Key structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11869729-B2
Application number	US-202217716242-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 8, 2022
Priority date	Dec 6, 2021
Publication date	Jan 9, 2024
Grant date	Jan 9, 2024

Abstract

A key structure includes an upper cover, a movable element, an elastic element, a pressure sensing module, a base, and a circuit board. The pressure sensing module is arranged on the base, and the pressure sensing module is electrically connected with the circuit board. The pressure sensing module includes a pressure sensing element and a conducting element, and the pressure sensing element is configured for contacting with the movable element after being pressed, monitoring a pressure on the movable element, and converting the pressure into a pressure signal; the conducting element is configured for conducting the pressure signal to the circuit board.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A key structure comprising:
a key cap;
a movable element, an end of the movable element being connected to the key cap;
a base defining an accommodating hole, another end of the movable element away from the key cap being accommodated in the accommodating hole;
an elastic element elastically resisting between the movable element and the base;
a pressure sensing module arranged on the base, the pressure sensing module comprising a pressure sensing element and a conducting element, the pressure sensing element being configured to be in contact with the movable element after being pressed by a pressure, monitoring the pressure on the movable element, and converting the pressure into a pressure signal; and
a circuit board electrically connected to the pressure sensing module, and the conducting element being configured to conduct the pressure signal to the circuit board;
wherein the pressure sensing module further comprises a first board, a second board, and a third board, the second and the third boards are arranged on a same side of the first board; the pressure sensing element is arranged on both the second and the third boards; two conducting elements are provided on the first board, one of the two conducting element is arranged near the second board, and another one of the two conducting elements is arranged near the third board.

2. The key structure of claim 1 , wherein the movable element comprises a body portion, an extension portion, and a pushing portion, the extension portion and the pushing portion are arranged on opposite sides of the body portion; the pushing portion is connected to the key cap, the extension portion is partially accommodated in the accommodating hole, and the elastic element is sleeved on the extension portion; when the movable element is pressed, the body portion is in contact with the pressure sensing element.

3. The key structure of claim 1 , further comprising a first elastic piece and a second elastic piece arranged on the base, wherein the first elastic piece and the second elastic piece are electrically connected to the circuit board, and the second elastic piece is arranged between the first elastic piece and the movable element.

4. The key structure of claim 3 , wherein the first elastic piece comprises a fixed part and a bent part connected to the fixed part, the movable element comprises a body portion defining a protruding portion, and the bent part is configured to be in contact with the protruding portion and move toward the fixed part when the movable element is pressed.

5. The key structure of claim 1 , further comprising an upper cover comprising an opening and a snap-fit ear, wherein an end of the movable element passes through the opening and connects to the key cap; the snap-fit ear defines a clamping slot, the base defines a clamping protrusion, and the clamping protrusion is engaged with the clamping slot.

6. A key structure comprising:
an upper cover defining an opening, the opening passing through the upper cover;
a base, the base and the upper cover cooperatively forming an accommodation space;
an elastic element being accommodated in the accommodation space, the elastic element comprising an element body, a first slot and a second slot arranged on the element body, and a third elastic piece arranged in the first slot;
a first terminal comprising a first terminal body, and a first protruding part and a second protruding part arranged on the first terminal body, the first protruding part engaged with the third elastic piece, the second protruding part engaged with the second slot;
a movable element comprising a movable block and two resisting blocks extending from the movable block, wherein the two resisting blocks and a bottom surface of the movable block cooperatively form a groove, the groove is engaged with the element body located at the first slot and the second slot, the movable block is configured to press against the elastic element to drive the elastic element to move when the movable element is pressed;
a pressure sensing module arranged on the base, the pressure sensing module comprising a pressure sensing element and a conducting element, the pressure sensing element configured to be in contact with the resisting block of the movable element after being pressed by a pressure, monitoring the pressure on the movable element, and converting the pressure into a pressure signal; and
a circuit board electrically connected to the pressure sensing module, and the conducting element being configured for conducting the pressure signal to the circuit board.

7. The key structure of claim 6 , wherein the pressure sensing module further comprises a first board, a second board, and a third board, the second and the third boards are arranged on a same side of the first board; the pressure sensing element is arranged on both the second and the third boards; the first board is provided with two conducting elements, one of the two conducting element is arranged near the second board, and another one of the two conducting elements is arranged near the third board.

8. The key structure of claim 6 , further comprising a second terminal and a third terminal; wherein the second terminal defines a first contact, and the third terminal defines a second contact; the element body comprises a movable end close to the first slot and a fixed end close to the second slot; the fixed end is engaged with the second fixed end; the movable end defines a third contact, the third contact is arranged between the first contact and the second contact, and is configured to be in contact with the first contact or the second contact.

9. The key structure of claim 6 , wherein the elastic element, the pressure sensing module, the first protruding part, and the second protruding part are all arranged in the accommodation space; the base defines a through hole, and each of the second terminal, the third terminal, and the first terminal body passes through the through hole and protrudes from the base.

Assignees

• Hongfujin Prec Electrons Yantai Co Ltd
• Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd

Inventors

• Chang Chih-Wei

Classifications

• H01H13/14 Primary

  Operating parts, e.g. push-button · CPC title

• H01H13/10

  Bases; Stationary contacts mounted thereon · CPC title

• H01H13/20

  Driving mechanisms · CPC title

• H01H2233/07

  Cap or button on actuator part · CPC title

• H01H13/12 Primary

  Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon · CPC title