JPH0119219B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a keyboard switch having keys that provide tactile feedback to a person operating the keys.

Along with the rapid development of active elements for information processing, mainly based on basic electronic materials such as I.C., L.S.I., one-chip computers, and microcomputers, the widespread electronicization of electric and electronic equipment has simultaneously progressed. This encouraged the systematic emergence of various information input devices that were optimal for the uses of these devices. In this process, such input means are required to be smaller, lighter, thinner, and keyless in order to pursue high reliability, ease of use, and freedom of design corresponding to instrumentation and design aspects. It is desired that the operator be able to feel the tactile sensation when an electrical connection is made by operating the device, and this has become a major issue to be solved as well as cost reduction. From this point of view, as shown in FIG. An insulating spacer 4 is arranged to form an operating space 3, and an insulating spacer 4 is arranged on this spacer 4 to perform a switch operation individually corresponding to each fixed contact pattern 1, and to press the switch. A switch sheet 6 having a plurality of movable contact patterns 5 having a protruding structure and a bonding layer made of an adhesive between these constituent members in order to provide a tactile sensation to the operator when an electrical connection is made. A snap-action keyboard switch, which can basically be configured from 7, or a keyboard with a tactile element, has attracted attention as a form that can effectively meet the above-mentioned demands, and is currently being put into practical use under various proposals. It is provided. When this type of keyboard is put into practical use, as shown in Figure 1,
A decorative board or decorative sheet 8 may be stacked on top of the switch sheet 6 with another spacer 9 interposed therebetween for supporting the decorative sheet 8. That is, the decorative sheet 8
The panel keyboard is prominently present on the operation surface of products in which a panel keyboard is installed, such as home appliances such as microwave ovens, and various other electronic devices, and plays an important function that determines the overall image of the device. It occupies a considerable position not only in relation to the design and layout of the entire device. Although it is not necessarily impossible to consolidate the overall functions of the decorative sheet 8 into the switch sheet 6, in such a case, there are factors that greatly limit the versatility of the keyboard and the manufacturing process. Considering that there are many
In practical terms, configuring the switch sheet 6 and the decorative sheet 8 separately has great advantages in terms of design and manufacturing.

By the way, due to the characteristics of this keyboard,
In particular, when constructing the switch sheet 6, appropriate plastic film materials such as polyester film, for example, should be used, taking into account the electrical, mechanical, and physical and chemical properties of the switch sheet 6, including the field and environment in which it will be used. Although it is now possible to select one that is advantageous from a cost standpoint and is sufficiently durable for practical use, the problems that arise in connection with the switch operation space 3 are complex, especially in achieving thin films. There is. In other words, in order to have wide applicability for general industrial and consumer use, it is preferable to keep each of the switch operation holes 3 in a sealed state, also from the viewpoint of preventing deterioration of the switch contact patterns 1 and 5. However, due to the sealed structure, air or other gases trapped in this air space 3 simply have no place to escape when the switch is operated, and in some cases, this can seriously impede operability, such as making reliable switch operation impossible. give. Furthermore, even if the switching operation can be performed, there is a risk that the chattering or bouncing, which is a common problem with this type of switch, will be further exacerbated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a tactile element type keyboard having a novel structure that satisfactorily solves the above problems at the lowest possible cost.

According to the keyboard of the present invention, the switch operation space and the switch operation space are connected via the switch sheet.
A small hole is provided in the switch sheet so as to communicate the upper space, that is, the space formed from the decorative sheet supporting spacer and the switch sheet, and if necessary, a small hole is formed in the switch sheet. The upper spaces corresponding to the contact portions are provided with some means, for example, a means for communicating the plurality of operating spaces using a spacer for supporting the decorative sheet. Therefore, when a switch is operated on the keyboard, the gas in the switch operating space is transferred through the small hole into the upper space of the corresponding switch sheet and further into the upper space of other switch sheets. Improve switch operability. Also,
A keyboard having such a structure has the advantage that it can be easily made into a sealed structure to prevent the possibility of deterioration of the contact pattern due to environmental conditions. Naturally, the present invention is also suitable for structures in use environments that allow communication between the inside of the switch operating space and the outside air of the keyboard. Furthermore, the spacer interposed between the switch sheet and the decorative sheet is not limited to the plastic film sheet mentioned above, but may also be a fibrous material formed into a sheet shape such as a nonwoven fabric, a porous sheet, or various other breathable sheet materials. Extremely effective.

To further explain the present invention in detail by giving examples, the second
5 to 5, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 indicate the same components, and correspond to the snap portions 6A of the switch seat 6 which are dome-shaped or approximately partially spherical and can be reversed for switch operation. As shown in FIG. 3, at least one through hole 11 is formed at the top of the snap portion 6A and at a portion other than the vicinity of the top or around the base of the portion 6A. The through holes 11 therefore communicate the operating holes 3 and the corresponding operating holes 3A of the switch sheet 6 and the decorative sheet 6, respectively, and are connected to the spacers 9 interposed between the sheets 6 and 8 as shown in FIG. When the passages 12 are provided as shown in FIG. 5, a certain group of switch actuators 3 are placed in communication with each other via the passages 12. Such a passage 12 can be provided if the spacer 9 is made of plastic sheet material, and as shown in FIG. The front and rear parts are configured to communicate through a passage 12. Snap part 6A of switch sheet 6 through decorative sheet 8
When the switch is pressed to cause a switch action by its reversal action, the gas in the switch operation chamber 3 passes through the hole 11 to the upper operation chamber 3A, and also flows through the passage 12 to the other switch operation chamber 3A. 3,3A
This panel keyboard achieves good switching action with click or snap actions. In addition to the structure shown in FIG. 4, the spacer 9 interposed between the sheets 6 and 8 can also be constructed of the ventilation member shown in FIG. 6, which does not require the passage 12 as described above. The spacer 13 shown in FIG. 6 has an air-permeable member 14 made of a sheet-like fiber member such as a non-woven fabric or a porous member. The holes 13A are in a state in which they allow appropriate gas flow without any passage between them. In addition to the above-mentioned functions, the spacer 13 made of the air-permeable member 14 functions as a buffer layer for absorbing stress applied to the keyboard, and at the same time contributes to improving the flexibility of the keyboard as a whole. Here, as can be seen from the above description, the spacers 9 and 13 have air permeability of the passage 12 or the member itself.
It provides ventilation in the horizontal direction within the range of its thickness, thereby ensuring gas flow between the switch operating spaces and maintaining good operability of the switch.

The reason why the upper spacers 9 and 13 disposed between the switch sheet 6 and the decorative sheet 8 have a ventilation function as described above is because the snap part 5 performs a click or snap action to obtain a tactile sensation. In the form of the switch sheet 6 having the following structure, it is sufficient that the lower spacer 4 is thin enough to provide electrical insulation between the base material 2 and the switch sheet 6. It is impossible to provide a sufficiently effective ventilation function as described above without interfering with this, and on the other hand, the thickness of the upper spacers 9 and 13 should be made to correspond to the height of the snap portion 5. Since it is possible to easily construct a good ventilation structure in the horizontal direction within the range of the thickness without being influenced by the above-mentioned electrical insulation while ensuring that the spacers 9 and 13 have a ventilation function in the above-mentioned manner. This is a practically advantageous means in terms of both function and manufacturing.

As can be seen from the above description, the keyboard having a tactile element according to the present invention is configured such that a through hole is provided for each snap portion of the switch sheet so as to communicate the switch operation holes provided above and below, and the switch sheet The spacer interposed between the switch and the decorative sheet is configured to have a gas flow path or ventilation in the horizontal direction within the thickness range, thereby ensuring gas flow between the plurality of switch operating spaces. The operability of the switch can be maintained well while the switch is being moved. Therefore, a good switch function with click or snap action can be ensured.

In addition, the spacer placed between the switch sheet and the decorative sheet has a sufficient thickness that corresponds to the height of the snap part of the switch sheet, without being restricted by the electrical insulation of the keyboard switch. Since a good ventilation structure can be easily constructed in the horizontal direction within the thickness range, providing the spacer with a ventilation function in the above manner is a practically preferable structure in terms of both function and manufacturing.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual partially enlarged sectional view of a keyboard with a tactile element of conventional structure, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of a keyboard with a tactile element according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged plan view of the switch sheet shown in FIG. 2, FIG. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view of a breathable spacer according to another embodiment of the spacer shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 1: Fixed contact, 2: Base material, 3: Switch operation hole, 4: Spacer, 5: Movable contact, 6: Switch sheet, 6A: Snap part, 8: Decorative sheet, 9: Spacer, 11: Through hole, 12: Passage, 1
3: Breathable spacer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A switch sheet having a snap portion with a movable contact pattern formed at a position corresponding to each of the above-mentioned fixed contact patterns is disposed above a base member having a plurality of required fixed contact patterns, and a switch sheet is provided between the two contact patterns. In a closed type keyboard switch in which a switch operating space is formed by a non-ventilated spacer, a through hole is provided in each snap portion of the switch sheet, and a hole is provided on the switch sheet within the thickness range in a horizontal direction. 1. A keyboard equipped with a tactile element, characterized in that a spacer having air permeability is disposed on the tactile element, and a decorative sheet is disposed on the spacer.