JPH0449788Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Technical Field) This invention relates to a keyboard structure disposed on an operation panel of a communication terminal device or the like.

(Prior art) When the operation panel surface of communication terminal equipment, etc. is a curved surface with a certain radius of curvature or a flat surface with steps, the keyboard mounted on this operation panel has conventionally been equipped with an independent key switch depending on the shape of the panel surface. Methods such as constructing the keyboard in groups or making the keyboard assembly flexible to fit the curved surface of the panel have been adopted.

However, from the viewpoint of operability and design, this method requires an increase in man-hours due to the separation of the key switches, and there is also a limit to the limit value of keyboard deflection, so it is necessary to increase the radius of curvature of the panel curved surface. There were drawbacks such as the need for

(Purpose of the invention) In order to solve these shortcomings, the purpose of this invention is to create a keyboard structure that makes the keyboard operation part proportionate to the complicated shape of the operation panel surface, and that can achieve uniform push-down operability. Our goal is to provide the following.

(Structure of the invention) Therefore, in this invention, the axial length of the thick part on the top of the flexible support that makes up each key switch of the keyboard, into which the key top is fitted, corresponds to the shape of the operation panel surface for each key switch or for each group. In addition to setting the key top to a certain length, a concave groove is provided in the axial direction in the step base into which the key top is fitted, so that the key top can be pressed down evenly. This invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a keyboard switch section in a case where the operation panel has a stepped portion, which is the first embodiment of this invention. The top part forms a thick part 2, and the bottom part is formed into a cup shape, and a concave groove 3 is provided in the axial direction at the stepped base of the short part of the thick part 2, and a fixed electrode 4 is formed. It is attached to the board so as to cover it. Further, a contact seat 6 is formed at the lower end of the thick portion 2 provided on the top of the support 1, and a contact 7 is provided on the contact seat 6 facing the fixed electrode 4. The support body 1 is disposed between the substrate 5 and the operation panel 8 via a key top 9, and the axial length of the thick portion 2 is adjusted according to the shape of the operation panel 8, and the key top 9 of the same shape protrudes. Make the amounts the same. Furthermore, the difference in stiffness in the push-down direction caused by the difference in height of the thick portion 2 is adjusted by providing grooves 3 in order to unify the stiffness when the switch is turned on, that is, when the buckling of the support body 2 is completed, and to obtain a uniform feel at the fingertips.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as above will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the operating state of a key switch having a short axial length of the thick wall portion of the support body 1 and a concave groove 3. The thick wall portion of the key switch shown in FIG. 2 directly or via the key top 9 in the direction of the arrow, the support 1
is bent, and the contact point 7 integrated with the support body 1 is displaced and comes into contact with the fixed electrode 4. At this time, the key switch
It becomes ON state. To return the switch to the OFF state, the pressing force on the thick portion 2 is released, and the contact 7 separates from the fixed electrode 4 due to the restoring force of the support 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a second embodiment of this invention, in which the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the panel is curved, but it is exactly the same as the first embodiment explained in FIGS. 1 and 2. It works and has the same effect.

(Effects of the invention) As explained above, this invention sets the axial length of the thick part that forms the top of the support body to match the complex cross-sectional shape of the operation panel, and the short axial length of the support body is fitted with a key top. An axial concave groove is provided at the base of the stepped part in the thick part for wearing, so when the key switch is pressed down, that is, when it is turned on, the stiffness and feel of the fingertips can be made uniform, so the keyboard flexes. This has the effect that the operation section can be adapted to a complicated operation panel shape without any trouble.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the main parts of a keyboard showing a first embodiment of this invention, Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the first embodiment when the contacts are in operation, and Fig. 3 is a keyboard showing a second embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional view of the main part. 1... Support body, 2... Thick part, 3... Concave groove, 4
... Fixed electrode, 5 ... Substrate, 6 ... Contact seat, 7 ...
...Contact, 8...Operation panel, 9...Key top.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] A keyboard comprising a fixed electrode on a substrate and an inverted cup-shaped support with contacts arranged corresponding to the fixed electrode, which has flexibility and insulation properties. an inverted cup-shaped support having a shaft-shaped thick part formed at the top thereof and a stepped part for engaging the key top at the top of the thick part; and engaging with the stepped part of the support. By arranging a plurality of supports having different lengths of thick parts corresponding to the shape of the operation panel, the amount of protrusion of the key top from the operation panel surface is made constant for each group, and the axis A keyboard structure characterized by a concave groove provided at the step base of the short thick part.