 2.
6 is prevented.

In the method of assembling the key switch of the second embodiment formed as described above, the flexible circuit board 40 and the holder plate 25 are mounted on the switch support plate 42, similarly to the key switch of the first embodiment. And the first
The guide support member 6 is assembled by fitting each shaft 12 of the link member 7 into each shaft hole 20 of the second link member 8.

Thereafter, the link members 7 and 8 are rotated relative to each other, and the locking pins 15 and 16 of the first link member 7 are moved from the opening side of the sliding groove 32 in the locking portion 26 to the holder plate 2.
5 while sliding toward the inside of the sliding groove 32.
The locking bar 21 of the link member 8 is disposed on the holding portion 61.
In this state, the amount of bending of the first link member 7 toward the inside of the plate-like body 9 is regulated by the deflection preventing wall 64, and the locking pins 15 and 16 are prevented from coming off the locking portion 26. You.

From this state, the locking bar 21 is pressed into the holding portion 61. With this press-fitting, the elastic piece 63 is elastically deformed toward the rubber spring 35, and the locking bar 21 is
Is sandwiched within. In this state, the locking rod 2 is
1 is restricted, and the projection 63a at the upper end of the elastic piece 63 is
This prevents the locking bar 21 from coming off the holding portion 61. By this press-fitting, the connection between the guide support member 6 and the holder plate 25 is completed.

Next, the locking rod 13 of the first link member 7 and the locking groove 4 of the key top 1 are opposed to each other, and the locking pins 23 and 24 of the second link member 8 are Top 1 locking groove 5
Are pressed, and the key top 1 is lightly pressed down. At this time, the key top 1 can be smoothly guided to the link members 7 and 8 by the guide ribs 50, 51, 52, and 53 provided on the back surface of the key top 1. As a result, the locking rod 13 of the first link member 7 is moved to the locking guide portion 4a.
The snap pins 23 and 24 of the second link member 8 are snapped into the locking grooves 5 while being guided by the locking guide portions 5a. Thus, the connection between the guide support member 6 and the key top 1 is completed.

The assembly of the key switch according to the second embodiment is completed by the above-mentioned operation. However, as in the case of the key switch according to the first embodiment, the connecting operation between the link members 7, 8 and the holder plate 25 and the key top 1 is performed. Can be performed very easily, thereby simplifying the operation of assembling the key switch, shortening the assembling time, and ensuring the assembling of the key switch.

Next, when the key top 1 of the assembled key switch is removed by replacement or the like, the key top 1 is pulled up, and the locking pins 15, 1 of the link members 7, 8 are pulled up.
6, 23, 24, key top 1 and boulder plate 25
A load is applied to each of the locking portions 2, 3, 26 and the holding portion 61.
In the holding portion 61 of the holder plate 25, the first phosphorus
In Figure 9 the engaging bar 21 of the click member 7, a force is applied to the upper right or upper direction, since the engagement rod 21 is held to the right and upper by the elastic piece 63, the engagement rod 21 clamping portion 61 Never get out of the way.

On the other hand, in the locking groove 4 of the key top 1, a force is applied to the locking rod 13 of the first link member 7 from the lower right to the lower side in FIG. As a result, the locking rod 13 comes off the locking groove 4.

When the key top 1 is pulled up, the locking portions 26 of the holder plate 25 are moved to the locking pins 15 and 16 of the first link member 7 in the upper left or upper direction in FIG. Power is added. At this time, the plate-like body 9 of the first link member 7 is elastically bent inward, but the movement of the plate-like body 9 inward is restricted by the deflection preventing wall 64. Therefore, the plate-like body 9
Does not become so large that the locking pins 15 and 16 come off the sliding groove 32.

On the other hand, in the locking portion 3 of the key top 1, the locking pins 23 and 24 of the second link member 8
When a force is applied in the lower left or lower direction, the plate-like body 17 of the second link member 8 is elastically bent inward, and the locking pins 23 and 24 are disengaged from the sliding groove 5 of the locking portion 3. As a result, Key Top 1
Only the key top 1 can be replaced, because only the guide support member 6 comes off. At this time, the guide support member 6 does not come off the holder plate 25.

[0053]

According to the key switch of the first aspect,
In the vicinity of the rotation locking part formed on the lower surface of the key top,
A guide rib for guiding the end of the first or second link member on the rotation side into the rotation locking portion is provided upright separately from the rotation locking portion . Therefore, the end on the rotation side is smoothly guided into the rotation locking portion, and the key top and the first or second link are guided.
There is an effect that it can be easily connected to the locking member.

According to the key switch of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch of the first aspect, among the guide ribs, the first guide rib is provided in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the guide support member. At a position slightly larger than the width of the end on the rotation side of the first or second link member locked by the rotation locking portion of the keytop, the first or second link member is spaced outside the rotation locking portion of the keytop. , One conflict has been established. Accordingly, the first guide rib has an effect that the end on the rotation side of the first or second link member can be aligned in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the guide support member.

According to the key switch of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch of the second aspect, the lower surface of the first guide rib is inclined toward the rotation locking portion of the key top. One guide wall is formed. Therefore, the first guide wall is used to pivot the end of the first or second link member on the rotation side, which is positioned in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the guide support member, by the first guide rib. There is an effect that it can be smoothly guided into the locking portion.

According to the key switch according to the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch according to any one of the first to third aspects, the second guide rib among the guide ribs is a key top rotating lock. It is provided upright on the sliding direction side of the guide support member when the key top is raised with respect to the portion. Therefore,
The second guide rib has an effect that the end on the rotation side of the first or second link member can be positioned in the sliding direction of the guide support member.

According to the key switch of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch of the fourth aspect, the lower surface of the second guide rib is provided on the lower surface of the second guide rib inclined toward the rotation locking portion of the key top. Two guide walls are formed. Therefore, the rotation-side end of the first or second link member, which is positioned in the sliding direction of the guide support member by the second guide rib, is inserted into the rotation locking portion of the keytop by the second guide wall. There is an effect that it can be smoothly guided.

According to the key switch of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the rotation locking portion and the guide rib formed on the lower surface of the key top are provided. Are formed so as not to protrude from the inside of the concave portion on the lower surface of the key top. Therefore, there is an effect that the predetermined size can be maintained without reducing the amount of keystroke by the rotation locking portion and the guide rib.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a key switch according to a first embodiment.

[2] first re used in the key switch of the first embodiment
It is a top view showing the composition of a link member.

[Figure 3] a second re used in the key switch of the first embodiment
It is a top view showing the composition of a link member.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state before a guide support member used for the key switch of the first embodiment is connected to a holder plate.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state after a guide support member used for the key switch of the first embodiment has been connected to a holder plate.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a guide support member used in the key switch of the first embodiment guides a key top.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state where a key top is arranged on a guide support member used for the key switch of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the key switch according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a key switch according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a configuration of a holder plate and a first link member according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment embodying the configuration of a conventional key switch.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a configuration of a first link member used for a conventional key switch.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a configuration of a second link member used for a conventional key switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key top 1a Recess on the lower surface of key top 2 Locking part (rotation locking part of key top) 3 Locking part (sliding locking part of key top) 6 Guide support member 7 First link member 8 Second link Member 25 Holder plate (holder member) 26 Locking portion (sliding locking portion of holder member) 27, 61 Holding portion (rotation locking portion of holder member) 35 Rubber spring (part of switching member) 40 Flexible circuit Substrate (part of switching member) 40a Switch electrode (part of switching member) 50, 51 Second guide rib 50a, 51a Second guide wall 52, 53 First guide rib 52a, 53a First guide wall

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Isao Mochizuki 15-1, Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi Inside Brother Industries, Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroaki Okada 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi Brother Industries Incorporated (56) References Jpn. Sho 62-34723 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 13/14 H01H 13/70

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A key top having a rotation locking portion or a sliding locking portion formed on a lower surface, and a key top disposed below the key top and rotated corresponding to each locking portion of the key top. A holder member having a locking portion or a sliding locking portion formed thereon, and a guide support member which is connected and locked to each of the locking portions of the key top and the holder member and guides and supports the vertical movement of the key top. , While urging the key top upward,
A key switch comprising a switching member that performs a switching operation in accordance with the vertical movement of the key top, wherein the guide support member is disposed so as to cross in an X shape in a side view, and is movable at the cross portion. A first link member and a second link member, and the respective ends of the first link member and the second link member are respectively connected to a rotation locking portion or a sliding locking portion of the key top or the holder member. The first link member or the second link is rotatably or slidably locked on a lower surface of the key top and near a rotation locking portion of the key top. A key switch , wherein a guide rib for guiding a rotation-side end of a member into a rotation locking portion of the key top is provided upright separately from the rotation locking portion . 2. The rotation side of the first or second link member locked by a rotation locking portion of a key top thereof in a direction orthogonal to a sliding direction of the guide support member. 2. A pair of first guide ribs provided upright on the outside of the rotation locking portion of the key top at a distance slightly larger than the width of the end of the key top. Key switch. 3. The key switch according to claim 2, wherein a lower surface of the first guide rib is formed with a first guide wall inclined toward a rotation locking portion of the key top. . 4. The guide rib includes a second guide rib which is provided upright on the rotation locking portion of the key top on the sliding direction side of the guide support member when the key top is raised. The key switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. The key switch according to claim 4, wherein a second guide wall is formed on a lower surface of the second guide rib and is inclined toward a rotation locking portion of the key top. . 6. The key top is formed with a predetermined thickness, a predetermined recess is formed on the lower surface of the key top, and the rotation locking portion and the guide rib are formed on the lower surface of the key top. The key switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the key switch device is formed so as not to protrude from inside the concave portion.