Keyboard device and information equipment system

Abstract

It is possible to achieve a thinner and lighter device, and to obtain a high level of operational feel. [Solution] The keyboard device is a keyboard device for inputting data to a screen keyboard that displays multiple keys on a capacitive touch screen, and comprises: multiple conductive keycaps; a scissor mechanism provided directly below each keycap and supporting the keycap so that it can move up and down; an insulating support plate having a through-hole directly below each keycap and supporting each scissor mechanism on the upper side; a conductive contact portion that contacts the keycaps; a conductive pressing portion that is conductive with the contact portion and passes through the through-hole when the keycap is pressed; rubber domes provided between each keycap and the support plate; and multiple conductive pads provided on the underside of the support plate so as to cover each through-hole while insulating adjacent pads from each other, and which are capable of conducting with each key of the screen keyboard.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a keyboard device and an information equipment system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, information devices such as notebook PCs and tablet PCs that have touch screens but no physical keyboards have become increasingly popular. These types of information devices often use a screen keyboard displayed on the touch screen as a virtual input device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-10512 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-74796 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, on-screen keyboards do not have physical up-and-down movement of the keys or input feedback, and it is not possible to distinguish the boundaries between adjacent keys by touch. For this reason, on-screen keyboards are inferior to physical keyboard devices in terms of operational feel, and some users may prefer to input using a physical keyboard device.

[0005] Therefore, the present applicant has proposed a compact keyboard device that can be placed on the touch screen of such information devices and can be connected to the information devices wirelessly (see Patent Document 2). This keyboard device has keys that physically move up and down, providing a high level of operability. However, because this keyboard device is equipped with a battery, membrane switches, a wireless module, etc., there are limitations to how thin and lightweight it can be.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a keyboard device and an information equipment system that can be made thinner and lighter and that provide a high level of operational feel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A keyboard device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a keyboard device for inputting data into a screen keyboard that displays a plurality of keys on a capacitive touch screen, and comprises a plurality of conductive keycaps, a scissor mechanism provided directly below each keycap and supporting the keycap so that it can move up and down, an insulating support plate having a through-hole directly below each keycap and supporting each scissor mechanism on the upper side, a conductive contact portion that contacts the keycaps, a conductive pressing portion that is conductive with the contact portion and passes through the through-hole when the keycap is pressed, and a rubber dome provided between each keycap and the support plate, and a plurality of conductive pads provided on the underside of the support plate so as to cover each through-hole while insulating adjacent pads from each other, and which are capable of conducting with each key of the screen keyboard.

[0008] An information device system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises an information device having a capacitive touch screen capable of displaying a screen keyboard consisting of a plurality of keys, and a keyboard device placed on the touch screen for inputting to the screen keyboard, the keyboard device comprising a plurality of conductive keycaps, a scissor mechanism provided directly below each keycap and supporting the keycaps so that they can move up and down, an insulating support plate having a through-hole directly below each keycap and supporting each scissor mechanism on its upper surface, a conductive contact portion that contacts the keycaps, a conductive pressing portion that is conductive with the contact portion and passes through the through-hole when the keycap is pressed, and a rubber dome provided between each keycap and the support plate, and a plurality of conductive pads provided on the underside of the support plate so as to cover each through-hole while insulating adjacent pads from each other, and which are capable of conducting with each key of the screen keyboard.

[0009] A keyboard device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a keyboard device for inputting data to a screen keyboard that displays a plurality of keys on a capacitive touch screen, and comprises: a plurality of conductive keycaps; a scissor mechanism provided directly below each keycap and supporting the keycap so that it can move up and down; an insulating support plate having a through-hole directly below each keycap and supporting each scissor mechanism on the upper surface thereof; a conductive contact portion that can come into contact with the keycaps; a conductive pressing portion that is conductive with the contact portion and passes through the through-hole when the keycap is pressed down; and legs that stand up on the upper surface of the support plate, wherein the contact portion and the pressing portion are formed of a conductive material and the legs are formed of a non-conductive rubber material; and a plurality of conductive pads provided on the lower surface of the support plate so as to cover each through-hole while being insulated from adjacent ones of the through-holes, and which can be conductive with each key of the screen keyboard.

[0010] An information device system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises an information device having a capacitive touch screen capable of displaying a screen keyboard consisting of a plurality of keys, and a keyboard device placed on the touch screen for inputting to the screen keyboard, the keyboard device comprising a plurality of conductive keycaps, a scissor mechanism provided directly below each keycap and supporting the keycaps so that they can move up and down, an insulating support plate having through holes directly below each keycap and supporting each scissor mechanism on its upper surface, a conductive contact portion that can come into contact with the keycaps, a conductive pressing portion that is conductive with the contact portion and passes through the through hole when the keycap is pressed down, and legs that stand up on the upper surface of the support plate, the contact portion and the pressing portion being formed of a conductive material, and a plurality of rubber domes whose legs are formed of a non-conductive rubber material, and a plurality of conductive pads provided on the lower surface of the support plate so as to cover each through hole while being insulated from adjacent ones of the through holes and which can be conductive with each key of the screen keyboard. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the above aspects of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a thinner and lighter device, and a high operational feel can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information device system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an information device system in which a keyboard device is placed on an information device. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a schematic side view of the information device in a closed state in the storage mode. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a side view of the information device shown in FIG. 3A in an open state in notebook mode with the keyboard device placed at the usage position. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a schematic enlarged side cross-sectional view of a part of the keyboard device in the use position. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a predetermined keycap shown in FIG. 4A is pressed down. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bottom sheet with the conductive pads fixed thereto, as viewed from the top side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the bottom sheet shown in FIG. 5 as seen from the lower surface side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a keycap of a keyboard device according to a configuration example in which an opening is formed in a bottom sheet is pressed down. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a schematic enlarged side cross-sectional view of a part of a keyboard device including a rubber dome according to a first configuration example. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a predetermined keycap shown in FIG. 8A is pressed down. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic enlarged side cross-sectional view of a part of a keyboard device including a rubber dome according to the second configuration example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged side cross-sectional view of a part of a keyboard device including a rubber dome according to the third configuration example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a keyboard device and an information equipment system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information device system 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a state before a keyboard device 14 is placed on an information device 12. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the information device system 10 with the keyboard device 14 placed on the information device 12. FIG. 3A is a schematic side view of the information device 12 when it is closed and in storage mode. FIG. 3B is a side view of the information device 12 shown in FIG. 3A when it is opened and in notebook mode with the keyboard device 14 placed on it.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3B, an information device system 10 of this embodiment includes an information device 12 and a keyboard device 14. The keyboard device 14 is an auxiliary device for improving the operability of input operations on the information device 12. The information device system 10 may also include other input devices besides the keyboard device 14, such as a digitizer pen.

[0016] First, an example of the configuration of the information device 12 will be described.

[0017] The information device 12 includes a first housing 16A, a second housing 16B, a hinge device 17, and a touch screen 18. The information device 12 of this embodiment is a personal computer that can be folded like a book and can be used as a notebook PC or a tablet PC. The information device 12 may be a tablet PC (tablet terminal) equipped with a single-plate touch screen, a portable game console, or the like. The information device 12 may have a dual-screen structure in which two housings rotatably connected by a hinge device each have a touch screen.

[0018] The housings 16A and 16B are rectangular, flat boxes. Each housing 16A and 16B has a vertical wall formed on the outer periphery of the bottom plate, and a touch screen 18 is disposed on the open top surface. The housings 16A and 16B may be made of a metal plate such as stainless steel, magnesium, or aluminum, or a fiber-reinforced resin plate. Each housing 16A and 16B may house, for example, a substrate on which various semiconductor chips are mounted, a battery device, an antenna device, various electronic components, a cooling device, etc.

[0019] The housings 16A and 16B are disposed adjacent to each other. The housings 16A and 16B are connected by a hinge device 17 provided at a position straddling one edge portion 16Aa and 16Ba, which are the adjacent edges of the housings 16A and 16B (see FIG. 3B). The hinge device 17 connects the one edge portions 16Aa and 16Ba to each other so that they can rotate relative to each other. This allows the information device 12 to open and close like a book, with the first housing 16A and the second housing 16B.

[0020] The housings 16A and 16B can be set to a desired angle between the 0-degree position shown in FIG. 3A and the 180-degree position shown in FIG. 1. In the 0-degree position shown in FIG. 3A, the information device 12 has a compact form with the touch screen 18 stored inside (storage mode), making it easy to carry and store in a bag, etc. When the housings 16A and 16B are set at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to 140 degrees as shown in FIG. 3B, the information device 12 is in a form that can be used like a general notebook PC (notebook mode). In the 180-degree position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the touch screen 18 is formed as a large, single plate, allowing the information device 12 to be used as a large-screen tablet terminal (tablet mode). Reference numeral 20 in FIGS. 3A and 3B denotes a spine member that covers the gap between the edges 16Aa and 16Ba that are separated from each other in the storage mode or notebook mode.

[0021] 1 to 3B, the width direction of each housing 16A, 16B of the information device 12 will be described as the X1-X2 direction, the arrangement direction of the housings 16A, 16B perpendicular to the X1-X2 direction as the Y1-Y2 direction, and the thickness direction of the housings 16A, 16B as the Z1-Z2 direction. The keyboard device 14 will also be described as having the X1-X2 direction, etc., similar to the information device 12, based on the state in which it is placed on the information device 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 3B). The X1-X2 directions may be collectively referred to as the X direction, and the Y1-Y2 direction and the Z1-Z2 direction may also be referred to as the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0022] The touch screen 18 can be configured with an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) that has a capacitive touch panel stacked on top of it. Therefore, the touch screen 18 functions as an input device that can detect a touch position from a slight change in capacitance that occurs between a finger and the touch panel. The touch screen 18 can be operated by touching the top surface 18a, which is the display surface.

[0023] The touchscreen 18 is made of a highly flexible paper-like flexible display, and can be folded in response to the rotational movement between the housings 16A and 16B. That is, the touchscreen 18 continuously covers the upper surfaces of the first housing 16A and the second housing 16B, and can open and close in response to the opening and closing movement of the housings 16A and 16B. The region of the touchscreen 18 that straddles the hinge device 17, specifically, a strip-shaped region extending in the X direction along one edge 16Aa, 16Ba, becomes the folding region 18b that folds when the housings 16A and 16B are rotated (see FIG. 3B ). The touchscreen 18 does not have to be made of a flexible display if the information device 12 does not have a foldable structure, for example.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, the information device 12 can display a screen keyboard 22 on the touch screen 18. The screen keyboard 22, also called a software keyboard, is a virtual keyboard device that enables typing using touch operations on the touch screen 18. The screen keyboard 22 is made up of a plurality of keys 22a arranged in the same manner as a general keyboard device. The screen keyboard 22 can be operated in the same manner as a general keyboard device by accepting touch operations on each key 22a.

[0025] 1 illustrates a state in which the screen keyboard 22 is displayed in a position closer to the Y1 side of the area on the first housing 16A side of the top surface 18a of the touch screen 18. The display position, display range, key layout, etc. of the screen keyboard 22 are not limited to those shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the information device 12 can display the screen keyboard 22 in any position within the display area of ​​the touch screen 18.

[0026] Next, the keyboard device 14 used in combination with the information device 12 will be described.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3B, the keyboard device 14 is used by being placed on the upper surface 18a of the touch screen 18. The keyboard device 14 assists input operations on a screen keyboard 22 displayed on the touch screen 18. The keyboard device 14 allows touch operation of each key 22a of the screen keyboard 22 displayed directly below each key cap 24 by physically pressing each key cap 24. In this way, the keyboard device 14 enables comfortable typing on the screen keyboard 22.

[0028] 2 shows the state in which the keyboard device 14 is placed on the screen keyboard 22 displayed on the touch screen 18. It is preferable that the arrangement of the key caps 24 of the keyboard device 14 matches the arrangement of the keys 22a of the screen keyboard 22. In this way, when the keyboard device 14 is placed on the screen keyboard 22, the key 22a with the same function is located directly below each key cap 24. Hereinafter, the state in which the keyboard device 14 is placed in the appropriate position on the screen keyboard 22 is referred to as the usage position.

[0029] The keyboard device 14 has a width dimension in the X direction that is slightly smaller than the housings 16A and 16B in a plan view, and a width dimension in the Y direction that is slightly larger than the width dimension of the short side (Y direction) of the screen keyboard 22. As a result, the keyboard device 14 in the use position is arranged so as to cover and conceal the screen keyboard 22 with a substantially identical outer shape. The keyboard device 14 may be configured to be positioned in the use position by, for example, magnets embedded in various locations on the outer edges of the housings 16A and 16B. The keyboard device 14 may be configured to be positioned in the use position by, for example, non-slip rubber material arranged in various locations on the outer edge of the bottom surface of the keyboard device 14.

[0030] Fig. 4A is a schematic enlarged side cross-sectional view of a portion of the keyboard device 14 in the use position. Fig. 4B is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a predetermined keycap 24 shown in Fig. 4A is pressed down. Fig. 4B does not show the scissor mechanism 26.

[0031] 2, 4A, and 4B, the keyboard device 14 can include a plurality of key caps 24, a plurality of scissor mechanisms 26, a plurality of rubber domes 28, a support plate 30, a plurality of conductive pads 32, a bottom sheet 34, and a frame member 36. As described above, the keyboard device 14 is an auxiliary input device that touches and operates the keys 22a of the screen keyboard 22 via the depressed key caps 24. For this reason, the keyboard device 14 can be configured without a battery, membrane switch, wireless module, etc., as in general keyboard devices.

[0032] The keycap 24 is an operation plate that is directly operated by an operator. The keycap 24 has conductivity at least between the operation surface (front surface) 24a and the back surface 24b. The keycap 24 is molded from, for example, resin, and the entire outer surface is coated with metal plating 24c to ensure conductivity between the operation surface 24a and the back surface 24b. The metal plating 24c can be formed by vapor deposition of, for example, stainless steel (SUS) or nickel. The entire keycap 24 may be molded from a conductive material.

[0033] The scissor mechanism 26 is a guide mechanism that supports the keycaps 24 on the upper surface 30a side of the support plate 30 so that the keycaps 24 can move up and down. One scissor mechanism 26 is installed directly below each keycap 24. Multiple scissor mechanisms 26 can be installed for large keycaps 24 such as the space bar.

[0034] The scissor mechanism 26 may be composed of an inner frame 26a and an outer frame 26b that forms a pair with the inner frame 26a. The inner frame 26a and the outer frame 26b are attached in a diagonal brace and function as a pantograph that guides the keycaps 24 to move up and down on the support plate 30. An opening in which a rubber dome 28 is disposed is formed on the inner periphery of the inner frame 26a. The inner frame 26a may have a pair of left and right fixed shafts 26a1 that are journaled on the back surface 24b of the keycaps 24, and a pair of left and right movable shafts 26a2 that are slidably supported on the top surface 30a of the support plate 30. The outer frame 26b may have a pair of left and right movable shafts 26b1 that are slidably supported on the back surface 24b of the keycaps 24, and a pair of left and right fixed shafts 26b2 that are journaled on the top surface 30a of the support plate 30.

[0035] The rubber domes 28 are provided between the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30 and the back surface 24b of each keycap 24. One rubber dome 28 is provided inside each scissor mechanism 26. The rubber dome 28 is an elastic member that establishes electrical continuity between the keycap 24 and the conductive pad 32 when the keycap 24 is pressed down, and returns the keycap 24 to its original position when the keycap 24 is released from the pressed state.

[0036] The rubber dome 28 may have a contact portion 28a, a pressing portion 28b, and a leg portion 28c. The rubber dome 28 has a generally truncated cone shape as a whole.

[0037] The contact portion 28a forms the upper surface of the rubber dome 28 and is the portion that comes into contact with the back surface 24b of the keycap 24. In order to improve adhesion to the back surface 24b, the contact portion 28a can be formed as a donut-shaped surface with a recess in the center in a plan view. The contact portion 28a may also be formed as a disk-shaped flat surface without a recess. The pressing portion 28b is the portion that presses the conductive pad 32. The pressing portion 28b is provided coaxially below the contact portion 28a. The pressing portion 28b is, for example, in the shape of a truncated cone or cylinder that tapers downward.

[0038] The leg portion 28c is an elastically deformable portion for moving the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b up and down. The leg portion 28c has a skirt shape that forms the outer peripheral surface of the rubber dome 28, and is supported and stands up by the upper surface 30a of the support plate 30. As a result, when the keycap 24 is pressed down, the leg portion 28c is compressed and crushed, moving the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b downward. When the keycap 24 is released from the press down state, the leg portion 28c returns to its original shape by its elastic force, pushing up the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b and lifting the keycap 24.

[0039] At least the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b of the rubber dome 28 are conductive, and electrical continuity is established between the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b. The rubber dome 28 can be integrally molded from the contact portion 28a to the pressing portion 28b using, for example, conductive silicone rubber with a conductive filler added. This ensures electrical continuity between the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b. The leg portion 28c may or may not be conductive. The entire rubber dome 28, including the leg portion 28c, may be molded using conductive silicone rubber.

[0040] The support plate 30 is a mounting plate for the scissor mechanisms 26 and the rubber domes 28. The support plate 30 is a thin plate made of an insulating material. The thickness of the support plate 30 is, for example, 0.2 mm. The support plate 30 can be made of, for example, FR4 (Flame Retardant Type 4), a material made by impregnating glass fiber with epoxy resin and hardening it. FR4 plates are generally used for printed circuit boards and are strong, lightweight, and insulating.

[0041] The upper surface 30a of the support plate 30 serves as a support surface for the scissor mechanism 26 and the rubber dome 28. Shaft support portions 38 that support the shafts 26a2, 26b2 are appropriately protruded from the upper surface 30a. The lower surface 30b of the support plate 30 serves as a mounting surface for the conductive pads 32 and the bottom sheet 34. The support plate 30 has through-holes 30c directly below each keycap 24. One through-hole 30c is provided directly below each rubber dome 28. The through-holes 30c are holes with an inner diameter that allows the pressing portions 28b of the rubber domes 28 to be inserted therethrough, and are, for example, circular.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bottom sheet 34, on which the conductive pads 32 are fixed, as viewed from the upper surface 34a side. Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the bottom sheet 34 shown in Fig. 5, as viewed from the lower surface 34b side.

[0043] 4A to 6, a plurality of conductive pads 32 are provided on the lower surface 30b of the support plate 30 so as to cover each of the through holes 30c. Each conductive pad 32 covers one through hole 30c. The conductive pad 32 is a thin metal foil made of a highly conductive metal such as copper or aluminum. The thickness of the conductive pad 32 is, for example, 0.2 mm.

[0044] When the keyboard device 14 is in the use position, each conductive pad 32 is electrically connected to a corresponding key 22a of the screen keyboard 22. One conductive pad 32 is installed directly below each rubber dome 28. Adjacent conductive pads 32 are insulated from one another. For example, the conductive pads 32 are insulated from one another by being arranged with a predetermined gap C between them. The size of each conductive pad 32 is preferably the same as or slightly smaller than the outer shape of the key 22a to be electrically connected. This allows each conductive pad 32 to be electrically connected to each key 22a over a large surface area while ensuring reliable insulation between them. The size of each conductive pad 32 is preferably uniform regardless of the size of the key 22a to be electrically connected. More specifically, the size of the conductive pad 32 is preferably uniform for at least each type of key 22a to be electrically connected (e.g., function key, alphanumeric key, cursor key, etc.). This uniforms the magnitude of the signal transmitted between each conductive pad 32 and each key 22a, resulting in more stable touch operations on the screen keyboard 22. 4A, the key 22a located directly below the central keycap 24 is called "key 22A," and the left and right keys 22a adjacent to key 22A are called "keys 22B, 22C," respectively. In this case, the conductive pad 32 that is electrically connected to key 22A is insulated by a gap C from the adjacent conductive pads 32, 32 that are electrically connected to keys 22B, 22C.

[0045] The conductive pads 32 are adhesively fixed and positioned on the upper surface 34a of the bottom sheet 34 in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the keys 22a (key caps 24). The conductive pads 32 can also be fixed to the lower surface 30b of the support plate 30 by adhesive or the like.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4A to 6, the bottom sheet 34 forms the bottom surface of the keyboard device 14. The bottom sheet 34 is a thin sheet-like member made of an insulating material. The bottom sheet 34 is a resin sheet made of, for example, PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), and a resin sheet called Mylar (registered trademark) can also be used. The thickness of the bottom sheet 34 is, for example, 0.1 mm.

[0047] The bottom sheet 34 is fixed to the lower surface 30b of the support plate 30 by adhesive or the like, and sandwiches the conductive pads 32 between the bottom sheet 34 and the lower surface 30b. This prevents the conductive pads 32 from being exposed on the bottom surface of the keyboard device 14. The shape of the bottom sheet 34 can be formed to be substantially the same as the shape of the support plate 30 in a plan view. This allows the bottom sheet 34 to cover the entire lower surface 30b.

[0048] The bottom sheet 34 allows electrical connection between each conductive pad 32 and each key 22a of the screen keyboard 22 while insulating each conductive pad 32 from each other. As described above, the bottom sheet 34 is a thin sheet-like member having insulating properties. This allows the bottom sheet 34 to maintain an insulating state between each conductive pad 32.

[0049] The screen keyboard 22 is configured as a capacitive touch panel, and the bottom sheet 34 is a thin insulating film located between the conductive pads 32 and the touch screen 18. Therefore, the thin bottom sheet 34 forming the bottom surface of the keyboard device 14 passes through the AC voltage applied when the keycaps 24 are pressed to establish electrical contact between the operator's fingertips F and the conductive pads 32, as described below, and becomes part of the capacitor formed therein. Therefore, even when the insulating bottom sheet 34 is provided on the bottom surface of the keyboard device 14, the information device 12 can detect changes in capacitance occurring between the conductive pads 32 and the keys 22a and accept touch operations on the screen keyboard 22. Therefore, the thickness of the insulating bottom sheet 34 must be thin enough not to interfere with the detection of touch operations by the capacitive touch screen 18. Therefore, in this embodiment, the thickness of the bottom sheet 34 is set to, for example, 0.1 mm, as described above.

[0050] 1, 2, and 4A, the frame member 36 is a member that constitutes the housing of the keyboard device 14. The frame member 36 is, for example, a molded part made of an insulating resin material. The frame member 36 can have an isolation frame 36a and a peripheral frame 36b.

[0051] The isolation frame 36a, together with each keycap 24, forms the top surface of the keyboard device 14. The isolation frame 36a functions as a partition wall separating adjacent keycaps 24, 24. The isolation frame 36a is formed in a mesh pattern, and the keycaps 24 are arranged inside each mesh so that they can move up and down. The isolation frame 36a can also be omitted. The peripheral frame 36b is a standing wall that forms the peripheral side surface of the keyboard device 14. The peripheral frame 36b is formed to rise from the peripheral edge of the isolation frame 36a toward the Z2 side. The inside of the peripheral frame 36b contains a support plate 30 that supports the keycaps 24, scissor mechanism 26, and rubber dome 28, as well as a conductive pad 32 and a bottom sheet 34 that are layered on the lower surface 30b side of the support plate 30.

[0052] Next, the operation of the information equipment system 10 will be described, focusing mainly on the operation of the keyboard device 14.

[0053] The information device 12 can use the keyboard device 14 in a notebook mode (see FIG. 3B) or a tablet mode (see FIG. 2). For example, in the notebook mode, the keyboard device 14 is placed in a usage position on the upper surface 18a of the touch screen 18 on the side of the first housing 16A placed on a desk. In the keyboard device 14 in the usage position, each key 22a on the screen keyboard 22 is provided with a key cap 24 of the corresponding key type, and the conductive pad 32 below the key cap 24 is electrically connected to each key 22a.

[0054] First, in the keyboard device 14, when the keycaps 24 are not pressed down, as shown in FIG. 4A , the keycaps 24 are in a position raised to the Z1 side by the biasing force of the rubber domes 28. At this time, the conductive keycaps 24 and the rubber domes 28 are electrically connected to each other. Meanwhile, the pressing portions 28b of the rubber domes 28 are located above the through-holes 30c of the support plate 30. In other words, the pressing portions 28b are separated from the conductive pads 32, and there is no electrical connection between them. Therefore, in the keyboard device 14, no input (touch operation) is being performed on the keys 22a of the screen keyboard 22 displayed on the touch screen 18.

[0055] Next, to input data on the screen keyboard 22, for example, a predetermined keycap 24 is pressed with a fingertip F, as shown in FIG. 4B . Then, the keycap 24 moves downward (in the Z2 direction) under the guidance of the scissor mechanism 26, compressing and crushing the rubber dome 28. This causes the pressing portion 28b of the rubber dome 28 to pass through the through-hole 30c and contact the conductive pad 32 directly below it. As a result, the keyboard device 14 is electrically connected from the fingertip F to the conductive pad 32 via the conductive keycap 24 and the rubber dome 28, and input (touch operation) is performed on the key 22a of the screen keyboard 22. At this time, the conductive pads 32 are insulated from each other. Therefore, keys 22a other than the target key 22A, such as adjacent keys 22B and 22C, are not accidentally touched.

[0056] As described above, the keyboard device 14 of this embodiment is used for inputting to a screen keyboard 22 that displays a plurality of keys 22a on a capacitive touch screen 18. The keyboard device 14 includes a plurality of conductive keycaps 24, a scissor mechanism 26 provided directly below each keycap 24, and an insulating support plate 30 that has through-holes 30c directly below each keycap 24 and supports each scissor mechanism 26 on its upper surface 39b. The keyboard device 14 includes rubber domes 28 provided between each keycap 24 and the support plate 30, each rubber dome having a conductive contact portion 28a that contacts the keycap 24 and a conductive pressing portion 28b that is conductive with the contact portion 28a and passes through the through-hole 30c when the keycap 24 is pressed. The keyboard device 14 is provided with a plurality of conductive pads 32 on the underside 30b of the support plate 30 so as to cover each through hole 30c while insulating adjacent ones from each other, and is equipped with conductive pads 32 that can be electrically connected to each key 22a of the screen keyboard 22.

[0057] This keyboard device 14 includes vertically movable keycaps 24 supported by a scissor mechanism 26 and a rubber dome 28, enabling typing with a high level of operability similar to that of a typical physical keyboard device. Meanwhile, the keyboard device 14 utilizes the keys 22a of the screen keyboard 22 to output a key to the information device 12 when the keycaps 24 are pressed. In other words, the keyboard device 14 does not require components for key output, such as a battery, membrane switch, or wireless module. Therefore, the keyboard device 14 can be significantly thinner and lighter than typical keyboard devices connected to information devices wirelessly or via a wire. For example, the keyboard device 14 of this embodiment can be configured with a thickness in the Z direction of approximately 3 to 3.5 mm. In other words, the information device system 10 equipped with the keyboard device 14 allows input to the information device 12 with a comfortable typing experience using the physical keyboard device 14. Furthermore, the keyboard device 14 can be easily carried along with the compact information device 12 and easily stored in a bag or similar.

[0058] In particular, the keyboard device 14 has conductive pads 32 of approximately uniform size, each of which has a large surface area equivalent to that of the key 22a of the screen keyboard 22, and these conductive pads 32 are electrically connected to each other. Therefore, the pressing portion 28b of the rubber dome 28 simply needs to come into contact with the conductive pad 32 to establish electrical connection between them. As a result, the keyboard device 14 is less likely to have poor contact with the touch screen 18, and input failures and erroneous inputs on the screen keyboard 22 when the key caps 24 are pressed can be reduced.

[0059] Suppose the keyboard device 14 does not have a conductive pad 32, and the pressing portion 28b itself, pressed by the keycap 24, directly touches the key 22a. The pressing portion 28b of the rubber dome 28 is located inside the scissor mechanism 26 and is surrounded by legs 28c that elastically displace the rubber dome 28 itself. Therefore, the surface area of ​​the pressing surface (tip surface) of the pressing portion 28b is small, and it is difficult to increase the surface area. Therefore, a configuration in which the pressing portion 28b directly touches the key 22a as described above is likely to cause poor contact with the tiny electrodes of the touch screen 18, resulting in typing problems. In contrast, the keyboard device 14 of this embodiment has a conductive pad 32 with a large surface area that is electrically connected to the key 22a. Therefore, if the pressing portion 28b makes contact with the conductive pad 32 and establishes electrical conduction, the keyboard device 14 can reliably touch the key 22a, reducing typing problems.

[0060] The size of the conductive pad 32 in a plan view is preferably equal to or smaller than the size of the keys 22a in a plan view of the screen keyboard 22. The larger the surface area of ​​the conductive pad 32, the less likely poor conduction to the keys 22a occurs. On the other hand, if the conductive pad 32 is too large, there is a concern that an adjacent key 22a may be touched by mistake.

[0061] The keyboard device 14 may include a bottom sheet (sheet-like member) 34 disposed on the underside 30b of the support plate 30, sandwiching the conductive pads 32 between the bottom sheet 34 and the underside 30b. The bottom sheet 34 insulates the conductive pads 32 from one another while allowing electrical continuity between the conductive pads 32 and the keys 22a. This prevents the conductive pads 32, formed of, for example, metal foil and arranged like floating islands, from being directly exposed on the bottom surface of the keyboard device 14. This prevents the conductive pads 32 from rusting or peeling. The bottom sheet 34 improves the design of the bottom surface of the keyboard device 14 and also prevents the intrusion of dust and dirt from the bottom surface. The bottom sheet 34 can be attached to the support plate 30 with the conductive pads 32 fixed integrally, thereby improving the workability of assembling the conductive pads 32. The bottom sheet 34 may be an anisotropic conductive sheet that is conductive in the thickness direction and insulating in the surface direction.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the keycap 24 of the keyboard device 14 according to the configuration example in which the opening 34c is formed in the bottom sheet 34 is pressed down.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom sheet 34 may have openings 34c formed therethrough at positions overlapping each conductive pad 32. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 as an example at positions overlapping some of the conductive pads 32, the openings 34c have a diameter smaller than the outer shape of each conductive pad 32. The diameter of the openings 34c is larger than the diameter of the pressing portion 28b of the rubber dome 28. Although FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate openings 34c only at positions overlapping some of the conductive pads 32, openings 34c can be similarly provided directly below all of the conductive pads 32. Although the openings 34c shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are circular, they may also be rectangular or polygonal.

[0064] 7 has openings 34c in the bottom sheet 34, so that the conductive pads 32 come into direct contact with the top surface 18a of the touch screen 18 when the keycaps 24 are pressed. Therefore, in this configuration, the bottom sheet 34 only needs to be insulating, and there are no restrictions on whether or not AC voltage can flow in its thickness direction during a touch operation.

[0065] Next, other configuration examples of the rubber dome 28 (rubber domes 28A, 28B, 28C) will be described.

[0066] Fig. 8A is a schematic enlarged side cross-sectional view of a part of keyboard device 14 including rubber dome 28A according to the first configuration example. Fig. 8B is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a predetermined keycap 24 shown in Fig. 8A is pressed down. Scissor mechanism 26 is not shown in Figs. 8A to 10.

[0067] A rubber dome 28A shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B has a contact portion 28a and a pressing portion 28b formed of a conductive material 40, and leg portions 28c formed of a non-conductive rubber material.

[0068] The conductive material 40 is, for example, a rubber material to which a conductive filler has been added. In this embodiment, the conductive material 40 is silicone rubber to which a conductive filler has been added. Examples of the conductive filler include metal powder and carbon black. Examples of the metal powder include powder of silver, copper, aluminum, or nickel.

[0069] In the rubber dome 28A, the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b are integrally formed from the same conductive material 40. This ensures electrical continuity between the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b. The conductive material 40 is formed, for example, into a generally cylindrical shape as a whole. The upper surface (Z1 side surface) of the conductive material 40 forms the contact portion 28a, and the lower surface (Z2 side surface) forms the pressing portion 28b. The contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b may be formed separately and then integrally formed with each other using an adhesive or the like.

[0070] The leg portion 28c of the rubber dome 28A is formed of a non-conductive rubber material. In this embodiment, the leg portion 28c is silicone rubber. That is, the rubber dome 28A is formed of a rubber material without the conductive filler. Generally, adding a conductive filler to a rubber material reduces its flexibility. The leg portion 28c needs to be flexibly compressed when the keycap 24 is pressed. This is to ensure a smooth operation feel of the keycap 24. On the other hand, the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b do not need to be as flexible as the leg portion 28c. Therefore, the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b of the rubber dome 28A are formed of a conductive material 40, and the leg portion 28c is formed of a non-conductive rubber material. This allows the rubber dome 28A to achieve both flexibility and conductivity between the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b.

[0071] 4A and other figures, the contact portion 28a of the rubber dome 28 is always in contact with the rear surface 24b of the keycap 24. On the other hand, the contact portion 28a of the rubber dome 28A shown in Fig. 8A can be located at a distance from the rear surface 24b when the keycap 24 is not pressed down. There is a gap G between the contact portion 28a of the rubber dome 28A and the rear surface 24b.

[0072] Specifically, the contact portion 28a is located below a bottom plate 28e of a recess 28d recessed in the upper surface of the rubber dome 28A. The bottom plate 28e is, for example, integrally molded with the leg portion 28c. A hole 28f penetrating the bottom plate 28e in the Z direction is formed. The contact portion 28a is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom plate 28e and is exposed inside the hole 28f. A downwardly protruding protrusion 24d is formed on the back surface 24b of the keycap 24. The protrusion 24d has an outer diameter that allows it to be inserted into the hole 28f and a height that allows it to contact the contact portion 28a through the hole 28f. The metal plating 24c is also applied to the surface of the protrusion 24d.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 8B, when the keycap 24 is pressed down and moves downward under the guidance of the scissor mechanism 26, the rubber dome 28A, particularly the leg portion 28c, is smoothly compressed and crushed. At this time, the convex portion 24d of the keycap 24 contacts the contact portion 28a through the hole 28f. This establishes electrical conduction between the keycap 24 and the contact portion 28a and the pressing portion 28b. Furthermore, the pressing portion 28b of the rubber dome 28A contacts the conductive pad 32 through the through-hole 30c. As a result, even in the keyboard device 14 equipped with the rubber dome 28A, electrical conduction is established from the fingertip F to the conductive pad 32, allowing input (touch operation) to be performed on the key 22a of the screen keyboard 22.

[0074] The rubber dome 28A has a gap G between the contact portion 28a and the keycap 24. Thus, in addition to the gap between the pressing portion 28b and the conductive pad 32, the rubber dome 28A also has a gap G between the keycap 24. Therefore, in the keyboard device 14 equipped with the rubber dome 28A, even if the keycap 24 is lightly pressed without intending to perform a pressing operation, electrical conduction between the keycap 24 and the contact portion 28a is unlikely to occur. As a result, the rubber dome 28A can more reliably prevent the key 22a from being touched unintentionally.

[0075] 9 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of a keyboard device 14 including a rubber dome 28B according to a second configuration example. Compared to the rubber dome 28A shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the rubber dome 28B shown in FIG. 9 has a configuration in which the hole 28f is substantially filled with a conductive material 40. In the rubber dome 28B, the contact portion 28a is exposed on the upper surface (Z1 side surface) of the bottom plate 28e. Therefore, in the rubber dome 28B, when the keycap 24 is pressed, the convex portion 24d of the keycap 24 also comes into contact with the contact portion 28a, establishing electrical conduction between them.

[0076] 10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a keyboard device 14 including a rubber dome 28C according to a third exemplary configuration. The rubber dome 28C shown in FIG. 10 does not include the protruding portion 24d of the keycap 24, unlike the rubber dome 28B shown in FIG. 9. The conductive material 40 is disposed so as to penetrate the bottom plate 28e, and the contact portion 28a is located above (on the Z1 side of) the top surface (the Z1 side surface) of the bottom plate 28e. Therefore, even in the rubber dome 28C, when the keycap 24 is pressed, the back surface 24b of the keycap 24 comes into contact with the contact portion 28a, establishing electrical conduction between them.

[0077] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can of course be freely modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 Information Equipment Systems 12 Information equipment 14 Keyboard Device 16A 1st housing 16B 2nd cabinet 18 Touchscreen 22 On-Screen Keyboard 22A~22C, 22a key 24 keycaps 24d convex part 26 Scissor mechanism 28, 28A~28C Rubber Dome 28a Contact part 28b Pressing part 28c leg 28f hole 30 Support Plate 30c through hole 32 Conductive pad 34 Bottom sheet 34c opening

Claims

1. A keyboard device for inputting data to a screen keyboard that displays a plurality of keys on a capacitive touch screen, a plurality of conductive keycaps; a scissor mechanism provided directly below each keycap to support the keycap so that the keycap can move up and down; an insulating support plate having through holes directly below each keycap and supporting each scissor mechanism on the upper surface thereof; a rubber dome provided between each keycap and the support plate, the rubber dome having a conductive contact portion that contacts the keycap and a conductive pressing portion that is electrically connected to the contact portion and passes through the through-hole when the keycap is pressed; a plurality of conductive pads provided on the underside of the support plate so as to cover the through holes respectively while being insulated from each other, the conductive pads being capable of conducting with the respective keys of the screen keyboard; A keyboard device comprising:

2. 2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, a sheet-like member provided on a lower surface side of the support plate, the sheet-like member sandwiching the plurality of conductive pads between the sheet-like member and the lower surface of the support plate; The sheet-like member allows electrical conduction between each conductive pad and each key of the screen keyboard while insulating each conductive pad from each other. A keyboard device characterized by:

3. 3. The keyboard device according to claim 2, The sheet-like member is an insulating resin sheet formed to a thickness that allows conduction between each conductive pad and each key of the screen keyboard. A keyboard device characterized by:

4. 3. The keyboard device according to claim 2, The sheet-like member has insulating properties and has openings at positions overlapping with the conductive pads. A keyboard device characterized by:

5. The keyboard device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The conductive pad is a metal foil fixed to the sheet-like member. A keyboard device characterized by:

6. An information equipment system, an information device having a capacitive touch screen capable of displaying a screen keyboard consisting of a plurality of keys; a keyboard device placed on the touch screen for inputting data to the screen keyboard; Equipped with The keyboard device a plurality of conductive keycaps; a scissor mechanism provided directly below each keycap to support the keycap so that the keycap can move up and down; an insulating support plate having through holes directly below each keycap and supporting each scissor mechanism on the upper surface thereof; a rubber dome provided between each keycap and the support plate, the rubber dome having a conductive contact portion that contacts the keycap and a conductive pressing portion that is electrically connected to the contact portion and passes through the through-hole when the keycap is pressed; a plurality of conductive pads provided on the underside of the support plate so as to cover the through holes respectively while being insulated from each other, the conductive pads being capable of conducting with the respective keys of the screen keyboard; have An information equipment system characterized by:

7. 7. The information equipment system according to claim 6, The size of the conductive pad is equal to or smaller than the size of the key. An information equipment system characterized by:

8. 8. The information equipment system according to claim 6 or 7, a sheet-like member provided on a lower surface side of the support plate, the sheet-like member sandwiching the plurality of conductive pads between the sheet-like member and the lower surface of the support plate; The sheet-like member allows electrical conduction between each conductive pad and each key of the screen keyboard while insulating each conductive pad from each other. An information equipment system characterized by:

9. A keyboard device for inputting data to a screen keyboard that displays a plurality of keys on a capacitive touch screen, a plurality of conductive keycaps; a scissor mechanism provided directly below each keycap to support the keycap so that the keycap can move up and down; an insulating support plate having through holes directly below each keycap and supporting each scissor mechanism on the upper surface thereof; a plurality of rubber domes each having a conductive contact portion capable of coming into contact with the keycap, a conductive pressing portion that is electrically connected to the contact portion and passes through the through-hole when the keycap is pressed, and a leg portion that stands on the upper surface side of the support plate, the contact portion and the pressing portion being made of a conductive material, and the leg portion being made of a non-conductive rubber material; a plurality of conductive pads provided on the underside of the support plate so as to cover the through holes respectively while being insulated from each other, the conductive pads being capable of conducting with the respective keys of the screen keyboard; A keyboard device comprising:

10. 10. The keyboard device according to claim 9, The conductive material forming the contact portion and the pressing portion is a rubber material to which a conductive filler is added. A keyboard device characterized by:

11. 11. The keyboard device according to claim 9, When the keycap is not pressed, the contact portion is spaced apart from the keycap. A keyboard device characterized by:

12. 12. The keyboard device according to claim 11, A convex portion is provided on the back surface of the keycap, which contacts the contact portion when the keycap is pressed. A keyboard device characterized by:

13. 13. The keyboard device according to claim 12, the rubber dome has a hole provided directly below the protrusion, The protrusion contacts the contact portion through the hole when the keycap is pressed. A keyboard device characterized by:

14. An information equipment system, an information device having a capacitive touch screen capable of displaying a screen keyboard consisting of a plurality of keys; a keyboard device placed on the touch screen for inputting data to the screen keyboard; Equipped with The keyboard device a plurality of conductive keycaps; a scissor mechanism provided directly below each keycap to support the keycap so that the keycap can move up and down; an insulating support plate having through holes directly below each keycap and supporting each scissor mechanism on the upper surface thereof; a plurality of rubber domes each having a conductive contact portion capable of coming into contact with the keycap, a conductive pressing portion that is electrically connected to the contact portion and passes through the through-hole when the keycap is pressed, and a leg portion that stands on the upper surface side of the support plate, the contact portion and the pressing portion being made of a conductive material, and the leg portion being made of a non-conductive rubber material; a plurality of conductive pads provided on the underside of the support plate so as to cover the through holes respectively while being insulated from each other, the conductive pads being capable of conducting with the respective keys of the screen keyboard; have An information equipment system characterized by:

15. 15. The information equipment system according to claim 14, The conductive material forming the contact portion and the pressing portion is a rubber material to which a conductive filler is added. An information equipment system characterized by:

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