JPH11110102A - Keyboard and key input device using the keyboard, and computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key input device and a computer which use the keyboard and can secure high key input operability regardless of the positions of keys arranged on a keyboard, in the keyboard equipped with plural key tops which are tilted by their push-down operations. SOLUTION: The keyboard 10 is equipped with plural hinged key tops 11, which are tilted when they are pushed down. In regard to the keys KA and KB included in a range excluding the function keys Kf on the keyboard 10, each top 11 of keys KA which are set distant from a center line Lh of a home position set in the front-back direction of an operator has a hinge 15 at a single side of the top 11 that is distant from the operator. Meanwhile, each top of keys KB which are set close to the line Lh has a hinge 15 at the single side of the top 11 that is close to the operator respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard having a plurality of key tops for performing a tilting operation by a pressing operation (input operation), a key input device using the same, and a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a key input device such as a computer or a word processor, when a key top on a keyboard is pressed down to close an electric contact, the key top and a lower part thereof are guided via a guide mechanism or a pantograph mechanism. A device that operates a contact pressing member is known. In the case of using these guide mechanism or pantograph mechanism, even if the key top is pressed down, the contact pressing member under the key top can be pushed down while maintaining a substantially horizontal posture with little inclination. In the input operation, even if the key top is so-called pressed halfway and an operation force is applied to a portion deviated from the center of the key top, the key input operability when closing the electrical contact is greatly impaired. Never.

[0003] In recent years, portable computers such as notebook computers have been required to be further reduced in size and weight, and in particular, to be thinner. As part of this, the key input device must be further reduced in thickness. Has been requested. However, in the case of using the above-mentioned conventional guide mechanism or pantograph mechanism, it is necessary to provide a space for providing these mechanisms between the keytop and the electric contacts, and thus it is inherently necessary to achieve a sufficient thickness reduction. Difficult. Therefore, as shown in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-38358, the key top is connected to a surrounding frame portion via a hinge, and the key top is tilted about the connecting portion between the hinge and the frame. By doing so, it has been considered to minimize the space between the key tops and the electrical contacts.

[0004]

In the case of a key top that performs a tilting operation by an input operation, such as a hinge type, even if the operation force at the time of the key input operation is the same, the operation force is not applied to the key top. The magnitude of the moment actually received by the keytop differs depending on the action position. In other words, when the side close to the center line of the tilting operation of the key top (in the case of the hinge type, the hinge fulcrum which is the connecting portion between the hinge and the frame) is pressed, the value of the moment received by the key top is small. When the other side is pressed, the value of the moment received by the key top increases. However,
In a conventional keyboard, for example, as shown in FIG.
(In the example of FIG. 9, the upper side of the key top 51), there is a problem that the key input operability is deteriorated depending on the arrangement position on the keyboard 50. Was.

That is, when performing a key input operation, the operator consciously or unconsciously selects a position on the keyboard that is most suitable for him and determines a so-called home position. It is general to operate each finger in a fixed manner and to depress each key top on the keyboard. In this case, for example, if the front-rear direction of the operator is described, a side farther from the operator (that is, , The key on the side farther than the center line of the home position) is on the near side than the center of the key top, and the key on the side closer to the operator (that is, the side closer to the center line of the home position). Tend to push the side farther than the center of the keytop. Also, in the left-right direction, the key on the left side away from the center of the operator in the left-right direction is on the right side of the center of the key top, and the key on the side far right is on the key top. There is a strong tendency to push the left side of the center. Especially,
When the input operation is performed at a very high speed by a so-called blind touch or the like, these single-pressing tendencies become more remarkable.

Therefore, regardless of the arrangement position of each key on the keyboard, the hinge positions of all the key tops are conventionally set unified on the upper side or the lower side of the key tops. The input operability is inevitably influenced by the arrangement position of the key on the keyboard, and depending on the arrangement position, it is difficult to ensure good key input operability. In the case of a so-called function key (function key) having a special function among the keys arranged on the keyboard, the operation frequency is low, and it is not possible to operate the home position. In principle, there is no need to consider the influence of the key position on the input operability in particular.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problem, and in a keyboard having a plurality of key tops that perform a tilting operation by a pressing operation, a good key input operation is performed regardless of the arrangement position on the keyboard. Another object of the present invention is to provide a key input device and a computer using such a keyboard.

[0008]

Therefore, a first invention of the present application is a keyboard provided with a plurality of key tops that perform a tilting operation by a pressing operation, wherein the keyboard has a center line of the tilting operation of each of the key tops. The position is set according to the arrangement position of the key on the keyboard.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, at least a key of a key in a predetermined range on the keyboard, which is farther from the operator in the front-rear direction, is one side farther from the operator. The center line of the tilting operation is set to the side, and the key top of the key closer to the operator is characterized in that the center line of the tilting operation is set to one side closer to the operator.

In a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, at least keys of at least a predetermined range on the keyboard are connected to a keyboard frame via hinges, respectively. The key top of the key farther in the front-rear direction of the operator is provided with a hinge on one side farther from the operator, and the key top of the key closer to the operator is provided with a hinge on one side closer to the operator. It is characterized by the following.

Still further, the fourth invention of the present application is directed to the first invention.
In the invention of the above, with respect to a key in a predetermined range on the left and right away from the center in the left and right direction of the operator, the key top of the key in the left predetermined range has a tilting center line set on the left side thereof, and The key top of the key is characterized in that the center line of the tilting operation is set on the right side thereof.

Further, the fifth invention of the present application is directed to the fourth invention.
In the invention of the above, each of the key tops is connected to a frame of the keyboard via a hinge, and the key tops of the keys in a predetermined range on the left side with respect to keys in a predetermined range on the left and right from the center in the left and right direction of the operator. Is characterized in that a hinge is provided on the left side thereof, and a key top of a key in a predetermined range on the right side is provided with a hinge on the right side thereof.

Still further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyboard having a plurality of key tops, electric contacts provided corresponding to the respective key tops, and an electric contact provided between the electric contacts and the key tops. And a contact pressing member provided, wherein the key top performs a tilting operation by a pressing operation of the key top, whereby the electric contact is closed via the contact pressing member. , Wherein the keyboard according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention is used as the keyboard.

Further, a seventh invention of the present application is characterized in that the computer is provided with the key input device according to the sixth invention.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1 FIG. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a computer 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the computer 1 is, for example, a portable notebook type, in which a lid 4 is provided to be openable and closable with respect to a housing 2 of a main body, and a key input device 3 is provided in the main body housing 2. On the other hand, the lid 4 is provided with a display unit 5 having, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The key input device 3
As can be clearly seen from FIG. 2, the reinforcing plate 7, the membrane switch sheet 8, the click rubber 9, and the keyboard 10
Are sequentially stacked, and are fixed to each other using, for example, an adhesive to be integrally formed.

The reinforcing plate 7 is made of, for example, metal and is mounted on the upper side of the main body housing 2 to perform a reinforcing action against a key operation force applied to the key input device 3. In the present embodiment, for example, an aluminum plate material having a thickness of 0.8 [mm] is used as the reinforcing plate 7. Although not specifically shown, the membrane switch sheet 8 has the same cross-sectional structure as a conventionally well-known one, and has a key top 11 between the upper and lower two electrode sheets. A spacer made of an electrically insulating layer is interposed except for a portion corresponding to the lower part of the key top.
By pressing down 1, the upper (movable side) electrode sheet is pressed against the lower (fixed side) electrode sheet supported on the reinforcing plate 7 via the click rubber 9 described below. The contact between the two electrodes is conducted.

The click rubber 9 is a key top 11
Below (between the electrical contacts), and as will be described in more detail later, when the key top 11 is pressed down, the upper (movable side) electrode sheet is lowered (fixed side). A contact pressing member for closing the electrical contact by pressing against the electrode sheet, and for giving a kind of moderation (click feeling) to the pressing operation of the key top 11, and each convex portion 9a Each key top 11 on top
Is located.

The keyboard 10 includes operation keys corresponding to key symbols such as letters, numbers, and symbols required for key input operations, and so-called function keys (function keys) having special functions. ) Are arranged. In the present embodiment, more preferably, all the key tops 11 are integrally formed together with the frame portion 12. Also, the membrane sheet 8 and the click rubber 9 are each approximately the same size as the keyboard 10 and are integrally formed. The keyboard 1
A cover sheet Sc (decorative sheet) that covers only the frame portion 12 may be arranged on the upper side of 0.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each key top 11 is formed, for example, in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and is inserted into a substantially rectangular opening 13 formed corresponding to each of the frame portions 12. positioned. In the present embodiment, each key top 11 is of a so-called hinge type, and the vicinity of both ends of one predetermined side (the upper side in the example of FIG. 3) extends substantially linearly with a predetermined width and thickness. As shown in FIG. 5, the hinge portion 15 is connected to the frame portion 12 via the portion 15, and when pressed down, the hinge portion 15 faces downward with the fixing portion 15 a of the hinge portion 15 with respect to the frame portion 12 as a fulcrum. To perform a bending operation as an operation key.

That is, when the key top 11 is pressed down, the key top 11 is fixed to the fixing portion 1 of the hinge portion 15 with respect to the frame portion 12 in plan view (see FIG. 3).
A straight line Lc formed by 5a (a straight line Lc formed by connecting a plurality of (two) fixing portions 15a when there are a plurality of (two) hinge portions 15 as shown in FIG. 3) is used as a center. The tilting operation is performed. As described above, the key top 11 is connected to the surrounding frame portion 12 via the hinge 15, and the key top 11 is tilted about the connecting portion (fixed portion 15 a) between the hinge 15 and the frame 12. By doing so, the space between the key top 11 and the electrical contacts is made as small as possible, and the key input device 3
Can be made thinner.

At the time of this key input operation, the key top 1
1 is restricted by the lower surface of the base 11 s on one side to which the hinge portion 15 is connected being abutted against the click rubber 9. That is, the base 11 on one side
A stopper mechanism is formed by s and the click rubber 9. When the key input operation is performed by depressing the key top 11 as described above, a click feeling is required as a kind of moderation feeling accompanying the key input operation. Accompanying this, when the operating load increases and reaches a certain limit value, it is obtained by buckling of the side wall portion forming the convex portion 9a of the click rubber 9. In other words, the buckling phenomenon of the side wall portion suddenly causes a large bending to reduce the operation load, and the sudden decrease in the operation load gives a click feeling as a kind of moderation to the operation feeling.

The keyboard 10 is preferably arranged such that all the key tops 11
The hinge part 15, the frame part 12 and the frame part 12 are molded as a unit using a predetermined plastic material. As the plastic material, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin was used. Further, as a material of the click rubber 9, for example, a silicone rubber having a hardness (Shore hardness) of about 50 degrees was used. And
For example, a double-sided adhesive tape (for example, manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation) may be used for bonding the click rubber 9 to the keyboard 10 (specifically, bonding the lower surface of the frame portion 12 of the keyboard 10 to the upper surface of the click rubber 9). No. 530
2A) was applied. Alternatively, it can be assembled by heat staking. In addition, although each key arranged on the keyboard 10 has a keytop shape and size different from other keys depending on the use or the like, the keytop structure is basically the same. In the description,
Regardless of the key difference, each key top and its configuration will be described using the reference numerals shown in FIGS.

In this embodiment, each of the key tops 11
The position of the center line Lc of the tilting operation is set in accordance with the arrangement position of the key on the keyboard 10. Specifically, as shown in detail in FIG. 6, for at least a predetermined range of keys on the keyboard 10, a key K on the far side (upper side in the example of FIG. 6) of the operator in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6). the key top 11 of the _a center line Lc of the tilting operation on the farther one side the operator is set, the key top 1 of the key K _B close to the operator side (lower side in the example of FIG. 6)
In 1, the center line Lc of the tilting operation is set on one side close to the operator.

That is, assuming a so-called home position when the operator performs a key input operation, the center position Lh in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6) of this home position is set as a reference and is farther from the operator. With respect to the key top 11 of the side (upper) key K _A , a hinge 15 is provided on one side (upper side) far from the operator, so that the center line Lc of the tilting operation of the key top 11 is one side far from the operator. Side (upper side). Also, the key top 11 of the key K _B closer to the operator than the center line Lh (lower), the hinge 15 is provided on one side (lower side) closer to the operator, therefore, the key top 11
Is located on one side (lower side) close to the operator.

In the present embodiment, of the keys arranged on the keyboard 10, so-called function keys Kf (function keys) having special functions are arranged in a row farthest from the operator. The function keys Kf are also provided with hinges 15 on one side (upper side) far from the operator. However, these function keys Kf are operated at a low frequency and are rarely operated at the home position. Therefore, in principle, it is necessary to particularly consider the influence of the key position on the input operability. Is not much. Therefore, these function keys K
As for f, the mounting position of the hinge 15 is not limited to the example of FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the position of the center line Lc of the tilting operation of each key top 11 is set according to the arrangement position of the key on the keyboard 10. Therefore, it is possible to set all the keys so that the best key input operability corresponding to the one-sided pressing tendency at the time of the input operation due to the arrangement position is obtained. That is, the influence of the arrangement position on the keyboard 10 is more effective than in the case where the center line position of the tilting operation of all the key tops is conventionally set unified on the upper side or the lower side of the key tops. , And good key input operability can be ensured.

[0027] In particular, the key K _A, K _B of at least a predetermined range on the keyboard 10, that is, for example, the key in a predetermined range, excluding a special key low operation frequency, such as function keys Kf, the front and rear of the operator In the key top 11 of the key K _A on the far side in the direction (that is, farther than the center line Lh of the home position), the center line Lc of the tilting operation is set to one side far from the operator, and the key top 11 in the front-back direction of the operator side close (i.e., the side close to the center line Lh in the home position) since the center line Lc of the key top of the key K _B is tilt motion on one side close to the operator is set, the front-rear direction of the operator , with respect to the center line Lh in the home position, the key K _a farther than from the operator, the front of the center of the key top 11, also For the side of the key K _B close to the operator, that tends to push the side farther from the center of the key top 11 strong, in response to the single push trend at the time of input operation,
K _A of each key, effectively avoiding the influence of the arrangement position of the K _B keyboard 10 on, it is possible to ensure good key input operability.

In this embodiment, in particular, each key top 11 is connected to the keyboard 10 via a hinge 15.
Of the so-called hinge type connected to the frame 12 of
The key top 11 on the far side of the key K _A in the longitudinal direction of the operator hinge 15 is provided on the farther one side from the operator, the key top 11 side of the key K _B close to the operator one side close to the operator Is provided with a hinge 15, so that in the keyboard 10 provided with the hinge-type key top 11, the influence of the arrangement position on the keyboard 10 in the front-rear direction of the operator can be effectively avoided, and a good key input operation can be performed. Nature can be secured.

Further, the key input device 3 according to the present embodiment
According to this, the key top 11 is of a hinge type, and the key top 1 performs a tilting operation by such a pressing operation.
By using the keyboard 10 provided with the keypad 1, the key input device 3 can be made compact below the keytop 11 (that is, between the electrical contacts) as compared with a conventional key input device using a guide mechanism or a pantograph mechanism. The key input device 3 can be made thinner. Further, by assembling the portable computer 1 (see FIG. 1) using the key input device 3, the thickness of the computer can be further reduced.

Embodiment 2 FIG. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and further description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 7, the keyboard 20 of the embodiment, the left and right predetermined range S _L away from the center in the (horizontal direction in FIG. 7) left-right direction of the operator, key S _R K _L, K _R The center line Lc of the tilting operation is set on the left side of the key top 11 of the key K _{L in} the left predetermined range S _L (the range on the left side of the virtual line L1), and the right predetermined range S _R (virtual line The center line Lc of the tilting operation is set on the right side of the key top 11 of the key K _{R in} the range (right side of L2).

That is, except for the function key Kf, the left predetermined range S _L away from the center in the left-right direction of the operator.
Of the key K _L of the key top 11 is hinge 15 in the left-hand side
It is provided (i.e., the center line Lc of the tilting operation is set to the left side), the key top 11 of the key K _R of the right predetermined range S _R hinge 15 is provided on the right-hand side (i.e., the tilting The center line Lc of the operation is set on the right side). Note that the left and right predetermined ranges S _L and S _R are, for example, a range where the key is pressed down with the little finger or the ring finger of the left and right hands when the operator performs a key operation with both hands at the home position. It is determined almost correspondingly. Also,
For keys located in areas other than the predetermined ranges S _L and S _R , for example, the hinges 15 are all provided on the upper side.

[0032] As described above, according to this embodiment, the operator of the left and right predetermined range of the left and right away from the center in the direction S _L, key S _R K _L, the K _R, a predetermined range of the left S _L of the key top 11 of the key K _L is set the center line Lc of the tilting operation on the left-hand side, the key top 11 of the key K _R of the right predetermined range S _R is set the center line Lc of the tilt motion to the right-hand side because it is, for the left-right direction of the operator, the right side from the center of the key top 11 for a side of the key K _L away to the left, also, the side of the key K _R apart rightward key In response to the one-sided pressing tendency during the input operation, in which the left side is more strongly pressed than the center of the top 11, the influence of the arrangement position on the keyboard 20 is effectively avoided, and good key input operability is secured. You can do it.

In particular, in this embodiment, each key top 1
1 is a so-called hinge type which is connected to the frame 12 of the keyboard 20 via a hinge 15 respectively, and is a predetermined left and right predetermined range S away from the center in the left and right direction of the operator.
_L, key S _R K _L, the K _R, the key top 11 of the key K _L of the left predetermined range S _L hinge 15 is provided on the left-hand side, the key of the key K _R of the right prescribed range S _R Top 11
Is provided with a hinge 15 on the right side thereof. In a keyboard 20 having a hinge-type key top 11, conventionally, all the key top hinges are provided integrally on the upper side or the lower side of the key top. Keyboard 20 in the left-right direction of the operator as compared to the case where
It is possible to effectively avoid the influence of the above arrangement position, and secure good key input operability.

Embodiment 3 Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, in the keyboard 30 according to the present embodiment, as in the case of the second embodiment, except for the function key Kf, the left predetermined range S _L away from the center in the left-right direction of the operator. the key top 11 of the key K _L of the hinge 15 is provided on the left-hand side (i.e., the center line Lc of the tilting operation is set to the left side), the key top 11 of the key K _R of the right prescribed range S _R Is provided with a hinge 15 on the right side thereof (that is, the center line Lc of the tilting operation is set on the right side). Note that the left and right predetermined ranges S _L and S _R are, for example, when the operator performs a key operation with both hands at the home position.
It is determined substantially corresponding to the range in which the key is pressed down with the little finger or ring finger of the left and right hands.

Moreover, in the keyboard 30, not only in the left-right direction of the operator as described above, but also in the front-back direction, the arrangement area of the function key Kf and the predetermined left and right ranges S _L and S _R are excluded. Similarly to the case of the first embodiment, the center line Lh of the home position is also located on one side (upper side) farther from the operator with respect to the key top 11 of the key K _A ′ farther (upper side) from the operator. side)
(In other words, the center line Lc of the tilting operation is set to one side farther from the operator), and the key K _B ′ on the side (lower side) closer to the operator than the center line Lh is provided. For the top 11, one side (lower side) close to the operator
(In other words, the center line Lc of the tilting operation is set to one side close to the operator).

Therefore, it is possible to obtain an effect combining the effects of the second embodiment and the first embodiment with respect to the one-sided pressing tendency due to the arrangement position of each key of the keyboard 30. That is, the left-right direction of the operator, the right side from the center of the key top 11 for key K _L of the side away to the left, also, on the side apart rightward for key K _R of the key top 11 Corresponding to the one-sided pressing tendency at the time of input operation, in which the left side is more likely to be pressed than the center, the influence of the arrangement position on the keyboard 30 can be effectively avoided, and the front-rear direction of the operator can be avoided. Also, with respect to the center line Lh of the home position, the key K _A ′ on the side farther from the operator is located on the near side of the center of the key top 11 and on the side closer to the operator. 'for, that tends to push the side farther from the center of the key top 11 is strong, corresponding to single push trend during the input operation, K _a of each key' key K _B, the K _B 'keyboard 10 on Influence of installation position It can be avoided to. Therefore, good key input operability can be ensured in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the operator.

In each of the above embodiments, the key top 11 is of a so-called hinge type. However, the present invention is not limited to this type, and the key top 11 performs a tilting operation by pressing down. Then, it can be effectively applied to a keyboard having another type of key top. As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various improvements or design changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0038]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the position of the center line of the tilting operation of each key top is set according to the arrangement position of the key on the keyboard. Therefore, it is possible to set all the keys so that the best key input operability corresponding to the one-sided pressing tendency at the time of the input operation due to the arrangement position is obtained. That is, the influence of the arrangement position on the keyboard is more effective than in the case where the center line position of the tilting operation of all the key tops is conventionally set unified on the upper side or the lower side of the key top. It is possible to avoid the problem and secure good key input operability.

According to the invention of claim 2 of the present application, basically the same effects as those of the invention of claim 1 can be obtained. In particular, at least a key in a predetermined range on the keyboard is In other words, for example, for a key in a predetermined range excluding a special key such as a function key that is infrequently operated, a key top of a key on a far side in the front-rear direction of the operator has a center line of a tilting operation to one side far from the operator. Since the center line of the tilting operation is set on one side of the key close to the operator, the key top of the key close to the operator is set. Key on the side farther than the center line of the position),
Keys closer to the operator (that is, closer to the home position than the center line) are more likely to press the side farther than the center of the key top, which corresponds to a single-pressing tendency during an input operation. In addition, it is possible to effectively avoid the influence of the arrangement position of each key on the keyboard, and secure good key input operability.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3 of the present application, basically, the same effect as that of the invention of claim 2 can be obtained. In particular, for at least a predetermined range of keys on the keyboard, each key top is a so-called hinge type connected to the keyboard frame via a hinge, and the key top of a key farther in the front-rear direction of the operator. Since a hinge is provided on one side far from the operator, and a key top of a key close to the operator is provided with a hinge on one side close to the operator, in a keyboard with a hinge type key top, It is possible to effectively avoid the influence of the arrangement position on the keyboard in the front-rear direction of the operator, and secure good key input operability.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4 of the present application, basically the same effects as those of the invention of claim 1 can be obtained. In particular, with respect to a key in a predetermined range on the left and right away from the center in the left and right direction of the operator, the key top of the key in the predetermined range on the left side has a tilting center line set on the left side thereof, and the key top of the key in the predetermined range on the right side. The key top has a tilting centerline set on its right side,
In the left and right direction of the operator, the keys farther to the left tend to press the right side of the center of the keytop, and the keys farther to the right tend to press the left side of the center of the keytop. In response to the tendency of one-sided pressing during the input operation, the influence of the arrangement position on the keyboard can be effectively avoided, and good key input operability can be secured.

Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 5 of the present application, basically the same effects as those of the invention of claim 4 can be obtained. In particular, each key top is of a so-called hinge type connected to a keyboard frame via a hinge, and a key in a predetermined range on the left and a key in a predetermined range on the left and right away from the center in the left and right direction of the operator. The key top is provided with a hinge on the left side,
Since the key top of the key in the predetermined range on the right side is provided with a hinge on the right side, the effect of the arrangement position on the keyboard in the left and right direction of the operator is effective for a keyboard with a hinged key top And good key input operability can be ensured.

Still further, according to the invention of claim 6 of the present application, a keyboard incorporated in the key input device includes:
The same effect as any one of the inventions of claims 1 to 5 can be obtained, and furthermore, by providing a plurality of keytops that perform a tilting operation by a pressing operation,
As compared to a conventional key input device using a guide mechanism or a pantograph mechanism, the area below the key top (that is, between the electrical contacts) can be made more compact, and the key input device can be made even thinner. Can be achieved.

Further, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the sixth aspect can be obtained for the key input device incorporated in the computer, and further, as a computer. Can be made thinner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a computer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a key input device of the computer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view of the key top according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view showing a state of a key top pressing operation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory plan view of the keyboard according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory plan view of a keyboard according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory plan view of a keyboard according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory plan view of a keyboard according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 computer, 3 key input device, 8 membrane switch sheet (electric contact), 9 click rubber (contact pressing member), 10, 20, 30 keyboard, 11
Key top, 12 frame part, 15 hinge part,
K _A, K _A 'farther key from the operator, K _B, K _B' side of the key close to the operator, K _L left a predetermined range of keys, K _R
Right range key, Lc Tilting center line, S _L
Predetermined range of the left, a predetermined range of S _R right.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A keyboard provided with a plurality of key tops performing a tilting operation by a pressing operation, wherein a position of a center line of the tilting operation of each of the key tops is determined according to an arrangement position of the key on the keyboard. A keyboard characterized by being set. 2. A key line of a key on a far side in the front-rear direction of the operator with respect to at least a predetermined range of keys on the keyboard, wherein a center line of a tilting operation is set to one side far from the operator, and is close to the operator. 2. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein a center line of the tilting operation is set on one side of the key on the side close to the operator. 3. For at least a predetermined range of keys on the keyboard, each of the key tops is connected to a frame of the keyboard via a hinge, and a key top of a key farther in the front-rear direction of the operator is operated. 3. The keyboard according to claim 2, wherein a hinge is provided on one side far from the operator, and a hinge is provided on a side of the key closer to the operator near the operator. 4. A key top of a key in a predetermined range on the left side of a key in a predetermined range on the left and right away from the center in the left and right direction of the operator, a center line of a tilting operation is set on the left side, and a predetermined range on the right side. 2. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein a center line of the tilting operation is set on the right side of the key top of the key. 5. Each of the key tops is connected to a frame of a keyboard via a hinge, and the keys of a predetermined range on the left side of the keys in a predetermined range on the left and right from the center in the left and right direction of the operator. 5. The keyboard according to claim 4, wherein a hinge is provided on a left side of the top, and a hinge is provided on a right side of a key top of a predetermined range of keys on the right side. 6. A keyboard provided with a plurality of keytops, an electrical contact provided corresponding to each keytop, and a contact pressing member provided between the electrical contact and the keytop. A key input device configured to perform a tilting operation of the key top by a pressing operation of the key top so that the electric contact is closed via the contact pressing member; A key input device using the keyboard according to claim 5. 7. A computer comprising the key input device according to claim 6.