JPH0546292A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] With a simple structure, it prevents dust and water droplets from entering the circuit part of the keyboard device and improves reliability. A keyboard device having a plurality of key switch units and a plurality of key top portions mechanically connected to the respective key switch units, wherein the keyboard device has flexibility between the key top portions and the key switch units. Insert a thin shield member. This thin plate-shaped shield member is conveniently raised in a mountain shape at the connecting portion between each key switch unit and the key top portion, and can be constituted by a member capable of electromagnetic shielding containing a conductive material, for example. Also, the keyboard top lid can be opened and closed so that the user can freely clean it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device, and more particularly, to a keyboard device having improved reliability by appropriately preventing dust or water droplets from entering a switch unit and a circuit board inside the keyboard device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows the appearance of a keyboard device which has been generally used conventionally. Further, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the keyboard device of FIG. 4 taken along the line AA. The keyboard device shown in these figures has a keyboard top cover 1
A circuit board 4 having a plurality of key switch units 5 fixed by soldering is housed in a housing constituted by a keyboard bottom lid 2. A key top 6 is attached to each key switch unit 5 via a rod-shaped connecting portion. Further, a fixed chassis 3 made of metal is provided for reinforcement against the pressing force applied to each key top 6. The circuit board 4 is fixed to the fixed chassis 3 with screws 9 via fixed spacers 8. The fixed chassis 3 is fixed to the protruding portion of the keyboard bottom cover 2 with screws 10. Note that the keyboard top 1
Is fixed to the keyboard bottom cover 2 with setscrews 11 and 12.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional keyboard device, dust or water droplets that have entered through the gap between the upper lid 1 of the keyboard device and the periphery of the key top or the opening 14 is a key switch inside the keyboard device. There are problems that the unit 5 and the circuit board 4 may be reached, the reliability is low, and the use environment is restricted.

Further, in the conventional keyboard device, it is generally prohibited for the user to open and close the keyboard top cover 1 because it may cause inconveniences such as dust and metal powder falling on the circuit part when opening and closing. Therefore, even if dust or the like enters through the clearance or the opening 14, the user cannot remove it without permission.

In view of the above problems in the conventional keyboard device, an object of the present invention is to prevent dust and water droplets from entering a circuit portion or a key switch unit portion inside the keyboard device with a simple structure, The object is to improve the reliability of the device and remove restrictions on the operating environment.

Another object of the present invention is to allow a user to easily remove dust and the like that has entered through a gap between the keyboard upper lid and the key top.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a plurality of key switch units,
There is provided a keyboard device having a plurality of key top portions each mechanically connected to each of the key switch units, the keyboard device having a flexible thin plate shape between the key top portions and the key switch unit. It is characterized in that a shield member is inserted.

It is convenient that the thin plate-shaped shield member is raised in a substantially mountain shape at the connecting portion between each of the key switch units and the key top portion.

It is also possible that the thin plate-shaped shield member is made of a material containing a conductive material so as to perform electromagnetic shielding.

Further, it is convenient to open and close the keyboard upper lid having an opening through which the key top portion passes.

[0011]

In the keyboard device having the above structure,
Since a flexible thin plate-shaped shield member is inserted between the key top section and the key switch unit, dust and water drops that have entered through the gap between the keyboard top cover and the key top are blocked by this thin plate shield member, and the electrical circuit Intrusion into parts and contacts is improved, reliability of the keyboard device is improved, and restrictions on the use environment are removed.

Further, by raising the thin plate-shaped shield member in a substantially mountain shape at the connecting portion between the switch unit and the key top portion, dust or water droplets may enter the switch unit or the like through the clearance of the connecting portion. It can be effectively prevented.

Further, since the thin plate-shaped shield member contains a conductive material, the shield member has an electromagnetic shield effect to prevent unnecessary radiation noise from the circuit portion of the keyboard device and to enter the circuit portion from the outside. It can shield electromagnetic noise.

Further, by making the keyboard upper lid openable and closable by the user, it is possible to clean and remove dust that has entered the top of the thin plate-shaped shielding member by a brush or the like.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard device shown in FIG.
In a keyboard device similar to the above, a dustproof and dripproof member 7 made of a thin rubber sheet or the like is inserted between the fixed chassis 3 and the key top 6. This dustproof,
The drip-proof member 7 is screwed to the fixed chassis 3 with a screw (not shown), for example. The other parts of the keyboard device of FIG. 1 are the same as those of FIG. 5 and are designated by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed structural example of the dustproof and dripproof member 7 used in the keyboard device of FIG. The dustproof and dripproof member 7 shown in FIG. 2 is a connecting member 1 for mechanically connecting the respective key switch units 5 and the key tops 6.
5 is a sheet-like member having an insertion hole 16 corresponding to the axial center position of 5. The connecting member 15 does not have to be an independent member, and may be formed on either the key switch unit 5 or the key top 6. Insertion hole 1
The periphery of 6 is formed in a mountain shape or a trapezoidal shape which is slightly higher than other portions, and is configured so that dust or water droplets cannot easily enter through the insertion hole 16. Further, the thickness, height, and shape in the vicinity of the insertion hole 16 are made appropriate so as not to impair the feeling of key operation or stroke.

On the other hand, the periphery of the fixed chassis 3 in the keyboard device of FIG. 1 is bent upward to form a wall-shaped portion having a certain height. This wall-shaped portion prevents dust or water droplets from getting around the fixed chassis 3 to the electric circuit portion of the keyboard bottom cover. Corresponding to the wall portion of the fixed chassis 3 as described above, the peripheral portion of the dustproof and dripproof member 7 of FIG.

A part of the wall portion of the fixed chassis 3 is cut out, for example, in the front surface of the keyboard device. A part of the wall portion 17 of the dustproof and dripproof member 7 corresponding to the cutout portion of the fixed chassis 3 is bent downward or laterally as shown in FIG. It is designed to be discharged.

Further, in the keyboard device of FIG. 1, the attachment of the keyboard upper lid 1 and the keyboard bottom lid 2 is simplified. That is, the projection 20 of the keyboard bottom lid 2 is inserted and coupled into the opening 19 provided in the keyboard upper lid 1, while the keyboard upper lid 1 and the keyboard bottom lid 2 are coupled on the keyboard front side by the screw 11. There is. As a result, the user can easily open and close the keyboard upper lid 1 only by attaching and detaching the screws 11.

In the keyboard device having the above-mentioned structure, dust and drip-proof member 7 prevent dust and water droplets such as metal powder that has entered through the gap between keyboard top cover 1 and key top 6 or through opening 14. It is shielded and prevented from entering the circuit board 4, the key switch unit 5, and the like. Further, the keyboard upper lid 1 can be easily opened and closed as described above, and even if the keyboard upper lid 1 is opened, dust or the like does not easily enter the circuit portion. Therefore, the dust and drip-proof member 7 can be easily cleaned by the user with, for example, the cleaning brush 18 (FIG. 3), and the inconvenience of dust and the like entering the circuit portion during cleaning is completely eliminated. Has been done.

Further, in the keyboard device having the above-mentioned configuration, by using a sheet made of, for example, silicon or rubber mixed with a conductive material as the dustproof and dripproof member, radiation noise from the keyboard or external It is possible to completely shield electromagnetic noises that enter the keyboard circuit from the. Examples of such a sheet-like member containing a conductive material include C manufactured by CHOMERICS, USA
HO-SEAL 1212 type and other shield sheet members can be used.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, dust or water drops are prevented from entering the circuit portion and the switch unit portion of the keyboard device through the gap or the opening between the keyboard upper lid and the key top, and the keyboard is provided. It is possible to greatly improve the reliability of the device and remove restrictions on the use environment.

Further, since the user can easily open and close the keyboard upper lid to clean it, it is possible to use the keyboard device in a good condition even in an environment with relatively large dust and dust. Become.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a dustproof used in the keyboard device of FIG.
It is a partial perspective view which shows the structure of a drip-proof sheet.

3 is a partial explanatory view showing a structure of a cutout portion provided for removing dust and the like in the keyboard device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an external view showing a configuration of a general keyboard device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a conventional keyboard device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 keyboard top cover 2 keyboard bottom cover 3 fixed chassis 4 circuit board 5 key switch unit 6 key top 7 dustproof and drip-proof member 8 fixed spacers 9, 10, 11, 12 screws 13 legs 14 clearance or opening 15 connecting portion 16 opening 17 Wall 18 Cleaning Brush 19 Insertion Hole 20 Protrusion

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard device having a plurality of key switch units, and a plurality of key top portions mechanically connected to the respective key switch units by connecting members, wherein the key top portions and the key switch units are provided. A flexible thin plate-shaped shield member is interposed between the thin plate-shaped shield member and the connection member, and the connecting member penetrates the thin plate-shaped shield member. 2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the thin plate-shaped shielding member is raised in a substantially mountain shape at a portion where the connecting member penetrates. 3. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the thin plate-shaped shield member includes a conductive material and also serves as an electromagnetic shield. 4. The keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a keyboard upper lid having an opening through which the key top portion passes, and the keyboard upper lid is openable and closable. apparatus.