Key input device

Abstract

To provide a key input device capable of reducing a key hitting sound of a key top portion.SOLUTION: A calculator as the key input device is characterized by having an upper case 10 as a member and a plurality of rib portions 130 as a wall portion. The upper case 10 is provided with a hole portion 101 slidably penetrating the key top portion. The plurality of rib portions 130 extend from the edge of the hole portion 101 on the upper case 10 in a state of being separated from each other in a direction perpendicular to a substrate of the own device (calculator).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a key input device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a key input device in which a number of key tops are arranged on a surface. For example, a keyboard with a push-in structure is known that includes key tops, a slider, a dome spring, and a housing (see Patent Document 1). The slider is provided on the cylindrical inner wall of the key top, and slides the key top along the housing. The dome spring receives the key top and exhibits positive or negative snap characteristics. The housing surrounds the key tops and the dome spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-207594 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In key input devices such as keyboards, if the key top makes a loud typing sound when pressed, it is felt by the user as being noisy. The typing sound is generated when the key top hits various parts of the housing. In the above-mentioned conventional keyboard, when the user presses the key top, the key top hits the upper end (top side of the key top) or the lower end (bottom side) of the inner surface of the housing (key hole), generating a loud typing sound.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVETION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide a keyboard input device capable of reducing the keystroke sound of the key top portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the key input device of the present invention is characterized in that it has a plurality of key top parts, a plurality of hole parts arranged from a first end side to a second end side of a top surface and slidably penetrating the key top parts, and wall parts extending perpendicularly to a substrate of the device from four points on the edge of the hole parts. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the keystroke sound of the key top portion can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a calculator according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the calculator taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the calculator taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the key of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an enlarged perspective view of area VI on the rear side of the upper case. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0010] First, the overall device configuration of a calculator (electronic desk calculator) 1 as an electronic device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a plan view showing calculator 1 of the present embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of calculator 1 taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of calculator 1 taken along line III-III in Figure 1.

[0011] Calculator 1 is a small calculator that accepts key input from a user and performs calculations using built-in electronic circuits. Calculator 1 described in this embodiment is a calculator with key tops that slope in a stepped manner horizontally (as viewed from the user) and are designed to fit the hand and fingers of the user's dominant hand. The components of calculator 1 that relate to key input are referred to as a key input device.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, calculator 1 has an upper case 10 and a lower case 20 as components of a housing, and is placed on a mounting surface M1 such as a table. In Figures 1 to 3, the mounting surface M1 is taken as the reference point and the vertical upward direction is taken as the +Z direction, forming a three-dimensional X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. Mounting surface M1 is a two-dimensional XY plane. The X-axis is taken in the horizontal direction (short side direction) of calculator 1 on mounting surface M1, and the Y-axis is taken in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction).

[0013] Upper case 10 is a case made of resin or the like on the upper side (+Z direction side) of calculator 1. Calculator 1 includes upper case 10 with a key input unit 11 and a display unit 12. Key input unit 11 has a plurality of keys 14 and a selector switch 15.

[0014] The multiple keys 14 include, for example, numeric key, calculation key, function key, etc. The numeric key includes, for example, multiple keys for inputting numeric values ​​from

[00] , [0] to [9], and [.] (decimal point). The calculation key includes keys for inputting operators such as [+] (addition), [-] (subtraction), [×] (multiplication), and [÷] (division) used in normal calculations using the four arithmetic operations, and [=] (execute calculation). The function key includes, for example, an all clear key ([AC] key), a clear key ([C] key), multiple memory keys ([MC], [MR], [M-], and [M+]), a root key ([√] key), a [%] key, etc.

[0015] The selector switch 15 is, for example, a slide switch including a round selector and a decimal point selector. The round selector is a switch that specifies the calculation method after the decimal point. The decimal point selector is a switch that specifies the number of digits after the decimal point.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the outline of calculator 1 as viewed from the top (+Z direction side) is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. A key input unit 11 is provided on the -Y direction side of upper case 10 as viewed from the top. Similarly, a display unit 12 is provided on the +Y direction side of upper case 10.

[0017] The display unit 12 has a display 16 and a solar panel 17 on the housing surface 12a in the area on the +Y direction side of the housing top surface. The display 16 is disposed on the -Y direction side of the housing surface 12a. The display 16 has, for example, a horizontally long rectangular display surface. The long side direction of the display surface of the display 16 extends from a first end (an end of the housing in the -X direction) to a second end (an end of the housing in the +X direction) opposite to the first end. The solar panel 17 is disposed on the +Y direction side of the housing surface 12a. The solar panel 17 is an electronic component that converts light energy into electrical energy (power) by utilizing the photovoltaic effect.

[0018] The key input unit 11 has a plurality of keys 14 on a housing surface 11a in an area on the -Y direction side of the housing top surface. The plurality of keys 14 are arranged in a matrix from the first end side to the second end side of the housing in the key input unit 11, and from the third end (the end on the +Y direction side of the housing) to the fourth end (the end on the -Y direction side of the housing). Each of the plurality of keys 14 has a key top 141 as a key top part. The key top 141 has an operation surface 141t on the top surface. The operation surface 141t is a surface on which a user's finger is pressed to input. In the plurality of keys 14, for example, a direction parallel to the upper side / lower side of the key input unit 11 in FIG. 1 is a row direction (FIGS. 1 and 2), and a direction parallel to the left side / right side of the key input unit 11 in FIG. 1 is a column direction (FIGS. 1 and 3). The plurality of keys 14 are arranged at a predetermined interval (key pitch) in the row direction and the column direction, respectively.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, lower case 20 is a case made of resin or the like that is fitted to upper case 10 from below (-Z direction side), and has feet 21. The bottom surface (casing bottom surface) of lower case 20 other than feet 21 is formed to be parallel to placement surface M1. Feet 21 are made of an elastic material such as rubber, and come into contact with placement surface M1 when calculator 1 is placed on placement surface M1. Feet 21 have the effect of preventing calculator 1 from slipping when placed, and of reducing noise when placed.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the housing surface 11a of the key input unit 11 is formed so that the angle θ1 between the housing bottom surface (mounting surface M1, substrate 40 described later) and the housing surface 11a from the second end side to the first end side in the row direction is a predetermined inclination angle. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the housing surface 11a is formed so that the angle θ2 between the housing bottom surface (mounting surface M1) and the housing surface 11a from the fourth end side to the third end side in the column direction is a predetermined inclination angle.

[0021] The angle θ1 is preferably in the range of, for example, 1° to 9°. Furthermore, the angle θ1 is more preferably in the range of 1° to 3°, and is set to, for example, 3°. Moreover, the angle θ2 is set to, for example, 3°.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the calculator 1 has a right-inclined configuration in which the housing surface 11a of the key input unit 11 becomes lower in height from the placement surface M1 (substrate 40) from the first end side to the second end side. The height in the +Z direction of the operation surface 141t of each key 14 from the housing surface 11a is approximately the same. In other words, at least a part of the operation surface 141t of the keys 14 arranged on the first end side is formed to be higher from the placement surface M1 than at least a part of the operation surface 141t of the keys 14 arranged on the second end side.

[0023] Due to the configuration of calculator 1, when the user of calculator 1 operates it with his / her right hand (right-handed user), the hand and fingers fit well against operation surface 141t of multiple keys 14, providing good operability and reducing user fatigue.

[0024] Assuming that the user of the calculator 1 operates it with the left hand (a left-handed user), the housing surface 11a of the key input unit 11 may be configured to incline to the left so that the height from the placement surface M1 (substrate 40) decreases from the second end side to the first end side. That is, at least a part of the operation surface 141t of the keys 14 arranged on the second end side is formed so as to be higher from the placement surface M1 than at least a part of the operation surface 141t of the keys 14 arranged on the first end side.

[0025] On the other hand, the display surface of the display 16 of the display unit 12 is formed so that the first end side is not higher than the second end side from the placement surface M1. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the first end side and the second end side of the display unit 12 are set to the same height from the placement surface M1.

[0026] 3, the housing of calculator 1 is bent at the boundary between key input unit 11 and display unit 12, and the position of the upper edge side of the housing top surface is raised. That is, display unit 12 is arranged so that housing surface 12a is tilted in the +Z direction by a predetermined tilt angle with respect to housing surface 11a of key input unit 11. As a result, housing surface 12a of display unit 12 is tilted in the column direction, improving the visibility of the display surface of display 16.

[0027] Next, the internal device configuration of calculator 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing key 14B in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a rear view showing upper case 10. Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of area VI on the rear side of upper case 10.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the calculator 1 includes a display 16, a solar panel 17, a plurality of key tops 141, rubber keys 30 as elastic parts, a substrate 40, a nonwoven fabric sheet 50 as a sheet part, and the like inside a housing (upper case 10, lower case 20). The key top 141 is made up of a base part 1411 and an engraved part 1412. The base part 1411 is an outer layer made of resin with the background color of the characters on the operation surface 141t. The engraved part 1412 is an inner layer made of resin with the character color of the operation surface 141t, and is molded so as to penetrate the base part 1411 and be exposed as characters (engraved) on the operation surface 141t. The background color and the character color are different.

[0029] That is, the key top 141 is two-color molded with the base portion 1411 and the engraved portion 1412. By two-color molding, even if the operation surface 141t is physically worn by the user's pressing, etc., it is possible to prevent the characters on the operation surface 141t from disappearing. Note that the key top 141 does not have to include the engraved portion 1412, and may be a single-color molded member.

[0030] The key top 141 has an operation surface 141t and a flange 141f as a flange portion. The key top 141 is arranged so that the operation surface 141t is parallel to the plane of the substrate 40. The flange 141f is a brim-shaped edge portion protruding in a plane direction parallel to the plane of the substrate 40. When the key top 141 is pressed by a user and then slid (stroked) vertically onto the substrate 40, the flange 141f comes into contact with the upper case 10 (the end portion of the rib portion 130 on the substrate 40 side, which will be described later) via the nonwoven fabric sheet 50 when returning in the opposite direction, thereby stopping the key top 141.

[0031] The rubber key 30 is a generally plate-shaped part made of an elastic material such as rubber, and has a flat portion 31 and multiple rubber key tops 32. The flat portion 31 is a flat base of the rubber key 30 arranged on the flat surface of the substrate 40. Each rubber key top 32 is arranged corresponding to the position of each key top 141 on the flat surface of the substrate 40, and is a generally dome-shaped spring portion that receives the depressed key top 141. The key 14 includes the key top 141 and the rubber key top 32 that corresponds to the key top 141.

[0032] 4, the rubber key top 32 has a mounting part 321 and a support part 322. The lower end of the engraved part 1412 of the key top 141 is attached to the mounting part 321, and receives the pressed key top 141. The support part 322 is connected to the flat part 31, and supports the mounting part 321 in a state where it is spaced a predetermined distance from the flat surface of the substrate 40 toward the top surface direction perpendicular to the flat surface. If the key top 141 does not have the engraved part 1412, the lower end of the key top 141 may be attached to the mounting part 321 instead of the lower end of the engraved part 1412.

[0033] The rubber key tops 32 are attached to the key tops 141 via the attachment parts 321 so that the sliding direction (key stroke direction) of the corresponding key tops 141 is perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40.

[0034] The mounting part 321 is normally supported by the support part 322 at a distance from the board 40 so as to provide operability when the key top 141 mounted on the upper part is pressed, and when pressed, is pressed down until it comes into contact with the board 40. A conductive member is provided at the bottom of the mounting part 321. When the mounting part 321 is pressed down by pressing the key top 141, the conductive member comes into contact with an electrode wired to the board 40 to detect the key press. This contact electrically connects the electrodes corresponding to the keys 14 on the board 40, and the keys 14 are pressed down.

[0035] The multiple rubber key tops 32 are standardized for each rubber key top 32 corresponding to each key top 141 having the same area of ​​the operation surface 141t so that the operability (click feeling) is the same when each key top 141 having the same area of ​​the operation surface 141t is pressed. That is, each rubber key top 32 corresponding to each key top 141 having the same area of ​​the operation surface 141t is formed with the same material, shape, and dimensions, and is formed so as to have approximately the same mass, etc.

[0036] The clicking sensation refers to the sensation the user feels when he or she presses the key top 141 and recognizes the buckling of the rubber key top 32 or the restoring force (repulsion force) of the elastic material generated when the rubber key top 32 is crushed.

[0037] The substrate 40 is a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) that supports the multiple keys 14 inside the housing, and has the keys 14, circuit elements, etc. The housing surface 11a of the upper case 10 is formed and arranged so as to be parallel to the plane of the substrate 40 in the column direction cross section, and is formed and arranged so as to be inclined at an angle θ1 with respect to the substrate 40 in the row direction cross section.

[0038] The nonwoven fabric sheet 50 is a single sheet made of nonwoven fabric mounted so as to be disposed between the flanges 14f of the multiple keys 14 and the upper case 10 (the rib portion 130 described below). After the key top 141 is pressed in, when the key top 141 returns to its original position due to the restoring force of the rubber key top 32, if the flange 141f directly hits the upper case 10, the contact sound will be loud. The nonwoven fabric sheet 50 prevents the flange 141f from directly hitting the upper case 10, absorbs the force of the impact, and reduces the contact sound (keystroke sound) when the key top 141 returns. The calculator 1 may be configured without the nonwoven fabric sheet 50.

[0039] The configuration of the upper case 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 4, and Fig. 5, the upper case 10 has holes 101 as openings arranged in the housing surface 11a corresponding to the key tops 141 of the multiple keys 14. The key tops 141 penetrate the holes 101 to guide their sliding, and expose the operation surface 141t on the top surface side (approximately the +Z direction side). The holes 101 correspond to the shape of the operation surface 141t, and are, for example, rectangular with rounded corners.

[0040] 5 and 6, the upper case 10 has a boss portion 110, rib portions 120, 130, etc. integrally formed on the housing surface 11b on the rear side (-Z direction side) of the housing surface 11a. The boss portion 110 and the rib portions 120, 130 are not provided in the key pitch portion 11p of the side region (side portion) between a plurality of hole portions 101 adjacent in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, but in the intersection portion 11c of the region including the intersection region (four corners) where the extension regions of the key pitch portion 11p intersect.

[0041] The boss portion 110 is a female screw portion for screwing the board 40 or the lower case 20 to the upper case 10 with a male screw (not shown). The boss portion 110 has a boss 111 and a rib 112. The boss 111 has an axial direction extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the board 40 from the housing surface 11b. There are bosses 111 of a relatively low height for screwing to the board 40 and bosses of a relatively high height for screwing to the lower case 20. The rib 112 is a planar rib connected in a radial direction of the axis of the boss 111. For example, when four ribs 112 are connected to the boss 111, the boss portion 110 has the ribs 112 in a cross shape when viewed from the back side.

[0042] The rib 112 is disposed so as to sandwich the rubber key 30 between the rib 112 and the substrate 40. The rib 112 has a function of reinforcing the boss 111 so as not to collapse, and a function of fixing the rubber key 30 by sandwiching it between the rib 112 and the substrate 40.

[0043] The rib portion 120 has a support 121 and a rib 122. The support 121 has an axial direction extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40 from the housing surface 11b. The support 121 is classified into a relatively low height support corresponding to the plane of the rubber key 30 and a relatively high height support penetrating the plane of the rubber key 30 to position the rubber key 30 on the substrate 40. The rib 122 is a planar rib connected in a radial direction of the axis of the support 121. For example, when four ribs 122 are connected to the support 121, the rib portion 120 has the rib 122 in a cross shape when viewed from the back side.

[0044] The ribs 122 are arranged so as to fix the rubber key 30 or to sandwich the rubber key 30 between the ribs 122 and the substrate 40. Therefore, the ribs 122 have the function of fixing the rubber key 30 or sandwiching and fixing the rubber key 30 between the ribs 122 and the substrate 40.

[0045] A boss portion 110 or a rib portion 120 is disposed at each of a plurality of intersections 11c of the upper case 10. The positions and numbers (installation ratio) of the boss portions 110 and the rib portions 120 are designed to be appropriate in consideration of the balance of the shapes and weights of the various portions of the calculator 1, weight reduction, secure fixation, and the like.

[0046] The rib portions 130 are arranged at the intersections 11c in correspondence with the four corners of the adjacent holes 101, extend from the housing surface 11b in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40, and include, for example, R-shaped wall-like edges. In this manner, the multiple rib portions 130 extend from the edges of the holes 101 in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 40 while being spaced apart from each other. In addition, the upper case 10 has a space 11s between the rib portions 130 spaced apart from each other at the edge of one hole 101. For example, the upper case 10 has a space 11s between the rib portion 130 on the first end side and the third end side and the rib portion 130 on the second end side and the third end side. Similarly, the upper case 10 has a space 11s between the rib portion 130 on the first end side and the third end side and the rib portion 130 on the first end side and the fourth end side. Similarly, the upper case 10 has a space 11s between the rib portion 130 on the first end side and the fourth end side and the rib portion 130 on the second end side and the fourth end side. Similarly, the upper case 10 has a space 11s between the rib portion 130 on the second end side and the third end side and the rib portion 130 on the second end side and the fourth end side. The space 11s is also disposed between adjacent holes 101 (key tops 141 inserted therethrough) in the row or column direction (key pitch portion 11p).

[0047] The rib portion 130 is arranged so as to sandwich the nonwoven fabric sheet 50 between the flange 141f. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, in the row direction, in one hole 101, the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the edge of the first end side of the hole 101 is higher than the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the edge of the second end side of the hole 101. In addition, in the row direction, across multiple holes 101, the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the edge of the first end side of the hole 101 is higher than the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the edge of the second end side of the hole 101. As shown in FIG. 3, in the column direction, in one hole 101 or across multiple holes 101, the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the edge of the third end side of the hole 101 is approximately the same as the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the edge of the fourth end side of the hole 101. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the end of the rib portion 130 on the substrate 40 side is approximately the same in both the row and column directions.

[0048] Moreover, the heights (lengths in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 40) from the edges of the holes 101 of the ribs 130 provided on the first end side of the upper case 10 to the ends on the substrate 40 side are substantially the same. Thus, in the same row from the first end side to the second end side, the heights from the edges of the holes 101 of the ribs 130 to the ends on the substrate 40 side are substantially the same. Furthermore, the height of the ribs 130 provided on the second end side of the upper case 10 is lower than the height of the ribs 130 on the first end side. Thus, the height of the ribs 130 in the upper case 10 decreases from the first end side to the second end side in the same row.

[0049] The rib portion 130 guides the key top 141 in the sliding direction when the key top 141 is pressed. The side of the key top 141 and the inner side of the hole portion 101 and the rib portion 130 face each other with a small gap. The side of the key top 141 and the inner side of the hole portion 101 and the rib portion 130 described in this embodiment are inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 1.5°), but may be approximately parallel. In addition, the rib portion 130 receives the flange 141f via the nonwoven fabric sheet 50 when the key top 141 is pushed back. Since the rib portion 130 extends from the hole portion 101 in the sliding direction of the key top 141, the wobbling of the key top 141 is suppressed within the small gap when the key top 141 slides.

[0050] Some conventional calculators have ribs similar to the rib portion 130 not only at the intersections but also at the key pitch portions (for example, key pitch portions extending in the column direction). Therefore, the conventional rib portion has a relatively large contact area with the key top 141 when the key top 141 is pressed. Since the rib portion 130 is not present at the key pitch portion 11p but only at the intersections 11c, the contact area with the key top 141 when the key top 141 is pressed is relatively small. Furthermore, the upper case 10 has fewer members that contribute to acoustic reflection, such as the rib portion on the key pitch portion 11p. Therefore, the keystroke sound of the key top 141 can be reduced. Reducing the keystroke sound means that the volume and pitch of the keystroke sound are no longer noticeable to the user.

[0051] In the cross section in the row direction of Fig. 2, the keys 14 arranged in the row direction from the first end side to the second end side are referred to as keys 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E in order. In each of the key tops 141 of the keys 14A to 14E, the height in the +Z direction from the housing surface 11a to the operation surface 141t is approximately the same. Therefore, the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the operation surface 141t of each of the key tops 141 of the keys 14A to 14E is as follows, due to the angle θ1: height of key 14A > height of key 14B > height of key 14C > height of key 14D > height of key 14E.

[0052] In addition, in the row direction, the difference in height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the operation surfaces 141t of the key tops 141 of two adjacent keys 14 is approximately the same. In addition, in the row direction, the height of the key tops 141 themselves of each key 14 in the vertical direction from the plane of the substrate 40 is as follows: height of key 14A > height of key 14B > height of key 14C > height of key 14D > height of key 14E. In this way, in the row direction, the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the operation surfaces 141t of each key 14 can be configured to be stepped according to the angle θ1 of the housing surface 11a.

[0053] 2 and 3, the operation surface 141t of the key top 141 is formed so as to be parallel to the plane of the substrate 40. In the row direction of FIG. 2, the key tops 141 of the keys 14A to 14E have the same sliding length (stroke length) defined by the movable range of the rubber key tops 32 having the same configuration (material / shape (mass)) and the rib portion 130. Therefore, the operation feel of the keys 14A to 14E in the row direction is approximately the same, and the difference in the keystroke sound of each key 14 is also reduced.

[0054] 3, the keys 14 arranged in a row from the fourth end side to the third end side are referred to as keys 14F, 14G, 14H, 14I, 14J, and 14K, in that order. The height from the placement surface M1 to the operation surface 141t of each key top 141 of the keys 14F to 14K is, due to the angle θ2, as follows: height of key 14K > height of key 14J > height of key 14I > height of key 14H > height of key 14G > height of key 14F.

[0055] The height from the housing surface 11a to the operation surface 141t of each of the key tops 141 of the keys 14F to 14K is approximately the same. Also, the height in the +Z direction of each of the key tops 141 themselves of the keys 14F to 14K is approximately the same. Therefore, in the column direction, the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the operation surfaces 141t of the keys 14F to 14K is approximately the same regardless of the angle θ2. Also, the height in the +Z direction of the rib portions 130 corresponding to each of the key tops 141 of the keys 14F to 14K from the plane of the substrate 40 is approximately the same.

[0056] In the keys 14F to 14K, the key tops 141 of the multiple keys 14 have the same movable range of the rubber key tops 32 having the same configuration (material / shape (mass)) and the same sliding length defined by the rib portion 130. Therefore, the difference in the operational feel and keystroke sound of the keys 14F to 14K in the column direction is approximately the same.

[0057] As described above, according to this embodiment, calculator 1 has upper case 10 and multiple rib portions 130. Upper case 10 is provided with hole portion 101 through which key top 141 slidably passes. Multiple rib portions 130 extend from the edge of hole portion 101 in upper case 10 in a direction perpendicular to board 40 of the device itself (calculator 1) while being spaced apart from each other.

[0058] Therefore, the contact area between the upper case 10 and the key tops 141 is reduced by the rib portions 130, so that the keystroke sound of the key tops 141 can be reduced.

[0059] Furthermore, the calculator 1 has spaces 11s between the spaced apart rib portions 130 in the upper case 10. The upper case 10 has a plurality of holes 101. The spaces 11s are disposed between adjacent key tops 141 in the row or column direction. Therefore, the rib portions 130 reduce the contact area between the upper case 10 and the key tops 141, thereby making it possible to reduce the keystroke sound of the key tops 141 and reduce the material cost of the upper case 10.

[0060] Further, the key top 141 has a flange 141f. When the key top 141 is pressed down, the flange 141f comes into contact with the end of the rib portion 130 on the substrate 40 side. Therefore, the flange 141f and the rib portion 130 reduce the contact area between the upper case 10 and the key top 141, so that the typing sound of the key top 141 can be reduced.

[0061] Moreover, the height from the edge of the hole 101 of the rib portion 130 provided on the first end side of the upper case 10 to the end on the substrate 40 side is substantially the same. The height of the rib portion 130 provided on the second end side facing the first end of the upper case 10 is lower than the height of the rib portion 130 on the first end side. Therefore, in the calculator 1, the height from the substrate 40 to the operation surface 141t of the key top 141 on the first end side can be configured to be higher than the height from the substrate 40 to the operation surface 141t of the key top 141 on the second end side. Furthermore, the keystroke sound of the key top 141 on the first end side and the key top 141 on the second end side can be reduced, and the difference between the keystroke sounds can be reduced.

[0062] In addition, the height from the substrate 40 to the operation surface 141t of the key top 141 on the first end side is greater than the height from the substrate 40 to the operation surface 141t of the key top 141 on the second end side. Therefore, in the calculator 1, the key top 141 can be made to fit the user's hand and fingers.

[0063] The calculator 1 also includes one nonwoven fabric sheet 50 disposed between the substrate 40 and the multiple rib portions 130. This reduces the collision between the key tops 141 and the rib portions 130 when the key tops 141 are pushed back, thereby reducing the keystroke sound when the key tops 141 are pushed back. In a configuration in which the height from the substrate 40 to the ends of the rib portions 130 on the substrate 40 side is approximately the same, the single nonwoven fabric sheet 50 can reduce the difference in keystroke sound when the multiple key tops 141 are pushed back.

[0064] The calculator 1 also includes a rubber key 30 that returns to its original shape when the key top 141 is pressed, and a boss portion 110 and a rib portion 120 that sandwich the rubber key 30 between the board 40. Therefore, the boss portion 110 and the rib portion 120 allow the rubber key 30 to be fixed to the board 40 accurately and appropriately.

[0065] The above description of the embodiment is merely an example of the key input device according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0066] For example, in the above embodiment, the electronic device is configured to be the calculator 1, but is not limited to this. The electronic device may be, for example, another device in which a user inputs with one hand and a plurality of keys are arranged in a stepped manner. More specifically, the electronic device may be a remote controller for various devices, a handy terminal, an external numeric keypad device for a PC (Personal Computer), an input device for a PIN number, etc.

[0067] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1. Calculator 10 Upper case 101 Hole 110 Boss part 111 Boss 112 Ribs 120,130 Rib section 121 Post 122 Ribs 11. Key input section 11a, 11b Case surface 11c Intersection 11p Key Pitch Section 11s space part 20 Lower case 21 Foot 14, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G, 14H, 14I, 14J, 14K Key 141 Key Top 1411 Base 1412 Engraving section 141t Operation surface 141f flange 30 Rubber Key 31 Plane part 32 Rubber key top 321 Mounting part 322 Support part 40 Substrate 50 Nonwoven Sheet 15 Selector switch 12 Display section 12a Case surface 16 Display 17. Solar Panels M1 Placement surface

Claims

1. A member having a hole through which the key top portion slidably passes; a plurality of wall portions extending from edges of the hole in the member in a direction perpendicular to a substrate of the device while being spaced apart from one another; A key input device comprising:

2. a space between the spaced apart walls of the member; 2. The keyboard input device according to claim 1.

3. The member includes a plurality of the holes, The space is disposed between adjacent key top portions.

3. The keyboard input device according to claim 2.

4. The key top portion has a flange portion, The flange portion is brought into contact with the substrate side end portion of the wall portion.

2. The keyboard input device according to claim 1.

5. a height from an edge of the hole of the wall portion provided on a first end side of the member to an end portion on the substrate side is substantially the same, and the height of the wall portion provided on a second end side opposite to the first end of the member is lower than the height of the wall portion on the first end side; 5. The keyboard input device according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard input device is a keyboard.

6. A height from the substrate to an operation surface of the key top portion on the first end side is greater than a height from the substrate to an operation surface of the key top portion on the second end side.

6. The keyboard input device according to claim 5.

7. a sheet portion disposed between the substrate and the wall portion; 6. The keyboard input device according to claim 5.

8. An elastic portion that receives a pressure applied to the key top portion and restores its original shape; a rib portion that sandwiches the elastic portion between the elastic portion and the substrate, 2. The keyboard input device according to claim 1.

Images