JPH08264069A - Key switch structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a key switch structure capable of optionally changing the moving speed of a cursor by merely changing the depression quantity of a key top, capable of adjusting the speed in several stages, and having good operability and useability. CONSTITUTION: A key top 15 is constituted of a key top main body 15a and multiple blocks 16-18 vertically movable against the main body 15a independently, having electrodes 16a-18a on the bottom faces, and having nearly the same length. The blocks 16-18 are arranged on the key top main body 15a so that the bottom faces of the electrodes 16a-18a of the blocks 16-18 are protruded from the key top main body 15a in steps when the key top 15 is not depressed in the initial stage.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key switch structure, and more particularly to a key switch structure provided on an operation panel, a keyboard and the like provided in computer terminals, office automation equipment and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an operation panel of a computer terminal or various office automation equipment, when a figure or a sentence displayed on the screen is edited, the cursor on the screen is moved up, down, left or right. ing. As a means for moving the cursor, the movement of the cursor is mainly operated by a key switch (hereinafter, also referred to as a cursor key).

By the way, in the case of editing a screen on a large-screen display section with such cursor keys, when it is desired to move the cursor from one end of the screen to another, it is necessary to move the cursor at high speed. Further, when editing a small part of the screen, it is necessary to move the cursor at a low speed, and the following two methods have been conventionally used as methods for moving the cursor at such a high speed and a low speed. .

A first method is to move the cursor at a low speed by pressing only the cursor key, and move the cursor at a high speed by pressing the cursor key while pressing a special key such as a sheet key. . Also,
A second method is to move the cursor at a low speed immediately after the cursor key is pressed, and move the cursor at a high speed if the cursor key is continuously pressed for a certain period of time.

[0005]

However, when the cursor is moved by the first method, the moving speed of the cursor can be easily switched. However, when moving the cursor at high speed, a plurality of fingers or fingers of both hands are moved. Since it is necessary to operate the cursor key and the special key by using, there arises a problem that the key operation becomes complicated. In addition, when it is desired to divide the moving speed into several stages, it is necessary to prepare special keys correspondingly, which makes the key operation more complicated and increases the area of the key operation unit. There will be problems.

Also, when the cursor is moved by the second method, it is possible to easily switch the moving speed of the cursor. However, in order to move the cursor at a high speed, the cursor key is pressed and then fixed. Lag time occurs, which causes a problem that it takes a long time to operate, and switching the moving speed of the cursor
There is a problem that the number of stages cannot be increased.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, the moving speed of the cursor can be arbitrarily changed only by changing the pressing amount of the key top, and the operability and usability can be adjusted in several stages. It is intended to provide a good key switch structure. The invention according to claim 2 provides a key switch structure capable of easily returning each block to the initial state after the key top is released, and preventing the next operation from being hindered. Has an aim.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the operator can detect which block has come into contact with the contact point by the change of the pressing force, so that the movement amount of the key top can be stabilized and the movement of the cursor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch structure capable of maintaining a stable speed. In the invention according to claim 5, the moving speed of the cursor can be arbitrarily changed by only changing the pressing amount of the key top, and the speed can be adjusted in several steps. It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch structure with which the block can be easily returned to the initial state with good operability and usability.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In order to solve the above problems, a plurality of contacts provided on a substrate, and a key top having a plurality of electrodes provided vertically movable above the substrate, the electrode of the key top is In a key switch structure for detecting an input by contacting a contact, the key top is provided with a key top main body and vertically movable independently of the main body, and has an electrode on the bottom surface of substantially the same length. When the key top is in an initial state in which the key top is not pressed, each block is attached to the key top main body so that the bottom surfaces on the electrode side of the block have steps and project from the key top main body. By disposing the electrodes, the electrodes of each block are sequentially brought into contact with the contacts of the substrate when the key top is pressed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the first aspect of the invention, each of the blocks is supported by a keytop main body through an elastic member, and the pressing of the keytop is released. At this time, the block is returned to the initial state by the restoring force of the elastic member. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the invention according to the second aspect, the deformation force of the elastic member supporting the block protruding from the key top body is changed by the amount of protrusion from the key top body. The feature is that it is set smaller as it supports more blocks.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the invention according to the first or second aspect, an engaging portion is provided on either one of the key top body and each block, and the key top is provided. It is characterized in that at least one engaged portion with which the engaging portion engages in accordance with the amount of movement of each block is provided on the other of the main body and each block.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a fifth aspect of the present invention is to provide a plurality of contacts provided on a substrate and a key top provided above the substrate so as to be vertically movable and having a plurality of electrodes. In the key switch structure for detecting an input by the electrode of the key top coming into contact with the contact, the key top is provided independently of the key top main body and the electrode on the bottom surface. And a plurality of elastic blocks having different lengths that expand and contract independently of each other, and when the key top is pressed, the electrodes provided on the bottom surface of the long block are sequentially brought into contact with the contacts of the substrate. It is characterized by that.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the key top includes a key top main body and a plurality of blocks having substantially the same length, which are provided so as to move up and down independently of the main body and have electrodes on the bottom surface. By arranging each block in the keytop main body so that when the keytop is in an initial state in which the keytop is not pressed, the bottom surfaces of the block on the electrode side have steps and project from the keytop main body. , When the key top is pressed, the electrodes of each block are sequentially brought into contact with the contacts of the substrate.

Therefore, when the key top is pressed,
The electrodes of the block having a large protrusion amount from the keytop body are sequentially contacted with the contacts of the substrate, and the pressing amount of the keytop can be easily detected. Therefore, the moving speed of the cursor can be arbitrarily changed by a simple operation of changing the pressing amount of the key top by the operator by taking a correspondence with the moving speed of the electrode that is in contact with the contact and the cursor on the operation screen. . Further, the cursor moving speed can be adjusted in several steps by adjusting the number of blocks according to the moving speed of the cursor. As a result, a key switch structure with high operability and usability can be obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, each block is supported by the key top body via the elastic member, and when the pressing of the key top is released, the block is returned to the initial state by the restoring force of the elastic member. It has become so. Therefore, each block is surely returned to the initial state, and the next operation is not hindered. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the deforming force of the elastic member that supports the block protruding from the keytop main body is set to be smaller as the elastic member supporting the block having the larger protrusion amount from the keytop main body. Therefore, the pressing force of the key top fluctuates every time the blocks are brought into contact with the contacts sequentially by pressing the key top, and the operator can easily detect which block comes into contact with the contacts. Therefore, the amount of movement of the key top is stable,
The moving speed of the cursor is kept stable.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an engaging portion is provided on one of the keytop body and each block, and the other of the keytop body and each block is engaged depending on the amount of movement of each block. At least one engaged portion with which the joint portion is engaged is provided. Therefore, if the block is engaged with the keytop main body when the keytop is pressed to sequentially contact the contacts, each time the block is pressed to sequentially contact the contacts. The pressing force of the key top is fluctuated, and the operator can easily detect which block has come into contact with the contact. Therefore, the amount of movement of the key top is stable,
The moving speed of the cursor is kept stable.

According to the invention of claim 5, the key top is
It is composed of a keytop body and a plurality of elastic blocks that are independently provided to the body and have electrodes on the bottom surface and expand and contract independently of each other, and are long when the keytop is pressed. The electrodes provided on the bottom surface of the block are sequentially contacted with the contacts of the substrate.

Therefore, when the key top is pressed,
Since the electrodes of the long block are sequentially contacted with the contacts of the substrate, the pressing amount of the key top can be easily detected. Therefore, the moving speed of the cursor can be arbitrarily changed by a simple operation of changing the pressing amount of the key top by the operator by taking a correspondence with the moving speed of the electrode that is in contact with the contact and the cursor on the operation screen. . Further, the cursor moving speed can be adjusted in several steps by adjusting the number of blocks according to the moving speed of the cursor.
As a result, a key switch structure with high operability and usability can be obtained. Further, since each block is composed of an elastic body, when the key top is released from the pressure, the restoring force of the block itself restores the initial state, which does not hinder the next operation.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first key switch structure according to the present invention.
It is a figure showing an example. First, the basic principle of the key switch structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
As shown in (a), this key switch structure has a substrate 1
It is composed of a plurality of contacts 2 to 4 provided above and a key top 5 provided above the substrate 1 so as to be vertically movable and having a plurality of electrodes 6a to 8a. The electrodes 6a to 8 of the key top 1 are formed.
The input is detected by bringing a into contact with the contacts 2 to 4.

The keytop 5 is provided so as to move up and down independently of the keytop main body 5a and the main body 5a, and has a plurality of blocks 6 having electrodes 6a to 8a on the bottom surface and having substantially the same length. 8 to 8 and the blocks 6 to 8 are provided by a supporting member (not shown) on the electrodes 6a.
The bottom surfaces on the side of 8a are arranged in the main body 5 so as to project from the main body 5a with steps.

When the keytop main body 5a is in the initial state where it is not pressed (see FIG. 1A), the operator presses the main body 5a, and the electrodes 6a to 6 of the blocks 6 to 7 having a large protrusion amount 7a and the electrode 8a of the block 8 are sequentially brought into contact with the contacts 2 to 4 of the substrate 1 (see FIGS. 1B and 1C), so that the electrodes 6a to 8a and the contacts 2 to 4 are electrically brought into contact with each other. The top 5 inputs are detected in multiple stages. That is, as the amount of downward movement of the main body 5 increases, the number of contacts that come into contact with the electrodes increases, and the input of the key top 5 is detected in multiple stages.

Next, based on the above principle, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment corresponds to any of claims 1 to 3. First, the configuration will be described. In FIG. 2A, 11 is an operation unit, for example,
This is a board provided on the keyboard body side, and three contacts 12 to 14 are provided on the board 11. A key top 15 is provided above the board 11, and the key top 15 is urged in a direction away from the board 11 by a return mechanism such as a spring (not shown) and is moved vertically with respect to the keyboard body. It is slidable.

The key top 15 includes a main body 15a slidably provided in a vertical direction with respect to a keyboard main body, and a main body 15a.
Electrodes 16a to 18a provided so as to move up and down independently of 15a and capable of contacting the contacts 12 to 14 respectively on the bottom surface.
Is composed of three blocks 16 to 18 having substantially the same length, and spring members 19 to 21 as elastic members for supporting the blocks 16 to 18 on the main body 15a.

Then, by making the lengths of the spring members 19 to 21 different, as shown in FIG.
When the blocks 16 to 18 are in an initial state where they are not pressed by the operator, the blocks 16 to 18 are arranged on the main body 15 so that the bottom surfaces of the blocks 16 to 18 on the side of the electrodes 16a to 18a have steps and project from the keytop main body 15a. It is set up. Further, the deforming force of the spring member 19 supporting the block 16 having a large amount of protrusion from the key top body 15a is set to be smaller than the deforming force of the spring member 20 supporting the block 17.
The deformation force of the spring member 20 supporting the block 17 is set to be smaller than that of the spring member 21 supporting the block 18.

Next, the operation will be described. The operator
When the key top 15 is pressed downward from the initial state shown in (a), the spring member 19 of the block 16 having a large amount of protrusion from the key top body 15a is deformed and the electrode 16a comes into contact with the contact 12 of the substrate 11. Input is detected (see FIG. 2B).
At this time, the spring member 19 of the block 16 is deformed by a predetermined force in response to the pressing force of the operator, so that the operator can detect that the electrode 16a and the contact 12 are contacted by only one block 16.

When the key top 15 is further pressed, the spring member 20 of the block 17 having the second largest protrusion amount from the key top body 15a is deformed and the electrode 17a comes into contact with the contact 13 of the substrate 11 to detect the input. (See FIG. 2 (c)). At this time, since the deformation force of the spring member 20 is set to be larger than the deformation force of the spring member 19, the operator is required to set this deformation force (pressing force).
Of the two blocks 16 and 17 due to the fluctuation of
It is possible to detect that 12 and 13 are touched.

Next, when the key top 15 is further pressed, the spring member 21 of the block 19 having the smallest protrusion amount from the key top main body 15a is deformed, and the electrode 19a is brought into contact with the substrate 11.
Touch 14 to detect input. At this time, since the deformation force of the spring member 21 is set to be larger than the deformation force of the spring member 20, the operator changes the deformation force (pressing force) to the electrodes 16a to 18a and 12 of the three blocks 16 to 18. ~
It is possible to detect that 14 has touched.

Next, when the pressure applied to the key top 15 is released, the key top main body 15a is moved upward by the returning mechanism to return to the original state, and the blocks 16 to 18 are moved by the restoring force of the spring members 19 to 21. The original state is restored (see FIG. 2D). Thus, in the embodiment, the key top 15
Is provided so as to move up and down independently of the key top main body 15a and the main body 15a, and the electrodes 16a to 18a are provided on the bottom surface.
When the key top 15 is in an initial state where the key top 15 is not pressed, the bottom surfaces of the blocks 16 to 18 on the side of the electrodes 16a to 18a have steps with respect to each other. By disposing the blocks 16 to 18 on the keytop body 15a so as to project from the keytop body 15a, the electrodes of the blocks 16 to 18 are pressed when the keytop 15 is pressed.
Since the contact points 12 to 14 of the substrate 11 are sequentially brought into contact with 16a to 18a, when the keytop 15 is pressed, the keytop body 15
a from the electrode 16a of the block 16 having a large amount of protrusion from
The contact amount of the key top 15 can be easily detected by contacting the contact 12.

For this reason, the electrodes that are in contact with the electrodes 12-14
By associating 16a to 18a with the moving speed of the cursor on the operation screen, the moving speed of the cursor can be arbitrarily changed by a simple operation of changing the pressing amount of the key top 15 by the operator. In addition, by adjusting the number of blocks 16 to 18 by dividing the moving speed of the cursor, the moving speed of the cursor can be adjusted in several steps. As a result, a key switch structure with high operability and usability can be obtained.

Further, each block 16-18 is connected to a spring member 19-21.
When the key top 15 is released from the pressure, the blocks 16 to 18 are supported by the key top body 15a via the spring member 19a.
Since the restoring force of 21 to 21 restores the initial state, the blocks 16 to 18 can be reliably returned to the initial state, and the next operation can be prevented from being hindered.

Further, the deformation force of the spring members 19 to 21 is set to be smaller as it supports a block having a larger protrusion amount from the key top body 15a, that is, the deformation force of the spring member 19 is smaller than that of the spring member 20. For the spring member 21, the spring member 20
Since the deformation force of is set to be small, the key top 15 is pressed and the electrodes 16a to 18a of the blocks 16 to 18 are sequentially contacted.
The pressing force of the keytop 15 can be changed each time it touches 12 to 14, and which block 16 to 18 can be changed by the operator.
It is possible to easily detect whether or not the contact point 12 to 14 is touched. Therefore, the amount of movement of the key top 15 can be stabilized, and the moving speed of the cursor can be stably maintained.

In this embodiment, the three contacts 12 to 14 and the three electrodes 16a to 18a set therein are provided.
Not limited to this, two or four or more may be provided.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the key switch structure according to the present invention and corresponds to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4. First, the configuration will be described. In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 31 denotes an operating unit, for example, a substrate provided on the keyboard body side, and two contacts 32 to 33 are provided on the substrate 31. A key top 34 is provided above the board 31, and the key top 34 is biased in a direction away from the board 31 by a return mechanism such as a spring (not shown) and slides vertically with respect to the keyboard body. It is movably installed.

The key top 34 includes a main body 34a provided slidably in the vertical direction with respect to the keyboard main body, and a main body.
Electrodes 35a and 36a provided so as to move up and down independently of 34a and capable of contacting the contacts 32 and 33 on the bottom surface, respectively.
Is composed of two blocks 35 and 36 having substantially the same length, and spring members 37 and 38 as elastic members for supporting the blocks 35 and 36 on the main body 34a.

By making the spring members 37 and 38 different in length, as shown in FIG.
Are placed in the main body 34a so that the bottom surfaces of the electrodes 35a, 36a of the blocks 35, 36 have steps relative to each other and project from the keytop main body 34a when the blocks are not pressed by the operator. Has been done. On the other hand, the blocks 35 and 36 are provided with protrusions 35b and 36b as engaging portions on the main body.
The key top main body 34a is provided with recesses 39a and 39b as engaged parts with which the projections 35b and 36b are engaged, respectively. The formation positions of the recesses 39a and 39b are the blocks 35 and 36.
The key top 34 is pressed by the operator, and the electrodes 35a and 35b contact the contacts 32 and 33.
When the projections 35b and 36b contact the recess 39,
It is formed with respect to the blocks 35 and 36 so as to be positioned so as to be engaged with a and 39b, respectively.

Next, the operation will be described. The operator
When the key top 34 is pressed downward from the initial state shown in (a), the spring member 37 of the block 35, which protrudes much from the key top body 34a, is deformed and the electrode 35a comes into contact with the contact 32 of the substrate 31. Input is detected (see FIG. 3B).
At this time, since the convex portion 35b is engaged with the concave portion 39a, the pressing force of the key top 34 fluctuates, and due to this fluctuation, the operator can sense that the electrodes 35a and 32 are contacted by only one block 35. it can.

When the key top 34 is further pressed, the spring member 38 of the block 36 is deformed so that the electrode 36a contacts the contact 33 of the substrate 31.
To detect the input (see FIG. 3C). At this time, since the convex portion 36b is engaged with the concave portion 39b, the key top
The pressing force of 34 fluctuates, and this fluctuation causes the operator to
Electrodes 35a, 36a and 32 by one block 35, 36,
It can detect that 33 contacts.

Then, when the pressure applied to the key top 34 is released, the key top body 34a is moved upward by the return mechanism to return to the original state, and the convex portions 35b and 36b are restored by the restoring force of the spring members 37 and 38. Is removed from the recesses 39a, 39b, and the blocks 35, 36 are restored to their original state. As described above, in this embodiment, the blocks 35 and 36 are provided with the convex portions 35b and 36b, and the key top main body 34 is provided with one concave portion 39a with which the convex portions 35b and 36b are engaged according to the movement amount of the blocks 35 and 36. , 39
b is provided, the blocks 35 and 36 are engaged with the keytop main body 34a when the electrodes 35a and 36a of the blocks 35 and 36 are sequentially brought into contact with the contacts 32 and 33 by pressing the keytop 34,
In addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the pressing force of the key top 34 can be changed each time the blocks 35 and 36 are sequentially brought into contact with the contacts by pressing the key top 34a. , 36 can contact the contacts 32, 33 easily. Therefore, the movement amount of the key top 34 can be stabilized, and the moving speed of the cursor can be stably maintained.

In this embodiment, the blocks 35 and 36 are provided with the convex portions 35b and 36b, and the key top body 34a is provided with the concave portions 39a and
Although 39b is provided, conversely, the blocks 35 and 36 may be provided with concave portions and the key top main body 34a may be provided with convex portions.
Further, the number of recesses may be two or more instead of one. FIG. 4 is a view showing a third embodiment of the key switch structure according to the present invention and corresponds to claim 5.

First, the structure will be described. In FIG. 4A, reference numeral 41 denotes an operating portion, for example, a substrate provided on the keyboard body side, and three contacts 42 to 44 are provided on the substrate 41.
Is provided. Above the board 41 is the key top 45.
The key top 45 is biased in a direction away from the substrate 41 by a return mechanism (not shown) such as a spring, and is provided slidably in the vertical direction with respect to the keyboard body.

The key top 45 includes a main body 45a slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the keyboard main body, and a main body 45a.
It is provided independently of 45a so as to expand and contract with each other.
Electrodes 46a-which can contact the contacts 42-44 on the bottom surface, respectively.
It is composed of three blocks 46 to 48 having 48a. The blocks 46 to 48 are made of an elastic body made of rubber or the like, and are attached to the keytop body 45a by a supporting member (not shown), and the length becomes shorter from the left side to the right side in FIG. 4 (a). Are formed to have different lengths.

Next, the operation will be described. The operator is
When the key top 45 is pressed downward from the initial state shown in (a), the electrode 46a of the block 46 having a large protrusion amount from the key top main body 45a first contacts the contact 42 of the substrate 41 to detect the input. (See FIG. 4 (b)). At this time, since only the block 46 is elastically deformed, the operator receives only the deforming force from the block 46.

When the key top 45 is further pressed, the block 46 elastically deforms and the key top 45 moves downward. Then, the electrode 47a of the block 47 contacts the contact 43 of the substrate 41 to detect the input (see FIG. 4C). At this time, since the blocks 46 and 47 are elastically deformed, the operator receives a deforming force from the blocks 46 and 47, and due to the fluctuation of the pressing force, the electrodes 46a and 47a of the two blocks 46 and 47 and
It is possible to detect that 42 and 43 have touched.

When the key top 45 is further pressed, the blocks 46 and 47 elastically deform and the key top 45 moves downward. Then, the electrode 48a of the block 48 having the smallest protrusion amount from the keytop main body 45a comes into contact with the contact 44 of the substrate 41 to detect the input. At this time, since the blocks 46 to 48 are elastically deformed, the operator receives the deformation force from the blocks 46 to 48, and the fluctuation of the pressing force causes the three blocks 46 to 48 to be changed.
The contact of the 48 electrodes 46a-48a and 42-44 can be sensed.

Next, when the pressure applied to the key top 45 is released, the key top body 45a is moved upward by the return mechanism to return to the original state, and the blocks 46 to 48 are restored by the restoring force of the blocks 46 to 48 themselves. The original state is restored (see FIG. 4D). As described above, in the embodiment, the key top 45 is provided independently of the key top main body 45a and has the electrodes 46a to 48a on the bottom surface, and the key tops 45 extend and contract independently of each other. A plurality of blocks 46 to 48, and an electrode 46a provided on the bottom surface of the long block 46 when the key top 45 is pressed.
Since the contact points 41 to 44 are contacted with each other, when the key top 45 is pressed, the pressing amount of the key top 45 can be easily detected.

For this reason, the electrodes that have been brought into contact with the contacts 42-44
By associating 46a to 48a with the moving speed of the cursor on the operation screen, the moving speed of the cursor can be arbitrarily changed by a simple operation of changing the pressing amount of the key top 45 by the operator. In addition, the cursor moving speed can be adjusted in several steps by adjusting the number of blocks 46 to 48 in accordance with the moving speed of the cursor. As a result, a key switch structure with high operability and usability can be obtained.

Further, since each of the blocks 46 to 48 is made of an elastic body, when the key top 45 is released from the pressing force,
The blocks 46 to 48 can be returned to the initial state by the restoring force of the blocks 46 to 48 themselves, and it is possible to prevent the next operation from being disturbed.

[0047]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the key top is pressed, it is possible to sequentially contact the contacts of the substrate from the electrodes of the block having a large protrusion amount from the key top body, so that the key top is pressed. The amount can be easily detected. For this reason, the moving speed of the cursor can be arbitrarily changed by a simple operation of changing the pressing amount of the key top by the operator by corresponding to the moving speed of the electrode that is in contact with the contact and the cursor on the operation screen. You can Also, the cursor moving speed can be adjusted in several steps by adjusting the number of blocks by dividing the cursor moving speed into stages. As a result, a key switch structure with high operability and usability can be obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, each block can be surely returned to the initial state, and it is possible to prevent the next operation from being disturbed. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the pressing force of the key top can be changed every time the key top is pressed to bring the blocks into contact with the contacts in sequence, and it is easy for the operator to know which block came into contact with the contacts. Can be perceived by. For this reason,
The amount of movement of the key top can be stabilized, and the movement speed of the cursor can be kept stable.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the block is engaged with the key top main body when the block is brought into contact with the contacts sequentially by pressing the block, the block is pressed with the key top. The pressing force of the key top can be changed each time each block sequentially contacts the contacts, and the operator can easily detect which block contacts the contacts. Therefore, the amount of movement of the key top can be stabilized, and the moving speed of the cursor can be stably maintained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the key top is pressed, the electrodes of the long block are sequentially brought into contact with the contacts of the substrate to easily detect the pressing amount of the key top. Corresponding to the moving speed of the electrode and the cursor on the operation screen, the moving speed of the cursor can be arbitrarily changed by a simple operation of changing the pressing amount of the key top by the operator.

By adjusting the number of blocks by dividing the moving speed of the cursor into stages, the moving speed of the cursor can be adjusted in several stages. As a result, a key switch structure with high operability and usability can be obtained. Also, because each block is made of elastic material,
When the pressing of the key top is released, the restoring force of the block itself can restore the initial state, and it is possible to prevent the next operation from being disturbed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an operation diagram illustrating a basic principle of a key switch structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation diagram showing the first embodiment of the key switch structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation diagram showing a second embodiment of the key switch structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation diagram showing a third embodiment of the key switch structure according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 11, 31, 41 Substrate 2-4, 12-14, 32, 33, 42-44 Contact 5, 15, 34, 45 Keytop 5a, 15a, 34a, 45a Keytop body 6-8, 16-18 , 35, 36, 46-48 blocks 6a-8a, 16a-18a, 35a, 36a, 46a-48a
Electrodes 19 to 21, 37, 38 Spring member (elastic member) 35b, 36b Convex portion (engaging portion) 39a, 39b Recessed portion (engaged portion)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A key top comprising a plurality of contacts provided on a substrate and vertically movable above the substrate and having a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes of the key top are in contact with the contacts. In the key switch structure for detecting an input by performing the above, the key top is provided with a key top body and a plurality of substantially the same length provided with electrodes on the bottom surface so as to move up and down independently of each other. Each block is arranged in the keytop body so that when the keytop is in an initial state in which the keytop is not pressed, the bottom surfaces of the block on the electrode side have steps and project from the keytop body. As a result, the key switch structure is characterized in that the electrodes of each block are brought into contact with the contacts of the substrate in order when the key top is pressed. 2. Each of the blocks is supported by a keytop body via an elastic member, and when the pressing of the keytop is released, the block is returned to an initial state by a restoring force of the elastic member. The key switch structure according to claim 1. 3. The deformation force of an elastic member that supports a block protruding from the keytop body is set to be smaller as it supports a block that protrudes more from the keytop body. Key switch structure. 4. An engaging portion is provided on one of the keytop body and each block, and the engaging portion engages with the other of the keytop body and each block in accordance with the movement amount of each block. The key switch structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one engaged portion is provided. 5. A plurality of contacts provided on a substrate and a key top having a plurality of electrodes provided above the substrate so as to be movable up and down, and the electrodes of the key top contact the contacts. In the key switch structure for detecting an input by doing so, the key top has a key top main body and an electrode provided on the bottom surface independently of the main body, and has a different length to expand and contract independently of each other. A key switch structure, comprising a plurality of elastic blocks, wherein the electrodes provided on the bottom surface of the long block are sequentially brought into contact with the contacts of the substrate when the key top is pressed.