TW201423812A - Keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

A keyboard device (1), provided with: a circuit board (10) having a first sheet (11) having formed thereon a first contact point (16), a second sheet (12) having formed thereon a second contact point (18) provided so as to face the first sheet (11), and a spacer (13) provided between the first sheet (11) and the second sheet (12) and having a first opening (14) at a position corresponding to the first contact point (16) and the second contact point (18); and a key top (20) provided above the circuit board (10). The outer edge of the key top (20) is positioned in the first opening (14) in plan view. The keyboard device (1) is further provided with a plurality of dots (30) formed between the first sheet (11) and the second sheet (12) and around the first contact point (16) and the second contact point (18).

Description

Keyboard device

The present invention relates to a keyboard device that is used in a notebook computer or a tablet terminal or the like.

A keyboard device (for example, refer to Patent Document 1) is used for a keyboard such as a notebook computer or a tablet terminal. The keyboard device is provided with a circuit board having a pair of contacts on opposite sides. a sheet body, and a partition between the pair of sheets, having an opening at a corresponding joint; and a pressing mechanism having a top surface of the key disposed on the circuit substrate, pushing the top surface of the key The circuit board is in the direction of separation.

[First technical literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2011-060112.

In the above keyboard device, since the pressing mechanism for pressing the top surface of the key from the circuit board in the separating direction is provided, there is a problem that the thickness cannot be reduced. Further, in order to reduce the thickness, when the pressing mechanism is removed from the above-described keyboard device to reduce the thickness, there is a problem that it is not possible to switch appropriately.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a thinner and A keyboard device that can be switched appropriately.

The inventors of the present invention have reviewed the subject that cannot be properly switched when the thickness of the pressing mechanism is removed from the above-described keyboard device.

In the above keyboard device, when the top surface of the key is pressed, the force is transmitted from the top surface of the key to the pressing mechanism, and the force is transmitted from the pressing portion provided in the pressing mechanism to the circuit substrate, and is disposed on the pair of sheets. Since the contacts are switched in contact with each other, if the opening is provided only under the pressing portion of the pressing mechanism, the switching can be appropriately performed.

Further, after the pressing mechanism is removed from the keyboard device, the force is directly applied to the circuit board from the top surface of the key without passing through the pressing portion. Therefore, if the size of the opening is not larger than the top surface of the key, it is not suitable. Switch.

However, when the size of the opening is larger than the top surface of the key, the opening becomes larger, so the area of contact of the contacts increases, and in the contact portion, it becomes a state close to a vacuum state, so that even if the pressing is released, the air does not become. When flowing into the opening, the contacts do not return to the separated state, and cannot be switched properly.

Here, the inventors of the present invention have been eager to develop, and as a result, have found that the above problems can be solved by the following invention.

That is, the present invention solves the above problems by a keyboard device comprising: a circuit board including: a first sheet formed at a first contact; and a second sheet formed in the opposite direction a second contact provided in one piece; and a partition between the first piece and the second piece, and having a first opening corresponding to the first contact and the second contact; Take And the top surface of the key is disposed above the circuit board; the outer edge of the top surface of the key is received in the first opening in a plan view, and the keyboard device further includes a plurality of dots, the plurality of circles The point is formed between the first contact and the second contact, and is formed around the first contact and the second contact.

In the above invention, the dot may be disposed between the first sheet and the separator, and at least one of the second sheet and the separator.

In the above invention, at least a part of the first sheet and the separator, and at least a part of the second sheet and the separator may be interposed with an adhesive layer.

In the above invention, the thickness of the dot may be thicker than the thickness of the adhesive layer.

In the above invention, the adhesive layer may be intermittently disposed around the first opening.

In the above invention, at least one of the dots may be interposed between the adjacent layers adjacent to each other, and a gap may be formed between the adhesive layer and the dot.

In the above invention, the adhesive layer may be interposed between the dots adjacent to each other, and a gap may be formed between the dot and the adhesive layer.

In the above invention, the bonding layer and the dot may surround the periphery of the first opening.

In the above invention, the dot may be relatively harder than the spacer.

In the above invention, the width of the first opening may be wider than the width of the key top surface.

In the above invention, the width of the top surface of the key may be wider than the width of the first contact and wider than the width of the second contact.

In the above invention, the first contact may have a plurality of first conductor patterns extending along the first direction, and the second contact may have a plurality of first extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction 2 conductor pattern.

In the above invention, the first direction and the second direction may be substantially orthogonal.

When viewed from above, the outer edge of the top surface of the key is formed so as to be received in the opening of the partition, so that the pressing force applied to the top surface of the key can be directly transmitted to the circuit board, so that the pressing mechanism is not required. As a result, it can be made thinner.

Further, between the first sheet and the second sheet, a plurality of dots are formed around the first contact and the second contact, so that even after the contacts are in contact, the periphery of the dot is in contact with each other. It ensures a certain amount of space in the air layer. Therefore, after releasing the pressing, the space is taken as the starting point, and the air flows into the opening, so the contacts immediately return to the separated state.

Therefore, it is possible to make the thinning and switch appropriately.

1‧‧‧ keyboard device

10‧‧‧ circuit board

11‧‧‧1st body

12‧‧‧2nd body

13‧‧‧Baffle

14‧‧‧ first opening

15‧‧‧1st substrate

16, 16B‧‧‧1st joint

17‧‧‧2nd substrate

18, 18B‧‧‧2nd contact

19‧‧‧Next layer

20‧‧‧ key top

30‧‧‧ dots

141‧‧‧slit

161‧‧‧1st line pattern

162, 163‧‧‧ link pattern

181‧‧‧2nd line pattern

182, 183‧‧‧ link pattern

191‧‧‧ gap

Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a keyboard device in an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard device in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a modification of the adhesive layer in the embodiment of the present invention.

4(a) to 4(c) are views showing another example of the contact structure in the embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 4(a) is a plan view showing the first contact; 4(b) The figure shows a plan view of the second contact; the fourth figure (c) shows a plan view when the first contact and the second contact are overlapped.

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the keyboard device having the contacts shown in Figs. 4(a) to 4(c).

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the keyboard device having the contacts shown in Figs. 4(a) to 4(c).

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing an example in which the contacts shown in Figs. 4(a) to 4(c) are applied to the configuration shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a view showing a modification of a dot in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a view showing an example in which the contacts shown in Figs. 4(a) to 4(c) are applied to the example shown in Fig. 8.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a keyboard device in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard device in the embodiment of the present invention.

The keyboard device 1 of the present embodiment is used for a keyboard such as a notebook computer or a tablet device. As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard device 1 has a circuit board 10, a key top surface 20, and a dot 30. Actually, A plurality of key top faces 20 (not shown) are arranged.

The circuit board 10 includes a first sheet 11 and a second sheet 12, The first opening 13 is formed between the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12, and the separator 13 is formed to face the first sheet 11.

The first sheet 11 is composed of a flexible first substrate 15 and a first contact 16 formed on the main surface on the side of the first substrate 15.

Similarly, the second sheet 12 is composed of a flexible second substrate 17 and a second contact 18 formed on the main surface on the side of the second substrate 17.

The partition 13 is formed with a first opening 14 in a region including the first contact 16 and the second contact 18 .

Between the first sheet 11 and the separator 13, an adhesive layer 19 which follows the both is formed. Next, if the layer 19 can be followed between the first sheet 11 and the separator 13, it is not necessary to form the entire surface as long as it is formed in at least a portion.

Similarly, between the second sheet 12 and the separator 13, an adhesive layer 19 which follows the both is formed. Next, if the layer 19 can be formed between the second sheet 12 and the separator 13, it is not necessary to form the entire surface, and it is only required to be formed in at least a portion.

The first substrate 15, the second substrate 17, and the separator 13 are made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). Further, the thickness of the first substrate 15, the second substrate 17, and the separator 13 is, for example, 50 to 200 μm.

The first contact 16 and the second contact 18 are made of, for example, silver or copper. The thickness of the first contact 16 and the second contact 18 is, for example, 5 to 30 μm.

Next, the layer 19 is composed of, for example, an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, a natural rubber adhesive, a synthetic rubber adhesive, or the like. Next, the thickness of the layer 19 is, for example, 10 to 30 μm.

In the circuit board 10, when the key top surface 20 is pressed, the first sheet 11 corresponding to the position of the first opening 14 is deflected, and the first contact 16 and the second contact 18 are connected and turned on, thereby switching. .

The key top surface 20 is formed on the upper surface of the first sheet of the circuit board 10, and the outer edge of the key top surface 20 is housed in the first opening 14 in plan view. Thereby, even if any position of the key top surface 20 is pressed, the first sheet body 11 is deflected, and appropriate switching can be performed.

The circular convex dot 30 provided on the second sheet 12 is disposed between the separator 13 and the second sheet 12, as shown in Fig. 2, at the first joint 16 and the first A plurality of contacts are formed around the two contacts 18.

The dot 30 is made of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin or a thermosetting resin, and is relatively harder than the separator 13 and the adhesive layer 19. The thickness of the dot 30 is 10 to 100 μm, preferably 20 to 70 μm. The dot 30 is formed by a printing method such as screen printing or offset printing, and the printing resin material is formed on the second sheet 12 to be hardened.

Further, as shown in Fig. 2, in the present embodiment, the slit 13 is formed in the partition plate 13 for inflowing air. Further, the adhesive layer 19 may be partially formed between the first sheet 11 and the separator 13, or partially formed between the second sheet 12 and the separator 13, in which case the separator may not be used. A slit 141 is formed on 13.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, between the second sheet 12 and the separator 13, the adhesive layer 19 is intermittently disposed around the first opening 14, whereby the transmission is formed between the dots 30 or A gap 191 between the dot 30 and the adhesive layer 19 allows air to flow into the first opening 14. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the implementation of the present invention. A plan view of a modification of the adhesive layer in the form. Further, in the example shown in Fig. 3, the adhesive layer 19 may be interposed between the three dots 30 adjacent to each other, and in this case, a gap 191 is formed between the dot 30 and the adhesive layer 19, respectively. .

In the keyboard device 1, as shown in Fig. 1, the width W1 of the first opening 14 is wider than the width W2 of the key top surface 20. Thereby, even if any position of the key top surface 20 is pressed, the first sheet body 11 is deflected, and the switching can be appropriately performed.

Further, the width W2 of the key top surface 20 is wider than the width W3 of the first contact 16 and the second contact 18. However, the width of W3 is more than 80% of the width of W2.

According to the present embodiment, the key top surface 20 is formed in the first opening 14 of the partition 13 in a plan view, and the partition 13 is not present under the key top surface 20, so that it is not required to be applied to the key. The pressing force on the top surface 20 is directly transmitted to the pressing mechanism on the circuit substrate 10. As a result, it can be made thinner. Further, between the second sheet body 12 and the separator 13, the plurality of dots 30 are formed around the first contact 16 and the second contact 18, so that even after the contacts are in contact, the dots 30 are The surrounding area also ensures a space made up of a certain air layer. Therefore, after the pressing is released, the space is taken as the starting point, and the air flows into the first opening 14, so that the contacts immediately return to the separated state. Therefore, it is possible to make the thinning and switch appropriately.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the dot 30 is formed between the second sheet 12 and the spacer 13, the dot 30 is not formed in the first opening 14, and the dot is prevented from being pressed after being pressed. 30 sense of abruptness.

Further, the embodiments described above are described as being easy to understand the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, the various elements of the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. The design changes or the equivalent of the object.

For example, in the keyboard device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the first contact 16 and the second contact 18 are formed in the same manner. However, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 6 , the first connection may be formed. The point 16B overlaps with the second contact 18B and becomes a lattice shape. 4(a) to 4(c) are views showing another example of the contact structure in the embodiment of the present invention. 5 and 6 are views showing the keyboard device having the contacts shown in Figs. 4(a) to 4(c), which correspond to the drawings of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively. .

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4(a), the first contact 16B has a plurality of (in this example, five) first linear patterns 161 and a pair of connection patterns 162 and 163. The plurality of first linear patterns 161 extend in the Y direction and are arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined distance. The end portions of the plurality of first linear patterns 161 are connected to each other by the connection pattern 162, and the other end portions of the first linear patterns 161 are also connected to each other by the connection pattern 163, and the plurality of first linear patterns 161 are connected to each other. It is electrically connected through a pair of connection patterns 162, 163.

Further, the number of the first linear patterns 161 is not particularly limited to the above number. The first linear pattern 161 in the present embodiment corresponds to an example of the first conductor pattern in the present invention.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the second contact 18B also has a plurality of (four in this example) second line patterns 181 and a pair of connection patterns 182 and 183. The plurality of second linear patterns 181 extend in the X direction while being arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined distance. The end portions of the plurality of second linear patterns 181 are connected to each other by the connection pattern 182, and the other ends of the second linear patterns 181 are also connected to each other by the connection pattern 183, and the plurality of second line patterns are connected to each other. The 181 is electrically connected through a pair of connection patterns 182, 183.

Further, the number of the second linear patterns 181 is not particularly limited to the above number. In addition, when the first linear pattern 161 and the second linear pattern 181 intersect, the extending direction of the second linear pattern 181 is not limited to being substantially orthogonal with respect to the extending direction of the first linear pattern 161. The second linear pattern 181 in the present embodiment corresponds to an example of the second conductor pattern in the present invention.

When the first contact 16B and the second contact 18B described above are overlapped, as shown in FIG. 4(c), the first linear pattern 161 and the second linear pattern 181 are substantially orthogonal, and thus are formed. Grid shape. Further, the first contact 16B may be formed in a lattice pattern, and the second contact 18B may be formed in a lattice pattern.

In the first embodiment, the first and second contacts form irregularities by the first and second linear patterns 161 and 181, respectively, and the first linear patterns 161 and the second linear patterns 181 cross each other. When the key top surface 20 is pressed, the contact area between the first contact 16B and the second contact 18B becomes small. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the contact portion between the first contact 16B and the second contact 18B from being in a vacuum state, and the first and second contacts 16B and 18B can be immediately separated when the pressing is released.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first and second contacts 16B and 18B have a structure in which light can pass through the gap between the first and second linear patterns 161 and 181, and therefore, the circuit board can be used. A keyboard device with illumination for backlighting is arranged below.

Further, since the first and second contacts 16B and 18B have a gap between the first and second linear patterns 161 and 181, foreign matter mixed in the contacts 16B and 18B can be easily found, and the keyboard device 1 can be improved. Productive.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the first and second contacts 16B and 18B are formed by the first and second linear patterns 161 and 181, it is possible to reduce the number of the first and second contacts 16B. 18B material. The cost of the keyboard device 1 can be reduced.

Further, as shown in Fig. 7, the lattice-like contacts 16B and 18B may be applied to the configuration described in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing an example in which the contacts shown in Figs. 4(a) to 4(c) are applied to the configuration shown in Fig. 3.

Further, for example, in the keyboard device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the height of the dot 30 is the same as the height of the adhesive layer 19, but as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, it is preferable to make the height h1 of the dot 30. It is higher than the height h2 of the layer 19 (h1>h2). In this case, after the contacts are in contact, the space formed by the air layer formed around the dot 30 becomes large, so that the contacts can be returned to the separated state more quickly. Further, Fig. 8 is a view showing a modification of a dot in the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a view showing an example in which the contacts shown in Figs. 4(a) to 4(c) are applied to the example shown in Fig. 8.

Further, for example, in the keyboard device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the dot 30 is formed between the second sheet 12 and the spacer 13, but may be formed between the first sheet 11 and the spacer 13. It may be formed in the first opening 14.

Further, for example, in the keyboard device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the key top surface 20 and the first base material 15 are in direct contact with each other, but an interposer may be provided between the key top surface 20 and the first base material 15.

1‧‧‧ keyboard device

10‧‧‧ circuit board

11‧‧‧1st body

12‧‧‧2nd body

13‧‧‧Baffle

14‧‧‧ first opening

15‧‧‧1st substrate

16‧‧‧1st junction

17‧‧‧2nd substrate

18‧‧‧2nd junction

19‧‧‧Next layer

20‧‧‧ key top

30‧‧‧ dots

Claims (11)

A keyboard device includes: a circuit board including: a first sheet formed on a first contact; a second sheet formed on a second contact disposed to the first sheet; and a spacer Between the first sheet and the second sheet, a first opening is provided at a position corresponding to the first contact and the second contact; and a key top surface is provided on the circuit substrate The top surface of the key top surface is housed in the first opening in a plan view, and the keyboard device further includes a plurality of dots, wherein the plurality of dots are in the first sheet and the The second sheet is formed around the first contact and the second contact. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the dot is disposed between the first sheet and the separator, and at least one of the second sheet and the separator on. The keyboard device according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the first sheet and the separator, and at least a portion of the second sheet and the separator are interposed with an adhesive layer. The keyboard device according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the dot is thicker than the thickness of the adhesive layer. The keyboard device according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive layer is intermittently disposed around the first opening. The keyboard device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the aforementioned dots is interposed between the adjacent layers adjacent to each other, A gap is formed between the layer and the aforementioned dot. The keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dot is relatively harder than the spacer. The keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the width of the first opening is wider than a width of the top surface of the key. The keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the width of the top surface of the key is wider than the width of the first contact, and is larger than the second contact The width is wider. The keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first contact has a plurality of first conductor patterns extending along a first direction, and the second contact has a a plurality of second conductor patterns extending in the second direction in which the first direction intersects. The keyboard device according to claim 10, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially orthogonal.