JP2907207B2 - Key switch device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key switch device, and more particularly to a key switch device suitable for use in a thin keyboard attached to a notebook type word processor, a notebook type personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a key switch device used for this kind of keyboard, a key top integrally having a key stem is inserted into a holder portion formed on a holder plate to guide and support the key top, and is provided below the key stem. A key switch device provided with a switching member is generally used. In such a key switch device, a switching operation is performed by pressing a switching member by a lower portion of the key stem while slidingly guiding the vertical movement of the key stem via a holder portion.

A key switch device using a large key top such as a space key and a return key includes:
In order to prevent the key top from being pressed in an inclined state when the key top is pressed, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 60-62017, 64-7441 and U.S. Pat.
A key switch device described in JP-A-33,225 is known.

A key switch device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-62017 supports a key top on two scissors-like members intersecting in a scissor-like manner with a shaft and separates the key top from the center of the key top. The switching member is arranged at the position. When the key top is pressed, a plurality of pins formed at the end of each scissor-like member are horizontally slid and guided, and the key stem provided on the back surface of the key top is moved up and down via the holder. The switching member is depressed by the key stem while the sliding member is being guided.

The key switch device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 64-7441 has the same basic configuration as the key switch device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-62017. The feature is that the key top can be easily attached and detached.

US Pat. No. 4,433,225 discloses a key switch device provided with an L-shaped key top. This key switch device has a scissor-like member in which the center of the arm is connected by a shaft. Such scissors have first, second, third and fourth ends, the first and second ends of which are horizontally oriented within the traveled portion of the L-shaped keytop. It is slidable. However, since the key switch portion is located at a place different from the scissor-like member, the key switch portion alone cannot be realized as a key switch device, and a key stem and many other components are required, which complicates the structure.

The key switch device described in each of these publications maintains a horizontal state of the key top even when a large key such as a space key or a return key is pressed or any part of the key top is pressed. The vertical movement can be guided. As described above, the key switch devices described above have a common feature in that, in each case, the key stem for pressing the switching member is vertically guided through the holder portion while the switching member is pressed by the key stem. I have.

On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. Hei 2-5236 discloses a key switch device which does not include a key stem and a holder which are slidably guided in a vertical direction. This key switch device includes two rectangular frames, and the two frames intersect in an X-shape to form a key top support member. A projection projecting downward is provided at the center of the lower surface of the keytop, and the projection is configured to press a rubber spring as a switching member. Also in this key switch device, similarly to the above-described key switch device, even if any part of the key top is pressed, the key top can be lowered while keeping the key top horizontal without tilting the key top.

[0009]

However, in recent years, as word processors and personal computers have become smaller and thinner, keyboards attached to them have also been made smaller and thinner. On the other hand, a large stroke is required to improve the operability of key input and ensure the reliability of key input. Under such circumstances, there is a problem that a sufficient key stroke cannot be obtained with the above-described commonly used key switch device.

In such a commonly used key switch device, if an attempt is made to reduce the thickness of the keyboard, the portion of the key stem slidably guided by the holder portion is reduced, resulting in the tilting of the key top. As a result, twisting occurs between the key stem and the holder. vice versa,
To prevent this, there is a dilemma that if the portion where the key stem is slid and guided by the holder is enlarged, the key stroke is reduced.

Here, if a twist occurs between the key stem and the holder portion when the key top is pressed down, this causes a sliding noise and significantly impairs the operability of the key. Further, the twisting between the key stem and the holder is unlikely to occur when the center of the key top is constantly depressed because the key stem is depressed vertically. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of such twisting, it is conceivable to reduce the operation area of the key so that the center of the key top is always pressed, but in this case, the operability of the key is significantly impaired. There is no difference from the above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and eliminates the need for a structure in which a key stem is slid up and down by a holder portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a key switch device which can be maintained large, has good operability of key input with a simple configuration, and enables reliable key input without twisting.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a key switch device according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with a key top having a locking portion formed on a lower surface, and disposed below the key top. In addition, a holder member having a locking portion corresponding to the locking portion of the key top is connected to and locked to each locking portion of the key top and the holder member, and the key top is moved up and down. A guide support member for guiding and supporting, and a switching member for urging the key top upward and performing a switching operation in accordance with the vertical movement of the key top, further comprising the holder member A circuit board having an electric contact portion disposed below the circuit board; and an upper surface of the circuit board so as to cover above the electric contact portion for turning on the electric contact portion of the circuit board. An inverted cup-shaped rubber spring having a resilient restoring force.The holder member is formed in a plate shape in which locking portions of a plurality of key switch devices are integrally formed. In order to make the upper end of the rubber spring abut on the key top or the guide support member, a mounting hole is formed to protrude above the holder member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key switch device according to the first aspect, wherein the rubber spring is formed independently for each key switch device, and is disposed in a mounting hole of the holder member. At the lower end of the rubber spring, a thick flange extending outward is formed, and the thickness of the flange is formed to be equal to or less than the thickness of the holder member. I have.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the key switch device according to the first or second aspect, the rubber spring is formed independently for each key switch device, and is provided in a mounting hole of the holder member. At the lower end portion of the rubber spring, a thick flange portion extending outward is formed, and the mounting hole of the holder member has at least a part thereof. The shape is adapted to the outer shape of the flange of the rubber spring.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key switch device.
Item 4. The key switch device according to any one of Items 1 to 3,
The guide support members are disposed so as to intersect in an X shape in side view.
And a first link member and a rotatable link at the intersection.
And a second link member.

[0017]

According to the key switch device of the present invention, when the key top is not pressed down, the key top is urged upward by the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring of the switching member and is held upward. When the keytop is pressed from such a state, the keytop descends against the urging force of the rubber spring. With the lowering operation of the keytop , each end of the guide support member rotates or slides in each locking portion of the keytop and the holder member to guide the lowering operation of the keytop, The rubber spring is pressed by the guide support member and buckles, and the rubber spring conducts the electrical contact portion of the circuit board to perform a switching operation. On the other hand, when the pressing of the key top is released, the key top is urged upward by the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring, and returns to the original position while being supported by the guide support member.

[0018]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention; 1 to 3 show a first configuration of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the key switch device. In FIG. 1, a key top 1 is molded from a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin, and letters such as alphabets are formed on the upper surface by printing or the like. Also,
From the back surface of the key top 1, a rotation locking portion 2 and a sliding locking portion 3 are provided integrally with the key top 1 body downward.

The first locking pins 13 and 14 formed at one end of one of the two link members 7 and 8 to be described later are rotatably locked to the rotation locking portion 2. The sliding locking portion 3 has a second locking pin 23 formed at one end of the other link member 8.
A locking groove 5 for locking the slide 24 in the horizontal direction is formed.

A guide support member 6 for guiding and supporting the vertical movement of the key top 1 is provided below the key top 1, and the guide support member 6 includes two link members 7 and 8.

One link member 7 is, as shown in FIG.
Two base ends 10 and 11 are integrally formed at both ends of the base 9. From one side of the central part of the base 9, the shaft 1
The shaft 12 is supported by a shaft hole 20 formed in the other link member 8 described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first locking pins 13, 14 and the second locking pins 15, 16 of the link member 7 are
They are arranged so as to be aligned on a straight line with 2 as the center, and have the same distance from the axis 12. The first locking pins 21 and 22 and the second locking pins 23 and 24 of the link member 8 are arranged in a straight line with the shaft hole 20 as a center, and the distances from the shaft hole 20 are equal.

The link members 7 and 8 are connected to the shaft 1
In a state where the shaft hole 20 and the shaft hole 20 are rotatably connected, the shaft hole 20 is bent upward at the positions of the lower base ends 11 and 18. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the rubber spring 31 is configured to have a large space below the shaft support A, so that a substantially trapezoidal rubber spring 31 in a side view described later can be efficiently stored under the shaft support A. is there.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the thickness of the distal ends of the upper base ends 10 and 19 of both link members 7 and 8 is reduced. Therefore, even if key top 1 is pressed,
Upper bases 10, 19 and lower base 1 of both link members 7, 8
The keys 1 and 18 do not come into contact with each other while the key top 1 is being pressed. Therefore, the key top 1 is configured such that the pressing operation is not hindered in the middle and a key stroke can be sufficiently secured.

As shown in FIG. 2, the link member 7
First locking pins 13 and 14 extend from the side surfaces of both end extending portions 10 </ b> A of the upper base end portion 10.
Reference numerals 3 and 14 are rotatably locked in locking holes 4 formed in the rotation locking portion 2 of the key top 1 described above. Further, the lower base end portion 11 is formed in a U-shape in plan view,
From the side surface of the U-shaped both-end extending portion 11A, the second
Locking pins 15 and 16 are extended. The second locking pins 15 and 16 are slidably locked by sliding locking portions 26 formed on a holder member 25 described later.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The upper and lower base ends 18 and 19 are integrally formed at both ends of the base 17. The shaft hole 2 is provided at the center of the base 17.
The shaft 12 provided on the base 9 of the link member 7 is inserted into the shaft hole 20 as described above. Also,
The lower base end portion 18 is formed in a U-shape in plan view, and first locking pins 21 and 22 extend from the U-shaped both end extending portions 18A. The first locking pins 21 and 22 are rotatably locked to a rotation locking portion 27 formed on a holder member 25 described later.

Further, second locking pins 23, 24 similar to the above are extended from both end extending portions 19A of the upper base end portion 19. The second locking pins 23, 24 are connected to the key top 1 described above. Are slidably locked in locking grooves 5 formed in the sliding locking portion 3.

As described above, the guide support member 6 is constructed by inserting the shaft 12 formed in the base 9 of one link member 7 into the shaft hole 20 formed in the base 17 of the other link member 8. The two link members 7 and 8 are mutually rotatable via a shaft support A formed by the shaft 12 and the shaft hole 20.

Next, a holder member 25 is disposed below the guide support member 6, and a second locking member extending from the lower base end 11 of the link member 7 on the holder member 25. A sliding locking portion 26 and a rotation locking portion 27 for locking the pins 15 and 16 and the first locking pins 21 and 22 extending from the lower base end portion 18 of the link member 8, respectively. Is provided.

The sliding locking portion 26 is formed integrally with the holder member 25 in a convex shape and is provided with a locking groove 28 having a long hole shape. Two locking pins 15, 16 are slidably locked in the horizontal direction. Similarly to the sliding locking part 26, the rotation locking part 27 is integrally formed in a convex shape from the holder member 25 and has a locking hole 29 provided therein. The first locking pins 21 and 22 of the member 8 are rotatably locked.

In the above configuration, the rotation locking portion 2 and the holder member 25 formed on the back surface of the key top 1 located on the left side in FIG. 1 with respect to the perpendicular L passing through the center of the shaft support portion A.
Is formed with a locking hole 4 and a locking hole 29 for rotatably locking the first locking pins 13, 14 and 21, 22 respectively. Become. Further, a second locking part 3 is formed on the back surface of the key top 1 and a sliding locking part 26 formed on the holder member 25 on the right side of the perpendicular L in FIG. Stop pin 2
The locking grooves 5 and the locking grooves 28 for locking the slides 3, 24, 15, and 16 slidably in the horizontal direction are provided.

Below the holder member 25, a flexible circuit board 30 on which a predetermined circuit pattern (not shown) including a switch electrode is formed, and a switching member is provided at a position corresponding to the switch electrode as a switching member. A rubber spring 31 is mounted. The rubber spring 31 has a well-known movable electrode inside, and a shaft supporting portion A that supports the two link members 7 and 8 so as to be rotatable with each other is opposed to a central portion of the upper surface thereof. Be placed.

When the key support 1 is pressed down and the shaft support A moves downward, the shaft support A presses the rubber spring 31. When the pressing amount exceeds a certain limit, the rubber spring 31 buckles. And rubber spring 31
The switch electrode is short-circuited by the movable electrode inside.

Further, a switch support plate 32 is provided below the flexible circuit board 30, and the switch support plate 32 is a guide support member that supports the flexible circuit boards 30, the rubber springs 31, and the key tops 1 described above. Supports 6.

Next, the operation of the key switch device having the above configuration will be described. When the key top 1 is pressed down, the first locking pins 13 and 14 of the link member 7 are moved counterclockwise in the locking holes 4 of the rotation locking portion 2 as the key top 1 moves downward. And the second locking pins 23 and 24 of the link member 8 slide horizontally (rightward in FIG. 1) in the locking groove 5 of the sliding locking portion 3. At the same time, the first locking pins 21 and 22 of the link member 8 rotate clockwise in the locking holes 29 of the rotation locking portion 27 of the holder member 25, and the second locking of the link member 7 is performed. The pins 15 and 16 slide horizontally (rightward in FIG. 1) within the locking groove 28 of the sliding locking portion 26.

As a result, the shaft supporting portion A for supporting the link members 7 and 8 with each other moves downward and gradually presses down the rubber spring 31. When the pressing amount exceeds a certain limit, the rubber support 31 is pushed down. The spring 31 is buckled.
Thereby, the movable electrode in the rubber spring 31 short-circuits the switch electrode on the flexible circuit board 30, and a predetermined switching operation is performed.

When the key top 1 is released from being depressed, the shaft supports A of the link members 7 and 8 are pushed upward by the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring 31. Accordingly, the first locking pins 13, 14, 21, 22 and the second locking pins 15, 16, 23, 24 perform the reverse operation, and as a result, the key top 1 It returns to its original position.

Here, the first locking pins 13, 14, 21,
Since the key 22 does not move in the horizontal direction and only rotates in the locking holes 4 and 29, respectively, the key top 1 does not move in the horizontal direction, so that it cannot collide with the adjacent key. Instead, the key top 1 is moved up and down while keeping the key surface horizontal.

The rubber spring 31 has a substantially trapezoidal shape in a side view as described above, and the angle of the side surface resulting from the length and height of the upper base and the lower base is determined according to the desired key touch. . The height of the trapezoid, that is, the height of the rubber spring, is determined according to the keystroke, and a higher one is preferred. However, in view of the thickness of the entire device, it is obvious that this rubber spring cannot be so large.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a large space can be taken below the shaft support A by bending both link members 7 and 8 as described above. Therefore, in the present embodiment, both link members are substantially straight when viewed from the side, as disclosed in JP-A-60-62017 or JP-A-64-2017.
It is possible to obtain a thinner and larger keystroke as compared with a device in which the configuration of the present invention is applied to the device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7441.

Further, as described above, the thickness of the distal ends of the upper base ends 10, 19 of both link members 7, 8 is reduced in side view, so that the key stroke operation is not hindered in the middle. Sufficient stroke can be secured.

As described above in detail, in the key switch device according to the present embodiment, the shaft support A for mutually supporting the two link members 7 and 8 is disposed at a position corresponding to the rubber spring 31 and the key switch is provided. The rubber spring 31 is depressed via the shaft support A. Therefore, a configuration in which the key stem is guided by the key holder portion unlike the conventional key switch device can be completely eliminated, and a key switch device that does not require a special configuration for pressing the rubber spring 31 can be realized.

As a result, the key stroke can be increased in accordance with the thinning of the keyboard, so that the key operability is good and the key input can be performed reliably, and the key top 1 having a simple structure can be used. A low cost key switch device can be provided. In particular, in the key switch device according to the present embodiment, the configuration in which the key stem is guided by the key holder portion can be completely eliminated, so that
Unlike the conventional key switch device, no sliding noise occurs between the key stem and the key holder when the key is pressed, and it is necessary to reduce the key operation area and press the center of the key. Sex is completely lost.

Further, in the key switch device according to the present embodiment, each first locking pin 13 locked in the locking hole 4 of the rotation locking portion 2 and the locking hole 29 of the rotation locking portion 27 is provided. , 14, 21,
Reference numeral 22 indicates that when the key top 1 is depressed, it only rotates in the locking holes 4 and 29 without moving in the horizontal direction.
The key top 1 is not moved in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide a key switch device which has good key operability and can perform key input reliably without colliding between adjacent keys.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the link member 7 in this embodiment,
8 can of course obtain the same effect by the same kind of members combined in a pantograph shape. Further, in the present embodiment, the rubber spring 31 is pressed by the shaft supporting portions A of the link members 7 and 8, but the rubber spring 31 is pressed by the link members 7 and 8 or another member provided on the key top 1. Of course, the same effect can be obtained.

Next, a second configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the key switch. The key switch 101 includes a key top 102 and a first key switch.
A guide support member 103 in which a link 104 and a second link 105 are arranged in a scissors shape in a side view;
Rubber spring 106 in a cap shape pressed at 3
A holder member 107 made of synthetic resin for supporting the guide support member 103; and a lower surface of the holder member 107 such that the switching portion 129 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) faces the mounting hole 107A of the holder member 107. And a reinforcing plate 110 stretched on the lower surface side thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the rubber spring 106 is connected to a switching portion (electric contact portion) 129 of the flexible circuit board 109 (see FIG. 13).
Mounting hole 107 of holder member 107 so as to cover
A is inserted and arranged in A. The rubber spring 106 of the present invention is made of an electrically insulating silicone rubber or EP.
DM (ethylene propylene diene methylene) or the like, a thick disk-shaped thick head 106A and a frusto-conical dome 106B extending downward from the periphery of the head.
And a thick-walled flange portion 106C that extends substantially horizontally and radially outward on the outer periphery of the dome portion 106B, and is integrally formed in a downward open cap shape. When the key top 102 is pressed, the head 106A of the rubber spring 106 pressed by the pressing portion between the first link 104 and the second link 105
A movable contact portion 130 made of conductive rubber having conductivity for contacting the contact portion of the switching portion 129 and electrically turning on and off the switching portions is fixed to the lower surface of the switching member 129. The entire rubber spring 106 may be formed to have conductivity by dispersing and filling conductive particles such as carbon black in silicone rubber.

The key top 102 formed of a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin is provided with characters such as numerals and letters on the upper surface (surface) by engraving or printing. On the lower surface of the key top 102, the front and rear for locking the second locking pins 111A and 111B at the upper base end of the first link 104 to be described later in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be slidable in the front and rear direction of the key top 102. A long groove-shaped sliding locking portion 116 and a first locking pin 113A, 1 at the upper base end of the second link 105;
A pair of left and right locking members 117 integrally provided with a hole-shaped rotation locking portion 115 for locking the 13B so as to be rotatable only is integrally molded or bonded with an adhesive or the like. (See FIG. 6).

Referring to FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B) and FIGS. 8 to 10, first synthetic resin such as glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin is used.
The link 104 and the second link 105 will be described in detail.
FIG. 7A is a plan view of the first link 104, and FIG. 7B is a plan view of the second link 105. The first link 104 is formed integrally with the base 118 and the upper and lower bases 119 and 120 into a substantially H shape in plan view. Base 118
A support hole 121 is formed laterally on the side surface of each of the arm portions 120A, 12A extending from both left and right ends of the lower base end portion 120.
0B, the first locking pins 112A, 112B
Are laterally protruded, and second locking pins 111A and 111B are laterally protruded from the side surface of the upper base end portion 119.

The second link 105 is also formed integrally with the base 122 and the upper and lower bases 123 and 124 in a substantially H-shape in plan view. A pivot shaft 125 protrudes laterally from one side surface of the base 122, and the pivot shaft 125 is connected to the first shaft.
It is rotatably fitted into the support hole 121 of the link 104. On the side surfaces of the arm portions 124A, 124B extending from both left and right ends of the lower base end portion 124 of the second link 105, second locking pins 114A, 114B are respectively provided to protrude sideways, and are provided on the side surfaces of the upper base end portion 123. Is the first locking pin 113
A and 113B protrude sideways.

In this embodiment, a side view (FIGS. 4, 5, 8,
9, 10, 14), the first locking pins 112A, 112B of the first link 104, the support holes 121, and the second locking pins 111A, 111B are located on a straight line, and
The distance from the first locking pins 112A, 112B to the support hole 121 and the distance from the second locking pins 111A, 111B to the support hole 1
The distance to 21 is configured to be equal. Also, the first locking pins 113A, 1
13B, the pivot 125, and the second locking pins 114A, 114
B is located on a straight line, and the first locking pin 113A,
Distance from 113B to pivot 125 and second locking pin 1
It is configured such that the distances from 14A, 114B to the pivot 125 are equal. With this configuration, as described later, the key support 102 is rotated by the guide support member 103 about the first locking pins 112A and 112B at the lower base end of the first link 104, so that the key top 102 is attached to the holder. The elevating operation can be performed while maintaining the parallel state with respect to the upper surface of the member 107.

The base 118 of the first link 104
On the lower surface of the base 122 of the second link 105, pressing portions 131 and 132 having a downwardly convex polygonal shape are formed, respectively. The pressing portions 131 and 132 press the upper surface of the head 106A of the rubber spring 106. become.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 to 10, the first
Pressing portion 131 of link 104 and second link 105
The pressing portion 132 includes two flat portions 131A, 131B and flat portions 132A, 132B that are bent and connected at an obtuse angle at a substantially central portion of the lower surface of each of the base portions 118, 122. Then, the flat portions 131A and 131B, the support holes 12
1 and the flat portions 132A, 132B, the pivot 1
The positional relationship of 25 is the same (however, left-right reversed relationship).

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a part of a holder member 107 made of synthetic resin such as glass fiber reinforced synthetic resin. The holder member 107 has a flange at the lower end of the cap-shaped rubber spring 106. A substantially rectangular mounting hole 107A into which the mounting hole 106C can be inserted without displacement is formed.
27 and a sliding locking portion 128 having a longitudinal groove shape in the front-rear direction are integrally formed by injection so that the locking portions 127 and 128 are opened downward. Then, the first locking pins 112A and 112B at the lower base end of the first link 104 are rotatably fitted into the rotation locking portion 127 from below, and On the other hand, after the second locking pins 114A and 114B at the lower base end of the second link 105 are inserted so as to slide back and forth from below, the holder member 10 is inserted.
The flexible circuit board 109 is stretched and fixed to the lower surface of the substrate 7.

As shown in FIG. 11, the movement of the key top 102 in the left-right direction in FIG. 11 is caused by the second locking pins 111A, 111 of the first link 104 and the second link 105.
B, 114A and 114B move in the left and right directions by sliding engagement portions 116 and 12 of key top 102 and holder member 107.
8 or the first locking pins 113 of the first link 104 and the second link 105.
A, 113B, 112A, and 112B move in the left-right direction by the rotation locking portion 1 of the key top 102 and the holder 107.
It is suppressed by being locked by the side surfaces of 15, 127. Therefore, since the position of the key top 102 does not move in the left-right direction in FIG. 11, even when the key top 102 is pressed, it does not collide with an adjacent key. Further, since the movement of both links 104 and 105 in the left-right direction in FIG. 11 is suppressed, the pivot shaft 125 is prevented from coming off from the support hole 121.

Next, the structure of the guide support member 103 is illustrated in FIG. FIG. 17A illustrates FIG. The first link 104 and the second link 105 are connected to the pivot 12
5, the shaft is supported by the shaft supporting portion C. Here, the second link 1
05 first locking pins 113A, 113B (FIG. 17A)
The distance R1 from the end P of the first link 104 to the shaft support C and the first locking pins 112A and 112B of the first link 104 (FIG. 17).
The distance R2 from the end S) of FIG.
The second locking pins 114A and 114B of the link 105 (FIG. 1)
7 (A) is configured to be equal to the distance R3 from the end T) to the shaft support C. End P, shaft support C and end T
Are configured to be points on a straight line. The ends P and S are rotatable points that do not slide in the arrow X direction in FIG. 17A, and the end P is a side view (FIG. 17A).
It is configured to be a point on the perpendicular to the end S. Therefore, even when the key top 102 is pressed and moved up and down, the position of the key top 102 does not move in the arrow X direction, and an accurate key stroke is secured (FIG. 17).
(C) X line description).

Further, in addition to the above configuration, each end P,
Distances R1, R2, R3 from Q, S, T to the shaft support C,
R4 are all equal, and the end Q, the shaft support C and the end S
Is configured to be a point on a straight line, the key top 102 can keep a horizontal state at all times during the vertical movement accompanying the key press (described in the H row in FIG. 17C).

By the way, as shown in FIG. 18, the distance R4 from the end Q to the shaft support C is made longer than the distances R1, R2, R3 from the other ends P, S, T to the shaft support C. The key top 102 can be configured to be inclined. Also in this configuration, even when the key top 102 is pressed and vertically moved, the position of the key top 102 does not move in the arrow X direction, and an accurate key stroke is secured.

Further, according to this configuration, the key top 10
The inclination angle of 2 can be arbitrarily determined by changing the distance from the end Q to the shaft support C. For this reason, the first
By changing the distance from the end portion Q of the link 104 to the shaft support portion C, it becomes easy to give a different inclination angle to the key top 102 for each row in a curved keyboard or the like.

The distance R4 from the end Q to the shaft support C
Are the distances R1, R from the other ends P, S, T to the shaft support C.
2. Even if it is shorter than R3, the key top 10
Of course, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which 2 is inclined.

FIG. 17B illustrates FIG. With reference to this figure, it will be described that the key top 102 does not move in the directions of the arrow Y and the arrow R in FIG. 17B.

First locking pin 1 of both links 104 and 105
The movement in the direction of arrow Y of 12A, 112B, 113A, 113B is locked by the side surfaces of the rotation locking portions 115, 127 of the key top 102 and the holder member 107, or the second engagement of the links 104, 105. Stop pin 111A,
The movement of the key top 102 and the holder member 107 by the sliding movement of the key top 102 and the holder member 107
6 and 128, the key top 1
Movement in the Y direction of arrow 02 is suppressed (FIG. 17C, Y).
Line). Therefore, even when the key top 102 is pressed and moves up and down, the position of the key top 102 does not move in the arrow Y direction, and an accurate key stroke is secured (FIG. 17 (C) shows the Y line). ).

Each locking pin 111A, 111B, 1
12A, 112B, 113A, 113B, 114A, 1
The movement of the key top 102 in the direction of the arrow R is suppressed by locking the 14B by the locking portions 115, 116, 127, and 128 (described in the R row in FIG. 17C).

With this configuration, when the keytop 102 is pressed, the first link 104 rotates downward (clockwise in FIG. 4) around the rotation locking portion 127 of the holder member 107, while The two links 105 are pivot shafts 12
4 rotates counterclockwise around the position 5. Then, at the start of pressing the keytop 102, the flat portion 131A on the lower surface of the base 118 near the lower base end 120 of the first link 104 and the base portion near the lower base end 124 of the second link 105. 122 and the flat portion 132A on the lower surface of the head portion 106 of the rubber spring 106
Pressing areas 133, 1 indicated by oblique lines in FIG.
34, and presses the rubber spring 106.

When the pressing amount of the key top 102 increases,
Between the flat portions 131A, 131B and 132A, 132
The area near the corner between B is in contact with the upper surface of the head 106A of the soft rubber spring.

When the amount of pressing of the key top 102 further increases, the flat portion 131B of the first link 104 on the side closer to the upper base end portion 119 and the flat portion 132B of the second link 105 on the side closer to the upper base end portion 123 are formed. 12 comes into contact with and presses the upper surface of the head 106A of the rubber spring 106, and the pressing regions 133 and 134 are turned upside down in FIG. 12 (the region 133 is a lower right half area of the head 106A, the region 134 Is the upper left half of the head 106A).

A third configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the base 21 of the first link 204 is
8, the pressing portion 231 formed on the lower surface is formed by connecting three flat portions in a convex polygonal shape having a ridge line substantially parallel to the axis of the support hole 221. Also forms a pressing portion 232 having a similar multi-plane. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15A, the pressing area 233 of the first link 204 and the pressing area 234 of the second link 205 at the start of pressing the keytop 102 are different from the head 10 of the rubber spring.
Although the lower half and the upper half of the upper surface of the 6A are located far apart from each other in the left and right directions, as the amount of pressing of the keytop 102 increases, both pressing areas 233 and 234 approach the center from the left and right ends (FIG. 15 (B)), and further divides toward left and right ends (see FIG. 15 (C)).

In this manner, the pressing portions 231 and 23 of the first link 204 and the second link 205
By forming 2 into a downward convex convex polygon plane,
The period during which the upper surface of the rubber spring head 106A is pressed by the corners of each flat portion is shortened, and the key operation feeling, especially the tactile (ON before the electrical contact ON when the keytop is pressed) is turned on.
The tactile sensation, in which the key operation resistance sometimes fluctuates rapidly, becomes good, and the key input operation can be stabilized.

Further, according to the pressing input operation of the key top 102, the pressing (contact) areas on the upper surface of the head 106A move symmetrically toward the opposite sides, so that at any time during the stoking of the key top. The head 106A of the rubber spring is moved up and down in FIG.
(Left and right sides) can be pressed substantially uniformly with a substantially symmetrical force, and buckling deformation of the rubber spring can be generated substantially simultaneously around the cap.

Note that a substrate such as a membrane switch circuit board may be used instead of the flexible circuit board 109 on which the switching section 129 is formed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the corners are formed between the flat portions, but the flat portions may be connected with a gentle curved surface.

FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the load and the stroke when the key top is pressed. FIG. 16 (B)
Is a graph showing data of a conventional key switch device. According to this, it can be seen that when the operator presses the end portion of the key top, as compared to the case where the operator presses the center of the key top, the load applied to the operator is larger and unstable. .

FIG. 16A is a graph showing data of the key switch device of the present invention. According to this, it is understood that the load applied to the operator is almost uniform even when the operator presses any part of the key top,. This means that the key switch device of the present invention
This is to always give the operator a constant feeling for every key operation of the operator, and indicates that the operator can perform a smooth key input.

[0074]

According to the key switch device of the first aspect,
For example, since the holder member is formed in a plate shape in which the locking portions of the plurality of key switch devices are integrally formed, the number of parts of the key switch device can be reduced correspondingly, and the assembly can be facilitated. In addition to this, there is an effect that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In order to lock the guide support member to the locking portion of the holder member, that is, to the locking portion of the plate-shaped holder member integrally formed with the locking portions of the plurality of key switch devices, The circuit board of the switching member must be disposed on the lower surface of the holder member. In this case, the rubber spring
Since it is disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board disposed below the holder member, it is difficult to transmit the urging force of the rubber spring to the keytop.

However, since the mounting hole is formed in the holder member, the upper end of the rubber spring disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board is projected from the mounting hole to above the holder member. The part can be brought into contact with a key top or a guide support member. Therefore, even if the circuit board is provided on the lower surface of the holder member, the elastic restoring force of the rubber spring provided on the upper surface of the circuit board is transmitted to the key top, and the key top is urged upward. There is an effect that can be.

According to the key switch device of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch device of the first aspect, the rubber spring is provided on the upper surface of the circuit board via the flange formed at the lower end thereof. It is arranged. Since the flange portion of the rubber spring is formed to be smaller than the thickness of the holder member, the flange portion does not protrude upward from the holder member. Therefore, there is an effect that the rubber spring can be disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board without reducing the key stroke by the flange.

According to the key switch device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the key switch device of the first or second aspect, at least a part of the mounting hole of the holder member provided with the rubber spring is provided. Is adapted to the outer shape of the flange of the rubber spring. Therefore, align the rubber spring with the mounting hole,
Since it is possible to dispose the rubber spring in the mounting hole, it is possible to prevent the rubber spring from being displaced. As a result, the switching operation when the keytop is pressed can be reliably performed.

According to the key switch device of the fourth aspect,
A key switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
In addition to the effect of the arrangement,
Guide support for key top up and down movement
The key stem up and down by the holder
This eliminates the need for a sliding guide. So Keith
Thinning the keyboard while maintaining the size of the troke
There is an effect that can be. Also, key operation
Together to improve the work of, twisted no reliable key input
There is an effect that can be made possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a key switch device having a first configuration.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one link member of the first configuration.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the other link member of the first configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a key switch device having a second configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a pressed state of a key top of a second configuration.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the key top.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a first link having a second configuration,
(B) is a top view of the 2nd link of the 2nd composition.

8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG.

9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a rubber spring and a mounting hole.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mounting hole of a holder member.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a pressing portion of a first link having a third configuration.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are operation explanatory diagrams showing a change in a pressing area as the pressing amount increases from the start of pressing the key top of the third configuration.

16A is a graph showing the relationship between the load and the keystroke amount of the key switch device according to the present invention when the key is pressed, and FIG. 16B is a graph showing the load and the keystroke when the key is pressed in the conventional key switch device. It is a graph which shows the relationship of quantity.

17A is a diagram illustrating FIG. 4, and FIG.
FIG. 12 illustrates FIG. 12, and FIG. 12C is a table showing conditions for preventing the key top from moving in the direction of the arrow when the key is pressed.

FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key top 2, 27 Rotation locking part 3, 26 Sliding locking part 4, 29 Lock hole 5, 28 Lock groove 6 Guide support member 7, 8 Link member 25 Holder member 30 Flexible circuit board 31 Rubber spring 101 key switch 102 key top 103 guide support member 104 first link 105 second link 106 rubber spring 106A head (upper end of rubber spring) 106B dome portion 106C flange portion 107 holder member 107A mounting hole 109 flexible circuit board (circuit board) 110 110 Reinforcement plate 115, 127 Rotation locking part 116, 128 Sliding locking part 129 Switching part (electric contact part)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A key top having a locking portion formed on a lower surface thereof; and a holder member disposed below the key top and having a locking portion corresponding to the locking portion of the key top. A guide support member that is connected and locked to each of the locking portions of the key top and the holder member and guides and supports the up and down movement of the key top; A key switch device comprising: a switching member that performs a switching operation in accordance with the up and down movement of the holder; wherein the switching member includes a circuit board having an electrical contact portion disposed below the holder member; A reverse cup-shaped rubber spring having an elastic restoring force disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board so as to cover an upper portion of the electrical contact portion for turning on the contact portion; The holder member is formed in a plate shape in which locking portions of a plurality of key switch devices are integrally formed, and the holder member includes an upper end portion of the rubber spring and the key top or the guide support member. A key switch device, characterized in that a mounting hole is provided to protrude upward from the holder member so as to make contact therewith. 2. The rubber spring is formed independently for each key switch device, and is disposed in a mounting hole of the holder member. The key switch device according to claim 1, wherein a thick flange portion extending from the holder member is formed, and a thickness of the flange portion is formed to be less than a thickness of the holder member. 3. The rubber spring is formed independently for each key switch device and is disposed in a mounting hole of the holder member. A thick flange portion extending from the holder member is formed. At least a part of the mounting hole of the holder member has a shape adapted to the outer shape of the flange portion of the rubber spring. The key switch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The guide support member has an X-shape in a side view.
And it is arranged The first revolvable at the intersection of
And a second link member.
The key switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Place.