Key switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11049673-B2
Application number	US-202016871064-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 11, 2020
Priority date	May 22, 2019
Publication date	Jun 29, 2021
Grant date	Jun 29, 2021

Abstract

A key switch includes a key cap, a base, a support device and a bracket. The base has a first magnetic area. The support device is disposed between the key cap and the base. The bracket is movably connected to the support device. The bracket has a second magnetic area corresponding to the first magnetic area. When the key cap is not pressed, a magnetic attraction force between the first and second magnetic areas keeps the key cap at a non-pressed position. When the key cap is pressed by an external force, the key cap moves with the support device from the non-pressed position to a pressed position. When the external force is released, the second magnetic area moves toward the first magnetic area due to the magnetic attraction force, such that the key cap moves with the support device from the pressed position to the non-pressed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A key switch comprising:
a key cap;
a base having a first magnetic area and a protruding platform;
a support device disposed between the key cap and the base, the key cap moving with the support device between a non-pressed position and a pressed position; and
a bracket movably connected to the support device, the bracket having a second magnetic area and a protruding portion, the second magnetic area corresponding to the first magnetic area, the protruding portion abutting against the protruding platform;
wherein when the key cap is not pressed, a magnetic attraction force between the first magnetic area and the second magnetic area keeps the key cap at the non-pressed position; when the key cap is pressed by an external force, the support device drives the bracket to move on the protruding portion, such that the second magnetic area moves away from the first magnetic area and the key cap moves with the support device from the non-pressed position to the pressed position; when the external force is released, the first magnetic area attracts the second magnetic area magnetically and then the second magnetic area drives the bracket to move on the protruding portion, such that the second magnetic area moves toward the first magnetic area and the key cap moves with the support device from the pressed position to the non-pressed position.

2. The key switch of claim 1 , wherein the bracket has an opening, the opening corresponds to the first magnetic area, and the second magnetic area is exposed from the opening.

3. The key switch of claim 1 , wherein one of the first magnetic area and the second magnetic area is a magnetic member and the other one of the first magnetic area and the second magnetic area is a magnetic member or a magnetic induction material.

4. A key switch comprising:
a key cap;
a base having a first magnetic area;
a support device disposed between the key cap and the base, the key cap moving with the support device between a non-pressed position and a pressed position;
a magnetic induction member fixed on the support device; and
a magnetic member disposed on the magnetic induction member, the magnetic member inducing the magnetic induction member to generate magnetism, so as to form a second magnetic area on the magnetic induction member, the second magnetic area corresponding to the first magnetic area;
wherein when the key cap is not pressed, a magnetic attraction force between the first magnetic area and the second magnetic area keeps the key cap at the non-pressed position; when the key cap is pressed by an external force and the second magnetic area moves away from the first magnetic area, the key cap moves with the support device from the non-pressed position to the pressed position; when the external force is released, the second magnetic area moves toward the first magnetic area due to the magnetic attraction force, such that the key cap moves with the support device from the pressed position to the non-pressed position.

5. The key switch of claim 4 , wherein when the key cap is kept at the non-pressed position, an end portion of the magnetic induction member abuts against the base; when the key cap moves with the support device from the non-pressed position to the pressed position, the end portion of the magnetic induction member moves away from the base; the second magnetic area is located at the end portion of the magnetic induction member.

Assignees

• Darfon Electronics Corp

Inventors

• Chao Ling-Hsi

Classifications

• H01H2221/04

  magnetic · CPC title

• H01H3/125

  using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser · CPC title

• H01H13/7065 Primary

  characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards · CPC title

• G06F3/0202 Primary

  Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device · CPC title

• H01H13/86

  characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size · CPC title