Smk Corporation

Smk Co., Ltd.

Osamu Kamishima

Eri Otsuka

Tsubasa Hayase

Kumiko Kataoka

Remote controller

A keyboard switch includes an improved interlock mechanism that actuates a switch sheet from a first position to a second position and correspondingly narrows a gap between a key top and the switch sheet. The interlock mechanism converts a rotary motion from a device lid to a linear motion for the switch sheet guided by a slider block slidably retained in a device case.

Keyboard switch

A keyboard switch actuates a switch sheet from a first position to a second position and correspondingly narrows a gap between a key top and the switch sheet. In keyboard switch operation, trailing claw pieces cause a cross-link to submerge allowing the switch sheet to accommodate an integrally formed return springwithout elastic deformation.

A switch storing chamber (8) of a membrane switch is communicated with the exterior and no water droplet enters the switch storing chamber (8). At least one upper gas permeable chamber (5c) (5d) is formed between an upper membrane sheet (2) and a spacer sheet (3) by surrounding a peripheral portion of this upper gas permeable chamber by adhesive material layers (9) (13), and at least one lower gas permeable chamber (5a) (5b) is formed between a lower membrane sheet (4) and the spacer sheet (3) by surrounding a peripheral portion of this lower gas permeable chamber by the adhesive material layers (9) (13). The upper gas permeable chamber (5c) (5d) and the lower gas permeable chamber (5a) (5b) partially overlap each other in a vertical direction and communicate with each other by a gas permeable hole (15) of the spacer sheet (3) bored in an overlapping position so that a gas permeable passage (5) vertically curved in a zigzag shape is formed. One side of the gas permeable passage (5) communicates with the exterior and the other side communicates with the switch storing chamber (8). The gas permeable passage (5) communicates the switch storing chamber (8) with the exterior and is vertically curved in a complicated zigzag shape through the spacer sheet (3) so that a water droplet entering from the exterior is interrupted.

Membrane switch

A keyboard switch having a keytop which is displaced vertically by a cross link that comprises a first link member and a second link. A front edge side of the keytop comes slightly lower than its rear edge side and the cross link is configured so that the pushdown stroke is greater on the rear edge side than on the front edge side and that the top face of the keytop. When the keytop is pushed down completely, it comes almost parallel to a frame of the keyboard switch. This configuration, when adopted, for example, to a notebook type personal computer with a lid, results in sliding an elastic portion which holds up the keytop in interlock with the lid closing, thus the keytop, as a whole horizontal. This configuration wherefore allows achieving otherwise contradictory effects of a great stroke when the lid is opened and a thinner notebook when the lid is closed. Further, the top surface of the keytop when it becomes nearly parallel, facilitates character printing improving the printing yield.

Keyboard switch for notebook type computer or the like

A key switch is disclosed wherein a key stem is slidably movable within a switch case. Upward movement of the key stem under spring bias causes electrical disconnection between a stationary contact and a movable leaf-spring terminal type contact both mounted within the switch case. The stationary contact is a wire engaging a sheet metal type leaf-spring terminal contact having notches to provide plural contact points therebetween.

Growing community of inventors

Toyama, Japan

Osamu Kamishima