JPH0566833U - Key switch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Two links 4 and 5 for guiding the key top 2 up and down are cross-linked in an X shape in a side view, and are arranged below the link at the intersection of the two links 4 and 5. When the rubber spring 6 is elastically deformed, it is easy to change the highest position of the key top 2 and the stroke of the key top. [Structure] The upper and lower free ends 13a, 13b, 12a, 12b of both links located on one side of the perpendicular line of the midway intersection of the first link 4 and the second link 5 are connected to the key top 2 and the holder member 7. While being locked to the dynamic locking portions 15 and 27, the upper and lower free ends 11a, 11b, 14a, 14 of the both links are
b is the key top 2 and the sliding engagement portion 16 of the holder member 7,
Lock to 28. Rotational locking portion 2 in the sliding locking portion 28
The front stopper part 31 is provided on the side close to 7, and the key top 2
Regulates the highest position of.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a key switch used for a keyboard of an input device such as a word processor and a personal computer.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Conventionally, as a key switch in this type of keyboard, as disclosed in JP-A-60-89011, JP-A-60-60217, etc., a stem projecting downwardly on the lower surface of the key-top is used. A key holder formed on the holder member is inserted into the key holder to guide and support it so that it can move up and down, and a rubber spring with a contact on its lower surface is arranged below the stem. A key switch in which a switching member such as a membrane switch having electric contacts is provided on the switch is generally used.

In the key switch disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-60217 of the prior art, when one end of a key top such as a space key whose plane shape is larger than the contact portion is pressed, the key top is pressed. In order to move up and down in parallel without tilting, the middle parts of a pair of link members arranged in an X shape in side view are rotatably connected, and the pair of link members are connected to the lower surface of the key top and the holder. Proposed to be placed between the members. The location where the upper and lower ends of the pair of links slidably engage the key top and the holder member in a substantially horizontal direction does not substantially limit the stroke of the key top.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 By the way, due to the recent diversification of electronic devices and the variety of keyboards used for them, it is necessary to prepare various types of key switches used for them. For example, the keystroke may be short, but the keyboard is required to be thin. On the contrary, the long keystroke is required to improve the operability of key input and to ensure the certainty of key input as in the case of professional specifications. There are various types of key switch strokes required, depending on differences in operating conditions and user (operator) requirements, such as those required. Furthermore, in order to improve the usability for the operator, it is necessary to mix short strokes and long strokes in one keyboard.

In that case, as in each of the above-mentioned prior arts, a sliding guide between the stem projecting downward on the lower surface of the key top and the key holder portion guides and supports the vertical movement of the key top. In order to change the stroke amount, it is necessary to manufacture many types in which the relative vertical length between the stem and the key holder portion and the position of the stopper projection for controlling the rising position of the stem are different. Then, it is necessary to prepare many kinds of dies for manufacturing each component such as a key top, which causes a problem that the manufacturing cost becomes high.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch capable of arbitrarily and easily changing the stroke amount of a key switch without changing the key top or its vertical movement guide means.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a guide means for connecting and locking the lower surface of the key top and a holder member below the key top to guide and support the vertical movement of the key top, and the vertical input by the key top. In a key switch comprising a cap-shaped rubber spring elastically deformable via the guide means by an operation and a switching portion that performs a switch operation by the elastic deformation of the rubber spring, the guide means has an X-shaped side view. Of the first link and the second link, the two links being rotatably connected to each other by the first link and the second link which are arranged to intersect each other. The free end located on one side of the perpendicular line passing through is locked to the lower surface of the key top and the holder member only so that it can rotate freely, and the free end located on the other side of the first link and the second link is The lower surface of the key top and the holder member are respectively slidably locked in a substantially horizontal direction, and the sliding locking portion of the key top or the holder member is in contact with the free end of the first link or the second link. The stopper part is formed so as to contact and regulate the rising position of the key top.

[0008]

【Example】

 Next, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a side sectional view of a key switch. The key switch 1 includes a key top 2, a guide means 3 in which a first link 4 and a second link 5 are arranged in an X shape in a side view, and the guide means 3 Cap-shaped rubber spring 6 which is pressed by, a holder member 7 made of synthetic resin for supporting the guide means 3, and mounting portions 7a of the holder member 7 with switching portions 29, 29 (FIG. 7 and FIG. 7). The flexible printed board 9 stretched on the lower surface of the holder member 7 so as to face (see FIG. 8) and the reinforcing plate 10 stretched on the lower surface side.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the rubber spring 6 is provided with a mounting hole for the holder member 7 so as to cover the switching parts (electrical contact parts) 29, 29 above the printed board 9. It is inserted and arranged in 7a. The rubber spring 6 of the present invention is made of electrically insulating silicone rubber or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene methylene) or the like, and has a thick disk-shaped head in plan view, and a skirt extending downward from the periphery of the head. A downward-opening cap-shaped body is integrally formed of a dome-shaped dome portion and a thick-walled flange portion that extends radially outward substantially horizontally on the outer periphery of the dome portion. When the key top is pressed, the lower surface of the head of the rubber spring 6 which is pressed by the lower surface of the connecting and intersecting portion of the first link 4 and the second link 5 contacts the contact portions of the switching portions 29, 29. The movable contact portion 30 made of conductive rubber having conductivity for electrically turning on and off both switching portions is fixed. The entire rubber spring 6 may be formed to have conductivity by dispersing and filling conductive particles such as carbon black in silicone rubber.

The key top 2 formed of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin has an upper surface (surface) on which characters such as numbers and letters are marked or printed. On the lower surface of the key top 2, longitudinal longitudinal grooves for locking pin portions 11a, 11b on the upper free end side of the first link 4 which will be described later slidably in the longitudinal direction of the key top 2 in a substantially horizontal direction. -Shaped sliding locking portions 16 and 16 and hole-shaped rotation locking portions 15 and 15 for locking the pin portions 13a and 13b at the upper free end of the second link 5 so as to be rotatable only. A pair of left and right locking members 17 and 17 having the front and rear sides are integrally formed or bonded by an adhesive or the like so as to project (see FIG. 5).

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first link 4 and the second link 5 made of synthetic resin such as glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin will be described in detail. FIG. 4A is a plan view of the first link 4, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the second link 5. The first link 4 is formed integrally with the base portion 18 and the upper and lower free end portions 19 and 20 into a substantially H-shape in a plan view. The base portion 18 has a support hole 21 penetrating in a horizontal direction on its side surface. Prepare Pin portions 12a, 12b are laterally projected on the side surfaces of the arm portions 20a, 20b extending from both left and right ends of the lower free end portion 20, and pin portions 11a, 11b are laterally projected on the side surface of the upper free end portion 19. To project.

The second link 5 is also integrally formed by the base portion 22 and the upper and lower free end portions 23, 24 into a substantially H shape in plan view. A support shaft 25 is laterally projected on one side surface of the base portion 22, the support shaft 25 is fitted into the support hole 21 in the first link 4, and the first link 4 and the second link 5 are supported by the support shaft 25. It is connected so that it can rotate around 25. On the side surfaces of the arm portions 24a and 24b extending from both left and right ends of the lower free end portion 24 of the second link 5, pin portions 14a and 14b are respectively provided to project laterally, and on the side surface of the upper free end portion 23, a pin is provided. The projections 13a and 13b are laterally projected.

In this embodiment, in a side view, the distance from the center line of the support hole 21 in the first link 4 to the center lines of the upper and lower pin portions 11 a, 12 a and the support shaft 25 of the second link 5 are shown. It is formed so that the distances from the center line to the pin portions 13a and 14a are equal to each other. According to this structure, as will be described later, the guide means 3 is rotationally displaced about the pin portions 12a and 12b on the lower free end side of the first link 4, so that the key top 2 is fixed to the holder member 7. It can be moved up and down in parallel with the top surface.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views showing a part of a holder member 7 made of synthetic resin such as glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin (which is preferably a member separate from the links 4 and 5). The material 7 is provided with a substantially rectangular mounting hole 7a into which the lower end of the cap-shaped rubber spring 6 can be fitted without displacement, and the left and right edges of the mounting hole 7a have a pair of left and right sides. A rotation locking portion 27 and a front and rear longitudinal groove-shaped sliding locking portion 28 are integrally formed by injection so that the locking portions 27, 28 are opened downward. Then, the pin portions 12a 1 and 12b on the lower end side of the first link 4 are rotatably fitted and inserted into the rotation locking portions 27 and 27, and the sliding locking portions 28 and 28 are first The lower end side pin portions 14a and 14b of the 2 link 5 are fitted so as to slide back and forth.

At this time, the shape and dimensions of the pin portions 11a, 11b and 14a, 14b and the sliding engagement portions 16, 28 are such that the first link 4 and the second link 5 are substantially immovable in the left-right direction in FIG. Moreover, it is determined so as not to interfere with the sliding of the pin portions 11a and 14a in the left-right direction in FIG. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the tip of each pin portion slides in contact with the outer side surface of the corresponding slide locking portion. Further, for this reason, the support shaft 25 is prevented from coming out of the support hole 21.

With this configuration, when the key top 2 is pressed, the first link 4 rotates downward around the position of the rotation locking portion 27 of the holder member 7, so that the first link 4 and the second link 4 are rotated. The midway crossing portion that is pivotally connected to the X-shaped member 5 in a side view presses the head of the rubber spring 6 obliquely downward. When the key top 2 is not pressed downward (free state) and the elastic force of the rubber spring 6 causes the key top 2 to be at the highest position, the pin portion on the lower end side of the second link 5 is provided. 14a and 14b are configured to abut on the front stopper portion 31 on one side surface of the sliding engagement portions 28, 28 (side surface on the side close to the rotation engagement portion 27). In this case, by changing the horizontal distance (L1) from the rotation locking portion 27 to the front stopper portion 31, the height dimension (H1) from the upper surface of the holder member 7 when the key top 2 is at the highest position. Can be regulated. Then, by changing the front-rear length (L2) of the long groove of the sliding engagement portion 28, it is possible to regulate the ascending / descending distance (H2) of the guide means 3 itself.

The stroke of the key top 2 is the distance from the highest position of the key top 2 until the guide means 3 pushes the rubber spring 6 downward as much as possible (called a push-down state). The pin portions 14a, 14b on the lower end side of the second link 5 are on the other side of the sliding engagement portions 28, 28 (side surface on the side farther than the rotation engagement portion 27) before the push-cut state. By making contact with the rear stopper portion 32, it is possible to substantially regulate the lowermost position of the key top 2. As a result, even if the length of the sliding groove is the same, it is possible to change the maximum lifted position and the substantial stroke of the key top 2 at the same time simply by changing the position of the front stopper portion 31. It is possible to provide a key with a short trocar and a low key top position.

As described above, the distance (L1) from the rotation locking portion 27 of the holder member 7 to the front stopper portion 31 of the sliding locking portion 28 is changed, and in addition to this, the sliding portion 28 By changing the distance (L2) between the front stopper portion 31 and the rear stopper portion 32, that is, the length of the sliding groove, from the support shaft 25 of both links 4 and 5 of the guide means 3 to the pin portion. It is possible to arbitrarily change the maximum rising position and stroke of the key top 2 without changing the size of the key and the vertical size of the rubber spring.

In order to change the distances (L1) and (L2), the position of the sliding engagement portion 28 and / or the groove length of the sliding groove portion in one of the injection molding dies of the holder member 7 is changed. May be changed, or after the slide lock portion 28 is formed by injection molding with a large thickness, the slide groove of the slide lock portion 28 where the stroke is to be changed is cut. By doing so, the front stopper portion 31 and / or the rear stopper portion 32 may be adjusted so as to be determined.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in a single keyboard, the stroke amount for keys that output a character code, a line feed code, etc., is lengthened, and half keys lined up behind the character code (generally, Strokes are reduced for keys such as (used as function keys). In this way, the key touch is changed, and when the user uses it by blind touch, the difference in those keys can be confirmed without visual inspection, and the use efficiency is improved.

At this time, since the holder members 7 of all the keys are integrally formed into a single plate shape, even if there are two types of positions of the stopper portions 31 and 32 formed on the holder member 7, The manufacturing cost is the same as the conventional one. Further, since the first link 4 and the second link 5 use the same keys even if they have different strokes, compared to the conventional one in which the shape of the guide means is changed according to the stroke amount, It is possible to significantly reduce manufacturing costs.

In order to regulate the uppermost position of the key top 2 and adjust the size of the stroke, the shape of the pair of locking members 17, 17 provided on the lower surface of the key top 2 is changed instead of the holder member 7. Is also good. That is, one stopper portion (rotational movement) of the slide locking portions 16 and 16 for locking the pin portions 11a and 11b on the upper free end side of the first link 4 slidably in the substantially horizontal direction in the front-rear direction. The position on the side closer to the locking portion 15 and / or the length of the sliding groove of the sliding stopper 16 may be changed. Further, the rotation locking portion 15 and the sliding locking portion 16 may be separately provided on the lower surface of the key top 2.

As described above, before the rubber spring 6 is completely pushed, the position of the sliding engaging portion 28 is adjusted so that the rear stopper portion 32 comes into contact with the lower end pin portions 14a and 14b of the second link 5. By setting the sliding length and the sliding length, it is possible to prevent the rubber spring 6 from being pressed to the maximum, and the rubber spring 6 can be protected without applying an unreasonable force to the rubber spring 6. Further, before the push-cut state, the pin portions of the first link 4 and / or the second link 5 of the guide means 3 come into contact with the rear stopper portions of the sliding engaging portions 16 and 28, so that further keys are provided. Utilizing the fact that the first link 4 and the second link 5 elastically bend when the top 2 is pressed, the impact of the key touch up to the pressing can be softened.

Further, in this embodiment, an example in which two types of strokes are provided on a single keyboard has been shown, but for example, a keyboard that is required to be thinner than the keystroke of a portable computer or the like. It is also possible to configure a stationary type keyboard and a keyboard requiring a larger keystroke with the same guide means. Even in such a case, the guide means, which was conventionally manufactured as a separate component, can be shared, so that the total manufacturing cost is significantly reduced.

Note that a substrate such as a membrane switch circuit board may be used in place of the flexible printed board 9 forming the switching unit 29, and can also be applied to a variable capacitance keyboard.

[0026]

[Operation and effect of the device]

 In summary, according to the present invention, since the key top is vertically guided and supported with respect to the holder member, one free end of the first link or the second link cross-linked in the X shape in the side view is provided on the lower surface of the key top and the holder. While being rotatably locked to the rotation locking portion of the member, the other free end is slidably locked in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the lower surface of the key top and the sliding locking portion of the holder member. Then, by providing the stopper portion on the sliding engagement portion, the highest position of the key top is determined.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the rising position of the key top can be regulated very easily without changing the length of the pair of links that are the vertical movement guide means of the key top or the vertical dimension of the rubber spring. It has the effect of being able to do it. Further, by changing the position of the stopper portion, that is, by adjusting the distance from the rotation locking portion to the sliding locking portion to change the magnitude, the maximum raised position of the key top can be changed. As a result, it is possible to raise the key top only at a specific part of one keyboard by changing the position of the sliding lock part on the key top or the holder member using common parts such as guide means and rubber springs. The effect is that it can be changed extremely easily, it can be applied to other types of keyboards with different keytop rising positions, and the manufacturing cost for that purpose will not increase.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a key switch.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the key switch when the position of the stopper portion is changed.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view when the key switch is pushed down to the bottom.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a first link, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of a second link.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the key top.

6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a rubber spring and a mounting hole.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mounting hole portion of a holder member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Key Switch 2 Key Top 3 Guide Means 4 First Link 5 Second Link 6 Rubber Spring 7 Holder Member 7a Mounting Hole 9 Printed Circuit Board 10 Reinforcing Plate 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b Pins 15, 27 Rotation Locking Part 16 , 28 Sliding locking part 25 Support shaft 29 Switching part 30 Moving contact part 31 Front stopper part 32 Rear stopper part

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Isao Mochizuki 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City Brother Industries, Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A guide means for connecting and locking a lower surface of a key top and a holder member below the key top to guide and support the vertical movement of the key top, and the guide means by vertical input operation by the key top. In a key switch including a cap-shaped rubber spring elastically deformable via a switch, and a switching unit that performs a switch operation by elastic deformation of the rubber spring, the guide means includes a first link cross-arranged in an X shape in a side view. A second link, the two links are rotatably connected at the midway intersection, and one side of the free ends of the first link and the second link is sandwiched by a perpendicular line passing through the midway intersection. The free end located on the lower side of the key top and the holder member is rotatably locked, and the free end located on the other side of the first link and the second link is connected to the lower surface of the key top and the holder member. And a slidable locking portion of the key top or the holder member abuts a free end of the first link or the second link, and a raised position of the key top. A key switch characterized in that a stopper portion for restricting the key is formed.