JP3416700B2 - Key switch structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0001] TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to one key top.
Structure of Key Switch with Multiple Conductive Contacts
It is about. More specifically, the first contact pattern
Contact part composed of a combination of a contact and a second contact pattern
Are arranged on the substrate corresponding to the plurality of key contacts.
Any key by pressing down the key top.
-The first contact pattern of the contact portion corresponding to the contact and the second contact pattern
Keith that is pressed together with the contact pattern to make it conductive
It relates to the structure of the switch. Keith according to the present invention
The switch structure is used, for example, in facsimile machines and telephones.
Is located on the operation panel
It may be appropriately applied to electric equipment. [0002] 2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 shows an operation panel of a conventional electric device.
For one key top that is arranged,
In this case, the structure of a key switch with four contacts is shown.
Therefore, (a) is a plan view and (b) is a side view. This figure
, 51 is a key top, 52 is a key top 51
Rubber key integrated on bottom, rubber keys 53a-53d
52 from the vertex position of a certain size rectangle on the lower surface
A plurality of (in this case, four) protruding conductive rubber keys
Contacts, 54 is a printed wiring board, 55a to 55d are
Placed at each of the four conductive key contacts 53a-53d
The switch portion formed on the substrate 54 in the
Each of the key contacts 53a to 53
d and the corresponding contact patterns 55a to 55d
Constitute the contact portions 56a to 56d. That is, 1
Four contact portions 56a to 56 for one key top 51
d exists. FIG. 12 shows one contact portion, that is, the right side in the drawing.
The contact pattern 55a at the back contact portion 56a is enlarged.
FIG. On the printed wiring board 54,
Of a pair of wiring patterns (not shown)
A first contact pattern 55a is provided at one end of one of the wiring patterns.
₁ Is connected to the end of the other wiring pattern (not shown).
Second contact pattern 55a_Two Are connected. Double contact
Pattern 55a₁ , 55a_Two Are both U-shaped
The orientations are opposite to each other and are nested. 5
5a₁₁Is the first contact pattern 55a₁ Nested section, 55
a_{twenty one}Is the second contact pattern 55a_Two Nested part of
These nesting portions 55a₁₁, 55a_{twenty one}Conductive key connection
The point 53a substantially corresponds to the position, and the key contact 53a is pressed.
Both contact patterns 55a₁ , 55a_Two Is the key
It is configured to be electrically connected through the contact 53a.
I have. [0004] As shown in FIG.
U-shaped nested contact pattern 55b of the contact portion 56b
Is a U-shaped nested contact pattern 55 shown in FIG.
a symmetrical arrangement with respect to a.
The U-shaped nested contact pattern 55c at the point 56c is
Back and forth symmetrical with respect to the U-shaped nested contact pattern 55b
The contact point 56d on the right front side has a U-shape.
The reed-type contact pattern 55d is a U-shape shown in FIG.
Symmetrical arrangement with respect to the nested contact pattern 55a
It has become. FIG. 13 shows an ON state around one contact portion 56a.
3 is a circuit configuration diagram of a / off detection circuit 57. 58 is the reference power
Voltage power supply, 59 is a current limiting resistor, 60 is a comparator for detection.
Data. This on / off detection circuit 57 is a printed circuit.
It is formed on the line substrate 54. The key top 51 is not pressed down and
When the point 56a is off, the reference voltage
The output current of the power supply 58 is
And flows into the inverting input terminal (-) of the
Since the input terminal (-) becomes "H" level, the comparator
The output of the data 60 becomes "L". When the key top 51 is depressed, a rubber key is pressed.
Key 52a is pressed down through the
The key contact 53a made of rubber is the first contact pattern 55
a₁And second contact pattern 55a_Two In contact with
When the contact portion 56a becomes conductive, the output voltage of the reference voltage
The current flows to the ground GND via the current limiting resistor 59,
The inverting input terminal (-) of the comparator 60 is connected to the ground GN.
D is connected to D and goes to “L” level.
The output of 60 becomes "H" and the switch is turned on.
Is detected. Around the other three contact portions 56b to 56d
The configuration and operation of the circuit are the same. It is to be noted that four keys for one key top 51
Of having the conductive key contacts 53a to 53d
Will be described in detail in an embodiment described later.
It is not described here. Key top 51
Right end x of₁ When pressing down, the two contacts on the right
The points 56a and 56d operate simultaneously, and the left end x_Two Press
When the lowering operation is performed, the two contact portions 56b and 56 on the left side
c operate simultaneously and the back end y₁ Is pressed down.
The two contact points 56a and 56b on the back side operate simultaneously
And the front end y_Two When the button is pressed down, the front 2
The two contact portions 56c and 56d operate simultaneously.
ing. [0009] FIG. 14 and FIG.
Based on FIG. 15, the right end x of the key top 51₁ Press
A specific operation state when the lowering operation is performed will be described.
You. [0010] The right end x of FIG.₁ Quiet at
When the top 51 is pressed down, as shown in FIG.
And the rubber key 52 are inclined to the lower right side,
A key contact 53a made of conductive rubber contacts the substrate 54,
As shown in FIG.
Right end 53a that is the area₁ Is elastically deformed, as shown in FIG.
Very slight right end area as shown in black
Area key contact elastic pressing portion 53a₁ Is the first contact pattern
55a₁ (Nesting part 55a₁₁) And the second contact pattern 5
5a_Two (Nesting part 55a_{twenty one}) And the contact part
56a conducts in a predetermined conduction state. Contact point in this case
Key contact elastic pressing portion 53a necessary for conduction of 56a₁ Face
Elastic deformation of conductive key contact 53a with sufficiently small product
The amount is small and the key top 51 is pressed down.
The work may be small enough. In other words, key operability is
good. The same applies to the right contact point 56d.
The same operation is performed. Further, the left end x of the key top 51_Two Push in
The same can be said for lowering. However, the back end y of the key top 51
₁ And the front end y_Two Key operation when pressing down
It becomes bad. This is shown in FIG. 16 and FIG.
It will be described using FIG. The back end y in FIG.₁ Quiet at
When the top 51 is pressed down, as shown in FIG.
And the rubber key 52 are tilted to the bottom
The key contact 53a made of conductive rubber comes into contact with the substrate 54
However, the pushing operation force is sufficient as in the case of FIG.
In the case of small size, key as shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and (b)
A back end 53a which is a very small area of the contact 53a._Two But
Elastically deformed, as shown in black in FIG.
The key contact elastic pressing portion 53 in the very slight rear end region
a_Two Is the first contact pattern 55a₁ Touching the outer edge of
Alone, the first contact pattern 55a₁ And the second contact pattern
55a_Two Is not obtained. First contact pattern 55a₁ And the second contact
Pattern 55a_Two To conduct in a predetermined conduction state
As shown in FIGS. 17 (c) and (d),
Sex pressing part 53a_Two Is the first contact pattern 55a₁ Outside
Part and second contact pattern 55a_Two (Nesting part 55a_{twenty one})
Must be in contact with
Sex pressing part 53a_Two I wonder if the area of
And the elastic deformation of the conductive key contact 53a.
It is necessary to increase the form factor, and to do so,
The pushing operation force on the
There must be. In other words, the key operability is poor.
I will. The same applies to the contact portion 56b at the back left.
Is performed. The front end y of the key top 51_Two At
The same can be said for the depression. If the U-shaped telescopic contact pattern 55a
Printed with each of ~ 55d rotated 90 °
When formed on the wiring board 54, the key top 51
Back end y₁ And the front end y_Two 1st by pushing down
Electrical contact between the second contact pattern and the second contact pattern
Operation of key top 51 required to connect to
The power is small, but this time, on the contrary, the key
Right end x of top 51₁ And the left end x_Two Push down
Operate the first contact pattern and the second contact pattern
Pressing the key top 51 necessary for secure connection
The lowering force has to be large enough
I will. As described above, the structure of the conventional key switch
In the case of the
Which position of key top 51 is pressed down
And there is a problem with the operational feeling.
Was. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances.
Multiple keypads
In the structure of a key switch with conductive key contacts,
The operating point on the key top corresponding to multiple key contacts changes.
Even if it is, while pressing down operation force is relatively small,
Use the same amount of pressing force to lower the operating feeling
The aim is to achieve uniformity in [0021] A key switch according to the present invention is provided.
The structure of the switch has a conductive key connection for one key top.
It has multiple points and the first contact pattern and
The contact part composed of a combination with the contact pattern 2
Are arranged on the board corresponding to the number of key contacts,
By pressing down the key top, any key touch
A first contact pattern and a second contact of a contact portion corresponding to a point
Press the key switch together with the pattern to
H structure,The first contact pattern is a horizontal pattern
Area a _11, a ₁₃ And vertical pattern part a _12, a ₁₄ With
And the second contact pattern is a horizontal pattern portion a _{twenty two} Vertical
Pattern part a _{twenty one} And the first contact pattern
Horizontal pattern part a ₁₁ And vertical pattern part a ₁₂ Is L-shaped
Lateral pattern of the second contact pattern
Area a _{twenty two} And vertical pattern part a _{twenty one} Likewise L-shaped
A first contact pattern a ₁₄ The tip of the
Turn a _{twenty two} And the key contact 1
3a is pressed in response to the pressing of the first contact pattern.
And the second contact pattern are configured to pass through
The center of the rubber key and the center of the contact pattern.
Vertical direction of the first and second contact patterns with respect to the straight line
Pattern part a ₁₁ , A _{twenty two} And vertical pattern part a ₁₂ , A _{twenty one} When
Are formed at an angle of approximately 45 degreesThat
Features.With such a configuration,No.
Mutual positional relationship between the first contact pattern and the second contact pattern
The key is a special pattern, so the conductive key contacts
Of the first contact pattern and the second contact pattern
The predetermined conduction state obtained by pressing
The operation force of pressing down the tip may be relatively small.
Requires almost the same operating force,
Can be obtained. [0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a key switch according to the present invention will be described.
About the specific embodiment of the structure of FIG.
This will be described in detail. [Embodiment 1] FIG.
(A) is a plan view showing the structure of a key switch.
(B) is a side view. This key switch is for example a telephone
It is mounted on the operation panel of a machine or facsimile.
You. In FIG. 1, 11 is a key top and 12 is
Rubber keys integrated on the lower surface of key top 11, 13a-1
3d is a vertex of a certain size rectangle on the lower surface of the rubber key 12.
A plurality of (four in this case) integrally projecting from the position
Key contacts made of conductive rubber, 14 is a printed wiring board, 15
a to 15d are those of the four key contacts 13a to 13d.
The switches formed on the substrate 54 in a state corresponding to each position
Contact pattern that constitutes the
Contact patterns corresponding to the contacts 13a to 13d
15a to 15d constitute contact portions 16a to 16d.
You. As described above, four for one key top 11
Contact portions 16a to 16d. FIG. 2 shows one contact portion, that is,
Contact pattern 15a in the contact portion 16a of FIG.
It is a top view. On the printed wiring board 14, each other
One of a pair of wiring patterns not shown
The first contact pattern 15a is connected to the end of one of the wiring patterns.₁
Are connected, and the end of the other wiring pattern (not shown) is
2 contact pattern 15a_Two Are connected. First contact pattern 15a₁ Is
Turn part a₁₁And vertical pattern part a₁₂And the lateral outer edge a
₁₃And vertical outer edge a₁₄And a series of shapes and patterns as shown
They are connected together. Second contact pattern 15a_Two Is the vertical
Turn part a_{twenty one}And horizontal pattern part a_{twenty two}And vertical outer edge a
_{twenty three}And the lateral outer edge a_{twenty four}And vertical outer edge a_{twenty five}And the shape shown
They are connected in a series and in a shape and pattern. First contact pattern 15a₁ Lateral pattern
Area a₁₁Is the second contact pattern 15a_Two The horizontal path
Turn part a_{twenty two}Are placed in parallel and close to
The lateral outer edge a_{twenty four}And is located between. First contact
Point pattern 15a₁ Vertical pattern part a₁₂Is the second
Contact pattern 15a_Two Vertical pattern part a_{twenty one}Against
Are arranged in parallel and close to each other, and_{twenty five}
And is located between. First contact pattern 15a₁ of
Vertical outer edge a₁₄Is the second contact pattern 15a_Two Vertical
Direction pattern part a_{twenty one}Parallel and close to
At the same time, the horizontal pattern part a_{twenty two}Close to
It is arranged in contact. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a necessary portion of FIG.
As shown, the contact pattern of the contact portion 16b at the back left
Reference numeral 15b denotes a contact of the contact portion 16a at the back right shown in detail in FIG.
It is arranged symmetrically with respect to the point pattern 15a.
The contact pattern 15c of the contact portion 16c on the left side is
It is a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the back contact pattern 15b.
And the contact pattern 15d of the contact portion 16d on the right front side
Corresponds to the contact pattern 15a at the back right shown in FIG.
It has a symmetrical arrangement. The contact portion 16a at the back right has a certain electrical function.
A, and the contact portion 16c on the left side is the same
It fulfills the moral function A. In addition, the contact part 1 at the back left
6b performs another type of electrical function B,
The contact part 16d on the right front also performs the same electrical function B.
It is. Then, by pressing down the key switch,
The two electric functions A and B are simultaneously performed.
ing. A specific example will be described below. This key switch is, for example, an answering machine or
Attached to a multifunction phone such as a cordless phone
Suppose Multifunctional phones are powered by the central office
AC power (outlet) while supplied
To take from. The same applies to facsimile
is there. Power cord for multi-function telephone as electrical function A
Is connected to an AC power source,
Power is supplied, but not from the central office.
And In other words, it is a function that gives priority to AC power.
You. In addition, as the electric function B, a power supply
If the card is not connected to AC power,
Power supply. Such two electricity
One key top 11 to have the functional functions A and B
A plurality of (four) conductive key contacts 13a to 13
is formed, and such a key switch and
As a result, 12 mobile phones and facsimile
Dial keys (numeric keys (0-9) and asterisk keys
(*) And sharp key (#)). First, the right end x of the key top 11₁ There
Is the left end x_Two Let's consider the case of pressing down. When the power cord of the multifunction telephone is connected to the AC power supply,
It is assumed that it is continued. Right end x of key top 11₁ Press
When the lowering operation is performed, the contact portion 16a at the rear right and the front right
Are simultaneously conducted. Then
Electrical function A (contact with AC power supply)
Connection / interruption of the central office power supply), and the right contact point 16
electrical function B (connection to central office power supply) by d works?
No. Also, the left end x of the key top 11_Two Press down operation
The contact portion 16b at the back left and the contact portion 1 at the front left
6c will conduct simultaneously. Then, the contact at the back left
The electrical function B (connection to the central office power supply) by the unit 16b is
It does not work, and the electrical function A (A
Connection with C power supply / interruption of central office power supply). Contrary to the above, the power cord of the multifunction telephone
Is not connected to an AC power supply. Key top 11
Right end x of₁ When the button is pressed down, the contact
The portion 16a and the right front contact portion 16d are simultaneously conductive.
become. Then, the electrical function by the contact part 16a at the back right
A (connection with AC power supply / interruption of central office power supply) does not work,
Electrical function B (telephone office power supply)
Connection) works. Also, the left end x of the key top 11_Two
When the button is pressed down, the contact portion 16b at the back left and the left
The contact portion 16c on the near side is conducted simultaneously. Do
And the electrical function B (the telephone station power
Connection with the power source), and the contact portion 16c on the front left side generates electricity.
Function A (connection to AC power supply / interruption of central office power supply) works
No Next, the back end y of the key top 11₁ is there
The front end y_Two Let's consider the case of pressing down. When the power cord of the multifunction telephone is connected to the AC power supply,
It is assumed that it is continued. Back end y of key top 11₁ Press
When the lowering operation is performed, the contact portion 16a at the back right and the back contact
The contact portions 16b conduct simultaneously. Then right
Electrical function A (contact with AC power supply)
Connection / interruption of the telephone office power supply) to the contact point 16b at the back left.
Electrical function B (connection to central office power supply) does not work.
Also, the front end y of the key top 11_Two Press and operate
The contact portion 16d on the right front and the contact portion 1 on the left front
6c will conduct simultaneously. Then, the right front contact
Electrical function B (connection to central office power supply) by the point 16d
Does not work, and the electrical function A by the contact portion 16c on the front left is
(Connection with AC power supply / interruption of central office power supply) works. Contrary to the above, the power cord of the multifunctional telephone
Is not connected to an AC power supply. Key top 11
Back end y₁ When the button is pressed down, the contact
The part 16a and the contact part 16b at the back left are conducting simultaneously.
Become. Then, the electrical function A by the contact part 16a at the right back
(Connection with AC power supply / interruption of central office power supply) does not work.
Electrical function B (contact with central office power supply)
Connection) works. Also, the front end y of the key top 11_Two To
When the push-down operation is performed, the contact portion 16d on the right front and the left
The contact portion 16c on the near side is conducted simultaneously. Do
And electrical function B (the telephone office)
Connection with the power supply) is activated, and the power is
Air function A (connection to AC power supply / interruption of central office power supply)
Does not work. Below, based on FIG. 4 and FIG.
Top 11 right edge x₁ When pressing down
The general operation state will be described. The right end x of FIG.₁ At the top
When the step 11 is pushed down, the key top is pressed as shown in FIG.
11 and the rubber key 12 are inclined to the lower right,
The key contact 13a made of electro-rubber contacts the substrate 14,
5 (b), a very small area of the key contact 13a
Right end 13a₁ Is elastically deformed, and is black in FIG.
As shown in the drawing, the very slight right end area
Key contact elastic pressing part 13a₁ Is the first contact pattern 15
a₁ Horizontal pattern part a₁₁And second contact pattern 15
a_Two Horizontal pattern part a_{twenty two}Contact with both
16a conducts. In this case, the contact
Important key contact elastic pressing part 13a₁ Area is small enough
And the amount of elastic deformation of the conductive key contact 13a is small.
And the pressing force on the key top 11 is also sufficiently small.
Small things are fine. That is, the key operability is good. The same applies to the contact portion 16d on the right front side.
The same operation is performed. Further, the left end x of the key top 11_Two Push in
The same can be said for lowering. Next, the back end y of the key top 11₁ And this side
End y_Two Operability when pushing down
It shows that it has been improved compared to This is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The back end y in FIG.₁ At the top
When the step 11 is pushed down, the key top is pressed as shown in FIG.
11 and the rubber key 12 are inclined to the bottom
The key contact 13a made of electro-rubber contacts the substrate 14,
7 (b), a very small area of the key contact 13a
13a_Two Is elastically deformed, and is black in FIG.
As shown in the drawing,
Key contact elastic pressing part 13a_Two Is the first contact pattern 15
a₁ Vertical pattern part a₁₂And second contact pattern 15
a_Two Vertical pattern part a_{twenty one}Contact with both
16a conducts. In this case, the contact
Important key contact elastic pressing part 13a_Two Of FIG. 4 and FIG.
As in the case, the key contact 13a is sufficiently small and conductive.
The amount of elastic deformation is small,
The lowering operation force may be sufficiently small. That is, the key
Operability is good. The same applies to the contact portion 16b at the back left.
Is performed. The front end y of the key top 11_Two At
The same can be said for the depression. Then, the right end x of the key top 11₁ is there
Or left end x_Two When pressing down, the back end y₁
Or the front end y_Two When pressing down,
However, the pushing operation force may be sufficiently small. As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In the structure of the key switch, the first contact pattern
1 to 3 show the mutual positional relationship between and the second contact pattern.
As shown in FIG.
Key contact regardless of the change
Elastic pressing part (part shown in black in FIGS. 5 and 7)
Minute contact) and a second contact pattern
5 (a) and FIG.
As can be seen from the comparison of FIG.
The pattern is configured so that the order is almost constant.
Therefore, the key top 11 is moved to the right end x₁ Push down with
X_Two Even if you press down with,₁
Front end y_Two Press down with
Also, the required pressing operation force on the key top 11 is
Always a relatively small one, and still maintain the desired conduction state
You always need the same amount of push-down force to get
Therefore, it is possible to achieve uniform operation feeling. Note that the first contact pattern and the second contact pattern
Here is the pattern of the contact part consisting of turns
I've been hiding the explanation, but in fact,
The minimum required pattern to obtain is shown in FIG.
The hatched portion is substantially the same as FIG.
(B) and (c) are obtained. That is, the first contact point
Turn 15a₁ As the horizontal pattern part a₁₁And vertical
Pattern part a₁₂Is sufficient to have the second
Contact pattern 15a_Two The vertical pattern part a_{twenty one}
And horizontal pattern part a_{twenty two}Is sufficient. First contact pattern 15a₁ Lateral pattern
Area a₁₁And vertical pattern part a₁₂Is connected to L shape
And the second contact pattern 15a_Two Lateral pattern
Area a_{twenty two}And vertical pattern part a_{twenty one}L shape as well
And, of course, both horizontal pattern parts
a₁₁, A_{twenty two}Are parallel to each other, and both vertical pattern portions a
₁₂, A_{twenty one}Are also parallel to each other, and₁₁,
a_{twenty two}Spacing and vertical pattern a₁₂, A_{twenty one}Between
Are equal to each other. For example, the key top 11 is moved to the right end x₁ Press with
When the lowering operation is performed, as shown in FIG.
Pattern 15a₁ Horizontal pattern part a₁₁And the second contact
Pattern 15a_Two Horizontal pattern part a_{twenty two}And over
In order for the conductive key contact 13a to make contact, it is painted black.
As shown in FIG.₁
Of the conductive key contact 13a may be sufficiently small.
Requires less elastic deformation. Also, for example, key top
11 to the back end y₁ FIG. 8 (c)
As shown in FIG.₁ Vertical pattern
Area a₁₂And second contact pattern 15a_Two Vertical pattern
Area a_{twenty one}Because the key contact 13a contacts
The key contacts have a black elasticity as shown in black
Pressing part 13a_Two The area of the key contact may be small enough, and the key contact
The amount of elastic deformation of 13a can be small. Left end x_Two Press with
The lower end y_Two Pressed down with
The same is true at times. In any case, the key top 11
The pressing force can be small enough and is uniform with each other.
Operation force, and as a result, the key operability
This is a significant improvement over the previous one. Press the key top 11 just in the center.
When the contact operation is performed, the four contact portions 16a to 16d
At the time of conduction, but of the two electrical functions A and B
Instead of the above feature that one is selected
There is no. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 9 relates to a second embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the key switch. Of this implementation
The structure of the key switch according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the key switch according to the embodiment.
The structure of the switch. The difference is that
The functions of the four contact portions 16a to 16d are all the same.
That is. Examples are multifunctional phones
Various mode settings on the handset, answering machine, etc.
There is a key switch for Which position on the key top 11 is pressed down
Even if the contact operation is performed,
It is designed to demonstrate the functions that are available. In FIG. 9, the right back corner of the key top 11 is shown.
z₁ When the key is pressed down, the conductive key contact at the back right
13a, the phase indicated by solid black is 0 ° to 9
The 90 ° region of 0 ° is the key contact elastic pressing portion 13a._Three
And the key contact bullet as shown by the thick black line in FIG.
Sex pressing part 13a_Three Is the first contact pattern 15a₁ Vertical
Direction outer side a₁₄And second contact pattern 15a_Two Vertical direction
Pattern part a_{twenty one}And horizontal pattern part a_{twenty two}Toniwatta
And the contact portion 16a at the far right is made conductive. Accordingly
Perform predetermined functions. In addition,
At this time, the other three contact portions 16b to 16d are in a contact state.
I am not in good condition, but there is no problem. The left back corner z of the key top 11_Two Press down
When operated, the conductive key contact 13b at the back left
The phase shown in black is in the range of 90 ° to 180 °
Of the key contact elastic pressing portion 13b_Three And before
In the same manner as described above, the contact portion 16b at the back left is made conductive,
Demonstrate function. The left front corner z of the key top 11_Three Press down
When the touching operation is performed, the conductive key contact 13c on the left front side is closed.
180 ° to 270 ° phase painted in black
The 90 ° area in the range of the key contact elastic pressing portion 13c_Three Tona
In the same manner as described above, the contact portion 16c on the front left is turned on.
And perform a predetermined function. The right front corner z of the key top 11_Four Press down
When the touching operation is performed, the conductive key contact 13d on the right front side is closed.
The phase indicated by the black color is 270 ° to 360 °
The key contact elastic pressing portion 13d_Three Tona
In the same manner as described above, the contact portion 16d on the right front is turned on.
And perform a predetermined function. In any of the above four operation positions,
Key contact elastic pressure required for conduction of contact portions 16a to 16d
Part 13a_Three , 13b_Three , 13c_Three , 13d_Three Area is ten
Elastic deformation of the electrically conductive key contacts 13a to 13d
Only a small amount is required, and the key top 11 can be pressed down.
The operating force may be sufficiently small. In other words, key operability
Is good. The position of the key top 11 being pressed down
Can be anywhere, in some cases two or three
One contact may conduct, or four
All of them may be conductive, but because they have the same function,
There is no problem, and the pushing operation force may be sufficiently small. [0060] According to the key switch of the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the structure, the first contact pattern and the second contact pattern
Because the mutual positional relationship with the
Even if the key top pressing position changes,
Also, the push-down operation force is relatively small.
The same operation force is required, and the operation feeling should be uniform.
Can be. [0061] [0062]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view and a side view showing a structure of a key switch according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a contact pattern of one contact portion in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing left, right, front and rear of contact patterns of four contact portions in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state when the right end of the key top is pressed down in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an operation state explanatory diagram showing a specific conduction state corresponding to FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state when a deep end portion of a key top is pressed down in the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an operation state explanatory diagram showing a specific conduction state corresponding to FIG. 4; FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a minimum necessary portion of a contact pattern in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a structure of a key switch according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an operation state explanatory diagram showing a specific conduction state of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view and a side view showing the structure of a key switch according to a conventional technique. FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of a contact pattern of one contact portion in a conventional technique. FIG. 13 is a circuit configuration diagram of an on / off detection circuit around a contact portion. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state when a right end portion of a key top is pressed down in the related art. FIG. 15 is an operation state explanatory diagram showing a specific conduction state corresponding to FIG. 14; FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state when a back end of a key top is pressed down in the related art. FIG. 17 is an operation state explanatory view showing a specific non-conduction state and a conduction state corresponding to FIG. 16; [Description of Signs] 11 key top 12 rubber keys 13a to 13d conductive key contacts 13a ₁ , 13a ₂ ... key contact elastic pressing portions 13a ₃ , 13b ₃ , 13c ₃ , 13d ₃ ... keys contact spring arms 14 ...... printed circuit board 15 a to 15 d ...... contact patterns 15a ₁ ...... first contact pattern 15a ₂ ...... second contact patterns 16 a to 16 d ...... contacts a _11, a ₂₂ ...... horizontal Direction pattern parts a ₁₂ , a ₂₁ … vertical pattern part x ₁ … right end part x ₂ … left end part y ₁ … back end part y ₂ … front end part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-8-124461 (JP, A) JP-A 4-85538 (JP, U) JP-A 63-198131 (JP, U) JP-A 63-1981 80724 (JP, U) Hikaru 6-60038 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 25/04 H01H 1/06

Claims (1)

(57) [Claim 1] A single key top has a plurality of conductive key contacts, and a contact portion comprising a combination of a first contact pattern and a second contact pattern is provided. A plurality of keys are arranged on the board corresponding to a plurality of key contacts,
A structure of a key switch to the first pressed together to dynamic communication state and the contact pattern and the second contact pattern of the contact part corresponding one of the key contacts by the depressing operation the key top, the first contact pattern, the transverse pattern unit a _11, a ₁₃
And a longitudinal pattern section a _12, a _14, a second contact pattern, lateral pattern section a ₂₂ longitudinally Pas
And a turn portion a _21, transverse pattern unit a ₁₁ and Tatekata of the first contact pattern
The direction pattern section a ₁₂ are connected in an L-shape, the second
Longitudinal pattern and lateral pattern portion a ₂₂ of the contact pattern
The part a ₂₁ is also connected in an L-shape, and the first contact pattern
As the tip of the down a ₁₄ opposes the lateral pattern a ₂₂
In response to the key contact 13a being pressed.
The first contact pattern and the second contact pattern move
In addition to being configured to
For the straight line connecting the center of the contact pattern,
Longitudinal pattern portion a ₁₁ of second contact pattern, a ₂₂ and Tatekata
Direction patterns a ₁₂ and a ₂₁ are formed with an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
A key switch structure characterized by being formed .