Keyboard device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9959990-B1
Application number	US-201715627083-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jun 19, 2017
Priority date	Feb 17, 2017
Publication date	May 1, 2018
Grant date	May 1, 2018

Abstract

A keyboard device includes a key structure, a switch circuit board, a base plate and a buffering element. The key structure includes a keycap and a stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar is connected with the keycap. The base plate includes a connecting structure. The stabilizer bar is penetrated through the connecting structure and connected with the base plate. The buffering element is coupled with the connecting structure. The stabilizer bar and the base plate are made of metallic material. Since the stabilizer bar and the base plate are separated by the buffering element, the keyboard device is capable of reducing noise.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A keyboard device, comprising: a key structure comprising a keycap and a stabilizer bar, wherein the keycap is exposed outside the keyboard device, the stabilizer bar is connected with the keycap, and comprises a linking bar part and a hook part, wherein the linking bar part is connected with the keycap, and the hook part is located at an end of the linking bar part; a switch circuit board located under the key structure, and comprising a key switch corresponding to the key structure, wherein when the key switch of the switch circuit board is triggered by the key structure, a key signal is generated; a base plate located under the switch circuit board, and supporting the key structure, wherein the base plate comprises a connecting structure, and the connecting structure is connected with the hook part, so that the stabilizer bar is connected with the base plate; and a buffering element coupled with the connecting structure, wherein the hook part and the connecting structure are separated from each other through the buffering element; wherein the buffering element comprises: an upper buffering part contacted with a top surface of the connecting structure, wherein when the keycap is depressed, the upper buffering part is contacted with the keycap to absorb an impact from the keycap; a lower buffering part contacted with a bottom surface of the connecting structure and arranged between the connecting structure and the hook part, wherein the hook part and the connecting structure are separated from each other through the lower buffering part; and an extension part arranged between the upper buffering part and the lower buffering part and connected with the upper buffering part and the lower buffering part.

2. The keyboard device according to claim 1 , wherein an accommodation space is defined by the upper buffering part, the lower buffering part and the extension part collaboratively, and the connecting structure is partially accommodated within the accommodation space, so that the buffering element is coupled with the connecting structure.

3. The keyboard device according to claim 1 , wherein when the buffering element is coupled with the connecting structure and the hook part is connected with the connecting structure, the hook part is contacted with the lower buffering part, so that the buffering element is fixed on the connecting structure.

4. The keyboard device according to claim 1 , wherein the buffering element is U-shaped, and a shape of the buffering element is complementary to a shape of a portion of the connecting structure.

5. The keyboard device according to claim 1 , wherein the upper buffering part, the lower buffering part and the extension part are integrally formed.

6. The keyboard device according to claim 1 , wherein the switch circuit board comprises:
an upper wiring plate comprising an upper circuit pattern, wherein the upper circuit pattern is formed on a bottom surface of the upper wiring plate;
a lower wiring plate located under the upper wiring plate, and comprising a lower circuit pattern, wherein the lower circuit pattern is formed on a top surface of the lower wiring plate; and
a separation layer arranged between the upper wiring plate and the lower wiring plate, and comprising a perforation, wherein the upper circuit pattern and the lower circuit pattern are separated from each other through the separation layer, and the key switch is defined by the upper circuit pattern, the perforation and the lower circuit pattern collaboratively.

7. The keyboard device according to claim 6 , wherein the switch circuit board has an opening corresponding to the connecting structure, and the opening runs through the upper wiring plate, the lower wiring plate and the separation layer, wherein the connecting structure is penetrated through the opening, so that the hook part is connected with the connecting structure.

8. The keyboard device according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure comprises a locking hole corresponding to the hook part, and the hook part is penetrated through the locking hole, so that the stabilizer bar is connected with the base plate.

9. The keyboard device according to claim 1 , wherein the key structure further comprises:
a scissors-type connecting element connected with the keycap and the base plate, wherein the keycap is fixed on the base plate through the scissors-type connecting element, so that the keycap is movable relative to the base plate; and
an elastic element arranged between the keycap and the switch circuit board and aligned with the key switch, wherein when the elastic element is pushed by the keycap, the switch circuit board is triggered by the elastic element, wherein when the elastic element is not pushed by the keycap, the elastic element provides an elastic force to the keycap.

Assignees

• Primax Electronics Ltd

Inventors

• Pan Chin-Sung
• Wu Ming-Han

Classifications

• H01H3/125 Primary

  using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser · CPC title

• H01H2221/062

  Damping vibrations · CPC title

• H01H2221/03

  Stoppers for on or off position · 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

• H01H3/60

  Mechanical arrangements for preventing or damping vibration or shock · CPC title