JPH11259208A - Character inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character inputting device whose input operability can be ensured even when a keyboard is made thin. SOLUTION: At the time of closing a display panel 1, a display panel linking knob 10 is separated from a movable board 5, and the movable board 5 is positioned at the right hand side so that a pantograph type connector 6 can opens and a switch board 3 sinks in a main body cabinet. On the contrary, at the time of opening the display panel 1, the display panel linking knob 10 pushes the movable board 5 so that the pantograph type connector 6 encloses, and the switch board 3 floats from the main body cabinet. Thus, the full thickness of the keyboard is switched according to the opening and closing state of the display panel so that the thickness of the device in a non-use state can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device for inputting characters using a keyboard. In particular, the present invention relates to a character input device such as a notebook personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a notebook PC) which is reduced in size and thickness.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, character input devices such as personal computers have been reduced in size and thickness in order to enhance portability in consideration of outdoor use and the like. Particularly, development and commercialization of a thin notebook PC using a liquid crystal panel for a display portion for carrying around in a bag or the like have been active.

A conventional notebook PC will be described as an example. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional notebook PC as viewed from the side.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 61 denotes a display panel section having functions such as liquid crystal (LCD) display, and 62 denotes a main body section containing units such as a signal processing circuit, a memory, a hard disk drive, various expansion slots, and a keyboard. The display panel 61 and the main body 62 are rotatably connected by a hinge 66. Reference numeral 63 denotes a keyboard bottom plate including a switch circuit pattern, etc., 64 denotes a key switch plate, and 65 denotes a pantograph-type coupler that connects the key switch plate 64 to the keyboard bottom plate 63, which are main components of the keyboard. Reference numeral 67 denotes a region in the main body 62 where signal processing circuits, mounting units such as memories are arranged.

D in the figure is the thickness of the entire character input device. The thickness of the bottom cabinet of the main body 62, the thickness of the area 67 in which the mounting unit is arranged, and the thickness of the main components of the keyboard are added. Is the value obtained by adding the thickness of the display panel section 61 to the thickness of the display panel section 61.

In order to enhance the portability of a notebook PC, cabinets, various parts, units, including a keyboard,
The thickness of the display panel has been reduced as much as possible. Today, the thickness is controlled in units of mm or less, and parts and units are selected to design and develop products.

[0007]

In the above-described conventional character input device, it is necessary to make the keystroke S in FIG. 6 shallow in order to make the keyboard thinner for thinning.
However, if the keystroke is simply made shallow, erroneous input is likely to occur. In order to avoid erroneous input, it is necessary to increase the repulsive force of the key. However, if the repulsive force is increased, there is a problem that operability of typing is deteriorated.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a character input device according to the present invention comprises an opening / closing state detecting means for detecting an opening / closing state of a display panel, and a gap width between a key switch plate and a keyboard bottom plate. Gap width switching means for switching, and wherein the gap width switching means switches the gap width between the key switch plate and the keyboard bottom plate according to the open / closed state of the display panel detected by the open / closed state detection means. It is assumed that.

With this configuration, when the display panel is closed (not used), the thickness is reduced by the amount corresponding to the keystroke to enhance portability, and when the display panel is opened, the keystroke is deepened to perform input operation. Can be enhanced. That is, with this configuration, it is possible to achieve both thinning of the device and ease of input operation of the keyboard.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to a first aspect of the present invention is directed to an opening / closing state detecting means for detecting an opening / closing state of a display panel, and a gap for switching a gap width between a key switch plate and a keyboard bottom plate in a keyboard portion. A character input device having a width switching unit, wherein the gap width switching unit switches the gap width between the key switch plate and the keyboard bottom plate according to the open / closed state of the display panel detected by the open / closed state detection unit. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the overall thickness of the keyboard when the keyboard is carried, while ensuring sufficient keystrokes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a display panel interlocking knob which interlocks with opening and closing of the display panel is added to a hinge portion connecting the display panel and the main body. As a result, an open / closed state detecting means is realized, and a structure for transmitting the open / closed state of the display panel to the gap width switching means by moving the position of the display panel interlocking knob is adopted. As a result, the open / closed state of the display panel is detected and transmitted to the keyboard by using the hinge part generally required in the character input device and adding the minimum necessary mechanical parts, and the present invention is further improved. It can be realized at low cost.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the keyboard bottom plate includes a fixed plate and a movable plate, and the key switch plate and the keyboard bottom plate are connected. A fixed end is attached to the fixed plate, a movable end is attached to the movable plate, and a display panel interlocking knob is configured to transmit the open / closed state of the panel to the movable plate. Switching of the thickness of the keyboard is relatively inexpensive. It can be realized with mechanical parts. Further, the pantograph-type coupler is also used in a conventional keyboard, so that a key switch capable of switching the height can be realized without major structural changes.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the movable plate and the display panel interlocking knob are connected by a wire-shaped or ribbon-shaped material. Since the traction force can be transmitted to the movable plate of the keyboard only when the panel is closed, a mechanism for suppressing the height of the keyboard only when the display panel is closed can be easily realized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, a knob displacement limiting mechanism for limiting the position of the display panel interlocking knob, and a display when the display panel is closed at the hinge portion. With the knob position holding claw that holds the position of the panel interlocking knob, the displacement when opening and closing the display panel can be transmitted to the keyboard movable plate within the required range, and excessive force is applied to the keyboard and it is damaged Can be prevented. In addition, since the position of the display panel interlock knob can be prevented from shifting when the panel is closed, careless shift of the display panel interlock knob causes the key operation surface to return to the height of the used state, causing a shift with the display panel. And the like can be avoided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device according to the fourth aspect, wherein a rubbery projection is used for restoring the position of the key switch plate and a return restricting mechanism for the movable plate is provided. When the panel is opened and the key switch plate is restored to normal use, the return of the movable plate is limited and the restoration amount is stopped at a specific position, eliminating the height difference between each key switch plate and reducing the pressure difference. Can be.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a notebook PC according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as viewed from the side. 1A shows a state in which the display panel of the notebook PC is closed, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the display panel of the notebook PC is opened.

As shown in FIG. 1, this notebook PC is
As in the conventional example, a display panel unit 1 in which a liquid crystal display unit and the like are incorporated, a signal processing circuit, a memory, a hard disk drive, various expansion slots and the like (not shown in the figure), and a main body unit 2 with a built-in keyboard, Display panel 1
And a hinge 9 connecting the main body 2 and the like. In addition to this conventional configuration, in the present embodiment, the keyboard bottom plate of the keyboard is divided into two plates, and a fixed plate 4 fixed to the cabinet of the main body 2 and a movable plate 5 that can be moved left and right in the figure. The fixed end 7 and the movable end 8 of the pantograph coupler 6 for connecting the two bottom plates and the respective key switch plates 3 are fixed to the fixed plate 4 and the movable end 8 is fixed to the movable plate 5. Further, a display panel interlocking knob 10 is provided on the hinge 9 so as to interlock with the opening and closing of the display panel 1. When the display panel 1 is opened, the tip of the display panel interlocking knob 10 moves the movable plate 5 by a predetermined width. Place it in a position where you can push it.

By adopting the above structure, FIG.
As shown in (a), when the display panel 1 is closed, the display panel interlocking knob 10 is separated from the movable plate 5, so that the movable plate 5 is at a position from the right, and the pantograph coupler 6 is opened to open each key switch plate. 3 sinks into the body cabinet. Conversely, when the display panel 1 is opened as shown in FIG. 1B, the display panel interlocking knob 10 pushes the movable plate 5 to the left, so that the pantograph-type coupler 6 is closed and each key switch plate 3 is connected to the main body. Emerging from the cabinet.

As described above, in this embodiment, the open / closed state detecting means is realized by the display panel interlocking knob 10 interlocked with the hinge 9, and the gap width switching means is the pantograph type coupler having the fixed end 7 and the movable end 8. 6 and the fixed plate 4 and the movable plate 5. Thus, when the display panel is closed to carry the notebook PC, the total thickness H of the keyboard is reduced. Conversely, when the display panel is opened to use the notebook PC, the total thickness H of the keyboard swells to a sufficient stroke S of the keyboard. As a result, it is possible to realize a notebook PC that achieves both thinness when carried and improved operability during key input operations. Also,
Detecting the open / closed state of the display panel and switching the keyboard operation surface can be realized by adding only a few improvements to the mechanical components that are used as standard in existing notebook PCs without using an electric circuit or motor. It can be realized at low cost.

(Embodiment 2) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a detailed structure of a key switch portion of a keyboard portion of a notebook PC and a detailed structure of an open / closed state detection mechanism of a display panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It shows.

As shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard portion including the gap width switching means of the notebook PC in this embodiment includes a key switch plate 3, a fixed plate 4, a movable plate 5, a pantograph type coupler 6, , A fixed end 7, a movable end 8, a rubber projection 20 made of a rubber material or the like, and a switch board 21 on which a switch circuit and the like are mounted. FIG. 2 (a)
FIG. 2B shows the state of the key switch portion in normal use (when the display panel described later is opened), and FIG. 2B shows the state of the key switch portion in non-use (when the display panel described later is closed). ).

FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of an open / closed state detecting mechanism having a display panel open / closed state detecting means. FIG. 3A is a front view of one hinge portion of the notebook PC viewed from the front.
FIG. 3B is a side view showing a state where the display panel is opened. FIG. 3C shows a state when the display panel of the same part is closed. The open / closed state detecting mechanism mainly includes a bottom cabinet 3 of a main body (corresponding to the main body 2 of the first embodiment).
0, the upper cabinet 31, and the display panel (the first embodiment)
Upper panel 32, body side hinge support 33, display panel side hinge support 34, hinge shaft 35, hinge plate 36, display panel interlocking knob 10, knob position holding claw 37, wire length adjuster 38, wire 3
9 is the right end of the movable plate 5 in FIG. The display panel interlocking knob 10 of FIG. 3 is sandwiched between a display panel side hinge support 34 and a hinge plate 36 and is stopped by a hinge shaft 35 with an appropriate pressure.

By adopting such a structure, the structure shown in FIG.
When the display panel is open as shown in FIG. 5, the display panel interlocking knob 10 rotates clockwise about the hinge shaft 35 in conjunction with the friction with the display panel side hinge support 34,
The wire 39 is loosened, and as a result, the movable plate 5 enters a free state in which no force is applied.

At this time, since the movable plate 5 is free in the keyboard portion, the key switch plate 3 is pushed up by the restoring force of the rubber projection of each key switch as shown in FIG. Key input operation is enabled. When the key is pressed from above in this state, the pantograph coupler 6 is opened, the rubber projection 20 is pressed against the switch board 21, and the contact of the switch portion on the switch board is made conductive.

As shown in FIG. 3C, when the display panel is closed, the display panel interlocking knob 10 rotates counterclockwise around the hinge shaft 35 by interlocking with the display panel side hinge support 34 by friction. . At this time, the wire 39 adjusted in advance to a predetermined length by the wire length adjuster 38 is stretched when the panel is closed to a predetermined angle or less, and the movable plate 5
To the right. As a result, the movable plate 5 moves rightward by a predetermined length.

At this time, in the keyboard section, the movable plate 5 is connected to the movable end 8 of the pantograph type coupler 6 as shown in FIG.
Is pulled to the right, and the key switch plate 3 is pulled down via the pantograph-type coupler 6 by that force.

In the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (c), the position displacement of the display panel interlocking knob 10 when the display panel is opened is determined by the upper cabinet 31 of the main unit.
The displacement of the display panel interlocking knob 10 when the display panel is closed is limited by the rear surface of the bottom cabinet 30 of the main body. Using the wire 39;
With this knob displacement limiting mechanism, as shown in FIG. 4, with respect to the opening angle of the display panel (when closed, it is 0 degree),
The height of the key operation surface can be controlled with a modest hysteresis. In other words, when you open the display panel to use a notebook PC, the key surface immediately becomes the height of the normal use state,
The total thickness of the keyboard changes from Hm to Hn (displacement at points a → b → d in FIG. 4). When the display panel is closed after use, the key operation surface is lowered at a panel opening angle (point c in FIG. 4) set in advance by the wire length, and the total thickness of the keyboard is changed from Hn to Hm (point d in FIG. 4).
c → e → a displacement). In addition, the keyboard surface maintains the height of the use state Hn even if the opening angle of the panel is changed in the viewing range of the display panel (around point d in FIG. 4).

Further, in the present embodiment, when the display panel is closed, as shown in FIG. 3C, the position of the display panel interlocking knob 10 rotated by a frictional force at the opening angle of the display panel of 0 degree is the key position. A knob position holding claw 37 is provided to hold the movable plate 5 so as not to be inadvertently returned by the movable plate 5 due to the restoring force of the rubber projection. This knob position holding claw 37
Are fixed to the display panel side hinge support 34.

In this manner, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and in this embodiment, the open / close state of the display panel is transmitted to the movable plate 5 using the wire 39, and the displacement limiting mechanism of the interlocking knob is provided. By providing a holding claw, the height of the keyboard operation surface can be controlled appropriately in conjunction with normal use conditions, and at the same time, a highly reliable notebook by preventing careless force from being applied to the keyboard part A type PC can be realized.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 shows a movable plate return limiting projection 50 provided on a fixed plate 4 and a movable plate 5 in the third embodiment.
And 51 are provided to restrict the movable plate 5 from returning to the left side in the figure more than necessary due to the restoring force of the rubbery projection 20 of each key switch in FIG. As a result, it is possible to prevent the key operation surface of the key switch plate 3 from having unevenness for each key due to the restoring force of the rubbery projection of each key and the variation in shape. In addition, it is also possible to provide an appropriate pressure when each key is pressed.

In the second embodiment, the open / close state of the display panel is transmitted from the display panel interlocking knob to the movable plate using a wire. However, the same effect can be obtained by connecting using a ribbon-like material. .

In the above description, an example was described in which only mechanical parts were used. However, the present invention can be similarly implemented using other electrical means.

[0033]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, when the display panel is closed, the entire thickness of the keyboard is minimized to enhance portability, and when the display panel is opened, the keystrokes of the keyboard are deepened. Thus, the input operability can be improved, and a thin, highly reliable and low-cost character input device can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a notebook PC according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when viewed from a side.

FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of a keyboard of the notebook PC according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of a display panel open / closed state detection mechanism of the notebook PC according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between an opening angle of a display panel and displacement of a total thickness of a keyboard (height of a key operation surface) according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a keyboard restoration amount limiting mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a notebook PC as a conventional character information input device.
Sectional view of the side view

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display panel part 2 Main body part 3 Key switch board 4 Fixed plate 5 Movable plate 6 Pantograph type coupler 7 Fixed end 8 Movable end 9 Hinge 10 Display panel interlocking knob 20 Rubber projection 21 Switch board 30 Main body bottom cabinet 31 Main body Upper cabinet 32 Display panel upper cabinet 33 Main body side hinge support 34 Display panel side hinge support 35 Hinge shaft 36 Hinge plate 37 Knob position holding claw 38 Wire length adjuster 39 Wire 50, 51 Movable plate return limiting protrusion

Claims (6)

[Claims] An opening / closing state detecting means for detecting an opening / closing state of the display panel; and a gap width switching means for switching a gap width between a key switch plate and a keyboard bottom plate. A character input device, wherein a gap width between a key switch plate and a keyboard bottom plate is switched by the gap width switching means in accordance with an open / close state of a display panel. 2. An opening / closing state detecting means is realized by adding a display panel interlocking knob interlocking with the opening and closing of the display panel to a hinge portion connecting the display panel section and the main body, and the position of the display panel interlocking knob is moved. 2. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein an open / close state of the display panel is transmitted to a gap width switching unit. 3. A structure in which a keyboard bottom plate includes a fixed plate and a movable plate, and a fixed end of a pantograph-type coupler connecting the key switch plate and the keyboard bottom plate is attached to the fixed plate, and a movable end is attached to the movable plate. The character input device according to claim 2, characterized in that a gap width switching means is realized by (1), and a display panel interlocking knob is provided to notify the movable plate of the open / closed state of the panel. 4. The character input device according to claim 3, wherein the movable plate and the display panel interlocking knob are connected by a wire-shaped or ribbon-shaped material. 5. A knob displacement restricting mechanism for restricting a position of a display panel interlocking knob, and a knob position holding claw for holding a position of the display panel interlocking knob when the display panel is closed at a hinge portion. The character input device according to claim 4, wherein 6. The character input device according to claim 4, wherein a rubbery projection is used for restoring the position of the key switch plate, and a return restricting mechanism for the movable plate is provided on the fixed plate and the movable plate.