KR200419266Y1 - Key Switch Using Magnetic Force - Google Patents

Abstract

A key switch using a permanent magnet is provided to maintain the repulsive force of the key switch. In the key switch using a magnet according to the present invention, a key switch including a base portion and a key top portion receiving a keystroke and the vertical movement is formed, the switch element for generating an electrical signal according to whether the contact, the key top portion, And a base magnet attached to the membrane, wherein the base part comprises: a membrane film including a first electrode and a second electrode formed on an upper side of the switch element; a lower magnet positioned below the membrane film so as to face the upper magnet; And a coating layer fixing the lower magnet to the membrane film, wherein the upper magnet and the lower magnet provide repulsive force to the key top portion and the base portion.

Key switch, contact terminal, key top, membrane film, magnet, link part

Description

Key Switch Using Magnetic Force

1 is a view showing the structure of a key switch using a conventional magnet.

2 shows an example of a device with a keyboard unit.

3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a magnetic key switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVa-IVa 'of FIG. 3.

Figure 4b is a view showing a state of use of the magnetic key switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

5A is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic key switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5b is a state diagram of use of the magnetic key switch according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a keyboard in which power is distributed at the time of typing according to the character position of each key switch. FIG.

6B and 6I are cross-sectional views of a magnetic key switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an exploded perspective view of a key switch of a coupling method of a magnet and a cross link according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of Xa-Xa 'of FIG. 7. FIG.

8B is a diagram illustrating a state of use of a key switch of a coupling method of a magnet and a cross link according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a view showing an example of fixing the magnet to the key top.

(Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing)

100, 100 ': key top portion 110: key top

120: key shaft 130: upper magnet

200: key frame portion 300, 300 ': base portion

310: lower plate 320, 320 ': membrane film

350: switch element 360: lower magnet

370 and 370 ': coating layer 400: link portion

410: external link 420: internal link

The present invention relates to a key switch of a keyboard unit used as an input device of an information processor, and more particularly to a key switch device using a permanent magnet to maintain the repulsive force of the key switch.

In general, an information processor such as a laptop computer, a PDA, a desktop computer, an electronic calculator, or the like is provided with a keyboard as an input means.

Keyboards including the conventional rubber dome method used a material such as rubber or synthetic resin, or a coil spring as a member for elasticity and resilience. These materials may also be considered to be able to withstand repeated loads for a considerable period of time, but not necessarily in the case of poor external conditions, i.e. in excessively high humidity or in cold weather. In addition, if strict quality standards are applied in consideration of the above environment, the yield in the factory producing the elastic member will be lowered.

In order to solve this problem, a Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-62561 proposes a key switch. Conventional patent registered key switch of 5-62561 is a key switch using a repulsive force of a magnet, and as shown in FIG. 1, a magnet 12 is provided inside the separator 12 and the key top 3 provided on the support plate 13. 14, 15). If the magnets 14 and 15 have magnetic poles above and below, respectively, for example, the magnet 14 is above the N pole and the S pole, the magnet 15 will be above the S pole to repel the magnet 14. Has the north pole.

When the key top 3 is pressed down by hand, the key shaft 4 provided in the key top 3 descends along the key frame 7. Then, the upper membrane sheet 8 separated by the spacer 9 comes into contact with the lower membrane sheet 10 so that each conductor on the membrane comes into contact and the key switch is turned on. On the contrary, if the hands are removed to remove the load, the key top 3 is returned to its original position by the repulsive force pushing the same poles of the magnet 14 and the magnet 15, and the contact of each conductor on the membrane falls and the key switch is turned off. It will return to the (off) state. However, such a key switch is further provided with a separator 12 on the support plate 13 to further provide a seating recess 15a on which the magnet 15 can be seated, and to bind each magnet 15 one by one. There was a problem that the unit cost in the manufacturing process increases.

In addition, since the power that can be provided for each user's fingers, that is, thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger are different, the weak finger such as the little finger when typing for a long time has a disadvantage of being tired.

Therefore, there is a need for a key switch that is more economical using fewer parts, requires less assembly work, and provides a totally comfortable key input by giving different repulsive force to each position of the keyboard in response to the input finger.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost by not having a separate seating groove that can be seated a plurality of magnets, and to reduce the fatigue to the user by distributing different forces for each finger responsible for the key switch To provide a switch.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a key switch in consideration of the slimming of the key input device which can be said to be essential in the key input device of the portable device.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Key switch using a magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem receives a base portion and a keystroke is formed a switch element for generating an electrical signal according to whether the contact includes a key top portion for vertical movement The key switch of claim 1, wherein the key top portion includes an upper magnet attached to a lower portion, and the base portion is a membrane film including a first electrode and a second electrode formed on an upper portion of the switch element, the upper magnet being opposed to the upper magnet. And a coating layer to fix the lower magnet and the lower magnet to the membrane film, wherein the upper magnet and the lower magnet are provided to the key top portion and the base portion.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in a variety of different forms, only the embodiments of the present invention to complete the disclosure of the present invention, it is common knowledge in the art It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

As shown in Fig. 2, a keyboard unit 1 composed of a plurality of key switches 2 is provided as an information input unit. The key switch using a magnet as used herein may be configured as a keyboard device which is a computer input means, but is not limited thereto. It is used in information processors such as desktop computers, PDAs, notebook computers, electronic calculators, and the like, and those mentioned above are merely exemplary.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a magnetic key switch 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of IVa-IVa 'of FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a first embodiment of the present invention. A diagram showing a state of use of the magnetic key switch 10 according to the example.

As shown in Figure 3 to 4b, the magnetic key switch 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is to support the key top portion 100 and the key top portion 100 is touched by the user's hand It may be configured to include a base portion 300 which is subjected to the pressure of the key frame portion 200 and the key top portion 100.

The key top unit 100 may include a key top 110 and a key shaft 120 to which a user's hand is touched. The key shaft 120 is provided with an upper magnet 130 to maintain a predetermined repulsive force. In addition, the locking protrusion 123 is provided at the end of the key shaft 120.

The key frame part 200 has a guide groove 210 is formed so that the key shaft 120 vertically moves along the place. In addition, the locking jaw 212 is formed so that the locking projection 123 of the key shaft 120 is supported by the locking jaw 212.

The base part 300 is formed with a lower film 310 on which the key frame part 200 is seated, and a membrane film 320 positioned at an upper end of the lower board 310. In addition, a lower magnet 360 is provided at a lower end of the membrane film 320 to correspond to the upper magnet 130, and a coating layer 370 is coated to fix the lower magnet 360. On the membrane film 320, the first electrode 350a and the second electrode 350b, which are the switch elements 350 that generate an electrical signal when they are in contact with each other, are opposed to each other and are printed with conductive ink or the like. At this time, the upper magnet 130 and the lower magnet 360 is preferably positioned to face the same pole in order to maintain a predetermined repulsive force. The coating layer 370 may be formed of a synthetic resin having a predetermined compressive force and elastic force, reinforced sponge, EPS, and the like. Therefore, the lower magnet 360 is fixed by coating the coating layer 370 on the lower magnet 360 without providing a separate groove on which the lower magnet 360 may be seated on the lower plate.

The material of the coating layer 370 may be made of a synthetic resin such as a soft film, but is not limited thereto. In addition, when the lower magnet 360 is coated in close contact with the coating layer 370, it serves to prevent corrosion and oxidation of the lower magnet 360.

In the above configuration, when the user presses the key top 110, the key top 110 is lowered while receiving a predetermined repulsive force by the upper magnet 130 and the lower magnet 360. The key top 110 is lowered by a predetermined distance or more, and the upper magnet 130 formed at the end of the key shaft 120 is lowered to contact the first electrode 350a and the second electrode 350b. Since the magnet has good conductivity, an electrical signal is input through the upper magnet 130 in contact with the switch element 350. When the key shaft 120 is contacted and subjected to pressure, the support column 122 may be provided inside the key top 110 to prevent the upper magnet 130 from being pushed up. Afterwards, when the user releases the key top 110, the user returns to the initial position by the repulsive force of the upper and lower stones 130 and 360. The final support when the key top 110 is lowered is made by abutting the upper surface 112 of the key top 110 and the upper end 202 of the key frame, and the final support when the key top 110 is raised is an obstacle of the key top 110. It is made by abutment 123 and the engaging jaw 212 of the key frame.

As such, the membrane switch including the switch element 350 is formed of a thin circuit film. Membrane switches significantly reduce production costs by printing conductive inks on thin circuits. That's why most low-cost keyboards today use membrane switches. However, since the first electrode 350a and the second electrode 350b printed with the conductive ink may be worn out by repeated loads which are performed thousands of times, the protective layer is formed by applying carbon 311 on the conductive ink. It can also be extended.

5A is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic key switch 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a state diagram of use of the magnetic key switch 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Except for the following, the structure of the first embodiment is basically the same. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the magnetic key switch 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a click-sensing unit 160 that provides a user with a click feeling. have.

In the above configuration, when the user presses the key top 110, the key top 110 is lowered while receiving a predetermined repulsive force by the upper magnet 130 and the lower magnet 360. The key top 110 is lowered by a predetermined distance or more, so that the key shaft 120 of the key top 110 contacts the switch element 350 so that an electric signal applied to the key switch 20 is input. As such, when the key top 110 moves downward, repulsive force is applied by the upper and lower magnets 130 and 360, and the pressure required to move the key top 110 varies slightly as the click-sensing unit 160 is bent. In this case, since the click sound is provided by the click feeling generation unit 160 at a moment similar to the contact time of the contact terminal unit 350, the user can detect that a key input is made. On the other hand, the support shaft 122 is provided inside the key shaft 120 so that the upper magnet 130 is not pushed up when the key shaft 120 is in contact with the pressure. Thereafter, when the user releases the key top 110, the user returns to the initial position by the repulsive force of the upper and lower stones 130 and 360. In this embodiment, the final support when the key top 110 is lowered is made by abutting the upper surface 112 of the key top 110 and the upper end 202 of the key frame, the final support when the key top 110 is raised The locking protrusion 123 of the shaft 120 and the locking jaw 212 of the key frame 200 are in contact with each other.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a keyboard in which power is distributed at the time of typing according to the character position of each key switch. FIG. Among the high-end keyboards currently used, there are some that set the pressing force differently for each key by using different force applied by the finger making the stroke. This technology is called Ergo Force technology. The power of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger is slightly different. Usually, the thumb is the strongest and weakens in the order of middle finger, index finger, ring finger, and little finger. Most keyboards apply uniform key pressure to all keys without accounting for differences in finger strength, so if you're typing for a long time, your pinky will quickly get tired. Ergo Force assigns key pressure in stages, taking into account the difference in finger force. In this figure, as an example, the steps are divided into five steps, and each step has a pressing force of 80, 60, 55, 45, and 35 gram forces. As you can see, the little finger presses the weakest 35 grams, the other 45 keys the normal key, the function key and the edit key 55 grams, the enter key 65 grams, and the spacer bar / alt / ctrl key the heaviest. 80 gram pressure is applied.

6B and 6I are cross-sectional views of the magnetic key switch 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the case of using a conventional rubber dome, it is not easy to manufacture the key switches 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 for easily adjusting the desired pressing force. However, as shown in FIG. 6B, by adjusting the thickness of the membrane film 320 ′ where the lower magnet 360 is located by a predetermined thickness t1, the pressing force can be easily and accurately adjusted for each key switch 30. Will be. Here, when the membrane film 320 'protrudes by a predetermined thickness t1, the coating layer 370' is preferably provided with a predetermined receiving groove 371 so as to correspond to the protruding shape.

Of course, as shown in Figure 6c, the degree of magnetization is also determined according to the degree (t2) of the lower magnet 360 is located in the coating layer 370, not the thickness of the membrane film 320, the key switch 31 Very easy and accurate pressure can be adjusted.

In addition, the upper magnet 130 is provided by providing a magnet holder 130a in the key shaft 120 in which an accommodating space for accommodating the upper magnet 130 is formed without deforming the coating layer 370 and the membrane film 320. And the gap between the lower magnet 360 can be adjusted.

That is, as shown in 6d and 6e, when the upper magnet 130 of the magnet holder 130a to face upward, if the distance h1 between the upper magnet 130 and the lower magnet 360 is far away, weak repulsive force Is provided, and when the upper magnet 130 of the magnet holder 130a is directed downward to narrow the distance h2 between the upper magnet 130 and the lower magnet 360, a stronger repulsive force is provided to the key switch 32. It is possible to adjust the pressing force easily and accurately. Here, when the upper magnet 130 and the lower magnet 360 is farther apart (h1), by adjusting the lower thickness of the magnet holder 130a, the repulsive force may be changed.

As described above, in the magnet holder 130a, the magnet holder 130a formed at the end of the key shaft 120 descends together with the key top 110 descending to contact the first electrode 350a and the second electrode 350b. When the electrical signal should be input when it is preferably made of a good conductive material. Therefore, the material of the magnet holder 130a may be made of a conductive material made of copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, stainless steel, or a combination thereof so that an electrical signal can be input to the switch element 350. It is not limited to this.

When the magnet holder 130a is provided in the key shaft 120 with the upper magnet 130 facing upward, the heights l1 and l2 of the upper magnet 130 are changed as shown in FIGS. 6F and 6G. You can also change the repulsive force differently. At this time, since the longer upper magnet 130 is interfered with the support column 122 supporting the magnet holder 130a, the length of the support column 122 is shortened to form the upper portion of the key shaft 120 and the lower magnet 360. The distance of the vinyl coating 370 of the contact is preferably set to be the same. Therefore, when the height of the upper magnet 130 is short (l1), a weaker repulsive force is provided, and when the height of the upper magnet 130 is high (l2), a stronger repulsive force is provided to provide a height of the upper magnet 130. By changing the, it is possible to easily and accurately adjust the pressing force for each key switch 33.

6H and 6I, by adjusting the size of the upper magnet 130 accommodated in the magnet holder 130a to change the repulsive force, it is possible to easily and accurately adjust the pressing force for each key switch 34. do.

Therefore, as a method of varying the force distribution for each finger in charge of each key switch, as described above, a method of adjusting the thickness of the coating layer 370 and the upper membrane film 330, a method using a magnet holder 130a, and the like. It may be in various forms, but is not limited thereto.

The embodiments of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6I have been described using the key frame part 200 supporting the key top part 100, but as shown in FIG. Instead, it may be applied to the case of the link structure. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a key switch 40 of a magnet and cross link coupling method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a-a 'of FIG. 7, and FIG. Fig. 4 shows a state of use of the key switch 40 in which the magnet and the cross link are coupled according to the fourth embodiment. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as the members shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and therefore description thereof is omitted. The key switch 40 of the cross link switch method of this embodiment has a basically identical structure except for the following with the first embodiment, as shown in Figs.

That is, the key switch 40 of the cross link switch method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has a key top portion 100 'to which a user's hand is touched, and a link portion 400 supporting the key top portion 100'. ) And the base portion 300 ′ under pressure of the key top portion 100 ′.

The key top portion 100 ′ may include a key top 110 ′ and a key shaft 120 to which the user's hand is touched. The key shaft 120 includes an upper magnet 130 to maintain a predetermined repulsive force. do.

The link unit 400 couples the inner link 420 and the links 410 and 420 which are manufactured to fit inside the outer link 410 and the outer link 410, and the link fixing pivot acts as a pivot. 430. When the key top 110 ′ moves up and down, the angle between the links 410 and 420 and the lower plate 310 of the key input device becomes smaller and larger, thereby operating the entire key switch. Also in this embodiment, the repulsive force of the key top 110 'and the restoring force at the time of key release are generated using the repulsive force of the magnet.

The base portion 300 has a lower film 310 on which the link portion 400 is seated, and a membrane film 320 positioned on an upper end of the lower plate 310. In addition, a lower magnet 360 is provided at a lower end of the membrane film 320 to correspond to the upper magnet 130, and a coating layer 370 is coated to fix the lower magnet 360. On the membrane film 320, the first electrode 350a and the second electrode 350b, which are the switch elements 350 that generate an electrical signal when they are in contact with each other, are opposed to each other and are printed with conductive ink or the like. At this time, the upper magnet 130 and the lower magnet 360 is preferably positioned to face the same pole in order to maintain a predetermined repulsive force. The coating layer 370 may be formed of a synthetic resin having a predetermined compressive force and elastic force, reinforced sponge, EPS, and the like. Therefore, the lower magnet 360 is fixed by coating the corning layer 370 on the lower magnet 360 without providing a separate groove in which the lower magnet 360 may be seated on the lower plate.

The lower fixing support part 440 and the lower movable slot 445 for supporting the links 410 and 420 are provided on the lower plate 310 of the key input device. The lower fixed support 440 serves to fix one side of the outer link 410, and the lower movable slot supports one side of the inner link 420 and is predetermined from side to side when the key top 110 'is lowered. Allow it to move by its width. The other side of the outer link 410 is connected to the upper movement slot 175 provided in the lower portion of the key top 110 ', the other side of the inner link 420 is fixed to the upper portion provided in the lower portion of the key top 110' Is connected to the support 170.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, there is no separate upper key frame (200 of FIG. 4) for supporting and moving the key top 110 ′, and two links performing this support role. 410 and 420 serve as the support and the movement guide.

In the above configuration, when the user presses the key top 110 ', the key top 110' is lowered while receiving a predetermined repulsive force by the upper magnet 130 and the lower magnet 360. In other words, the links 410 and 420 move downward to move to the right slightly, but the movement to the right is not so large that it can be seen as a generally lowering operation. The key top 110 'is lowered by a predetermined distance or more, and the upper magnet 360 formed at the end of the key shaft 120 is lowered to contact the first electrode 350a and the second electrode 350b. Since the magnet has good conductivity, an electrical signal is input through the upper magnet 130 in contact with the switch element 350. The support shaft 122 is provided inside the key top 110 to prevent the upper magnet 130 from being pushed up when the key shaft 120 is in contact with the pressure. Thereafter, when the user releases the key top 110 ', the user returns to the original position by the repulsive force of the upper and lower stones 130 and 360. The final support when the key top 110 'is lowered is made by the lower plate 310 of the key input device, and the final support when the key top 110' is raised is the upper right slot of the links 410 and 420. And the left side of the lower movable slot 445. At this time, since the first electrode 350a and the second electrode 350b printed with the conductive ink may be worn out by the repeated load which is performed several thousands of times, the protective layer is formed by applying carbon 311 on the conductive ink. It can also be extended.

Although the above embodiments have been individually described, a key switch using a magnet of the present invention may be applied by mixing one or more of these embodiments.

9 is a view showing an example of fixing the magnet to the key top. The lower magnet 360 may be fixed to the membrane film 320 of the base parts 300 and 300 'by the coating layer 370, but the upper magnet 130 may include a key shaft formed on the key tops 110 and 110'. 120 is inserted into the inner peripheral surface may not be fixed accurately. Therefore, in the present invention, in order to prevent the upper magnet 130 from moving up inside the key shaft 120, the support column 112 is placed and the groove 125 is dug on the inner circumferential surface of the key shaft 120, On the outer circumferential surface of the upper magnet 130, it is possible to create a fixed stop 135 that can be combined with the groove 125. In the present embodiment, but the shape of the fixing stop 135 in the shape of a semi-circle, in addition to it may be made in various shapes as needed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may realize the present invention in other specific forms without changing its technical spirit or essential features. I can understand that. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

As described above, according to the key switch using a magnet according to the present invention, by using the repulsive force of magnets having different poles, it is possible to reduce wear and failure due to repetition of key strokes, thereby extending the life of the key switch. It has the advantage of letting.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to slim the keyboard. Although a certain height of the switch was required to obtain the conventional repulsive force, the repulsive force of the magnet has the effect of reducing the height of the key switch. When the keyboard is made slim in this manner, when the key input device is used for a long time, there is an advantage of enabling a comfortable operation by minimizing the wrist break caused by the thickness of the key input device.

In addition, magnets are generally known to induce metabolic functions by magnets, and the magnets in the key cap may also perform the same function.

And according to the present invention, since each key switch is operated by the repulsive force of the magnet and the repulsive force is determined according to the magnetization degree of the magnet, there is an effect that can easily adjust the repulsive force of the key switch by adjusting the magnetization degree. Using this principle, there is an advantage in that an appropriate pressure for each finger can be distributed for each key switch.

In addition, the present invention has the advantage that can be flexibly applied to all the pressure key switch to be able to input the stroke of the key through the repulsive force.

Claims (9)

In the key switch comprising a base portion is formed a switch element for generating an electrical signal according to whether or not the contact and the key top portion receiving the key stroke, and moves up and down, The key top portion includes an upper magnet attached to the lower portion; The base portion, Membrane film comprising a first electrode and a second electrode formed on top of the switch device is separated, A lower magnet positioned below the membrane film so as to face the upper magnet, and A coating layer fixing the lower magnet to the membrane film; And the upper magnet and the lower magnet are magnets providing repulsive force to the key top portion and the base portion. The method of claim 1, The key switch is a key switch using a magnet for varying the repulsive force for each finger of the key switch. The method of claim 2, wherein the repulsive force, Key switch using a magnet controlled by the thickness of the coating layer. The method of claim 2, wherein the repulsive force, And a key switch using a magnet controlled by a magnet holder accommodating the upper magnet. The method of claim 4, wherein the repulsive force, Key switch using a magnet controlled by the size of the upper magnet accommodated in the magnet holder. The method of claim 5, wherein the magnet holder, A key switch using a magnet made of any one material selected from the group consisting of a conductive material made of copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, stainless steel, or a combination thereof. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A key switch using a magnet located on the top of the base portion further comprising a guide for guiding the vertical movement of the upper key top portion. The method of claim 7, wherein the guide portion, Made of a resilient metal material, and bent in two stages obliquely, the key switch using a magnet further comprises a click feeling generating unit to make a user feel a click when the key top portion falls over a predetermined distance. The method of claim 8, wherein the guide portion, And a magnet comprising a link portion in which two links are rotatably coupled to the key top portion and the base portion.

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