TWI815431B - Switching devices and key input devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a switch device and a key input device that can produce a knocking sound and a knocking feeling when pressed. The switch device and the key input device including the switch device include: a fixed member that can be fixed to a substrate; and a movable member that is movably supported by the fixed member and moves downward by a pressing operation. The striking member is attached to the movable member so as to be movable in the up-down direction relative to the movable member and strikes other members; and an elastic member has an engaged portion that is engaged from the striking member. The striking member has an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion. The engaging portion of the striking member is engaged with the engaged portion as the movable member moves downward, and the engaging portion engages with the movable member as it moves further downward. When the engagement between the part and the engaged part is released, hit other members.

Description

Switching devices and key input devices

The present invention relates to a switch device including a movable member that moves in a pressing direction when pressed, and a key input device including such a switch device.

As an input device for electronic equipment such as a computer, a keyboard with a plurality of key switches arranged in an array, and further, as an electronic equipment body including an input device, a notebook-type personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a notebook computer) PC) has gained popularity. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a keyboard device that is thinned using a rubber spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-141962

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, since the keyboard device described in Patent Document 1 uses a rubber spring, there is a problem that the tactile feel and sound when the key switch is pressed, that is, the so-called click feel and click sound are insufficient.

The present invention was made in view of this situation, and its main purpose is to provide a switch device that can satisfy the requirements related to the pressing of the key switch.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a key input device using such a switch device. [Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above problems, a switch device (key switch) disclosed in this application includes: a fixed member that can be fixed to a substrate; and a movable member that is movably supported by the fixed member and moves in the pressing direction by a pressing operation. and a force applying member that applies force to the movable member in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. The switch device is characterized in that it includes: a striking member that can move in the pressing direction and pressing direction relative to the movable member. The movable member is attached to the movable member so as to move in the opposite direction downward, and strikes other members; and an elastic member is fixed to the fixed member, and the elastic member has an engaged portion that is engaged from the striking member. , the striking member has an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion, and the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion as the movable member moves in the pressing direction. The engaging portion hits other members when the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released as the movable member further moves in the pressing direction.

Furthermore, in the switch device, the elastic member is configured using a coil spring, the engaging portion of the striking member is configured as a convex portion that presses the elastic member, and the striking member is characterized in that In the member, by engagement, the engaging portion presses and expands the coil spring which is the elastic member.

Furthermore, the switch device disclosed in this application includes: a fixed member that can be fixed to the substrate; a movable member that is movably supported on the fixed member and moves in the pressing direction by a pressing operation; and a force applying member that moves in the pressing direction. The movable member is urged in a direction opposite to the pressing direction, and the switch device is characterized by including: a striking member movable relative to the movable member in the pressing direction and the direction opposite to the pressing direction. Attached to the movable member, the force applying member has an engaged portion that engages with the striking member and strikes another member, and the striking member has an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion. portion, the engaging portion of the striking member is engaged with the engaged portion as the movable member moves in the pressing direction, and the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion as the movable member further moves in the pressing direction. When the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released, other members are struck.

Furthermore, in the switch device, the biasing member is configured using a compression coil spring, and the engaged portion is formed by extending one end of a coil constituting the compression coil spring.

Furthermore, the switch device is characterized in that the movement of the striking member relative to the fixing member is restricted by the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion.

Furthermore, the key input device (keyboard) disclosed in this application is equipped with a plurality of key switches, and the key input device is characterized by including the switch device as the key switch provided.

Furthermore, the key input device is characterized by including: a light-emitting part that emits light; a light-receiving part that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting part; and a shielding part that is attached to a movable member included in the key input device, The light emitted from the light emitting part is blocked, and the blocking part blocks or releases the light emitted from the light emitting part as the movable member moves in the pressing direction.

In the switch device and the key input device disclosed in this application, a striking member that strikes other members as the movable member moves in the pressing direction is attached to the movable member. [Effects of the invention]

In the switch device and key input device of the present invention, the striking member is attached to the movable member that moves in the pressing direction by the pressing operation, and the striking member strikes other members as the movable member moves. This provides excellent effects such that the requirement accompanying pressing can be satisfied by the striking member hitting other members.

＜Application examples＞ Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The key input device disclosed in this application is used as a keyboard for inputting characters, numbers, and symbols into electronic equipment such as computers, for example, and also for inputting data such as various commands. A keyboard is equipped with a plurality of switch devices disclosed in this application as key switches. Hereinafter, the keyboard KB and the key switch 1 shown in the drawings will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Keyboard (key input device)> FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a keyboard KB to which the key input device disclosed in this application is applied. In the keyboard KB, a plurality of key switches 1 including character keys, numeric keys, other function keys, etc. are arranged in parallel in an arrangement such as QWERTY arrangement as a switch device. In addition, in the following description, it is assumed that the user uses the keyboard KB placed on the desk in a normal posture, and the direction of the keyboard KB and the key switch 1 included in the keyboard KB is defined from the user's perspective. That is, in this application, description will be made assuming that the front side (the lower left side in FIG. 1 ) is the front and the direction in which the key switch 1 is pressed is the lower side.

Next, the key switch 1 provided on the keyboard KB will be described. The key switch 1 included in the keyboard KB disclosed in this application can be implemented in various forms. Here, as an example, the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described.

<Key switch (switch device)> <First Embodiment> ＜Structure example＞ A structural example of the key switch 1 will be described. 2 and 3 are schematic perspective views showing an example of the appearance of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 2 shows the key switch 1 from an obliquely upward perspective, and FIG. 3 shows it from an obliquely downward perspective. The key switch 1 includes a base plate 10 built into the keyboard KB, a fixed member 11 fixed to the base plate 10, and a movable member 12 that can move up and down and is pressed downward by the user's pressing operation. On the upper surface of the movable member 12, a detachable key cap 120 is installed. The upper surface of the movable member 12 to which the keycap 120 is attached has a substantially square shape in plan view.

The substrate 10 has a circuit layer on which wiring and electronic circuits are formed, a protective layer for protecting the wiring and electronic circuits formed on the substrate 10 , and a cover layer covering the keyboard KB from above so that the inside of the keyboard KB cannot be seen. A three-layer structure is formed. The substrate 10 is provided with a substantially rectangular fitting opening 100 , and the lower part of the fixing member 11 is fitted into the fitting opening 100 . In the substrate 10 , the periphery of the insertion port 100 forms a frame portion 101 . A pair of substantially rectangular mounting pieces 102 is formed from a side of the frame portion 101 facing the fitting port 100 so as to protrude toward the inside of the fitting port 100 . A light emitting part 103 using a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (LED) that emits light is mounted on one of the mounting pieces 102 . The other mounting piece 102 is mounted with a light receiving portion 104 using a light receiving element such as a photo diode (PD) or a photo transistor (PT) that detects light. The light-emitting part 103 and the light-receiving part 104 are installed in an opposite manner, the light-emitting part 103 emits light toward the light-receiving part 104, and the light-receiving part 104 receives the light emitted from the light-emitting part 103. In the frame part 101, an illuminating part 105 using a light emitting element such as an LED is mounted at a peripheral edge of the side facing the side where the mounting piece 102 is formed with the fitting port 100 sandwiched therebetween. The lighting unit 105 illuminates the key switch 1 and its surroundings so that the keyboard KB looks shiny. Furthermore, in the keyboard KB, the substrate 10 may be provided corresponding to each key switch 1 , or may be formed such that a plurality of key switches 1 share one substrate 10 .

The internal structure of the key switch 1 will be described. 4 and 5 are schematic perspective views showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the keycap 120 of the movable member 12 is removed. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the movable member 12 is removed. FIG. 6 shows a cross section along the A-B direction shown in FIG. 4 . FIG. 7 shows a state in which the keycap 120 of the movable member 12 is removed.

The key switch 1 includes various components such as a striking member 13, a biasing member 14, a guide member 15, an elastic member 16, and a holding member 17, in addition to the aforementioned substrate 10, fixed member 11, and movable member 12.

As mentioned above, the substrate 10 has a three-layer structure of a circuit layer, a protective layer, and a cover layer. The substrate 10 is provided with an embedded interface 100 . A pair of mounting pieces 102 is mounted on the frame portion 101 on the periphery of the fitting port 100 of the substrate 10 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the light-emitting part 103 and the light-receiving part 104 are mounted on the mounting piece 102 of the substrate 10 , and the lighting part 105 is mounted on the frame part 101 facing the mounting piece 102 .

The fixing member 11 is fixed to the substrate 10 in a state where the lower part is embedded in the fitting port 100 of the substrate 10 . The fixing member 11 has a substantially rectangular box shape, and its upper surface and one side surface are open. A rectangular cutout 110 connected to the opened side surface is formed on the bottom surface of the fixing member 11 . When the fixing member 11 is embedded in the substrate 10 , the light emitting part 103 and the light receiving part 104 mounted on the substrate 10 are arranged in the cutout 110 of the fixing member 11 . A substantially cylindrical inner wall 111 is formed on the bottom surface of the substrate 10 .

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the movable member 12 and the striking member 13 included in the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the movable member 12 and the striking member 13 included in the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 8 shows the movable member 12 and the striking member 13 attached to the movable member 12 from an obliquely downward perspective. FIG. 9 shows a cross section along the C-D direction shown in FIG. 8 . The movable member 12 is explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9 . The movable member 12 is movably supported by the fixed member 11 and moves in the pressing direction upon receiving a pressing operation. The movable member 12 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view, and guide pieces 121 are formed near the four vertices so as to extend downward and engage with the guide member 15 to guide the up and down movement. The guide piece 121 is formed with an opening into which the guide member 15 is engaged. A substantially cylindrical fitting tube 122 is formed from near the center of the lower surface of the movable member 12 so as to extend downward. The outer diameter of the fitting cylinder 122 is formed to be slightly shorter than the inner diameter of the inner wall 111 of the fixed member 11 . Therefore, the fitting cylinder 122 is freely fitted inside the fixed member 11 so as to be movable up and down. The movable member 12 is guided to move up and down by the guide piece 121 and the fitting cylinder 122 in which the guide piece 121 is freely fitted. On the lower surface of the movable member 12 , a pair of rectangular plate-shaped support pieces 123 are formed around the fitting tube 122 so as to extend downward. At the lower end of the support piece 123, a folded portion 123a bent into a hook shape is formed. The support piece 123 supports the striking member 13 so as to be movable up and down. A rectangular plate-shaped shielding plate 124 (shielding portion) is formed near one side of the movable member 12 so as to extend downward. The shielding plate 124 is formed in a direction orthogonal to adjacent sides. The shielding plate 124 moves up and down as the movable member 12 moves up and down. When moving downward, it enters between the light emitting part 103 and the light receiving part 104 mounted on the substrate 10 to block the light emitted from the light emitting part 103 .

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the striking member 13 and the elastic member 16 included in the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the striking member 13 and the elastic member 16 in a state where the movable member 12 is not pressed down so that the positional relationship can be easily understood. The hitting member 13 is explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10 . The hitting member 13 is attached to the movable member 12 so as to be relatively movable in the up-down direction (the pressing direction and the opposite direction of the pressing direction). The striking member 13 strikes other members by moving. In the form illustrated in this application, the striking member 13 strikes the folded portion 123 a formed at the lower end of the support piece 123 of the movable member 12 . The striking member 13 has a substantially rectangular frame shape in plan view, and the center portion of the long side is curved in an arc shape toward the outside so as to fit freely into the inner wall 111 of the fixed member 11 and the urging member 14 surrounding the inner wall 111 . . An engaging portion 130 that engages with the elastic member 16 is formed on one curved long side of the striking member 13 as a convex portion protruding toward the outside. The short side of the striking member 13 is externally embedded in the supporting piece 123 of the movable member 12 , and is supported by the supporting piece 123 so as to move relative to the movable member 12 in the up-down direction. The upper limit of the movement direction of the striking member 13 is a position where it contacts the bottom surface of the movable member 12 , and the lower limit of the movement direction of the striking member 13 is a position where it contacts the folded portion 123 a at the lower end of the support piece 123 . FIG. 10 shows the positional relationship between the striking member 13 and the elastic member 16 when the movable member 12 is not pressed down. When the movable member 12 moves downward from the state shown in FIG. 10 , the engaging portion of the movable member 12 130 is engaged with the elastic member 16 . When the pressed movable member 12 further moves downward, and along with the movement of the movable member 12, the striking member 13 moves downward and is disengaged from the elastic member 16, the striking member 13 strikes the flip side of the movable member 12. Fold portion 123a.

The force applying member 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 . The urging member 14 is formed using a compression coil spring. The urging member 14 is arranged so as to surround the inner wall 111 of the fixed member 11 and the fitting tube 122 of the movable member 12 . The lower end is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the fixed member 11 and the upper end faces upward (in the opposite direction of the pressing direction). ) exerts force on the movable member 12.

The guide member 15 is explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 . The guide member 15 is formed by combining the first link member 15a and the second link member 15b. The first link member 15a has a substantially U-shaped shape in which two arm portions 150 having a swing axis at a first end side are connected with a connecting portion 151 formed at a second end side opposite to the first end side. An engaging protrusion 152 that engages with the opening of the guide piece 121 of the movable member 12 is formed on the second end side of the first link member 15a. A fulcrum portion 153 that engages with the fixing member 11 is formed on the second end side of the first link member 15a at a position close to the center. The first link member 15 a is formed in a substantially L-shape that is bent at the fulcrum portion 153 . The second link member 15b has a substantially H-shaped shape that connects two arm portions 150 having a swing axis on the first end side with a connecting portion 151 formed near the center of the arm portions 150. In the second link member 15b, an engaging protrusion 152 that engages with the opening of the guide piece 121 of the movable member 12 is formed on the second end side opposite to the first end side. A fulcrum portion 153 that engages with the fixing member 11 is formed on the second end side of the second link member 15b at a position close to the center. The second link member 15b is formed in a substantially L-shape that is bent at the fulcrum portion 153. The guide member 15 is formed into a substantially W-shaped member in side view by combining the swing axis of the first link member 15a and the second link member 15b. The fulcrum portion 153 of the guide member 15 is engaged with the fixed member 11 movably in the horizontal direction, and forms the engaging protrusion 152 of the first link member 15a and the engaging protrusion 152 of the second link member 15b of the guide member 15. The opening of the guide piece 121 of the movable member 12 is engaged movably in the horizontal direction. The guide member 15 has a function of guiding the upper surface of the movable member 12 so that the upper surface of the movable member 12 does not tilt when the movable member 12 moves up and down. That is, when the movable member 12 moves downward, the engaging protrusions 152 of the guide member 15 engage with the guide pieces 121 formed at the four vertices of the movable member 12, the first link member 15a and the second link member 15b. The guide member 15 is tilted in such a manner that the W shape of the guide member 15 is opened while maintaining a substantially plane-symmetrical state. Thereby, the movable member 12 moves downward without tilting. Furthermore, the same applies when the movable member 12 moves upward. The movable member 12 is guided by the guide member 15 and moves upward without tilting. The second end side of the second link member 15b may fall toward the side where the light-emitting part 103 and the light-receiving part 104 are arranged. However, since the connecting part 151 is formed near the center rather than on the second end side, even if it falls, In this case, there will be no interference with the light-emitting part 103 and the light-receiving part 104.

The elastic member 16 and the holding member 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 and 10 . The elastic member 16 is formed using an elastic body such as a tension coil spring. Both ends of the elastic member 16 are held by holding members 17 . The holding member 17 holds both ends of the elastic member 16 while being fixed to the fixing member 11 so that the screw axis of the holding member 17 becomes a horizontal direction. The vicinity of the center of the holding member 17 functions as an engaged portion 160 that engages with the engaging portion 130 of the striking member 13 . Furthermore, the elastic member 16 may be formed using a coil spring such as a compression coil spring.

＜Operation example＞ An operation example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application having the above structure will be described. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the key cap 120 is removed and the key switch 1 is not pressed. As illustrated in FIG. 11 , in a state where the movable member 12 is not pressed, the movable member 12 is biased upward by the biasing member 14 and is positioned at the upper end of the movement range. Since the movable member 12 is located at the upper end, the shielding plate 124 formed on the lower surface of the movable member 12 is located above the light emitting part 103 and the light receiving part 104 . The striking member 13 installed on the movable member 12 is located at the lower end of the movement range of the movable member 12 but is located above the elastic member 16. The engaging portion 130 of the striking member 13 is not in contact with the engaged portion of the elastic member 16. 160 clicks.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 12 shows a state in which the movable member 12 is moved downward by a pressing operation from the state illustrated in FIG. 11 . The movable member 12 moves downward in response to the pressing operation. As the movable member 12 moves downward, the striking member 13 moves downward. As the striking member 13 moves downward, the engaging portion 130 comes into contact with the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16 and engages with the engaged portion 160 , thereby restricting the downward movement of the striking member 13 . Since the downward movement is restricted, the striking member 13 moves upward relative to the movable member 12 . When the hitting member 13 whose movement is restricted moves to the upper limit of the movement range, it moves downward as the movable member 12 moves downward, and presses the elastic member 16 while engaging with the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16 . In the first embodiment, the state in which the engaging portion 130 of the striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16 as the movable member 12 moves is referred to as the state in which the engaging portion 130 engages with the engaged portion 160 as the movable member 12 moves. Synthesis 160. FIG. 12 shows a state in which the striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16 by engagement. The striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 160 of the elastic member 16 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the elastic member 16 (the left direction in FIG. 12 ), and the elastic member 16 is pressed and stretched.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the movable member 12 is further pressed down from the state illustrated in FIG. 12 and moves to the lower limit of the movement range. As illustrated in FIG. 12 , when the movable member 12 is further pressed down from the state where the striking member 13 is engaged with the elastic member 16 , the striking member 13 moving with the movable member 12 releases the engaging portion 130 from the elastic member. The engaged portion 160 of 16 is engaged. The striking member 13 whose engagement with the engaged portion 160 is released moves downward, and strikes the folded portion 123 a formed at the lower end of the supporting piece 123 of the movable member 12 with its lower end. The operator feels the sound and vibration when the striking member 13 strikes the movable member 12 as a knocking sound and a knocking feeling.

When the operator releases the pressure on the movable member 12 from the state illustrated in FIG. 13 , the movable member 12 moves upward due to the upward urging force exerted by the urging member 14 and returns to the state illustrated in FIG. 11 condition.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 14 shows the key switch 1 from an obliquely downward perspective, and corresponds to the state illustrated in the aforementioned FIG. 11 . FIG. 14 shows a state in which the key switch 1 is not pressed. As illustrated in FIG. 11 , when the key switch 1 is not pressed, the shielding plate 124 formed on the lower surface of the movable member 12 is located above the light emitting part 103 and the light receiving part 104 . Therefore, the optical path between the light emitting part 103 and the light receiving part 104 is not blocked, and the light emitted from the light emitting part 103 is detected by the light receiving part 104 .

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 15 shows a state in which the movable member 12 receives a pressing operation from the state illustrated in FIG. 14 until it moves to the lower limit of the movement range, and corresponds to the state illustrated in FIG. 13 . When the movable member 12 moves to the lower limit of the movement range, the shielding plate 124 formed on the lower surface of the movable member 12 enters between the light emitting part 103 and the light receiving part 104 . Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting part 103 is blocked by the shielding plate 124 and does not reach the light receiving part 104 .

When the operator releases the pressure on the movable member 12 from the state illustrated in FIG. 15 , the movable member 12 moves upward by the upward urging force exerted by the urging member 14 , and the shielding plate 124 blocks the light. is released and returns to the state illustrated in Figure 14.

As an operation of the keyboard KB, the user touches the movable member 12 of the key switch 1 and performs a pressing operation of pressing the movable member 12. This causes the shielding plate 124 formed on the movable member 12 to block the light emitted from the light emitting part 103. By blocking the light path from the light-emitting part 103 to the light-receiving part 104 with the blocking plate 124, the contact/separation state of the circuit is switched, and the keyboard KB that detects the switching of the contact/separation state outputs each signal to the connected electronic device such as a personal computer. The conduction signal of key switch 1. Then, when the operator releases the pressing of the movable member 12 , the blocking of the light emitted from the light emitting part 103 is released, and the light receiving part 104 detects the light emitted from the light emitting part 103 . By releasing the blockage of the light path from the light-emitting part 103 to the light-receiving part 104, the contact/separation state of the circuit is also restored to the original state.

<Second Embodiment> The second embodiment is a form in which the elastic member 16 and the holding member 17 are not used in the first embodiment, and the striking member 13 is engaged with the urging member 14 . In the second embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment.

＜Structure example＞ The appearance of the key switch 1 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted with reference to the first embodiment.

The internal structure of the key switch 1 will be described. FIG. 16 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 16 shows the keycap 120 with the movable member 12 removed. The key switch 1 includes various components such as a substrate 10, a fixed member 11, a movable member 12, a striking member 13, a force applying member 14, a guide member 15, and the like. The shapes and functions of the substrate 10 , the fixed member 11 , the movable member 12 and the guide member 15 in the second embodiment are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the striking member 13 and the urging member 14 included in the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the striking member 13 and the urging member 14 in a state where the movable member 12 is not pressed down so that the positional relationship can be easily understood. The hitting member 13 and the urging member 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 . The striking member 13 has a rectangular frame shape in plan view, and the center portion of the long side is curved outwardly into an arc shape so as to fit freely outside the inner wall 111 of the fixed member 11 and the urging member 14 surrounding the inner wall 111 . An engaging portion 130 that engages with the urging member 14 is formed on one curved long side of the striking member 13 as a convex portion protruding toward the outside.

The urging member 14 of the second embodiment is formed using a compression coil spring. The lower end of the urging member 14 is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the fixed member 11 , and the upper end urges the movable member 12 upward. The lower end of the coil of the compression coil spring used as the biasing member 14 extends linearly toward the engaging portion 130 side of the striking member 13, and is bent in two stages at a position where it engages with the engaging portion 130. An engaged portion 140 that is engaged with the engaging portion 130 is formed.

＜Operation example＞ An operation example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application having the above structure will be described. FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 18 shows a state in which the key cap 120 is removed and the key switch 1 is not pressed. As illustrated in FIG. 18 , in a state where the movable member 12 is not subjected to a pressing operation, the movable member 12 is biased upward by the biasing member 14 and is located at the upper end of the movement range. The striking member 13 attached to the movable member 12 is located at the lower end of the movement range with respect to the movable member 12 .

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 19 shows a state in which the movable member 12 is moved downward by a pressing operation from the state illustrated in FIG. 18 . As the movable member 12 subjected to the pressing operation moves downward, the striking member 13 moves downward. As the striking member 13 moves downward, the engaging portion 130 engages with the engaged portion 140 of the urging member 14 and engages with the engaged portion 140 , whereby the downward movement of the striking member 13 is restricted. . Since the downward movement is restricted, the striking member 13 moves upward relative to the movable member 12 . When the hitting member 13 whose movement is restricted moves to the upper limit of the movement range, it moves downward as the movable member 12 moves downward, and thereby presses the urging member while engaging with the engaged portion 140 of the urging member 14 14. In the second embodiment, the state in which the engaging portion 130 of the striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 140 of the urging member 14 as the movable member 12 moves is called the engaging portion 130 engaging with the engaged portion along with the movement. Engagement part 140. FIG. 19 shows a state in which the striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 140 of the urging member 14 by engagement. The striking member 13 presses the engaged portion 140 of the urging member 14 , the urging member 14 is pressed, and the engaged portion 140 is pushed out in the pressing direction (left direction in FIG. 19 ).

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. FIG. 20 shows a state in which the movable member 12 is further pressed down from the state illustrated in FIG. 19 and moves to the lower limit of the movement range. As illustrated in FIG. 20 , when the movable member 12 is further pressed down from the state where the striking member 13 is engaged with the urging member 14 , the striking member 13 moving with the movable member 12 releases the engagement portion 130 from the urging member 14 . The engaged portion 140 of the force member 14 is engaged. The striking member 13 whose engagement with the engaged portion 140 is released moves downward, and strikes the folded portion 123 a formed at the lower end of the supporting piece 123 of the movable member 12 with its lower end. The operator feels the sound and vibration when the striking member 13 strikes the movable member 12 as a knocking sound and a knocking feeling.

When the operator releases the pressure on the movable member 12 from the state illustrated in FIG. 20 , the movable member 12 moves upward due to the upward urging force exerted by the urging member 14 and returns to the state illustrated in FIG. 18 condition.

As described above, the key switch 1 (switch device) and the keyboard KB (key input device) disclosed in the present application include a striking member 13 mounted movably in the up and down direction relative to the movable member 12. When pressed by the operator, When operated down, the striking member 13 strikes other members such as the movable member 12 . The operator feels the sound and vibration generated when the striking member 13 strikes other members as so-called knocking sound and knocking feeling. This provides excellent effects such as satisfying the operator's requirements regarding the operation feeling and operation sound accompanying pressing. In particular, the key switch 1 and keyboard KB disclosed in this application can still produce sufficient knocking sound and knocking feeling even when they are applied to the thin key switch 1 .

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, the described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted in a restrictive manner. The technical scope of the present invention is explained by the scope of the patent application and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes falling within the equivalent scope of the patent application are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the striking member 13 strikes the inner bottom surface of the fixed member 11 as another member. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and other members struck by the striking member 13 may also be Parts or components other than the folded portion 123 a of the movable member 12 . For example, it can be developed into various forms such as the following: the striking member 13 strikes the inner bottom surface of the fixing member 11 to serve as another member.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the form is shown to be suitable for a key input device such as a keyboard KB that mainly inputs characters, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, a key input device can also be implemented as a notebook PC equipped with the key switch 1 disclosed in this application. Furthermore, the invention can be applied to key input devices dedicated to numeric keys such as numeric keyboards. In addition, it can also be applied to various key input devices for various switches used in electronic equipment other than computers, such as dedicated game consoles.

1: Key switch (switch device) 10:Substrate 11: Fixed components 12: Movable components 13: Hitting the component 14:Forcing member 15:Guide component 15a: First link component 15b: Second link component 16: Elastic component 17: Maintain components

100:embedded interface

101: Frame

102: Installation piece

103: Luminous Department

104: Light receiving part

105:Lighting Department

110: Incision

111:Inner wall

120:Keycap

121:Guide film

122: Fitting cylinder

123: Support piece

123a: Turning part

124: Shielding plate (shielding part)

130: Engagement part

140: Engaged part

150:Arm

151:Connection Department

152:Latching protrusion

153: Fulcrum Department

160: Engaged part

KB: keyboard (key input device)

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a keyboard to which the key input device disclosed in this application is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the key switch disclosed in this application. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the key switch disclosed in this application. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application. 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a movable member and a striking member included in the key switch disclosed in this application. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a movable member and a striking member included in the key switch disclosed in this application. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a striking member and an elastic member included in the key switch disclosed in this application. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the key switch disclosed in this application. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the key switch disclosed in this application. 16 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a striking member and a biasing member included in the key switch disclosed in this application. FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application. FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch disclosed in this application.

1: Key switch (switch device)

10:Substrate

11: Fixed components

12: Movable components

13: Hitting the component

14:Forcing member

15:Guide component

15a: First link component

15b: Second link component

16: Elastic component

103: Luminous Department

104: Light receiving part

111:Inner wall

122: Fitting cylinder

124: Shielding plate (shielding part)

130: Engagement part

160: Engaged part

Claims (7)

A switch device includes: a fixed member that can be fixed to a substrate; a movable member that is movably supported on the fixed member and moves in a pressing direction by a pressing operation; and a force applying member that moves in the opposite direction to the pressing direction. The switch device is characterized in that it includes: a striking member that is mounted on the movable member in such a manner that it can move in a pressing direction and in a direction opposite to the pressing direction relative to the movable member. a member that strikes other members; and an elastic member that is fixed to the fixed member, the elastic member having an engaged portion that engages from the striking member, the striking member having an engaged portion with the engaging portion. The engaging portion engages with the engaging portion. The striking member engages with the engaged portion as the movable member moves toward the pressing direction. As the movable member further moves toward the pressing direction, the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion. When the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released due to movement in the direction, other members are struck, wherein the elastic member is constituted by using a coil spring, and the engaging member of the striking member has The engaging portion is configured as a convex portion that presses the elastic member. In the striking member, the engaging portion presses and expands the coil spring that is the elastic member. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the striking member is relative to the engaging portion by engaging with the engaged portion. The movement of the fixed member is restricted. A switch device includes: a fixed member that can be fixed to a substrate; a movable member that is movably supported on the fixed member and moves in a pressing direction by a pressing operation; and a force applying member that moves in the opposite direction to the pressing direction. The switch device is characterized in that it includes: a striking member that is mounted on the movable member in such a manner that it can move in a pressing direction and in a direction opposite to the pressing direction relative to the movable member. member to hit another member, the force applying member has an engaged portion that engages from the striking member, the striking member has an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion, and the striking member As the movable member moves in the pressing direction, the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion, and as the movable member further moves in the pressing direction, the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion. When the engagement of the engaged part is released, other members are struck. The switch device according to claim 3, wherein the biasing member is configured using a compression coil spring, and the engaged portion is formed by extending one end of a coil constituting the compression coil spring. The switch device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the movement of the striking member relative to the fixed member is restricted by the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion. A key input device equipped with a plurality of key switches, the key input device is characterized by: The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is included as the configured key switch. The key input device according to claim 6, which includes: a light-emitting part that emits light; a light-receiving part that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting part; and a shielding part that is installed on a movable member included in the key input device. , blocking the light emitted from the light-emitting part, and the blocking part blocks or releases the light emitted from the light-emitting part as the movable member moves in the pressing direction.