Key structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11289281-B1
Application number	US-202117239330-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Apr 23, 2021
Priority date	Mar 19, 2021
Publication date	Mar 29, 2022
Grant date	Mar 29, 2022

Abstract

A key structure includes a keycap and a scissors-type connecting element. The scissors-type connecting element is connected with the keycap. The scissors-type connecting element includes an inner frame and an outer frame. A first end of the inner frame is connected with the keycap. The outer frame is connected with the inner frame and swingable relative to the inner frame. A first end of the outer frame is connected with the keycap and located near a second end of the inner frame. A second end of the inner frame includes a first protrusion. A first end of the outer frame includes a second protrusion near the first protrusion. The first protrusion includes a first knocking surface. The second protrusion includes a second knocking surface. While the keycap is pressed down, the first knocking surface and the second knocking surface knock on each other.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A key structure, comprising:
a keycap; and
a scissors-type connecting element connected with the keycap, wherein the scissors-type connecting element comprises an inner frame and an outer frame, wherein a first end and a second end of the inner frame are opposed to each other, and the first end of the inner frame is connected with the keycap, wherein the outer frame is connected with the inner frame and swingable relative to the inner frame, and a first end and a second end of the outer frame are opposed to each other, and the first end of the outer frame is connected with the keycap and located near the second end of the inner frame,
wherein the second end of the inner frame comprises a first protrusion, and the first end of the outer frame comprises a second protrusion near the first protrusion, and the first protrusion comprises a first knocking surface, and the second protrusion comprises a second knocking surface, wherein while the keycap is pressed down, the first knocking surface and the second knocking surface knock on each other.

2. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the second end of the inner frame further comprises a first elastic arm, and the first elastic arm is connected with the first protrusion.

3. The key structure according to claim 2 , wherein the second end of the inner frame further comprises an opening, wherein the opening is adjacent to the first elastic arm, and the first elastic arm is arranged between the opening and the first protrusion.

4. The key structure according to claim 3 , wherein there is an overlapped region between a vertical projection region of the first protrusion and a vertical projection region of the second protrusion, and a width of the opening is larger than or equal to a width of the overlapped region.

5. The key structure according to claim 3 , wherein the opening is a closed-type hollow region.

6. The key structure according to claim 2 , wherein the first knocking surface is a top surface of the first protrusion, and the first knocking surface is coplanar with a top surface of the first elastic arm.

7. The key structure according to claim 6 , wherein the first protrusion has a first slant surface between the first knocking surface and an outer surface of the first elastic arm.

8. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first end of the outer frame further comprises a second elastic arm, and the second elastic arm is connected with the second protrusion.

9. The key structure according to claim 8 , wherein the second knocking surface is a bottom surface of the second protrusion, and the second knocking surface is coplanar with a bottom surface of the second elastic arm.

10. The key structure according to claim 9 , wherein the second protrusion has a second slant surface between the second knocking surface and an inner surface of the second elastic arm.

11. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion have trapezoidal, triangular, L-shaped, semi-circular or semi-elliptic cross sections.

12. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion have right-angled trapezoid cross sections.

13. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the key structure further comprises an elastic element, and the elastic element is connected with the keycap, wherein while the keycap is pressed down, the elastic element is compressed, and the inner frame and the outer frame are swung relative to each other, wherein when the keycap is no longer pressed down, the keycap is returned to an original position in response to an elastic force of the elastic element.

Assignees

• Primax Electronics Ltd

Inventors

• Chang Chia-Wei
• Tsai Lei-Lung

Classifications

• H01H2215/034

  Separate snap action · CPC title

• H01H2215/03

  Sound · CPC title

• H01H13/84

  characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback (legends H01H13/83) · CPC title

• H01H3/125 Primary

  using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser · CPC title

• H01H13/7057

  characterised by the arrangement of operating parts in relation to each other, e.g. pre-assembled groups of keys · CPC title