JP4305306B2 - Folding keyboard - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable keyboard including a plurality of keyboard units that have a plurality of key switches on the surface and are foldable along at least one or more fold lines.

Portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, PHS, electronic notebooks, and PDAs are used for personal information management and information communication. Such portable electronic devices are provided with a liquid crystal display screen and a keyboard.
In recent years, attempts have been made to reduce the size and thickness of a keyboard provided in a portable electronic device in order to improve portability. For example, as shown in FIG. A keyboard 1D has been developed that is configured to be able to be folded by overlapping the key tops 21D with each other and can be stored compactly when stored.
In addition, a keyboard that can be folded so that the key tops are staggered in a foldable keyboard (see, for example, Patent Document 1). And a keyboard that can be stored thinly by alternately combining the other and the other on the same plane (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-248543 A JP-A-11-249788

However, when the folding keyboard 1D shown in FIG. 15 (a) is folded and stored, the key tops 21D are overlapped with each other as shown in FIG. 15 (b). However, since the thickness M of the keyboard 1D in the folded state is at least the thickness m of two or more of the key switches 2D, it is difficult to reduce the thickness.
Further, in the foldable keyboard described in Patent Document 1, since the key switches per row are folded in combination with each other in a staggered manner, the horizontal width of the key top becomes narrower than half of the interval between the key switches arranged on the left and right, There was a problem that it was difficult to input and input efficiency was poor.
Further, in the keyboard described in Patent Document 2, it is difficult to input because the interval between the key switches arranged in the vertical direction is wide, and conversely, the interval between the key switches arranged in the left and right direction is narrow, so that erroneous pressing occurs. There was a problem that it was easy to do. Also, the key top area is small, and in order to ensure the separability of the key switches arranged in the left-right direction, if a gap is provided between the key switches arranged in the left-right direction, the key top area is further reduced. So there was a problem that it became more difficult to use.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a folding keyboard that can appropriately ensure separation between adjacent key switches, improve input efficiency, and can be thinned. It is said.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a folding keyboard according to the invention of claim 1 includes a plurality of keyboard units that have a plurality of key switches on the surface and are foldable along at least one or more folding lines. The keyboard unit is configured such that one keyboard unit is slidable in the folding axis direction with respect to the other keyboard unit, and by folding, the key switch of one keyboard unit is moved to the other keyboard unit. The keyboard switch is stored in a gap between adjacent key switches of the keyboard unit so that the horizontal arrangement of the key switches of one keyboard unit and the horizontal arrangement of the key switches of the other keyboard unit are shifted in the vertical direction. It is characterized by being arranged.

The invention according to claim 2 is the folding keyboard according to claim 1, wherein a space where the key switch is not arranged is provided on the surface of the one keyboard unit, and the keyboard unit is folded. Thus, the key switch of the other keyboard unit is accommodated in the space.

According to the folding keyboard of the present invention, by folding the keyboard unit, the key switches are respectively stored in the gaps between the adjacent key switches, and the horizontal arrangement of the key switches of one keyboard unit and the other Since the keyboard unit key switches are arranged so that the horizontal arrangement of the key switches is shifted in the vertical direction, it is possible to reduce the thickness and ensure adequate separation of the key switches. The efficiency can be improved, and the arrangement of the key switches can be changed during use by sliding one keyboard unit relative to the other keyboard unit in the folding axis direction. That is, the arrangement of the key switches can be made closer to a more general keyboard, and the input efficiency can be further improved.

Hereinafter, first to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1A is a plan sectional view when the folding keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present invention is housed, FIG. 1B is an opened state, and FIG. 1C is a plan view when in use.
As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c), the folding keyboard 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of key switches 2 on the surface, and is along a folding line X that is divided into left and right. And two keyboard units 3a and 3b that are foldable.
The keyboard units 3a and 3b include a substantially box-shaped case body (not shown), and a hinge (not shown) connected to the other keyboard units 3a and 3b is attached at the folding position. That is, the case main body of the left keyboard unit 3a and the case main body of the right keyboard unit 3b in the drawing are configured to be foldable by hinges.

A plurality of key switches 2 (which will be described in detail in the second embodiment) provided in the case main body are obtained by folding both keyboard units 3a and 3b so that the key switch 2 of the left keyboard unit 3a The key switch 2 of the right keyboard unit 3b is stored in the gap S between the adjacent key switches 2 of the left keyboard unit 3a. Is done. As a result, the horizontal arrangement of the key switches 2 of the left keyboard unit 3a and the horizontal arrangement of the key switches 2 of the right keyboard unit 3b are arranged so as to be shifted in the vertical direction. That is, when the keyboard units 3a and 3b are folded and stored, the key switch 2 of the left keyboard unit 3a and the key switch 2 of the right keyboard unit 3b are arranged in a substantially diagonal checkerboard pattern in plan view (FIG. 1 (a)).
In addition, the key top 21 constituting the key switch 2 has a substantially regular octagonal shape when engraved with alphabets and numerals, and the shift key, CTRL key, SPACE key, etc. are alphabets and numerals. A plurality of key switches 2 are integrally connected. The key switch 2 having such a key top 21 is housed in the gap S so that the oblique sides constituting the key top 21 are in contact with each other in the folded state.

The left keyboard unit 3a is slidable in the folding axis direction (vertical direction) with respect to the right keyboard unit 3b.
Although not shown, a groove-like slide rail is formed on the end surface of the left keyboard unit 3a on the fold line X side along the fold axis direction, and the slider is engaged with the slide rail. The end surface on the fold line X side of the right keyboard unit 3b is connected to the slider so as to be foldable with respect to the left keyboard unit 3a via a hinge.
Therefore, the slider is slidable along the slide rail, and accordingly, the right keyboard unit 3b is configured to be slidable in the folding axis direction with respect to the left keyboard unit 3a.

Next, the operation of the folding keyboard 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 (a) shows the keyboard unit 3a, 3b being folded and folded via a hinge. In this state, the key switches 2 of the keyboard units 3a and 3b are housed in the gaps S between the adjacent key switches 2 of the keyboard units 3a and 3b, and the key switch 2 of the left keyboard unit 3a and the right keyboard. The key switches 2 of the unit 3b are arranged in a substantially diagonal checkerboard pattern in plan view. Thus, the key switch 2 of each keyboard unit 3a, 3b is accommodated in the gap S between the keyboard units 3a, 3b, so that the thickness M of the keyboard 1 and the thickness m of the key switch 2 are as shown in FIG. As shown in a), the thickness is one key switch 2.

  FIG. 1 (b) shows a state in which the keyboard units 3a and 3b are opened via hinges from the time of storage in FIG. 1 (a). In this state, the horizontal arrangement of the key switches 2 of the left keyboard unit 3a is half the vertical length of the key switches 2 than the horizontal arrangement of the key switches 2 of the right keyboard unit 3b. The positional relationship is shifted upward by the length.

  FIG. 1C shows a state in which the right keyboard unit 3b is slid from the opened state of FIG. 1B. Specifically, when the slider of the slide rail is slid upward in the figure, the right keyboard unit 3b is slid upward. As a result, the key switches 2 are arranged in a single row.

  Further, in the case of storing again from the time of use of FIG. 1 (c), an operation reverse to the above procedure may be performed.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, by folding the keyboard units 3a and 3b, the key switches 2 are respectively housed in the gaps S between the adjacent key switches 2 and the left keyboard unit. Since the horizontal arrangement of the key switch 2 of 3a and the horizontal arrangement of the key switch 2 of the right keyboard unit 3b are arranged so as to deviate in the vertical direction, it can be made thinner than before. In addition, the interval between the key switches 2 arranged in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is appropriately separated, so that the key switch 2 can be easily pressed and the input efficiency can be improved.
Further, the shape of the key top 21 is maintained in the same width and length as the normal key top, and the key top area is relatively large, so that the key switch 2 can be easily pressed. Here, specific calculated values will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Compared to a key top 21E of a general desktop keyboard (FIG. 3A), the first embodiment of the present invention (FIG. The key top 21 of b)) is small, but larger than the key top 21D of the conventional example (FIG. 3C). Further, it can be seen that the interval between the adjacent key switches 2 is substantially the same as that of a general keyboard, and appropriate separation is ensured without being too wide or too narrow.
Furthermore, when the keyboard unit 1 is folded, the key switch 2 can be folded so as not to overlap, so that the key switch 2 can be folded in a deformed state, or the elastic body of the key switch 2 can be deformed. There is no need to provide a special mechanism for depressing the key switch 2 without doing so. Therefore, it becomes a simple structure and leads to cost reduction.
In addition, by sliding the right keyboard unit 3b upward with respect to the left keyboard unit 3a, it is possible to make the arrangement closer to that of a general keyboard during use, thereby further improving input efficiency. be able to.

  In the first embodiment, the shape of the key top 21 of the key switch 2 has been described by taking as an example a case where a plurality of regular octagonal shapes or regular octagonal shapes in plan view are integrated. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the shape of the key top 21 may be a rhombus. 4 (a) is a plan sectional view schematically showing the folded state, FIG. 4 (b) is an open state, and FIG. 4 (c) is a schematic view showing the state of use.

  In the first embodiment, when the keyboard units 3a and 3b are folded as shown in FIG. 1A, the folding line X is located at the end of the keyboard units 3a and 3b. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the end of the right keyboard unit 3b is cut out to form a notch K, and the end of the left keyboard unit 3b is connected to the switch 2. It is preferable to form a convex shape extending so as to fit in the notch K. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the folding line X and the key switch 2 from overlapping when the keyboard units 3a and 3b are folded. Note that FIG. 5 is shown as a means for preventing the folding line X and the key switch 2 from overlapping. For the sake of the drawing, the folding mechanism (hinge portion) of each keyboard unit 3a, 3b is as follows. This is different from the mechanism of the present embodiment described above (a mechanism comprising a slide rail, slider, hinge, etc.).

  Furthermore, the above-described slide movement mechanism including the slide rail and the slider may be changed without being limited to this mechanism.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the folding keyboard according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the case body 4, a sheet substrate 23 having a plurality of switches 22 arranged on the surface, a plurality of key tops 21 arranged on each switch 22, and the key tops 21 are switched. A key top support plate 24 that supports the top 22 is accommodated. The switch 22, the sheet substrate 23, the key top 21, and the key top support plate 24 constitute the key switch 2.

Specifically, the switch 22 has a substantially dome shape, and an elastic body 22a that is pressed and deformed when the key top 21 is pressed is formed at an upper end portion thereof. In addition, key wirings (not shown) of the respective switches 22 are arranged on the sheet substrate 23.
The key top support plate 24 stacked on the sheet substrate 23 has a plurality of holes 24 a for fitting the switch 22 in accordance with the position of the switch 22. A raised portion 24b is formed around the holes 24a.
The raised portion 24 b is provided on the lower surface of the key top 21, and a pantograph 25 that supports the key top 21 and that can slide up and down with respect to the key top support plate 24 is fixed.
Therefore, the key top support plate 24 is laminated on the sheet substrate 23 by fitting the switch 22 into the hole 24a, and the lower end portion of the pantograph 25 that supports the key top 21 on the raised portion 24b of the sheet substrate 23 is formed. By being fixed, the key top 21 is arranged on each switch 22.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the folding keyboard 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention replaces the left keyboard unit 3a with the right keyboard unit 3b as in the first embodiment. Instead of changing the arrangement of the key switches 2 by sliding in the direction of the folding axis, the arrangement is changed by sliding the key switches 2 in each keyboard unit 3a, 3a in each row. It is configured.

That is, the plurality of key switches 2 provided in the case body 4 are divided into five key switch units 20a to 20e according to the arrangement. The keyboard unit 3a on the left side in the figure includes a first key switch unit 20a having key switches 2 in the second and third rows from the top, and a key switch 2 in the first, fourth, and fifth rows from the top. And a second key switch unit 20b. The first key switch unit 20 a is provided so as to be slidable in the lateral direction with respect to the case body 4, and the second key switch unit 20 b is fixed to the case body 4.
On the other hand, the keyboard unit 3b on the right side in the figure has a third key switch unit 20c having the key switches 2 in the first row from the top, and a fourth key having the key switches 2 in the second and third rows from the top. A switch unit 20d and a fifth key switch unit 20e having key switches 2 in the fourth and fifth rows from the top are provided. The third and fifth key switch units 20c and 20e are slidable with respect to the case body 4, and the fourth key switch unit 20d is slidable in the vertical direction.

Here, a mechanism for allowing the key switch units 20a to 20e to slide is described.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, a plurality of guide grooves 41 for sliding each sheet substrate 23 are formed on the bottom surface of the case body 4. These guide grooves 41 are formed in a substantially T shape in plan view so as to extend in a predetermined direction corresponding to each sheet substrate 23.
Further, screw holes 231 and 241 are respectively formed in the sheet substrate 23 and the key top support plate 24, and after the screws N are inserted into the guide grooves 41 through these screw holes 231 and 241, N is fastened.
Therefore, when the screw N slides along the guide groove 41, each sheet substrate 23 is configured to be slidable in a predetermined direction with respect to the case body 4. In FIG. 6, the screw holes 231 and 241, the screw N, and the washer W are not shown because of the drawing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a wall portion 42 is provided in a frame shape on the bottom surface of the end portion of the right case body 4 on the fold line X side. Then, when the first key switch unit 20a is slid to the left side with the keyboard units 3a and 3b opened in the recess 421 formed by the wall portion 42, the first key switch unit 20a is Be placed. Further, the first key switch unit 20a is positioned by the wall portion.

Next, the operation of the folding keyboard 1A configured as described above will be described.
FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) show the keyboard units 3a and 3b being folded through hinges H, and FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are shown in FIGS. A state in which the keyboard units 3a and 3b are opened via the hinges H from the time of storing (b) is shown. Since the states of FIGS. 7 and 8 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows the first, third to fifth key switch units 20a and 20c to 20e slid from the opened state of FIG. Specifically, the first key switch unit 20a is slid to the right along the guide groove 41 with respect to the case body 4, and the third and fifth key switch units 20c and 20e are slid to the upper left obliquely. The fourth key switch unit 20d is slid upward. By sliding the first, third to fifth key switch units 20a, 20c to 20e in this manner, the key switches 2 are horizontally arranged in the horizontal direction to form a full keyboard arrangement.

  Further, in the case of storing again from the time of use in FIG. 9, the operation reverse to the above procedure may be performed.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the key switch unit 20a, 20c to 20e is slid and moved in each keyboard unit 3a, 3b, so that the key switch 2 is moved for each column. The arrangement can be made closer to a general keyboard, and the input efficiency can be further improved.
In addition, since the same effect can be acquired about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 11 (a) is a plan sectional view when the folding keyboard according to the third embodiment of the present invention is housed, and FIG. 11 (b) is a plan sectional view when in use.
As shown in FIG. 11, in the folding keyboard 1B of the third embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the key top 21 of the key switch 2 is different from that of the first embodiment. In addition, a large space P in which the key switch 2 is not arranged is provided on the surface of the left keyboard unit 3a in the drawing. By folding the keyboard units 3a and 3b, the Enter of the right keyboard unit 3b is placed in this space P. A key switch 2 such as a key, a BS key, and a shift key is accommodated. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, by folding the keyboard units 3a and 3b, the key switch 2 of the right keyboard unit 3b is placed in the space P where the key switch 2 of the left keyboard unit 3a is not arranged. Since it is housed, the key switch 2 of the right keyboard unit 3a can be enlarged, and the gap S between the key switches 2 is widened, so that the key switch 2 can be easily pressed and the input efficiency can be improved. Can do.
In addition, since the same effect can be acquired about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 12 (a) is a state in which the folding keyboard according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is opened, and FIG. 12 (b) is a plan sectional view in use.
In the folding keyboard 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard units 3a and 3b are slidable in the direction of the folding axis as in the first embodiment. As in the embodiment, the key switch 2 is slidable for each column in the keyboard units 3a and 3b.
In the present embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, the third and fifth key switch units 20c, 20e are integrally formed and fixed to the case body 4. Only the first and fourth key switch units 20a and 20d are configured to be slidable in the horizontal direction. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, only the operation will be described here.

  FIG. 12A shows a state in which the keyboard units 3a and 3b are folded (not shown) and opened via the hinge H from the folded state. From this state, the first and fourth key switch units 20a are opened. , 20d is slid to the right to be in use as shown in FIG. By sliding the first and fourth key switch units 20a, 20d to the right in this manner, the key switches 2 are horizontally arranged in the horizontal direction to form a full keyboard arrangement.

  Further, when storing again from the time of use of FIG. 12 (b), an operation reverse to the above-described procedure may be performed.

  As mentioned above, according to the 4th Embodiment of this invention, since the effect similar to 1st and 2nd Embodiment can be acquired, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it can change suitably.
For example, in the first to fourth embodiments, two keyboard units 3a and 3b that can be folded along one fold line X are provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the configuration may include three keyboard units 3c to 3e that can be folded along two fold lines X. In this case, the keyboard units 3c and 3e on the left and right sides can be folded in a double-folded manner with respect to the central keyboard unit 3d, and are slidable in the folding axis direction.

In addition, it is good also as a structure provided with the four keyboard units 3f-3i foldable along the three fold lines X as shown to Fig.14 (a), (b). In this case, the leftmost keyboard unit 3f and the adjacent keyboard unit 3g are foldable so as to be valley-folded with each other, and are slidable in the folding axis direction. Further, the rightmost keyboard unit 3i and the adjacent keyboard unit 3h are foldable so as to be valley-folded with each other, and are slidable in the folding axis direction. Further, the two keyboard units 3g and 3h in the center are formed so as to be foldable so as to be mountain-folded.
FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 also show the deformation pattern of how to fold, and the folding mechanism (hinge portion) of each keyboard unit 3c to 3i is the same as that of the above-described embodiment in view of the drawing. It is different from the mechanism (mechanism comprising a slide rail, slider, hinge, etc.).
Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, it may be configured to be folded in multiple stages as shown in FIG.

Further, the shape of the key top 21 is not limited to the shape described in the first to fourth embodiments, and may be any shape such as a circular shape in a plan view or a rectangular shape.
Further, in the figure, the characters shown on the key top 21 are examples, and the stamped characters on the key top 21 are not shown as they are.
In the figure showing the storage time, the characters “0”, “9”, “8”, “L”, “K”, etc. shown on the key top 21 of the right keyboard unit 3b are actually folded. In the state, it will be the inside out state.

  An example of the structure of the key switch 2 is shown in FIG. 2 (a). The structure of the key switch 2 may be one using a spring, one using rubber, one using an auxiliary member, air pressure or magnetic force. There is no limitation on the type of the key switch 2 used. For example, when a spring or rubber is used, since the key switch 2 is stored in a pressed state as shown in FIG. 2B, the thickness M of the keyboard 1 and the thickness m of the key switch 2 are further reduced. Can be folded.

The folding mechanism described in the first to fourth embodiments is a mechanism that slides in the vertical direction after opening the keyboard units 3a and 3b, but opens the keyboard units 3a and 3b in the vertical direction. Alternatively, a mechanism that automatically slides may be used.
In the first to fourth embodiments, the position of the fold line X is not limited to the above position, but is provided at the upper end and the lower end of one keyboard unit 3a so that it can be bent in the vertical direction, and in the horizontal direction. You may make it slide.
Further, in the first, third, and fourth embodiments, after the keyboard units 3a and 3b are opened, the right keyboard unit 3b is moved upward by ½ of the vertical length of the key switch 21. However, it may be configured such that it is slid downward to be in use.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, the slidable key switch units 20a and 20c to 20e are not limited to those described above, and may be changed as appropriate. Also, the sliding direction can be changed as appropriate.

  The folding keyboard 1, 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> C of the present invention may be used as a single unit, or may be attached to a main device such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, a PHS, an electronic notebook, or a PDA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is for showing the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a plane sectional view in the time of accommodation, (b) is in the open state, (c) is in use. (A), (b) is a sectional side view showing the storing operation of the folding keyboard. (a) is an arrangement of key tops of a general keyboard, (b) is an arrangement of key tops of the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (c) is an arrangement of key tops of a keyboard of a conventional example. It is the plane sectional view showing arrangement. It is for showing the deformation | transformation pattern of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a flat sectional view at the time of storing the folding keyboard, (b) is in an open state, and (c) is in use. It is the perspective view which showed the shape of the edge part of each keyboard unit same as the above. It is for demonstrating the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is a disassembled perspective view of a folding keyboard. (A) is a plan sectional view when the folding keyboard is stored, and (b) is a side view of (a). (A) is a plan sectional view of the folding keyboard in an open state, and (b) is a side view of (a). It is a plane sectional view at the time of use of a folding keyboard. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the slide moving mechanism. It is for showing the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a plane sectional view at the time of accommodation of a folding keyboard, (b) is at the time of use. It is for showing the 4th Embodiment of this invention, (a) is the open state of a folding keyboard, (b) is a plane sectional view at the time of use. FIG. 7 is a view showing another modified pattern of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view of a folding keyboard, and (b) is a plan sectional view in an opened state. (A) is a perspective view of a folding keyboard, and (b) is a plan sectional view in an opened state. It is for showing a prior art example, (a) is a perspective view of a folding keyboard, (b) is a side sectional view at the time of storage.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B Folding keyboard 2 Key switch 3a, 3b Keyboard unit S Clearance P Space X Folding line

Claims (2)

A foldable keyboard comprising a plurality of keyboard units having a plurality of key switches on a surface and provided to be foldable along at least one fold line,
In the keyboard unit , one keyboard unit is slidable in the direction of the folding axis with respect to the other keyboard unit, and when folded, the key switches of one keyboard unit are adjacent to each other of the other keyboard unit. The horizontal arrangement of the key switches of one keyboard unit and the horizontal arrangement of the key switches of the other keyboard unit are arranged so as to be shifted in the vertical direction. Folding keyboard. A space where the key switch is not arranged is provided on the surface of the one keyboard unit,
By folding the keyboard unit, the folding keyboard of claim 1, in the space, the key switch of the other keyboard unit is characterized in that it is housed.

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