Key input device

Abstract

To provide a key input device capable of reducing differences in operability between a plurality of key top sections having steps in one direction.SOLUTION: A calculator 1 as a key input device includes a key top 141 as a plurality of key top sections and an upper case 10. The upper case 10 has surfaces 102A to 102E in a mutually parallel relation, and at least one hole 101 is provided in each of the surfaces 102A to 102E. Each of the plurality of key tops 141 is inserted into a hole 101 corresponding to each key top 141. In the upper case 10, the surfaces 102A to 102E are provided to be flat from the first end side to the second end side facing the first end. Further, the upper case 10 is provided with a step between a surface positioned on the third end side orthogonal to the first end and a surface positioned on the fourth end side opposite to the third end among the surfaces 102A to 102E.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a key input device having a plurality of key top parts arranged on a surface. For example, a keyboard is known which includes a control panel having a flat panel part and an inclined panel part, a plurality of push button switches as key top parts arranged in a direction from the flat panel part to the inclined panel part, and an elastic sheet supporting the push button switches (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Microfilm of Utility Model Application No. 59-29404 (Utility Model Application No. 60-141035) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The conventional keyboard described above has a structure in which the pushbutton switch has a step from the flat part of the panel to the inclined part of the panel, and the shape of the elastic sheet is deformed (bent) according to the position of the pushbutton switch. In this structure, the operability (click feeling) differs between the pushbutton switch provided on the flat part of the panel and the pushbutton switch provided on the inclined part of the panel, so the user may feel uncomfortable when pressing the pushbutton switch (key top part).

[0005] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a key input device that can reduce the difference in operability between multiple key top parts that have steps in one direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the key input device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a member having a plurality of key top parts and a plurality of faces each in a parallel relationship, and each of the plurality of faces is provided with at least one first through hole, and each of the plurality of key top parts is inserted into the corresponding first through hole, the plurality of faces of the member are provided flatly from a first end side to a second end side opposite the first end, and a step is provided between a face located on a third end side perpendicular to the first end and a face located on a fourth end side opposite the third end. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the difference in operability between a plurality of keys having steps in the direction from the third end to the fourth end. [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. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view showing the upper case and the nonwoven fabric sheet. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a calculator showing the contact points of each key top of a row of keys. 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 the third end (the end of the housing in the -X direction) to the fourth end (the end of the housing in the +X direction) opposite the third 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 shape from the third end side to the fourth end side of the housing in the key input unit 11, and from the first end (the end on the +Y direction side of the housing) to the second 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 third end side to the fourth 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 second end side to the first 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 left-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 fourth end side to the third 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 key 14 arranged on the fourth end side is formed to be higher from the placement surface M1 than at least a part of the operation surface 141t of the key 14 arranged on the third end side.

[0023] Due to the configuration of calculator 1, when the user of calculator 1 operates it with the left hand (left-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 his / her right hand (a right-handed user), the housing surface 11a of the key input unit 11 may be configured to incline to the right so that the height from the placement surface M1 (substrate 40) decreases from the third end side to the fourth end side. That is, at least a part of the operation surface 141t of the keys 14 arranged on the third 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 fourth end side.

[0025] On the other hand, the display surface of the display 16 of the display unit 12 is formed so that the fourth end side is not higher in height from the placement surface M1 than the third end side. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the third end side and the fourth 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. 2 to Fig. 6. Fig. 4 is a rear view showing upper case 10. Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view showing upper case 10 and nonwoven fabric sheets 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, and 50E. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of calculator 1 showing contact points of each key top 141 of row-direction keys 14A to 14E.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the calculator 1 includes a display 16, a solar panel 17, a plurality of key tops 141, a rubber key 30, a substrate 40, and nonwoven fabric sheets 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, and 50E as sheet portions inside a housing (upper case 10 and lower case 20). The key top 141 includes a base portion 1411 and an engraving portion 1412. The base portion 1411 is an outer layer made of resin with the background color of the characters on the operation surface 141t. The engraving portion 1412 is an inner layer made of resin with the character color of the operation surface 141t, and is molded to penetrate the base portion 1411 and be exposed as characters (engravings) 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 slides (strokes) vertically onto the substrate 40, the flange 141f abuts against the upper case 10 via the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A to 50E when returning in the opposite direction, thereby stopping the key top 141. The flanges 141f of one key top 141 have the same height from the bottom surface (height in the vertical direction from the substrate 40).

[0031] In the cross section in the row direction of Fig. 2, the keys 14 arranged in the row direction from the third end side to the fourth end side are referred to as keys 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E in order. The height in the +Z direction from the housing surface 11a to the operation surface 141t of each key top 141 of the keys 14A to 14E is approximately the same. Therefore, the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the operation surface 141t of each key top 141 of the keys 14A to 14E is as follows, due to the angle θ1: height of key 14E > height of key 14D > height of key 14C > height of key 14B > height of key 14A.

[0032] In addition, in the row direction, the difference in height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the operation surface 141t of the key top 141 of two adjacent keys 14 is approximately the same. In addition, in the row direction, in the vertical direction from the plane of the substrate 40, the height of the key top 141 itself of each key 14 is as follows: height of key 14E>height of key 14D>height of key 14C>height of key 14B>height of key 14A. In addition, in the row direction, in the vertical direction from the plane of the substrate 40, the height of the flange 141f itself of each key 14 is as follows: height of key 14E>height of key 14D>height of key 14C>height of key 14B>height of key 14A. In this way, in the row direction, the height from the plane of the substrate 40 to the operation surface 141t of each key 14 can be configured to be stepped according to the angle θ1 of the housing surface 11a.

[0033] Here, the row of keys 14 extending in the row direction of keys 14A is referred to as row A. The row of keys 14 extending in the row direction of keys 14B is referred to as row B. The row of keys 14 extending in the row direction of keys 14C is referred to as row C. The row of keys 14 extending in the row direction of keys 14D is referred to as row D. The row of keys 14 extending in the row direction of keys 14E is referred to as row E.

[0034] 3, the keys 14 arranged in a row from the second end side to the first 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 2, the rubber key top 32 has a mounting part 321 and a support part 322. The mounting part 321 is attached to the lower end of the engraved part 1412 of the key top 141, 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 vertical top 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The nonwoven fabric sheet 50A is a single sheet of nonwoven fabric mounted so as to be disposed between the flanges 141f of the multiple keys 14 including the key 14A in row A and the surface 102A (described later) of the upper case 10. After the key top 141 is pressed in, if the flange 141f directly hits the surface of the upper case 10 when the key top 141 returns to its original position due to the restoring force of the rubber key top 32, the contact sound becomes loud. The nonwoven fabric sheet 50A prevents the flange 141f from directly hitting the surface 102A of the upper case 10, absorbing the force of the impact and reducing the contact sound (keystroke sound) when the key top 141 returns. Reducing the keystroke sound means that the volume and pitch of the keystroke sound are no longer noticeable to the user.

[0043] Similarly, the nonwoven fabric sheet 50B is a single nonwoven fabric sheet mounted in row B so as to be disposed between the flanges 141f of the multiple keys 14 including the key 14B and a surface 102B (to be described later) of the upper case 10. The nonwoven fabric sheet 50C is a single nonwoven fabric sheet mounted in row C so as to be disposed between the flanges 141f of the multiple keys 14 including the key 14C and a surface 102C (to be described later) of the upper case 10. The nonwoven fabric sheet 50D is a single nonwoven fabric sheet mounted in row D so as to be disposed between the flanges 141f of the multiple keys 14 including the key 14D and a surface 102D (to be described later) of the upper case 10. The nonwoven fabric sheet 50E is a single nonwoven fabric sheet mounted in row E so as to be disposed between the flanges 141f of the multiple keys 14 including the key 14E and a surface 102E (to be described later) of the upper case 10.

[0044] The configuration of the upper case 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing only the upper case 10. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the upper case 10 with the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E mounted thereon. As shown in Figs. 2-4, the upper case 10 has a plurality of holes 101 as first through holes in the housing surface 11a. The holes 101 are openings arranged corresponding to the key tops 141 of the plurality of 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.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the upper case 10 has a boss portion 110, a rib portion 120, and faces 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, 102E, etc., integrally formed on a housing face 11b on the rear side (-Z direction side) of the housing face 11a. The boss portion 110 and the rib portion 120 as protrusions are provided not in the key pitch portion 11p of the side region (side portion) between the 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. In other words, the boss portion 110 and the rib portion 120 are provided so as to straddle the faces 102A to 102E (the plurality of hole portions 101 in the row direction).

[0046] 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 as a support and a plurality of ribs 112. The boss 111 has an axial direction (projecting 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 of a relatively high height for screwing to the lower case 20. The plurality of ribs 112 are connected to the boss 111 and are planar ribs projecting in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the boss 111. The plurality of ribs 112 project from the boss 111 in directions perpendicular to each other. For example, when four ribs 112 are connected to the boss 111, the boss portion has the ribs 112 in a cross shape when viewed from the back side. Also, the rib 112 protrudes from the intersection 11c (indicated by the dashed line (phantom line) in FIG. 4) corresponding to the boss portion 110.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The rib portion 120 has a support 121 and a plurality of ribs 122. The support 121 extends in an axial direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40 from the housing surface 11b. The support 121 is of a relatively low height corresponding to the plane of the rubber key 30, and of a relatively high height for penetrating the plane of the rubber key 30 to position the rubber key 30 on the substrate 40. The plurality of ribs 112 are planar ribs connected to the support 121 and protruding in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the support 121. The plurality of ribs 122 protrude in a direction perpendicular to each other. For example, when four ribs 122 are connected to the support 121, the rib portion 120 has a cross-shaped rib 122 when viewed from the back side. The rib 122 protrudes from the intersection 11c (broken line (virtual line) in FIG. 4) corresponding to the rib portion 120.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the upper case 10 has, on the housing surface 11b, a surface 102A corresponding to column A, a surface 102B corresponding to column B, a surface 102C corresponding to column C, a surface 102D corresponding to column D, and a surface 102E corresponding to column E. In this manner, the surfaces 102A to 102E are provided in order from the third end side to the fourth end side in the row direction. Each of the surfaces 102A to 102E has a plurality of holes 101. Each of the surfaces 102A to 102E is a plane formed to be parallel to the plane of the substrate 40. Therefore, the surfaces 102A to 102E and the plane of the substrate 40 are in a parallel relationship. Each of the surfaces 102A to 102E is flat in the column direction (from the first end side to the second end side).

[0052] In the vertical direction from the plane of the substrate 40, the heights of the faces 102A to 102E are as follows: height of face 102E > height of face 102D > height of face 102C > height of face 102B > height of face 102A. That is, between the faces 102A to 102E located on the third end side and the faces located on the fourth end side, a step is provided such that the height from the plane of the substrate 40 increases toward the fourth end. Furthermore, the faces 102A to 102E are formed so that the heights in the vertical direction from the plane of the substrate 40 are approximately the same in the column direction (direction between the first end and the second end).

[0053] 5, nonwoven fabric sheet 50A is mounted (placed) on surface 102A. Nonwoven fabric sheet 50B is mounted on surface 102B. Nonwoven fabric sheet 50C is mounted on surface 102C. Nonwoven fabric sheet 50D is mounted on surface 102D. Nonwoven fabric sheet 50E is mounted on surface 102E. Flange 141f of key top 141 is disposed to face surfaces 102A-102E with one of nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E sandwiched therebetween in the normal state (when not pressed).

[0054] Each of the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A to 50E has a plurality of holes 501 as second through holes and a cutout 502. The holes 501 are disposed corresponding to the holes 101 of the upper case 10 and are through holes for the key tops 141 that penetrate the holes 101. The cutout 502 is a cut made at the end of the third end side or the fourth end side between two adjacent holes 501 so as to extend inward in the X-axis direction. The rib 112 of the boss portion 110 or the rib 122 of the rib portion 120 is fitted into the cutout 502. The nonwoven fabric sheets 50A to 50E are positioned on the upper case 10 by the boss portion 110 or the rib portion 120 that is fitted into the cutout 502.

[0055] The nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E have the same configuration (material, thickness, etc.). By using divided nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E instead of a single nonwoven fabric sheet, the contact areas between the faces 102A-102E, the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E, and the flanges 141f are increased. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E can be placed on the faces 102A-102E without sagging.

[0056] 2 and 3, the operation surfaces 141t of the key tops 141 are formed so as to be parallel to the plane of the substrate 40. In the row direction, 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 surfaces 102A to 102E (nonwoven fabric sheets 50A to 50E).

[0057] 6, when the user presses each key top 141 of the keys 14A to 14E in the row direction, the contact points where each key top 141 comes into contact with other parts are indicated by circles. Also, illustration of elastic deformation of the rubber key tops 32 and the like when pressed is omitted. The contact points are between each key top 141 and the upper end of the housing surface 11a or the ends of the surfaces 102A to 102E. This contact occurs, for example, when the sliding direction of the pressing of each key top 141 deviates from the perpendicular direction to the plane of the substrate 40, generating a contact sound.

[0058] However, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper case 10 has stepped surfaces 102A to 102E in the row direction, and the height of the flanges 141f of the multiple key tops 141 is stepped. As a result, the positional relationship between the sliding surface 141s of the key top 141 shown in FIG. 2 and the hole side surface 101s as the side surface of the hole portion 101 of the upper case 10 is such that a small gap is provided between them. The sliding surface 141s of each key top 141 and the corresponding hole side surface 101s are inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 1.5°), but may be approximately parallel. The sliding direction of the key top 141 is perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40. The hole side surface 101s is the inner side surface of the hole portion 101. In addition, the positional relationship between the sliding surface 141s and the hole side surface 101s is the same in all columns A to E in the row direction. 6, the difference in distance between the contact point of each key top 141 and the substrate 40 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 40 is the same for each key top in all columns A to E. Therefore, when a user presses the key top 141 in the row direction, the operation feel of the keys 14A to 14E becomes approximately the same, and the contact sound (keystroke sound) of each key 14 is also uniform.

[0059] Furthermore, by configuring the distance h between contact points of key 14E to be the same as that of key 14A, when the same point on key 14E is pressed with the same force, the speed just before key 14E comes into contact with other parts is slower and the impact at the time of contact is smaller, compared to a configuration in which the length of hole side surface 101s of key 14E is made longer than in the example shown in FIG. 6, so that the contact sound of each key 14 is reduced.

[0060] Furthermore, the divided nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E are mounted on the stepped surfaces 102A-102E, and the sliding length of each key top 141 is approximately the same. Therefore, when the key top 141 is pushed back in the row direction, the operation feel of the keys 14A-14E is approximately the same, and the contact sound (keystroke sound) of each key 14 is also uniform. The calculator 1 may be configured without the nonwoven fabric sheet.

[0061] In addition, in the column direction, the height from the housing surface 11a to the operation surface 141t of each key top 141 of keys 14F to 14K is approximately the same. Furthermore, the height of each key top 141 itself of keys 14F to 14K in the vertical direction to the plane of substrate 40 is approximately the same, and the height of flange 141f in the vertical direction to the plane of substrate 40 is approximately the same. Therefore, in the column direction, the height from the plane of substrate 40 to the operation surface 141t of keys 14F to 14K is approximately the same regardless of angle θ2.

[0062] In the keys 14F to 14K, the key tops 141 of the multiple keys 14 have the same sliding length, which is determined by the movable range of the rubber key tops 32 having the same configuration (material / shape (mass)) and the surfaces 102A to 102E (and nonwoven fabric sheets 50A to 50E). Also, in the column direction, the positional relationship between the sliding surfaces 141s and the hole side surfaces 101s is parallel with a predetermined distance therebetween, and is the same for all rows. Therefore, the operation feel of the keys 14F to 14K is approximately the same in the column direction, and the contact sounds (keystroke sounds) of each key 14 are also uniform.

[0063] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the calculator 1 includes a plurality of key tops 141 and an upper case 10. The upper case 10 has surfaces 102A to 102E that are parallel to each other, and at least one hole 101 is provided in each of the surfaces 102A to 102E. Each of the plurality of key tops 141 is inserted into the corresponding hole 101. The surfaces 102A to 102E of the upper case 10 are provided flat from the first end side to the second end side opposite the first end. In addition, the upper case 10 has a step between a surface located on the third end side perpendicular to the first end and a surface located on the fourth end side opposite the third end, among the surfaces 102A to 102E.

[0064] For this reason, since multiple key tops 141 are arranged on surfaces 102A to 102E, it is possible to reduce the difference in operability between multiple key tops 141 that are arranged flatly in the direction between the first end and the second end and have a step in the direction between the third end and the fourth end.

[0065] The calculator 1 further includes nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E provided to correspond to the faces 102A-102E, respectively. The nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E are provided with holes 501 corresponding to the holes 101 of the faces 102A-102E. Therefore, the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E divided to correspond to the steps can be accurately arranged in the direction between the third end side and the fourth end side to correspond to the faces 102A-102E having steps, and the holes 101, 501 allow the arrangement of the multiple key tops 141 having steps. Also, bending of the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E can be prevented.

[0066] Additionally, the key top 141 has a flange 141f. The flange 141f is provided to face the faces 102A-102E with the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E in between. This prevents the key top 141 from directly hitting the faces 102A-102E when the key top 141 is pushed back, thereby reducing the typing sound of the key top 141. Additionally, the contact area between the faces 102A-102E, the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A-50E, and the flange 141f can be increased.

[0067] The upper case 10 of the calculator 1 is further provided with a plurality of boss portions 110 having bosses 111 and posts 121, and a rib portion 120, which are provided across the surfaces 102A to 102E. The boss portion 110 and the rib portion 120 have a plurality of ribs 112, 122 protruding in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the bosses 111 and posts 121 protrude. The plurality of ribs 112, 122 protrude in the directions perpendicular to each other. The plurality of ribs 112, 122 fit into the notches 502 of the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A to 50E. Therefore, the boss portion 110 and the rib portion 120 allow the nonwoven fabric sheets 50A to 50E to be accurately positioned and fixed on the surfaces 102A to 102E.

[0068] In addition, the positional relationship between the sliding surface 141s of the key top 141 and the hole side surface 101s of the hole portion 101 corresponding to the key top 141 is the same for each key top 141 from the third end side to the fourth end side. Therefore, the operation feel of the key tops 141 can be made the same from the third end side to the fourth end side, and the keystroke sound of the key tops 141 can be made uniform.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the boss portion 110 and the rib portion 120 have the ribs 112 and 122 protruding from the intersection 11c (dashed line (virtual line) in FIG. 4), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the boss portion 110 and the rib portion 120 may have the ribs 112 and 122 provided within the intersection 11c (dashed line (virtual line) in FIG. 4). That is, the boss portion 110 and the rib portion 120 are provided with a protruding amount that does not contact a virtual surface that contacts a cross section (vertical dashed line in FIG. 4) of the edge portion in the row direction (direction from the third end side to the fourth end side) of the hole portion 101. The boss portion 110 and the rib portion 120 may also have a protruding amount that does not contact a virtual surface that contacts a cross section (horizontal dashed line in FIG. 4) of the edge portion in the column direction (direction from the first end side to the second end side) of the hole portion 101. Moreover, a combination of these two configurations may be used. With these configurations, the ribs 112 and 122 are reduced in the number of members that contribute to the reflection of sound, such as the ribs on the key pitch portion 11p. This reduces the keystroke sound of the key top 141.

[0072] 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]

[0073] 1. Calculator 10 Upper case 101 Hole 101s hole side 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, 102E surface 110 Boss part 111 Boss 112 Ribs 120 Rib section 121 Post 122 Ribs 11. Key input section 11a, 11b Case surface 11c Intersection 11p Key Pitch Section 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 141s sliding surface 30 Rubber Key 31 Plane part 32 Rubber key top 321 Mounting part 322 Support part 40 Substrate 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E Nonwoven fabric sheet 501 Hole 502 Notch 15 Selector switch 12 Display section 12a Case surface 16 Display 17. Solar Panels M1 Placement surface

Claims

1. A plurality of key top portions; a member having a plurality of parallel surfaces, each of the plurality of surfaces being provided with at least one first through hole; Equipped with Each of the plurality of key top portions is inserted into the corresponding first through hole, The member has a plurality of surfaces that are flat from a first end side to a second end side opposite to the first end, and a step is provided between a surface of the plurality of surfaces that is located on a third end side perpendicular to the first end and a surface that is located on a fourth end side opposite to the third end.

1. A key input device comprising:

2. The sheet portion is provided so as to correspond to each of the plurality of surfaces. The sheet portion is provided with a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole of the surface.

2. The keyboard input device according to claim 1.

3. The key top portion has a flange portion, The flange portion is provided to face the surface across the sheet portion.

3. The keyboard input device according to claim 2.

4. The projection portion is provided across the plurality of faces and has a support pillar. The protrusion has a plurality of ribs protruding in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the support pillar protrudes, The plurality of ribs protrude in directions perpendicular to each other, The plurality of ribs are fitted into the cutouts of the sheet portion.

3. The keyboard input device according to claim 2.

5. a positional relationship between a sliding surface of the key top portion and a side surface of the first through hole corresponding to the key top portion is the same for each key top portion from the third end side to the fourth end side; 5. The keyboard input device according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard input device is a keyboard.

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