JPH0831264A - Key switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a key switch device of such structure that a key top can be held at its operating position when a key is operated, it can be locked at its nonoperating position lower than the operating position when the switcher device is transported, and operability of the key can be maintained at a high level while portability thereof can be improved through the process of forming the switcher device in thinness. CONSTITUTION:A key top 2 is arranged so that it may be vertically movable above a holder member 4 via a guide member 3 comprising each of a first link member 10 and a second link member held to be rotatively movable thereon. A circuit substrate 6 whereto a rubber spring 5 having the basic part 12 of the first link member 10 on the guide member 3 placed thereon is fixed is constructed to be slidable on a holder sheet 7 in the directions of opening and closing legs respectively of the first link member 10 and the second link member between the operating and nonoperating positions of the key top 2 by an operating knob 27.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key switch device suitable for use in a keyboard attached to a thin electronic device such as a notebook type word processor and a personal computer, and more particularly, to two link members which rotate relative to each other. By vertically supporting the vertical movement of the key top through a guide support member that is movably supported, and arranging a switching member on which the guide support member is slidably arranged, a key can be operated during key operation. A key switch that keeps the top in the operating position and locks the key top to a non-operating position lower than the operating position when carrying, which makes it possible to keep the key operability high while improving the portability while making it thinner. It relates to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Notebook type word processors and the like have been remarkably popular in recent years because they have excellent portability such that they can be carried and operated anywhere. Further, various attempts have been made to further improve the portability of such word processors.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-298000, a leaf spring sheet is integrally formed with a return spring for elastically supporting a key top and a contact pressing spring for pressing a contact of a membrane switch to perform switching. A keyboard device attached to a notebook word processor or the like in which the height of the key top is variable by arranging a slide mechanism that slides in conjunction with opening and closing of the key top, and a key switch base that supports the key top so that it can move up and down. There has been proposed a keyboard device attached to a notebook type word processor or the like in which the height of the key top is variable by providing a moving mechanism that allows the key to move in the vertical direction.

Further, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-69831 discloses that
When a key is operated, the key top, which is supported so that it can move up and down on the keyboard frame, is elastically urged through the abutment part of the leaf spring to hold it in the key operation position, while when it is carried, it slides on the keyboard frame. By sliding the movable fulcrum member which is arranged so as to be disengaged from the groove of the leaf spring, the bias of the keytop by the abutting portion of the leaf spring is released and the height of the keytop is lowered. The key switch structure attached to a possible book type personal computer is described. The keyboard and the key switch structure described in each of the above publications improve the portability by lowering the height of the key top when carrying the key.

[0005]

However, the keyboards and the like described in the above-mentioned publications can improve the portability by changing the height of the key top between the time of key operation and the time of carrying the key. Also in the switch, a key support member is used to support the key top so as to be vertically movable. For example, in the key switch of a keyboard described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-298000, the key top is supported by a key stem portion formed on a switch housing or a key switch base so as to be movable up and down. In the key switch structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-69831, a key top is supported so as to be vertically movable via a silo (corresponding to a key stem portion) formed in a keyboard frame.

As described above, in the structure in which the key top is supported via the key stem portion of the key supporting member, it is generally difficult to make the key switch thin when the key is operated. For example, whether or not the key switch can be made thinner depends largely on the length of the stem that guides the sliding movement of the key top, and in order to make the key switch thinner, the length of the stem must be constant. It cannot be longer than that. On the other hand, in order to maintain good operability of the key top, it is necessary to secure a stroke amount of the key top above a certain level. Therefore, if the stroke of the key top is made longer while the key switch is made thinner, the length of the stem cannot be increased beyond a certain length, and the sliding length of the stem becomes insufficient. When the key top is pressed, the key top is twisted with the stem, and the key top cannot be operated smoothly.

Various proposals have heretofore been made to solve such problems. For example, JP-A-5-329443
In JP-A-5-290673 and JP-A-5-290673, a key top is guided and supported through a holding member that supports two link members so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and such a holding member is provided in a housing without a stem portion. A push button switch and a key switch device configured by being directly attached to a holder member are described. In this type of switch, since the stem part is not formed in the housing or holder member to which the holding member of the key top is attached, there is no restriction based on the length of the stem part, and therefore the overall thickness of the switch can be reduced. Is possible.

By the way, in order to improve portability as described above, when the switches described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 5-342943 and 5-290673 are used in a notebook type word processor or the like. It is desirable to dispose a mechanism for further lowering the height of the key top when carrying it. However, the sliding mechanism of the leaf spring sheet described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-298000 and the sliding mechanism of the movable fulcrum member described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-69831 pay attention to the structure of each key switch. It has been devised, and the vertical movement of the key top is guided and supported by a holding member composed of two link members.
It cannot be directly applied to the switches described in Japanese Patent No. 342943 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-290673. As described above, in a switch in which a holding member composed of two link members guides and supports the vertical movement of the key top, an attempt to further lower the height of the key top when carrying the switch has been made. The current situation is not.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and guides and supports the vertical movement of the key top through a guide support member that supports two link members so as to be rotatable relative to each other. At the same time, by slidably disposing the switching member on which the guide support member is mounted,
Holds the key top in the operating position when performing key operation, and locks the key top in a non-operating position lower than the operating position when carrying, thereby maintaining high key operability and improving portability while making it thinner. An object of the present invention is to provide a key switch device that can be used.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a key top having a first locking portion and a second locking portion formed on the back surface, and the key top arranged below the key top. A holder member having a third locking portion facing the first locking portion and a fourth locking portion facing the second locking portion;
Each first link member includes a first link member held by the locking portion and the fourth locking portion, and a second link member held by the second locking portion and the third locking portion. And a second link member rotatably supporting each other through a pivotal support and opening and closing legs to guide the vertical movement of the key top, and a switching electrode disposed below the guide support member. A circuit board on which the switch is formed, and a switching member which is provided on the circuit board in correspondence with the switching electrode and on which the guide support member is elastically mounted and which performs a switching operation in response to the vertical movement of the key top. In the key switch device having the above-mentioned circuit board, the circuit board has an operating position of the key top where the guide supporting member is placed on the switching member and an operating position where the guide supporting member is disengaged from the switching member. Between also the inoperative position of the lower key top, the first link member and the second link member is slidably configured in the direction of the open leg of the guide support member with switching members.

Further, a stopper formed on the switching member and a locking groove formed on the second link member are provided, and the stopper is engaged when the circuit board is slid in the non-operating position direction. It is desirable to be configured to be locked in the stop groove. Further, the key top includes a first portion having a predetermined length with respect to the shaft supporting portion and a second portion longer than the first portion, and the switching member is located below the second portion in the non-operating position. It may be configured to be positioned. Further, the switching member is composed of a rubber spring having a movable electrode that short-circuits the switching electrode, and the rubber spring and the guide support member are in contact with each other at an operating position. It is desirable that the chamfered portion is formed so as to be inclined upward from the position toward the non-operating position.

[0012]

In the key switch device according to the present invention having the above-described structure, when the key top is pressed when the key operation of the key top is performed, the first link member and the first Since the 2 link members are rotatably supported via the shaft support,
The first and second link members are mutually opened to guide the key top downward.

Corresponding to the downward movement of the key top, the guide support member also moves downward, and based on this, switching operation is performed with the switching electrode formed on the circuit board via the switching member. When the key top is released, the first ring member and the second ring member are released.
The reverse operation is performed between the link member, the key top, and the holder member, the key top is biased upward by the elastic force of the switching member, and the first link member and the second link member Are closed to each other and thereby returned to their original position.

Further, when the key switch device is carried, the circuit board on which the switching member is disposed is slid in the direction in which the first link member and the second link member are opened, whereby the key top is guided. The guide support member is arranged in a non-operating position lower than the operating position in which the guide supporting member is off the switching member from the operating position in which the supporting member is placed on the switching member. As a result, the height of the key top is lowered, and the portability is improved.

Here, a stopper is formed on the switching member and a locking groove for locking the stopper is formed on the second link member, and the stopper is provided when the circuit board is slid toward the non-operating position of the key top. If the key top is configured to be locked in the locking groove, the key top is held at the non-operating position lower than its operating position via the stopper and the locking groove, and therefore, the key switch. It is possible to prevent the key top from being reliably locked in the non-operating position when the device is carried, and preventing rattling during carrying. In addition, the key top has the first part and the first part based on the shaft support.
If the switching member is configured to be positioned below the second portion in the non-operating position of the key top, the space formed below the second portion is effectively used. It is possible to efficiently store the switching member under the key top.

Further, the switching member is composed of a rubber spring having a movable electrode, and at the portion where the rubber spring and the guide supporting member abut each other, both the rubber spring and the guide supporting member are moved from the operating position to the non-operating position. When the chamfered portion that is inclined upward toward the chamfer is formed, the guide support member is placed on the chamfered portion and the chamfered portion is based on the sliding guide action performed through the two chamfered portions. It is possible to smoothly remove the guide support member from the, so that the sliding operation of the circuit board can be smoothly performed.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A key switch device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment embodying the present invention. First, the configuration of the key switch device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a side sectional view of the key switch device in which the key top is in the operating position, FIG. 2 is a plan view of one link member, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the other link member, and FIG. 4 is a rubber spring slide. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view schematically showing the relationship between the holder member and the rubber spring in the operating position of the key top before the operation, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the locking structure of the operation knob.

In FIG. 1, the key switch device 1 basically comprises a key top 2, a guide member 3 as a guide support member for guiding the vertical movement of the key top 2 while maintaining the horizontal state of the key top 2, and the key top 2. A holder member 4 for holding the guide member 3 between them, a rubber spring 5 fixed below the guide member 3 and a circuit board 6 arranged below the holder member 4, and a support for supporting the lower surface of the circuit board 6. It is composed of a plate 7.

The key top 2 is formed of ABS resin or the like, and characters, symbols or the like for identifying the key top 2 are printed on the upper surface thereof. Further, the key top 2 is a guide member 3
The front portion 2A with respect to a perpendicular line L passing through a pivot shaft 16 (described later) provided in the first link member 10 for movably supporting the first link member 10 and the second link member 11 constituting the (Left part in FIG. 1) and rear part 2B
The length A of the front portion 2A is longer than the length B of the rear portion 2B. A pair of long groove-shaped first locking portions 8 (only one of the first locking portions 8 is shown in FIG. 1) is formed on the back surface of the front portion 2A of the key top 2. As will be described later, the stopper 8 holds each first sliding pin 14 formed on the first link member 10 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. A pair of circular hole-shaped second locking portions 9 (only one of the second locking portions 9 is shown in FIG. 1) is formed on the back surface of the rear portion 2B. As will be described later, the portion 9 rotatably holds the second locking pin 20 formed on the second link member 11.

Further, the guide member 3 is the first link member 10
And the second link member 11 are rotatably supported with respect to each other. Here, each of the first link member 10 and the second link member 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, the structure of the first link member 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The first link member 10 is molded from polyacetal resin or the like and has a substantially "H" shape in plan view. The first link member 10 includes a base portion 12 and a pair of plate portions 13 formed on both sides of the base portion 12. The first sliding pin 14 is provided at one end (the left end in FIG. 2) of each plate portion 13.
Is provided outward, and the first locking pin 15 is provided outward at the other end (right end in FIG. 2) of each plate portion 13. Here, each first sliding pin 14 is slidably held by the first locking portion 8 formed on the front portion 2A of the key top 2 as described above, and each second locking pin 15 is As will be described later, the fourth locking portion 24 formed on the holder member 4 is rotatably held. A pivot shaft 16 is provided so as to project outward from a substantially central position of each plate portion 13.
Each of these pivot shafts 16 is rotatably supported in a pivot hole 21 formed in each plate portion 18 of the second link member 11, which will be described later.

Next, the structure of the second link member 11 will be described with reference to FIG. Like the first link member 10, the second link member 11 is molded from polyacetal resin or the like, and has a substantially “U” shape in plan view. The second link member 11 includes a base portion 17 and a pair of plate portions 18 formed on both sides of the base portion 17. One end of each plate portion 18 (see FIG. 3).
A second sliding pin 19 is provided outward at the middle left end), and a second locking pin 20 is provided between the other ends (right ends in FIG. 3) of the plate portions 18. Here, each second sliding pin 1
9 is a third member formed on the holder member 4, as will be described later.
The second locking pin 20 is slidably held by the locking portion 23,
As described above, is rotatably held by the second locking portion 9 formed in the rear portion 2B of the key top 2. A pivot hole 21 is bored from a substantially central position of each plate portion 18, and each pivot hole 21 is provided with a pivot hole projecting from each plate portion 13 of the first link member 10. A shaft 16 is rotatably supported. Further, the locking groove M (see FIG. 1) is provided at a position near each second sliding pin 19 on each plate portion 18.
In FIG. 1, only the locking groove M formed in the one plate portion 18 is shown). As will be described later, the locking groove M locks the pair of stop portions 5C provided on the rubber spring 5 when the circuit board 6 is slid, and holds the locked state. It is a thing.

As described above, the guide member 3 is constructed by rotatably supporting the pivot shaft 16 of the first link member 10 in the pivot hole 21 of the second link member 11. The first link member 10 and the second link member 11 can open and close each other. Also, the first
The distance from the center of the pivot shaft 16 in the link member 10 to the centers of the first sliding pin 14 and the first locking pin 15 and the center of the pivot hole 21 in the second link member 11 to the second locking pin 20. And the distance to the center of the second sliding pin 19 are set to be equal to each other.

Next, the holder member 4 in the key switch device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Like the key top 2, the holder member 4 is formed of ABS resin or the like, and is provided for each key switch device 1. Therefore,
When the key switch device 1 according to the present embodiment is used for a keyboard provided with a plurality of key switch devices, the holder member 4 corresponds to each key switch device 1 provided on the keyboard and the entire keyboard. One member is integrally formed in the.

The holder member 4 is provided with a mounting hole 22 in which the rubber spooling 5 fixed on the circuit board 6 can be slid, as will be described later. Further, among the four corner positions of the mounting hole 22, a pair of third locking portions 23 is formed at the right corner position in FIG. 4, and each third locking portion 23 is formed by each first locking portion of the key top 2. The second link member 1 is formed in a long groove shape while facing the locking portion 8.
The first second sliding pin 19 is held slidably. Further, in the holder member 4, a pair of fourth locking portions 24 is formed at the left corner position in FIG. 4, and each fourth locking portion 24 faces the second locking portion 9 of the key top 2. Together with this, it is formed in a circular hole shape and rotatably holds the first locking pin 15 of the first link member 10. Although the mounting hole 22 has a substantially rectangular shape, the mounting hole 2 in the sliding direction does not interfere with the sliding operation of the rubber spring 5 when the rubber spring 5 slides, as will be described later.
The two side edges (both the left and right side edges in FIG. 4) of 2 have an arc shape that matches the shape of the rubber spring 5.

Next, the circuit board 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. The circuit board 6 is a flexible circuit board having a predetermined circuit pattern formed on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or the like, or a hard circuit board having a circuit pattern formed on a board made of paper-phenol, glass epoxy resin or the like. The lower surface is supported on the support plate 7. The circuit board 6 is slidable on the support plate 7. That is, the holder member 4 and the support plate 7 are formed by a predetermined clearance (set to be larger than the thickness of the circuit board 6) between them, and are "crimped" or screwed at a plurality of locations. The circuit boards 6 are coupled to each other, and as a result, the circuit board 6 can slide on the support plate 7 via the clearance formed between the holder member 4 and the support plate 7.

On the circuit board 6, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first link member 10 and the second link member 11 are provided.
A rubber spring 5 is fixed to a lower position corresponding to a portion where the shafts are mutually supported. The rubber spring 5 is formed of an elastic rubber material such as silicon rubber or EPDM, and has a conical dome portion 5A, an edge portion 5B formed around the dome portion 5A, and a portion 2B extending from the edge portion 5B. It is composed of one stopper portion 5C (see FIG. 4). The movable electrode 25 made of conductive rubber is fixed to the inner upper wall of the dome portion 5A, and the base 12 of the first link member 10 is placed on the top of the dome portion 5A.
Thereby, the first link member 10 and the second link member 11
The guide member 3 composed of and is elastically supported via the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5. Since the rubber spring 5 is fixed on the circuit board 6, the rubber spring 5 is slid along with the circuit board 6 in accordance with the sliding operation of the circuit board 6. This will be described later. A chamfered portion N1 is formed around the upper edge of the dome portion 5A, and the chamfered portion N1 is the first chamfered portion.
The guide member 3 is smoothly guided upward in cooperation with the chamfered portion N2 formed at the side end (left end in FIG. 1) of the base 12 of the link member 10.

Further, the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5
A pair of fixed electrodes 26 is formed on the circuit board 6 corresponding to the movable electrodes 25 in the fixed electrode 2
As will be described later, 6 is for performing a switching operation by being short-circuited to each other via the movable electrode 25 when the key top 2 is pressed. In addition, as shown in FIG.
6 is formed so as to be shifted slightly to the left of the perpendicular line L with respect to the movable electrode 25. This is when pressing the key top 2,
The first sliding pin 14 of the first link member 10 and the second sliding pin 19 of the second link member 11 are slid in the first locking portion 8 and the third locking portion 23, respectively. Based on that
Since the movable electrode 25 of the rubber spring 5 also shifts slightly to the left in FIG. 1 and buckles and abuts against each fixed electrode 26, the movable electrode 25 short-circuits the fixed electrode 26 at its central portion during switching. This is because

Further, an operation knob 27 is mounted on the circuit board 6 at a position separated from the key switch device 1, and the operation knob 27 is operated when the circuit board 6 is slid. In addition, as shown in FIG.
Positioning protrusions 28 are formed on both sides of 7 (see FIG.
Only one of the positioning protrusions 28 is shown in the figure). The positioning protrusions 28 are provided on both side edges (upper and lower sides in FIG. 5) of the operation hole 29 formed in the holder member 4 corresponding to the movable range of the operation knob 27. Edge (Note that only the upper edge is shown in FIG. 5)
Positioning grooves 29A, 29B, 29 formed in the
It is positionally fitted to one of C and 29D. As a result, the circuit board 6 is held by the holder member 4 via the operation knob 27.
When it is slid between the support member 7 and the support plate 7, the positioning with the holder member 4 can be performed at any position in multiple stages. Therefore, the rubber spring 5 is slid together with the circuit board 6 as the circuit board 6 is slid, so that the positioning protrusion 28 of the operation knob 27 is positioned and fitted in an arbitrary positioning groove, whereby the rubber spring 5 and The positional relationship with the guide member 3 can be variously changed. This point will be described later. Incidentally, the positioning protrusion 28 of the operation knob 27 is positioned and fitted in the positioning groove 29B in FIG. 5, but in this state, the relationship between the respective members constituting the key switch device 1 is shown in FIGS. Become involved. Also,
When the positioning protrusion 28 is positioned and fitted in the positioning groove 29A, the relationship between the respective members forming the key switch device 1 is as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and similarly, the positioning protrusion 28 is positioned in the positioning groove 29C. The relationship between the respective members when fitted together is as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Further, the positioning protrusion 28 is provided with a positioning groove 29D.
The relationship between the respective members when the positioning and fitting are performed is as shown in FIG.

Next, a method for assembling the key switch device 1 having the above-described structure will be described. First, while the circuit board 6 to which the rubber spring 5 is fixed is sandwiched between the support plate 7 and the holder member 4, while maintaining a clearance between each support plate 7 and the holder member 4, , Or screwed together. At this point, the circuit board 6 is slidably arranged between the support plate 7 and the holder member 4. After this, the first
The guide member 3 is assembled by pivotally supporting the pivot shaft 16 of the link member 10 in the pivot hole 21 of the second link member 11. Next, each second sliding pin 19 of the second link member 11
To the third locking portion 23 of the holder member 4, and
Each first locking pin 15 of the link member 10 is snapped into the fourth locking portion 24 of the holder member 4. As a result, the guide member 3 is held by the holder member 4.

After holding the guide member 3 on the holder member 4 as described above, the key top 2 is arranged above the guide member 3 and each first sliding pin 14 of the first link member 10 is attached to the key top. First locking portion 8 formed on the front portion 2A of the second
The second locking pin 20 of the second link member 11 is formed in the rear portion 2B of the key top 2 while being locked inside.
Snap into the locking part 9. Thereby, the key switch device 1 is assembled. When the key switch device 1 is assembled as described above, the base portion 12 of the first link member 10 has the dome portion 5 of the rubber spring 5.
Since the key top 2 is placed on A, the key top 2 is biased upward together with the guide member 3 through the elastic force of the rubber spring 5 and is held in the non-depressed position shown in FIG.
At this time, the operation knob 27 is fitted in the positioning groove 29B.

Next, the switching operation of the key switch device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the key switch device 1 showing a state where the key top is pressed. When the key top 2 is not pressed, the positioning protrusion 28 of the operation knob 27 has the positioning groove 2 as shown in FIG.
9B is positioned and fitted.

When the key top 2 is pushed down from the state shown in FIG. 1, each first sliding pin 14 of the first link member 10 in the guide member 3 is slid to the left inside the first locking portion 8. At the same time, the first locking pin 15 is rotated counterclockwise in the fourth locking portion 24. At the same time, the second locking pin 20 of the second link member 11 of the guide member 3 is rotated clockwise in the second locking portion 9, and the second sliding pin 1
9 is slid to the left inside the third locking portion 23. At this time,
The key top 2 is moved downward while maintaining the horizontal state regardless of the pressed position of the key top 2 by the cooperation action of each of the first link member 10 and the second link member 11.

With the downward movement of the key top 2, the first
The base 12 of the link member 10 gradually becomes the rubber spring 5
The dome portion 5A is pushed, and when the pushing force exceeds a certain limit, the dome portion 5A buckles with a click feeling. Due to the buckling of the rubber spring 5, the movable electrode 25 fixed to the inner upper wall of the dome portion 5A is turned on by short-circuiting the fixed electrodes 26 formed on the circuit board 6, as shown in FIG. Thus, the on-switching operation is performed.

When the key top 2 is released,
The base portion 12 of the first link member 10 is urged upward by the elastic force (returning force) of the rubber spring 5. At this time, each of the first sliding pins 14 of the first link member 10 is slid to the right in the first locking portion 8 and the first locking pin 1
5 is rotated clockwise in the fourth locking portion 24. At the same time, the second link member 11 of the second link member 11 of the guide member 3
The locking pin 20 is rotated counterclockwise in the second locking portion 9, and the second sliding pin 19 is slid to the right side in the third locking portion 23. Along with this, the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 gradually returns to the original state, and the movable electrode 25 is separated from each fixed electrode 26 in this process. At this point, it is turned off and off-switching operation is performed. Then, the key top 2 returns to the original non-depressed state shown in FIG. 1 via the elastic force of the rubber spring 5.
At this time, the key tops 2 have the same first
The link member 10 and the second link member 11 cooperate to move the link member 10 upward while maintaining the horizontal state.

An operation curve of the key switch device 1 at the time of the on-switching and the off-switching described above is shown by an operation curve B in FIG. Here, FIG. 13 is an operation curve shown by the relationship between the pressing load of the key top 2 and the stroke of the key top 2 during the operation of the key switch device 1. In FIG. 13, the vertical axis represents the pressing load of the key top 2 (g), and the horizontal axis represents the stroke amount of the key top 2 (mm).
Indicates.

In the operation curve B of FIG. 13, a curve B1 shows changes in the pressing load and stroke amount when the key top 2 is pressed, and a curve B2 shows changes in the pressing load and stroke amount when the key top 2 is released. . Such an operation curve B shows a normal positional relationship between the rubber spring 5 and the base portion 12 of the first link member 10 in the guide member 3 (the positioning protrusion 28 of the operation knob 27 and the positioning groove 29B).
It shows a change when switching is performed by setting to (positioning and fitting) to, and it can be seen that the switching operation is performed with a predetermined operation characteristic. still,
When the positional relationship between the rubber spring 5 and the base portion 12 of the first link member 10 changes, the pressing force exerted on the rubber spring 5 via the base portion 12, the pressing direction, etc. change. The curve changes as shown in operating curves A and C. This point will be described later.

Next, in order to improve the portability of the key switch device 1 configured as described above, in order to lower the height of the key top 2, the circuit board 6 is connected to each first link member via the operation knob 27. 10. The operation of sliding the second link member 11 in the leg opening direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view schematically showing the relationship between the holder member 4 and the rubber spring 5 at the non-operating position of the key top 2 after sliding the rubber spring,
FIG. 8 is a side sectional view schematically showing the state of the key switch device 1 in the non-operating position of the key top 2 after sliding the rubber spring. In addition, before the sliding operation of the circuit board 6, the holder member 4 and the rubber spring 5 are moved to the position shown in FIG.
It shall be in the state shown in.

First, between the holder member 4 and the support plate 7,
The circuit board 6 is moved in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 4 (leftward in FIG. 1) via the operation knob 27, and is slid until the positioning protrusion 28 is positioned and fitted in the positioning groove 29D.
When the circuit board 6 is slid, the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 is gradually separated from the base portion 12 of the first link member 10, and the base portion 12 comes into contact with the conical wall portion of the dome portion 5A. Each of the first link member 10 and the second link member 11 of the guide member 3 which is urged upward by the elastic force of the rubber spring 5 is folded with respect to each other via the pivot shaft 16 and the pivot hole 21 thereof. Go. Along with this, the height of the key top 2 gradually decreases from the state shown in FIG. Then, when the base portion 12 of the first link member 10 is completely disengaged from the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5, each of the first link member 10 and the second link member 11 is completely folded as shown in FIG. Then, the height of the key top 2 is at the lowest, as shown in FIG. 8, because at the same time, the key top 2 is in a state of not receiving the elastic force from the rubber spring 5.

When the base portion 12 of the first link member 10 is completely removed from the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5, each stopper 5C formed on the rubber spring 5 is removed.
Are locked in the locking grooves M formed in the second link member 11, whereby the first link member 10 and the second link member 11 are held in a folded state. Therefore, the key top 2 is held in a state in which the height of the key top 2 is the lowest, and even when vertical vibration is applied to the key top 2 while the key switch device 1 is being carried. It is possible to reliably prevent 2 from rattling.

Further, when the base portion 12 of the first link member 10 is completely removed from the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5, the rubber spring 5 is completely stored below the front portion 2A of the key top 2. In this way, when sliding the rubber spring 5 together with the circuit board 6 to the non-operating position of the key top 2, the rubber spring 5 is slid toward the front portion 2A which is longer than the rear portion 2B, and the front portion 2A Since it is stored below, it is possible to reliably prevent the rubber spring 5 from being stored in a deformed state by abutting on the key top 2, and it is possible to maintain the characteristics of the rubber spring 5 for a long period of time. . Further, the shape of the both side edges (both the left and right side edges in FIG. 4) of the mounting hole 22 is the rubber spring 5
The rubber spring 5 does not abut the holder member 4 and has a circular arc shape that matches the shape of
It can be slid smoothly within 2.

When returning the key top 2 to the operating position when using the key switch device 1,
In accordance with the operation opposite to the above, the circuit board 6 is moved in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 4 (rightward in FIG. 1) via the operation knob 27, and is slid until the positioning protrusion 28 is positioned and fitted in the positioning groove 29B. To do. When the circuit board 6 is slid, first, the engagement between the engagement groove M and the stopper portion 5C is released, and the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 gradually goes under the base portion 12 of the first link member 10. Go out,
Eventually, the base 12 will be placed on the top of the dome portion 5A. As a result, the folded first ring members 10 and the second link members 11 are restored to their original state, and along with this, the height of the key tops 2 gradually increases and the original state shown in FIG. Return to the operating position of. When the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 goes under the first link member 10 as described above, the chamfered portion N1 is formed around the upper edge of the dome portion 5A, and the base 12
Since the chamfered portion N2 matching the chamfered portion N1 is formed at the end of the first chamfered portion N1, the first link member 10 is smoothly slid and guided upward through the cooperation of the chamfered slanted portions N1 and N2. It is something.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, a structure for changing the operation characteristic of the key top 2 by positioning the rubber spring 5 and the guide member 3 in multiple positions in the key switch device 1 will be described. explain. here,
FIG. 9 shows the rubber spring 5 and the guide member 3 more than in the normal state.
1 is a side cross-sectional view of the key switch device 1 when the operating characteristics of the key top 2 are changed by reducing the contact area with
0 is a side cross-sectional view of the key switch device 1 showing a state in which the key top 2 corresponding to FIG. 9 is pressed down, and FIG. 11 shows the key top with a larger contact area between the rubber spring 5 and the guide member 3 than in the normal state. 2 is a side sectional view of the key switch device 1 when the operation characteristic of FIG. 2 is changed, and FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the key switch device 1 corresponding to FIG. At the beginning, the operation knob 2
It is assumed that the positioning protrusion 28 of No. 7 is positionally fitted in the positioning groove 29B and the positional relationship between the rubber spring 5 and the guide member 3 is set to the normal state shown in FIG. Further, in the following description, the same configuration as the configuration described in FIG. 1 and the like will be referred to the above description, and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the characteristic configuration will be described with the same reference numerals. And

When changing the operation characteristics of the key top 2, first, the circuit board 6 is attached to the support plate 7 via the operation knob 27.
The positioning protrusion 28 of the operation knob 27 is slid up to move from the positioning groove 29B to the positioning groove 29A, and the positioning knob 28 is positioned and fitted. The positional relationship between the rubber spring 5 and the guide member 3 in this state is as shown in FIG. In the positional relationship between the rubber spring 5 and the guide member 3 shown in FIG. 9, the base portion 12 of the first link member 10 in the guide member 3 is different from that in the normal case of FIG.
The contact area between the rubber spring 5 and the dome portion 5A is small, and the contact portion is located on the right side in FIG.

In the case of having such a contact relationship, the pressing force and the pressing direction exerted by the base portion 12 of the first link member 10 on the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 when the key top 2 is pressed change, and as a result, the key top 2 is changed. When pressing the key 2 to perform the on-switching operation as shown in FIG. 10 and releasing the key top 2 to perform the off-switching operation, as shown in the operation curve A of FIG. Changes appear in the operating characteristics of the top 2. Here, the operation curve A
Among them, the curve A1 shows changes in the pressing load and the stroke amount when the key top 2 is pressed, and the curve A2 shows the key top 2
The change in the pressing load and the stroke amount when the pressing is released is shown. Comparing the operation curve A and the operation curve B, the operation curve A performs the switching operation with a smaller pressing force, so that the key operation characteristic is a light key operation feeling.

When a characteristic different from the key operation characteristic obtained from the operation curve A is set, the operation knob 2
The circuit board 6 is slid on the support plate 7 via 7, and the positioning protrusion 28 of the operation knob 27 is moved from the positioning groove 29A to the positioning groove 29C and is positioned and fitted. Rubber spring 5 and guide member 3 in this state
The positional relationship with and is in the state shown in FIG. FIG.
In the positional relationship between the rubber spring 5 and the guide member 3 shown in FIG. 1, the guide member 3 is different from the normal case of FIG.
The contact area between the base portion 12 of the first link member 10 and the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 is large, and the contact portion is located slightly leftward in FIG.

In the case of such a contact relationship, the pressing force and the pressing direction exerted by the base portion 12 of the first link member 10 on the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 when the key top 2 is pushed are different from those in the case of FIG. It will be different, and as a result,
When the key-top 2 is pressed to perform the on-switching operation as shown in FIG. 12, and when the key-top 2 is released to perform the off-switching operation, the operation curve C shown in FIG. 13 is used. , A change appears in the operation characteristics of the key top 2. Here, in the operation curve C, a curve C1 shows changes in the pressing load and stroke amount when the key top 2 is pressed, and a curve C2 shows changes in the pressing load and stroke amount when the key top 2 is released. Comparing the operation curve C and the operation curve B, the operation curve C and the operation curve B have substantially the same key operation characteristics, but the switching operation is performed with a click feeling larger than that of the operation curve B. Therefore, as a key operation characteristic, a clearer key operation feeling (click feeling) can be obtained.

In this way, by selecting one positioning groove from the positioning grooves 29A to 29C for the positioning projection 28 of the operation knob 27 and positioning and fitting, the key operation characteristics of the key top 2 can be freely changed. It is possible for the operator to perform the key operation by setting the operation characteristics that match his or her own key operation feeling.

Next, the key switch device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the key switch device 1 in which the key top 2 is in the operating position. In this embodiment, the circuit board 6
By forming the inclined portion 30 on the apex of the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 in consideration of the sliding direction, the rubber spring 5 moves from the operating position to the non-operating position when the circuit board 6 is slid. The key switch device 1 is characterized in that it can smoothly move from the non-operating position to the operating position, and other configurations are the same as those of the key switch device 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, here, the same members and the like as those of the key switch device 1 of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted by referring to the above description, and only the characteristic configuration thereof will be omitted. explain.

In FIG. 14, the top of the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 is directed in the direction in which the circuit board 6 is slid from the operating position of the key top 2 to the non-operating position via the operating knob 27 (in FIG. 14). An inclined portion 30 that is inclined upward (from right to left) is formed. In addition, the movable electrode 25 provided on the inner upper wall of the dome portion 5A
Are arranged on the left side of the central portion of the inner upper wall thereof. This is because the rubber spring 5 is not pushed vertically from above but is pushed diagonally through the slanted inclined portion 30, so that when the rubber spring 5 is pushed, the movable electrode 25 is slightly arced. This is because it is considered that the moving electrode moves downward while coming into contact with the fixed electrode 26 on the circuit board 6.

The base portion 12 of the first link member 10 of the guide member 3 has an inclined surface 12A which matches the inclined surface of the inclined portion 30 as is apparent from comparison with FIGS. 1, 9 and 11. Has been formed. As a result, the base portion 12 has the inclined portion 3 of the rubber spring 5 through the inclined surface 12A.
It is placed in close contact with 0.

When carrying the key switch device 1,
When the circuit board 6 is slid from the operating position to the non-operating position of the key top 2 via the operation knob 27, the inclined portion 30 of the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 is inclined to the inclined surface of the base portion 12 of the first link member 10. 12A, whereby the rubber spring 5 can be smoothly slid in the direction of the non-operating position. Also,
When the circuit board 6 is slid from the non-operating position of the key top 2 toward the operating position of the key top 2 via the operation knob 27 when the key of the key switch device 1 is operated, the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 is inclined. The portion 30 moves while sunk into the inclined surface 12A of the base portion 12 of the first ring member 10. At this time, since the inclined portions 30 and the inclined surface 12A have the same inclination direction and the inclined portion 30 is smoothly moved along the inclined surface 12A, the rubber spring 5 smoothly moves in the direction of the operating position. It can be slid.

As described above, the rubber spring 5 is formed with the inclined portion 30 which is inclined upward from the operating position of the key top 2 toward the non-operating position, and the first part of the guide member 3 is formed.
By forming the inclined surface 12A that matches the inclined surface of the inclined portion 30 on the base portion 12 of the link member 10, the rubber spring 5 slides from the operating position of the key top 2 to the non-operating position, and In any case of sliding in the direction from the non-moving position to the moving position, the slidable movement can be performed smoothly through the cooperation of the inclined portion 30 and the inclined surface 12A.

As described in detail above, in the key switch device 1 according to the present embodiment, the key is provided via the guide member 3 which supports the first link member 10 and the second link member 11 so as to be rotatable relative to each other. The top 2 is arranged so as to be movable up and down on the holder member 4, and the circuit board 6 to which the rubber spring 5 for mounting the base 12 of the first link member 10 in the guide member 3 is fixed is operated by the operation knob 27. Since the first link member 10 and the second link member 11 are slidable on the support plate 7 in the opening / closing leg direction between the operating position and the non-operating position of 2, the key top 2 slides on the holder member 4. A key switch device 1 that does not require a guiding stem unit
Can be easily thinned, and when the key switch device 1 is carried, the circuit board 6 is slid to the non-operating position to move the rubber spring 5 to the non-operating position where the rubber spring 5 is disengaged from the guide member 3. The biasing of the guide member 3 by the rubber spring 5 is released and the first link member 10 and the second link member 11 are folded to fold the key top 2
The height of can be lowered.

In addition, the rubber spring 5 has a stopper 5
Since C is formed and the engaging groove M is formed in the second link member 11 and the stopper portion 5C is engaged with the engaging groove M when the circuit board 6 is slid to the non-operating position, The key top 2 can be held in its non-operating position. Therefore, when the key switch device 1 is carried, the key top 2 can be reliably locked in the non-operating position to reliably prevent the key top 2 from rattling during carrying.

Further, when the key top 2 is divided into the front portion 2A and the rear portion 2B with reference to the perpendicular line L passing through the pivot shaft 16 of the first link member 10 in the guide member 3, as described above, the circuit board 6 is formed. Slide the keytop 2 to the non-operating position and the rubber spring 5 will
Since it is configured to be stored and positioned below the front portion 2A that is longer than B, the space formed below the front portion 2A is effectively used to store the rubber spring 5 efficiently below the key top 2. can do. As a result, the rubber spring 5 can be stored under the key top 2 without being deformed by being subjected to any load, and it is possible to maintain a predetermined characteristic of the rubber spring 5 for a long period of time and to extend its life. Is something that can be done.

Further, in the key switch device 1 of the first embodiment, the chamfered portion N1 is formed around the upper edge of the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5, and the first ring member 1 is formed.
Since the chamfered portion N2 and the surface that matches the chamfered portion N1 are formed at the end of the base portion 12, the chamfered portions N1 and N2 cooperate with each other when the rubber spring 5 is returned from the portable state to the original key operable state. The base 12 of the first link member 10 can be smoothly slid and guided upward through the action. Further, in the key switch device 1 of the second embodiment, the rubber spring 5 is formed with the inclined portion 30 which is inclined upward from the operating position of the key top 2 toward the non-operating position, and the first link of the guide member 3 is formed. When the inclined surface 12A that matches the inclined surface of the inclined portion 30 is formed on the base portion 12 of the member 10, when the key top 2 is slid from the operating position to the non-operating position, and when operating from the non-operating position. In any case where the rubber spring 5 is slid in the direction of the position, the rubber spring 5 is attached to the inclined portion 30.
With the cooperation of the inclined surface 12A, the sliding movement can be smoothly performed.

The above embodiments do not limit the present invention, and it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, when the key top 2 is pressed, the movable electrode 25 fixed to the inner upper wall of the dome portion 5A of the rubber spring 5 and the fixed electrode 26 formed on the circuit board 6 are brought into contact with each other. Was configured to perform switching operation by
Even when a so-called membrane switch in which a spacer is inserted between two switching sheets is arranged on the lower surface of the holder member 4 and a pressing portion is formed on the inner upper wall of the dome portion 5A, the same as in the above-described respective embodiments. It is clear that the effect can be obtained. Further, not only one operation knob 27 but one operation knob 27 may be provided at each end of the keyboard to facilitate the sliding of the circuit board 6.

[0059]

As described above, the present invention guides and supports the vertical movement of the key top through the guide support member that supports two link members so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and the guide support member is mounted. By arranging the switching member that can be placed slidably, the key top is held in the operating position when key operations are performed, and the key top is locked at a non-operating position lower than the operating position when carrying, thus making it thinner. Therefore, it is possible to provide a key switch device capable of maintaining high key operability and improving portability, and the industrial effect thereof is great.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a key switch device according to a first embodiment in which a key top is in an operating position.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one link member.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the other link member.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing the relationship between the holder member and the rubber spring at the operating position of the key top before sliding the rubber spring.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a locking structure of an operation knob.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the key switch device showing a state where the key top is pressed down.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the holder member and the rubber spring at the non-operating position of the key top after sliding the rubber spring.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view schematically showing a state of the key switch device in the non-operating position of the key top after sliding the rubber spring.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the key switch device when the contact area between the rubber spring and the guide member is made smaller than in the normal state to change the operation characteristics of the key top.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the key switch device showing a state where the key top corresponding to FIG. 9 is pressed down.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the key switch device in the case where the contact area between the rubber spring and the guide member is made larger than in the normal state to change the operation characteristics of the key top.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the key switch device showing a state where the key top corresponding to FIG. 11 is pressed.

FIG. 13 is an operation curve showing the relationship between the key top pressing load and the key top stroke during operation of the key switch device.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of a key switch device according to a second embodiment in which a key top is in an operating position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Key Switch Device 2 Key Top 2A Front Part 2B Rear Part 3 Guide Member 4 Holder Member 5 Rubber Spring 5A Dome Part 5B Edge 5C Stopper Part 6 Circuit Board 7 Support Plate 8 First Locking Part 9 Second Locking Part 10 First link member 11 Second link member 12 Base portion 14 First sliding pin 15 First locking pin 16 Pivot shaft 19 Second sliding pin 20 Second locking pin 21 Pivot hole 23 Third locking portion 24 Fourth locking portion 25 Movable electrode 26 Fixed electrode 27 Operating knob 28 Positioning protrusions 29A to 29D Positioning groove 30 Inclined portion M Locking groove

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A key top having a first locking portion and a second locking portion formed on the back surface, a third locking portion disposed below the key top and facing the first locking portion, and A holder member having a fourth locking portion facing the second locking portion, a first link member held by the first locking portion and the fourth locking portion, and the second locking portion. And a second link member held by the third locking portion, and by pivotably supporting each of the first link member and the second link member via a shaft support portion and opening and closing the legs. A guide support member for guiding the vertical movement of the key top, a circuit board disposed below the guide support member and provided with a switching electrode, and a guide support member provided on the circuit board corresponding to the switching electrode. Is elastically placed, and the slide fits in the vertical movement of the key top. A key switch device including a switching member that performs a switching operation, wherein the circuit board includes an operation position of a key top where a guide support member is mounted on the switching member and an operation where the guide support member is disengaged from the switching member. The first link member and the second link member of the guide support member are configured to be slidable in the opening direction together with the switching member between the non-operating position of the key top lower than the position. Key switch device to do. 2. A stopper formed on the switching member and a locking groove formed on the second link member are provided, and the stopper is engaged when the circuit board is slid in the non-operating position direction. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein the key switch device is locked in the stop groove. 3. The key top comprises a first portion having a predetermined length with respect to the shaft support portion and a second portion longer than the first portion.
The key switch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switching member is positioned below the second portion in the non-operating position. 4. The switching member is composed of a rubber spring having a movable electrode that short-circuits the switching electrode, and both of the rubber spring and the guide supporting member are provided at a portion where the rubber spring and the guide supporting member contact each other. 4. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein a chamfered portion that is inclined upward from the operating position to the non-operating position is formed.