JP3441646B2 - 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 used for a keyboard or the like which is an input device of a word processor, a personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional key switch is the back of a key top.
Key formed on the holder member with the key stem hung vertically from the surface
-Adopted a structure in which it is inserted in the holder part and guided by sliding up and down.
It had been. The key switch with such a configuration
The part that is slidably guided by the key holder of the
If this is done, the key operability will improve, but the thinness of the keyboard
It is not possible to adapt to the type, while the thin keyboard
The key stem slides on the key holder to accommodate the mold
If the guided part is made smaller, twisting between the two will occur.
However, there is a drawback that key operability is reduced due to
there were.

The applicant of the present invention has found that the conventional key switch described above is used.
Key stem and key holder
The keyboard can be made thinner by eliminating the da part and keys
Key switch with good operability
Proposed in the specification and drawings attached to the 60th application
(Japanese Patent Application No. 3-330160 was included in the original application for this application.
Has not been published).

An outline of such a key switch will be described.
Then, the first and second link members are formed into an X shape in a side view (scissors).
Shape) to form a guide support member, and the guide support member is
It is arranged between the key top and the holder member.
It Specifically, on the back of the key top and the holder member
Two sets of locking parts are formed on each surface,
The ends of both link members that form the support member are
By being locked inside the stopper, the guide support member
It is arranged between the holder and the holder member. Quito
The guide is movable up and down by the guide support member.
And when the key top is pressed, both link members
The rubber spring buckles due to the connected shaft support.
Then, the switching operation is performed.

By the way, both link members are the first link portion.
The shaft extending from one side surface of the central portion of the base of the material is
For insertion into the shaft hole drilled in the center of the base of the
Therefore, they are pivotally supported and connected to each other. For this reason, both
While it is possible to easily support and connect the link members,
-In the state before mounting on the top or holder member,
The linked link members will easily separate.
Then, the assembly work of the key switch becomes complicated.
There was a drawback.

[0006] Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has solved such drawbacks.
In order to do so, that is, both link members once connected are easy
To prevent it from separating into
Inserting the link member to form the guide support member
I tried. In this case, the inside of the outer link member
Outside so that the link member can be easily inserted
It was attempted to form the link member with one end open.

To assemble the key switch, first, both link parts
The materials are connected to form a guide support member, and the guide support member is
After mounting on the rudder member,
Person presses the key top and guides the key top.
It is performed by attaching it to the holding member.

[0008]

The object of the invention is to, however, of one
Guide support by inserting the other link member inside the link member.
When configuring a holding member, one link part located on the outside
When one end of the material is opened and formed, the end on the open side and other
One end of the link member is the guide support member folded
Do not overlap vertically in the state. For this reason, guide the key top
If pressed from above the support member,
Of the ends to be locked to, the end on the open side is
As it bends downward as the key top is pressed,
Its end can be locked inside the locking part of the key top
There was a problem that it did not exist.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems.
The key top of the pair of link members
Press down from above to release the key top.
Key switch that can be attached to a pair of link members
Is intended to provide.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve this object
The key switch device according to claim 1 is a key top.
And the lower part of the key top, and the locking part is formed.
The holder member, the lower surface of the key top and the holder member.
Together they are locked connected and engaged with the engagement portion, and rotates synchronously key
-A pair of link members that guide the vertical movement of the top and a key
A switch that performs switching operation as the top moves up and down.
A key switch device including a touching member,
In the folded state, the pair of link members
The end of the link member and the end of the other link member
So that they abut one end of the link member or the other
At the end of the link member, the other link member side or one
Is formed with a contact portion that horizontally protrudes toward the link member side of
It is characterized by

The key switch device according to claim 2 is
The key switch device according to item 1, wherein the pair of phosphorus
One link member is inside the other link member
It is characterized by being inserted and combined in
It The key switch device according to claim 3 is the key switch device according to claim 1 or
In the key switch device according to 2, the contact portion is
One of the one link member or the other link member
It is characterized by being formed on the body.

According to the key switch device of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure , the key top is formed on the pair of link members.
It is attached by pressing from the top down. Where a pair
The link member of the
The end of the link member and the end of the other link member
End of at least one of the link members to abut
Is formed with a contact portion. Therefore, a pair of key tops
When pressed from above the link member of
Prevents the end of the link member located at the bottom from bending downward
You can simply replace the keytop with a pair of
The key top can be attached to the link member by pressing downward from above the link member .

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the key switch of the embodiment. The key switch of the embodiment is used for, for example, a keyboard of a computer, and the key top 3 pressed by an operator.
And a guide support member 11 for guiding the up and down movement of the key top 3, which comprises a holder member 5 facing the key top 3 and a first link member 7 and a second link member 9 which are arranged in an X-shaped cross manner. And a rubber spring 13 for switching as the key top 3 moves up and down.

Next, each of the above components will be described in detail. First, the key top 3 is formed by molding a synthetic resin such as ABS resin, and characters such as alphabets are formed on the upper surface by printing or the like, and the front end portion 7a (of the first link member 7 ( The left side of FIG. 1 is the front side, that is, the operator side) The rotation locking portion 3a to which the rotation locking pin 7c is locked, and the sliding locking pin 9d of the rear end portion 9b of the second link member 9. There is provided a sliding locking piece 3b to which the (upper locking member) is locked. Here, the rotation locking portion 3a
Is composed of two locking pieces 3c projecting downward. Further, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 (cross - sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 1), the sliding engagement piece 3b is provided with the key top 3.
The sliding lock pins 9d of the second link member 9 are locked in the locking grooves 3e that are formed on both the left and right sides of the back surface of the L-shaped section and have an inward opening. The lower surface 3f from the inside of the sliding engagement piece 3b is obliquely cut so that the key top 3 described later can be easily assembled.

Next, the holder member 5 is made of an elastic synthetic resin and is mounted on the flexible circuit board 15 as shown in FIG. The holder member 5 is provided with a rotary engaging portion 5a in which the rotary engaging pin 9c of the front end portion 9a of the second link member 9 is engaged, and a sliding engagement portion of the rear end portion 7b of the first link member 7. A sliding engagement piece 5b is provided to which the stop pin 7d is engaged. Here, the rotation locking portion 5a includes a first guide portion 5d and a second guide portion 5d that are provided to project upward.
It is composed of a guide portion 5e. Also, the sliding locking piece 5
Below b, a sliding groove 5c is formed so that the sliding lock pin 7d can move in the horizontal direction.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 3 (the second link member 9 is omitted), the holder member 5 is
Inside the rear end portion 7b of the first link member 7 that is locked to the sliding locking piece 5b, the deflection preventing portion 5 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.
f is projected. The deflection preventing portion 5f prevents the rear end portion 7b of the first link member 7 from bending inward (direction of arrow Y ), and makes it difficult for the rear end portion 7b to be disengaged from the sliding engagement piece 5b. . The height of the deflection preventing portion 5f is set larger than the diameter of the sliding engagement pin 7d as shown in FIG.

Next, the first link member 7 constituting the guide support member 11 is a substantially U-shaped member having a pair of left and right plate-like members 7f, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 4 (a). A rotary locking rod 7g is provided on the front end portion 7a side, and the above-described rotary locking pins 7c are formed on both left and right ends of the rotary locking rod 7g. Further, the sliding engagement pin 7d described above is provided on the rear end portion 7b of the first link member 7 so as to project outward. Further, a shaft hole 7h that fits into the shaft body 9h (see FIG. 4B) of the second link member 9 is provided in the outer center portion of both plate-shaped bodies 7f.

On the other hand, in the second link member 9, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 4B, a pair of left and right plate-like members 9f are connected to each other.
The rotation locking pin 9c is projecting outward on the front end 9a of the member, and the sliding lock pin 9d is connected to the rear end 9b. A shaft 9h that is rotatably locked in the shaft hole 7h of the first link member 7 is provided at the outer center of both plate-shaped members 9f.

In the vicinity of the sliding lock pin 9d of the second link member 9, a support portion 9e is provided so as to project outward. The support portion 9e is provided so as to abut on the upper surface 7i of the first link member 7 (see FIG. 4A) near the rear end portion 7b of the first link member 7 (see FIG. 4A) when the key top 3 described later is attached. The height of the plate-shaped body 7f is about the same as the thickness T of the plate-shaped body 7f.

At the center of the connecting portion 9g of the second link member 9, there is provided a pushing portion 9i for pushing down a rubber spring 13, which will be described later.

Next, the rubber spring 13 is an inverted cup-shaped member provided on the flexible circuit board 15, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 (cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 3). The upper surface 13a has the second link member 9 described above.
Is in contact with the pressing portion 9i. Also, rubber spring 1
The movable electrode 21 is fixed to the upper part (inner top wall) of the inside of 3, and the switch electrodes 23a and 23b are provided on the flexible circuit board 15 at positions facing the movable electrode 21.
Are formed.

A switch support plate 17 is disposed below the flexible circuit board 15. The switch support plate 17 is provided on the flexible circuit board 1 disposed above.
5 and the holder member 5 are supported.

Next, a method of assembling the key switch of the present embodiment having the above structure will be described. The key switch of this embodiment is assembled by the following procedures (1) to (4).

(1) First, the flexible circuit board 15 and the holder member 5 are placed on the switch support plate 17.

(2) Next, the guide support member 11 is assembled. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second link member 9
Is pushed in from the rear end portion 7b side of the first link member 7 and sandwiched between both plate-like bodies 7f, and the shaft body 9h of the second link member 9 is inserted.
Is fitted into the shaft hole 7h of the first link member 7.

(3) The guide support member 11 assembled as described above is attached to the holder member 5. That is, first, as shown in FIG. 6B, with both link members 7 and 9 folded, the slide locking pin 7d of the first link member 7 is inserted into the slide locking piece 5b of the holder member 5. In the lower sliding groove 5c, the arrow B
Insert as shown in. And this sliding lock pin 7d
6B is slid to the left in FIG. 6B, the rotation locking pin 9c of the second link member 9 is disposed on the rotation locking portion 5a of the holder member 5, and both link members 7, 9 are connected. Press down. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, the rotation locking pin 9c of the second link member 9 is pressure locked to the locking hole 5h of the rotation locking portion 5a. During this pressing, since the first guide portion 5d of the rotation locking portion 5a elastically bends and moves leftward in FIG. 7A, the rotation locking pin 9c.
Can be easily press-fitted into the locking hole 5h.

(4) The key top 3 is attached to the guide support member 11. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, the key top 3 is set on the guide support member 11, and the rotation locking portion of the key top 3 is mounted on the rotation locking pin 7c of the first link member 7. 3a are opposed to each other, and the sliding engagement piece 3b of the key top 3 is opposed to the sliding engagement pin 9d of the second link member 9, and then the key top 3 is lightly pressed downward. Then,
Since the two locking pieces 3c of the rotation locking portion 3a of the key top 3 are elastically bent and opened, the rotation locking pin 7c of the first link member 7 is locked by the locking hole 3f of the rotation locking portion 3a. Locked inside.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), as the key top 3 is pressed, the sliding lock pin 9d of the second link member 9 is attached to the lower surface of the sliding lock piece 3b of the key top 3. 7f, the supporting portion 9e near the sliding lock pin 9d is placed on the upper surface 7i of the plate-shaped body 7f of the first link member 7 as shown in FIG. 7A. Abut. Therefore,
Since this support portion 9e is pressed by the first link member 7 and supported from below, the rear end portion 9 of the second link member 9 is supported.
B is prevented from flexing downward, and the rear end 9b flexes and moves inward (direction of arrow C in FIG. 7B). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7C, the sliding lock pin 9d is pressed and locked in the sliding groove 3e of the sliding lock piece 3b.

Next, the operation of the key switch of this embodiment assembled as described above will be described. When the key top 3 is pressed downward from the state shown in FIG. 1, the rotation locking pin 7c of the first link member 7 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by the rotation locking portion 3a of the key top 3. The slide lock pin 7d moves and the slide groove 5c of the holder member 5 moves.
Inside, it slides to the right in FIG. Further, the rotation locking pin 9c of the second link member 9 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 at the rotation locking portion 5a of the holder member 5, and the sliding locking pin 9d slides on the holder member 5. It slides rightward in FIG. 1 in the moving groove 3e.

As a result, the shaft support 22 where the two link members 7, 9 are rotatably locked to each other moves downward, and the push-down portion 9i (see FIG. 5) of the second link member 9 is moved to the rubber spring 13. Is gradually depressed, and when the amount of depression exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 13 is buckled and deformed. As a result, the movable electrode 21 in the rubber spring 13 comes into contact with the switch electrodes 23a, 23b on the flexible circuit board 15, and the two switch electrodes 23a, 23b.
b is short-circuited and a predetermined switching operation is performed.

When the depression of the key top 3 is released, the depression portion 9i of the second link member 9 is pushed upward by the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring 13, so that the reverse operation of the depression of the key top 3 is performed. Thus, the key top 3 is returned to its original position. By the above-described operation, the key top 3 does not move in the horizontal direction but moves up and down while the upper surface of the key top 3 maintains the horizontal state.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned key switch when the key top 3 is removed will be described. For example, when removing the key top 3 for the purpose of replacement, the key top 3 is pulled up in the state shown in FIG. Then key top 3
Since a force is applied to the rotary locking pin 7c of the first link member 7 locked to the rotary locking portion 3a in the lower right direction or the lower direction in FIG. 1, both locking pieces 3c are elastically deformed. Then open,
The rotation locking pin 7c is easily disengaged from the rotation locking portion 3a.
Further, a force is applied to the sliding lock pin 9d of the second link member 9 locked to the sliding lock piece 3b of the key top 3 in the lower left direction or the lower direction in FIG. Similar to the case of attachment, the rear end portion 9b of the plate-shaped body 9f of the second link member 9 elastically bends inward, so that the sliding lock pin 9d is disengaged from the sliding lock piece 3b.

On the other hand, as the key top 3 is pulled up, the rotation locking pin 9c of the second link member 9 locked to the rotation locking portion 5a of the holder member 5 has the structure shown in FIG. A force is applied to the upper right or upper direction, but the rotation locking pin 9c
Since the right side and the upper side are held by the second guide portion 5e, the second guide portion 5e does not easily come off from the rotation locking portion 5a. Further, a force is applied to the slide lock pin 7d of the first link member 7 locked to the slide lock piece 5b of the holder member 5 in the upper left direction or the upper direction in FIG. The rear end portion 9b of the link member 7 tries to bend inward (in the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 3), but since the holder member 5 is provided with the deflection preventing portion 5f having a sufficient height, the rear end portion 9b is prevented from bending inward, and the slide locking pin 7d of the first link member 7 does not come off from the holder member 5.

As a result, when the key top 3 is pulled up, only the key top 3 comes off from the guide support member 11, and the guide support member 11 does not come off from the holder member 5.

As described in detail above, according to the key switch of the present embodiment, since the supporting portion 9e is provided in the vicinity of the slide locking pin 9d of the second link member 9, the second link member is formed. When the sliding locking pin 9d of the rear end 9b of the key 9 is pressed and locked to the sliding locking piece 3b of the key top 3, the support 9e
Is supported (pressed) from the lower side by the first link member 7, and the rear end portion 9b of the second link member 9 is prevented from bending downward. Therefore, the key top 3 can be smoothly pressed and locked to the second link member 9 to be attached.

According to the key switch of this embodiment, since the deflection preventing portion 5f of the holder member 5 is formed to have a sufficiently large height, the guide support member 11 is used as the holder member when the key top 3 is removed. It is difficult for the key top 3 to be removed, and only the key top 3 can be easily removed.

That is, in the conventional key switch,
The projecting portion (for preventing the second link member 9 from bending downward) is provided at the rear end portion 7 of the first link member 7.
It is necessary to provide the inside of b, and this protruding portion becomes a three-dimensional obstacle, and the deflection preventing portion 5f cannot be made sufficiently high. However, according to this embodiment, the first link member 7 is provided.
Since it is not necessary to provide such a protruding portion on the rear side, it is necessary to sufficiently increase the height of the deflection preventing portion 5f for preventing the rear end portion 7b of the first link member 7 on the holder member 5 side from bending in the lateral direction. You can

Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the rear end portion 7b of the first link member 7 from bending inward (in the lateral direction), and to prevent the first link member 7 from coming off the holder member 5. The guide support member 11 does not easily come off the holder member 5, and only the key top can be easily removed.

Further, in the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide a projecting portion inside the rear end portion 7b of the first link member 7 as described above, the guide support member 11 can be easily assembled (smoothly). It can be carried out. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the first link member 7 and the second link member 9 are cross-arranged in an X shape in a side view, and are rotatably connected at the crossing portion to be assembled. The rear end portion 7b of the first link member 7
Since there is no projecting portion that hinders assembly, the second link member 9 and the first link member 7 can be assembled smoothly.

Next, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the second embodiment
An example key switch will be described. This key switch is
As shown in the vertical sectional view of FIG. 8 (a), a key top P3,
A holder member P5 facing the key top P3 and an X-shape
Link member P7 and second link arranged in a cross pattern
It consists of a member P9 and guides the vertical movement of the key top P3.
Guide support member P11 and key top P3 move up and down.
Rubber spring P for switching operation
13 and 13.

Here, on the back surface of the key top P3, the first
The front end P7a of the link member P7 (the left side in FIG. 8 is the front side
Rotation locking portion P3 to which the rotation locking pin P7c of FIG.
a and the sliding locking pin of the rear end portion P9b of the second link member P9.
And a slide locking piece P3b to which the lock P9d is locked is provided.
There is.

The holder member P5 is a flexible circuit board.
It is provided on P15 and in front of the second link member P9.
Rotational locking in which the rotational locking pin P9c of the end P9a is locked
Sliding between the portion P5a and the rear end portion P7b of the first link member P7
Formed with a sliding locking piece P5b to which the locking pin P7d is locked
Has been done.

Further , this holder member P5 has a structure shown in FIG.
As shown in the plan view of (b), locked to the sliding locking piece P5b.
Inside the rear end portion P7b of the first link member P7 to be
A deflection preventing portion P5f having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view is provided so as to project.
The deflection preventing portion P5f is a rear end of the first link member P7.
Prevents the portion P7b from bending inward (direction of arrow Z)
The sliding lock pin P7d on the rear end P7b.
5b, which is difficult to come off, and is shown in FIG. 8 (a).
As described above, the height of the flexure prevention portion P5f is determined by the sliding lock pin P7.
It is about half the diameter of d.

The first link member P7 is a plane of FIG. 9 (a).
It is a substantially U-shaped member as shown in the figure, and its rear end P7
The inside of b has a second link when the key top P3 is attached.
Protrusions P7g for supporting the member P9 from below are provided.
Has been done. On the other hand, the second link member P9 is shown in FIG.
Of the first link member P7.
It is sandwiched inside the and crossed in a substantially X shape in side view,
It is rotatably connected at the intersection.

As described above, according to the key switch of the second embodiment,
If so, the first link member P7 formed in a substantially U shape in plan view
The protrusion P7g is provided in the vicinity of the sliding lock pin P7d of
Therefore, when installing the key top P3, the second phosphorus
The sliding lock pin P9d of the locking member P9 is supported from below,
Prevent the sliding lock pin P9d from bending downward
be able to. Therefore, the key top P3 is connected to the second link portion.
Be sure to press the material P9 smoothly and attach it.
You can

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented in various modes.
Of course, it can be applied.

[0047]

As described above in detail, the key switch of the present invention is used.
According to the touch device, the key top is attached to the pair of link members.
Is pressed downward from above and attached. here
So, the pair of link members, in the folded state,
The end of one link member and the end of the other link member
At least one of the link parts so that they come into contact with each other vertically
A contact portion is formed at the end of the material. Therefore, the key
If you press the loop from above the pair of link members,
And the end of the link member located on the upper side bends downward.
You can prevent the
By pressing from above the pair of link members,
The key top can be attached to the link member
There is an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a key switch of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross - sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1 showing a key top and a second link member of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a holder member and a first link member of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a link member of the embodiment, (a) is a plan view showing a first link member, and (b) is a plan view showing a second link member.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the key switch of the embodiment taken along the line BB of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of assembling the key switch of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of assembling the key switch of the embodiment.

8A and 8B show a key switch according to a second embodiment, FIG. 8A is a vertical sectional view thereof, and FIG. 8B is a plan view showing a holder member.

9A and 9B show a link member of a key switch of a second embodiment, FIG. 9A is a plan view showing a first link member, and FIG. 9B is a plan view showing a second link member.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 key tops 5 Holder member 3a, 5a Rotation locking part 3b, 5b Sliding locking piece 5f Deflection prevention section 7 First link member 9 Second link member 7c, 9c Rotation locking pin 7d, 9d Sliding lock pin 9e Support part 11 Guide support member 13 Rubber spring 21 movable electrode 23a, 23b switch electrodesP3 key top P5 holder member P3a, P5a Rotation locking part P3b, P5b Sliding locking piece P7 1st link member P9 Second link member P7c, P9c Rotation locking pin P7d, P9d Sliding lock pin P7f Plate P7g protrusion P7h Rotation locking rod P11 Guide support

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Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1.Kiー TopIt is arranged below the key top, and the locking part is formed
A holder member,Connect to the lower surface of the key top and the locking part of the holder member.
It is locked and locked, and it rotates in synchronization and the key top
A pair of link members for guiding the vertical movement, As the key top moves up and down, switching operation
A key switch device including a switching member for performing
I meanThe pair of link members, in a folded state,
The end of one link member and the end of the other link member
Set the end of one of the link members so that they come into contact with each other vertically.
Or at the other end of the other link member,
Project horizontally to the link member side or the one link member side.
Formed contact part Keith characterized by
Switch device. 2. The pair of link members is one link
The member is inserted and assembled inside the other link member
The key switch according to claim 1, wherein
apparatus. 3. The abutting portion is connected to the one link member.
Or formed integrally with the other link member
The key switch device according to claim 1 or 2,
Place