JPH11144U - Key switch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] Even when a long key top is supported via a guide member composed of two link members, the key top is kept parallel regardless of the pressed position of the key top. Provided is a key switch capable of performing an up-down input operation and capable of performing a key input operation properly without interfering with the guide operation of each link during the up-down input operation. In the lower surface of a long key top 2 ', a longitudinal direction of the key top 2' is set at a position deviated from a guide means 3 comprising a first link 4 and a second link 5 in a plan view area of the key top 2 '. The configuration is such that the posture holding lever 31 is arranged so that the shaft portion 31a is along the shaft. This allows two first and second
Even when the long key top 2 ′ is supported via the guide member 3 including the links 4 and 5, the key top 2 ′ is also supported.
Up and down input operation is performed while maintaining the parallel state of the key top 2 ′ regardless of the pressed position of, and the guiding action of the first and second links 4 and 5 is hindered by the posture holding lever 31 during the up and down input operation. Key input operation is performed properly without being performed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a structure of a key switch used for a keyboard or the like as an input device of a word processor, a personal computer or the like.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, in a key switch of this type, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 59-33250, a stem guide portion in which a stem protruding downward from the lower surface of a key top is formed in a holder member. In general, the key top is inserted so that the key top can be vertically guided and supported.

However, in such a configuration, if the vertical movement length of the key top is reduced in order to lengthen the vertical movement stroke of the key top, the vertical sliding length with the stem becomes insufficient, and the key top becomes short. There is a disadvantage that the key touch cannot be performed smoothly due to the occurrence of a twist when the key is pressed, and therefore, the vertical length of the stem guide portion must be increased, and the keyboard cannot be made thinner.

In order to solve this problem, the present applicant has previously disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-330160 a first link which arranges a guide means for vertically moving a key top in an X-shape in a side view. The first link and the free end of the second link are rotatable with respect to the lower surface of the key top and the holder member. While the other free end is slidably locked to the lower surface of the key top and the holder member, and the head of the rubber spring is pressed against the lower surface near the intersection of the two links.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 By the way, the size of the operation surface of the keytops in this type of keyboard, that is, the size of the plane area of the keytops, is determined by arranging large and small types of keytops in consideration of the type of input, frequency of use, ease of use, and the like. I have to. For example, the most frequently used letters and numbers for Hiragana (Katakana) alphabets and numbers are usually medium-sized, with a square shape in plan view, and rectangular keys with a large horizontal aspect ratio for the Space key and Tab key. For the auxiliary function keys and the like, a keypad that is approximately half the size of the medium-sized keytop and is horizontally long (hereinafter, referred to as a half unit key) is used. Of these various key tops, especially in the case of a key switch that uses a long key top such as a space key or a tab key, the key top may be long depending on the pressed position. May move up and down with the key top tilted. For example, when the end of the space key is pressed, the space key moves up and down in an inclined state, which may cause a problem in the switching operation.

However, in the key switch of Japanese Patent Application No. 3-330160 described above, in the case of the above-mentioned character key or half unit key, the key tops are paralleled by the guide means including the first link and the second link. It is possible to guide up and down while maintaining the state, but in the case of a long key top such as a space key or a tab key, the parallel state of the key top may be changed depending on the first link and the second link. It is difficult to guide up and down movement while holding.

Further, in order to guide the vertical movement of a long key top such as a space key or a tab key, it is generally performed to guide the vertical movement through a space bar or the like made of a metal rod member. However, when the above-described guide means including the first and second links is used, the first link and the second link are rotatably locked to the key top and the holder member, respectively, and the sliding link is used. Because it is necessary to stop the space bar, how to arrange the space bar is an important issue. In other words, depending on the arrangement of the space bar, etc., the first link, the second link and the space bar may interfere with each other when the key top is moved up and down. May not be possible.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. Even when a long key top is supported via a guide member composed of two link members, the key top can be used. Up and down input operations are possible while maintaining the parallel state of the key tops regardless of the pressed position of the key, and key input operations can be performed properly without interfering with the guidance of each link during up and down input operations In addition, while maintaining a large stroke amount of the key top, the thickness of the key member can be effectively used to reduce the overall height of the key switch, thereby making the key switch thinner. It is intended to provide a switch.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, a key switch according to the present invention includes a long key top having a first locking portion formed on a lower surface thereof, and a key switch provided below the key top. A holder member having a second locking portion formed corresponding to the stop portion, and the key top and the first and second locking portions of the holder member are connected to and locked to the first and second locking portions, respectively. A guide member having a first link and a second link for guiding the vertical movement of the key top, a rubber spring for urging the key top upward, and an elastic deformation of the rubber spring accompanying the vertical movement of the key top A key switch having a switching member for performing a switching operation based on the key member. The rubber switch is formed on the holder member so that the upper end of the rubber spring contacts the key top or the guide member. A mounting hole in which a ring is arranged, and a lower surface of the key top, which is provided at a position deviated from the guide member within a region of the key top in plan view, and has a longitudinal shaft portion along the longitudinal direction of the key top. And a posture holding lever having the following.

[0010]

【Example】

 Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 show one key switch 1 of a number of half unit keys arranged on a keyboard, FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a horizontally long key top, FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view, and FIG. The sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2 is shown. In FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3, the left side is the front side of the keyboard.

The key switch 1 includes a key top 2, a guide unit 3 in which a first link 4 and a second link 5 are arranged in an X shape in side view, and a cap-shaped rubber spring pressed by the guide unit 3. 6, a synthetic resin holder member 7 for supporting the guide means 3, and a lower surface of the holder member 7 so that the switching portions 29, 29 (see FIG. 5) face the mounting holes 7a of the holder member 7. It comprises a flexible printed circuit board 9 to be provided and a reinforcing plate 10 stretched on the lower surface side thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rubber spring 6 attaches the holder member 7 so as to cover above the switching parts (electric contact parts) 29, 29 (see FIG. 5) on the printed circuit board 9. It is inserted and arranged in the hole 7a. In this state, the rubber spring 6 is placed on the printed circuit board 9 as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the lower portion of the rubber spring 6 is lowered downward in accordance with the thickness of the holder member 7. It becomes possible to arrange. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the overall height of the key switch 1 by effectively using the thickness of the holder member 7 while maintaining a large stroke amount of the key top 2, thereby reducing the thickness of the key switch 1. Can be planned.

In addition, the upper end of the rubber spring 6 is in contact with the pressing portion 26 of the guide means 3 as is apparent from FIG. Here, the pressing portion 26 of the guide means 3 is brought into contact with the upper end of the rubber spring 6, but a pressing portion is formed from the key top 2, and the pressing portion is brought into contact with the upper end of the rubber spring 6. It may be configured.

The rubber spring 6 of the present invention is made of an electrically insulating silicone rubber or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene methylene) or the like, and has a substantially disk-shaped thick head in plan view and a downward facing from the periphery of the head. The dome portion is formed integrally with the dome portion in the form of a downward open cap comprising a truncated conical dome portion and a thick flange portion extending radially outward and substantially horizontally on the outer periphery of the dome portion. When the keytop is pressed, the contact portions of the switching portions 29, 29 are provided on the lower surface of the head of the rubber spring 6 pressed by the pressing portion 26 on the lower surface of the connection crossing portion between the first link 4 and the second link 5. And a movable contact portion 30 made of conductive rubber having conductivity for electrically turning on and off both switching portions by being in contact with the contact portion. The entire rubber spring 6 may be formed to have conductivity by dispersing and filling conductive particles such as carbon black in silicone rubber.

The key top 2 formed of a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin is provided with predetermined characters such as numerals, alphabets, and the like by engraving or printing on its upper surface (surface). As shown in FIG. 1, the key top 2 has an operation surface that is long in the left and right directions, and its lower surface is provided with pin portions 11a and 11b on the upper free end side of a first link 4 described later in a substantially horizontal direction. The left and right longitudinal groove-shaped sliding engagement portions 16 and 16 for slidably engaging along the left and right longitudinal directions and the upper free end pin portions 13a and 13b of the second link 5 only rotate. A pair of front and rear locking members 17, 17, which are integrally provided with hole-shaped rotation locking parts 15, 15 for locking as possible, are integrally formed or are protruded by bonding with an adhesive or the like. Let it.

The first link 4 and the second link 5 made of synthetic resin such as glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A is a plan view of the first link 4, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the second link 5. The first link 4 is formed integrally with the base 18 and the upper and lower free ends 19 and 20 into a substantially H-shape in plan view, so that a support hole 21 is formed in the side surface of the base 18 in a lateral direction. Pin portions 12a and 12b are provided laterally on the outer surfaces of the arms 20a and 20b extending from both ends of the free end 20, and the pins 11a and 11b are provided on the side surface of the upper free end 19, respectively. Protrude sideways.

The second link 5 is also formed integrally with the base 22 and the upper and lower free ends 23 and 24 into a substantially H-shape in plan view. A pivot shaft 25 protrudes laterally from one side surface of the base 22, and the pivot shaft 25 is rotatably fitted into the support hole 21 of the first link 4. Pin portions 14a and 14b are laterally protruded from the outer surfaces of the arms 24a and 24b extending from both ends of the lower free end 24 of the second link 5, respectively. 13a and 13b are provided to project sideways. Then, the first link 4 and the second link 5 assembled as described later are arranged such that the axial direction of the pivot shaft 25 is orthogonal to the left-right longitudinal direction of the key top 2.

In this embodiment, the distance from the center line of the support hole 21 in the first link 4 to the center line of the upper and lower pin portions 11 a and 12 a and the pivot shaft 25 in the second link 5 are viewed from the side. Are formed so that the distances from the center line to the pin portions 13a and 14a are equal to each other. With this configuration, as described later, the key means 2 is displaced around the pin portions 12a and 12b on the lower free end side of the first link 4 so that the key top 2 is moved to the position of the holder member 7. It can move up and down in parallel to the upper surface.

Although not shown, downwardly convex polygon-shaped pressing portions are formed on the lower surfaces of the base 18 of the first link 4 and the base 22 of the second link 5, respectively. The upper surface of the head of the spring 6 may be pressed.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a part of a holder member 7 made of a synthetic resin such as a glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the holder member 7 is flat. The holder member 7 is provided with a substantially rectangular mounting hole 7a in which a flange at the lower end of the cap-shaped rubber spring 6 can be inserted without displacement, and a pair of front and rear edges of the mounting hole 7a are provided. The rotation locking portion 27 and the sliding locking portion 28 in the shape of a longitudinal groove are integrally formed by injection so that the locking portions 27 and 28 are opened downward.

In this case, the downward U-shaped locking groove 27 a of the rotation locking portion 27 and the left-right long U-shaped locking groove 28 in the sliding locking portion 28 are formed on the back surface of the holder member 7. If one of the molding dies is formed so as to open in the direction of the normal to the mold, the die cutting operation after injection molding of the synthetic resin becomes extremely easy.

Then, the two links 4 and 5 are assembled in advance in an X shape in side view at the pivot shaft 25 and the support hole 21, and then the upper pin portions 11 a, 11 b, 13 a and 13 b of the two links 4 and 5 are assembled. Are inserted into the rotation locking portions 15, 15 and the sliding locking portions 16, 16 of the key top 2, and then the gap between the lower end free ends 20, 24 of both links 4, 6 is reduced. The pins 12a, 12b, 14a, and 14b are inserted so as to protrude from the mounting hole 7a to the back side of the holder member 7, and then the distance between the lower free ends 20, 24 of the two links 4, 5 is increased. The pins 12a, 12b on the lower end side of the first link 4 are inserted from below into the stop portions 27, 27, and the lower end of the second link 5 is inserted into the slide lock portions 28, 28. Side pins 14a and 14b are slid back and forth from below. If the printed circuit board 9 is stretched and fixed to the lower surface of the holder member 7 after the insertion, the two links 4 and 5 do not fall off the holder member 7.

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

With this configuration, when the key top 2 is pressed, the first link 4 rotates downward (clockwise in FIG. 2) around the rotation locking portion 27 of the holder member 7, while The second link 5 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 around the pivot shaft 25. Then, the head of the rubber spring 6 is pressed downward by the pressing portion 26 near the cross connection portion of the links 4 and 5, and the movable contact 30 on the lower surface thereof contacts the switching portions 29 and 29 to perform the switching operation. You do it.

As in the present embodiment, when the rotation axis of the pivotal support shaft 25 of the cross connection between the first link 4 and the second link 5 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the horizontally long key top 2, The pair of links 4 and 5 can be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the top 2 so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along. In other words, by arranging a pair of links 4 and 5 having a small width but a long length, a keystroke of a predetermined required size can be obtained, and the arrangement interval of the key tops of the adjacent half unit keys can be reduced. It is possible to prevent the keyboard from being expanded more than necessary, and it is possible to reduce the keyboard operation area and make it more compact.

In another embodiment, a large-diameter head is formed at the tip of the pivot shaft 25 of the second link 5, while a downward opening is provided on the lower surface of the base 18 of the first link 4 in a side view. A pair of links 4 and 5 are formed by forming a C-shaped holding member (both not shown) and fitting the pivot shaft 25 from the direction intersecting the axis with the holding member. It is also possible to realize prevention of disengagement after assembly and prevention of lateral displacement (expansion of the gap between the links 4 and 5).

FIGS. 6 and 7 show that pressing any key top 2 ′ having a horizontally long operation surface such as a tab key causes the key top 2 ′ to be parallel. This device is a device for raising and lowering, and has a substantially U-shaped posture holding lever 31 having a long shaft portion 31a extending in the horizontal direction on the lower surface of the key top 2 '. In this case, the longitudinal shaft portion 31a is rotatably and detachably fitted into a pair of upwardly-furcated bifurcated fitting and locking members 32, 32 protruding from the upper surface of the holder member 7, and is made of a metal rod. The support portions 31b, 31b at both ends of the holding lever 31 are slidably engaged with sliding engagement pieces 33, 33 provided on the lower surface of the key top 2 '.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the posture holding lever 31 is located at a position separated from the pair of first link 4 and second link 5 within the area of the key top 2 ′ in plan view. Since the first link 4 and the second link 5 are installed, no trouble occurs in the operation of the first link 4 and the second link 5.

The fitting and locking members 32, 32 may be protruded from the back side through holes formed in the holder member 7, or may be formed integrally with the holder member 7. Is also good.

With this configuration, even if the end of the operation surface of the key top 2 ′ is pressed, the key top 2 ′ moves up and down in parallel. The shapes, structures and arrangements of the first link 4, the second link 5 and the rubber spring 6 in this embodiment are substantially the same as those in each of the above embodiments, so that detailed description will be omitted.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show that the longitudinal shaft portion 31a of the posture holding lever 31 is pivotally attached to the lower surface of the key top 2 'so as to be rotatable only, and the lever 31 both end support portions 31b are slid. This is an embodiment of the sliding locking portion 34 formed in the holder member 7 for movably locking, and the supporting projections 36 are held on both side edges on the surface side of the hole 35 formed in the holder member 7. The holding portion 37 is integrally provided to protrude. With this configuration, the support portion 31b of the posture holding lever 31 inserted between the support protrusion 36 and the holding portion 37 can slide while rotating. Reference numeral 38 denotes a stopper for preventing the support portion 31b from coming off in the horizontal direction. In each of the above embodiments, a substrate such as a membrane switch circuit board may be used in place of the flexible print substrate 9 forming the switching section 29, and the present invention is also applicable to a variable capacity keyboard.

[Functions and effects of the invention]

 In short, in the key switch according to the first aspect, the lower surface of the long key top is located at a position deviated from the guide means including the first link and the second link within the area of the key top in plan view. Since the posture-holding lever is arranged so that the shaft portion extends along the longitudinal direction, the keytop can be used even when the long keytop is supported via the guide member including the two first and second links. Up and down input operation can be performed while maintaining the parallel state of the key top regardless of the pressed position of the key, and key input operation can be performed without obstructing the guide action of each of the first and second links by the posture holding lever during the up and down input operation. Can be performed properly.

Further, by disposing a rubber spring in a mounting hole formed in the holder member, the stroke of the key top can be maintained large, and the entire thickness of the holder member can be effectively used while maintaining the key stroke. The height of the key switch can be reduced, and the thickness of the key switch can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a key switch.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the key switch.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1;

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

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting hole of a holder member.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a long key top.

7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the locking portion of the posture holding lever.

9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key switch 2, 2 'key top 3 Guide means 4 1st link 5 2nd link 6 Rubber spring 7 Holder member 7a Mounting hole 9 Printed circuit board 10 Reinforcement board 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b Pin part 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b Pin portion 15, 27 Rotation locking portion 16, 28 Sliding locking portion 18, 22 Base 21 Support hole 25 Pivot shaft 31 Position holding lever 31a Shaft portion 31b Support portion 32 Fitting locking member 33 Sliding Locking piece 34 Sliding locking part 35 Hole 36 Supporting projection 37 Holding part 38 Stopper part

Claims (1)

[Utility model registration claims] An elongated key top having a first locking portion formed on a lower surface thereof; and a second locking portion disposed below the key top and corresponding to the first locking portion of the key top. A key member and a first link and a second link that are connected and locked to the first and second locking portions of the key top and the holder member, respectively, and that are movably arranged with respect to each other. A guide member for guiding the vertical movement of the key top, a rubber spring for urging the key top upward, and a switching member for performing a switching operation based on elastic deformation of the rubber spring accompanying the vertical movement of the key top. A key switch provided in the holder member, wherein a mounting hole in which a rubber spring is disposed such that an upper end of a rubber spring abuts on a key top or a guide member; A position holding lever provided on a lower surface of the keypad at a position deviating from the guide member within a region of the keytop in a plan view, and having a longitudinal shaft portion along a longitudinal direction of the keytop. Key switch to feature.