CN201112187Y - key structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model discloses a key, it contains a base plate, a plurality of switches, a key cap and an at least strutting arrangement. The switches are fixed on the substrate. The key cap defines a lower surface, and the lower surface is provided with a plurality of protruding parts protruding and corresponding to one of the switches. In addition, the at least one supporting device is used for supporting the keycap to move vertically relative to the substrate, and the at least one supporting device corresponds to one of the switches respectively. In particular, the protrusions and/or the at least one support means are capable of triggering at least one of the switches when the key cap is pressed.

Description

key structure

technical field

The utility model relates to a button (Keyswitch), in particular to a button capable of triggering multiple switches.

Background technique

With the growth of informatization, information equipment is also becoming more and more popular. Take the most commonly used computer as an example, there are not only various brands and styles on the market, but its tentacles extend to homes, factories, companies, and offices. As well as places such as schools, its use level has even spread to all walks of life, and it has almost become a daily necessities for people. Existing computers, including desktop computers and notebook computers, mostly need to be equipped with a keyboard for users to perform operations such as character input.

Please refer to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B , FIG. 1A is a top view of the keys of a keyboard in the prior art, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the keys in FIG. 1A along the line O-O. As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B , the button 5 mainly includes a substrate 52 , a switch 54 , a keycap 56 and a supporting device 58 . In addition, the keycap 56 corresponds to the supporting device 58 and the switch 54 , and the supporting device 58 can support the keycap 56 to move vertically relative to the base plate 52 . When the keycap 56 is pressed, the supporting device 58 can trigger the switch 54 .

Due to the configuration of the keys, most of the existing keyboards have longer keys, such as blank keys, input keys, SHIFT keys, and the like. Please refer to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , FIG. 2A is a top view of multiple keys of a keyboard in the prior art, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the keys in FIG. 2A along the line P-P. As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , the button 7 is long and also includes a substrate 72 , a switch 74 , a keycap 76 and a supporting device 78 . In addition, the supporting device 78 can also support the keycap 76 to move vertically relative to the base plate 72 . And when the keycap 76 is pressed, the supporting device 78 can trigger the switch 74 .

However, since the keys shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B are long in length, when the user does not press the center of the keycap, but presses the two sides of the keycap, it is easy to cause the keycap to tilt, and it is even impossible to place the keycap in the center. The supporting device presses down the trigger switch. The same situation is also likely to occur when pressing a key with a special-shaped (non-square) appearance, such as the ENTER key.

With the diversification of button designs, more and more buttons are elongated, and more and more buttons have a non-square appearance. Therefore, how to solve the aforesaid problems has become an important issue in button design.

Utility model content

An object of the present invention is to provide a button, which can correspond to a plurality of switches and can trigger at least one of the plurality of switches, so as to solve the aforementioned problems.

The purpose of the utility model is achieved by providing a button, which includes a substrate, a plurality of switches, a keycap and at least one supporting device. The plurality of switches are fixed on the base plate, the keycap defines a lower surface, and the lower surface is protruded with a plurality of protrusions corresponding to one of the plurality of switches respectively. In addition, the at least one support device is used to support the keycap to move vertically relative to the base plate, and the at least one support device is respectively corresponding to one of the plurality of switches. In particular, when the keycap is pressed, the plurality of protrusions and/or the at least one supporting device can trigger at least one switch of the plurality of switches.

Another category of the present invention is to provide a keyboard, which includes the aforementioned keys.

The utility model also provides a keyboard, which includes a base plate, multiple switches, multiple keycaps and multiple supporting devices. The plurality of switches are fixed on the substrate, and each keycap of the plurality of keycaps defines a lower surface. Moreover, a first keycap among the plurality of keycaps corresponds to N switches among the plurality of switches, and the lower surface of the first keycap is protruded with M protruding parts corresponding to the N switches respectively. One of the switches. N is a positive integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N. The plurality of supporting devices are respectively corresponding to one of the plurality of keycaps and one of the plurality of switches, and are used for supporting the plurality of keycaps to move vertically relative to the substrate. And at least one support device among the plurality of support devices corresponds to one of the N switches respectively. In particular, when the first keycap is pressed, the M protrusions and/or the at least one supporting device can trigger at least one switch of the N switches.

The utility model has the advantage that, since the button can correspond to a plurality of switches, and the lower surface of the keycap of the button has a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the plurality of switches, no matter where the user presses the keycap All of them can effectively trigger at least one switch in the plurality of switches, and the button shape is standardized.

The advantages and spirit of the present utility model can be further understood through the following detailed description of the utility model and the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1A is a top view of keys of a keyboard in the prior art;

Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the key in Fig. 1A along the O-O line;

FIG. 2A is a top view of multiple keys of a keyboard in the prior art;

Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the button in Fig. 2A along the line P-P;

Fig. 3A is a top view of a button according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the key in Fig. 3A along line K-K;

FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the key in FIG. 3A.

Description of main component symbols

1, 5, 7: buttons 12, 52, 72: substrate

14, 54, 74: switch 16, 56, 76: keycap

162: Lower surface 164: Protrusion

18, 58, 78: Supporting device 182: Scissors type support member

184: elastic member

Detailed ways

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the button of the present invention includes a substrate, a plurality of switches, a keycap and at least one supporting device.

Please refer to FIGS. 3A to 3C together. FIG. 3A is a top view showing a button according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the button in FIG. 3A along line K-K; FIG. The bottom view of the button in Fig. 3A is shown. As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C , the button 1 includes a substrate 12 , three switches 14 , a keycap 16 and a supporting device 18 .

The switches 14 are fixed on the base plate 12 , and the keycap 16 defines a lower surface 162 , and the lower surface 162 protrudes from the lower surface 162 with two protrusions 164 corresponding to one of the switches 14 . The supporting device 18 is used to support the keycap 16 to move vertically relative to the base plate 12 , and the supporting device 18 corresponds to one of the switches 14 . When the keycap 16 is pressed, the protrusions 164 and/or the supporting device 18 can trigger at least one of the switches 14 .

In this specific embodiment, the aforementioned supporting device 18 includes a scissors-shaped supporting member 182 and an elastic device 184 . The upper engaging portion of the scissors-shaped supporting member 182 engages with the lower surface 162 of the keycap 16 , and the lower engaging portion engages with the base plate 12 . In addition, the upper end of the elastic member 184 contacts the lower surface 162 of the keycap 16 , and the lower end contacts the switch 14 . When the keycap 16 is pressed, the scissor-shaped supporting member 182 can support the keycap 16 to move vertically relative to the base plate 12 , and the elastic member 182 can trigger the switch 14 .

In practical application, when the button of the present invention is a multiple button with a longer length, such as a blank key, a SHIFT key; or a key with a special-shaped (non-square) appearance, such as an ENTER key, it further includes a balance member (balance device). The balance member has a shaft portion and defines a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The shaft portion bends from the first end at a first angle and extends a first side, and bends from the second end at a second angle and extends a second side. Further, the shaft portion is fixed on the lower surface of the keycap, and the first side and the second side are respectively pivotally connected to a first pivot member and a second pivot member on the base plate. When the keycap 16 is pressed, the balance member and the scissor-shaped supporting member can jointly support the keycap to move vertically relative to the base plate, and can drive the keycap to move more completely.

In practical application, the key cap of the present invention is made of plastic material. But please note that the keycap of the present invention can also be made of other suitable materials, and is not limited to plastic materials.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a keyboard including the aforementioned keys. The keyboard includes a base plate, multiple switches fixed on the base plate, multiple key caps and multiple supporting devices.

Each of the keycaps defines a lower surface, and a first keycap of the keycaps corresponds to the N first switches of the switches, and the lower surface of the first keycap is convex. There are M protrusions corresponding to one of the N first switches respectively, N is a positive integer greater than 1, and M is greater than or equal to 1 and less than a positive integer of N. The support devices are respectively corresponding to one of the keycaps and one of the switches, and are used to support the keycaps to move vertically relative to the base plate. In particular, at least one of the supporting devices corresponds to one of the N first switches. When the first keycap is pressed, the M protrusions and/or the at least one supporting device can trigger at least one first switch of the N first switches.

For example, the aforementioned first keycap can correspond to five first switches, and three protrusions correspond to three of the first switches, while the other two first switches are corresponding to two supporting devices.

In practical applications, the supporting devices include scissor-shaped supporting members and elastic members. The upper connecting portion of the scissors-shaped supporting member is engaged with the lower surface of the keycap, while the lower engaging portion is engaged with the base plate. In addition, the upper end of the elastic member contacts the lower surface of the keycap, and the lower end contacts the switch. When the keycap is pressed, the scissors-shaped supporting member can support the keycap to move vertically relative to the base plate, and the elastic member can trigger the switch.

As previously mentioned, when the aforementioned first keycap is a multiple key with a longer length, such as a blank key or a SHIFT key; It further includes a balance member. The balance member has a shaft portion and defines a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The shaft portion bends from the first end at a first angle and extends a first side, and bends from the second end at a second angle and extends a second side. Further, the shaft portion is fixed on the lower surface of the first keycap, and the first side and the second side are respectively pivotally connected to a first pivot member and a second pivot member on the base plate. When the first keycap is pressed, the balance member and the scissors-shaped supporting member can support the first keycap to move vertically relative to the base plate, and can more completely drive the action of the first keycap.

In practical application, the aforementioned first keycap is made of plastic material. But please note that the first keycap can also be made of other suitable materials, and is not limited to plastic materials. In addition, other keycaps other than the first keycap can also be made of plastic material or other suitable materials.

In summary, since the button of the present invention can correspond to multiple switches, and the lower surface of the keycap of the button has a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the switches, no matter where the user presses the keycap All can effectively trigger at least one switch in the plurality of switches.

Claims (10)

1. a button is characterized in that, comprises: a substrate; A plurality of switches are fixed on this substrate; One keycap limits a lower surface, and this lower surface convexes with a plurality of protuberances, one of corresponds to respectively in these a plurality of switches; And at least one bracing or strutting arrangement, make vertical moving in order to support this keycap, and this at least one bracing or strutting arrangement one of corresponds to respectively in these a plurality of switches with respect to this substrate; Wherein when pushing this keycap, these a plurality of protuberances and/or this at least one bracing or strutting arrangement can trigger at least one switch in these a plurality of switches.

2. button as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, further comprise: a balance component, has an axial region, limit one first end and with respect to one second end of this first end, this axial region extends a first side from this first end with one first angle bending, and this second end extends a second side with one second angle bending certainly; Wherein this axial region is fixed in the lower surface of this keycap and this first side and this second side and is articulated in one first Pivot component and one second Pivot component on this substrate respectively.

3. button as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this at least one bracing or strutting arrangement comprises an elastic component, the lower surface of this keycap of end in contact on it, one of in its following this N of end in contact switch, wherein when pushing this keycap, this elastic component can trigger this switch.

4. button as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this at least one bracing or strutting arrangement comprises a scissors kenel supporting member.

5. button as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this keycap is a plastic material.

6. a keyboard is characterized in that, comprises: a substrate; A plurality of switches are fixed on this substrate; A plurality of keycaps, each keycap in these a plurality of keycaps all limits a lower surface, and one first keycap in these a plurality of keycaps corresponds to N first switch in these a plurality of switches, and the lower surface of this first keycap convexes with M protuberance, one of correspond to respectively in this N first switch, N is greater than a positive integer of 1, and M is more than or equal to 1 and less than the positive integer of N; And a plurality of bracing or strutting arrangements, one of correspond to respectively in these a plurality of keycaps and these a plurality of switches in one of, make vertical moving in order to support these a plurality of keycaps, and at least one bracing or strutting arrangement in this a plurality of bracing or strutting arrangements one of corresponds to respectively in individual first switch of this N with respect to this substrate; Wherein when pushing this first keycap, this M protuberance and/or this at least one bracing or strutting arrangement can trigger this N at least one first switch in first switch.

7. keyboard as claimed in claim 6, it is characterized in that, further comprise: a balance component, has an axial region, limit one first end and with respect to one second end of this first end, this axial region extends a first side from this first end with one first angle bending, and this second end extends a second side with one second angle bending certainly; Wherein this axial region is fixed in the lower surface of this first keycap and this first side and this second side and is articulated in one first Pivot component and one second Pivot component on this substrate respectively.

8. keyboard as claimed in claim 6, it is characterized in that, each bracing or strutting arrangement in these a plurality of bracing or strutting arrangements comprises an elastic component, the lower surface of the corresponding keycap of end in contact on it, it is the corresponding switch of end in contact down, wherein when pushing corresponding keycap, this elastic component can trigger corresponding switch.

9. keyboard as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, these a plurality of bracing or strutting arrangements comprise a scissors kenel supporting member.

10. keyboard as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, this keycap is a plastic material.

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