JPH10275537A - Key switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key switch, in which rigidity of a turning end of a hinge member is improved so as to be easily pressed to a key top or a turn lock part of a holder member and while in which the pressed turning end can be held in the turn lock part. SOLUTION: A first hinge member 7 is formed into a U-shape with a plane view. Namely, the first hinge member 7 has a pair of plate bodies 9, and a lock bar 13 is integrally formed between each one end of each plate body 9, and while a reinforcing member 13a having a thick part with a plane view is integrally formed with the inside of the lock bar 13. A side of the reinforcing member 13a opposite to the lock bar 13 side is extended in parallel with the lock bar 13 so as to form an H-shape with the lock bar 13. Both ends of the lock bar 13 and the reinforcing member 13a, which form an H-shape, are respectively connected to the pair of plate bodies 9 so as to improve the rigidity of the lock bar 13. With this structure, a key top 1 can be pressed into a lock groove 4 by pushing the lock bar 13 to a lock guide part 4a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key switch, and more particularly to a key switch used for a thin keyboard attached to a notebook personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional key switch employs a configuration in which a key stem vertically provided from the back surface of a key top is inserted into a key holder portion formed on a holder member and guided vertically. In a key switch having such a configuration, if the portion that is slid and guided by the key holder portion of the key stem is enlarged, the key operability is improved, but the keyboard cannot be made thinner. If the portion where the key stem is slid and guided by the key holder portion is reduced in order to cope with the reduction in thickness, there is a drawback that the operability of the key is reduced due to the torsion occurring between the two.

In order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional key switch, the present applicant has eliminated the key stem and the key holder portion, and made the keyboard thinner and improved the key operability shown in FIGS. The switch was proposed in the specification and drawings attached to the application form of Japanese Patent Application No. 3-330160 (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-330160,
Unpublished at the time of the original filing of the present application).

An outline of such a key switch will be described. As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG.
The key switch described in No. 160 crosses the first and second hinge members 107 and 108 in an X shape (scissors shape) in a side view to form a guide support member 106, and the guide support member 1
06 is arranged between the key top 101 and the holder member 125. Specifically, the key top 101
2 and the upper surface of the holder member 125 respectively.
A pair of locking members 102, 103, 126, 127 are formed, and both hinge members 1
07, 108 at respective end portions 113 to 116, 121 to 124
The guide support member 106 is disposed between the key top 101 and the holder member 125 by being locked in the locking portions 102, 103, 126, 127. The key top 101 can be moved up and down by the guide support member 106. When the key top 101 is pressed down, the rubber spring 131 is buckled by the shaft support A connecting the hinge members 107 and 108 to each other. The switching operation is performed.

Incidentally, both hinge members 107, 108
The shaft 112 extending from one side surface of the central portion of the base 109 of the first hinge member 107 (FIG. 12) is inserted into a shaft hole 120 formed in the central portion of the base 117 of the second hinge member 108 (FIG. 13). , Are pivotally supported and connected to each other. Therefore, the hinge members 107 and 108 can be easily pivotally supported and connected, but before being mounted on the keytop 101 and the holder member 125, the hinged members 107 and 108 which are pivotally supported and connected are Since they are easily separated, there is a disadvantage that the assembly work of the key switch becomes complicated.

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has proposed to form both of the hinge members in a rectangular shape so as to eliminate the drawback, that is, to prevent the two hinge members once connected from being easily separated from each other. An attempt was made to form a guide support member by inserting the other hinge member into the inside of the. In addition, at the same time as the attempt, the applicant of the present invention configured the key top and the rotation locking portion of the holder member with a pair of holding walls in order to facilitate the assembly of the guide support member to the key top and the holder member. Attempts were made to assemble the guide support member, the key top and the holder member by press-fitting the rotating ends of the hinge members from the opening of the pair of sandwiching walls.

[0007]

However, since the pivot locking portion of the key top and the holder member must always keep the pivot end of the hinge member, the pair of clamping walls close the opening. It is formed with a predetermined rigidity in the direction in which it moves. Therefore, if the hinge member is simply formed in a rectangular shape, the rigidity (strength) of the hinge member is insufficient, so that the rotating end of the hinge member cannot be pressed into the pair of holding walls. there were. Further, even if press-fitting is possible, there is a problem that the rigid end of the hinge member is insufficient, so that the rotating end of the hinge member easily comes off from the pair of holding walls. In addition, in order to easily connect the two hinge members, when one of the hinge members is opened at one end and one of the hinge members is formed in a U-shape in plan view, the rigidity (strength) of the hinge member is increased. Is further deficient, and the above-mentioned problem becomes more prominent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and has improved the rigidity of a pivoting end of a hinge member so that the pivoting end can be rotated by a key top or a holder member. While it can be easily pressed into the stop,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch capable of holding the press-fitted rotation end portion in a rotation locking portion.

Incidentally, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-5236 discloses that
There is described a key switch that includes two rectangular frames and crosses the two frames in an X-shape to serve as a guide support member for a key top. In such a key switch, the hinge member and the key top or the holder member (printed circuit board) are assembled by mounting the upper holder or the lower holder without press-fitting. Therefore, the actual opening 2-52
No. 36 discloses the problems and solutions of the present invention,
Nothing that suggests them is described.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, a key switch according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a key top having a rotation locking portion or a sliding locking portion formed on a lower surface thereof, and a key top of the key top. A holder member disposed below and having a rotation locking portion or a sliding locking portion formed corresponding to each locking portion of the key top, and a locking portion of the key top and the holder member, respectively. A guide support member that is connected and locked and guides the vertical movement of the key top; and a switching member that urges the key top upward and performs a switching operation in accordance with the vertical movement of the key top. The guide support member is provided so as to intersect in an X-shape in a side view, and includes a first hinge member and a second hinge member rotatable at the intersecting portion. Each end of the second hinge member is The key top or the holder member is rotatably or slidably locked to the rotation locking portion or the sliding locking portion of the holder member, and the key top or the rotation locking portion of the holder member is at least rotated. A pivoting end of the first hinge member or the second hinge member, which is formed by a pair of clamping walls having an opening on one side and is inserted from the opening and clamped in the pair of clamping walls of the rotation locking portion. , A reinforcing member for improving the rigidity of the rotating end is formed.

The key switch according to the second aspect is the first aspect.
In the key switch described above, the reinforcing member is formed in a thick shape adjacent to the turning end and integrally with the turning end.

The key switch according to the third aspect is the first aspect.
Or the key switch according to 2, wherein the rotating end is formed as a rod-shaped member arranged in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the guide support member, and both ends of the rod-shaped member are pin-shaped. The reinforcing member is formed thick inside the rod-shaped member so as to protrude outward so that the pin-shaped portion is locked by the rotation locking portion.

The key switch according to the fourth aspect is the first aspect.
3. The key switch according to claim 2, wherein the first hinge member is disposed between a pair of plate-shaped members arranged in parallel in a sliding direction of the guide support member, and one end on the same side of the pair of plate-shaped members. And a locking bar for connecting the pair of plate-shaped members. The locking member is formed in a substantially U-shape in plan view, and the second hinge member is configured to be inserted into the first hinge member. The rotation end is constituted by a locking bar of the first hinge member, and the rigidity of the locking bar is improved by the reinforcing member formed integrally with the locking bar. I have.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key switch.
In the key switch described above, the reinforcing member is formed thick inside the locking rod.

A key switch according to a sixth aspect of the present invention provides a key switch according to the fifth aspect.
In the key switch described above, the reinforcing member is formed in a substantially H shape in plan view together with the locking rod, and the H-shaped
In the two open portions, such that the pair of plate-like bodies connect each end of the two openings and close the two openings,
Each is arranged.

[0016]

According to the key switch of the present invention, when the key top is not pressed down, the key top is urged upward by the switching member and is held upward. When the keytop is pressed from such a state, the keytop descends against the urging force of the switching member. With the lowering operation of the key top, the locking end portions of the first hinge member and the second hinge member of the guide support member rotate or slide in the locking portions of the key top and the holder member, respectively. The switching operation is performed by guiding the lowering operation of the keytop and pressing the switching member by the keytop or the guide support member. On the other hand, when the pressing of the keytop is released, the keytop is urged upward by the switching member, so that the keytop is pushed upward by the urging force while being supported by the guide support member, and returns to the original position. .

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 8 show a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a key switch according to a first embodiment. A key top 1 is molded from a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin, and letters such as alphabets are formed on the upper surface thereof by printing or the like. . In addition, key top 1
2, two locking portions 2 and 3 are provided integrally with the key top 1 body downward. In addition, the locking part 2,
3 has a pair in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and FIG. 1 shows only one of each pair.

The locking portion 2 has a locking groove 4 for rotatably locking a locking rod 13 formed at one end of the first hinge member 7 among two hinge members 7 and 8 described later. Is formed. The locking portion 3 has a locking groove 5 for locking the locking pins 23 and 24 formed at one end of the second hinge member 8 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction.

The locking groove 4 is formed by a pair of sandwiching walls 4b and 4c arranged side by side on the back surface of the key top 1. The locking groove 4 is continuous with the locking groove 4 and goes downward. A locking guide portion 4a that is opened so as to gradually expand is formed. The locking guide 4a guides the locking rod 13 of the first hinge member 7 toward the locking groove 4 when snapping into the locking groove 4. Further, the locking portion 3
At the lower position of the locking groove 5, there is provided a locking guide portion 5 a formed by forming a slope extending downward, and the locking pins 23 and 24 of the second hinge member 8 are connected to the locking groove. When snapping into the inside 5, it is guided toward the locking groove 5.

A guide support member 6 for guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the key top 1 is provided below the key top 1, and the guide support member 6 is composed of two hinge members 7, 8. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the first hinge member 7 is
It is formed in a U-shape in plan view. This first hinge member 7
Has a pair of plate-like bodies 9, a locking rod 13 is integrally formed between one ends of the respective plate-like bodies 9, and the locking rods 13
Is integrally formed with a reinforcing member 13a formed thick in a plan view. The reinforcing member 13a on the opposite side of the locking bar 13 extends in parallel with the locking bar 13 and is formed in an H-shape (together) with the locking bar 13. The H-shaped locking bar 13 and the reinforcing member 1
Both ends with 3a are connected to a pair of plate-like bodies 9, respectively. Therefore, the two openings that occur because the locking bar 13 and the reinforcing member 13a are formed in an H shape are closed by the pair of plate-like bodies 9, respectively, and the rigidity of the locking bar 13 is improved. . As described above, the rigidity of the locking rod 13 is improved by the reinforcing member 13a.
3 through the locking guide portion 4a, the locking groove 4 of the key top 1
Can be snap-in (press-fit) inside.

Lock pins 15 and 16 are formed at the other end of each plate-like body 9, respectively.
Reference numerals 5 and 16 denote locking portions 2 formed on the holder plate 25.
6 locked. Further, a pair of shaft bodies 12 are provided at positions facing each other from the central position on the side of each plate body 9 facing each other. Each of these shafts 12
Are supported by a shaft hole 20 formed in the second hinge member 8. The locking bar 13 of the first hinge member 7 and each locking pin 1
5 and 16 are configured so that the distance from each shaft body 12 is equal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second hinge member 8 has a pair of plate-like members 17, and a locking bar 21 is integrally formed between one end of each plate-like member 17. In addition, a pair of plate-like bodies 1
A thick reinforcing member 21a is integrally formed on an inner portion of a connecting portion between the locking rod 7 and the locking rod 21 so that both ends of the locking rod 21 project in a pin shape. The rigidity of both ends of the pin-shaped locking bar 21 is improved by the reinforcing member 21 a, and the locking bar 21 is attached to the holder plate 2.
5 can be press-fitted.

At the other end of each plate 17, locking pins 23 and 24 are formed. Each of the locking pins 23 and 24 is snapped into the locking groove 5 of the locking portion 3 of the key top 1 via the locking guide portion 5a. Further, a shaft hole 20 is formed at a central position facing each other outside each plate-like body 17,
Each shaft 12 formed on each plate 9 of the first hinge member 7 is rotatably fitted into each shaft hole 20. As a result, the hinge members 7 and 8 are rotatable crossing each other via the respective shafts 12 and the shaft holes 20, and the shaft supports 12 are formed by the respective shafts 12 and the shaft holes 20. Is done. The locking bar 21 of the second hinge member 8 and the locking pins 23 and 24 are configured so that the distance from the shaft hole 20 is equal.

Between the central positions of the plate-like members 17, they are mounted on the upper surface of a rubber spring 35, which will be described later.
A pressing portion 18 is provided for pressing down the rubber spring 35 in accordance with the mutual rotation. Than this,
When the keytop 1 is pressed, the pressing unit 18 presses the rubber spring 35 to perform a switching operation.

Below the guide support member 6, a resin holder plate 25 is provided. On the holder plate 25, a locking portion 26 and a holding portion 27 are formed corresponding to each switch device. Have been. In addition, although each of the locking portion 26 and the holding portion 27 is provided with two each, FIG. 1 shows one locking portion 26 and the holding portion 27.

The engaging portion 26 is formed with a sliding groove 32 whose right side in FIG. 1 is open. The sliding groove 32 of the engaging portion 26 is formed on the first hinge member 7. Locking pin 1
5 and 16 are inserted. On the opposite side of the slide groove 26 from the open side, a limiting wall 26a whose upper part is closed is erected.
The restricting wall 26a restricts the sliding of the first hinge member 7 inward of the locking pins 15 and 16.

The holding portion 27 is formed by a first guide portion 28 and a second guide portion 29, and these guide portions allow the rotating groove 3 to be formed.
0 is formed, and both ends of the locking bar 21 formed at one end of the second hinge member 8 are held in the rotation groove 30. The groove 28 is provided outside the first guide portion 28.
a, and the elasticity of the first guide portion 28 is increased by the groove portion 28a.

When the locking pins 15, 16 of the first hinge member 7 of the guide support member 6 are slid on the holder plate 25 from the open side of the sliding groove 32, the locking pins 15, 16 slide. It is inserted into the moving groove 32. Furthermore, the second
By pressing the locking bar 21 of the hinge member 8 against the holding portion 27 of the holder plate 25, the first guide portion 28 moves elastically, and the locking bar 21 is held in the rotation groove 30.

The holder plate 2 configured as described above
5, a flexible circuit board 40 on which switch electrodes 40a are formed corresponding to the respective key switches is arranged as shown in FIG. Rubber spring 35 is mounted on the flexible circuit board 40. Furthermore,
A movable electrode (not shown) is fixed to the inner top wall of the rubber spring 35 facing the switch electrode 40a on the circuit board 40. The pressing portion 18 formed on the second hinge member 8 is disposed on the upper surface of the rubber spring 35.

As a result, when the pressing portion 18 moves downward with the pressing of the key top 1, the rubber spring 35 is pressed by the pressing portion 18, and when a certain amount of pressing is exceeded, the rubber spring 35 buckles and the movable electrode is buckled. The switching operation is performed by the contact of the switch electrode 40a on the flexible circuit board 40 with the switch electrode 40a.

A switch support plate 42 is provided below the flexible circuit board 40, and the switch support plate 42 is provided above each of the circuit boards 40,
This supports the holder plate 25.

Next, a method of assembling the key switch configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the flexible circuit board 40 and the holder plate 25 are placed on the switch support plate 42, and each shaft 12 of the first hinge member 7 is connected to the second hinge member 8
The guide support member 6 is assembled by fitting into each of the shaft holes 20.

Thereafter, the respective hinge members 7 and 8 are rotated to each other, as shown in FIG. 5, and the locking pins 15 and 16 of the first hinge member 7 are moved to the open side of the sliding groove 32 in the locking portion 26. Then, the locking rod 21 of the second hinge member 8 is arranged on the guide portion of the holding portion 27 while being slid toward the inside of the slide groove 32 on the holder plate 25. From this state, the locking bar 21 is pressed into the rotating groove 30 and clamped. At this time, the first
The guide portion 28 is elastically moved with the press-fitting of the locking rod 21, so that the locking rod 21 can be easily held. Thus, the connection between the guide support member 6 and the holder plate 25 is completed.

Next, the locking rod 13 of the first hinge member 7 and the locking groove 4 of the key top 1 held in the state shown in FIG. , 24 and the locking groove 5 of the key top 1 are opposed to each other, and then the key top 1 is lightly pressed down (see FIG. 7). At this time, the guide ribs 50, 51, 52,
53 allows the key top 1 to be smoothly connected to the hinge members 7,
8 can be led. As a result, the locking rod 13 of the first hinge member 7 is snapped into the locking groove 4 while being guided by the locking guide portion 4a, and at the same time, the locking pins 23 and 24 of the second hinge member 8 are locked. It is snapped into the locking groove 5 while being guided by the guide portion 5a. Such a state is shown in FIG. Thus, the connection between the guide support member 6 and the key top 1 is completed.

The assembly of the key switch is completed by the above operation.
In addition, the connection work with the key top 1 can be performed extremely easily, thereby simplifying the work of assembling the key switch, shortening the assembling time, and ensuring the assembling of the key switch. is there.

Next, the operation of the key switch assembled as described above will be described. When the key top 1 is pressed down, the key top 1 moves downward in the locking hole 4 of the locking portion 2 of the first hinge member 7 as the key top 1 moves downward, and the second hinge Locking pin 2 of member 8
The reference numerals 3 and 24 slide horizontally in the locking groove 5 of the locking portion 3. At the same time, the locking bar 21 of the second hinge member 8 rotates clockwise in the rotation groove 30 of the holding portion 27 of the holder plate 25, and the locking pins 15 and 16 of the first hinge member 7 It slides horizontally in the sliding groove 32 of the locking portion 26.

As a result, the shaft supporting portion A which supports the hinge members 7 and 8 mutually moves downward and gradually presses down the rubber spring 35, and when the amount of pressing down exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 35 is pressed. The spring 35 is buckled.
Thereby, the movable electrode (not shown) in the rubber spring 35 is connected to the switch electrode 4 on the flexible circuit board 40.
0a is short-circuited and predetermined switching is performed.

When the key top 1 is released from being depressed, the shaft supports A of the hinge members 7, 8 are pushed upward by the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring 35. Accordingly, the first
Locking bar 13, locking pins 15, 16 of hinge member 7, and
The locking bar 21 and the locking pins 23 and 24 of the second hinge member 8 perform operations opposite to those described above, and as a result, the key top 1 returns to the original position.

Here, the locking rods 13 and 21 do not move in the horizontal direction, but only rotate in the locking groove 4 and the rotation groove 30, respectively. The key top 1 is moved up and down without being moved, while keeping the key surface of the key top 1 horizontal.

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described in detail above, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example,
The locking bar 21 of the second hinge member 8 in this embodiment may be a locking pin formed on each plate 17. In addition, the holding portion 27 formed on the holder plate has only the resin-specific elasticity of the first guide portion 28 and the second guide portion 29,
The locking bar 21 may be sandwiched.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the structure of the holding portion 27. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the holding portion 61 in the second embodiment includes a wall portion 62 erected from the holder plate 25 over the entire width of the holder plate 25, and the holder plate 25 near both ends of the wall portion 62. And the rubber spring 35 of the wall portion 62
The elastic piece 63 facing the surface facing the
And formed from Outside wall portion 62 (inelastic piece 63 side)
Is formed with a groove 62a, thereby increasing the elasticity of the wall 62. The elastic piece 63 is provided so as to be elastically deformable toward the rubber spring 35, and has a projection 63a projecting toward the wall 62 at its upper end as shown in FIG.
Are formed.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a bending prevention wall 64 is provided upright from the holder plate 25 in the vicinity of the inside of both the locking portions 26 at a predetermined interval from the locking portions 26. ing. When the first hinge member 7 is bent inward and the locking pins 15 and 16 are fixed to the
6 is prevented.

In the method of assembling the key switch of the second embodiment formed as described above, the flexible circuit board 40 and the holder plate 25 are mounted on the switch support plate 42, similarly to the key switch of the first embodiment. And the first
The guide support member 6 is assembled by fitting each shaft 12 of the hinge member 7 into each shaft hole 20 of the second hinge member 8.

Thereafter, the hinge members 7 and 8 are rotated relative to each other, and the locking pins 15 and 16 of the first hinge member 7 are moved from the opening side of the sliding groove 32 in the locking portion 26 to the holder plate 2.
5 while sliding toward the inside of the sliding groove 32.
The locking bar 21 of the hinge member 8 is arranged on the holding portion 61.
In this state, the amount of bending of the first hinge member 7 toward the inside of the plate-like body 9 is regulated by the deflection preventing wall 64, and the locking pins 15 and 16 are prevented from coming off the locking portion 26.

In this state, the locking rod 21 is pressed into the holding portion 61. With this press-fitting, the elastic piece 63 is elastically deformed toward the rubber spring 35, and the locking bar 21 is
Is sandwiched within. In this state, the locking rod 2 is
1 is restricted, and the projection 63a on the upper end of the elastic piece 63 is restricted.
This prevents the locking bar 21 from coming off the holding portion 61. By this press-fitting, the connection between the guide support member 6 and the holder plate 25 is completed.

Next, the locking bar 13 of the first hinge member 7 and the locking groove 4 of the key top 1 are made to face each other, and the locking pins 23 and 24 of the second hinge member 8 are engaged with the key top 1. Stop groove 5
Are pressed, and the key top 1 is lightly pressed down. At this time, the key top 1 can be smoothly guided to the hinge members 7, 8 by the guide ribs 50, 51, 52, 53 provided on the back surface of the key top 1. As a result, the locking bar 13 of the first hinge member 7 is moved to the locking guide portion 4a.
The snap pins 23 and 24 of the second hinge member 8 are snapped into the locking grooves 5 while being guided by the locking guide portions 5a. Thus, the connection between the guide support member 6 and the key top 1 is completed.

The assembly of the key switch according to the second embodiment is completed by the above-described operation. However, similarly to the key switch according to the first embodiment, the connecting operation between the hinge members 7, 8 and the holder plate 25 and the key top 1 is performed. Can be performed very easily, thereby simplifying the operation of assembling the key switch, shortening the assembling time, and ensuring the assembling of the key switch.

Next, when the key top 1 of the assembled key switch is removed by replacement or the like, the key top 1 is pulled up, and the locking pins 15, 1 of the hinge members 7, 8 are lifted.
6, 23, 24, key top 1 and boulder plate 25
A load is applied to each of the locking portions 2, 3, 26 and the holding portion 61.
In the holding portion 61 of the holder plate 25, a force is applied to the locking bar 21 of the first hinge member 7 in the upper right or upper direction in FIG. 9, but the locking bar 21 is held on the right and upper sides by the elastic pieces 63. As a result, the locking bar 21 does not come off the holding portion 61.

On the other hand, in the locking groove 4 of the key top 1, a force is applied to the locking rod 13 of the first hinge member 7 from the lower right to the lower side in FIG. As a result, the locking rod 13 comes off the locking groove 4.

When the key top 1 is lifted, a force is applied to the locking pins 15 and 16 of the first hinge member 7 at the locking portions 26 of the holder plate 25 in the upper left or upper direction in FIG. At this time, the plate-like body 9 of the first hinge member 7 is elastically bent inward, but the movement of the plate-like body 9 toward the inside is restricted by the deflection preventing wall 64. Therefore, the plate-like body 9
Does not become so large that the locking pins 15 and 16 come off the sliding groove 32.

On the other hand, in the locking portion 3 of the key top 1, the locking pins 23 and 24 of the second hinge member 8 are
When a force is applied in the lower left or lower direction, the plate-like body 17 of the second hinge member 8 elastically bends inward, and the locking pins 23 and 24 come off the sliding groove 5 of the locking portion 3. As a result, Key Top 1
Only the key top 1 can be replaced, because only the guide support member 6 comes off. At this time, the guide support member 6 does not come off the holder plate 25.

[0054]

According to the key switch of the first aspect,
The rotation locking portion of the key top or the holder member is formed by a pair of holding walls having at least one opening, and the rotation end of the first or second hinge member is rotatable in the pair of holding walls. Used to be sandwiched between. A reinforcing member is formed near the turning end, and the rigidity of the turning end is improved by the reinforcing member. Therefore, by pressing the rotating end portion from the opening of the pair of holding walls toward the inside of the holding wall, the rotating end portion can be easily pressed into the holding wall, and the press-fitted rotation There is an effect that the moving end can be held in the holding wall.

According to the key switch of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch of the first aspect, furthermore,
The reinforcing member for improving the rigidity of the turning end is formed in a thick shape adjacent to the turning end and integrally with the turning end. Therefore, there is an effect that the rigidity of the rotating end portion can be improved with a low-cost and simple configuration.

According to the key switch of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch of the first or second aspect, furthermore, the pivot end of the first or second hinge member is provided with a guide support member. It is formed as a rod-shaped member disposed in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, and the reinforcing member is formed thick inside the rod-shaped member. Therefore, by the reinforcing member,
Both ends of the rod-shaped member, which is a rotating end portion, are projected outward in the form of pins, and the pin-shaped portions are configured to be locked by a key-top or a rotation locking portion of the holder member. There is an effect that the rigidity of the moving end can be improved.

According to the key switch of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch of the first or second aspect, the first hinge member can be fitted with the second hinge member inside. In order to achieve this, it is formed in a substantially U-shape in plan view. Since the first hinge member, which is formed in a substantially U-shape in plan view, is open on the side opposite to the locking rod, the rigidity of the locking rod, which is the rotating end, tends to decrease due to the opening. However, since the reinforcing member is integrally formed with the locking rod, the reinforcing member has an effect that the rigidity that is insufficient due to the opening in the U shape can be compensated.

According to the key switch of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch of the fourth aspect, furthermore,
The reinforcing member is formed in a thick-walled shape inside the locking rod, which is a rotating end. Therefore, there is an effect that the rigidity of the rotating end can be improved (supplemented) with a low-cost and simple configuration.

According to the key switch of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch of the fifth aspect, furthermore,
Since the reinforcing member is formed in a substantially H shape in plan view together with the locking bar, two openings are formed by the locking bar and the reinforcing member. The ends of the two openings, that is, the ends of the locking rod and the reinforcing member are connected to each other by a pair of plate-shaped members, and the two openings are respectively connected by the pair of plate-shaped members. It is closed. Therefore, the locking rod, which is a rotating end, is connected at its center and both ends by a reinforcing member and a pair of plate-like members, except for a portion locked by the rotating locking portion of the key top or the holder member. Therefore, there is an effect that the rigidity of the locking rod can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a key switch according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a first hinge member used for the key switch of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a second hinge member used for the key switch of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state before a guide support member used for the key switch of the first embodiment is connected to a holder plate.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state after a guide support member used for the key switch of the first embodiment has been connected to a holder plate.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a guide support member used in the key switch of the first embodiment guides a key top.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state where a key top is arranged on a guide support member used for the key switch of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the key switch according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a key switch according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a configuration of a holder plate and a first hinge member according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment embodying the configuration of a conventional key switch.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a configuration of a first hinge member used for a conventional key switch.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a configuration of a second hinge member used for a conventional key switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key top 2 Locking part (rotation locking part of key top) 3 Locking part (sliding locking part of key top) 4b, 4c A pair of sandwiching walls 6 Guide support member 7 First hinge member 8 Second Hinge member 9 A pair of plate members 13 Locking rod (rotating end) 13a Reinforcing member 21 Locking rod (rod-like member) (rotating end) 21a Reinforcing member 25 Holder plate (holder member) 26 Locking part ( (Sliding locking portion of holder member) 27 Holding portion (rotation locking portion of holder member) 28 First guide portion (one of a pair of holding walls) 29 Second guide portion (the other of a pair of holding walls) 35 Rubber Spring (part of switching member) 40 Flexible circuit board (part of switching member) 40a Switch electrode (part of switching member) 61 Holding part (rotation locking part of holder member) 62 Wall part (a pair of holding walls) 63) Elasticity (The other of the pair of holding walls)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Isao Mochizuki 15-1, Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi Inside Brother Industries, Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroaki Okada 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi Brother Industries, Ltd. Inside

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A key top having a rotation locking portion or a sliding locking portion formed on a lower surface, and a key top disposed below the key top and rotated corresponding to each locking portion of the key top. A holder member having a locking portion or a sliding locking portion formed thereon, and a guide support member which is connected and locked to each of the locking portions of the key top and the holder member and guides and supports the vertical movement of the key top. , While urging the key top upward,
A key switch comprising a switching member that performs a switching operation in accordance with the vertical movement of the key top, wherein the guide support member is disposed so as to cross in an X shape in side view, and is rotatable at the cross portion. A first hinge member and a second hinge member. Each end of the first hinge member and the second hinge member is connected to a rotation locking portion or a sliding locking portion of the key top or the holder member. The key top or the holder member is rotatably locked by a pair of holding walls having at least one open side. A reinforcing member for improving the rigidity of the pivoting end is formed near the pivoting end of the first hinge member or the second hinge member which is inserted from the opening and clamped in the pair of clamping walls. Features that are Key switch. 2. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcing member is formed adjacent to said rotating end portion and is thickened integrally with said rotating end portion. 3. The rotating end portion is formed as a rod-shaped member disposed in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the guide support member, and both ends of the rod-shaped member project outward in the form of pins. The reinforcing member is formed thick inside the rod-shaped member so that the pin-shaped portion is locked by the rotation locking portion. Or the key switch according to 2. 4. The first hinge member is disposed between a pair of plate-like members arranged in parallel in a sliding direction of the guide support member, and one end on the same side of the pair of plate-like members. A substantially U-shape in plan view having a locking bar for connecting the pair of plate-like bodies, and the second hinge member is configured to be able to be fitted inside the first hinge member; The pivot end is constituted by a locking bar of the first hinge member, and the rigidity of the locking bar is improved by the reinforcing member formed integrally with the locking bar. The key switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 5. The key switch according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing member is formed in a thick shape inside the locking rod. 6. The reinforcing member is formed in a substantially H-shape in plan view together with the locking bar, and the pair of plate-like members are provided at two ends of the H-shape at each end of the two openings. 6. The key switch according to claim 5, wherein the two switches are connected to each other so as to close the two openings.