Key structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9972464-B2
Application number	US-201615366374-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 1, 2016
Priority date	Sep 14, 2016
Publication date	May 15, 2018
Grant date	May 15, 2018

Abstract

A key structure includes a base plate, a keycap and a connecting element. The connecting element includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame is connected with the base plate and the keycap. The first frame includes a first linking part. The second frame is connected with the base plate and the keycap. The second frame includes a second linking part. The second linking part is contacted with the first linking part. When a depressing force from the user is applied to the keycap, the first frame is swung relative to the second frame. Moreover, in response to a friction between the first linking part and the second linking part, the keycap is correspondingly moved.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A key structure, comprising:
a base plate;
a keycap disposed over the base plate, wherein when a depressing force is received by the keycap, the keycap is moved relative to the base plate; and
a connecting element arranged between the base plate and the keycap, wherein the base plate and the keycap are connected with each other through the connecting element, wherein as the connecting element is swung, the keycap is correspondingly moved relative to the base plate, wherein the connecting element comprises:
a first frame located at a first side of the key structure, wherein a first end of the first frame is connected with the base plate, a second end of the first frame is connected with the keycap, the first frame comprises a first linking part, and the first linking part is formed on the second end of the first frame; and
a second frame located at a second side of the key structure, wherein a first end of the second frame is connected with the base plate, a second end of the second frame is connected with the keycap, the second frame comprises a second linking part, and the second linking part is formed on the second end of the second frame and contacted with the first linking part, wherein when the depressing force is received by the keycap, the first frame is swung relative to the second frame, and the keycap is correspondingly moved in response to a friction between the first linking part and the second linking part; wherein the first frame further comprises a first coupling part formed on the second end of the first frame, wherein the first coupling part is connected with a first bulge of the keycap, and the first coupling part is rotatable relative to the first bulge, wherein the first linking part is formed on an outer surface of the first coupling part; and wherein the second frame further comprises a second coupling part formed on the second end of the second frame, wherein the second coupling part is connected with a second bulge of the keycap, and the second coupling part is rotatable relative to the second bulge, wherein the second linking part is formed on an outer surface of the second coupling part.

2. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first frame further comprises:
a first rotary shaft formed on the first end of the first frame, wherein the first rotary shaft is connected with a first hook of the base plate, and the first rotary shaft is rotatable within the first hook.

3. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the second frame further comprises:
a second rotary shaft formed on the first end of the second frame, wherein the second rotary shaft is connected with a second hook of the base plate, and the second rotary shaft is rotatable within the second hook.

4. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first linking part and the first frame are collaboratively produced by a double injection process, and the second linking part and the second frame are collaboratively produced by the double injection process.

5. The key structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a switch circuit board disposed on the base plate, wherein when the switch circuit board is triggered, a key signal is generated; and
an elastic element arranged between the keycap and the switch circuit board, wherein the switch circuit board is triggered when the elastic element is pushed, or the keycap is returned to an original position in response to an elastic force of the elastic element.

6. The key structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first linking part and the second linking part are made of rubbery material or thermoplastic polyurethane.

7. A key structure, comprising:
a base plate;
a keycap disposed over the base plate, wherein when a depressing force is received by the keycap, the keycap is moved relative to the base plate, wherein the keycap comprises a first linking part, and the first linking part is disposed on a bottom surface of the keycap; and
a connecting element arranged between the base plate and the keycap, wherein the base plate and the keycap are connected with each other through the connecting element, wherein as the connecting element is swung, the keycap is correspondingly moved relative to the base plate, wherein the connecting element comprises at least one frame, the at least one frame is located at a side of the key structure, a first end of the at least one frame is connected with the base plate, a second end of the at least one frame is connected with the keycap, the at least one frame comprises a second linking part, and the second linking part is formed on the second end of the at least one frame and contacted with the first linking part, wherein when the depressing force is received by the keycap, the second linking part is rotated with the first linking part and the at least one frame is swung, so that the keycap is correspondingly moved.

8. The key structure according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one frame further comprises:
a rotary shaft formed on the first end of the at least one frame, wherein the rotary shaft is connected with a hook of the base plate, and the rotary shaft is rotatable within the hook; and
a coupling part formed on the second end of the at least one frame, wherein the coupling part is connected with a bulge of the keycap, and the coupling part is rotatable relative to the bulge, wherein the second coupling part is formed on an outer surface of the coupling part.

9. The key structure according to claim 7 , wherein the first linking part and the second linking part are saw-toothed structures, and the second linking part is integrally formed with the at least one frame.

10. The key structure according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a switch circuit board disposed on the base plate, wherein when the switch circuit board is triggered, a key signal is generated; and
an elastic element arranged between the keycap and the switch circuit board, wherein the switch circuit board is triggered when the elastic element is pushed, or the keycap is returned to an original position in response to an elastic force of the elastic element.

Assignees

• Primax Electronics Ltd

Inventors

• Tsai Lei-Lung
• Lee Yi-Shu

Classifications

• H01H3/12

  Push-buttons · CPC title

• H01H13/705 Primary

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

• H01H5/04

  Energy stored by deformation of elastic members (by deformation of bimetallic element in thermally-actuated switches H01H37/54) · CPC title

• H01H2233/01

  mounted on laykey · CPC title

• H01H3/122

  with enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor · CPC title