JPH0553076U - Key switch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Structure] The key top 1 is fitted into the case 2, and the printed boards 3 and 4 are provided below the case 2. Key symbol 6 showing the movement of the cursor on the key top 1 in four directions
And key contacts 4 corresponding to those key symbols 6 are provided.
The individual pieces are provided at positions corresponding to the key symbols 6 on the printed boards 3 and 4, and a bowl-shaped metal leaf spring 10 is provided in the central portion between the key top 1 and the printed boards 3 and 4.
When the vicinity of the key symbol 6 indicating the rightward movement of the cursor is pressed, the central portion of the metal leaf spring 10 is dented. When the pressing force is removed, the metal leaf spring 17 immediately returns to the bowl shape, and the key top 1 also returns to its original position. [Effect] Not only the lower part of the key top is neat, but also the number of parts is reduced, so that cost reduction is expected, the key top can be downsized, the key switch is downsized, and difficult alignment is not required.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial application]

 The present invention relates to a key switch structure, and more particularly, to a key switch structure in which one key top inputs a plurality of keys.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 As a key switch in which one key top inputs a plurality of keys, for example, a conventional key switch will be described based on the structure of a key switch for moving a cursor. This key switch is a key switch that moves the cursor in four directions with one key top.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a conventional key top, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views of a conventional key switch.

As shown in FIG. 6, the key top 1 is fitted into the case 2. In order to prevent the key top 1 from coming off the case 2, a collar 1a is provided around the key top 1, and a case 2 is provided with a collar locking portion 2a for holding the collar 1a. Then, the printed boards 3 and 4 are provided below the case 2, and a spacer 5 for separating the key contacts of the printed boards 3 and 4 is provided between the printed boards 3 and 4. Such a structure is common for key switches.

The key top 1 of such a key switch is provided with four key symbols 6 as shown in FIG. 5, and these key symbols are respectively moved upward, downward, and rightwardly of the cursor. Represents the movement of, and the movement to the left. Four key contacts corresponding to the key symbols 6 are provided on the printed circuit boards 3 and 4 just at the corresponding positions of the key symbols 6, and the key symbols 6 between the key top 1 and the printed circuit boards 3 and 4 are arranged respectively. The rubber spring 7 is provided at a position corresponding to.

Next, regarding the operation, if the cursor is to be moved to the right, if the vicinity of the key symbol 6 indicating the movement of the cursor to the right is pressed, the key top 1 moves to the right as shown in FIG. The key contacts of both printed circuit boards 3 and 4 are brought into contact with each other by the rubber spring 7 attached at a position corresponding to the key symbol 6 indicating the rightward movement of the cursor, and key input is performed. When the pressing force applied to the key top 1 is removed, the key top 1 returns to its original position by the elastic force of the rubber spring 7, as shown in FIG.

[0007]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In such a key switch that performs multiple key inputs with one key top, as with a key switch that performs one type of key input with one key top, the number of keys is the same as the number of key symbols. Not only the stroke and click feeling when pressing the key top but also the elastic part for returning the key top to the position before pressing is provided at the bottom of the key top, so not only the number of parts increases The structure of the lower part of the key top becomes complicated, and it is difficult to miniaturize the key top, which in turn makes it difficult to miniaturize the key switch.

Further, it is necessary to align the key symbol on the key top, the elastic body component, and the key contact on the printed board. This has difficult techniques.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above problems. In the inventions according to claims 1 and 2, at least two kinds of key inputs are performed by one key top, and the printed circuit board is used for performing the key input. A key switch with corresponding key contacts is provided with an elastic part for obtaining the stroke when the key top is pressed and returning the key top to the position before pressing the center of the lower part of the key top. The elastic body part comprises a convex part provided in the central part of the part and a cutout part cut out around the convex part.

[0010]

[Action]

 According to the present invention, a stroke and a click feeling when the key top is pressed by only one elastic member are obtained, and the key top is returned to the position before the pressing, so that (1) the lower part of the key top is Not only is it cleaner, but (2) the number of parts will be reduced, which will lead to cost reductions, and (3) the key tops can be made smaller, which will lead to smaller key switches. In addition, (4) difficult alignment becomes unnecessary.

[0011]

【Example】

 1 to 4, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to an embodiment of a key switch for moving a cursor in four directions, that is, in the vertical and horizontal directions.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the key top according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views of the key switch according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the key switch according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the key top 1 is provided with a key symbol 6 that represents the movement of the cursor in four directions. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the key top 1 is operably fitted in the case 2, and the collar 1 a is provided around the key top 1 and the case 2 is attached to the case 2 so that the key top 1 does not come off from the case 2. A collar locking portion 2a for holding the collar 1a is provided. Further, printed boards 3 and 4 are provided below the case 2, and a spacer 5 for separating key contacts of the printed boards 3 and 4 is provided between the printed boards 3 and 4. Such a structure is common to key switches and is the same as the conventional one.

Further, in the key switch of the present invention, a bowl-shaped metal leaf spring 10 is provided in the central portion between the key top 1 and the printed circuit boards 3 and 4, and the bowl-shaped metal leaf spring 10 serves as the key top 1. It provides a click feeling when pressed and prevents the key top 1 from coming into contact with the printed circuit board when not pressed.

The key top 1, the metal leaf spring 10, and the printed boards 3 and 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the key top 1, a protrusion 8 for contacting the key contacts of the printed boards 3 and 4 is attached to the back surface of the key top 1 at a corresponding position of the key symbol 6, and a metal leaf spring is provided at the center of the back surface of the key top 1. Attach shaft 9 for pressing 10. A recess 11 for mounting the metal leaf spring 10 is provided between the key symbols 6 on the back surface of the key top 1, and a fitting piece extending from the metal leaf spring 10 in all directions is provided in the depression 11. By pushing in, the metal leaf spring 10 can be integrally formed with the key top 1.

A groove is provided around the bowl shape of the metal leaf spring 10, and when the metal leaf spring 10 is pressed, the bowl-shaped portion is recessed so that the bowl-shaped portion spreads to the surroundings. When the pressing force is removed, the recessed metal plate spring 10 tries to return to the original bowl shape, at which time the metal plate around the bowl-shaped portion is pulled to the center. This is to prevent the metal leaf spring 10 from twisting in order to try.

Wiring patterns are printed on the printed circuit boards 3 and 4, and key contacts are provided so as to correspond to the key symbols 6, and the key contact portions on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 3 are pressed by the protrusions 8. A cushion 12 is printed to protect the key contacts and to obtain a more reliable stroke.

Next, the operation will be described. When the key symbol 6 indicating the rightward movement of the cursor is pressed, as shown in FIG. 3, the key top 1 is tilted to the right with the point A as a fulcrum, and the projection 8 makes contact with the key contact and the shaft 9 Presses the bowl-shaped metal leaf spring 10, and the central portion of the metal leaf spring 10 is recessed. When the pressing force is removed, the metal leaf spring 10 immediately returns to the bowl shape and the key top 1 also returns to its original position, as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, a bowl-shaped metal leaf spring is used, but a rubber spring as in the prior art may be used. However, when a metal leaf spring is used, the elastic body component itself is better than the rubber spring. Despite its small size, it provides a solid click feeling and realizes a small stroke, which contributes to the miniaturization of key switches.

[0020]

[Effect of the device]

 According to the present invention, a stroke and a click feeling when the key top is pressed by only one elastic member are obtained, and the key top is returned to the position before the pressing, so that (1) the lower part of the key top is Not only is it cleaner, but (2) the number of parts will be reduced, which will lead to cost reductions, and (3) the key tops can be made smaller, which will lead to smaller key switches. In addition, (4) difficult alignment becomes unnecessary.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a key top according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a key switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a key switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a key switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a conventional key top.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional key switch.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional key switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Key top 2 Case 6 Key symbol 7 Rubber spring 10 Metal leaf spring

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A key switch in which at least two types of key inputs are performed with one key top, and each of the printed circuit boards has a corresponding key contact for performing the key input, the stroke when the key top is pressed. In addition to the above, the key switch is characterized in that only one elastic body part for returning the key top to the position before pressing is provided in the central portion of the lower part of the key top. 2. The key according to claim 1, wherein the elastic component includes a convex portion provided in a central portion of the component and a cutout portion cut out around the convex portion. switch.