Switch and keyboard

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018366285-A1
Application number	US-201716061171-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 18, 2017
Priority date	Jan 22, 2016
Publication date	Dec 20, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A switch, keyboard and associated methods are provided. In one implementation, the switch includes a housing having a protruding portion configured to be received in an aperture formed on a substrate, a plunger operable to move with respect to the housing, a first contact member located in the housing, and a second contact member extending from the protruding portion of the housing. The second contact member is operable to, based at least in part on the plunger being moved in a first direction, deform to a predefined extent to electrically contact the first contact member. The switch provides a low profile appearance but not compromising the smooth and quickly responsive striking motion for a mechanical switch, such that a clean design can be provided while the input experience and durability are maintained. A keyboard is also provided.

First claim

1 . A switch comprising:
a housing having a protruding portion configured to be received in an aperture formed on a substrate; a plunger operable to move with respect to the housing; a first contact member located in the housing; and a second contact member extending from the protruding portion of the housing, the second contact member being operable to, based at least in part on the plunger being moved in a first direction, deform to a predefined extent to electrically contact the first contact member.

2 . The switch according to claim 1 , wherein the second contact member extends from the protruding portion to an inner upper surface of the housing.

3 . The switch according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an engaging member arranged on the plunger and operable to deform the second contact member in a second direction based at least in part on the plunger being moved in the first direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

4 . The switch according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an elastic member located between the plunger and an inner bottom surface of the housing, the elastic member being operable to be deformed based at least in part on a force applied on the plunger in the first direction.

5 . The switch according to claim 4 , further comprising:
a cylindrical portion in the housing, the cylindrical portion being formed on a base of the housing.

6 . The switch according to claim 5 , wherein the elastic member includes a helical spring surrounding the cylindrical portion.

7 . The switch according to claim 5 , wherein at least a part of the plunger and at least a part of the cylindrical portion are optically transparent in the first direction to allow light emitted from a light source located on the substrate to pass through the cylindrical portion and the plunger.

8 . A keyboard comprising:
a substrate having a plurality of apertures; a plurality of keys detachably connected to the substrate, each of the keys including:
a housing having a protruding portion configured to be received in an aperture formed on a substrate;
a plunger operable to move with respect to the housing;
a first contact member located in the housing; and
a second contact member extending from the protruding portion of the housing, the second contact member being operable to, based at least in part on the plunger being moved in a first direction, deform to a predefined extent to electrically contact the first contact member.

9 . The keyboard according to claim 8 , wherein the second contact member extends from the protruding portion to an inner upper surface of the housing.

10 . The keyboard according to claim 8 , wherein the key further comprises:
an engaging member arranged on the plunger and operable to deform the second contact member in a second direction based at least in part on the plunger being moved in the first direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

11 . The keyboard according to claim 8 , wherein the key further comprises:
an elastic member located between the plunger and an inner bottom surface of the housing, the elastic member being operable to be deformed based at least in part on a force applied on the plunger in the first direction.

12 . The keyboard according to claim 11 , wherein the key further comprises:
a cylindrical portion in the housing, the cylindrical portion being formed on a base of the housing.

13 . The keyboard according to claim 12 , wherein the elastic member includes a helical spring surrounding the cylindrical portion.

14 . The keyboard according to claim 12 , wherein at least a part of the plunger and at least a part of the cylindrical portion are optically transparent in the first direction to allow light emitted from a light source located on the substrate to pass through the cylindrical portion and the plunger.

15 . A method comprising:
based at least in part on a force applied by a user onto a plunger of a switch, causing the plunger to be moved with respect to a housing of the switch in a first direction, the housing having a protruding portion received in an aperture formed on a substrate; and
causing a second contact member to deform to a predefined extent to electrically contact a first contact member located in the housing, the second contact member extending from the protruding portion of the housing.

16 . The switch according to claim 1 , wherein the protruding portion is formed as a part of a base of the housing.

17 . The switch according to claim 5 , wherein the cylindrical portion and the housing are coaxial.

18 . The switch according to claim 7 , wherein the plunger and the light source are positioned along a line parallel to the first direction.

19 . The keyboard according to claim 8 , wherein the protruding portion is formed as a part of a base of the housing.

20 . The keyboard according to claim 12 , wherein the cylindrical portion and the housing are coaxial.

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Zhao Kelong
• Lei Pengfei
• Yang Ping

Classifications

• H01H13/88

  Processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards · CPC title

• H01H13/705 Primary

  characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys · CPC title

• H01H2227/036

  Minimise height · CPC title

• H01H13/83

  characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements · CPC title

• H01H2235/01

  Spiral spring · CPC title