KR20000012219A - Key switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: The key-switch on a keyboard as the input device of a personal computer is improved. With the key-switch, the keyboard becomes thinner and lighter, the keystroke is enlarged, and the feeling of clicking becomes more pleasant. CONSTITUTION: As the key top (1) is pushed down against the elasticity of return spring (2A), the protuberances in the inner legs (3A) slide in the hole on the inner legs(21). With the protuberances touching part of the hole, sliding is stopped and pressure load is increased. As the pressure load reaches a set amount, the return spring (2A) yields and the pressure load is drastically lessened, giving a better feeling of clicking.

Description

Key Switch {KEY SWITCH}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key switch used in a keyboard or the like used as an input device such as a personal computer (PC). In particular, a large key stroke can be realized while the keyboard is made smaller and thinner. The present invention relates to a key switch capable of ensuring a key operation feeling and a key input by providing a click feeling during key operation. The present invention also relates to a key switch that simplifies the assembly fixing by simplifying the overall configuration.

In recent years, as the size of the keyboard becomes smaller, the key-top becomes thin and flat, and in order to improve the operability of the key input and to ensure the certainty of the key input, a large keystroke is required for the key operation and a certain click feeling is required. It became. Various key switches have been proposed as key switches used in such a keyboard.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-279316 proposes the following key switches.

That is, the guide member for guiding the vertical movement of the key top comprises a first link member and a second link member, and the first and second link members are combined in an X shape to guide the vertical movement of the key top. The first link member is formed with a spring member having a switch operating portion at the end thereof, and an inclined protrusion having an inclined surface is formed at the support plate. The spring member slides along the inclined surface of the inclined protrusion to increase the pressure load of the key top. As the spring member falls over the inclined protrusion on the surface of the switch seat, the pressure load is suddenly lowered to give a click feeling. At the same time, the switch actuating portion of the spring member is brought into contact with the pressing portion of the switch to perform a key operation.

The key switch can achieve miniaturization and thinning of the keyboard by using a guide member of a link structure without using a rubber spring. In addition, the inclined protrusion is formed on the support plate, so that the switch operating portion of the spring member slides over the inclined protrusion to change the pressure load to impart a click feeling.

However, the conventional guide member of the link structure is composed of the first link and the second link, and the assembly is made by assembling them, which requires a lot of labor for the assembly and has the disadvantage of increasing the manufacturing cost.

In addition, there is also a disadvantage in increasing the manufacturing cost by processing the support plate, such as forming an inclined protrusion on the support plate to obtain a feeling of click.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a compact, thin and inexpensive key switch by providing a guide member with a simple link structure.

In addition, a simple structure is to provide a key switch that provides a feeling of click.

1 is a perspective view of a key switch of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view showing that the key switch of the present invention in a non-pressure state, (a) is a plan view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a side view cut a part;

3 is a view showing a state in which the keyswitch of the present invention is lowered under pressure, (a) is a plan view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a side view of a part cut,

4 is a view showing a link of the present invention, (a) is a perspective view before assembling, (b) is a plan view when assembling, (c) is a side view when assembling,

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, (a) is an embodiment in which one return leaf spring is formed, (b) is an embodiment in which the contact leaf spring is connected to both wings,

Figure 6 is a view showing the relative movement of the medial leg protrusion and medial leg holes in one embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stroke and the load applied to the key top.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: key top

1A: Link fixing hook 1B: Link fixing groove

2: link

21: inner leg 22: outer leg

2A: Return Spring Plate

2B: Contact Leaf Spring

2C: Front fixing rod for key top 2D: Rear fixing rod for key top

2E: leg shaft projection 2F: leg shaft hole

2G: outer leg hole 2H: contact protrusion

2I: inner leg hole 3: frame

3A: Inner leg protrusion 3B: Outer leg protrusion

4: FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits)

The present invention to achieve the above object,

A pair of key tops having a pair of link fixing hooks and a pair of link fixing grooves formed on a rear surface thereof, and a pair of key fixing front fixing rods coupled to the link fixing hooks to couple the key tops with the link fixing grooves A back fixing rod for key top, an outer leg formed with an outer leg hole and a leg bearing protrusion, and an elliptical inner leg hole, and a leg bearing hole are formed to combine with the leg bearing protrusion of the outer leg to form the outer leg. And a link having an inner leg engaged with the shaft, a return leaf spring for applying a return force to the key top, a contact leaf spring for pressure contact with FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits), and an upper surface of the frame. An FPC disposed on the contact plate ring and recognizing a key operation by a pressure contact with the contact plate ring, Including a frame for engaging with the link, provided with a projection for the inner leg to join, and a projection for the outer leg to join the outer leg hole,

As the key top is pressed downward against the elastic force of the return plate spring, the inner leg protrusion is slid from the inner leg hole to come into contact with one side of the inner leg hole to stop the sliding motion and increase the pressure load. When a constant pressure load is provided, the return spring yields a key switch, which provides a feeling of click by rapidly reducing the pressure load.

Preferably, a contact protrusion may be formed on the lower surface of the contact leaf spring.

In addition, two return leaf springs may be formed and a contact leaf spring may be formed therebetween, or a return leaf spring and a contact leaf spring may be formed one each.

It is preferable to form the link by integrally forming the front fixing rod for the key top, the rear fixing rod for the key top, the outer leg, the inner leg, the return leaf spring, and the contact leaf spring, but the return leaf spring is made of steel. It is preferable to ensure its durability to be separately formed, such as to be assembled to the link or molded.

In addition, the link can be easily formed into a mold can reduce the cost.

In addition, the outer leg of the link is characterized by the elasticity to open to the outside so that the detachable to the frame is simple.

(Example)

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a key switch according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a view showing a non-pressure state in which the key top is the original state, that is, the user does not apply pressure. 3 is a view showing a state in which the key top is lowered to the bottom end under pressure by a user's finger or the like.

As can be seen in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the key switch of the present invention comprises a key top 1, a link 2, an FPC 4, and a frame 3, which are from above to the bottom. It is arranged in the order of the key top 1, the link 2, the FPC 4, and the frame 3 from the surface of the keyboard to the lower side.

The key top 1 is located on the surface of the keyboard and so on, and has numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, ...), letters (a, b, c, ..., a, b, c, ..., ㅏ). , ㅑ, ...,!, @, #, ...) or other function (Esc, Ctrl, Alt, Home, PgUp, ...) is printed on the surface, that is, the user's finger It is a member that moves up and down by receiving pressure and descends under pressure and returns to its original state under the pressure of the link described below. It has a nearly rectangular roof shape and is usually made of plastic.

The link 2 is a member for guiding the vertical movement of the key top 1 and is compressed under the pressure of the key top 1 to provide a feeling of click by yielding the return leaf spring.

The FPC 4 is a flexible printed circuit, which is a circuit for recognizing a character or the like corresponding to each key top 1 by shorting its contact point due to the lowering of the key top 1, and being generally composed of a matrix circuit.

3 is a frame having a coupling mechanism that engages the link 2 as a frame, and supports the key 2 by supporting the link 2.

Hereinafter, each member of the coupling mechanism and the link 2 which interconnect each said member is demonstrated in detail.

On the back of the key top 1, a pair of link fixing hooks 1A and a pair of link fixing grooves 1B for engaging with the link 2 are formed.

The link fixing hook 1A is a hook-shaped hook, which is coupled with the front top fixing rod 2C for the keytop of the link 2 so that the front top fixing rod 2C for the keytop rotates counterclockwise as well as the link 2 ) Supports the sliding movement of the front fixing rod (2C) for the key top while moving downward and upward.

In addition, the link fixing groove 1B is a circular groove and is coupled to the key top rear fixing rod 2D of the link 2 to support the rotation of the key top rear fixing rod 2D in a clockwise direction.

In this embodiment, the link fixing hook 1A is located in front of the back of the key top 1, and the link fixing groove 1B is located in the back of the back of the key top 1, but the position of the link ( It can be properly adjusted according to the position of the fixed rod in 2). In addition, a hook or a groove may be formed in the link 2 and a fixing rod may be formed in the key top 1.

The frame 3 is formed with two pairs of protrusions for engaging with the link 2. That is, the pair of inner leg protrusions 3A for engaging with the inner leg holes 2I of the inner leg 21 of the link 2 and the outer leg holes of the outer leg 22 of the link 2 ( 2G) is a pair of outer leg protrusions 3B for coupling. These protrusions 3A and 3B respectively support the inner leg hole 2I and the outer leg hole 2G in circular motion, sliding motion and circular motion.

It is also possible to form these protrusions in the link 2. That is, a projection may be formed in the link 2, and a hole corresponding to the outer leg hole 2G and the inner leg hole 2I may be formed in the frame 3.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 1, the connection of the link 2, its structural member, and another member is demonstrated.

4 is a view showing the configuration of the link 2 in detail, (a) is a perspective view before connecting to another member, (b) is a plan view at the time of connection, and (c) is a side view at the time of connection.

The link 2 is an approximately quadrilateral structure and is integrally manufactured by mold injection molding.

2A is a pair of return leaf springs connected to both wings of the link 2. The return leaf spring 2A has an approximately strip-shaped arc shape, has elasticity, and applies a force upward when the link 2 is pressurized to be a source of force for returning the key top 1 to its original state.

In the present embodiment, the return plate springs 2A are formed in pairs, but when the area of the key top is small, one may be formed as shown in Fig. 6A.

2B is a pair of contact leaf springs which serves to lower the link 2 when the link 2 contracts due to the pressure of the key top 1 to short-circuit the contact surface of the FPC 4, that is, the matrix switch. The contact leaf spring 2B has a substantially circular arc shape, and a contact projection 2H is formed to apply a certain contact force to the FPC 4 at a portion corresponding to the contact surface of the FPC 4. However, if the contact leaf spring 2B is bent in an arc shape, the contact projection 2H may not be formed.

In this embodiment, the contact leaf spring 2B is formed to be connected to only one wing, but may be connected to both wings as shown in FIG.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the contact leaf spring (2B) is formed integrally with the other members of the link (2), but in order to increase the strength, it is made of a material such as steel wire, and assembled or inserted into the link (2) Can be.

One wing of the link 2 is formed with a pair of inner legs 21 inward. The inner leg 21 is formed with an elliptical inner leg hole 2I for connecting the inner leg 21 to the frame 3. The inner leg hole 2I is combined with the inner leg protrusion 3A of the frame 3 to cause the inner leg protrusion 3A to perform a sliding motion, and also provides a click feeling by stopping the sliding motion. do.

In addition, the inner leg 21 is provided with a leg bearing hole 2F. This leg bearing hole 2F engages with the leg bearing protrusion 2E of the outer leg 22, which will be described later, to support the scissors motion of the inner leg 21 and the outer leg 22. FIG.

On the other hand, a pair of outer legs 22 are formed on the other wing of the link 2 inward. Each of the outer legs 22 is formed to have elasticity so as to unfold toward left and right in Fig. 4A.

The outer leg 22 is provided with leg bearing protrusions 2E for engaging with the leg bearing holes 2F of the inner leg 21. The leg bearing protrusion 2E is coupled to the leg bearing hole 2F and is supported by the leg bearing hole 2F, and rotates according to the lowering motion of the key top 1, so that the inner leg 21 and the outside are supported. Let the leg 22 perform the scissors motion.

Here, the leg bearing hole 2F and the leg bearing protrusion 2E can be interchanged with each other. That is, a protrusion may be formed in the inner leg 21 and a hole may be formed in the outer leg 22.

In addition, the outer leg 22 is formed with an outer leg hole 2G for engaging with the outer leg protrusion 3B of the frame 3. This outer leg hole 2G is combined with the outer leg protrusion 3B to allow the outer leg 22 to rotate.

At one wing end of the link 2, a key top front fixing rod 2C for engaging with the link fixing hook 1A of the key top 1 is formed. The link 2 engages with the link fixing hook 1A through a groove formed in the front fixing rod 2C for the key top. In addition, a back fixing rod 2D for a key top for engaging with the link fixing groove 1B of the key top 1 is formed.

The assembly of the key switch comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.

The outer leg 22 of the injection-molded link 2 in the state as shown in Fig. 4 (a) is applied inwards with hands or tongs, respectively, so that the leg bearing protrusions 2E and the leg bearing holes 2F To be combined. 4B is a plan view of the coupled state, and FIG. 4C is a side view. In this state, it can be seen that the inner leg 21 and the outer leg 22 are combined in the shape of scissors.

The link (2) in the state that the legs are coupled in the shape of scissors is coupled to the frame (3) to which the FPC (4) is attached as shown in FIG. That is, the inner leg hole 2I of the link 2 is coupled to the inner leg protrusion 3A of the frame 3, and the outer leg hole 2G of the outer leg 22 is coupled to the outer leg protrusion 3B. do.

Then, the hook fixing hook 1A of the key top 1 is hooked on the front fixing rod 2C for the key top, and the link fixing groove 1B is coupled to the rear fixing rod 2D for the key top of the link 2 1) to the link (2).

The key switch thus completed is shown in FIG.

The operation of the key switch will be described below.

When the key top 1 is pressed by the user's finger or the like in the state of FIG. 2, the key top 1 is lowered against the elastic force of the return leaf spring 2A of the link 2. At this time, the outer leg 22 of the link 2 is rotated counterclockwise about the outer leg protrusion 3B of the frame 3. Accordingly, the leg bearing protrusion 2E of the outer leg 22 is also lowered. Meanwhile, the inner leg 21 rotates clockwise around the leg bearing protrusion 2E, that is, the scissors open its mouth. At this time, the leg bearing protrusion 2E is lowered so that the inner leg hole 2I is lowered. Is pushed to the lower left. Therefore, the inner leg protrusion 3A of the frame 3 makes a relative movement to move to the upper right side along the inclined surface of the elliptical inner leg hole 2I (moving from the dotted line state in Fig. 6 to the solid line state).

Thus, the return leaf spring 2A of the link 2 in the state in which the key top 1 is lowered generates a force for raising the key top 1 while the arc shape is opened.

When the key top 1 is kept pressed, the inner leg protrusion 3A touches the right end of the inner leg hole 2I (solid line state in Fig. 6) and the movement of the inner leg 21 is prevented, so that the inner leg 21 is closed. I do not want to descend anymore.

Therefore, the key top 1 is suddenly subjected to a large load, and when the load exceeds the critical load, the return leaf spring 2A in the state where no further movement is possible by the inner leg 21 by the inner leg protrusion 3A. Abandoning this arc shape and yielding a straight line yields. In other words, the return leaf spring 2A does not generate a greater force to raise the key top 1. Therefore, the key top 1 takes a large force, and suddenly the key top 1 can be lowered even with a small pressure, so the user feels a click.

At the same time, the contact leaf spring 2B and the contact projection 2H pressurize and contact the FPC 4 to complete the key input.

On the other hand, when the load applied to the key top 1 is removed, the return leaf spring 2A restores the elastic force and raises the key top 1 to return to its original state.

7, the load on the key top 1 is demonstrated.

In the figure, the axis of abscissas represents the distance that the stroke, ie, the key top 1, is lowered. The vertical axis represents the pressure load on the key top 1. A region is the portion where the key top 1 starts to descend gradually under pressure in the initial state.

Area B is an area where the inner leg projection 3A of the frame 3 starts to interfere with the lowering motion of the link 2, that is, the lowering motion of the keytop 1, and is suddenly large to lower the keytop 1 continuously. This is the area where load is needed. In addition, the point where the boundary line of area | region B and area | region C meets a curve is the critical pressure load point I mentioned above.

The area C is a region in which the return leaf spring 2A gives up the elastic force and is in a straight line. As the lifting force of the return leaf spring 2A decreases rapidly, the pressure load also decreases abruptly so that the user feels a click.

In the area D, the key top 1 continues to descend after the yield point of the return plate spring 2A, and the contact plate spring 2B or the contact projection 2H presses and contacts the FPC 4 to complete the key input. It is an area.

When the load of the key top 1 is released after the area D, the return leaf spring 2A recovers the elastic force and raises the key top 1, thereby forming a hysteresis curve.

As described above, the present invention can be produced inexpensively and simply by integrally forming the link by injection molding. In addition, there is an excellent effect that can be easily assembled to the frame by tightening the outer leg inward.

In addition, an elliptical hole is formed in the inner leg, which is coupled to the protrusion of the frame to prevent sliding of the hole by the protrusion, which requires a large load on the key top, and when the load exceeds the critical load, the return spring of the link yields. The sudden reduction in the load makes the user feel a click. That is, a simple structure such as forming an elliptical hole in the return plate spring and the link has an effect of realizing a feeling of click.

Claims (9)

A key top having a pair of link fixing hooks and a pair of link fixing grooves formed on the rear surface thereof, A pair of front fixing rods for a key top coupled with the link fixing hook and a rear fixing rod for a key top coupled to the link fixing grooves so as to be coupled to the key top; The outer leg with the outer leg hole and the leg bearing protrusion, An inner leg which forms an elliptical inner leg hole and forms a hole for leg bearing to be combined with the leg bearing protrusion of the outer leg to mate with the outer leg; A return leaf spring for imparting a return force to the key top; Contact plate spring in pressure contact with FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) Link to equip, An FPC disposed on an upper surface of the frame and recognizing a key operation by a pressure contact with the contact plate ring; Including a frame for engaging with the link, provided with a medial leg protrusion for engaging with the inner leg hole, and the outer leg protrusion for engaging with the outer leg hole, As the key top is pressed downward against the elastic force of the return plate spring, the inner leg protrusion is slid from the inner leg hole to come into contact with one side of the inner leg hole to stop the sliding motion and increase the pressure load. The key switch, characterized in that when a certain pressure load, the return spring yields a sudden decrease in pressure load to provide a feeling of click. The method of claim 1, Key switch, characterized in that the contact projection is formed on the back of the contact leaf spring. The method of claim 1, The return leaf spring forms two and a contact leaf spring therebetween forms a key switch. The method of claim 1, The return leaf spring and the contact leaf spring is a key switch, characterized in that each forming one. The method of claim 1, A key switch comprising a front fixed rod for a key top, a rear fixed rod for a key top, an outer leg, an inner leg, a return leaf spring, and a contact leaf spring integrally formed to form a link. The method of claim 1, Key switch, characterized in that for forming the return plate ring separately assembled or inserted into the link. The method of claim 6, The return spring is a key switch, characterized in that made of steel. The method according to claim 5 or 6, The key switch, characterized in that formed in the mold. The method of claim 1, Key switch characterized in that the outer leg has an elastic outwardly.