WO2014042245A1

WO2014042245A1 - Keyboard device

Info

Publication number: WO2014042245A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/074851
Authority: WO
Inventors: 康介松島; 泰之立川; 靖尾野
Original assignee: 株式会社フジクラ
Priority date: 2012-09-14
Filing date: 2013-09-13
Publication date: 2014-03-20

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 used for notebook personal computers, tablet terminals, and the like.
For designated countries that are allowed to be incorporated by reference,
Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-203714 filed in Japan on September 14, 2012,
Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-016656 filed in Japan on January 31, 2013, and
Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-016658 filed in Japan on January 31, 2013
Are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this description.

A circuit board comprising a pair of sheets each having a contact point on an opposing surface, and a spacer having an opening at a position corresponding to the contact point, as a keyboard used in a notebook computer or tablet terminal. In addition, there is known a keyboard device having a key top provided on a circuit board and provided with an urging means for urging the key top away from the circuit board (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-060112 A

The above keyboard device has a problem that it cannot be thinned because it has an urging means for urging the key top away from the circuit board. In addition, in order to reduce the thickness, there is a problem that switching cannot be performed properly only by reducing the thickness of the keyboard device except for the urging means.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a keyboard device that can be switched appropriately while being thin.

The present inventors examined the cause of the problem that switching cannot be performed properly only by reducing the thickness by removing the biasing means from the keyboard device.

In the above keyboard device, when the key top is pressed, the force is transmitted from the key top to the urging means, the force is transmitted from the pressing portion provided in the urging means to the circuit board, and the contacts provided on the pair of sheets. They contact each other and perform switching. Therefore, switching was appropriately performed if an opening was provided only under the pressing portion of the urging means.

On the other hand, when the biasing means is removed from the keyboard device, a force is directly applied to the circuit board from the key top without going through the pressing portion. Therefore, unless the size of the opening is larger than the key top, switching is performed in the first place. Is not done properly.

However, when the size of the opening is made larger than the key top, the area of the contact between the contacts increases because the opening becomes large, and the contact portion becomes close to a vacuum state. Then, even if the pressure is released, air does not flow into the opening and the contacts do not return to a separated state, and switching cannot be performed appropriately.

Therefore, as a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by the following invention.

That is, the present invention includes a first sheet on which a first contact is formed, a second sheet on which a second contact provided to face the first sheet is formed, and the first sheet. A circuit board interposed between the second sheet and the first contact and a spacer having a first opening at a position corresponding to the second contact; and a key top provided above the circuit board The key top has an outer edge within the first opening in plan view, and the keyboard device is located between the first sheet and the second sheet. The above-described problem is solved by further providing a plurality of dots formed around the first contact and the second contact.

In the above invention, the dots may be arranged between at least one of the first sheet and the spacer and between the second sheet and the spacer.

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

In the above invention, the thickness of the dots can be greater 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 adhesive layers adjacent to each other, and a gap may be formed between the adhesive layer and the dots.

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 adhesive layer and the dots may surround the first opening.

In the above invention, the dots can be made relatively harder than the spacers.

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

In the above invention, the keyboard may be wider than the first contact and wider than the second contact.

In the above invention, the first contact has a plurality of first conductor patterns extending along a first direction, and the second contact intersects the first direction. You may have a some 2nd conductor pattern extended along a direction.

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

In the present invention, when viewed in plan, the outer edge of the key top is formed so as to be within the opening of the spacer, and the pressing force applied to the key top can be directly transmitted to the circuit board, so that the urging means is not required. . As a result, the thickness can be reduced.

Since a plurality of dots are formed between the first sheet and the second sheet and around the first contact and the second contact, even when the contacts are in contact with each other, the dots are constant around the dots. The space of the air layer can be secured. Therefore, when the pressure is released, air flows into the opening from this space as a starting point, so that the contact point immediately returns to a separated state.

Therefore, appropriate switching can be performed while reducing the thickness.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard device according to 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, FIG. 4 (a) is a plan view showing the first contact, FIG. 4B is a plan view showing the second contact, and FIG. 4C is 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). 7 is a plan view showing an example in which the contacts shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C are applied to the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of dots in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the contacts shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C are applied to the configuration shown in FIG.

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

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a keyboard device in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the keyboard device in the present embodiment.

The keyboard device 1 in this embodiment is a keyboard used for a notebook computer, a tablet device, or the like, and includes a circuit board 10, a key top 20, and dots 30 as shown in FIG. A large number of key tops 20 are arranged (not shown).

The circuit board 10 includes a first sheet 11, a second sheet 12 provided to face the first sheet 11, and a first opening 14 interposed between the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12. The spacer 13 is formed.

The first sheet 11 includes a flexible first substrate 15 and a first contact 16 formed on one main surface of the first substrate 15.

Similarly, the second sheet 12 includes a flexible second substrate 17 and a second contact 18 formed on one main surface of the second substrate 17.

In the spacer 13, the first opening 14 is formed in a region including a portion where the first contact 16 and the second contact 18 are formed.

Between the 1st sheet | seat 11 and the spacer 13, the contact bonding layer 19 which adhere | attaches these is formed. The adhesive layer 19 need not be formed on the entire surface as long as the first sheet 11 and the spacer 13 can be bonded to each other, and may be formed at least partially.

Similarly, an adhesive layer 19 is formed between the second sheet 12 and the spacer 13 to adhere them. The adhesive layer 19 does not need to be formed on the entire surface as long as the second sheet 12 and the spacer can be bonded to each other, and may be formed at least partially.

The first substrate 15, the second substrate 17, and the spacer 13 are made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). The thicknesses of the first substrate 15, the second substrate 17, and the spacer 13 are, 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.

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

When the key top 20 is pressed, the circuit board 10 bends the first sheet 11 at a position corresponding to the first opening 14, connects the first contact 16 and the second contact 18, and becomes conductive. , Switching.

The key top 20 is formed on the upper surface of the first sheet 11 of the circuit board 10, and the outer edge of the key top 20 is accommodated in the first opening 14 in plan view. As a result, the first sheet 11 can bend and perform appropriate switching regardless of where the key top 20 is pressed.

The circular protrusion-shaped dots 30 provided on the second sheet 12 are arranged between the spacer 13 and the second sheet 12, and as shown in FIG. 2, the first contact 16 and the second contact A plurality are formed around 18.

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

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, a slit 141 for allowing air to flow into the spacer 13 is formed. The adhesive layer 19 may be partially formed between the first sheet 11 and the spacer 13, or may be partially formed between the second sheet 12 and the spacer 13. In this case, It is not necessary to form the slit 141 in the spacer 13.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the adhesive layer 19 is intermittently disposed around the first opening 14 between the second sheet 12 and the spacer 13, so that the dots 30 adhere to each other or to the dots 30. Air can flow into and out of the first opening 14 through a gap 191 formed between the layers 19. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a modification of the adhesive layer in the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the adhesive layer 19 may be interposed between the three adjacent dots 30, and in this case, the gap 191 is provided between the dot 30 and the adhesive layer 19. Form.

In the keyboard device 1, the width W1 of the first opening 14 is wider than the width W2 of the key top 20, as shown in FIG. As a result, the first sheet is deflected and appropriate switching can be performed no matter where the key top 20 is pressed.

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

According to the present embodiment, when viewed in plan, the key top 20 is formed so as to be accommodated in the first opening 14 of the spacer 13, the spacer 13 does not exist under the key top 20, and the key top 20 Since the applied pressing force can be directly transmitted to the circuit board 10, no urging means is required. As a result, the thickness can be reduced. And since the some dot 30 was formed between the 2nd sheet | seat 12 and the spacer 13 and around the 1st contact 16 and the said 2nd contact 18, even when a contact contacts, a dot In the vicinity of 30, a space consisting of a certain air layer can be secured. Therefore, when the pressure is released, air flows into the first opening 14 starting from this space, so that the contacts immediately return to the separated state. Therefore, appropriate switching can be performed while reducing the thickness.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the dot 30 is formed between the second second sheet 12 and the spacer 13, the dot 30 is not formed in the first opening 14, and the dot 30 is pressed when pressed. It is possible to prevent a sense of incongruity due to.

The embodiment described above is described for easy understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the keyboard device 1 in the above-described embodiment, the first contact 16 and the second contact 18 are formed uniformly, but as shown in FIGS. The contact 16B and the second contact 18B may be formed in a lattice shape when they overlap. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are diagrams showing other examples of the contact structure in the present embodiment. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing the keyboard device having the contacts shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c), and corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first contact 16B includes a plurality of (in this example, five) first linear patterns 161 and a pair of

connection patterns

162, 163. Have. The plurality of first linear patterns 161 extend along the Y direction and are arranged in parallel to each other with a predetermined interval. One ends of the plurality of first linear patterns 161 are connected to each other by a connection pattern 162, and the other ends of the first linear patterns 161 are also connected to each other by a connection pattern 163. The plurality of first linear patterns 161 are electrically connected via a pair of

connection patterns

162 and 163.

Note that 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.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the second contact 18B also has a plurality (four in this example) of the second linear pattern 181 and a pair of

connection patterns

182 and 183. Yes. The plurality of second linear patterns 181 extend along the X direction and are arranged in parallel to each other with a predetermined interval. One ends of the plurality of second linear patterns 181 are connected to each other by a connection pattern 182, and the other ends of the second linear patterns 181 are also connected to each other by a connection pattern 183. The plurality of second linear patterns 181 are electrically connected via a pair of

connection patterns

182 and 183.

Note that the number of the second linear patterns 181 is not particularly limited to the above number. If the first linear pattern 161 and the second linear pattern 181 intersect, the extending direction of the second linear pattern 181 is the same as the extending direction of the first linear pattern 161. However, the direction is not limited to a direction that is substantially orthogonal. 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. 4C, the first linear pattern 161 and the second linear pattern 181 are substantially formed. Since they intersect at right angles, a lattice shape is formed. The first contact 16B may be configured in a grid pattern, and the second contact 18B may be configured in a grid pattern.

In the present embodiment, the first and second contact points are formed to be uneven by the first and second

linear patterns

161 and 181, and the first linear pattern 161 and the second linear pattern 181 are formed. Are crossing each other, the contact area between the first contact 16B and the second contact 18B when the key top 20 is pressed is reduced. For this reason, it can suppress that the contact part of the 1st contact 16B and the 2nd contact 18B will be in the state close | similar to a vacuum, and the 1st and

2nd contacts

16B and 18B can be connected between press release. Can be separated quickly.

In the present embodiment, the first and

second contacts

16B and 18B have a structure capable of transmitting light from the gap between the first and second

linear patterns

161 and 181. A keyboard device with an illumination function in which a backlight is disposed below the substrate can also be supported.

In the present embodiment, 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 into the

contacts

16B and 18B. And the productivity of the keyboard device 1 is improved.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first and second contact points 16B and 18B are constituted by the first and second

linear patterns

161 and 181, so that the first and second contact points 16B and 18B are formed. The material can be reduced. The cost of the keyboard device 1 can be reduced.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the lattice-

like contacts

16B and 18B described above may be applied to the configuration described in FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example in which the contact shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C is applied to the configuration shown in FIG.

Further, for example, in the keyboard device 1 in 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, the height h1 of the dot 30 is set to the adhesive layer. It is preferable that the height is higher than the height h2 of 19 (h1> h2). In this case, since the space formed by the air layer that can be formed around the dots 30 when the contacts are in contact with each other is increased, the contact can be quickly returned to the separated state. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modified example of dots in the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the contacts shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C are applied to the configuration shown in FIG. is there.

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

Further, for example, in the keyboard device 1 in the above-described embodiment, the key top 20 and the first base material 15 are in direct contact, but an intervening layer may be provided between the key top 20 and the first base material 15. Good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Keyboard apparatus 10 ... Circuit board 11 ... 1st sheet | seat 12 ... 2nd sheet | seat 13 ... Spacer 14 ... 1st opening 141 ... Slit 15 ... 1st board |

substrates

16 and 16B ... 1st contact 161 ...

1st line Pattern

162, 163 ... connection pattern 17 ...

second substrate

18, 18B ... second contact 181 ... second

linear pattern

182, 183 ... connection pattern 19 ... adhesive layer 191 ... gap 20 ... key top 30 ... dot

Claims

A first sheet on which a first contact is formed, a second sheet on which a second contact provided to face the first sheet is formed, and the first sheet and the second sheet A circuit board having a spacer having a first opening at a position corresponding to the first contact and the second contact,
A key top provided above the circuit board, and a keyboard device comprising:
In plan view, the outer edge of the key top is within the first opening,
The keyboard device further includes a plurality of dots formed between the first sheet and the second sheet and around the first contact and the second contact. .
The keyboard device according to claim 1,
The keyboard device, wherein the dots are arranged between at least one of the first sheet and the spacer and between the second sheet and the spacer.
The keyboard device according to claim 2,
A keyboard device, wherein an adhesive layer is interposed between at least a part between the first sheet and the spacer and at least a part between the second sheet and the spacer.
The keyboard device according to claim 3,
The keyboard device characterized in that the thickness of the dots is thicker than the thickness of the adhesive layer.
The keyboard device according to claim 3 or 4,
The keyboard device, wherein the adhesive layer is intermittently disposed around the first opening.
The keyboard device according to claim 5,
A keyboard device, wherein at least one dot is interposed between the adhesive layers adjacent to each other, and a gap is formed between the adhesive layer and the dots.
The keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The keyboard device characterized in that the dots are relatively harder than the spacer.
The keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein a width of the first opening is wider than a width of the key top.
A keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The keyboard device characterized in that a width of the key top is wider than a width of the first contact and wider than a width of the second contact.
A keyboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The first contact has a plurality of first conductor patterns extending along a first direction;
The keyboard device, wherein the second contact has a plurality of second conductor patterns extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction.
The keyboard device according to claim 10,
The keyboard device, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular to each other.