JP3318320B2 - 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 suitable for use in a thin keyboard device 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 type of keyboard device, a key stem integrally formed with a key stem is inserted into a holder portion formed on a holder plate to guide and support the key top. A key switch device having a switching member disposed below a key stem is generally used. Such a key switch device slides and guides the up and down movement of a key stem via a holder, and presses a switching member by a lower portion of the key stem to perform a switching operation.

A key switch device using a large key top such as a space key and a return key includes:
In order to prevent the key top from being pressed in an inclined state when the key top is pressed, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 60-62017, 64-7441 and U.S. Pat.
A key switch device described in JP-A-33,225 is known.

A key switch device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-62017 supports a key top on two scissor-like members crossed in a scissor-like manner by a shaft and at a considerable distance from the center of the key top. The switching member is arranged at the position where the switching member is located. When the key top is pressed, a plurality of pins formed at the end of each scissor-like member are horizontally slid and guided, and the key stem provided on the back surface of the key top is moved up and down via the holder. The switching member is depressed by the key stem while the sliding member is being guided.

The key switch device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 64-7441 has the same basic configuration as the key switch device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-62017. The feature is that the key top can be easily attached and detached.

US Pat. No. 4,433,225 discloses a key switch device provided with an L-shaped key top. This key switch device has a scissor-like member in which the center of the arm is connected by a shaft. Such scissors have first, second, third and fourth four ends, the first and second ends of which are horizontal in the traveled portion of the L-shaped keytop. It is slidable. However, since the key switch portion is located at a place different from the scissor-like member, the key switch portion alone cannot be realized as a key switch device, and a key stem and many other components are required, which complicates the structure.

The key switch device described in each of these publications can guide the vertical movement of a large key such as a space key, regardless of which part of the key top is pressed, while maintaining the horizontal state of the key top. Things. Thus, in any of the above-described key switch devices,
A common feature is that a key stem for pressing a switching member is vertically slid through a holder portion while the switching member is pressed by the key stem.

On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. Hei 2-5236 discloses a key switch device which does not include a key stem and a holder which are slidably guided in a vertical direction. This key switch device includes two rectangular frames, and the two frames intersect in an X-shape to form a key top support member. A projection projecting downward is provided at the center of the lower surface of the keytop, and the projection is configured to press a rubber spring as a switching member. Also in this key switch device, similarly to the above-described key switch device, even if any part of the key top is pressed, the key top can be lowered while keeping the key top horizontal without tilting the key top.

[0009]

However, in recent years, as word processors and personal computers have become smaller and thinner, keyboard devices attached thereto have also been made smaller and thinner. on the one hand,
A large stroke is required to improve the operability of key input and to ensure the reliability of key input. Under such circumstances, there is a problem that a sufficient key stroke cannot be obtained with the above-described commonly used key switch device.

[0010] In such a commonly used key switch device, if an attempt is made to reduce the thickness of the keyboard device, the portion of the key stem slidably guided by the holder portion is reduced, resulting in the tilting of the key top. As a result, twisting occurs between the key stem and the holder. Conversely, if the portion where the key stem is slid and guided by the holder portion is increased to prevent this, there is a dilemma that the key stroke is reduced.

Here, if a twist occurs between the key stem and the holder portion when the key top is pressed down, this causes a sliding noise and significantly impairs the operability of the key. Further, the twisting occurring between the key stem and the holder is unlikely to occur when the central portion of the key top is constantly depressed because the key stem is depressed vertically. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of such twisting, it is conceivable to reduce the operation area of the key so that the center of the key top is always depressed, but also in this case, the operability of the key is significantly impaired. There is no difference from the above.

The key switch devices described in the above publications do not particularly aim at reducing the thickness of the keyboard device. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a pressing member for pressing the switching member so as to protrude downward from the keytop, which causes a problem that it is difficult to reduce the thickness. Further, there is a problem that the structure of the key switch device is complicated due to the necessity of forming a pressing member on the back surface of the key top, which causes an increase in cost and also makes assembly thereof difficult.

Particularly, in the key switch devices of the types described in the above publications, the key top is urged upward via a spring member. Therefore, it is desirable that the ascending position of the keytop be restricted when the keytop is not pressed down. On the other hand, the key top is guided and supported by a link structure including two link members, and the upper end of each link member and / or
Alternatively, the lower end portion is slidably locked in a sliding groove of a sliding locking portion formed on a support plate supporting the key switch, and in such a case, the upper end portion of each link member is pressed when the key top is pressed down. When the lower end portion abuts on the end portion (wall portion) of the sliding engagement portion, bending stress is applied to the link member, which may decrease durability and cause breakage or the like. In the pressed state, it is desirable that the upper end and the lower end of each link member do not abut on the end of the sliding engagement portion.

However, in the key switch devices described in the above publications, the locking relationship between the upper and lower ends of each link member and the sliding locking portion of the support plate in the non-pressed state and the pressed state of the key top. Nothing is suggested or disclosed, and no configuration is provided for the configuration that regulates the ascending position of the keytop when the keytop is not depressed, and that prevents the link member from being broken or the like when the keytop is depressed. Not.

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. So that the upper free end or the lower free end of the two links does not abut on the key top or the end of the sliding engagement portion of the holder member when the key top is pressed. It is another object of the present invention to provide a key switch device having good key operability and capable of preventing breakage of a link and the like.

[0016]

Means for Solving the Problems To this end, the key switch device according to claim 1, wherein the upper times to the lower surface
A key top having a dynamic locking portion and an upper sliding locking portion, and a lower rotation locking portion and a lower portion disposed below the key top;
A holder member having a Suridogakari stop portion, and the draft in the support means you guide support <br/> the vertical movement of the key top and sealed connecting engagement on the key Toppu and the holder member, with the key Toppu upward Sprout
A key switch device that includes a ring member, a draft in the support means, together constituting a a first link member and the second link member intersect disposed X-shape in a side view, the middle and the both link members movably connected by cross section, of the free end of the first link member and the second link member, a free end located on one side across the vertical line through the middle APPLICATIONS intersections, upper rotation of the key Toppu Locking part and lower rotation locking of holder member
Parts pivotally engaged, out of the free end of the first link member and the second link member, a free end located on the other side across the vertical line, the upper sliding locking portion of the key Toppu and Holder member
Slidably engages the lower slide locking portion, in a state where the key Toppu is located in the lowest position, the upper free end of the first link member, the end portion of the upper Suridogakari stop portion of the key top The sliding length of the upper sliding locking portion is set so as not to abut. The key switch device according to claim 2 is a key switch device.
And a rotation locking portion disposed below the key top and the key top.
, A key top and a holder
Connects and locks to the rudder member and allows mutual movement
The first link that connects and guides and supports the vertical movement of the key top
Urging the member, the second link member, and the key top upward
Key switch device with a spring member
The lower free end of the first link member to rotate the holder member.
It is rotatably locked to the locking portion, and the lower side of the second link member is free.
The end is slidably engaged with the sliding engagement portion of the holder member, and the key is
-With the top in the lowest position,
The lower free end of the material contacts the end of the sliding
The sliding length of the sliding locking part is set so that it does not touch
It is.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF] In the key switch device according to claim 1, wherein having the above structure, the key top in a non-depressed state, the key top is urged upward by a spring member, which is held above. When the keytop is pressed from the non-pressed state of the keytop , the keytop descends against the urging force of the spring member . With the lowering operation of the key top, the free ends of the first link member and the second link member located on one side of a perpendicular line passing through the midway intersection of the first link member and the second link member in the guide support member pivots at bottom pivot locking portion of the upper pivot locking portion and the holder member of the key top, and at the same time, the free end of the first link member and the second link member positioned on other side of the vertical line Is the key top
It slides on the upper sliding locking part and the lower sliding locking part of the holder member . Thus, the downward movement of the key top is performed, the spring member is elastically deformed, switching operation is performed.

At this time, in a state where the key top is depressed and is at the lowest position, the upper side of the first link member is free.
End, since the sliding length of the upper Suridogakari stopping portion so as not to contact with the end portion of the upper Suridogakari stop portion of the key top is set in the depressed state of the key top, the first Link section
Never bending stress wood acts, therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the breakage or the like of the first link member. Ma
Further, in the key switch device according to claim 2,
The key top is not pressed down as in the key switch device of item 1.
In the state of, the key top is moved upward by the spring member
It is urged and held upward. Such a key top
When the keytop is pressed from the non-pressed state, the keytop
Lowers against the urging force of the spring member. This key
The lower side of the first link member is free with the lowering operation of the top.
The end is rotated by the rotation locking portion of the holder member, and the second
The lower free end of the link member slides with the sliding locking portion of the holder member.
Move. In this way, the key top descending operation is performed
When the spring member is elastically deformed, the switching operation
Done. At this time, the key top is pressed down to the lowest position
The lower free end of the second link member
So that it does not come into contact with the end of the sliding
Because the sliding length of the dynamic locking part is set,
When the tip is pressed, bending stress is applied to the second link member.
Does not work, and therefore the breakage of the second link member
Etc. can be reliably prevented.

When the key top is released from being depressed, the key top is urged upward by the spring member , and the urging force causes the key top to be pushed upward while being supported by the guide support member. , Return to the original position.

[0020]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention; 1 to 3 show the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a key switch device. In FIG.
It is molded from a synthetic resin such as S resin, and letters such as alphabets are formed on the upper surface thereof by printing or the like. Further, from the back surface (lower surface) of the key top 1, the rotation locking portion 2 and the sliding locking portion 3 are directed downward from the key top 1.
It is provided integrally with the main body.

The first locking pins 13 and 14 formed at one end of one of the two link members 7 and 8 to be described later are rotatably locked to the rotation locking portion 2. The sliding locking portion 3 has a second locking pin 23 formed at one end of the other link member 8.
A locking groove 5 for locking the slide 24 in the horizontal direction is formed.

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, one link member 7 is formed by integrally forming two base ends 10 and 11 at both ends of a base 9. A shaft 12 extends from one side surface of the central portion of the base 9, and the shaft 12 is supported by a shaft hole 20 formed in the other link member 8, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first locking pins 13 and 14 and the second locking pins 15 and 16 of the link member 7 are arranged in a straight line about the shaft 12 and at a distance from the shaft 12. Are configured to be equal. Also, the link member 8
The first locking pins 21 and 22 and the second locking pins 23 and 24 are arranged in a straight line with the shaft hole 20 as a center, and the distances from the shaft hole 20 are equal.

The two link members 7 and 8 are bent so as to protrude upward at the positions of the lower base portions 11 and 18 in a state where the shaft 12 and the shaft hole 20 are rotatably connected. I have. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the rubber spring 31 is configured to have a large space below the shaft support A, so that a substantially trapezoidal rubber spring 31 in a side view described later can be efficiently stored under the shaft support A. is there.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the thickness of the distal ends of the upper base ends 10, 19 of both link members 7, 8 is reduced. Therefore, even if key top 1 is pressed,
Upper bases 10, 19 and lower base 1 of both link members 7, 8
The keys 1 and 18 do not come into contact with each other while the key top 1 is being pressed. Therefore, the key top 1 is configured such that the pressing operation is not hindered in the middle and a key stroke can be sufficiently secured.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The first locking pins 13 and 14 extend from the side surfaces of both end extending portions 10 </ b> A of the upper base end portion 10, and the first locking pins 13 and 14 are used to rotationally lock the key top 1. It is rotatably locked in a locking hole 4 formed in the portion 2. Further, the lower base end portion 11 is formed in a U-shape in plan view,
From the side surface of the U-shaped both-end extending portion 11A, the second
Locking pins 15 and 16 are extended. The second locking pins 15 and 16 are slidably locked by sliding locking portions 26 formed on a holder member 25 described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the link member 8 is formed by integrally forming two upper and lower base ends 18 and 19 at both ends of a base 17. A shaft hole 20 is formed in the center of the base 17, and the shaft 12 provided on the base 9 of the link member 7 is inserted into the shaft hole 20 as described above. Further, the lower base end portion 18 is formed in a U-shape in plan view, and the first locking pins 21 and 22 extend from the U-shaped both end extending portions 18A. The first locking pins 21 and 22 are rotatably locked to a rotation locking portion 27 formed on a holder member 25 described later.

Furthermore, the second locking pin 23, 24 from both extending portions 19A of the upper base end portion 19 similar to the above are extended, according the second locking pin 23, 24 key Toppu 1 sliding It is slidably locked in a locking groove 5 formed in the dynamic locking portion 3.

As described above, the guide support member 6 is formed by inserting the shaft 12 formed in the base 9 of one link member 7 into the shaft hole 20 formed in the base 17 of the other link member 8. The two link members 7 and 8 are mutually rotatable via a shaft support A formed by the shaft 12 and the shaft hole 20.

Next, a holder member 25 is disposed below the guide support member 6, and a second locking pin extending from the lower base end 11 of the link member 7 on the holder member 25. A sliding locking portion 26 and a rotation locking portion 27 for locking first locking pins 21 and 22 extending from the lower base end portion 18 of the link member 8 are provided. Have been.

The Suridogakari stop section 26 is a long hole-shaped engagement groove 28 is provided with integrally formed with the convex shape of the holder member 25, the link member 7 in such a locking groove 28 first 2
The locking pins 15 and 16 are slidably locked in the horizontal direction. Further, rotation locking portion 27 has locking holes 29 is provided with integrally formed with the convexly from Similarly holder member 25 and Suridogakari stop unit 26, link to the locking hole 29 The first locking pins 21 and 22 of the member 8 are rotatably locked.

In the above construction, the pivot locking portion 2 and the holder member 25 formed on the back surface of the key top 1 located on the left side in FIG. 1 with respect to the perpendicular L passing through the center of the shaft support A. The rotation locking portion 27 has the first
The locking holes 4 and 29 for rotatably locking the locking pins 13 and 14 and the first locking pins 21 and 22 are provided. Further, the sliding engagement portion 3 and the sliding engagement portion 26 formed in the holder member 25 formed on the back surface of the key top 1 present the right side in FIG. 1 of the perpendicular L, the second engagement respectively The locking grooves 5 and the locking grooves 28 for locking the stop pins 23, 24 and 15, 16 slidably in the horizontal direction are provided.

Below the holder member 25, a flexible circuit board 30 on which a predetermined circuit pattern (not shown) including a switch electrode is formed, and an inverted cup-shaped rubber is provided at a position corresponding to the switch electrode. The spring 31 is mounted. The rubber spring 31 has a well-known movable electrode inside, and a shaft supporting portion A that supports the two link members 7 and 8 so as to be rotatable with each other is opposed to a central portion of the upper surface thereof. Be placed.

As a result, when the shaft support A moves downward with the depression of the key top 1, the shaft support A presses the rubber spring 31, and when the pressing amount exceeds a certain limit ,
Rubber spring 31 is crushed, rubber spring 3
The switch electrode is short-circuited by the movable electrode in 1.

Further, a switch support plate 32 is provided below the flexible circuit board 30, and the switch support plate 32 is provided on each of the flexible circuit boards 30,
The guide support member 6 supporting the rubber spring 31 and the key top 1 is supported.

Next, the operation of the key switch device having the above configuration will be described. When the key top 1 is pressed down, the first locking pins 13 and 14 of the link member 7 are moved counterclockwise in the locking holes 4 of the rotation locking portion 2 as the key top 1 moves downward. with pivots, the second locking pin of the link member 8 23 slides (to the right in FIG. 1) horizontal direction in the engaging groove 5 of Suridogakari stop portion 3. At the same time, the first locking pins 21 and 22 of the link member 8 rotate clockwise in the locking holes 29 of the rotation locking portion 27 of the holder member 25, and the second locking of the link member 7 is performed. pins 15 and 16 slide in the horizontal direction (right direction in FIG. 1) in the locking groove 28 of Suridogakari stop portion 26.

As a result, the link members 7 and 8
Are moved downward and gradually depress the rubber spring 31, and when the amount of depression exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 31 is buckled. Thereby, the movable electrode in the rubber spring 31 short-circuits the switch electrode on the flexible circuit board 30, and a predetermined switching operation is performed.

When the key top 1 is released from being depressed, the shaft supports A of the link members 7 and 8 are pushed upward by the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring 31. Accordingly, the first locking pins 13, 14, 21, 22 and the second locking pins 15, 16, 23, 24 perform the reverse operation, and as a result, the key top 1 It returns to its original position.

Here, the first locking pins 13, 14, 21,
Since the key top 1 does not move in the horizontal direction but only rotates in the locking holes 4 and 29, the key top 1 does not move in the horizontal direction. The key top 1 is moved up and down while maintaining the horizontal state of the key surface.

The rubber spring 31 has a substantially trapezoidal shape in side view 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. . The height of the trapezoid, that is, the height of the rubber spring, is determined according to the keystroke, and a higher one is preferred. However, in view of the thickness of the entire device, it is obvious that the rubber spring 31 cannot be so large.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a large space can be taken below the shaft support A by bending both link members 7 and 8 as described above. Therefore, in the present embodiment, both link members are substantially straight when viewed from the side, as disclosed in JP-A-60-62017 or JP-A-64-2017.
As compared with the key switch device described in Japanese Patent No. 7441, a thinner and larger key stroke can be obtained.

As described above, the thickness of the distal ends of the upper base ends 10, 19 of both link members 7, 8 is reduced in side view, so that the key stroke operation is not hindered halfway. Sufficient stroke can be secured.

As described in detail above, in the key switch device according to the present embodiment, the shaft support A for mutually supporting the two link members 7 and 8 is disposed at a position corresponding to the rubber spring 31, and the key switch is provided. The rubber spring 31 is depressed via the shaft support A. Therefore, a configuration in which the key stem is guided by the key holder portion unlike the conventional key switch device can be completely eliminated, and a key switch device that does not require a special configuration for pressing the rubber spring 31 can be realized.

As a result, the key stroke can be increased in accordance with the thinning of the keyboard, so that the key operability is good and key input can be performed reliably, and the key top 1 having a simple structure can be used. A low cost key switch device can be provided. In particular, in the key switch device according to the present embodiment, the configuration in which the key stem is guided by the key holder portion can be completely eliminated, so that
Unlike the conventional key switch device, no sliding noise occurs between the key stem and the key holder when the key is pressed, and it is necessary to reduce the key operation area and press the center of the key. Sex is completely lost.

Further, in the key switch device according to the present embodiment, each first locking pin 13 locked in the locking hole 4 of the rotation locking portion 2 and the locking hole 29 of the rotation locking portion 27 is provided. , 14, 21,
When the key top 1 is depressed, the key top 1 is not moved in the horizontal direction because it only rotates in the locking holes 4 and 29 without moving in the horizontal direction.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a key switch device which has good key operability and can perform key input reliably without colliding between adjacent keys.

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, in the present embodiment, the link member 7,
8 can of course obtain the same effect by the same kind of members combined in a pantograph shape. Further, in the present embodiment, the rubber spring 31 is pressed by the shaft supporting portions A of the link members 7 and 8, but the rubber spring 31 is pressed by the link members 7 and 8 or another member provided on the key top 1. Of course, the same effect can be obtained.

Next, the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the key switch.
When a guide support member 103 and the first link 10 4 and a second link 105 disposed side view scissor shape, the cap-shaped rubber spring 106 is pressed by the guide support member 103, the guide A holder member 107 made of synthetic resin for supporting the support member 103, and the holder member 107
The flexible circuit board 109 is stretched on the lower surface of the holder member 107 such that the switching portion 129 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) faces the mounting hole 107A of the holder 107, and the reinforcing plate 110 is stretched on the lower surface side. Have been.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the rubber spring 106 is provided with a mounting hole 107 of the holder member 107 so as to cover a portion above the switching portion (electric contact portion) 129 (see FIG. 13) of the flexible circuit board 109.
It is fitted positioned within A. La bar spring 106
Is an electrically insulating silicone rubber or EPDM
It is constituted by (ethylene propylene diene methylene), etc., and a thick head 106A of the plan view a substantially disc-shaped, the head portion 10
Frustoconical dome portion 1 extending downward from the periphery of 6A
06B, and a thick-walled flange portion 106C extending substantially horizontally and radially outward on the outer periphery of the dome portion 106B . Key top 102
Of the rubber spring 106 pressed by the pressing portion between the first link 104 and the second link 105 when the button 1 is pressed.
On the lower surface of the switching section 129, the switching sections 129 are electrically turned ON / O by contacting the contact sections of the switching sections 129.
A movable contact portion 130 made of conductive rubber having conductivity for performing FF is fixed. The rubber spring 106
The whole may be formed to have conductivity by dispersing and filling conductive particles such as carbon black in silicone rubber.

The key top 102 formed of a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin is provided with characters such as numerals, letters and the like on the upper surface (surface) by engraving or printing. On the lower surface of the key top 102, the front and rear for locking the second locking pins 111A and 111B at the upper base end of the first link 104 to be described later in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be slidable in the front and rear direction of the key top 102. A long groove-shaped sliding locking portion 116 and a first locking pin 113A, 1 at the upper base end of the second link 105;
A pair of left and right locking members 117 integrally provided with a hole-shaped rotation locking portion 115 for locking the 13B so as to be rotatable only is integrally molded or bonded with an adhesive or the like. (See FIG. 6).

The first link 104 and the second link 105 made of a synthetic resin such as a glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B and FIGS. FIG. 7A is a plan view of the first link 104, and FIG.
FIG. 4B is a plan view of the second link 105.

The first link 104 is formed integrally with the base 118 and the upper and lower bases 119 and 120 into a substantially H-shape in plan view. The support hole 1 is provided on the side surface of the base 118.
21 are laterally formed, and first locking pins 112A and 112B are respectively provided on the side surfaces of the arm portions 120A and 120B extending from both left and right ends of the lower base end portion 120 so as to protrude sideways. The second locking pins 111A, 111
B protrudes sideways.

The second link 105 is also formed integrally with the base 122 and the upper and lower base ends 123 and 124 in a substantially H-shape in plan view. A pivot shaft 125 protrudes laterally from one side surface of the base 122, and the pivot shaft 125 is connected to the first shaft.
It is rotatably fitted into the support hole 121 of the link 104. On the side surfaces of the arm portions 124A, 124B extending from both left and right ends of the lower base end portion 124 of the second link 105, second locking pins 114A, 114B are respectively provided to protrude sideways, and are provided on the side surfaces of the upper base end portion 123. Is the first locking pin 113
A and 113B protrude sideways.

In this embodiment, the first locking pins 112A, 112B of the first link 104 and the support holes 12 are viewed from the side (FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 14).
The first and second locking pins 111A, 111B are located on a straight line, and the distance from the first locking pins 112A, 112B to the support hole 121 and the distance from the second locking pins 111A, 111B to the support hole 121. Are configured to be equal. Also, the first locking pin 11 of the second link 105
3A, 113B, pivot 125 and second locking pin 114
A, 114B are located on a straight line, and the distance between the first locking pins 113A, 113B to the pivot 125 and the second
The distance between the locking pins 114A and 114B and the pivot 125 is equal.

With this configuration, as described later, the first locking pins 112A, 112A, 1B at the lower base end of the first link 104 are provided.
By pivotally displacing the guide support member 103 about the center 12B, the key top 102 can move up and down while maintaining a state parallel to the upper surface of the holder member 107.

The base 118 of the first link 104
On the lower surface of the base 122 of the second link 105, pressing portions 131 and 132 having a downwardly convex polygonal shape are formed, respectively. The pressing portions 131 and 132 press the upper surface of the head 106A of the rubber spring 106. become.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 8 to 10, the first
Pressing portion 131 of link 104 and second link 105
The pressing portion 132 includes two flat portions 131A, 131B and flat portions 132A, 132B that are bent and connected at an obtuse angle at a substantially central portion of the lower surface of each of the base portions 118, 122. Then, the flat portions 131A and 131B, the support holes 12
1 and the flat portions 132A, 132B, the pivot 1
The positional relationship of 25 is the same (however, left-right reversed relationship).

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a part of a holder member 107 made of a synthetic resin such as a glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin. Is provided with a substantially rectangular mounting hole 107A which can be inserted without displacement.
07A, a pair of left and right rotation locking portions 127
And a sliding locking portion 128 in the form of a longitudinal groove in the front-rear direction are integrally formed by injection so that the locking portions 127 and 128 are opened downward.

As shown in FIG. 13, the lower portions of the rotation locking portion 127 and the sliding locking portion 128 are open, so that they are formed between predetermined upper and lower dies. After the resin is injected into a predetermined gap to form the holder member 107, the upper die and the lower die can be simply removed vertically.
Thus, the first locking pin 112 of the first link 104
A, 112B, and a rotatable locking portion 127 for rotatably locking, and a second locking pin 114 of the second link 105.
Forming the sliding locking portion 128 for slidably locking the A and 114B on the holder member 107 does not require the use of a costly slide type, and can be formed extremely simply and at low cost. It is.

Then, the first locking pins 112A and 112B at the lower base end of the first link 104 are rotatably fitted into the rotation locking portion 127 from the lower side, and the sliding locking is performed. After the second locking pins 114A and 114B at the lower base end of the second link 105 are inserted into the portion 128 so as to slide back and forth from below, the flexible circuit board 109 is mounted on the lower surface of the holder member 107. Stretch and fix.

At this time, since the lower portions of the rotation locking portion 127 and the sliding locking portion 128 are open, the rotation locking portion 12
7 and a second locking pin 114 locked to the sliding locking portion 128
A and 114B are respectively rotated and slid while being placed on the upper surface of the circuit board 109. Accordingly, the first locking pins 112A and 112B and the second locking pins 114A and 114B can be locked within the thickness of the holder member 107, and the effective use of the thickness of the holder member 107 is achieved. The thickness of the key switch 101 can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 11, the left and right movement of the key top 102 in FIG. 11 is caused by the second locking pins 111A and 111 of the first link 104 and the second link 105.
B, 114A and 114B move in the left and right directions by sliding engagement portions 116 and 12 of key top 102 and holder member 107.
8 or the first locking pin 113 of the first link 104 and the second link 105.
A, 113B, 112A, and 112B move in the left-right direction by the rotation locking portion 1 of the key top 102 and the holder member 107.
It is suppressed by being locked by the side surfaces of 15, 127. Therefore, since the position of the key top 102 does not move in the left-right direction in FIG. 11, even when the key top 102 is pressed, it does not collide with an adjacent key. Further, since the movement of both links 104 and 105 in the left-right direction in FIG. 11 is suppressed, the pivot shaft 125 is prevented from coming off from the support hole 121.

In FIGS. 4 and 13, the sliding groove of the sliding locking portion 128 of the holder member 107 is the front end 3.
00 and the rear end portion 301, and the key top 1 in a state where the key top 102 is not pressed downward (free state).
02 is at the highest position, the second locking pins 114A and 114B of the second link 105
Is configured to abut on the front end portion 300 of the sliding groove. Further, as shown in FIG.
2 is the state where the rubber spring 106 is pressed from the highest position via the guide support member 103 to the maximum.
The second locking pins 114A and 114B of the second link 105 are configured so as not to abut on the rear end portion 301 of the sliding groove in the sliding locking portion 128.

By adopting the above configuration,
When the key top 102 is not pressed, the second locking pins 114A and 114B of the second link 105 are connected to the front end 30 of the locking groove.
0 to regulate the highest position of the key top,
When the key top 102 is pressed, the second locking pin 114
A and 114B do not contact the rear end portion 301 of the locking groove, thereby preventing breakage and the like.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a front end 302 and a rear end 303 are formed in a sliding groove of a locking member 117 provided on the lower surface of the key top 102, as shown in FIGS. When the top 102 is not pressed, the first link 10
4 restricts the highest position of the key top 102 by abutting the second locking pins 111A and 111B on the front end 302. When the key top 102 is pressed down, the second locking pin 111
A and 111B may be configured not to contact the rear end 303.

Next, the configuration of the guide support member 103 shown in FIG. 17 will be described. FIG. 17A illustrates FIG. The first link 104 and the second link 105 are pivotally supported at a pivot C by a pivot shaft 125. Here, the second
The first locking pins 113A and 113B of the link 105 (FIG. 1)
7 (A) from the end P) to the shaft support C, and the distance from the first locking pins 112A and 112B of the first link 104 (the end S in FIG. 17A) to the shaft support C. R2,
Second locking pins 114A, 114B of second link 105
Distance R3 from (end T in FIG. 17A) to shaft support C
Is configured to be equal to The end P, the shaft support C, and the end T are configured to be points on a straight line. Also,
The ends P and S are rotatable points that do not slide in the direction of arrow X in FIG.
(A)), it is arranged so as to be a point on a perpendicular to the end S. Therefore, even when the key top 102 is pressed and moves up and down, the position of the key top 102 does not move in the arrow X direction, and an accurate key stroke is secured (see the X line in FIG. 17C). Described).

Further, in addition to the above configuration, each end P,
Distances R1, R2, R3 from Q, S, T to the shaft support C,
R4 are all equal, and the end Q, the shaft support C and the end S
Is configured to be a point on a straight line, the key top 102 can always maintain a horizontal state during the vertical movement accompanying the key depression (described in the H row in FIG. 17C).

By the way, as shown in FIG. 18, the distance R4 from the end Q to the shaft support C is made longer than the distances R1, R2, R3 from the other ends P, S, T to the shaft support C. The key top 102 can be configured to be inclined. Also in this configuration, even when the key top 102 is pressed and vertically moved, the position of the key top 102 does not move in the arrow X direction, and an accurate key stroke is secured.

Further, according to this configuration, the key top 10
The inclination angle of 2 can be arbitrarily determined by changing the distance from the end Q to the shaft support C. For this reason, the first
By changing the distance from the end portion Q of the link 104 to the shaft support portion C, it becomes easy to give a different inclination angle to the key top 102 for each row in a curved keyboard or the like.

The distance R4 from the end Q to the shaft support C
Are the distances R1, R from the other ends P, S, T to the shaft support C.
2. Even if it is shorter than R3, the key top 10
Of course, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which 2 is inclined.

FIG. 17B is a diagram illustrating FIG. With reference to this figure, it will be described that the key top 102 does not move in the directions of the arrow Y and the arrow R in FIG. 17B.

First locking pin 1 of both links 104 and 105
The movement of the keys 12A, 112B, 113A, and 113B in the direction of the arrow Y is locked by the side surfaces of the rotation locking portion 115 of the keytop 102 and the rotation locking portion 127 of the holder member 107, or the two links 104, The movement of the second locking pins 111A, 111B, 114A, 114B in the direction of arrow Y is locked by the sliding locking portions 116 of the key top 102 and the side surfaces of the sliding locking portions 128 of the holder member 107. The movement of the key top 102 in the direction of the arrow Y is suppressed (described in the Y row of FIG. 17C). Therefore, even when the key top 102 is pressed and moves up and down, the position of the key top 102 does not move in the arrow Y direction, and an accurate key stroke is secured (Y row in FIG. 17C). Described).

Each locking pin 111A, 111B, 1
12A, 112B, 113A, 113B, 114A, 1
The movement of the key top 102 in the direction of the arrow R is suppressed by locking the 14B by the locking portions 115, 116, 127, and 128 (described in the row R of FIG. 17C).

With this configuration, when the keytop 102 is pressed, the first link 104 rotates downward around the rotation locking portion 127 of the holder member 107 (see FIGS. 4 and 1).
7 (A), while the second link 1
4 and FIG. 17 with reference to the center of the pivot shaft 125.
It turns counterclockwise in (A). Then, when the keytop 102 starts to be pressed, the flat portion 131A on the lower surface of the base 118 near the lower base end 120 of the first link 104 and the lower base end 12
4 and a flat portion 132A on the lower surface of the base 122 near the head 106A of the upper surface of the head 106A of the rubber spring 106.
The rubber spring 106 is pressed against the pressing regions 133 and 134 indicated by oblique lines in FIG.

When the pressing amount of the key top 102 increases,
Regions near the corners between the flat portion 131A and the flat portion 131B and between the flat portion 132A and the flat portion 132B come into contact with the upper surface of the head 106A of the soft rubber spring.

When the amount of pressing of the key top 102 further increases, the flat portion 131B of the first link 104 on the side closer to the upper base end portion 119 and the flat portion 132B of the second link 105 on the side closer to the upper base end portion 123 are formed. 12 comes into contact with the upper surface of the head 106A of the rubber spring 106 and presses the same. In FIG. 12, the pressing regions 133 and 134 are turned upside down (the region 133 is the lower right half area of the head 106A, the region 134 Is the upper left half of the head 106A)
Becomes

FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the first link 20
The pressing portion 231 formed on the lower surface of the base 218 of No. 4 is formed by connecting three flat portions in a convex polygonal shape having a ridge line substantially parallel to the axis of the support hole 221. A pressing portion 232 formed of a similar multi-plane is also formed on the two links 205. In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (A), the pressing area 233 by the first link 204 at the start of pressing the keytop 102 and the second area
The pressing area 234 by the link 205 is located at the lower half and the upper half of the upper surface of the head 106A of the rubber spring and is largely separated from each other in the left and right directions.
02 as the pressing amount increases, the two pressing areas 233 and 23
4 approaches the center from the left and right ends (see FIG. 15B),
Further, the light is further divided into left and right ends (see FIG. 15C).

In this way, the pressing portions 231 and 23 of the first link 204 and the second link 205
By forming 2 into a downward convex convex polygon plane,
The period during which the upper surface of the rubber spring head 106A is pressed by the corners of each flat portion is shortened, and the key operation feeling, especially the tactile (ON before the electrical contact ON when the keytop is pressed) is turned on.
The tactile sensation, in which the key operation resistance sometimes fluctuates rapidly, becomes good, and the key input operation can be stabilized.

[0080] Further, according to the pressing input operation of the key top 102, the pressing (abutting) area for head and part 106A upper surface is moved symmetrically toward the opposite side to each other, at any point during Sutoroku the key top, vertical in Figure 12 the head 106A of the rubber spring (15
( Left and right) can be pressed substantially uniformly with substantially symmetrical forces, and buckling deformation of the rubber spring can be generated substantially simultaneously around the cap.

Note that a substrate such as a membrane switch circuit board may be used instead of the flexible circuit board 109 on which the switching section 129 is formed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the corners are formed between the flat portions, but the flat portions may be connected with a gentle curved surface.

FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the load and the stroke when the key top is pressed. FIG. 16 (B)
Is a graph showing data of a conventional key switch device. According to this, it can be seen that when the operator presses the end portion of the key top, as compared to the case where the operator presses the center of the key top, the load applied to the operator is larger and unstable. .

FIG. 16A is a graph showing data of the key switch device of the present invention. According to this, it is understood that the load applied to the operator is almost uniform even when the operator presses any part of the key top,. This means that the key switch device of the present invention
This is to always give the operator a constant feeling for every key operation of the operator, and indicates that the operator can perform a smooth key input.

[0084]

As described in the foregoing, according to the key <br/> over switch device according to claim 1, with the key top is depressed in a state in the lowest position, the upper free end of the first link member , since the sliding length of the upper Suridogakari stopping portion so as not to contact is set at an end portion of the upper sliding locking portion of the key top, in the depressed state of the key top, the first link member
No bending stress acts on the first link
Breakage of the member can be reliably prevented.

Further, in the key switch device according to the second aspect,
According to the state in which the keytop is pressed and is in the lowest position
Then, the lower free end of the second link member is
The sliding length of the sliding lock so that it does not touch the end of the dynamic lock
Is set, the key top is pressed
In this case, the bending stress acts on the second link member.
Therefore, the breakage of the second link member can be reliably prevented.
It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a key switch device having a first configuration.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one link member of the first configuration.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the other link member of the first configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a key switch device having a second configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a pressed state of a key top of a second configuration.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the key top.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a first link having a second configuration,
(B) is a top view of the 2nd link of the 2nd composition.

8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG.

9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a rubber spring and a mounting hole.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mounting hole of a holder member.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a pressing portion of a first link having a third configuration.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are operation explanatory diagrams showing a change in a pressing area as the pressing amount increases from the start of pressing the key top of the third configuration.

16A is a graph showing the relationship between the load and the keystroke amount of the key switch device according to the present invention when the key is pressed, and FIG. 16B is a graph showing the load and the keystroke when the key is pressed in the conventional key switch device. It is a graph which shows the relationship of quantity.

17A is a diagram illustrating FIG. 4, and FIG.
FIG. 12 illustrates FIG. 12, and FIG. 12C is a table showing conditions for preventing the key top from moving in the direction of the arrow when the key is pressed.

FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 keytop 2, 27 rotate locking portions 3, 26 Suridogakari stop portion 4,29 locking hole 5 and 28 engaging groove 6 guide support member 7 link member 8 link member 1 3,14,21, 22 first locking pin 15, 16, 23 and 24 the second locking pin 25 the holder member 30 a flexible circuit board 31 traverse purine grayed A shaft support L perpendicular 101 key switches 102 keytop 103 guide support member 104 first link 105 first 2 link 106 rubber spring 107 holder member 107A mounting hole 109 flexible circuit board 110 reinforcing plate 112A, 112B, 113A, 113B first locking pin 111A, 111B, 114A, 114B second locking pin 115, 127 rotation locking portion 116, 128 Sliding locking portion 118, 122 Base 121 Support hole 125 Pivot shaft 131 132 pressing portion 133 press area

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An upper rotation locking portion and an upper sliding locking portion on a lower surface.
A key top having bets, placed below the key top, bottom and bottom pivot locking portion
A holder member having a part sliding locking portion, and the draft in the support means you guide support the vertical movement of the key top connection and engaged in the said key top and the holder member, biasing the key top upwards A key switch device comprising a spring member that performs a first operation and a second operation.
A link member and a second link member, and the two link members are movably connected to each other at an intermediate crossing portion thereof, and the free end of the first link member and the second link member includes the intermediate crossing portion. A free end located on one side of a perpendicular line passing therethrough is rotatably locked to an upper rotation locking portion of the key top and a lower rotation locking portion of the holder member; Of the free ends of the second link member, the free ends located on the other side of the perpendicular line with respect to the vertical line are moved to the upper sliding engagement portion of the key top and the lower sliding portion of the holder member.
Slidably engaged with the engagement portion, in a state where the key top is located at the lowest position, the upper free end of the first link member, the end portion of the upper Suridogakari stop portion of the key top those A key switch device, wherein a sliding length of an upper sliding locking portion is set so as not to touch. 2. A key top, which is disposed below the key top and which is engaged with a rotation locking portion.
A holder member having a stop portion, and being connected and locked to the key top and the holder member.
To move the key top up and down
A first link member and a second link member that are internally supported; and a spring member that urges the key top upward.
The key switch device according to claim 1 , wherein a lower free end of the first link member is connected to the holder member.
The second link member is rotatably locked to a rotation locking portion, and a lower free end of the second link member is fixed to the holder member.
The key top is slidably locked to the sliding locking portion, and the key top is located at the lowest position.
2 The lower free end of the link member is a sliding engagement portion of the holder member.
Set the sliding length of the sliding locking part so that it does not touch the end of
A key switch device characterized in that: