JP5936467B2 - Key switch device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a key switch device suitable for a keyboard such as a personal computer.

  Various switch mechanisms are used for keyboards used in personal computers, etc., but since they can be thin, pantograph-type key switch devices widely used in notebook personal computers are known. ing.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a link mechanism is provided under the key top as a key support structure, and a rubber dome switch that is an urging means for returning the depressed key top is provided. As described in Patent Document 1, conventionally, as the link mechanism, a hinge member as a link member is incorporated in an X shape in a side view so as to surround a rubber dome switch provided at the center of the key top. Things are known. Patent Document 1 also proposes a key switch structure in which a rubber dome switch is disposed at a position shifted from the center of the key top, and a plurality of crank-shaped support members are provided around the rubber dome switch.

JP 2012-9386 A

However, the following problems remain in the conventional technology.
That is, if a link member is incorporated in an X-shape in a side view so as to surround the rubber dome switch, the keys do not move in parallel and play occurs before the rubber dome switch operates, resulting in a poor operational feeling. There was a case. In addition, when the end of the key top is pushed down, the key top becomes slanted or the key top is deformed, so that there is a problem that separation of the switch characteristics is large when the center is pushed down. . As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to use a plurality of link members, stabilizers, etc., but this is not preferable because the number of parts increases and the cost increases.
Further, in the case of a small key, the outer diameter of the rubber dome switch is large with respect to the whole, and it is difficult to arrange the key top support member so as to surround the rubber dome switch.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can reduce the difference in switch characteristics between when the center portion of the key top is pushed down and when the end portion of the key top is pushed down. An object of the present invention is to provide a key switch device that can cope with the above.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. That is, the key switch device according to the first invention is a substantially rectangular key top having a plurality of upper locking portions on the back surface, a base plate having a plurality of lower locking portions provided below the key top, A pantograph part disposed between the key top and the base plate and supporting the key top so as to be movable up and down; and an urging mechanism for urging the key top upward, the pantograph parts being parallel to each other An upper inner shaft member and an upper outer shaft member that are pivotally locked to the upper locking portion, respectively, and the lower locking portions that are arranged in parallel to the upper inner shaft member and the upper outer shaft member, respectively. One end is fixed to each of both ends of the lower inner shaft member and the lower outer shaft member, and the upper inner shaft member. A pair of inner link members having the other end fixed to the lower inner shaft member and an inner through hole formed in the middle, and one end fixed to both ends of the upper outer shaft member and the lower outer shaft member A pair of outer link members in which the other end is fixed and an outer through-hole is formed in the middle, and a pair of coupling pins inserted into the inner through-hole and the outer through-hole disposed adjacent to each other, The pantograph portion is installed with the position of the coupling pin disposed on one end side of the key top, and the biasing mechanism is adjacent to the pantograph portion and on the other end of the key top. It is installed in the part side.

  In this key switch device, the pantograph unit is installed with the position of the coupling pin on one end side of the key top, and the biasing mechanism is adjacent to the pantograph unit on the other end of the key top. Since both sides of the key top are supported by the pantograph part and the urging mechanism, the key top can be operated while keeping the key top parallel, and the switch characteristics due to the difference in the depressed position Peeling can be improved. That is, it becomes difficult to push down the key top diagonally, the fixing force of the pantograph portion is strengthened, play during operation is reduced, operational feeling is improved, and noise and rattling during vibration are reduced. In addition, the member that supports the key top is not placed around the biasing mechanism, and the pantograph part and the biasing mechanism are arranged side by side, so it is installed in a small area of a substantially rectangular shape without waste. It can be used with small keys.

A key switch device according to a second invention is the key switch device according to the first invention, wherein the pantograph portion is longer than half of the length of the key top and the end portion is installed beyond the center of the key top. Features.
That is, in this key switch device, since the pantograph portion is longer than half the length of the key top and the end portion is installed beyond the center of the key top, a sufficient stroke is obtained and more stable vertical movement is achieved. Is possible.

A key switch device according to a third invention is the key switch device according to the first or second invention, wherein the upper inner shaft member, the upper outer shaft member, the lower inner shaft member, the lower outer shaft member, the inner link member, The outer link member and the base plate are all made of metal.
That is, in this key switch device, the shaft member, the link member and the base plate that form the link mechanism are all made of metal, so that the entire pantograph portion and the base plate are highly rigid, and the key top is pushed down. The bending at the time of hitting is suppressed. In particular, the pair of inner link members are connected by a metal inner shaft member and the pair of outer link members are also connected by a metal outer shaft member, so that bending occurs in the extending direction of the shaft member. It is difficult to push down the key top diagonally.

The present invention has the following effects.
According to the key switch device of the present invention, the pantograph part is installed with the position of the coupling pin on one end side of the key top, and the biasing mechanism is adjacent to the pantograph part. Because it is installed on the other end side of the top, it can operate while keeping the key top parallel, and it can improve the peeling of the switch characteristics due to the difference in the push-down position. Can be supported.
Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the size of the key, reduce play during operation, improve operational feeling, and reduce noise and rattling during vibration.

In one Embodiment of the key switch apparatus which concerns on this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the pantograph part and rubber dome switch which were installed in the back surface of the key top. In this embodiment, it is a perspective view which shows the pantograph part and rubber dome switch which were installed on the baseplate. In this embodiment, it is a top view which shows a key switch apparatus. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, it is a disassembled perspective view which shows a key switch apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a key switch device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the key switch device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a substantially rectangular key top 4 having a plurality of upper locking portions 3 on the back surface, and a plurality of key switches 4 provided below the key top 4. A base plate 6 having a lower locking portion 5, a pantograph portion 7 that is disposed between the key top 4 and the base plate 6 and supports the key top 4 so as to be movable up and down, and an urging force that urges the key top 4 upward. A rubber dome switch 8 that functions as a mechanism is provided.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the key switch device 1 includes a membrane 9 that is a membrane switch that is installed on a base plate 6 and includes a switch wiring, and a rubber key sheet 10 that is installed on the membrane 9. I have. The rubber dome switch 8 is installed on the rubber key sheet 10 and its upper end is in contact with the back surface of the key top 4.
The key top 4 is substantially rectangular in a plan view from the front surface side, and is formed in a U-shaped cross section so as to surround the pantograph portion 7 on the back surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the pantograph portion 7 is arranged in parallel with each other, and an upper inner shaft member 11 and an upper outer shaft member 12 that are rotatably locked to the upper locking portion 3, respectively. A lower inner shaft member 13 and a lower outer shaft member 14 which are arranged in parallel to the upper inner shaft member 11 and the upper outer shaft member 12 and are rotatably locked to the lower locking portion 5, respectively, and an upper inner shaft member 11, a pair of inner link members 15 each having one end fixed to the lower inner shaft member 13 and the other end fixed to the lower inner shaft member 13 and having an inner through hole 15a formed in the middle, and both ends of the upper outer shaft member 12. A pair of outer link members 16 having one end fixed and the other end fixed to the lower outer shaft member 14 and an outer through hole formed in the middle; And a pair of coupling pins 17 which are inserted into the inner through-hole 15a disposed adjacent the outer through holes are.

  The pantograph unit 7 is installed with the position of the coupling pin 17 on one end side of the key top 4, and a rubber dome switch 8, which is an urging mechanism, is adjacent to the pantograph unit 7. It is installed on the other end side of the top 4. That is, the pantograph portion 7 and the rubber dome switch 8 are separately provided on both end sides of the key top 4, and the key top 4 is arranged in the extending direction with the upper outer shaft member 12 and the upper inner shaft member 11. It is supported at three locations with the rubber dome switch 8.

  The pantograph portion 7 is longer in the extending direction of the key top 4, and the inner link member 15 and the outer link member 16 are longer than the shaft members and extend in the extending direction of the key top 4. doing. Further, the inner link member 15 and the outer link member 16 are assembled together in an X shape by a connecting pin 17. The coupling pin 17 is positioned with an outer end portion disposed in a groove 4 a formed inside the side surface portion of the key top 4. The groove 4 a is provided at a position that is shifted from the center of the key top 4 and close to one end side.

  The upper inner shaft member 11, the upper outer shaft member 12, the lower inner shaft member 13, the lower outer shaft member 14, the inner link member 15, the outer link member 16, and the base plate 6 are all made of metal. For example, the upper inner shaft member 11, the upper outer shaft member 12, the lower inner shaft member 13, and the lower outer shaft member 14 are formed of, for example, an aluminum alloy, and the inner link member 15 and the outer link member 16 are formed of an Fe-based metal. Has been. The base plate 6 is formed of a metal plate.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rubber dome switch 8 is integrally formed with a connecting pin 8a on the central axis. When the upper portion of the rubber dome switch 8 is pushed down together with the key top 4, the lower end of the connecting pin 8a pushes down a predetermined portion of the membrane 9 through the hole 10a of the lower rubber key sheet 10, and the contact formed at the predetermined portion is electrically connected. Are connected to each other.

The upper locking portion 3 locks the upper inner shaft member 11 and the upper outer shaft member 12 in a rotatable manner.
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper locking portion 3 is a pair of first openings that are open to the side and are formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section and rotatably support both end portions of the upper outer shaft member 12. A locking portion 3 a and a second locking portion 3 b that opens downward and is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section and rotatably supports the upper inner shaft member 11 are formed on the back surface of the key top 4. ing.
The upper outer shaft member 12 is supported by a pair of first locking portions 3a that are open in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction and slidable in the plane direction of the key top 4.

The lower locking portion 5 includes a pair of third locking portions 5a that are open to the side and are formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section and rotatably support both ends of the lower inner shaft member 13. A pair of fourth locking portions 5 b that are open and formed in a circular arc shape and support both ends of the lower outer shaft member 14 are formed on the upper surface of the base plate 6.
The lower inner shaft member 13 is supported by a third locking portion 5a that opens in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction and is slidable in the plane direction of the key top 4.

  Inner end holes into which the ends of the upper inner shaft member 11 or the lower inner shaft member 13 are fitted are formed at both ends of the inner link member 15, and the upper outer shaft member is formed at both ends of the outer link member 16. 12 or the outer end hole into which the end of the lower outer shaft member 14 is fitted is formed.

  The portion of the inner link member 15 in which the inner through hole 15a is formed (center portion) and the portion in which the inner end hole is formed (both ends) are formed wider than the other portions in the axial direction and have rigidity. It is set not to decrease. Similarly, the portion of the outer link member 16 in which the outer through hole is formed (center portion) and the portion in which the outer end hole is formed (both ends) are also formed wider than other portions in the axial direction. The rigidity is set so as not to decrease.

The base plate 6 includes a pair of intermediate relief holes 6a formed immediately below the pair of coupling pins 17, and four end clearances formed immediately below both ends of the inner link member 15 and the outer link member 16. And a hole 6b. These end clearance holes 6 b are formed so that both end portions of the inner link member 15 and the outer link member 16 do not contact the base plate 6.
Each of the lower locking portions 5 is formed by bending a metal plate base plate 6.

  As described above, in the key switch device 1 of the present embodiment, the pantograph portion 7 is installed with the position of the coupling pin 17 disposed on one end side of the key top 4, and the rubber dome switch 8 is provided with the pantograph portion. Since it is installed on the other end side of the key top 4 adjacent to the portion 7, both end portions of the key top 4 are supported by the pantograph portion 7 and the rubber dome switch 8. In addition to being able to operate while maintaining parallelism, it is possible to improve the separation of the switch characteristics due to the difference in the depressed position. That is, it becomes difficult for the key top 4 to be pushed down obliquely, the fixing force of the pantograph portion 7 is strengthened, play during operation is reduced, operational feeling is improved, and noise and backlash during vibration are reduced. In particular, since the member that supports the key top is not disposed around the urging mechanism, and the pantograph portion 7 and the rubber dome switch 8 are disposed adjacent to each other, a small area of a substantially rectangular shape is formed. It can be installed without waste and can accommodate small keys.

In addition, since the pantograph portion 7 is longer than half the length of the key top 4 and the end portion is installed beyond the center of the key top 4, a sufficient stroke can be obtained and more stable vertical movement is possible. Become.
Further, since each of the shaft member, each link member and the base plate 6 serving as a link mechanism are all made of metal, the entire pantograph portion 7 and the base plate 6 become highly rigid, and the key top 4 is pushed down. Is suppressed. In particular, since the pair of inner link members 15 are connected by a metal inner shaft member and the pair of outer link members 16 are also connected by a metal outer shaft member, the shaft member is bent in the extending direction of the shaft member. It is difficult for the key top 4 to be pushed obliquely.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Key switch apparatus, 3 ... Upper latch part, 3a ... 1st latch part, 3b ... 2nd latch part, 4 ... Key top, 5 ... Lower latch part, 5a ... 3rd latch part, 5b ... 4th locking part, 6 ... Base plate, 7 ... Pantograph part, 8 ... Rubber dome switch (biasing mechanism), 11 ... Upper inner shaft member, 12 ... Upper outer shaft member, 13 ... Lower inner shaft member, 14 ... Lower outer shaft member, 15 ... inner link member, 16 ... outer link member, 17 ... coupling pin

Claims (3)

A substantially rectangular key top having a plurality of upper locking portions on the back surface;
A base plate provided below the key top and having a plurality of lower locking portions;
A pantograph portion that is arranged between the key top and the base plate and supports the key top so as to be movable up and down;
An urging mechanism for urging the key top upward;
An upper inner shaft member and an upper outer shaft member, wherein the pantograph portions are arranged in parallel with each other and are rotatably locked to the upper locking portions;
A lower inner shaft member and a lower outer shaft member, which are arranged in parallel to the upper inner shaft member and the upper outer shaft member and are respectively rotatably locked to the lower locking portion;
A pair of inner link members each having one end fixed to both ends of the upper inner shaft member and the other end fixed to the lower inner shaft member and having an inner through hole formed in the middle;
A pair of outer link members each having one end fixed to both ends of the upper outer shaft member and the other end fixed to the lower outer shaft member and having an outer through-hole formed in the middle;
A pair of coupling pins inserted through the inner through hole and the outer through hole disposed adjacent to each other;
The pantograph unit, wherein with offset from the center of the key top is installed by disposing the coupling pin to a position closer to one end side of the key top, wherein the biasing mechanism, the pantograph unit A key switch device, wherein the key switch device is installed adjacent to the other end of the key top. The key switch device according to claim 1,
The key switch device characterized in that the pantograph portion is longer than half of the length of the key top and the end portion is installed beyond the center of the key top. The key switch device according to claim 1 or 2,
The upper inner shaft member, the upper outer shaft member, the lower inner shaft member, the lower outer shaft member, the inner link member, the outer link member, and the base plate are all formed of metal. Key switch device.

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