JPH0433619Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] "Industrial Application Field" The present invention relates to an information input device for electrical and electronic equipment, and more particularly to a panel keyboard with a sealed structure that has wide applicability as an operation input switch means for various equipment.

"Conventional technology" A wide range of electrical and electronic equipment has been developed due to the rapid development of active elements for information processing, mainly based on basic electronic materials such as I/C, L/S/I, one-chip computers, and microcomputers. The advent of electronics has also encouraged the systematic emergence of various information input devices that are optimal for the applications of these devices. In this process, there are demands for such input means to be smaller, lighter, or thinner in relation to the pursuit of high reliability, ease of use, instrumentation, design freedom, etc. This has become a major issue to be solved, as is cost reduction. From this point of view,
As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a flexible or hard base material 2 having a plurality of required fixed contact patterns 1, and each fixed contact pattern 1 provided on the base material 2.
an insulating spacer 4 disposed so as to form a switch operation gap 3 in conjunction with the spacer 4;
a switch sheet 6 having a plurality of movable contact patterns 5 disposed thereon and each of which performs a switching operation in correspondence with each of the fixed contact patterns 1; and a bonding layer 7 made of an adhesive between these constituent members. A diaphragm type keyboard switch, that is, a panel keyboard, which can basically be configured from
Currently, various proposals are being put into practical use.

``The problem that the invention attempts to solve'' Therefore, from the characteristics of such a panel keyboard,
In particular, when constructing the switch sheet 6, appropriate plastic film materials such as polyester film are used, taking into consideration the electrical, mechanical, and physical and chemical properties of the switch sheet 6, including the field and environment in which it will be used. Although it is now possible to select one that is advantageous from a cost standpoint and is sufficiently durable for practical use, there are several problems that arise in connection with the switch operation gap 3, especially in achieving thin film thickness. be. That is, in order to have wide applicability for both general industrial and consumer uses, it is preferable to keep each of the switch operating gaps 3 in a sealed state in order to prevent deterioration of the switch contact patterns 1 and 5. However, due to the sealed structure, air or other gases trapped in this gap 3 simply have no place to escape when the switch is operated, and in some cases may seriously impede operability, such as making reliable switch operation impossible. . Furthermore, even if the switching operation can be performed, there is a risk that the chattering or bouncing, which is a common problem with this type of switch, will be further exacerbated. Such problems are caused by the second
In the case of a switch actuation gap 11 in a switch seat 10 having a dome portion 9 capable of click or snap operation, which is another form of panel keyboard as shown in the figure, an even more important problem arises. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 8 indicates a movable contact pattern when provided on the lower surface of the dome portion 9.

"Means for Solving the Problems" An object of the present invention is to provide a panel keyboard with a novel structure that satisfactorily solves the above problems. The present invention also solves the above-mentioned problem easily by providing support means or attachment means for the panel keyboard body while reducing the cost of the panel keyboard body as much as possible. To provide a panel keyboard that can be constructed into a sealed structure with the keyboard itself.

The panel keyboard of the present invention includes a base material on which a required number of fixed contact patterns are formed, and a flexible insulating switch sheet on which movable contact patterns are formed at positions corresponding to the fixed contact patterns. , a membrane keyboard switch body with a sealed structure is provided in which the base material and the insulating switch sheet are arranged facing each other through a switch operation gap formed by an insulating spacer so that the corresponding fixed and movable contact patterns face each other. , a breathable member made of a fiber material or a filter material is provided on the back surface of the base material of the keyboard switch body, with a through hole provided in a portion of the base material corresponding to the switch operation gap, and an outer periphery of the breathable member; The membrane type keyboard switch has a sealing member for sealing the top and the bottom, and the breathable member and the sealing member constitute a support structure for forming the bottom side of the main body of the membrane type keyboard switch into a sealed structure. By adopting this structure, when a switch is operated on the panel keyboard body, the gas in the switch operation gap is easily pushed out to the supporting structure side through the holes in the base material, which improves the operability of the switch despite the closed structure. Can be maintained well.

``Example'' In FIGS. 3 and 4, for convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicate the same components, and the base material 2 and switch sheets 6, 10 are It is also possible to construct it separately with the same or different members, or to construct it foldably with the same members. When configuring a flat type panel keyboard body as shown in Figure 3,
The insulating spacer 4 can be formed separately from the base material 2 and the switch sheet 6, or can be formed integrally with them to have a foldable structure. As is clear from the figure, in the panel keyboard body,
One or more through holes 12 are bored in a portion of the base material 2 facing the switch operation gaps 3 and 11. 13 is a support structure, which also serves as a mounting means or support means for the panel keyboard body;
It has a structure that is at least porous or has breathable properties.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of such a support structure, in which the support structure seals a ventilation plate 15 made of a porous material or a fiber material containing a filter material, and its outer peripheral side and bottom. A panel keyboard main body 14 having the structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is disposed on the support structure. When the ventilation plate 15 is a fiber member, it may be a non-woven fabric such as felt made by sewing natural or synthetic fibers with an adhesive under appropriate heat and pressure so that they are arranged irregularly or tangled. A structure in which the fibers are arranged in the spreading direction can be applied.

Such a support structure allows the gas in the switch operating gap 3 or 11 of the panel keyboard body 14 to move freely through the through holes 12 provided in the base material 2. The sealing member 16 is
It may be a suitable encapsulant or a molded article of metal or synthetic resin material.

"Effect of the invention" As explained above, the panel keyboard according to the invention consists of a base material on which a required number of fixed contact patterns are formed, and a flexible material on which movable contact patterns are formed at positions corresponding to each of the fixed contact patterns. the base material and the insulating switch sheet are arranged facing each other with a switch operation gap formed by an insulating spacer so that the corresponding fixed and movable contact patterns face each other. A membrane type keyboard switch body having a structure is provided, a through hole is provided in a portion of the base material corresponding to the switch operating gap, and a breathable material made of a fiber material or a filter material is arranged on the back surface of the base material of the keyboard switch body. a support structure comprising a sealing member for sealing the outer periphery and bottom of the breathable member, and forming a bottom side of the membrane keyboard switch main body into a sealed structure by the breathable member and the sealing member. Since the keyboard switch body has a conventional membrane structure, a simple structure with a through hole in the area corresponding to the switch operation gap is sufficient for the base material. , the keyboard switch main body can be constructed at the lowest possible cost.

In addition, the gas in each switch operation gap can freely move to the breathable member through the above-mentioned through holes provided in the base material, so despite the sealed structure, this type of membrane type keyboard switch The operability of the switch can be greatly improved.

Since the breathable member is a fiber member or a fibrous member made of a filter material, even if thermal expansion occurs, there is no risk of misalignment between the through hole for gas flow and the breathable member.

This type of panel keyboard can be configured with a completely sealed structure by itself without depending on the other device, etc. by using a sealing member for the air permeable member, so it has excellent environmental resistance. We can provide products with good operational reliability and long lifespan.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are conceptual partial cross-sectional configuration diagrams of a conventional panel keyboard, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are conceptual partial cross-sectional configuration diagrams of a closed panel keyboard constructed according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a conceptual sectional view of a specific example of a support structure constructed according to the present invention. 1, 5, 8... Contact pattern, 3, 11... Switch operation gap, 4... Insulating spacer, 6, 1
0... Switch sheet, 12... Gas circulation hole, 13... Support structure, 14... Panel keyboard body, 15... Fibrous ventilation plate, 16...
Sealing member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] It is equipped with a base material on which a required number of fixed contact patterns are formed, and a flexible insulating switch sheet on which movable contact patterns are formed at positions corresponding to each of the fixed contact patterns. A membrane-type keyboard switch body with a sealed structure is provided, in which the base material and the insulating switch sheet are arranged facing each other with a switch operation gap formed by an insulating spacer so that each contact pattern faces each other. A sealing member that includes a through hole in the base material, a breathable member made of a fiber material or a filter material arranged on the back side of the base material of the keyboard switch body, and seals the outer periphery and bottom of the breathable member. A panel keyboard comprising: a support structure for forming a bottom side of the main body of the membrane keyboard switch into a sealed structure using the breathable member and the sealing member.