JPH11134968A - Key top hinge structure - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a key top hinge structure that can be reduced in size and thickness while maintaining high strength. SOLUTION: A hinge made of a synthetic resin film having flexibility between the key tops 10-1, 2, 3, and the key top support member 30 so that the key tops 10-1, 2, 3, 3 can swing freely. They are connected by plates 50-1, 2, and 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key top for pressing a push button switch and the like, and more particularly to a key top hinge structure for swingably attaching the key top to a key top support member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional key top structure. As shown in FIG.
The key tops 90-1 to 90-3 in various shapes are connected to the frame 95 by hinges 93. Key top 90
-1 to 3, the hinge 93 and the frame 95 are integrally formed of synthetic resin. Each key top 90-1 is provided on the upper surface of the frame 95.
A nameplate 97 having a hole 99 penetrating therethrough is attached.

When any one of the key tops 90-1 to 90-3 is pressed, the hinge 93 bends, so that the key top 90-1 is pressed.
1 to 3 swing downward, and switch contacts (not shown) disposed immediately below the key tops 90-1 to 90-3 are turned on.

[0004] In recent years, along with miniaturization and thinning of equipment, there has been a demand for miniaturization and thinning of a key top structure.
For example, it is required to reduce the interval between the key tops 90-1 and 90-3 arranged in parallel and the key top 90-3, and to reduce the thickness of the key top structure itself.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional key top structure, the hinge 93 needs to have a predetermined length in order to be easily bent, and therefore, the key tops 90-1 and 90-2 arranged in parallel. And key top 90-3
There was a limit to narrowing the gap between them. Also hinge 9
No. 3 requires durability against being bent many times, so that it cannot be made so thin, and there is a limit to thinning of the key top structure.

The key tops 90-
In order to reduce the interval between the key tops 1 and 2 and the key top 90-3, a method in which the direction of the key top 90-3 is reversed and the hinge 93 is mounted outward as shown in FIG.

However, in the case of such a configuration, the key tops 90-1 and 90-3 of the frame 95 and the key top 90-3 are formed.
Since there is no intermediate portion a (see FIG. 6), the strength of the central portion is weakened, and when any one of the key tops 90-1 to 90-3 is pressed, the central portion b of the nameplate 97 (see FIG. 7) is bent. As a result, there is a problem not only in appearance but also in strength.

Even with this configuration, the length of the hinge 93 itself cannot be reduced, and there is a limit to miniaturization and thinning.

On the other hand, as a method of further narrowing the interval between key tops while maintaining the length of the hinge at a predetermined length, there is a method of attaching the hinge of one key top so as to go under the other key top. Not only the structure becomes complicated, but also the thinning is hindered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a key top hinge structure that can be reduced in size and thickness while maintaining high strength.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a key top hinge structure for connecting a key top and a key top supporting member so that the key top can swing freely. The key top and the key top support member were connected by a hinge plate made of a synthetic resin film having flexibility. Further, a through-hole is provided in the key-top support member, the key-top is arranged in the through-hole, and the outer periphery of the hinge plate is projected from the outer periphery of the key-top to reduce a gap between the through-hole and the key-top. It is more preferable to form it in a hidden shape. More preferably, a plurality of key tops are attached to one hinge plate, and a slit is provided in the hinge plate to partition between the plurality of key tops attached to the hinge plate.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a push button switch mechanism using a hinge structure of a key top according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a hinge plate 50-1, 2, 2 made of a transparent synthetic resin film having flexibility is provided between each key top 10-1, 2, 3, and the key top support member 30. A pressing plate 80 is attached to the lower surface of the components connected at 3 via a flexible switch substrate 70. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

FIG. 2 shows each of the key tops 10-1 and 10-2.
It is the perspective view which looked at 3 from the back side. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1, each key top 10-1, 2, 3 has a 1
One pressing projection 11-1, 2, 3, two fixing small projections 13-1, 2, 3, and four positioning projections 14-1, 2, 3. I have. A lens insertion recess 15 for inserting a lens 60 (see FIG. 1) described below is provided on the lower surface of the key top 10-3, and a through hole 17 for illumination is provided in the lens insertion recess 15.
Further, two fixing projections 19 are provided.

Returning to FIG. 1, the lens 60 is made of a substantially rectangular and transparent synthetic resin, and the illumination through hole 17 is formed on the upper surface thereof.
, And two through holes 63, 63 for inserting the fixing projections 19 are provided.

Next, the hinge plates 50-1, 2, 3 shown in FIG.
Are formed to have dimensions slightly larger than the external dimensions of the key tops 10-1, 2, 3, and 3.
A slit 56 is provided between the hinge plate 1 and the hinge plate 50-2, and is integrally connected by a connecting portion 55.

Each of the pressing projections 11-1,
2 and 3 (see FIG. 2) are provided with pressing protrusion through holes 51-1, 2 and 3, and small fixing protrusions 13-1 and 13-1.
Small projection insertion holes 53-1 and 2
3 are provided, and small holes 54-1, 2, 3 are provided at positions opposed to the positioning projections 14-1, 2, 3, 3.

Further, three hinge portions 55 protruding from one side of the hinge plate 50-3 in a tongue shape are provided, and three tongues are also provided from one side of the connected hinge plates 50-1 and 50-2. A hinge portion 55 protruding in a flaky shape is provided. Each hinge portion 55 is provided with a through hole 57.

The hinge plate 50-3 is provided with a through hole 59 through which light from the light emitting element 76 described below passes.
Non-light-projecting (for example, white) paint is printed on the entire surface of the hinge plates 50-1, 2, and 3.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the key top support member 30 as viewed from the back side. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1, two key tops 10-1 and 10-2 are provided on the key top support member 30.
And a through hole 33 penetrating the key top 10-3, and the lower surface thereof is inserted into each through hole 57 of the hinge plates 50-1, 2, and 3. A small fixing projection 35 is provided. Also, fixing projections 37 are provided at four corners on the lower surface. Two small protrusions 39 are provided at predetermined positions on the lower surface.

Next, a flexible switch board 70 shown in FIG. 1 is formed by stacking two flexible boards, and three click plates 73 and one light emitting element 76 are mounted on the upper surface thereof. Two locking holes 75 are provided at two places on the outer periphery. A switch contact is provided directly below each click plate 73.

The holding plate 80 is made of a metal plate, and is provided with fixing holes 81 at four locations (three in the figure).

To assemble the key top structure, first, the lens 60 (see FIG. 1) is inserted into the lens insertion recess 15 (see FIG. 2) of the key top 10-3. At this time, the fixing projections 19, 1 are formed in the through holes 63, 63 of the lens 60.
9 is inserted and its tip is heat caulked.

Next, the key tops 10-1, 2, 3 are placed on the hinge plates 50-1, 2, 3, respectively. At this time, small projections provided on the hinge plates 50-1, 2, 3, 3 are provided. Insertion hole 53-
The small fixing protrusions 13-1, 2, 3 of the key tops 10-1, 2, 3 are inserted into 1, 2, 3, and the ends thereof are fixed by heat caulking. At this time, each key top 10-
The pressing projections 11-1, 2, 3 of 1, 2, 3 penetrate the pressing projection through holes 51-1, 2, 3 and protrude downward. Also, the positioning projections 14-1, 2, 3 are small holes 54-1, 2,
3 protrudes.

Next, the key tops 10-1, 2, and 3 attached to the hinges 50-1, 2, 3, 3 are attached to the key top support member 3.
0, and inserted into the through holes 31 and 33 so as to protrude from the upper surface thereof.
At the same time, the fixing small projections 35 (see FIG. 3) of the key top support member 30 are inserted into the through holes 57 of the hinge plates 50-1, 2, 3, and the ends thereof are fixed by heat caulking.

Since the two hinge plates 50-1 and 50-2 are formed on a single film, the two hinge plates 50-1 and 50-2 are simultaneously attached by a single positioning, which facilitates assembly. Since the slit 56 is provided, it does not affect the separate operation of the hinge plates 50-1 and 50-2.

As a result, each of the key tops 10-1, 2, 2
Numeral 3 is swingably attached to the key top support member 30 by hinge plates 50-1, 2, and 3.

Then, a pressing plate 80 is attached below the key top supporting member 30 via a flexible switch substrate 70. At this time, the two small protrusions 39 of the key top support member 30 are inserted into the locking holes 75 of the flexible switch board 70 and positioned, and the four fixing protrusions 37 of the key top support member 30 are fixed to the holding plate 80. It is fixed integrally by inserting it into the hole 81 and crimping its tip.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the key top 10-2 is pressed, the hinge portion 55 of the hinge plate 50-2 easily bends and swings.
Presses the click plate 73 on the flexible switch substrate 70 to turn on a switch contact provided immediately below the click plate 73.

Each of the hinge plates 50-1, 2, and 3 is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of each of the key tops 10-1, 2, and 3 mounted thereon.
The protruding portions protrude from the outer peripheries of 1, 2, and 3, but the protruding portions abut against the outer peripheries of the lower surfaces of the through holes 31 and 33 so that the key tops 10-1, 2, 3, and 3 cannot be pulled upward. Role as a collar for secure locking and each key top 1
It has a role of a blindfold that keeps its external appearance from being seen through the gap between the outer circumferences of 0-1, 2, 3 and the through holes 31, 33. The thickness of the collar and the blind can be reduced as compared with the conventional structure in which the collar is integrally provided on the outer periphery of the key top with a molding resin.

When the light emitting element 76 mounted on the flexible switch substrate 70 is turned on, the light is transmitted to the hinge plate 5.
The light enters the transparent lens 60 through the through hole 59 of 0-3, and illuminates the surface through the through hole 17 for illumination of the key top 10-3.

As is apparent from FIG. 4, each key top 10-1, 2, 3 is provided with a hinge plate 50-1, made of a film.
Since the key tops are fixed to the key top support member 30 by 2 and 3, in an extreme case, even if there is no gap A between each key top 10-1, 2 and 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the through holes 31 and 33 ( That is, even if A = 0), each key top 10-1, 2, 3, can be swung without any problem.

Therefore, the distance between the key tops 10-1, 2, 3, and the key top supporting member 30 to which the key tops are mounted can be easily narrowed, so that not only the miniaturization can be achieved, but also the key top supporting member 30 can be reduced even if the size is reduced. Two through holes 31, 33
Since the partition portion B for partitioning can be provided, the strength of the key top support member 30 can be maintained strongly, and when any one of the key tops 10-1 to 10-3 is pressed, the key top support member 30 is mounted on the key top support member 30. There is no danger that the central portion of the name plate (not shown) will bend down and fluff. Therefore, the present invention is particularly effective in narrowing the interval between the key top rows while maintaining the strength of the key top support members when the key tops are arranged in a plurality of rows.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an actual fixing method of the key tops 10-1, 2, 3 and the hinge plates 50-1, 2, 3. As shown in FIG.
3 is molded while being connected integrally by the connecting member 80, and the hinge plates 50-1, 2, and 3 are also press-formed while being integrally connected by the connecting member 85. And each key top 10-1,2,3 and each hinge plate 50-1,2,3.
Are arranged so that their positions coincide with each other, so that each key top 10-1, 2, 3 is connected to each hinge plate 50-.
Each key top 10-
The small projections 13-1, 2, 3 (see FIG. 2) of the fixing plates 1, 2, 3 (see FIG. 2) are small projection insertion holes 53, of the hinge plates 50-1, 2, 3, 3.
It is inserted into 1, 2, 3 and its fixing can be done by one time of heat caulking.

Thereafter, the connecting members 80 and 8
5 are simultaneously cut off in one cutting step, all the key tops 10-1, 2, 3, and hinge plates 50-1, 2, 3, 3 are removed.
Is completed and the division is completed.

In the above embodiment, the key top 10-
Although the key tops 10-1 and 10-3 are configured so as to face in the same direction (that is, the hinge portion 55 faces in the same direction), the key tops 10-3 are turned in the opposite direction.
The key tops 1 and 2 and the key top 10-3 may be configured to face in opposite directions (that is, all the hinge portions 55 face outward). Conversely, the directions of the key tops 10-1 and 10-2 may be reversed so that the hinge portions 55 face each other.

[0036]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the key top and the key top supporting member are connected by a hinge plate made of a synthetic resin film having flexibility, so that the following excellent features are obtained. Has an effect. The distance between the keytop and the keytop support member to which the keytop is attached can be easily reduced, and the size can be reduced.

The thickness of the key top structure can be reduced.

Since the hinge is made of a synthetic resin film, the durability of the hinge is significantly improved as compared with the case where the hinge is made of a molded resin.

The structure is simple and easy to manufacture.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a push button switch mechanism using a hinge structure of a key top according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of each key top 10-1, 2, 3 viewed from the back side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the key top support member 30 as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view of a push button switch mechanism.

FIG. 5 shows a key top 10-1, 2, 3, and a hinge plate 50-.
It is a perspective view which shows the actual fixing method of 1,2,3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional key top structure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional key top structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10-1,2,3 key top 30 key top support member 50-1,2,3 hinge plate 70 flexible switch board 80 holding plate

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A key top hinge structure for connecting between a key top and a key top supporting member so that the key top can swing freely, wherein the key top and the key top supporting member have a flexible composite. A key top hinge structure which is connected by a hinge plate made of a resin film. 2. The key-top support member has a through-hole, the key-top is disposed in the through-hole, and the hinge plate has an outer periphery protruding from an outer periphery of the key-top. 2. The key top hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein the key top is formed in a shape that hides a gap between the tops. 3. The hinge plate according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of key tops are attached to one hinge plate, and the hinge plate is provided with a slit for separating between the plurality of key tops attached to the hinge plate. 3. The hinge structure of the key top according to 1 or 2.