阅读说明：本技术 开关、开关组件及键输入装置 (Switch, switch assembly and key input device ) 是由 尾崎一文 于 2021-05-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种开关、开关组件及键输入装置,该开关能够扩展功能。开关(键开关1)作为安装在基板上的开关组件组装在键输入装置(键盘)中。组装在键输入装置中的开关(1)具备固定部件(10)和通过按下操作向按下方向移动的可动部件(11)。另外,开关(1)具备：触点部件(14),其具有通过可动部件(11)的移动而接触分离的接触分离部(141)；受光单元(16),其具有检测光的受光元件。而且,开关通过伴随可动部件(11)的移动而使接触分离部(141)接触分离,从而能够使第一电路开闭,通过可动部件(11)移动而透过/遮蔽受光元件(161)检测的光,从而能够使第二电路开闭。(The invention provides a switch, a switch assembly and a key input device. The switches (key switches 1) are assembled in the key input device (keyboard) as switch modules mounted on a substrate. A switch (1) incorporated in a key input device is provided with a fixed member (10) and a movable member (11) that moves in a depression direction by a depression operation. Further, the switch (1) is provided with: a contact member (14) having a contact/separation section (141) that is brought into contact with and separated from the movable member (11) by movement of the movable member; and a light receiving unit (16) having a light receiving element for detecting light. The switch can open and close the first circuit by bringing the contact and separation section (141) into contact and separation with the movement of the movable member (11), and can open and close the second circuit by moving the movable member (11) to transmit/shield the light detected by the light receiving element (161).)

1. A switch having a fixed member and a movable member that moves in a pressing direction by a pressing operation, the switch comprising:

a contact member having a contact/separation portion that is brought into contact with and separated from the movable member by movement of the movable member;

a light receiving element for detecting light,

the contact/separation portion is configured to be brought into contact with and separated from the movable member with the movement of the movable member, thereby opening and closing the first electric circuit,

the movable member moves to transmit/block the light detected by the light receiving element, thereby opening/closing the second circuit.

2. The switch of claim 1,

the movable member has a light shielding plate for shielding light to be received by the light receiving element,

by the movement of the movable member, the light shielding plate transmits/shields the light detected by the light receiving element.

3. The switch of claim 1 or 2,

the movable member has an engaging portion that engages with the contact member,

the engaging portion engages with the contact member with the movement of the movable member, and the contact and separation portion is brought into contact with and separated from the contact member.

4. A switch having a movable member that operates by being pressed from the outside, the switch comprising:

a contact mechanism that can open and close the first electric circuit by performing contact and separation according to the operation of the movable member;

and a contactless mechanism capable of opening and closing the second circuit based on a detection result of a detection unit that detects the detection target in accordance with the operation of the movable member.

5. The switch of any one of claims 1, 2, 4,

the first circuit and the second circuit are different circuits.

6. The switch of any one of claims 1, 2, 4,

the first circuit and the second circuit are the same circuit.

7. A switch module having a switch having a fixed member and a movable member that moves in a pressing direction by a pressing operation, and a base plate to which the fixed member of the switch is attached,

the light-receiving element is provided with a light-detecting element,

the switch has a contact member having a contact/separation portion that is brought into contact with and separated from the movable member by movement of the movable member,

the contact/separation portion is configured to be brought into contact with and separated from the movable member with the movement of the movable member, thereby opening and closing the first electric circuit,

the movable member moves to transmit/block the light detected by the light receiving element, thereby opening/closing the second circuit.

8. The switch assembly of claim 7,

the light receiving element is assembled on the substrate by surface mounting.

9. A switch module having a switch and a substrate, the switch having a fixed member and a movable member that operates by being pressed from the outside, the substrate having the fixed member of the switch mounted thereon, the switch module comprising:

a detection unit that detects a detection target;

a contact mechanism that can open and close the first electric circuit by performing contact and separation according to the operation of the movable member;

and a contactless mechanism capable of opening and closing the second circuit based on a detection result of a detection unit that detects the detection target in accordance with the operation of the movable member.

10. A key input device provided with a plurality of key switches,

a key switch provided with the switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. A key input device having a plurality of key switches and a switch unit on which the key switches are mounted,

a switch module according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a switch for switching an electrical contact/separation state by pressing a movable member, a switch module including the switch, and a key input device including the switch.

Background

As an input device for electronic equipment such as computers, a keyboard in which a plurality of key switches are arranged is widely used. For example, patent document 1 describes a push button switch that provides a reliable tactile sensation when closing a switch contact.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese examined patent publication (Kokoku) No. 4-47932

Recently, various demands such as performance of light emission or the like corresponding to an operation and improvement of reliability for reducing a mechanical failure rate have been increasing, and improvement of various characteristics and expansion of functions have been demanded.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object thereof is to provide a switch capable of improving various characteristics and extending functions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch assembly using such a switch.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a key input device using such a switch.

In order to solve the above problem, a switch (key switch) according to the present invention includes a fixed member and a movable member that moves in a depressing direction by a depressing operation, and includes: a contact member having a contact/separation portion that is brought into contact with and separated from the movable member by movement of the movable member; and a light receiving element that detects light, and the contact and separation portion is brought into contact and separated with the movement of the movable member, thereby enabling the first electric circuit to be opened and closed, and the movable member is moved to transmit and block the light detected by the light receiving element, thereby enabling the second electric circuit to be opened and closed (opened and closed).

In the switch, the movable member includes a light blocking plate that blocks light to be received by the light receiving element, and the light blocking plate transmits/blocks light detected by the light receiving element by movement of the movable member.

In the switch, the movable member has an engaging portion that engages with the contact member, and the engaging portion engages with the contact member with the movement of the movable member to bring the contact/separation portion into contact with and separate from each other.

Further, a switch according to the present invention has a movable member that operates by being pressed from the outside, and the switch includes: a contact mechanism that can open and close the first electric circuit by performing contact and separation according to the operation of the movable member; and a contactless mechanism capable of opening and closing the second circuit based on a detection result of a detection unit that detects the detection target in accordance with the operation of the movable member.

In addition, in the switch, the first circuit and the second circuit are different circuits.

In addition, in the switch, the first circuit and the second circuit are the same circuit.

Further, the switch module of the present invention includes a switch having a fixed member and a movable member that moves in a pressing direction by a pressing operation, and a substrate on which the fixed member of the switch is mounted, and is characterized by including a light receiving element that detects light, the switch having a contact member having a contact/separation portion that comes into contact and separates by the movement of the movable member, and the contact/separation portion coming into contact and separating by the movement of the movable member, whereby a first electric circuit can be opened and closed, and the movable member moves to transmit/shield light detected by the light receiving element, whereby a second electric circuit can be opened and closed.

In the switch module, the light receiving element is mounted on the substrate by surface mounting.

Further, a switch module according to the present invention includes a switch having a fixed member and a movable member that operates by being pressed from the outside, and a substrate on which the fixed member of the switch is mounted, and is characterized by comprising: a detection unit that detects a detection target; a contact mechanism that can open and close the first electric circuit by performing contact and separation according to the operation of the movable member; and a contactless mechanism capable of opening and closing the second circuit based on a detection result of a detection unit that detects the detection target in accordance with the operation of the movable member.

The key input device (keyboard) according to the present invention is a key input device provided with a plurality of key switches, and is characterized by being provided with the switches as the provided key switches.

The key input device according to the present invention is a key input device including a plurality of key switches and a switch block to which the key switches are attached, and is characterized in that the switch block is provided as the switch block.

The switch, the switch module, and the key input device according to the present invention can open and close a first circuit using a contact/separation portion and a second circuit using a detection element such as a light receiving element for detecting a detection object such as light.

A switch, a switch module and a key input device of the present invention are provided with a mechanism having a contact capable of opening and closing a first electric circuit and a mechanism having no contact capable of opening and closing a second electric circuit. Thus, the present invention can use each opening/closing mechanism for various purposes, and thus can expect excellent effects such as improvement of various characteristics and improvement of functions of the switch, the switch unit, and the key input device.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a keyboard to which a key input device according to the present invention is applied.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view showing an example of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic external view showing an example of a light emitting unit provided in the key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a key switch according to the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of the switch module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of a switch module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of a switch module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the first embodiment of the keyboard according to the present invention. Fig. 18 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the keyboard according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

KB: keyboard (Key input device)

1: key switch (switch)

10: fixing member

11: movable part

110: shading plate

110 a: through hole

113: pressing side wall

113 a: contact pressing projection (fastening part)

12: key top

13: elastic component

14: contact component

140: terminal with a terminal body

141: contact and separation part

141 a: fixing sheet

141 b: movable sheet

15: light emitting unit

151: light emitting element

16: light receiving unit

161: light receiving element (detecting part)

17: with contact mechanism

18: contactless mechanism

2: substrate

3: switch component (switch assembly)

4: signal output unit

5: an output load unit;

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(application example)

The key input device according to the present invention is used as a keyboard for inputting data such as characters, numerals, symbols, and various commands to an electronic device such as a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer). The switch according to the present invention is incorporated as a key switch in various electronic apparatuses including a key input device. The key switch is incorporated in the key input device as a switch unit (hereinafter referred to as a switch unit) mounted on a substrate. Hereinafter, the key input device KB and the key switches 1 illustrated in the drawings and the switch block 3 in which the key switches 1 are mounted on the substrate 2 will be described with reference to the drawings.

(keyboard KB)

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an appearance of a keyboard KB to which a key input device according to the present invention is applied. A plurality of key switches 1 such as character keys, numeric keys, and other function keys are arranged as switches on the keyboard KB.

(Key switch 1)

Next, the key switch 1 provided on the keyboard KB will be explained. The key switch 1 provided in the keyboard KB according to the present invention can be realized in various forms, and a part thereof will be described here by way of example.

The structure of the key switch 1 will be explained. Fig. 2 and 3 are schematic perspective views showing an example of an external appearance of the key switch 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the key switch 1 from an oblique upper viewpoint, and fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the key switch 1 from an oblique lower viewpoint. The key switch 1 includes a fixed member 10 and a movable member 11, the fixed member 10 is fixed to a substrate 2 (see fig. 14 and the like) built in the keyboard KB, and the movable member 11 is movable up and down by being pushed downward by a user's pushing operation. A key top 12 is detachably attached to an upper end of the movable member 11 as a member to be pressed for receiving a pressing operation by a user. The key top 12 and the movable member 11 are moved downward by the depression of the depressing operation, and when the depression is released from the depressing operation, they are urged to move upward by an elastic member 13 (see fig. 4 and the like) described later.

The lower surface of the fixing member 10, which is the lower surface of the key switch 1, is formed in a substantially square shape, and a pair of insertion holes 100 through which the terminals 140 of the contact members 14 are inserted are bored in the vicinity of a pair of opposing four sides. A columnar leg 101 for placing on the substrate 2 is formed near the other opposite side of the lower surface of the fixing member 10, out of the four sides, where the insertion hole 100 is not formed. A substantially rectangular through hole 102 is opened near the center of the lower surface of the fixing member 10. In the vicinity of both long sides of the through hole 102, substantially rectangular fitting openings 103 for fitting the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are opened so as to face each other with the through hole 102 interposed therebetween. Two fitting openings 103, which are substantially rectangular through holes 102, are opened so that the long sides thereof are parallel to each other. The terminals 140 of the contact member 14 protrude downward from the insertion holes 100 of the fixing member 10. The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are attached to the fitting opening 103 of the fixing member 10 in an embedded state. Two first terminal pairs 150 protrude downward from the light emitting unit 15. The two second terminal pairs 160 protrude downward from the light receiving unit 16.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the user can operate the keyboard KB in a state where the key top 12 is attached to the key switch 1. The user touches the key top 12 of the key switch 1 disposed on the keyboard KB, and by pressing the key top 12, the contact/separation state of the circuit is switched in the key switch 1, and an on signal for each key switch 1 is outputted from the keyboard KB, which detects the switching of the contact/separation state, to the connected electronic device such as a personal computer. When the key top 12 is released from being depressed, the key switch 1 released from the depression is urged by the elastic member 13 to be lifted up and returned to the original position.

The internal structure of the key switch 1 will be explained. Fig. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the key switch 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the key switch 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 according to the present invention. The key top 12 is omitted from the illustration of fig. 4. In fig. 5, the upper half 10a of the fixed member 10, the movable member 11, and the key top 12 are omitted for easy understanding of the internal structure. Fig. 6 and 7 omit the key top 12 for representation in order to facilitate understanding of the internal structure. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on a vertical plane including the line a-B shown in fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a perspective sectional view of a state of being cut on a vertical plane including the line a-B shown in fig. 2, as viewed from an oblique upper viewpoint. As described above, the key switch 1 includes various members such as the fixed member 10, the movable member 11, the key top 12, the elastic member 13, the contact member 14, the light emitting unit 15, and the light receiving unit 16.

The fixing member 10 will be explained. The fixed member 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame, and is formed by combining an upper half body 10a and a lower half body 10b as shown in fig. 4. An approximately square insertion opening 104 into which the movable member 11 is inserted and fitted is opened in the upper surface of the fixed member 10. A through hole 102 is opened near the center on the inner bottom surface of the fixing member 10. A plate-like shade 110 formed on the movable member 11 is inserted into the through hole 102 so as to be movable up and down. A fitting opening 103 is opened on the outside of the through hole 102, and a fitting wall 105 is provided so as to stand from the inner bottom surface of the fixing member 10 so as to cover the periphery of the fitting opening 103. The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 inserted from the fitting opening 103 are fixed in a state of being sandwiched by the fitting wall 105. An elastic member 13 such as a compression coil spring for pressing the movable member 11 in a direction opposite to the pressing direction is disposed outside the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 so as to be wound around the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16. An inner wall 106 is provided around the elastic member 13 so as to stand from the inner bottom surface of the fixed member 10. The lower end of the elastic member 13 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the fixed member 10 and is positioned by the inner fitting wall 105 and the outer inner wall 106. On the outer side of the inner wall 106, a contact member 14 is provided upright on the inner bottom surface of the fixed member 10 by press-fitting as a contact mechanism 17 (see fig. 17 and the like) capable of opening and closing a first circuit (see fig. 17 and the like) described later by contact and separation. The contact member 14 is formed in a square tube shape by molding and combining two metal plates, and is fitted so as to surround the inner wall 106. Two terminals 140 extending from the two metal plates protrude downward from the lower end of the contact member 14. The two terminals 140 protrude further downward from the lower surface of the fixed member 10 through insertion holes 100 provided in the inner bottom surface of the fixed member 10.

The movable member 11 will be explained. The movable member 11 is formed in a substantially square shape in plan view and has a substantially box-shaped outer shape with an open upper portion. A mounting portion 111 to which the key top 12 is mounted is formed on the upper portion of the movable member 11. The substantially rectangular plate-like light shielding plate 110 extends downward from the central portion of the outer bottom of the substantially box-shaped movable member 11, and passes between the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16. When the movable member 11 is pushed down and moved downward, the lower end of the light shielding plate 110 penetrates the through hole 102 in the lower surface of the fixed member 10 and protrudes downward. The light shielding plate 110 has a through hole 110a through which light emitted from the light emitting unit 15 passes. An engaging groove 112 into which the upper end of the elastic member 13 is fitted is recessed substantially annularly around the light shielding plate 110 on the outer bottom surface of the movable member 11. Further, a pair of pressing side walls 113 extending downward are formed from a pair of opposing side surfaces of the substantially box-shaped movable member 11. A contact pressing protrusion 113a (engaging portion) that presses the contact member 14 is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the pressing side wall 113 of the movable member 11 so as to protrude inward.

When the key top 12 is not pressed by the pressing operation, the movable member 11 is positioned at the upper end of the movement range (hereinafter referred to as a top dead center), and when the key top is pressed by the pressing operation, the movable member 11 moves to the lower end of the movement range (hereinafter referred to as a bottom dead center). When the pressing is released, the movable member 11 is pressed upward by the elastic member 13 and moves from the bottom dead point to the top dead point.

The contact member 14 will be explained. The contact member 14 has two terminals 140 that are erected on the inner bottom surface of the periphery of the inner wall 106 of the fixed member 10 and protrude downward from the lower surface of the fixed member 10. The contact member 14 is provided with a contact/separation portion 141 for opening and closing the first circuit by receiving a pressing action accompanying the movement of the movable member 11. The contact/separation portion 141 of the contact member 14 is formed of two metal plates constituting the contact member 14, and a fixed piece 141a forming a side surface of the contact member 14 and a movable piece 141b that is deflected by pressing are overlapped. The fixed piece 141a is located outside the movable piece 141 b. Movable piece 141b is pressed by contact pressing projection 113a of movable member 11 that has moved, flexes, comes into contact with fixed piece 141a, and returns to its original shape when the pressing is released, and separates from fixed piece 141 a. Further, contact points are provided on the opposing surfaces of fixed piece 141a and movable piece 141b, respectively, in a protruding manner. The contact and separation of the fixed piece 141a and the movable piece 141b, which are formed of two metal plates constituting the contact member 14, open and close the first circuit connected to the two terminals 140 of the contact member 14, and output from the keyboard KB to an electronic device such as a personal computer based on an on signal of the opening and closing.

The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 will be explained. Fig. 8 is a schematic external view showing an example of the light emitting unit 15 provided in the key switch 1 according to the present invention. The light emitting unit 15 of the key switch 1 emits light, and the light receiving unit 16 receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 15. The Light Emitting unit 15 is configured using a Light Emitting element 151 such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 is molded in a unit housing 152 made of resin, and the first terminal pair 150 protrudes from the unit housing 152. Two substantially linear lead frames 153 are disposed inside the unit frame 152. One end of the lead frame 153 protrudes from the inside of the unit housing 152 to the outside, and serves as the first terminal pair 150. The other end of the lead frame 153 is positioned in the unit housing 152, and the light emitting element 151 is mounted thereon and bonded thereto by a wire 154. The light emitting element 151, the lead frame 153, and the lead wire 154 are disposed at the bottom of a recess formed in the unit housing 152. The concave portion formed in the unit housing 152 is filled with a resin having high transmittance such as epoxy resin during the manufacturing process, and the components such as the light emitting element 151 are molded in the unit housing 152 in a state of being visible from the outside. Fig. 8 shows the light emitting unit 15 in a state where the unit housing 152 is filled with a resin having a high transmittance and the inside is visible. The light receiving unit 16 is configured using a light receiving element 161 such as a PD (Photo Diode) or PT (Photo Transistor) as a detection unit for detecting light. The structure of the light receiving unit 16 is substantially the same as that of the light emitting unit 15, and therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to the description of the light emitting unit 15. In addition, the light-emitting element 151 and the first terminal pair 150 explained as the configuration of the light-emitting unit 15 are replaced with a light-receiving element 161 and a second terminal pair 160 in the explanation of the light-receiving unit 16.

In the key switch 1, the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are disposed so that the light emitting element 151 and the light receiving element 161 face each other at positions where they face each other, and the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16 receives light emitted from the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15. The light emitting unit 15 is energized through the first terminal pair 150, and the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 emits light. Since the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16 changes the conduction state when light is detected, an on signal based on the change in the conduction state due to light reception is output from the second terminal pair 160.

Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of the key switch 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing a part of an assembly process of the key switch 1, and shows a process of assembling the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 with respect to the key switch 1. As shown in fig. 9, the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are fitted from below after various members such as the movable member 11, the elastic member 13, and the contact member 14 are assembled into the fixed member 10. The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 can be externally attached to the fixing member 10, and can be detached from the fixing member 10 for the purpose of changing specifications, replacing parts, and the like. In addition, the key tops 12 are attached to the movable member 11 at the stage of being assembled into the switch unit 3 or the keyboard KB.

The operation of the key switch 1 according to the present invention configured as above will be described. Fig. 10 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the key switch 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the key switch 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the key switch 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 11 and 13 are cross-sectional views taken on a vertical plane including the line a-B shown in fig. 2. Fig. 10 and 12 omit the upper half 10a of the fixed member 10, the movable member 11, and the key top 12. Fig. 11 and 13 omit the key top 12.

Fig. 10 and 11 show a state in which the key top 12 of the key switch 1 is not pressed and the movable member 11 is positioned at the top dead center. When the key top 12 of the key switch 1 is not pressed and the movable member 11 is positioned at the top dead center, as illustrated in fig. 10 and 11, the movable piece 141b of the contact member 14 is separated from the fixed piece 141a, and thus the two terminals 140 are not electrically connected to each other. As shown in fig. 11, light emitted from the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 is blocked by the light blocking plate 110 of the movable member 11, and therefore does not reach the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16. Therefore, the light receiving element 161 cannot detect light and does not output an on signal.

Fig. 12 and 13 show a state in which the key top 12 is pressed from the state shown in fig. 10 and 11 and the movable member 11 is at the bottom dead center. When the movable member 11 moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center, the contact pressing projection 113a provided on the pressing side wall 113 of the movable member 11 in a protruding manner presses the movable piece 141b of the contact member 14. Movable piece 141b is pressed and deflected, and contacts fixed piece 141a, thereby switching the contact/separation state of contact member 14. That is, the contact pressing projection 113a of the movable member 11 functions as an engagement portion that engages with the contact member 14, and the contact pressing projection 113a as the engagement portion engages with the contact member 14 with the movement of the movable member 11, and the contact/separation portion 141 comes into contact with and separates from each other. When the fixed piece 141a and the movable piece 141b of the contact member 14 are in contact with each other, the two terminals 140 of the contact member 14 are electrically connected to each other, and as shown by arrows in fig. 12, a current flows and a first circuit is closed.

When the movable member 11 is positioned at the bottom dead center, the light shielding plate 110 of the movable member 11 moves downward, and the transmission hole 110a of the light shielding plate 110 is positioned on the optical path between the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16. Therefore, as shown by the arrow in fig. 13, the light emitted from the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 passes through the transmission hole 110a of the light shielding plate 110 of the movable member 11, and reaches the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16. When the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16 detects the received light, the light receiving element 161 changes the energization state, and the second circuit is closed.

When the user releases the depression of the key top 12 from the state shown in fig. 12 and 13, the movable member 11 released from the depression is pushed by the elastic member 13 from below and moves to the top dead center. The movable member 11 moves to the top dead center, and the state shown in fig. 10 and 11 is restored. Therefore, the movable piece 141b of the contact member 14 is separated from the fixed piece 141 a. Further, an optical path between the light emitting element 151 of the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving element 161 of the light receiving unit 16 is blocked by the light blocking plate 110.

(switch assembly 3)

Next, an example of mounting the switch unit 3 according to the present invention on the substrate 2 by mounting the key switch 1 will be described. The key switch 1 according to the present invention is incorporated in a keyboard KB as a switch unit 3 mounted on a substrate 2. Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of the switch module 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 shows the key switch 1 and the substrate 2 of the switch unit 3 separately from each other in order to facilitate the relationship between the key switch 1 and the substrate 2. The board 2 has terminal mounting holes 20 through which the pair of terminals 140 are inserted, first terminal pair mounting holes 21 through which the first terminal pairs 150 are inserted, and second terminal pair mounting holes 22 through which the second terminal pairs 160 are inserted. The switch unit 3 is configured such that the terminal 140, the first terminal pair 150, and the second terminal pair 160 of the key switch 1 are inserted into the terminal mounting hole 20, the first terminal pair mounting hole 21, and the second terminal pair mounting hole 22 provided in the substrate 2, respectively, and are mounted on the substrate 2 by a mounting method such as soldering. Fig. 14 shows a mode in which 1 key switch 1 is mounted on 1 substrate 2, but actually, a plurality of key switches 1 are mounted on 1 substrate 2. The substrate 2 of the switch module 3 is mounted with electronic components such as various circuits and elements in addition to the key switch 1, and the electronic components are electrically connected by a wiring formed on the substrate 2 by a method such as etching.

Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of the switch module 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15 shows another embodiment of the switch unit 3, and the key switch 1 and the substrate 2 provided in the switch unit 3 are shown separately in order to facilitate understanding of the relationship between the key switch 1 and the substrate 2. The substrate 2 has terminal mounting holes 20, first terminal pair mounting holes 21, and second terminal pair mounting holes 22. The first terminal pair 150 of the light emitting unit 15 is mounted in advance by a mounting method such as soldering in the first terminal pair mounting hole 21 provided in the substrate 2, and the second terminal pair 160 of the light receiving unit 16 is mounted in advance by a mounting method such as soldering in the second terminal pair mounting hole 22. Then, in the assembly step, the key switch 1 not having the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 is mounted on the substrate 2 on which the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are mounted in advance. The key switch 1 is mounted to cover the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 on the substrate 2. The pair of terminals 140 of the key switch 1 are inserted through the terminal mounting holes 20 and mounted on the substrate 2 by a mounting method such as soldering.

Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of the switch module 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16 shows another embodiment of the switch unit 3, and the key switch 1 and the substrate 2 included in the switch unit 3 are shown separately in order to facilitate understanding of the relationship between the key switch 1 and the substrate 2. The substrate 2 is provided with a terminal mounting hole 20. On the substrate 2, wiring of conductive metal is arranged in advance by etching or the like, and the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are mounted on the wiring of the substrate 2 in advance by surface mounting or the like. The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 illustrated in fig. 16 are optical units for surface mounting, and are directly mounted on the substrate 2. The key switch 1 is mounted to cover the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 on the substrate 2. The pair of terminals 140 of the key switch 1 are inserted through the terminal mounting holes 20 and mounted on the substrate 2 by a mounting method such as soldering.

As described above, as shown in the example first to third embodiments, the switch assembly 3 in which the key switch 1 is mounted on the substrate 2 is formed by various methods.

Next, an example of mounting the keyboard KB having the key switch 1 according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 17 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the first embodiment of the keyboard KB according to the present invention. The key switch 1 includes a contact mechanism 17 using a contact member 14 and the like, and a contactless mechanism 18 using a light emitting unit 15, a light receiving unit 16 and the like. The keyboard KB includes a signal output unit 4 for outputting an electric signal to an external device such as a personal computer, and an output load unit 5 for outputting light, sound, vibration, and the like. The contact mechanism 17 opens and closes the circuit of the signal output unit 4 as a first circuit by the movement of the movable member 11, and outputs an electric signal to an external device such as a personal computer. The contactless mechanism 18 opens and closes the circuit of the output load section 5 as the second circuit by the movement of the movable member 11, and outputs light emission, sound output, vibration, and the like. The first embodiment shown in fig. 17 is an embodiment in which the first circuit and the second circuit are configured as different circuits, and in the first embodiment, by pressing the key top 12 of the keyboard KB, signals are output to an external electronic device such as a personal computer, and light emission, audio output, vibration, and the like are output. This enables performance such as light emission, sound output, and vibration when the keyboard KB is operated, and thus improves the characteristics such as expansion of the functions of the keyboard KB, the switch unit 3, and the key switches 1. The circuit of the output load section 5 may be appropriately designed, for example, to be opened and closed by the contact mechanism 17, and the circuit of the signal output section 4 may be opened and closed by the contactless mechanism 18.

Fig. 18 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the second embodiment of the keyboard KB according to the present invention. The second embodiment is an example in which the first circuit and the second circuit are configured as the same circuit. In the second embodiment, the signal output section 4 is used as a first circuit that is opened and closed by the contact mechanism 17 and a second circuit that is opened and closed by the contactless mechanism 18. Since the first circuit and the second circuit are the same circuit and the signal output unit 4 is opened and closed by both the contact mechanism 17 and the non-contact mechanism 18, even if a defect occurs in one of the contact mechanism 17 and the non-contact mechanism 18, the other can be compensated for. Therefore, the characteristics such as reliability of the keyboard KB and the key switch 1 can be improved.

The embodiment of the keyboard KB according to the present invention can be developed in various ways regardless of the installation example described with reference to fig. 17 and 18. For example, in a mechanism for opening and closing an electric circuit using an optical element as an example of the contactless mechanism 18, continuous or intermittent energization to the optical element is required, and a problem of standby power occurs. In order to solve such a problem, the contact mechanism 17 is used as a mechanism for opening and closing an electric circuit to the optical element, thereby suppressing standby power. Specifically, the key switch 1 is in an off state in which the conduction to the contactless mechanism 18 is cut off during standby. When the contact mechanism 17 is turned on, the contactless mechanism 18 is energized to be turned on during the on state or until a certain period of time elapses after the on state is reached, and the mode can be developed in which the contactless mechanism 18 is operated. The contactless mechanism 18 that is turned on by being energized can open and close an electric circuit in accordance with an operation of the key switch 1. In the above-described mounting example, the circuit for controlling the energization to the plurality of key switches 1 is mounted on the keyboard KB, but various modes such as mounting a circuit for controlling the energization for each switch block 3 and further for each key switch 1 may be employed. As described above, the key switch 1, the switch unit 3, and the keyboard KB according to the present invention can improve various characteristics such as suppression of standby power.

As described above, the switch block 3, and the keyboard KB according to the present invention include the contact mechanism 17 using the contact member 14 and the like, and the non-contact mechanism 18 using the light emitting unit 15, the light receiving unit 16 and the like. This provides excellent effects such as an improvement in various characteristics such as expansion of functions, improvement in reliability, and suppression of standby power.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be developed in other various forms. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely examples in all respects and cannot be construed as limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is explained in accordance with the scope of the claims, and is not limited in any way in the specification. Further, all the modifications and variations of the equivalent range belonging to the requested range are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the contact members 14 are in contact with each other when the movable member 11 moves toward the bottom dead center, and the light receiving element 161 receives light. That is, the contact member 14 may be separated when the movable member 11 moves to the bottom dead center, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 151 may be shielded. Further, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 151 may be appropriately designed not to be shielded/transmitted but to be shielded/reflected.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the embodiment has been described in which the non-contact mechanism 18 is configured by an optical mechanism using the light-emitting element 151 that emits light and the light-receiving element 161 that is a detection unit that detects light to be detected. For example, various embodiments are possible such as the contactless mechanism 18 being configured by using a magnet generating magnetic force and a hall element as a detection unit for detecting magnetic force to be detected.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a key input device that mainly inputs characters, such as the keyboard KB. For example, the present invention can be applied to a dedicated key input device for numeric keys such as numeric keys, and various key input devices for electronic devices other than computers, for example, various switches used in a dedicated game machine.