JP3203775B2 - Key switch device - 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 device, and more particularly to a key switch device effective for a thin keyboard attached to a notebook type word processor, a notebook type personal computer or the like .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a key switch device used for this kind of keyboard, a key member integrally having a key stem is supported by being inserted into a key holder portion formed on a holder plate, and is provided below the key stem. A key switch device provided with a switching member is generally used. In such a key switch device, the key stem of the key member is slid up and down through the key holder, and when the key member is pressed, the switching member is moved by the lower portion of the key stem as the key member moves downward. Is pressed, whereby a switching operation is performed.

A key switch device using a large key such as a space key or a return key is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-62017 in order to prevent the key from being pressed in an inclined state when the key is pressed. And Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-7
A key switch device described in Japanese Patent No. 441 is known.

In the key switch device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-62017, the key switch device is disposed below a key member.
The guide member that supports the key member is formed of two scissor-shaped members, and the two arms of each scissor-shaped member are rotatably connected to a shaft. Then, when the key member is pressed, a plurality of pins formed at the end of each scissor-shaped member slide horizontally between the back surface of the key member and the upper surface of the keyboard substrate. Accordingly, when the key member is pressed, the key member moves downward while maintaining the horizontal state, and accordingly, the pressing portion vertically provided on the key member is slid and guided via the key holder portion, and is moved downward. Is pressed, the switching operation is performed.

Further, the key switch device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-7441 has the same basic configuration as the key switch device described in the former, and detaches the key member from the scissor-like member. It is characterized in that it is easy to use.

In the key switch devices described in these publications, regardless of the pressed position of a large key such as a space key, the key can be moved up and down while maintaining a horizontal state even if any part of the key is pressed. I can guide you. As described above, in any of the above-described conventional key switch devices, the switching member is pressed while the key stem for pressing the switching member or the pressing portion of the key member is slid up and down through the key holder portion. This is common in that

[0007]

However, in recent years,
With the miniaturization and thinning of word processors and personal computers, keyboards attached to these are also becoming smaller and thinner, while improving the operability of key input and ensuring the reliability of key input. Under a situation where a large key stroke is required, there is a problem that a sufficient key stroke cannot be obtained with the conventional key switch device.

In the conventional key switch device, if the keyboard is to be made thinner, the portion of the key stem slidably guided by the key holder portion is reduced, and accordingly, the key stem and the key holder caused by the tilting of the key are reduced. Department
Twisting of the key occurs in between. In order to prevent this, if the portion where the key stem is slid and guided by the key holder is enlarged, there is a dilemma that the key stroke is reduced.

Further, the twisted occurs between the key stem and the key holder portion upon keypress, cause sliding noise, and significantly impairing the operability of the key input.
Twisting occurs between the key stem and the key holder section is always in the case where the user presses a central portion of the key, the key stem is what hardly occurs since the be pressed vertically. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of the twist, it is conceivable to reduce the operation area of the key so that the key is always pressed at the center of the key, but also in this case, the operability of key input is significantly impaired. There is no difference in the point from the above.

The key switch devices described in the above publications do not particularly aim at reducing the thickness of the keyboard, and it is necessary to provide a pressing portion for pressing the switching member so as to hang down from the key member. Therefore, it was difficult to reduce the thickness .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and eliminates the need for a configuration in which a key stem is slid up and down by a holder portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch device which can be maintained large, has good key operability with a simple configuration, and enables reliable key input without twisting.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key switch device comprising: a key top having a first locking portion formed on a back surface; and a key top provided below the key top. a holder member which second locking portion is formed, the first being the engagement respectively with the engaging portion and the second locking portion, as well as guiding and supporting vertical movement of the front Symbol key top, the gear unit
A pair of gear link members having the same shape, a switching member that urges the key top upward and performs a switching operation in accordance with the vertical movement of the key top, and a mesh in the gear portion of the pair of gear link members. Combination
Maintaining means for keeping the key top up and down.
As a result, a pair of gear link members of the same shape
The meshing of the gear portions is maintained by the steps, and the gear portions are configured to rotate in synchronization with each other .

That is, in the key switch device according to the first aspect, a pair of keys for guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the key top.
Gear link members have the same shape with a gear portion
It engages with each other's gear,
With the vertical movement, maintain the engagement with the maintenance means,
They are combined so as to rotate in synchronization with each other .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key switch device according to the first aspect , further comprising a pair of gear switches.
The lock member is formed in an asymmetrical U-shape when viewed from the top on both sides,
The asymmetrical side portions are combined in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above.

[0015]

According to the key switch device of the present invention having the above configuration , when the key top is not pressed down, the key top is urged upward by the switching member and is kept at the upper position.
When the key top is pressed from such a state, the key top is lowered against the urging force of the switching member.
And a pair of gear links of the same shape
The material maintains the meshing in the gear part by the maintenance means,
The key tops rotate in synchronization with each other, and their ends rotate or slide in the locking portions of the key top and the holder member, respectively, to guide the descending operation of the key top. Along with the lowering operation of the keytop, the switching member is pressed down to perform the switching operation.

On the other hand, when the keytop is released from being pressed,
Since the key top is urged upward by the switching member, a pair of gears having the same shape is urged by the urging force.
It is pushed upward while being supported by the link member , and returns to the original position. At this time, the key top
Therefore, a pair of gear link members having the same shape
To maintain the meshing of the gears and rotate in synchronism with each other.
The ends of the key top and holder members, respectively.
Rotate or slide inside each locking part to raise the key top
I will guide you.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the key switch device according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line YY of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the key switch device when pressed down, and FIG. 5 is a gear link of the key switch device.
Perspective view of the member (hinge member) 6 is a perspective view of a holder plate portion of the key switch.

The 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. As shown in FIG.
From the back of the key top 1, four first locking portions 2
a, 2b, 3a, 3b are vertically provided (formed) integrally with the key top 1 main body. The first locking portion 2a, the 2b, one of the two gear link members 7 and 8 to be described later, the locking shaft 13a formed on one of the gear link member 7, 13b
Locking holes 4a and 4b for rotatably locking the gear ring are provided, and the first locking portions 3a and 3b are provided with the other gear ring.
Locking holes 5a and 5b are provided for locking the locking shafts 23a and 23b formed on the locking member 8 so as to be rotatable.

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 has a mechanism for preventing the key top 1 from tilting when the key is pressed, and has two identically shaped gears.
It is composed of link members 7 and 8. One gear link
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 , the member 7 has two base ends 10a, 10b integrally formed at both ends of a base 9, and gears 12a, 12b are formed at the base ends 10a, 10b, respectively. The gears 12a and 12b are connected to the other
The gears 22a and 22b formed on the gear link member 8 are meshed at the action points A and B so that they can rotate in synchronization with each other. Further, two locking shafts 13a and 13b are formed in the base 9, and the locking shafts 13a and 13b are rotatably locked in the locking holes 4a and 4b. Further, both end extending portions 1 of the base end portions 10a, 10b
Locking pins 14a, 14b extend from the side surfaces of 1a, 11b. These locking pins 14a, 14b are used to hold second locking portions 27a,
27b.

The base end 10 on which the gear 12a is formed
Although a is formed on the end extension 11a, the base end 10b where the gear 12b is formed is formed not on the end extension 11b but adjacent to the end extension 11b. Thus, the gear
As shown in FIG. 5 , the link member 7 has base end portions 10a, 11a.
b and both side portions formed by both end extending portions 11a and 11b are formed asymmetrically and shaped so as to have a U-shape in a top view.
Has been established.

The other gear link member 8 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, two base ends 20a,
20b are integrally formed, and gears 22a and 22b are formed at the base ends 20a and 20b, respectively. The gears are engaged at points A and B so that they can rotate in synchronization with each other. Further, two locking shafts 23a and 23b are formed on the base 19, and the locking shafts 23a and 23b are rotatably locked in the locking holes 5a and 5b. Further, locking pins 24a and 24b extend from the side surfaces of the both end extending portions 21a and 21b of the base ends 20a and 20b. The locking pins 24a, 24b are locked by second locking portions 28a, 28b formed on a holder plate 26 described later.

The base end 20 on which the gear 22b is formed
Although b is formed on the end extension 21b, the base end 20a where the gear 22a is formed is formed not on the end extension 21a but adjacent to the end extension 21a. Thus, the gear
As shown in FIG. 5 , the link member 8 includes base ends 20 a and 20.
b and both side portions formed by both end extending portions 21a and 21b are formed asymmetrically and shaped so as to have a U-shape in a top view.
Has been established.

The two gears formed in the same shape
The link members 7 and 8 are formed in a rectangular shape in a top view, and thereby have a large space in the center, and a rubber spring 32 and a coil spring 33 described later are efficiently stored under the key top 1 in this space. I can do it.

[0024] Below the guide supporting member 6, and a holder plate 26 having an opening 25 as shown in FIG. 6 is provided, the in the holder plate 26 Giyari
Locking members 14a, 14b provided on the link members 7, 8,
Second locking portion 27 for locking each of 24a and 24b
a, 27b, 28a and 28b are provided. Each second
The locking portions 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b are integrally formed in a convex shape with two sides forming each corner of the inner peripheral edge of the holder plate 26, and the locking grooves 29a,
29b, 30a and 30b are formed. Then, each of the locking pins 14a, 14b, 24a, 24b is
9a, 29b, 30a and 30b are slidably engaged in the horizontal direction.

Below the holder plate 26, there is provided a flexible circuit board 31 on which a predetermined circuit pattern (not shown) including a switch electrode is formed, and a reverse cup as a switching member is provided at a position corresponding to the switch electrode. A rubber spring 32 is mounted. The rubber spring 32 has a movable electrode inside. When the amount of pressing from above exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 32 buckles, and the switch electrode is short-circuited by the movable electrode. A coil spring 33 is disposed as an elastic member on the upper surface of the rubber spring 32, and the upper end thereof is attached to the concave portion 1 a on the back surface of the key top 1. Since the upper end of the coil spring 33 is locked in the recess 1a, the position of the coil spring 33 does not shift. Further, a switch support plate 34 is provided below the flexible circuit board 31. That is, the switch support plate 34 supports the flexible circuit board 31, the rubber spring 32, the guide support member 6, and the holder plate 26.

Also, two positioning pins 36a, 36b
Are erected on the holder plate 26 in proximity to the second locking portions 28a and 28b, and the positioning grooves 35
a, 35b guide the positioning pins 36a, 36b as the key top 1 moves up and down.
It is erected from the back side. This positioning pin 36a,
The engagement portion 36b with the positioning grooves 35a, 35b is formed into a spherical shape so that when the key top 1 is pressed down, the key top 1 is smoothly guided along the positioning grooves 35a, 35b without causing twisting. A through hole 26a is provided in the holder plate 26 at a position directly below the positioning pins 36a and 36b, so that the holder plate 26 can be formed by resin molding without using a slide mold.

A positioning member 37 is formed by the engagement between the positioning pins 36a and 36b and the positioning grooves 35a and 35b. The positioning member 37 prevents the key top 1 from moving in the horizontal direction. Has a mechanism. Further, since the guide support member 6 has a mechanism for preventing the key top 1 from being tilted, it is not necessary to have the mechanism, so that the engagement portion between the positioning pins 36a, 36b and the positioning grooves 35a, 35b is formed. The amount of overlap may be small. As described above, the positioning is performed in one direction by the guide support member 6, and the positioning in the direction of 90 degrees with respect to this positioning is performed by the positioning member 37, so that the key top 1 does not move in the horizontal direction. Further, the gear link members 7, 8 of the guide support member 6 are engaged with each other at the action points A, B and act to move up and down while maintaining the horizontal state.

In the above configuration, the first locking portions 2a, 2 on the left side with respect to the perpendicular L passing through the action points A, B in FIG.
b, locking holes 4a, 4b for rotatably locking the locking shafts 13a, 13b are provided, and the second locking portions 27a, 27b are provided.
Are provided with locking grooves 29a and 29b for locking the locking pins 24a and 24b in the horizontal direction. In addition, the first locking portions 3a, 3b on the right side of FIG.
Are provided with locking holes 5a and 5b for rotatably locking the locking shafts 23a and 23b, and the locking pins 14a and 14b are horizontally locked in the second locking portions 28a and 28b. Locking grooves 30a and 30b are provided.

Normally, a keyboard in a word processor or a personal computer is formed with a slope so that the front side of the apparatus is lowered so that keys can be easily input, whereas the upper surface of each key top 1 is disposed horizontally.
For this reason, in each key switch device, the front side of the device is thicker, that is, the height dimension from the switch support plate 34 to the key top 1 is longer. By disposing the positioning member 37 at a position where the height dimension is long, the positioning grooves 35a and 35b and the positioning pins 36a and
Combined with the fact that the amount of overlap of the engaging portion with 36b may be small, it is possible to reduce the overall height when trying to secure a predetermined stroke of the key. Further, in the present embodiment, since the thickness around the key top 1 rises upward and rises, by providing the positioning member 37 in this portion, the overall height is reduced as much as possible. I have. In FIG. 2, the right side is the front side of the apparatus.

Next, the operation of the key switch device configured as described above will be described. When the key top 1 is pressed, the key link 1
Each of the locking shafts 13a, 13b of the material 7 has a first locking portion 2a,
The gear 2b rotates counterclockwise in the locking holes 4a and 4b,
Each of the locking shafts 23 and 24 of the link member 8 is
It rotates clockwise in the locking holes 5a, 5b of the a, 3b.
At the same time, each locking pin 14 of the gear link member 7
a and 14b are locking grooves 30 of the second locking portions 28a and 28b.
a, sliding in a horizontal direction (right direction in FIG. 2) within 30b, formic
Each locking pin 24a, 24b of the Ylink member 8 is the second
The slider slides horizontally (leftward in FIG. 2) in the locking grooves 29a and 29b of the locking portions 27a and 27b.

As a result, the gear 12 of the gear link member 7
a, 12b and the gears 22a, 22b of the link member 8 rotate synchronously while meshing with each other at action points A, B,
As a result, the key top 1 moves downward while maintaining the horizontal state (see FIG. 4) . At this time, positioning pin 3
The keys 6a and 36b are smoothly guided by the positioning grooves 35a and 35b without causing twisting, and the key top 1 does not move in the horizontal direction. In addition, the downward movement of the key top 1 compresses the coil spring 33 attached to the back surface of the key top 1 and the rubber spring 32
Is gradually pressed. When the pressing amount exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 32 buckles, whereby the movable electrode in the rubber spring 32 short-circuits the switch electrode on the flexible circuit board 31 and a predetermined switching operation is performed. Will be

When the key top 1 is released, the key top 1 is released from the coil spring 33 and the rubber spring 32.
It is pushed upward by the elastic restoring force of. Along with this, the locking shafts 13a, 13b, 23a, 23b and the locking pins 14a, 14b, 24a, 24b perform an operation reverse to the above-described operation, and as a result, the key top 1 is returned to the original position. You.

The rubber spring 32 has a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side as described above, and the angle of the side surface resulting from the length and height of the upper base and the lower base is determined according to the desired key touch. . Further, the height of the trapezoid, that is, the height of the rubber spring 32 is determined according to the keystroke and the coil spring 33, and a higher one is preferred. However, considering the thickness of the entire device, the rubber spring 32 cannot be so large. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the two gear link members 7,
8 was assembled in a rectangular shape when viewed from above, so that a large space could be taken at the center thereof, and a rubber spring 32 and a coil spring 33 were disposed in this space. As a result, in this embodiment, both gear link members are substantially straight when viewed from the side, and a large space cannot be provided in the central portion of the device, as disclosed in JP-A-60-62017 or JP-A-64-74.
A thinner and larger stroke can be obtained as compared with the device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 41-41.

As described in detail above, the key switch device according to the present embodiment is configured such that the two gear link members 7 and 8 are formed in a rectangular shape below the key top 1.
A large space is taken at the center, a rubber spring 32 and a coil spring 33 are arranged in this space, and the rubber spring 32 is depressed via the coil spring 33 by depressing the keytop 1. This eliminates the need for a configuration for slidingly guiding the key stem by the key holder and a special configuration for pressing down the switching member, unlike the conventional key switch device. As a result, it is possible to increase the keystroke while responding to the thinning of the keyboard, and therefore, the key operability is good, the key input can be reliably performed, and a low-cost key switch device with a simple configuration is provided. Can be provided.

In particular, since there is no need to provide a structure in which the key stem is slidably guided by the key holder, sliding noise does not occur between the key stem and the key holder when the key is depressed unlike a conventional key switch device. Therefore, there is no need to reduce the key operation area in order to press the center of the key.

A guide support member 6 having a positioning function
And the positioning member 37, the key top 1
Is pressed, the gear link members 7, 8 of the guide support member 6 are also pressed.
Are engaged with each other at the action points A and B, so that only a force is applied downward, and the key top 1 does not move in the horizontal direction. Moreover, the positioning pins 36a, 3
Since the engaging portions of the 6b with the positioning grooves 35a and 35b are formed in a spherical shape, the positioning pins 36a and 36b are smoothly slid along the positioning grooves 35a and 35b without causing any twisting, so that the sliding is achieved. There is no dynamic noise. Therefore, in combination with the above, it is possible to provide a key switch device which has good operability of key input from this point and can reliably perform key input.

Further, since the gear link members 7 and 8 are formed in the same shape, only one type of molding die for the gear link members 7 and 8 can be used, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. . In addition, since the guide support means 6 can be composed of one kind of parts, in the work of assembling the key switch device, the kinds of parts to be handled can be reduced and the assembling work can be easily performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the gear in the present embodiment
The number of the link members 7 and 8 may be increased to form an I-shape, and the cylinders on which the gears are cut may be combined so as to act on each other. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained, and the positioning groove In addition, the positioning member 37 including the positioning pin can be omitted. Further, in the above embodiment, the concave portion 1a is provided on the key top 1 and the coil spring 33 is locked, but the key top 1 is provided with a hemispherical convex portion substantially the same as the inner diameter of the coil spring 33 and locked on the lower surface. You may.

[0039]

As described above in detail , according to the key switch device of the present invention, the engagement of the gear portion by the maintaining means is achieved.
Maintaining the Align, combined so as to rotate in synchronization with each other
A pair of gears link members of the same shape, since the vertical movement of the key top to guide supports, and unnecessary structure to slide a conventional such <br/> key stem up and down by the holder guide, the key There is an effect that the keyboard can be made thinner while maintaining the size of the stroke.

Further, a pair of gear links having the same shape.
The use of members ensures that the key top moves up and down
It is possible to guide and support the to together when the operability of the key input can be good, there is an effect that it is possible to enable entanglement without reliable key entry.

Further, a pair of gear link portions combined
Since the materials are formed from the same shape, it is possible to reduce the types of parts constituting the key switch device.
In both cases, simply combine the two gear link members
And the assembling work can be easily performed.
Thus, the <br/> both and it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost, improve the efficiency of the assembly operation of the key switch device
There is an effect that it is possible that.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a key switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view when the key switch device according to the embodiment is pressed.

FIG. 5 is a gear link of the key switch device according to the embodiment.
It is a perspective view of a member .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a holder plate portion of the key switch device according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key top 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b 1st locking part 6 Guide support member 7, 8 Gear link member 10a, 10b, 20a, 20b Base end part (part of both side parts) 11a, 11b, 21a, 21b base End (part of both sides) 26 Holder plate (holder member) 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b Second locking part 31 Flexible circuit board (part of switching member) 32 Rubber spring (part of switching member) 33 Coil spring (part of switching member)

Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 13/20 H01H 13/14 H01H 13/70

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A key top 1. A first locking portion on the back surface is formed, is disposed below the key top, a holder member in which the second locking portion is formed, the first locking portion and each is locked to the second locking portion,
As well as guiding and supporting the up-and-down movement of the previous Symbol key top, gear
A pair of gears link members of the same shape having a part, as well as urging the key top upward, a switching member for the switching operation in accordance with the vertical movement of the key top, the gear portions of the pair of gears link members Engagement in
Holding means for maintaining the key top, and a pair of the same shape with the vertical movement of the key top.
Of the gear link member in the gear portion by the maintaining means.
It is maintained fit Rukami, to rotate in synchronization with each other
Key switch device characterized in that it consists. 2. The pair of gear link members are formed in asymmetrical U-shape in a plan view on both sides thereof, and are combined in a substantially U-shape in a top view at both asymmetrical side portions. Item 2. The key switch device according to item 1.