JPH05205568A - Key board switch device and assembly thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cut a man-hour of a key switch assembly having a large sized key top while improving assembling by placing an arm bar on a base board in a state being positioned in the projection part for positioning a key top on a stem. CONSTITUTION:A pair of first projection parts 11 are provided corresponding to the second parts 6b, 6b of an arm bar 6, and a pair of second projection part 12 are provided corresponding to the first part 6a respectively. Then, when the bar 6 is placed on a base board 1 in the state being positioned on the parts 11, 12, and next, a large sized key top 5 is positioned to a stem 3 for being pushed down, the key top 5 is mounted on the stem 3 and simultaneously the bar 6 is mounted on a clip position 8a of the clip part 7 so as to integrate the bar 6 and the key top 5. That is it only requires to make the bar 6 and the key top 5 face each other by turns having the base board 1 as a base from the same direction so as to have the small number of man-hour while simplifying manufacture and structure of an automatic machine even in the case of performing automatic assembling.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard switch device used as various input devices such as a personal computer and a word processor, and an assembling method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a keyboard switch device of this type comprises a plurality of push button switches each having a key top arranged on a board. In addition, among these multiple key tops, shapes that are extremely horizontal compared to other keys such as the space key and return key,
There is also a large key top with a flattened shape. With this large-sized keytop, it is not always operated directly above the stem to which this keytop is attached, and operation force is applied to the end of the keytop that is off the center of the stem. In many cases, it is given. In such a case, the large key top tends to incline, so that the sliding of the stem is not smoothly performed, which causes an input operation error or gives the operator a feeling of strangeness.

For this reason, in a push button switch portion to which a large-sized key top is generally attached, an arm bar is provided between the rear surface of the large-sized key top and the substrate, and the large-sized key top is horizontally supported by the arm bar to tilt. A key top holding structure that is designed to be lost is provided.

FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 show an example of a keyboard switch device provided with such a key top holding structure. In this keyboard switch device, a plurality of keys are usually arranged, but here, for simplification of description, only the part of the key having a large key top is shown.

5 to 7, in this keyboard device, a board 41, a push button switch 42 fixedly mounted on the board 41, and an engaging hole 43A of a stem 43 of the push button switch 42 (see FIG. 6). Large key top 4 fixedly attached by inserting the projection 44 into
5 and an arm bar 46 provided between the back surface of the large-sized key top 45 and the substrate 41.

More specifically, the large-sized key top 45 is made of a resin material, and is formed as a key elongated in the lateral direction as a whole. Further, the projection 44 is provided so as to project downward in a substantially central portion on the lower surface side, and similarly, clip portions 47 are provided so as to project downward at positions offset to the left and right on the lower surface side. In addition, each clip part 4
7 is provided with a slit 48 cut upward from the lower surface, and a clip position having an inner diameter dimension substantially equal to the outer diameter dimension of the arm bar 46 in the middle portion of the slit 48. 48a is provided.

The arm bar 46 is formed by bending a long and narrow wire-shaped steel material, and is arranged between the pair of clip portions 47 of the large key top 45.
And a pair of second portions 46b, 46b that are respectively bent at right angles from both ends of the first portion 46a in the same direction.
And a pair of third portions 4 which are respectively bent at right angles from the tip side of the second portion 46b so as to face each other.
6c and 46c are integrally formed, and are formed in a substantially U shape as a whole. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the first portion 46a corresponds to the slit 48 of the large key top 45 and can be inserted into the clip position 48a by press-fitting into the slit 48 from below, and by this insertion, both left and right sides can be inserted. The portion is in a state in which it can be rotatably attached to the pair of clip portions 47.

The substrate 41 has a pair of arm bar slides 49 at left and right positions sandwiching the push button switch 42.
A and 49B are the third portion 46c of the arm bar 46,
It is provided corresponding to 46c. Each of the arm bar slide portions 49A and 49B integrally includes a vertical portion 49a that is erected from the upper surface of the substrate 41 and a horizontal portion 49b that is bent outward from the upper end of the vertical portion 49a at a right angle. The third portion 46c of the arm bar 46 can be positioned and engaged between the horizontal portion 49b and the upper surface of the substrate 41.

Next, a procedure for incorporating the large key top 45 and the arm bar 46 into the board 41 will be described. First, the arm bar 46 is attached to the clip portion 47 of the large key top 45, and the large key top 45 and the arm bar 46 are integrated. This is the first portion 46 a of the arm bar 46.
Are pressed into the slit 48 from the lower side of the clip portion 47 to the clip position 48a to be integrated. Next, the third portions 46c on the left and right sides of the arm bar 46 are attached to the arm bar slide portions 49A on the substrate 41,
49B is hooked and engaged. Then, the large key top 45 is slid with respect to the arm bar 46 to adjust its position, and the projection 44 is positioned and inserted into the engagement hole 43A of the stem 43 to be engaged with the large key top 45. And the assembly is completed.

[0010]

As described above, in the conventional structure, the first portion 46a of the arm bar 46 is inserted into and engaged with the clip portion 47 provided on the large key top 45, and then the arm bar 46 is secured. The third portion 46c is hooked on and engaged with the arm bar slide portions 49A and 49B, and the position of the large key top 45 with respect to the push button switch 42 is adjusted on the arm bar 46.
Since it is inserted into and engaged with the engagement hole 43A of the stem 43 for assembly, it takes a lot of man-hours for assembly, which causes a high cost. This is the keyboard device 1
When considered as a stand, in a keyboard device that uses a large number of large keytops 45, man-hours are required in proportion to this number, which further increases the cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reduce man-hours required for assembling a key switch having a large-sized key top and to improve assemblability. It is to provide a keyboard switch device and an assembling method thereof.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention includes a substrate, a push button switch mounted on the substrate, and a stem of the push button switch. The key top and the key top are arranged so as to lie along the lower surface of the key top, and one end thereof is rotatably attached by being inserted into and engaged with a clip position of a clip portion provided on the lower surface side of the key top. And a keyboard switch device having the other end rotatably attached to the substrate side,
The arm bar provided on the substrate is provided with a protrusion for positioning the arm bar below and in the horizontal direction, and the clip position of the clip part is restricted by pressing the key top together with the stem. Almost immediately before, the other end of the arm bar is set to abut the protrusion. Next, as a second invention, a board, a push button switch mounted on the board, a key top fixedly mounted on a stem of the push button switch, and a key bottom lying along the lower surface of the key top. And one end thereof is rotatably attached by being inserted into and engaged with a clip position of a clip portion provided on the lower surface side of the key top, and the other end is rotatably attached to the substrate side. In a method for assembling a keyboard switch device including an arm bar, a protrusion for positioning the arm bar downward and in the horizontal direction is provided on the substrate, and the clip position of the clip portion is set to the key top. So that the other end of the arm bar is brought into contact with the protrusion almost immediately before the lower part is pressed down together with the stem and the lower position is restricted. Setting, the arm bar is installed on the protrusion, and then the key top is attached to the stem by pushing down the stem, and simultaneously with this pushing operation, the clip portion and the other end side of the arm bar are engaged. It was made to do.

[0013]

According to this, when the arm bar is placed on the substrate while being positioned on the projection, and then the key top is positioned on the stem and pushed down, the arm bar is clipped at the same time as mounting the key top on the stem. It is attached to the clip position of the part to integrate the arm bar and the key top. Therefore, the arm bar and the key tops may be sequentially faced from the same direction with respect to the substrate, so that the number of assembling steps is small and the manufacturing is simplified.
Further, even when automatic assembly is intended, the structure of the automatic machine can be simplified.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a keyboard switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Usually, a plurality of keys are arranged in the keyboard switch device. Only the part of the key with the top is shown.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the keyboard device includes a substrate 1, a push button switch 2 fixedly mounted on the substrate 1, and a stem 3 of the push button switch 2.
The large key top 5 fixedly attached by inserting the projection 4 into the engagement hole 3A (see FIG. 2) of the large key top 5 and the rear surface of the large key top 5 and the substrate 1 are arranged. And an arm bar 6.

More specifically, the large-sized key top 5 is formed of a resin material, and is formed as a key that is elongated in the lateral direction as a whole. Further, the protrusion 4 is provided so as to project downward in a substantially central portion on the lower surface side, and similarly, clip portions 7 are provided so as to project downward at positions offset to the left and right on the lower surface side. In addition, each clip portion 7
Slit 8 cut upward from the bottom surface
Further, a clip position 8a having an inner diameter dimension substantially equal to the outer diameter dimension of the arm bar 6 is provided in the middle portion of the slit 8.

The arm bar 6 is formed by bending a long and narrow wire-shaped steel material, and includes a first portion 6a disposed between a pair of clip portions 7 of the large key top 5 and both ends of the first portion 6a. A pair of second portions 6b, 6b bent in the same direction at right angles, and a pair of third portions 6c, 6c bent in directions facing each other at a right angle from the tip side of the second portion 6b, respectively. It is integrally formed and is formed in a substantially U shape as a whole. The first portion 6a is the slit 8 of the large key top 5.
When it is press-fitted to correspond to, it can be inserted up to the clip position 8a, and by this insertion, both left and right side portions can be rotatably attached to the pair of clip portions 7.

The substrate 1 has a pair of arm bar slide portions 9A and 9A at the left and right positions with the push button switch 2 interposed therebetween.
B is provided corresponding to each of the third portions 6c and 6c of the arm bar 6, and a pair of first protrusions 11 is provided corresponding to each of the second portions 6b and 6b. A pair of second protrusions 12 are provided corresponding to 6a. Of these, each arm bar slide 9
A and 9B are vertical portions 9a provided upright from the upper surface of the substrate 1.
And a horizontal portion 9b that is bent outward at a right angle from the upper end of the vertical portion 9a. The third portion 6c of the arm bar 6 is positioned between the horizontal portion 9b and the upper surface of the substrate 1. It is ready to engage. The pair of first projecting portions 11 are a pedestal portion 11a on which the second portion 6b of the arm bar 6 is mounted, and an upper surface of the pedestal portion 11a which protrudes upward from the inside of the pedestal portion 11a and the inner surface of the second portion 6b. Standing wall portion 1 for contacting and positioning the arm bar 6 in the left-right direction
1b and 1b are integrally formed. On the other hand, the pair of second protrusions 12 are formed inside the first portion 6 a of the arm bar 6. Further, the surface 12a of the second protrusion 12 that faces the first portion 6a is formed as an inclined surface, and a part of the surface 12a extends into the region where the first portion 6a is arranged. The downward movement of 6a can be regulated by abutment.

FIG. 3 is an assembly process diagram showing a procedure for incorporating the large-sized key top 5 and the arm bar 6 into the substrate 1 in this keyboard switch device. Therefore, together with FIG. 3, a procedure for assembling the large-sized large-sized key top 5 and the arm bar 6 in the substrate 1 in the keyboard switch device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described in order from step (a) to step (c). ..

First, in step (a), the arm bar 6 is placed on the substrate 1 to which the push button switch 2 is attached.
In this case, the third portions 6c on both left and right sides of the arm bar 46 are hooked and engaged with the arm bar slide portions 9A and 9B on the substrate 1, respectively, and the second portion 6b is attached to the pedestal portion 11a of the first protrusion 11. In addition to
The first portion 6a is placed in contact with the inclined surface 12a of the second protrusion 12. Then, the state shown in step (b) is set. In this set state, the movement of the arm bar 6 in the left-right direction is restricted by the standing wall portion 11b of the first protrusion 11, and the movement in the front-rear direction is changed by the arm bar slide portions 9A, 9B and the second protrusion 12. Is regulated by the inclined surface 12a, and thereby the positioning in the horizontal direction is regulated. On the other hand, the downward movement is caused by the pedestal portion 11a of the first protrusion 11 and the second protrusion 12
The contact is made with the inclined surface 12a.

Next, in the step (b), the protrusion 4 is positioned in the engaging hole 3A of the stem 3 and pushed down. Then, while the stem 3 is being pushed down, the projection 4 is engaged with the engaging hole 3 of the stem 3.
It is inserted in A.

In step (c), the clip portion 7 and the arm bar 6 are engaged with each other. That is, when the protrusion 4 is inserted into the engaging hole 3A of the stem 3 and the first portion 6a of the arm bar 6 is brought into contact with the clip portion 7, as shown in FIG. The left and right sides, which are portions indicated by A and B, are further pressed. Then, the first of the arm bar 6
Portion 6a is press-fitted into the slit 8 from the lower side of the clip portion 7 to the clip position, and the stem 3 and the large key top 5 are
Simultaneously with the engagement with, the large key top 5 and the arm bar 6 are engaged. Then, when the large key top 5 is released, the return spring (not shown) in the push button switch 2 pushing up the stem 3 returns it to the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line to complete the assembly.

Therefore, according to the structure of this embodiment, the arm bar 6 is placed on the substrate 1 in a state of being positioned on the first and second protrusions 11 and 12, and then the large key top 5 is attached to the stem. When the key bar 5 is positioned and pressed, the arm bar 6 is attached to the clip position 8a of the clip portion 7 at the same time when the large key top 5 is attached to the stem 3, and the arm bar 6 and the large key top 5 are integrated. Will be That is, since the arm bar 6 and the large-sized key top 5 may be sequentially faced from the same direction with respect to the substrate 1, the number of assembling steps is small, the manufacturing is simplified, and the automatic assembling is performed even when the automatic assembling is performed. The structure of the machine can be simplified.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Place the arm bar on the board with the protrusion positioned, and then position the key top on the stem and press it down.When the key top is attached to the stem, the arm bar is attached to the clip position at the clip position. The arm bar and the key top are integrated.
Therefore, since the arm bar and the key top may be sequentially faced from the same direction with respect to the substrate, the number of assembling steps is small and the manufacturing is simple. Therefore, it is expected that the cost can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, even when automatic assembly is intended, the structure of the automatic machine can be simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a keyboard switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention with a part thereof broken away.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard switch device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an assembly process diagram for explaining a procedure for assembling a key top and an arm bar on a substrate in the keyboard switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a method of pushing down when attaching the key top in the assembly process shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a main part of a conventional keyboard switch device in a broken manner.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard switch device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a main part of a conventional keyhold switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 board 2 push button switch 3 stem 5 large key top 6 arm bar 7 clip portion 8a clip position 11 first protrusion 12 second protrusion

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A board, a push button switch mounted on the board, a key top fixedly mounted on a stem of the push button switch, and a key top that is laid along a lower surface of the key top. An arm bar, one end of which is rotatably attached by being inserted into and engaged with a clip position of a clip portion provided on the lower surface side of the key top, and the other end of which is rotatably attached to the substrate side. In the keyboard switch device, the arm bar provided on the substrate is provided with a protrusion for performing a downward and horizontal positioning of the arm bar, and the clip position of the clip portion is lowered by pressing the key top together with the stem. Is set so that the other end of the arm bar comes into contact with the protrusion almost immediately before the position of the arm bar is regulated. Keyboard switch device to. 2. A board, a push button switch mounted on the board, a key top fixedly mounted on the stem of the push button switch, and a key top fixed to the bottom of the key top. An arm bar, one end of which is rotatably attached by being inserted into and engaged with a clip position of a clip portion provided on the lower surface side of the key top, and the other end of which is rotatably attached to the substrate side. A method of assembling a keyboard switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a protrusion for positioning the arm bar on the substrate in a downward direction and a horizontal direction, wherein the key top pushes down the clip position of the clip portion together with the stem. The arm bar is set so that the other end of the arm bar is brought into contact with the protruding portion almost immediately before the lower position is regulated. The arm bar is installed on the protrusion, and then the key top is attached to the stem by pushing down the stem, and simultaneously with this pushing operation, the clip portion and the other end side of the arm bar are engaged. A method for assembling a keyboard switch device, comprising: