Key switch arrangement

Abstract

A key switch arrangement is able to accomplish the compatibility with a normal keyboard in respect of profile without increasing the height of the keyboard and reduce the cost without adding new members for a light source. The key switch arrangement includes a key-top having an optically transparent key-top having a cutout letter part formed thereon, an optically transparent membrane sheet having a contact, an optically transparent plate member arranged under the membrane sheet, a cutting hole is formed on the plate member and an LED as a light source is downwards arranged in the membrane sheet. The light source emits light to pass the plate member and the membrane sheet to illuminate the cutout letter part on the key-top.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a key switch structure of a keyboard device used as an input device in an information processing device, a measurement device, a medical device, etc., especially a key switch structure with an illumination function that can ensure good operability even in a dark environment. Background technique [0002] People have been devoting themselves to the development of a keyboard device that can ensure good operability even in a relatively dark environment. Such a keyboard generally has the following structure, that is, there are keys constituting key switches printed with letters or symbols, etc. In addition to caps, link members, horn drums, diaphragms with contact points, and base plates, there are also substrates or light guide plates on which light sources for illuminating the keyboard, such as EL light emitting parts and LEDs, are arranged corresponding to each key switch . As a prior art disclosing a key switch that uses an EL...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] However, the conventional key switch structure disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 is a structure in which an EL element is added as a light source. Therefore, compared with a normal (non-illuminated) keyboard, the light source part is an extra space, and there is a height of the entire keyboard. heightened problem

In addition, since the height of the keyboard changes, it is difficult to install it on a personal computer, that is, it is difficult to replace the usual non-illuminated keyboard with an illuminated keyboard.

[0006] Furthermore, in addition to the increase in cost due to the increase or decrease of the light source parts, it is necessary to add a process of combining the light source parts and the push switch part, and there is a problem that the workability is deteriorated.

Images