JPH0416327Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an elastic component for a key switch used, for example, in a keyboard of a personal computer.

[Technical background of the invention] In recent years, with the digitalization of electronic devices, the number of key switches provided in electronic devices and the number of times they are operated have increased. For this reason, advances are being made in technology to reduce the weight and thickness of key switches, reduce the mounting area, and improve operability.

In the early key switch A, for example, as shown in Fig. 2, a key top 2 made of the same material was fixed to the upper end of a support 1 made of thermoplastic resin.
A metal contact 3 is fixed to the lower end of the frame 4, a metal spring 5 is inserted between the support 1 and the frame 4, and the contact 3 is connected to a conductor 6 disposed below the support 1 and the frame 4.
The structure was such that it was in contact with a and 6b.
However, this type of key switch A has many parts and it is difficult to make it lightweight and thin, so a type of key switch B using thermosetting rubber was developed as shown in FIG.

This key switch B is made of thermosetting rubber, and includes a dome-shaped push key 7 that also functions as a spring due to its elasticity, and a conductive rubber embedded inside the push key 7 so that a portion thereof is exposed. It is equipped with an elastic part 9 consisting of a contactor 8,
When the elastic component 9 is attached to the board 10 and the press key 7 is pressed, the contact 8 descends and the conductors 11a, 11
The structure is such that it comes into contact with b.

The elastic component 9 used in such a key switch B generally includes the molding of the press key 7 and the contact piece 8.
The contactor 8 is inserted into the press key 7 and integrated, and the press key 7 is mounted on the substrate 10.

[Problems with the Background Art] However, since the elastic component 9 is small, it takes time and labor to manufacture it, and furthermore, the elastic component 9 is small.
Since the bonding area between the press key 7 and the contact 8 is small, it is difficult to bond them together sufficiently.
There was a problem that it was easy for people to leave.

[Purpose of the invention] The present invention was made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide an elastic component for a key switch with improved reliability in which the contactor does not come off from the pressed key.

[Summary of the invention] That is, the elastic component for a key switch of the present invention has a wall portion extending inward from the top, and a set of conductor patterns protruding from the bottom edge and existing at a predetermined distance on the board. a first elastic semi-dome made entirely of a conductive material and having legs to be inserted into one of the through holes formed in each of the through holes; and a wall portion having a shape corresponding to the wall portion. and a leg portion to be inserted into the other of the through-holes, the second elastic half-dome being formed of the conductive material; It is characterized in that it consists of an elastic dome which is fixed in a similar manner and is made entirely of an insulating material.

[Embodiments of the invention] Details of embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the elastic component 12 of this embodiment used in the key switch C has a spiral wall portion 14a extending inward from the top portion 13, a conductor pattern 17a protruding from the bottom edge portion 15, and a conductor pattern 17a present on the substrate 16. an elastic semi-dome 20a made entirely of conductive silicone resin and having legs 19a to be inserted into through-holes 18a formed in the
and a wall portion 14b having a shape corresponding to the wall portion 14a.
and a leg 19b to be inserted into a through hole 18b formed in a conductor pattern 17b that is present on the substrate 16 at a predetermined distance from the conductor pattern 17a.
and an elastic semi-dome 20b made of conductive silicone resin, and elastic semi-domes 20a and 20b inside each wall portion 14a.
and an elastic dome 21, to which the domes 14b and 14b are closely connected, and which is entirely made of insulating silicone resin.

In the key switch elastic component 12 configured in this way, when the elastic dome 21 is first pressed, the elastic dome 21 and the elastic half domes 20a and 20b attached to the inside of the elastic dome 21 are simultaneously elastically deformed. and is crushed. that time,
The wall surface portion 14a of the elastic half-dome 20a and the wall surface portion 14b of the elastic half-dome 20b are in contact with each other, and conductive patterns 17a and 17b can be energized. Moreover, when the pressure is removed from this state, the elastic dome 21 and the elastic half-dome 20a,
20b is restored to its initial state again, and wall section 1
4a and 14b are separated, and the elastic half domes 20a and 20b are insulated.

Therefore, the key switch elastic component 12 of this embodiment has wall portions 14a and 14 that are to become contacts.
Elastic semi-domes 20a and 20b formed with b
Since the engagement area between the contactor and the elastic dome 21, which is to become a press key, is large, there is no possibility that the contactor will come off like in the conventional case.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the elastic half dome 20
Although conductive silicone resin is used as the molding material for a and 20b, the present invention is not limited thereto, and conductive elastomers such as conductive urethane resin and conductive neoprene rubber may also be used. Further, although insulating silicone resin is used as the molding material for the elastic dome 21, this is not limited, and examples include insulating urethane resin,
An insulating elastomer of insulating neoprene rubber may also be used.

[Effects of the invention] As is clear from the above description, the elastic part for a key switch of the present invention has a large engagement area between the elastic dome that serves as a pressing key and a pair of elastic half domes that serve as contacts. Since the contactor has sufficient locking force, the contact will not come off.
Reliability has improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views showing the structure of a conventional key switch. C...key switch, 12...elastic part for key switch, 13...top, 14a, 14b...wall surface section, 15...bottom edge, 16...board, 17a,
17b...Conductor pattern, 18a, 18b...Through hole, 19a, 19b...Legs, 20a, 20b
...Elastic half dome, 21...Elastic dome.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] A first elastic semi-dome having the shape of a half-dome and having a first wall portion for connection from the top of the dome to the bottom thereof, the whole being made of conductive elastomer; and a half-dome. A second elastic semi-dome, which faces the first elastic semi-dome at a predetermined distance, has a second wall portion for connection from the top to the bottom of the dome, and is made entirely of conductive elastomer. an elastic semi-dome, and an elastic dome arranged to cover the outer peripheries of the first and second elastic semi-domes and made entirely of an insulating elastomer, the first wall portion and the second wall surface; The department is
When the elastic dome has a dome shape, the first wall part and the second wall part are separated, and when the elastic dome is pressed down, the first wall part and the second wall part come into contact. An elastic part for a key switch, characterized in that the elastic part is arranged at.