JP3126412B2 - How to assemble the keyboard - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for assembling a keyboard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional keyboard assembly methods include:
(1) Inserting a plurality of individual keys into a plurality of openings formed in the keyboard body,
(2) Insert each key of a key group in which a plurality of keys are connected via a resin runner section into a plurality of openings formed in the keyboard main body, and then insert the runner section into the keyboard main body. There is a configuration in which each key is supported and each key is elastically returned by the elastic force of the runner portion.

[0003]

Among the above-mentioned prior arts, in the case of the prior art (1), since each key is separate from each other, erroneous insertion of keys is likely to occur at the time of assembling the keyboard, and moreover, there are many cases. It takes time.

In the case of (2), in addition to a function as a connecting member for connecting each key to a resin runner portion, a function as an elastic member is also required, so that a key group and, consequently, a keyboard are required. The service life is short, and in order to ensure sufficient spring characteristics of the resin runner, the shape of the runner and thus the layout of the keys are restricted, and as a result,
There is a problem that the key arrangement (interval) is restricted.
Furthermore, when transporting a key group, assembling a keyboard, and the like, it is necessary to handle the resin with great care so as not to deform the resin runner portion as an elastic member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and prevents erroneous insertion of each key, facilitates assembling of a keyboard, prolongs a service life, and arranges keys. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for assembling a keyboard, which increases the degree of freedom.

[0006]

According to a keyboard assembling method of the present invention for achieving the above object, each key of a key group in which a plurality of keys are connected via a runner portion is formed on a keyboard body. Into each of the multiple openings,
By cutting the runner part, the keys of the key group are separated from each other, and a metal leaf spring along the back surface of the runner part is supported by the keyboard body.

Further, each key of a key group formed by connecting a plurality of keys via a runner portion is inserted into each of a plurality of openings formed in the keyboard main body, and a metal member is formed along the back surface of the runner portion. Is supported on the keyboard body, and then the runner portion is cut off to separate the keys of the key group from each other.

[0008]

According to the present invention constructed as described above, when each key is inserted, each key is connected by the runner part, so that erroneous insertion of the key does not occur and the key can be easily inserted.
Further, since a long-life metal leaf spring is used as the elastic member, the runner portion of the key group only needs to have a function as a connecting member for connecting each key as described above. No function as a member is required. This extends the service life of the key group. Further, the layout of the runner portion can be freely determined, and the layout (interval) of the keys can be freely determined by appropriately setting the shape of the metal leaf spring in accordance with the layout.

[0009]

Next, an embodiment of a method for assembling a keyboard according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) First, a detailed structure after assembling a telephone set to which the first embodiment is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of the telephone, and as shown in FIG.
Upper cover 2 as keyboard body, 4 function keys 6
A keyboard 1 having a plurality of function keys including a to 6d, a dial key 5, a display plate 3, a transparent plate 8, and the like, and a handset 4 as a handset are provided.

The detailed structure of the keyboard will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1. A sheet guide plate 11 is supported below the upper cover 2 of the keyboard 1.
A transparent plate 8 supported by the upper cover 2 is provided between 1 and the upper cover 2. The protruding portion of the transparent plate 8 is inserted into an opening 1 a formed in the upper cover 2, and is inserted between the sheet guide plate 11 and the transparent plate 8. It is configured so that it can be recognized through the board 8.

As will be described later, the resin key group 6
One function key 6a, 6b (see FIG. 1 for 6c, 6d)
The runner 7 is supported by a sheet guide plate 11, as will be described later. On the other hand, each function key 6a, 6b includes a sheet guide plate 11, a transparent plate 8
And into the opening of the upper case 2 sequentially. Below the function keys 6a and 6b, switches 13a and 13b respectively disposed on the substrate 14 are located.

Next, a key group and its support structure will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG.
The resin key group 6 is integrally formed by injection molding, and includes four function keys 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d each having a flange portion 15, and a main runner portion 7a and four Auxiliary runner part (branch part) 7b
And a runner portion 7 composed of The function keys 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are connected to the main runner section 7a via the auxiliary runner sections 7b, respectively.
a is formed with two small holes 9a and 9b. Each auxiliary runner portion 7b of the key group 6 is cut off during assembly of the keyboard 1 (see FIG. 2), as described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the runner portion 7 of the key group 6
Lower surface (rear surface) and function keys 6a, 6b, 6c, 6
A part of the lower surface of the flange portion 15 d is in contact with a leaf spring 10 made of stainless steel along its shape, and the leaf spring 10 has two small holes 9 a and 9 b of a key group (see FIG. 4). ) Are formed, respectively. Of the four function keys 6a to 6d, a notch 17 formed in the leaf spring 10 is provided on the lower surface of the function key 6a.
The projection 16a which engages with a is protruded. Also, a small hole 17 formed in the leaf spring 10 is provided on the lower surface of the function key 6d.
b, a projection 16d to be inserted into the leaf spring 10b is provided on the lower surface of each of the remaining two function keys 6b, 6c.
The protrusions 16b and 16c that are in contact with are formed, respectively. Each of the projections 16a to 16d has a function as a detent member in the circumferential direction of each of the function keys 6a to 6d, as described later.

2 to 4, a sheet guide plate 1 is shown.
The two projections 11a (see FIG. 2; one projection is not shown) formed on the runner portion 7 are respectively provided with small holes 9a, 9
b, by sequentially penetrating the small holes 10a and 10b of the leaf spring 10 and melting and deforming the tip of each projection 11a, the leaf spring 10 and thus the runner 7 are locked by each projection 11a,
The sheet guide plate 11 is supported by the upper cover 2. It should be noted that the other function keys have the above-described configuration and the same support structure.

In the keyboard configured as described above, the four function keys 6a, 6b, 6c, 6
For example, when one of the function keys 6a is pressed downward, the leaf spring 10 is elastically deformed and bent, and the function key 6a is moved downward against the elastic force of the leaf spring 10, whereby the function key 6a is moved. 6a switches 13a (see FIG. 2)
Is pressed to operate. When the pressing of the function key 6a is released, the function key 6a is elastically restored by the elastic force of the leaf spring 10 and moves upward.

Next, a method of assembling a keyboard, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the transparent plate 8 and the sheet guide plate 11 are sequentially mounted on the inverted upper cover 2. The function keys 6a to 6d of the key group 6 in which the four function keys 6a to 6d shown in FIG. 4 are connected via the runner portion 7 are formed on the sheet guide plate 11, the transparent plate 8, and the upper cover 2. When the holes are sequentially inserted into the respective openings, the small holes 9 of the runner 7 are inserted.
a and 9b (see FIG. 4) are provided with protrusions 11 of the sheet guide plate 11.
a are respectively inserted (see FIG. 5A).

Each auxiliary runner section 7 of the key group 6 shown in FIG.
When each of the function keys 6a to 6d of the key group 6 is separated from each other by cutting the b with a nipper or the like, the flange portions 15 of the function keys 6a to 6d are respectively locked to the sheet guide plate 11 (FIG. 5 (B)). Then, the small holes 10a and 10b of the leaf spring 10 shown in FIG. 3 are inserted into the respective protrusions 11a of the sheet guide plate 11 to provide the leaf spring 10 along the runner portion 7 on the back side of the key group 6. Finally, the tip of each projection 11a is melted and deformed (see FIG. 5C). When the assembly thus obtained is turned over, the state shown in FIG. 2 is obtained, and the leaf spring 10 and thus the runner 7 are locked to the respective projections 11 a of the sheet guide plate 11. In this state, the projections 16a to 16d of the function keys 6a to 6d of the key group 6 are set.
Are locked to the leaf springs 10, respectively, so that the positions of the function keys 6a to 6d in the respective circumferential directions are regulated.

In this embodiment constructed as described above, when the function keys 6a to 6d are inserted, the function keys 6a to 6d
Are connected by the runner unit 7, so that the function keys 6a to 6
Incorrect insertion of d does not occur, and the keyboard 1 can be easily assembled. Metal leaf spring 10 having a long life as an elastic member
Is used, the runner 7 of the key group 6 only needs to have a function as a connecting member for connecting the function keys 6a to 6d, and does not need to function as an elastic member. As a result, the service life of the key group 6 is prolonged, and the runner portion 7 of the key group 6 may be slightly deformed.

Furthermore, the layout of the runner portion 7 can be freely determined, and the metal leaf spring 10
By appropriately setting the shape of the function keys 6a to 6d
Can be freely determined, and the load required to press each of the function keys 6a to 6d can be appropriately set by selecting the material and thickness of the leaf spring 10.

When the function keys 6a to 6d are made of metal or when the function keys 6a to 6d are plated with metal, the function keys 6a to 6d can be collectively grounded via the leaf spring 10. The grounding is facilitated. Second Embodiment Next, a method of assembling a keyboard according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a key group 6X in which a bent portion 18 is formed in each auxiliary runner portion 7bX is used, and the same back surface as that shown in FIG. Even if a leaf spring is attached, each bent portion 18 is not covered with the leaf spring.

First, the four function keys 6aX shown in FIG.
6dX are connected to each other through a runner section 7X.
1X, the transparent plate 8X, and the upper cover 2X, when sequentially inserted into the respective openings, the small holes 9aX, 9
The protrusions 11aX of the sheet guide plate 11X are inserted into bX. Each projection 11aX of the sheet guide plate 11X
Then, a leaf spring 10X that comes in contact with the runner part 7X is provided on the back side of the key group 6X by inserting each small hole of the leaf spring 10X similar to that shown in FIG. Then, the tip of each projection 11aX is melted and deformed (see FIG. 7A).

Finally, each auxiliary runner portion 7b of the key group 6X
By cutting each bent portion 18 of X with a nipper or the like to separate each function key 6aX to 6dX of the key group 6X from each other, each flange portion 15X of each function key 6aX to 6dX is engaged with the sheet guide plate 11X. (See FIG. 7B). When the assembly obtained in this way is turned over, a state similar to that of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 is obtained. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
The description is omitted.

In the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the keyboard of the telephone. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to keyboards of word processors, electronic computers, and input devices of computers. Further, the leaf spring may be fixed to the key group, and the number of function keys of the key group may be four.
The number is not limited to the number but may be another number. A configuration in which the runner portion of the key group is not supported by the sheet guide plate may be employed.

[0025]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

When each key is inserted, a plurality of keys are connected by the runner part, so that erroneous key insertion does not occur and the keyboard is easily assembled. In addition, the service life of the key group and thus the keyboard is extended, and the runner portion may be slightly deformed, so that the handling of the key group does not require careful attention, and the degree of freedom of key arrangement is increased. further,
With a simple configuration, the position of each key can be regulated in the circumferential direction with respect to the leaf spring.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a telephone obtained by a first embodiment of a keyboard assembling method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the key group and the leaf spring shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a key group shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining each step of the assembling method of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a key group used in a second embodiment of the keyboard assembling method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining each step of the keyboard assembling method of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of Signs] 1 Keyboard 1a Opening 2, 2X Top Cover 3 Display Board 4 Handset (Handset) 5 Dial Key 6, 6X Key Group 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6aX, 6bX, 6cX, 6
dX function key 7,7X runner part 7a, 7aX main runner part 7b, 7bX auxiliary runner part 8,8X transparent plate 9a, 9b, 9aX, 9bX, 10a, 10b small hole 10,10X leaf spring 11,11X sheet guide plate 11a , 11aX Projection 12 Sheet 13a, 13b Switch 14 Substrate 15, 15X Flange 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d Projection 17a Notch 17b Small Hole 18 Bent

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A key group comprising a plurality of keys connected via a runner portion, wherein each key is inserted into a plurality of openings formed in a keyboard main body, and the runner portion is cut off to insert the keys. A method for assembling a keyboard, comprising separating each key of a group from each other, and then supporting a metal leaf spring along a back surface of the runner portion to a keyboard body. 2. A key group in which a plurality of keys are connected via a runner section is inserted into each of a plurality of openings formed in a keyboard main body, and a metal key is formed along a back surface of the runner section. And supporting the leaf spring on the keyboard main body, and then cutting the runner section to separate the keys of the key group from each other.