JPH026171B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a keyboard switch that has wide applicability as an operation input switch means for various electrical and electronic devices, and in particular, a keyboard switch that generates a click action when operating the switch, thereby making it possible to confirm the input when operating the switch. The present invention also relates to a click operation type keyboard switch which is improved so that the click operation feeling can be suitably maintained while preventing deformation of the click operation section during use.

This type of keyboard switch includes a flexible base member 2 on which a plurality of required contact patterns 1 are formed as shown in FIG. Each contact pattern 1 is arranged under the interposition of an insulating spacer 4 arranged to form an operating gap 3.
A flexible switch sheet 6 has other contact patterns 5 that perform switch operations separately in correspondence with the contact patterns 5 and is formed in a form that causes a click action.
and a support member 8 disposed to receive the switch seat 6, provided with a gap 7 necessary for causing a click action, and fixedly supporting members above the switch seat 6, including the switch seat 6. and a bonding layer 9 made of an adhesive or the like between these constituent members. The switch sheet 6 is provided with an appropriate number of downwardly protruding click operation parts as shown in the figure by molding means using a suitable plastic film, and is provided with a suitable number of click operation parts at required intervals, so that the pressing operation force applied to the upper surface side of the flexible base member 2 can be reduced. As the base member 2, the spacer 4, and the portion of the switch sheet 6 around the click operation section in the receiving area are all deformed downward, this pressing operation force is applied to the support member 8. When the pressing operation force is released, a switch-on state is obtained by the contact of both contact patterns 1 and 5 under the reversal operation of the click operation section, and when the pressing operation force is released, the base member 2, spacer 4 and switch sheet 6 are turned on. Due to its self-restoring force, it returns to the switch-off state as shown in FIG.

In the above-mentioned keyboard switch, the insulating spacer 4 is provided with, for example, a slit-shaped ventilation path for communicating between the plurality of switch operation gaps 3, so that the switch sheet 6 can be clicked smoothly. Can be configured as appropriate.

When such a keyboard switch is operated, a change in volume occurs in the gas in the gap 7 provided between the switch seat 6 and the support member 8, and the pressure inside the gap 7 changes accordingly. There is a risk that the input operation pressure and click return force of the keyboard switch structure may be impaired.In particular, since the increase in the click return force exceeds the increase in the operation pressure, it becomes a factor that worsens the click rate, click feeling, etc.

The present invention provides a new and improved keyboard switch constructed to solve the above-mentioned problems, which will be described in more detail with reference to the illustrated embodiment. Corresponding members indicate the same constituent elements, 11 is a flexible base member made of a suitable plastic film, 12 is a spacer, and 13 is a switch sheet that causes a click action, which is made of a suitable plastic film. A required number of click operation parts projecting downward are provided by molding means, and a contact pattern 14 for configuring a switch is provided on the inner surface of the click operation parts and each facing surface of the base member 11, as shown in FIG. Each is formed by adhesion. Reference numeral 15 indicates a support member disposed on the back side of the switch sheet 13, and as shown in the figure, the support member 15 is arranged so as to come into contact with the bottom of the downwardly protruding click operation parts of the switch sheet 13 and receive each click operation part. It supports the sheet 13. Numeral 16 is a gap for operating the switch, and the bottom of the click operation section is in contact with the lower part of this gap 16. 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes a partition between the spaces 16 and is constructed in the same manner as in FIG. Reference numeral 18 indicates a ventilation hole for ventilating the gas within the cavity 16 to the outside.

Here, in the figure, the base member 11 is
For convenience of illustration, the spacing between the contact patterns 14 and the spacing between the click operation parts on the switch sheet 13 side are conceptually shown to be narrow correspondingly. In order to perform the reversal/return click operation, adjacent click operation parts are arranged at a certain distance or more depending on their shape and size, and this arrangement allows the contact pattern 14 of the base member 11 to be
When a pressing force is applied to the corresponding key operation part provided with the button, this pressing force is transmitted to the bottom of the click operation part that is in contact with the support member 15 via the switch sheet 13, as explained with reference to FIG. It performs a reversal operation for a switch-on, and when the pressing force is released, it returns to the original state for a switch-off as shown in the figure.

With such a structure of the keyboard switch, the air pressure within the air gap 16 does not increase during operation, so that deterioration of the click rate and click feeling can be prevented. The ventilation holes 18 may be formed in each gap 16 individually, or slits may be provided in the partition 17 to reduce the number of ventilation holes 18. Further, through the ventilation hole 18, the air pressure inside the air gap 16 can be adjusted to 1 atmosphere or less or 1 atmosphere or more to change the click rate, click feeling, operating pressure, etc. It is also possible to keep the click rate, click feeling, operating pressure, etc. constant by adjusting the atmospheric pressure.

As described above, the keyboard switch according to the present invention includes a clickable switch sheet in which other contact patterns are formed in the corresponding areas of the flexible member having the required number of contact patterns at the lower part of the flexible member. A switch operation gap is formed between each of these contact patterns via an insulating spacer, and the switch sheet is made of a flexible member made of plastic film, and a click operation part formed on the switch sheet is protruded downward. In the keyboard switch arranged in such a manner, the switch sheet has a partition for forming a gap for receiving each click operation part of the switch sheet, and a partition for forming a gap for receiving each click operation part of the switch sheet, and a partition for supporting the bottom of each of the click operation parts at the lower part of the gap. The structure includes a support member disposed on the back side, and the support member is provided with a passage for venting the gas in the gap generated between the switch sheet and the support member to the outside. When a flexible member applies or releases a pressing force to a flat operation surface, the corresponding click operation part of the switch sheet is reliably reversed and returned in conjunction with the ventilation means described above, so that a proper switch can be operated. On/off operation can be ensured.

Further, each click operation part in the switch seat is housed in a support member having a partition for supporting the switch seat, does not protrude from the operation surface, and is covered with a flexible base member that serves as the operation surface. Because of this structure, it is possible to eliminate the risk of deformation or damage due to the action of undesirable external forces, and to suitably improve its durability.

Therefore, in a form equipped with a click action function, it is possible to achieve a reliable switch operation regardless of changes in the environment or operation mode, and this, combined with the simplicity of the structure, is extremely effective in practical use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of essential parts of a conventional click-action keyboard switch, and FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the present invention in which the pressure inside each gap is reduced to the same level as outside. FIG. 2 is a conceptual cross-sectional configuration diagram of a main part of a keyboard switch configured to maintain a constant state. 11: Base member, 12: Spacer, 13:
switch sheet, 14: contact pattern, 15: support member, 16: gap, 17: partition, 18: ventilation hole.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A clickable switch sheet is provided below a flexible member having a required number of contact patterns, and other contact patterns are formed in corresponding areas to those contact patterns, and between each of these contact patterns, A keyboard switch in which a switch operation gap is formed via an insulating spacer, the switch sheet is made of a flexible member made of plastic film, and a click operation part formed on the switch sheet is arranged so as to protrude downward, A support member is provided on the back side of the switch sheet to have a partition for forming a gap for receiving each click operation section of the switch sheet, and to support the bottom of each click operation section below the gap. a click operation type with a flat operating surface, characterized in that the support member is provided with a passage for venting the gas in the gap generated between the switch seat and the support member to the outside; keyboard switch.