JP2013114984A - Key switch, keyboard, and mobile information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a key switch that has a structure in which a key top is raised only at the time of operation, as well as a low profile, and can obtain a clear operation feeling even with a relatively short operation stroke.
A panel in which a switch part is disposed, a pair of link members arranged on the panel so that they can be raised and lowered with their tips meshing with each other, and attached to the tips of the pair of link members. With key tops. When the pair of link members lie down on the panel, the elastic linear member is connected between the base portions of the pair of link members with a natural length. In addition, by applying an external force to the elastic linear member, tension is applied to the elastic linear member, the tip ends of the pair of link members are erected, and the key top is protruded so that it can be pushed down. Parts are provided.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a key switch, a keyboard, and a portable information processing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an input device using a spring member such as a coil spring and a dome-shaped elastic operating member having an operation function of a contact portion is known in order to give a key input a click feeling.
Also, in recent years, there is a tendency to lower the height like a key switch mounted on a keyboard of a portable information processing device such as a notebook personal computer. There is a demand for key switches that provide a feeling of operation.

For example, see Patent Document 1. In this key switch, “the respective locking shafts 26 of the first link member 12 constituting the guide member 14 can be slid within the length L of the third locking portion 40, and the second By making each locking shaft 26 of the link member 13 slidable within the range of the length L of the fourth locking portion 41, the amount of pressing force applied to the upper surface of the key top 11 by the operator's finger is increased. Depending on the direction of the sheath pressing force, the key top 11 is connected to the locking shaft 26 of the first link member 12 and the locking shaft 26 of the second link member 13 based on the coupling action by the coil spring 15. It is configured to be moved within a range of a length L that can be slid by the sliding groove in the portion 40 and the fourth locking portion 41.
As a result, the key top can be moved within the range in which the lower end of each link member can slide following the pressing operation of the key top to prevent the operator from accumulating fatigue from an ergonomic standpoint. In addition, a key switch device capable of remarkably improving the operability of the key top, a keyboard including the key switch device, and an electronic device including the keyboard can be provided.

JP 2001-195948 A

  The key switch has a structure that raises the key top only at the time of operation, as well as a low height, and can obtain a clear operation feeling even with a relatively short operation stroke, a key switch, a keyboard equipped with a key switch, and further A portable information processing apparatus using the keyboard is desired.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a pair of links in which a switch portion is disposed and a distal end side of the panel are arranged so that they can be raised and lowered by engaging and disengaging the distal ends thereof on the panel. In a key switch comprising a member and a key top attached to the tip side of the pair of link members, the pair of links when the pair of link members are lying on the panel from the tip to the base of both An elastic linear member that connects the base portions of the member with a natural length, and a movable portion that can move independently of the operation of the pair of link members and the key top. By applying an external force in a direction transverse to the member, tension is applied to the elastic linear member, the base portions of the pair of link members are moved closer to each other on the panel, and the pair of link members are erected. And so as to depression operably project the key tops through the distal end side of the link member, to provide a key switch, characterized in that.

  In the above configuration, the movable portion protrudes from the panel and abuts against the intermediate portion of the elastic linear member, and presses the elastic linear member across the intermediate portion of the elastic linear member so as to be elastic. It is a movable shaft portion that applies tension to the linear member.

  In addition, the movable part is on the panel, fixes the intermediate part of the natural-length elastic linear member, and moves the fixed part of the intermediate part of the elastic linear member relative to the panel to move the elastic linear member It is a movable panel which gives tension to the.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a pair of links in which the switch portion is disposed and the front end side is arranged so that the front end side can be raised and lowered by meshing the front end with each other and moving the base portions closer to and away from each other on the panel. A keyboard comprising a plurality of key switches each including a member and a key top attached to the distal end side of the pair of link members, wherein the key switch is any one of claims 1 to 3. Provided is a keyboard characterized by being the key switch described.

  In yet another aspect of the present invention, a pair of panels in which the switch portion is arranged and a pair of tips are arranged so that the tip side can be raised and lowered by meshing the tips with each other and moving the bases close to and away from each other on the panel. A keyboard housing on which a plurality of key switches each including a link member and a key top attached to the distal end side of the pair of link members are mounted; and an opening / closing lid portion that houses the key switches on the keyboard housing. In the portable information processing apparatus provided, the key switch is the key switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and the movable part is movable in conjunction with an opening / closing operation of the opening / closing lid part, Provided is a portable information processing apparatus comprising an interlocking mechanism that transmits a moving force to an opening / closing lid by an opening / closing operation of an opening / closing lid.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a key switch that has a structure that raises the key top only at the time of operation as well as shortening the height and that can provide a clear operation feeling even with a relatively short operation stroke.

It is typical side surface explanatory drawing which shows the key switch which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is typical plane explanatory drawing of the key switch shown in FIG. It is typical side surface explanatory drawing in the state which pushed down the key top of the key switch shown in FIG. It is a typical plane explanatory view of the key switch shown in FIG. It is typical side surface explanatory drawing which shows an example of the notebook-type personal computer carrying the key switch which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the top view which showed arrangement | positioning of the key switch in the notebook type personal computer shown in FIG. It is typical side surface explanatory drawing which shows the state which closed the cover part of the notebook type personal computer shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a key switch according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cut perspective view of the key switch shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of key switch arrangement and a mechanism for operating the key switch in an interlocking manner in a notebook computer equipped with a key switch according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10B is a schematic enlarged plan explanatory view of the panel surface of the key switch in the state in which the lid of the notebook computer is closed in the notebook computer equipped with the key switch shown in FIG. FIG. 10B is a schematic enlarged plan explanatory view of the panel surface of the key switch in a state in which the lid of the notebook computer is opened in the notebook computer equipped with the key switch shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the key switch which abbreviate | omitted the key top in the state which closed the cover part of the notebook type personal computer. It is a perspective view of the key switch which abbreviate | omitted the key top in the state which opened the cover part of the notebook type personal computer.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the key switch 1. The key switch 1 is configured such that the front end side can be raised and lowered by meshing the front end with a panel 2 on which a switch portion (described later) is disposed and moving the base portions closer to and away from each other on the panel 2. A pair of link members 3 and a key top 4 attached to the tip 31 side of the pair of link members 3 are provided. When the pair of link members 3 are in a lying state on the panel 2 from the distal ends 31 to the base portions 32 of the key switch 1, an elastic wire that connects the base portions 32 of the pair of link members 3 with a natural length. And a movable part 6 movable independently of the operation of the pair of link members 3 and the key top 4.
With the configuration as described above, the key switch 1 applies a tension to the elastic linear member 5 by applying an external force in a direction transverse to the natural length elastic linear member 5 by the movable portion 6. The base portions 32 of the link members 3 are moved closer to each other on the panel 2 to erect the pair of link members 3 so that the key top 4 protrudes through the distal end sides 31 of the pair of link members 3 so that the key top 4 can be pushed down. I have to.

The panel 2 is a substantially rectangular frame-shaped member having a switch portion 7 disposed at the center (see FIG. 3). The switch unit 7 does not show details, but here, for example, a sheet-like switch having electrical contacts, that is, a membrane switch composed of a pair of conductive contacts carried on two film-like circuit boards and arranged to face each other. Adopted.
Two sets (a total of four) of slide guide portions 21 are provided on the upper surface of the panel 2 so as to face each other with the center portion interposed therebetween. The slide guide portion 21 has a guide groove 21a, and the base portion 32 side of the pair of link members 3 is slidably engaged with the guide groove 21a via the slide shaft portion 32a.
Each set of slide guide portions 21 is disposed so as to be separated in the sliding direction of the link member 3. When the base 32 side of the pair of link members 3 is guided to the slide guide portion 21 via the slide shaft portion 32a, when the key top 4 is pushed down to the lower limit position of the lifting stroke, the pair of link members 3 is They are in a lying state on the panel 2 without overlapping each other.
The panel 2 is formed with an elongated hole 22 adjacent to the switch portion 7 so that the movable portion 6 (hereinafter referred to as the movable shaft portion 6) can be inserted and moved.

The pair of link members 3 are integrally formed by, for example, resin molding, and are used in a state of being rotatably engaged with the meshing teeth 31 a and 31 b of the link members 3.
As described above, the link member 3 includes the base portion 32 and a pair of arm portions 33 and 33 that extend in parallel with each other on both sides of the base portion 32.
The link member 3 is attached with a key top 4 to be described later via a rotation shaft 31 c provided at the tip 31.

The key top 4 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and has a protruding portion 4a protruding on the lower surface on the opposite side of the upper surface as the operation surface. The front end 31 side of the link member 3 is rotatably attached to the protruding portion 4a via a rotation shaft 31c of the link member 3. As a result, the pair of link members 3 and the key top 4 are interlocked to allow the key top 4 to move up and down.
Although not shown, the key top 4 has a pressing operation of the switch unit 7 corresponding to the switch unit 7 at the center of the panel 2 at the center of the lower surface opposite to the upper surface as the operation surface. An operation projection for performing the above is provided.

The elastic linear member 5 is connected between the base portions 32 of the pair of link members 3 described above. For the elastic linear member 5, for example, a urethane-based resin can be used. In this case, the pair of link members 3 are in a lying state on the panel 2 (see FIG. 3), that is, the key top 4 is in a natural length where no tension is generated in the lowest position (see FIG. 4).
In the elastic linear member 5, the movable shaft portion 6 protruding from the long hole 22 formed in the panel 2 is in contact with an intermediate portion of the elastic linear member 5.

The mechanism configuration of the key switch 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is as described above. Next, FIG. 5 shows an example of a notebook personal computer 10 on which the key switch 1 is mounted, which will be described below. .
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an example of the notebook computer 10. The notebook personal computer 10 includes a keyboard housing 101 and an opening / closing lid 102 on which a display unit such as a liquid crystal is mounted.
A plurality of key switches 1 according to the present invention are mounted on the keyboard casing 101. Further, in the notebook personal computer 10, the plurality of key switches 1 raises the key top 4 in an operable state when the opening / closing lid 102 is opened, and keys when the opening / closing lid 102 is closed. An interlocking mechanism unit 103 that retracts the top on the housing 101 in an interlocking manner is provided.

  The interlocking mechanism unit 103 is attached to, for example, an interlocking panel 104 disposed in the casing 101 immediately below the mounting surface of the key switch 1 of the keyboard casing 101 (see FIG. 6) and the rotation shaft 105 of the opening / closing lid section 102. The transmission mechanism 106 and a connecting member 107 that connects the transmission mechanism 106 and the interlocking panel 104 are provided. The movable panel 6 of the key switch 1 on the keyboard housing 101 is fixed to the interlock panel 104.

Next, functions and operations of the key switch 1 mounted on the notebook computer 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the notebook PC 10 is in a state in which an open / close lid 102 having a display unit such as a liquid crystal is closed on a keyboard housing 101 on which the key switch 1 is mounted, as shown in FIG. is there. In this state, the key switch 1 on the keyboard housing 101 has the pair of link members 3 lying on the panel 2 and the key top 4 in the lowest position, as shown in FIG. That is, a pair of link members 3 are in a lying state on the panel 2, and the elastic linear members 5 connected between the base portions 32 of the link members 3 are in a natural length state (see FIG. 4). 3 is located at a position lower than the height of the pair of arm portions 33, 33, and the key top 4 has a protruding portion 4 a in contact with the panel 2. Further, the switch portion 7 is connected to the switch portion 7 at the center of the panel 2. 7 is in a state where the operation projection for performing the pressing operation 7 is in contact.
Therefore, the key switch 1 is held at a height from the protruding portion 4a, which is substantially a portion where the key top 4 is attached to the link member 3, to the upper surface of the key top 4. Since the elastic linear member 5 between the base portions 32 of the link member 3 is in a natural length state, the link member 3 is not subjected to any stress from the elastic linear member 5, and the key top 4 is maintained in the lowest state. The

Next, when using the notebook personal computer 10, when the opening / closing lid 102 is opened from the keyboard housing 101, the rotation shaft 105 of the opening / closing lid 102 rotates and the transmission attached to the rotation shaft 105 is transmitted. The mechanism 106 operates and the interlocking panel 104 is moved rightward in the drawing via the connecting member 107 (see FIG. 5).
As a result, all the movable shaft portions 6 on the interlocking panel 104 move through the long holes 22 in the panels 2 of the individual key switches 1, whereby the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the elastic linear member 5 extends. Next, the elastic linear member 5 is pulled through the intermediate portion (see FIG. 2). As a result, tension is generated in the elastic linear member 5 so as to return to the natural length, and this tension acts so as to draw the base portion 32 of the pair of link members 3 toward the center portion of the panel 2. As a result, the pair of link members 3 has the base 32 side moved through the guide groove 21a in the slide guide portion 21 of the panel 2 via the slide shaft portion 32a, and the meshing teeth 31a and 31b of the tip 31 are engaged. Thus, the tip 31 side rises, and the key top 4 can be raised to a state where the key can be operated (see FIG. 1).

In a state where the key top 4 stands up in a state where key operation is possible, the movable shaft portion 6 protruding from the long hole 22 of the panel 2 connects the elastic linear member 5 between the base portions 32 of the pair of link members 3. Since the pair of link members 3 is always pulled in a standing state because the pair of link members 3 are pulled in the direction orthogonal to the straight line (see FIG. 2). When the key top 4 is pushed down in this state, a tensile force is further applied to the elastic linear member 5, and the pushing force on the key top 4 increases to a certain pushed position. That is, the pair of link members 3 lie down so as to be in a substantially straight line, the axial direction of the link member 3 becomes a substantially straight line, and the linear direction passes through both bases 32 that fix the elastic linear member 5. The push-down force increases until just before the state becomes substantially parallel.
Then, when the pair of link members 3 fall down and become substantially straight, and are in a state substantially parallel to the linear direction passing through both bases 32 that fix the elastic linear member 5, the pressing force is suddenly reduced. When the pressing force is suddenly reduced, the operator is perceived as a click feeling. Further, when the key top 3 is pressed, the operation protrusion of the key top 4 is now centered on the panel 2. The switch part 7 can be pressed and the contact part of the switch part 7 can be closed.

  When the operation of closing the contact portion of the switch portion 7, that is, the key operation is completed, if the operator releases the hand, the key top 4 is moved to the base portion 32 of the pair of link members 3 by the restoring force of the elastic linear member 5. As a result, the base 32 side of the pair of link members 3 moves in the guide groove 21a in the slide guide portion 21 of the panel 2 via the slide shaft portion 32a, and The tip 31 side rises with the meshing teeth 31a and 31b engaged, and the key top 4 can be raised to a state where the key can be operated (see FIG. 1).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is a limit to the reduction in the height of the key switch due to the presence of the elastic operation member that operates in the vertical direction as in the past. By omitting the elastic actuating member to be used and using the elastic linear member arranged so as to expand and contract in the lateral direction, the height of the key switch can be further reduced. In addition, the elastic linear member increases the pressing force to the pressing position where the key top is located, and the pressing force suddenly decreases when the pair of link members lie down and become substantially straight, giving a clear operational feeling. Can be presented.
And according to a notebook computer using such a key switch, this key switch rises only when the lid is opened and the key is operated, and the link member is lying on the panel by closing the lid. The key top is maintained at the lowest position as a position lower than the height of the pair of arms of the link member in the lying state in a state where the elastic linear member connected between the base end portions of the link member is in a natural length state. Can contribute to reducing the thickness of the PC body.

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above. That is, the key switch 1 can be configured as the second embodiment shown in FIGS. In the second embodiment, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
In the key switch 1, a movable panel 6 is disposed on the panel 2 of the key switch 1 as a movable portion that can move independently of the operation of the key top 4 and the link member 3. In this case, the movable panel 6 is formed with a pair of through holes 6a and 6a corresponding to the slide guide portion 21 on the panel 2 of the key switch 1 with the center portion interposed therebetween. The movable panel 6 is formed with an operation hole 6 b through which the operation protrusion of the key top 4 is inserted, corresponding to the switch portion 7 in the panel 2 of the key switch 1.
Then, the elastic linear member 5 is stretched between the pair of through holes 6a and 6a so as to be close to the operation hole 6b, and the intermediate point of the elastic linear member 5 is fixed to the movable panel 6. 6 is provided with a fixed portion 6c. Further, locking portions 51, 51 for locking the base portions 32 of the pair of link members 3 are attached to both ends of the elastic linear member 5.

Here, the link member 3 is formed of a substantially rectangular member, and the base portion 32 is engaged with the slide guide portion 21 on the panel 2 so as to be movable via the slide shaft portion 32a.
Further, a notch 34 is formed in the mutually opposite central portion of the tip 31 of the link member 3, and the operation protrusion of the key top 4 contacts the switch portion 7 in the panel 2 via the operation hole 6 b of the movable panel 6. I can do it.

Next, the notebook personal computer 10 equipped with the key switch 1 according to the second embodiment as described above will be described.
FIG. 10 a is a schematic perspective view of another example of the notebook computer 10. Here, when a plurality of key switches 1 are mounted on the keyboard casing 101, the movable panel 6 as a movable portion is configured as a movable panel 6 having a size that covers the panels 2 of all the mounted key switches 1. . Also here, as with the notebook computer 10 shown in FIG. 5, the movable panel 6 is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing lid portion 102 by the interlocking mechanism portion 103 provided in the notebook computer 10. Yes. That is, in the movable panel 6, the rotation shaft 105 of the opening / closing lid portion 102 rotates to operate the transmission mechanism 106 attached to the rotation shaft 105, and the movable panel 6 is interlocked via the connecting member 107.

  When the open / close lid portion 102 of the notebook computer 10 is in a closed state, the pair of link members 3 of the key switch 1 on the keyboard housing 101 are in a lying state on the movable panel 6, and the key top 4 is It is in the lowest state (see FIGS. 10b and 11). At this time, the elastic linear member 5 disposed between the pair of through holes 6a, 6a remains in a natural length, and the pair of link members 3 are not subjected to any stress, and the key top 4 is at the lowest position. Maintain state.

  Next, when the opening / closing lid portion 102 is opened from the keyboard housing 101, the interlocking mechanism portion 103 causes the movable panel 6 to slide on the panel 2 of the key switch 1 mounted on the housing 101 (FIGS. 10a and 10c). reference). As a result, the fixing portion 6c for fixing the intermediate point of the elastic linear member 5 moves, so that stress is applied to the elastic linear member 5, and the locking portions 51 and 51 at both ends of the elastic linear member 5 are moved. The base portion 32 of the link member 3 is pressed through, so that the tip 31 of the link member 3 rises in the engaged state via the meshing teeth 31a, 31b, the key top 4 is raised, and the key operation is performed. A ready state is reached (see FIG. 12).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key switch 2 Panel 21 Slide guide part 21a Guide groove 22 Elongate hole 3 Link member 31 Tip 31a, 31b Engagement tooth 31c Rotating shaft 32 Base 32a Slide shaft part 33 Arm part 34 Notch part 4 Key top 4a Protrusion part 5 Elasticity Linear member 51 Locking part 6 Movable part (movable shaft part, movable panel)
6a Through-hole 6b Operation hole 6c Fixing part 7 Switch part 10 Notebook PC 101 Keyboard housing 102 Opening / closing lid part 103 Interlocking mechanism part 104 Interlocking panel 105 Rotating shaft 106 Transmission mechanism 107 Connecting member

Claims (5)

A panel in which the switch portion is disposed, a pair of link members in which the distal ends mesh with each other and the base portions are moved closer to and away from each other on the panel so that the distal end side can be raised and lowered; In a key switch comprising a key top attached to the distal end side of the link member,
When the pair of link members are in a lying state on the panel from both ends to the base, an elastic linear member that connects the bases of the pair of link members with a natural length;
A movable part that is movable independently of the operation of the pair of link members and the key top,
By applying an external force in a direction transverse to the natural length elastic linear member by the movable portion, tension is applied to the elastic linear member, and the base portions of the pair of link members are mutually connected on the panel. A key switch characterized in that the pair of link members are stood up by being moved closer to each other and the key top is projected so as to be able to be pressed down via the distal end sides of the pair of link members.   The movable portion protrudes from the panel and is brought into contact with an intermediate portion of the elastic linear member, and is pressed so as to cross the elastic linear member via the intermediate portion of the elastic linear member. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the key switch is a movable shaft portion that applies tension to the elastic linear member.   The movable part is on the panel, fixes an intermediate part of the natural-length elastic linear member, and moves the fixed part of the intermediate part of the elastic linear member with respect to the panel. The key switch according to claim 1, wherein the key switch is a movable panel that applies tension to the elastic linear member. A panel in which the switch portion is disposed, a pair of link members in which the distal ends mesh with each other and the base portions are moved closer to and away from each other on the panel so that the distal end side can be raised and lowered; In a keyboard configured by mounting a plurality of key switches including a key top attached to the distal end side of the link member,
The said key switch is a key switch of any one of Claims 1-3, The keyboard characterized by the above-mentioned. A panel in which the switch portion is disposed, a pair of link members in which the distal ends mesh with each other and the base portions are moved closer to and away from each other on the panel so that the distal end side can be raised and lowered; Portable information provided with a keyboard housing having a plurality of key switches each having a key top attached to the tip end side of the link member, and an open / close lid for housing the key switches on the keyboard housing In the processing device,
The key switch is the key switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The movable part is movable in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing lid part,
A portable information processing apparatus, comprising: an interlocking mechanism portion that transmits a moving force to the movable portion by an opening / closing operation of the opening / closing lid portion.

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