JP3151662B2 - Key structure on keyboard - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a key structure for a keyboard. In particular, the present invention relates to a key structure that allows a key cap to move downward in a stable and well-balanced manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The key structure of a conventional keyboard generally has a cylindrical rod extending downward from the inside of a key cap, and is expanded and contracted by using a spring or the like. It makes electrical contact. In a key having such a structure, if the contact area between the key sheet and the cylindrical rod is small, the key cap is inclined and the key becomes unstable. A large contact area is required for stability. In view of the increasing demand for small and thin computer equipment, it is inconvenient to increase this contact area. Further, if the vertical movement distance of the keycap is large, it is impossible to respond to a user's demand for a thin keyboard, and the vertical movement performance of the key is not improved. Therefore, reducing the downward movement distance of the key cap is also indispensable for improving the structure of the keyboard.

[0003] In another conventional example, a cross support frame is used on the back side of the keycap to reduce the downward movement distance of the keycap. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a frame A and a frame B are provided between a cap C and a sheet D. The frame A and the frame B are pivotally engaged by a pivot F. The gap H is provided on the cap C, and the gap G is provided on the sheet D, and provides a sliding portion required when the frame A and the frame B rotate. In the key having such a structure, the downward movement distance until the cap C is pressed downward to make electrical contact is short. However, even in this conventional example, if the cap is pressed obliquely, the cap also moves downward in an inclined state. Therefore, it may cause a poor electrical contact of the key.

In still another conventional example as shown in FIG.
The rectangular frame A and the rectangular frame B are pivotally engaged with the key sheet D. A slide cap E is mounted above these frames. The slide cap E supports the key cap. The slide cap E contributes to the stability of the sliding movement of the frame A and the frame B. However, also in the frame A and the frame B, if the key cap is pushed off center, the imbalanced downward movement occurs, which causes a poor electrical contact of the key.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a key structure in a keyboard. The key structure includes a first element and a second element that are cross-engaged. Each of these elements has its own press plate to provide a stable and balanced up and down movement of the keycap.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a key structure for an improved keyboard which stabilizes the electrical contact of keys by moving the key cap down stably and well-balanced and prevents poor electrical contact.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a key structure for a keyboard,
A key cap, a first element having a first pressing portion, and a second
A second element having a pressing portion, includes a key <br/> Shito having elasticity rubber pad, are provided between the first element and the keycap and key sheet and the second element, before
The first pressing portion with respect to the pressing of the serial key cap and the second press
Pressure part cooperates with the elastic rubber pad
It has a structure to tell, the key structure in a keyboard, characterized in that it can be moved stably in the vertical direction as its gist.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to explain the present invention in more detail, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the key 10 of the present invention crosses and engages with the first element 20 and the second element 30, and the first element 20 and the second element 30 mounted on the key sheet 11. And a keycap 12 mounted above.

The key sheet 11 includes a pivot shaft 23 of the first element 20 and a pivot shaft 33 of the second element 30.
And four slits 13 for correspondingly engaging. A hole 14 is provided in the center of the key sheet 11 for receiving an elastic rubber pad 16 (FIGS. 3 and 4) for electrical contact.

The key cap 12 has four slits 15 inside the cap for engaging the horizontal shaft 26 of the first element 20 and the horizontal shaft 35 of the second element 30 correspondingly. When the first element 20 and the second element 30 are engaged with the slit 13 and the slit 15, respectively,
The element 20 and the second element 30 can be moved up and down in a stable and well-balanced manner (FIG. 2). Caps 12 are fixed to their upper ends.

The first element 20 includes a U-shaped body 21. The U-shaped body 21 has two ends provided by two elongated parts 22. Each of these ends of the elongated portion 22 is provided with a pivot projection 23 for engaging the slit 13 of the key sheet 11. A recess 24 is provided inside each elongated portion 22 of the U-shaped body 21, and the second element 30
The two projections 33 provided on the front side are respectively received. A triangular pressing portion 25 is provided inside the top of the U-shaped body 21 and interacts with a rectangular pressing portion 34 of the second element 30. The horizontal shaft 26 of the first element 20 is provided outside the top of the U-shaped body 21 and engages with the slit 15 of the keycap 12.

The structure of the second element 30 is substantially the same as the structure of the first element 20. That is, the second element 30 includes the U-shaped body 31. The U-shaped body 31 has two ends having two pivot projections 32. The pivot projections 32 engage with the slits 13 of the key sheet 11, respectively. The U-shaped body 31 is provided with two projections 33, which respectively engage with the two recesses 24 of the first element 20. A rectangular pressing portion 34 is provided inside the top of the U-shaped body 31.
And cooperates with the pressing portion 25 of the first element 20. A horizontal shaft 35 is provided outside the top of the U-shaped body 31.
And engages with the slit 15 of the keycap 12.

The width of the second element 30 is smaller than the width of the first element 20. The second element 30 is incorporated into the inner space provided by the co-shaped body 21 of the first element 20. When combined, the pressing portion 25 of the first element 20 becomes the second element 3
The pressing relationship of the pressing portion 34 of 0 is pressed, and the protrusion 33 of the second element 30 presses the first element 20 (FIG. 2), so that a mutually pressed state is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, no matter where the key cap 12 is pressed, the key cap 12 is pressed by the mutual pressing action of the first element 20 and the second element 30. It is stable, well-balanced and moves downward. That is, when the keycap 12 is pressed, the two horizontal shafts 26 and 35 are pressed in a well-balanced manner, so that the first element 20 and the second element 30 move downward and in a well-balanced manner, and are pressed. The portion 34 presses the elastic rubber pad 16 (FIGS. 3 and 4) downward to come into contact with the electrical contact portion.

When the pressing of the keycap 12 acts on the horizontal shaft 26 of the first element 20, the pressing part 25 comes into contact with the pressing part 34 of the second element 30, and the first element 20 and the second element 3
A value of 0 moves downward in a stable and well-balanced manner. If the pressing acts on the horizontal shaft 35 to move the protrusion 33 downward, the concave portion 24 of the first element 20 is pressed, and the first element 20 and the second element 30 move downward and in a well-balanced manner. . The key cap 12 does not tilt.

When the pressing force is removed from the key cap 12, the elastic rubber pad 16 in the hole 14 of the key sheet 11 is removed.
Repels and moves the first element 20 and the second element 30 upward, and the keycap 12 returns to its original position in a stable and well-balanced manner.

FIG. 5 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, a rectangular first element 50 and a second element 60 are utilized.

The keys of the keyboard shown in FIG. 5 include a key sheet 41 having a horizontal slit 42 and a slit 44. The block plate 43 is provided so as to partially cover the slit 44. The slits 42 and 44 engage the horizontal shaft 52 of the first element 50 and the horizontal shaft 62 of the second element 60, respectively.

The first element 50 includes a substantially rectangular body 51 including a horizontal shaft 52, which engages with the slit 44 of the key sheet 41. The block plate 43 is used for positioning the horizontal shaft 52. At the other end of the square 51 a horizontal shaft 53 is provided, which engages with a slit (not shown) in a keycap (not shown). Recesses 54 provided on each of the two sides of the square 51 receive a projection 64 of the second element 60, respectively. The horizontal shaft 53 has a rectangular pressing portion 55
Is provided, and the front rear circular pressing portion 6 of the second element 60 is provided.
Press 5.

The structure of the second element 60 is substantially the same as that of the first element 50. The second element 60 has a rectangular body 61. The rectangular body 61 includes a horizontal shaft 62 and engages with a horizontal slit 42 provided in the key sheet 41. At the other end of the square 61 is provided a horizontal shaft 63 which engages a slit (not shown) in a keycap (not shown). Protrusions 64 are provided on each of the two sides of the rectangular body 61. The protrusions 64 are respectively received in the recesses 54 of the first element 50. The horizontal shaft 62 is provided with a front rear circular pressing portion 65 for receiving the pressing portion 55 of the first element 50.

In the preferred embodiment, the second element 60
The width of the rectangular body 61 is smaller than the width of the rectangular body 51 of the first element 50. The two are combined to form a square 6 of the second element 60.
1 is housed in a square body 51 of the first element 50. Accordingly, the pressing portion 55 of the first element 50 presses the pressing portion 65 of the second element 60, and the protrusion 64 of the rectangular body 61 is received in the concave portion 25 of the rectangular body 51, and the first element 50 and the second element 60 is linked. When a keycap (not shown) is pressed, a stable and balanced downward movement is provided.

As explained above, the operation of the first and second elements of the key structure of the present invention provides a very simple key structure with high durability and reliability. Should any of these elements be damaged, they can be easily replaced with new ones.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be limited only by the appended claims.

[0024]

According to the key structure of the keyboard of the present invention, a key cap, a first element having a first pressing portion, a second element having a second pressing portion, and an elastic rubber pad are provided.
It includes a key sheet having the first element and the second
The elements are provided between the key cap and the key sheet, the first pressing portion with respect to the pressing of the key cap
And the second pressing portion cooperate to reduce the pressing force of the elastic
Since the key cap has a structure for transmitting to the keypad, the key cap moves up and down in a stable and well-balanced manner, so that the electrical contact of the key is stable and electrical contact failure can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of keys of a keyboard according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the key shown in FIG. 1 is assembled.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state before the key shown in FIG. 1 is pressed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state after the key shown in FIG. 1 is pressed.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the keys of the keyboard of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of keys of a conventional keyboard.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary sectional view showing a state where the key shown in FIG. 6 is assembled;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of keys of a conventional keyboard.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Key sheet 12 ... Key cap 20 ... 1st element 30 ... 2nd element 25, 34 ... Press part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tin-Yuri Taiwan 10404, Taipei, Chang An Yi. Road, Section 1 No. 18, 12 in F-Behavior Tech Computer Corporation (72) Inventor You-Dare-Zoo Taiwan 10404, Taipei, Chang An Yi. Road, Section 1 Number 18, 12 Inside F-Behavior Tech Computer Corporation (56) References JP-A-9-63400 (JP, A) JP-A-6-208815 (JP, A) , U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 13/14 H01H 13/20

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A key structure of a keyboard, comprising:
A key cap, a first element having a first pressing portion, and a second
A second element having a pressing portion, includes a key <br/> Shito having elasticity rubber pad, are provided between the first element and the keycap and key sheet and the second element, before
The first pressing portion with respect to the pressing of the serial key cap and the second press
Pressure part cooperates with the elastic rubber pad
A key structure for a keyboard, which has a structure for transmitting information to a keyboard, and can be stably moved up and down. 2. The first element includes a U-shaped body having two elongated portions, each of the elongated portions being provided with a pivot portion, and the key sheet being provided with a pivot portion. And a slit is provided to engage each,
The concave shape of the first element is provided with two concave portions,
Receiving each of the two projections provided in the second element,
The first element further has a first pressing portion to provide the effect of pressing the second pressing portion that is provided to the second element, before
The second pressing portion presses an elastic rubber pad on the key sheet.
The key structure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the key cap includes a slit for providing a pressing action and receiving the horizontal shaft provided in the second element. 3. The second element includes a U-shaped body including two elongated portions each having a pivot portion, the pivot portions engaging with slits provided in the key sheet, The second element further has a second pressing portion,
2 The pressing portion is pressed against the first pressing portion provided on the first element.
With the pressing force, the elastic rubber pad on the key sheet is
The key structure of a keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the key structure provides a pressing action . 4. The first element includes a square including a first horizontal shaft, the first horizontal shaft engaging a slit provided in the key sheet,
A second engaging a slit provided in the keycap;
A second shaft for pressing the second pressing portion provided on the second element, further including a horizontal shaft, and further including two recesses respectively engaging with the two projections provided on the second element. The key structure according to claim 1, further comprising one pressing portion. 5. The second element includes a square including a third horizontal shaft, the third horizontal shaft engaging a slit provided in the key sheet,
A fourth engaging a slit provided in the keycap;
A horizontal shaft, further including two protrusions respectively engaging with the two recesses provided in the first element, pressed by a first pressing part provided in the first element , The elastic force on the key sheet is
Key structure in a keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes a second pressing portion that presses the de. 6. The width of the second element is smaller than the width of the first element, the second element is housed in the first element, and the first pressing portion of the first element is connected to the second element. 2 Press the pressing part
The second pressing portion is provided with an elastic rubber pad on the key sheet.
The protrusion of the second element is received in the recess of the first element, and the first element and the second
The key structure of a keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the elements are linked to each other to operate.