TWI688979B - Keyswitch structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A keyswitch structure includes a base plate, a keycap, a first support, and a second support. The keycap is located above the base plate. The first support is connected to and between the keycap and the base plate and has an upper connection portion, a lower connection portion, and a protruding limitation portion. The upper connection portion is located between the lower connection portion and the protruding limitation portion. The first support is rotatably connected to the keycap and the base plate through the upper connection portion and the lower connection portion respectively. The protruding limitation portion is located close to and under the cap body. The second support is connected to and between the keycap and the base plate. The keycap moves up and down along a vertical direction relative to the base plate through the first support and the second support. Under the structural constraint between the keycap and the protruding limitation portion, the stability of the disposition of the keycap can be enhanced.

Description

Key structure

The invention relates to a key structure, especially a mechanical key structure.

In a conventional key structure with a scissor leg bracket, the key cap can move up and down relative to its bottom plate via the scissor leg bracket. The key cap and the scissor leg bracket are usually connected through a connection structure, but in order to make the scissor leg bracket move smoothly (for example, the bracket rotates relative to the bottom plate and the key cap) and facilitate assembly, the strength of the connection structure connection is usually not strong, And there will be gaps. Especially when the size of the key structure is small, the pull-out force of the key cap relative to the scissor foot bracket (that is, the force required for the key cap to vertically detach from the scissor foot bracket) is reduced, causing the key cap to be accidentally lifted by the user open. In addition, the manufacturing tolerance of each part also increases the aforementioned gap, making the problem more serious. In addition, the aforementioned gap will also affect the stability of the height of the key structure (or the highest position of the key cap). For example, the key cap may be loosened relative to the scissor leg bracket, so that the vertical position of the key cap when not pressed may change. When the size of the key structure is small, the aforementioned looseness causes the vertical position change of the key cap to increase the proportion of the overall height of the key structure (or the stroke of the key cap moving up and down), which makes the user's experience of operating the key structure poor. For example, the feedback force of pressing the keycap is unstable, and the pressing stroke is unstable.

In view of the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a key structure that uses structural constraints to strengthen the structural limit between the key cap and the bracket to increase the stability of the key cap.

The key structure according to the present invention includes a bottom plate, a key cap, a first bracket and a second bracket. The keycap is arranged above the bottom plate. The first bracket is connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the first bracket has an upper connecting part, a lower connecting part and a protruding limiting part, the upper connecting part is located under the lower part Between the connecting portion and the protruding limiting portion, the first bracket is rotatably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate via the upper connecting portion and the lower connecting portion, respectively, and the protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacent to the keycap Below. The second bracket is connected between the key cap and the bottom plate, and the key cap can move up and down relative to the bottom plate in a vertical direction through the first bracket and the second bracket. Thereby, the key cap and the protruding limiting portion have the effect of structural restraint, which can increase the installation stability of the key cap to solve the problems in the prior art.

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

1, 3, 4, 5, 7: key structure

10, 50, 70: bottom plate

100: plate body

102, 104: connection structure

12, 52, 72: keycap

120: cap body

120a, 520a, 720a: lower surface

120b, 120d: abutment position

120c: edge

122, 124: connection structure

126: First limit structure

1262: First stop

1262a: Surface

1264: Side wall

1266: Chute

128: Second limit structure

1282: Second stop

1284: Side wall

1286: Chute

14, 54, 74: first bracket

140: the first body

142: First upper connection

142a, 542a, 742a: rotation axis

144: First lower connection

146, 446: Extended connection

148, 448, 448', 448", 450, 548, 748: the first protruding limit

149: Cylindrical

16, 56, 76: second bracket

160: second body

162: Second upper connection

162a, 562a, 762a: rotation axis

164: Second lower connection

166: Extended connection

168, 468, 568, 768: second protruding limit

18.58: Thin film circuit board

182: Switch

20, 60: elastic parts

446a: fixed end

446b: Free end

449, 449': the third prominent limit

75: metal plate

80: magnet

L1, L2: length

T1: thickness

W1: width

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a key structure according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the partial explosion of the button structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the button structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure along line X-X in FIG. 1 when the keycap is not pressed.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure along the line X-X in FIG. 1 when the key cap is pressed.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a key structure according to another embodiment when the keycap is not pressed, and the cross-sectional position thereof refers to the line X-X in FIG. 1.

7 is a schematic diagram of a partial explosion of a key structure according to another embodiment.

8 is a schematic diagram of a partial explosion of a key structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

9 is an exploded view of the button structure of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure along the line Y-Y in FIG. 8 when the keycap is not pressed.

11 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure along the line Y-Y of FIG. 8 when the key cap is pressed.

12 is a bottom view of the keycap of the key structure.

FIG. 13 is a partial schematic view of the first bracket of the key structure.

14 is a partial schematic view of the first bracket according to an embodiment.

15 is a partial schematic view of the first bracket according to an embodiment.

16 is a partial schematic view of the first bracket according to an embodiment.

17 is a schematic diagram of a partial explosion of a key structure according to an embodiment.

18 is a schematic diagram of a partial explosion of a key structure according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a partial schematic view of the first bracket according to an embodiment.

Please refer to Figure 1 to Figure 5. According to an embodiment of the invention, a key structure 1 includes a bottom plate 10, a key cap 12, a first support 14, a second support 16, a thin film circuit board 18 and an elastic member 20. The bottom plate 10 includes a plate body 100 and a plurality of connection structures 102 and 104 disposed on the plate body 100; in practice, the bottom plate 10 can be implemented by, but not limited to, a single metal plate (such as metal stamping). The keycap 12 is disposed above the bottom plate 10. The keycap 12 includes a cap body 120 and a plurality of connection structures 122, 124 (located on the bottom surface 120a of the cap body 120 facing the bottom plate 10) on the cap body; Above, the keycap 12 can be implemented by, but not limited to, a plastic part (for example, plastic injection molding). The first bracket 14 is connected between the keycap 12 and the bottom plate 10. The first bracket 14 has a first body 140 and a first upper connecting portion 142 and a first lower connecting portion 144 located on opposite sides of the first body 140 In practice, the first support 14 can be implemented by, but not limited to, a plastic part (such as plastic injection molding). The first bracket 14 is rotatably connected to the connection structure 122 of the keycap 12 and the connection structure 102 of the bottom plate 10 via the first upper connection portion 142 and the first lower connection portion 144, so the first upper connection portion 142 can be wound around a The rotation axis 142a (indicated by chain lines or cross marks in the figure) rotates relative to the keycap 12 (or rotates around the X axis), and the first lower connecting portion 144 can rotate relative to the base plate 10 around the X axis . In this embodiment, the connection structure 122 is a pivot structure, such as a C-shaped hook structure to hold the first upper connection portion 142, so that the first upper connection portion 142 is pivotally connected to the connection structure 122; The upper limit is not limited to this. For example, the connecting structure 122 is implemented by a sliding groove structure, so that the first upper connecting portion 142 can also slide relative to the keycap 12 parallel to the Y axis.

The second bracket 16 is connected between the keycap 12 and the bottom plate 10, and the second bracket 16 has a second The body 160 and a second upper connecting portion 162 and a second lower connecting portion 164 located on opposite sides of the second body 160; in practice, the second bracket 16 can be implemented by, but not limited to, a plastic part (such as plastic injection forming). The second bracket 16 is rotatably connected to the connection structure 124 of the keycap 12 and the connection structure 104 of the bottom plate 10 via the second upper connection portion 162 and the second lower connection portion 164, respectively, so the second upper connection portion 162 can be wound around a The rotation axis 162a (indicated by chain lines or cross marks in the figure) rotates relative to the keycap 12 (or rotates around the X axis), and the second lower connecting portion 164 can rotate relative to the base plate 10 around the X axis . In addition, in this embodiment, the connecting structure 124 is a sliding groove structure, so that the second upper connecting portion 162 can also slide relative to the keycap 12 parallel to the Y axis. The keycap 12 can move up and down relative to the bottom plate 10 in a vertical direction via the first bracket 14 and the second bracket 16 (or move along the Z axis). In addition, in this embodiment, the first bracket 14 and the second bracket 16 are pivotally connected with respect to the X axis, but in practice, it is not limited to this. For example, the first bracket 14 is opposite to the second bracket 16 and is independently connected between the keycap 12 and the bottom plate 10.

The thin film circuit board 18 is disposed between the base plate 10 and the keycap 12 and placed on the base plate 10. The thin film circuit board 18 has a switch 182 (shown in hatched circles in FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the thin film circuit board 18 is usually formed by stacking three layers of transparent sheets, wherein the upper and lower transparent sheets form conductive lines thereon, and the middle transparent sheet provides insulation of the conductive lines. The conductive lines form Switch 182; In addition, in order to simplify the diagram, in FIGS. 1 to 5, the thin film circuit board 18 is represented by a single board. The elastic member 20 is disposed between the keycap 12 and the bottom plate 10 corresponding to the switch 182 or tightly between the keycap 12 and the thin film circuit board 18. The elastic member 20 can elastically deform and generate resilience, and is usually made of rubber material. In addition, when the keycap 12 is pressed to a pressing position (as shown in FIG. 5 ), the keycap 12 can press the elastic member 20 to elastically deform the elastic member 20 to trigger the switch 182; Then, when the keycap 12 is pressed When the force disappears, the resiliently deformed elastic member 20 generates a resilient force to restore the keycap 12 to its original position (ie, an unpressed position, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4).

In this embodiment, the keycap 12 further includes a first limiting structure 126. The first limiting structure 126 is disposed on the (lower surface 120a) of the cap body 120 and has a first stop portion 1262 and a side wall portion 1264. The first stop portion 1262 is located between the cap body 120 and the bottom plate 10, and the side wall The part 1264 connects the first stopper 1262 and the cap 体120。 120. In this embodiment, the connecting structures 122 and 124 and the first limiting structure 126 are both disposed on the lower surface 120 a of the cap body 120 facing the bottom plate 10. In addition, the first bracket 14 further includes an extended connecting portion 146 and a first protruding limiting portion 148. The extended connecting portion 146 extends outward from the first upper connecting portion 142 relative to the first lower connecting portion 144 perpendicular to the X axis The first protruding limiting portion 148 is connected to the first upper connecting portion 142 via the extending connecting portion 146 and extends parallel to the X axis from the extending connecting portion 146. The first upper connecting portion 142 is located between the first lower connecting portion 144 (or the first body 140) and the first protruding limiting portion 148. The first protruding limiting portion 148 is disposed between the first stop portion 1262 and the cap body 120 between. In this way, the key cap 12 needs to overcome the connection structure 122, 124 and the first limiting structure 126 to the first bracket 14 and the second bracket 16 if they want to detach from the key structure 1 (or from the first bracket 14 and the second bracket 16) In other words, the first limiting structure 126 has a pulling force required to lift the keycap 12 away from the key structure 1 (or the first bracket 14).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, when the keycap 12 is not pressed, the keycap 12 is located at the unpressed position and the first protrusion limiting portion 148 abuts the surface 1262 a of the first stop portion 1262 facing the cap body 120 . Thereby, by the first protruding limiting portion 148 abutting on the surface 1262a, the highest position of the keycap 12 relative to the bottom plate 10 (ie, the farthest position relative to the bottom plate 10 in the Z axis direction) can be restricted or controlled. In a practical application, even if the connection structure 122 and the first upper connecting portion 142 have considerable design tolerances (for example, for the purpose of assembly or smooth operation of the component), manufacturing tolerances (for example, manufacturing variations in mass production of components) By abutting the first protruding limiting portion 148 against the surface 1262a, the highest position of the keycap 12 relative to the bottom plate 10 can still be effectively restricted or controlled. In addition, in the present embodiment, when the keycap 12 is in the unpressed position, the first protruding limiting portion 148 also abuts against the lower surface 120a of the cap body 120 toward the first stop portion 1262 at the same time. In other words, when the keycap 12 is in the unpressed position, the first protruding limiting portion 148 is simultaneously constrained by the structure of the lower surface 120a and the surface 1262a in the Z axis, which helps to raise the highest position of the keycap 12 relative to the bottom plate 10 Limit or control effect. In this embodiment, the projection (or cross section) of the first protruding limiting portion 148 in a direction parallel to the X axis has an elliptical profile (for example, the first protruding limiting portion 148 is an elliptical cylinder), thereby Implement the aforementioned lower surface 120a and surface 1262a to simultaneously restrain the first protruding limiting portion 148 in the Z axis The effect; but in practice is not limited to this. For example, the projection of the first protruding limiting portion 148 in the direction of the X axis is in an I-shape, and the upper and lower parts thereof can simultaneously abut the lower surface 120a and the surface 1262a when the keycap 12 is at the unpressed position. The aforementioned structural restraint effect on the first protruding limiting portion 148 is achieved. In addition, in practice, the first protruding limiting portion 148 can elastically abut against the lower surface 120a, that is, there is preload between the first protruding limiting portion 148 and the lower surface 120a. This preloading helps to avoid the shaking of the keycap 12 (that is, the situation where the position of the keycap 12 is felt unstable when the finger first presses the keycap 12). In addition, if the key structure 1 only needs to abut the surface 1262 a by the first protruding limiting portion 148 to limit the highest position of the keycap 12 relative to the bottom plate 10, the first protruding limiting portion 148 can be implemented by a cylinder 149 ,As shown in Figure 6.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the keycap 12 is pressed to the pressed position, the first protruding limiting portion 148 does not contact the lower surface 120a and the surface 1262a; therefore, in this example, the first In principle, the protruding limiting portion 148 only contacts the lower surface 120a (and surface 1262a) when the keycap 12 is in the unpressed position, which can reduce the gap between the first protruding limiting portion 148 and the lower surface 120a (and surface 1262a) The friction enables the keycap 12 to remain stable at its highest position relative to the bottom plate 10 after long-term use. In addition, in this embodiment, a sliding slot 1266 is formed between the side wall portion 1264, the first stop portion 1262 and the cap body 120, and the first protruding limiting portion 148 slides in the sliding slot 1266.

In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, the first bracket 14 and the second bracket 16 are both symmetrical structures, and the first bracket 14 has the aforementioned first limiting structure 126 and the first on both sides (relative to the Y axis) The restraining structure of the protruding limiting portion 148 is not limited in practice. For example, the restraining structure of the first limiting structure 126 and the first protruding limiting portion 148 is only applied to one side of the first bracket 14. It can also exert a certain degree of effect of improving the pulling force of the keycap 12 and limiting or controlling the highest position of the keycap 12. In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, the first bracket 14 is an inner ring bracket and the second bracket 16 is an outer ring bracket, but in practice, the aforementioned first limiting structure 126 and the first protruding limiting portion 148 are constrained The structure can also be applied to the second bracket 16 and will not be described in detail.

In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, the first limiting structure 126 and the first protruding limiting portion 148 The restraint structure is only applicable to the first bracket 14, but in practice it is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 7, the structure of the key structure 3 shown is similar to the structure of the key structure 1. Therefore, the key structure 3 continues to use the component symbols of the key structure 1. For other descriptions of the key structure 3, please refer to the relevant description of the key structure 1, not Elaborate. Compared with the key structure 1, in the key structure 3, the key cap 12 further includes a second limiting structure 128, which is disposed on the (lower surface 120a) of the cap body 120 and has a second stopper The portion 1282 and a side wall portion 1284, the second stop portion 1282 is located between the cap body 120 and the bottom plate 10, and a slide groove 1286 is formed between the side wall portion 1284, the second stop portion 1282 and the cap body 120. The second bracket 16 further includes an extended connecting portion 166 and a second protruding limiting portion 168. The second upper connecting portion 162 is located between the second lower connecting portion 164 (or the second body 160) and the second protruding limiting portion 168 In between, the second protruding limiting portion 168 is disposed between the second blocking portion 1282 and the cap body 120 and slides in the sliding groove 1286. Similarly, when the keycap 12 is in an unpressed position (equivalent to that shown in FIG. 4), the second protruding limiting portion 168 abuts the surface of the second stopper 1282 facing the cap body 120 and the cap body 120 at the same time Towards the lower surface 120a of the bottom plate 10 (which is equivalent to the structural constraints of the surface 1262a and the lower surface 120a in FIG. 4 on the first protruding limiting portion 148), which also has the function of increasing the pulling force of the key cap 12 and restricting or controlling the cap body The effect of 120 relative to the highest position of the bottom plate 10. In this embodiment, the binding structure of the second limiting structure 128 and the second protruding limiting portion 168 is substantially the same as the binding structure of the first limiting structure 126 and the first protruding limiting portion 148, so regarding the second limit For other descriptions of the binding structure of the bit structure 128 and the second protruding limiting portion 168, please refer to the relevant descriptions and changes of the binding structure of the first limiting structure 126 and the first protruding limiting portion 148, which will not be repeated here.

Please refer to Figure 8 to Figure 11. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the key structure 4 is similar to the structure of the aforementioned key structure 1. Therefore, the key structure 4 follows the symbol of the key structure 1. For other descriptions of the key structure 4, please refer to the relevant description of the key structure 1 and The diagram is not repeated here. With respect to the key structure 1, in the key structure 4, when the key cap 12 is in an unpressed position (as shown in FIG. 10), the first protruding limiting portion 448 elastically abuts the lower surface 120a of the key cap 12; That is to say, there is a preload between the first protruding limiting portion 448 and the lower surface 120a. In practice, this preload can pass through the first protruding limiting portion 448 and the lower surface 120a Through interference. This preloading helps to avoid the shaking of the keycap 12 (that is, the situation where the position of the keycap 12 is felt unstable when the finger first presses the keycap 12).

Please also refer to FIG. 12; wherein, the abutting position 120b where the first protruding limiting portion 448 contacts the lower surface 120a is indicated by a hatched frame, and the rotation axis 142a of the first upper connecting portion 142 is on the lower surface 120a The projection is represented by a chain line. In this embodiment, the keycap 12 has an edge 120c near the rotation axis 142a, and the edge 120c is substantially parallel to the rotation axis 142a. When the keycap 12 is at the unpressed position, the abutment position 120b is located between the rotation axis 142a and the edge 120c; or the projection of the first upper connecting portion 142 in the vertical direction is located at the first lower connecting portion 144 in the vertical direction The upper projection and the lower surface 120a contact the portion of the first protruding limiting portion 448 (ie, the abutment position 120b) between the projections in the vertical direction. Therefore, in principle, when the keycap 12 moves from the unpressed position toward a pressed position (as shown in FIG. 11 where the keycap 12 is located), the first protruding limiting portion 448 elastically abuts the pre-surface of the lower surface 120a The pressure gradually decreases. In addition, when the keycap 12 is located at the pressing position (as shown in FIG. 11), the first protruding limiting portion 448 does not contact the lower surface 120a. In practice, by designing the amount of structural interference between the first protruding limiting portion 448 and the keycap 12 when the keycap 12 is in the unpressed position, the keycap 12 can be moved to the pressed position for a short distance after the first A protruding limiting portion 448 is detached from the lower surface 120a of the keycap 12 to prevent the preload from affecting the user's feeling of pressing the keycap 12; for example, before the switch 182 is triggered, the first protruding limiting portion 448 has detached Lower surface 120a. In addition, in practice, the portion where the lower surface 120a contacts the first protruding limiting portion 448 (ie, the abutment position 120b) is not limited to a long area, and may also be dot-shaped or linear (for example, with structural edges) Against the lower surface 120a). If the contact area between the first protruding limiting portion 448 and the lower surface 120a is much smaller than the lower surface 120a of the keycap 12, it can logically be regarded as a point or a line.

Please also refer to Figure 13. In this embodiment, the first bracket 14 has an extended connection portion 446, which has a fixed end 446a and a free end 446b. The first protruding limiting portion 448 is located at the free end 446a and forms an elastic structure (such as, but not limited to, an L-shaped structure) with the extended connection portion 446, and the whole is a cantilever structure. When the keycap 12 is in the unpressed position, the elastic structure is elastic with the first protruding limiting portion 448 Against the lower surface 120a. In practice, the magnitude of the preload between the first protruding limiting portion 448 and the lower surface 120a can be adjusted by changing the size of the elastic structure, such as changing (or designing) the lengths L1, L2 of the elastic structure, Thickness T1, width W1, etc.

In addition, in this embodiment, the first protruding limiting portion 448 extends from the free end 446b toward the (lower surface 120a of) the keycap 12, and the first protruding limiting portion 448 extends toward the keycap 12 perpendicular to the rotation axis 142a And, the extended connecting portion 446 extends perpendicular to the rotation axis 142a and perpendicular to the extending direction of the first protruding limiting portion 448; however, in practice, it is not limited to this. For example, the extension direction of the extension connection portion 446, the extension direction of the first protrusion limiting portion 448, and the rotation axis 142a are not perpendicular to each other. For another example, the first protruding limiting portion 448' extends parallel to the rotation axis 142a, and its structural logic is as shown in FIG. For another example, the first protruding limiting portion 448" extends from opposite sides of the free end 446b parallel to the rotation axis 142a, or the free end 446b is connected to the middle portion of the first protruding limiting portion 448", and its structure The logic is shown in Figure 15.

Please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 12. The first bracket 14 has a third protruding limiting portion 449, and its structure is the same as the first protruding limiting portion 448, to simplify the description, but it is not limited in practice. Among them, the third protruding limiting portion 449 contacts one of the contact positions 120d of the lower surface 120a as a hatched frame shown in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the first protruding limiting portion 448 and the third protruding limiting portion 449 are located between the two connecting structures 122 of the keycap 12, but in practice, it is not limited to this. For example, the two connecting structures 122 of the first upper connecting portion 142 and the keycap 12 are located between the first protruding limiting portion 448 and the third protruding limiting portion 449, and the two connecting structures 122 are also located at the corresponding abutment positions 120b , Between 120d (refer to Figure 16). For another example, only one of the first protruding limiting portion 448 and the third protruding limiting portion 449 is located between the two connecting structures 122. In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the first protrusion limiting portion 448 ′ and the third protrusion limiting portion 449 ′ extend opposite to the rotation axis 142 a oppositely; wherein, the first protrusion limiting portion 448 ′ and the third protrusion limiting position The part 449' is also located between the two connection structures 122.

Please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10. The second protruding limiting portion 468 of the second bracket 16 also elastically abuts against the lower surface 120a of the keycap 12; that is, at this time, there is preload between the second protruding limiting portion 468 and the lower surface 120a. this Pre-pressing also helps to prevent the keycap 12 from shaking. The structural constraint logic between the second protruding limiting portion 468 and the keycap 12 is substantially the same as the structural constraint logic between the first protruding limiting portion 448 and the keycap 12, so other descriptions about the second protruding limiting portion 468 may be Please refer to the relevant description of the first protruding limiting portion 448 and the description of its change, which will not be repeated here. In addition, in practice, the number and relative positions of the protruding limiting portions provided on the first bracket 14 and the second bracket 16 depend on the product design, and are not limited to the foregoing embodiments. In principle, even in the key structure 4, using only one protruding limiting portion is still beneficial to the stability of the keycap 12 in the unpressed position, and will not be described in detail.

In this embodiment, the key structure 4 is described by taking a foot scissor as an example, but in practice, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the key structure 5 uses a butterfly bracket, and the first bracket 54 and the second bracket 56 are pivotally connected to each other to form a V-shaped structure and are respectively connected between the key cap 52 and the bottom plate 50. The key cap 52 The first bracket 54 and the second bracket 56 can move up and down relative to the bottom plate 50, and the elastic member 60 provides a restoring force. When the keycap 52 is not pressed, the first protrusion limiting portion 548 provided on the first bracket 54 and the second protrusion limiting portion 568 provided on the second bracket 56 elastically abut the lower surface 520a of the keycap 52. It also helps to avoid the shaking of the key cap 52 at this time. In terms of the structural restraint between the key cap 52 and the protruding limiting portions 548 and 568, the key structure 5 and the key structure 4 are substantially the same, so the previous descriptions of the key structure 4 and their changes are also applicable here, no longer Repeat.

For another example, as shown in FIG. 18, the key structure 7 is a magnetic key, the first bracket 74 and the second bracket 76 are respectively connected between the key cap 72 and the bottom plate 70, and a metal plate 75 is fixedly connected to the first The bracket 74 abuts the second bracket 76. A magnet 80 is disposed on the bottom plate 70 corresponding to the metal plate 75. A magnetic attraction force is generated between the magnet 80 and the metal plate 75 to drive the first bracket 74 and the second bracket 76 to interlock via the metal plate 75 to make the key cap 72 Through the first bracket 74 and the second bracket 76, it can move up and down relative to the bottom plate 70; wherein the magnetic attraction force acts to reset the keycap 72. When the keycap 72 is not pressed, the first protrusion limiting portion 748 provided on the first bracket 74 and the second protrusion limiting portion 768 provided on the second bracket 76 elastically abut the lower surface 720a of the keycap 72. It also helps to avoid the shaking of the keycap 72 at this time. On the key cap 72 and the protruding limit In terms of the structural constraint between the parts 748 and 768, the key structure 7 and the key structure 4 are substantially the same, so the previous description about the key structure 4 and its change description are also applicable here, and will not be repeated here.

In addition, in the key structures 4, 5, and 7, the protruding limiting portions are correspondingly connected to the extended connecting portions, which helps to increase the elasticity of the elastic structure (formed by the protruding limiting portions and the extended connecting portions to be connected), but the actual It is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the first protruding limiting portion 450 directly extends from the first upper connecting portion 142, which also forms a cantilever structure, the end of which is when the keycap 12 is not pressed (refer to FIG. 10). The elasticity abuts the lower surface 120a of the keycap 12, which also helps to avoid the shaking of the keycap 12 at this time.

In addition, the butterfly brackets and magnetic brackets shown in the key structures 5 and 7 can also be applied to the key structures 1 and 3, and are not described in detail.

The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

4: Key structure

10: bottom plate

100: plate body

12: Keycap

120: cap body

120a: lower surface

122, 124: connection structure

14: First bracket

140: the first body

142: First upper connection

142a: rotation axis

144: First lower connection

448: First protruding limit

16: Second bracket

160: second body

162: Second upper connection

162a: axis of rotation

164: Second lower connection

468: Second protruding limit

18: Thin film circuit board

20: Elastic parts

449: third protruding limit

Claims (27)

A key structure includes: a bottom plate; a key cap, which is arranged above the bottom plate; a first bracket, which is connected between the key cap and the bottom plate, the first bracket has a first upper connecting portion, a first A lower connecting part and a first protruding limiting part, the first upper connecting part is located between the first lower connecting part and the first protruding limiting part, the first bracket passes through the first upper connecting part and the first The lower connecting part is rotatably connected to the key cap and the bottom plate respectively, the first protruding limiting part is arranged adjacent to the key cap, the first upper connecting part has a rotation axis and can rotate around the The axis rotates relative to the keycap, the keycap has an edge close to the axis of rotation; and a second bracket connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the keycap passes through the first bracket and the first The two brackets can move up and down relative to the bottom plate in a vertical direction; wherein, when the keycap is in an unpressed position, the first protruding limiting portion elastically abuts a contact position of the lower surface of the keycap , The abutting position is between the rotation axis and the edge; wherein, when the keycap is in a pressing position, the first protruding limiting portion does not contact the lower surface. The key structure according to claim 1, wherein the key cap includes a cap body and a first limit structure, the first limit structure is disposed on the cap body and has a first stop portion, the first The blocking portion is located between the cap body and the bottom plate, and the first protruding limiting portion is disposed between the first blocking portion and the cap body. The key structure according to claim 2, wherein when the key cap is not pressed, the key cap is located at an unpressed position and the first protruding limit portion abuts against the first stop portion toward the cap body On the surface. The key structure according to claim 3, wherein when the keycap is in the unpressed position, the The first protruding limiting portion abuts the lower surface of the cap body toward the first stop portion. The key structure according to claim 4, wherein the first upper connecting portion can rotate relative to the keycap about a rotation axis, and the projection of the first protruding limiting portion on the rotation axis has an elliptical profile. The key structure according to claim 2, wherein the first limiting structure has a side wall portion, the side wall portion connects the first stop portion and the cap body, the side wall portion, the first stop portion and the cap A sliding groove is formed between the bodies, and the first protruding limiting portion slides in the sliding groove. The key structure according to claim 6, wherein the first upper connecting portion can rotate relative to the keycap about a rotation axis, the first bracket has an extended connecting portion, and the extended connecting portion extends from the first upper portion The connecting portion extends outward perpendicular to the rotation axis with respect to the first lower connection portion, and the first protruding limiting portion extends from the extension connection portion parallel to the rotation axis. The key structure according to claim 2, wherein the key cap includes a pivot structure, which is disposed on the cap body, and the first upper connecting portion is pivotally connected to the pivot structure. The key structure described in claim 1 further includes an elastic member, which is pressed against the key cap and the bottom plate. The key structure according to claim 1, wherein the first bracket is pivotally connected to the second bracket. The key structure according to claim 2, wherein the key cap includes a second limit structure, the second limit structure is disposed on the cap body and has a second stop portion, the second stop portion is located Between the cap body and the bottom plate, the second bracket has a second upper connecting portion, a second lower connecting portion and a second protruding limiting portion, the second upper connecting portion is located on the second lower connecting portion and Between the second protruding limiting portion, the second bracket is rotatably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate via the second upper connecting portion and the second lower connecting portion, respectively, and the second protruding limiting portion is disposed at Between the second stopper and the cap body. The key structure according to claim 1, wherein the first bracket has an extended connection portion, the extended connection portion has a fixed end and a free end, and the first protruding limiting portion is located at the free The end portion forms an elastic structure with the extended connection portion. The key structure according to claim 12, wherein the first protruding limiting portion extends from the free end toward the key cap. The key structure according to claim 12, wherein the first protruding limiting portion extends toward the key cap perpendicular to the rotation axis. The key structure according to claim 14, wherein the extended connecting portion extends perpendicular to the rotation axis and perpendicular to the extending direction of the first protruding limiting portion. The key structure according to claim 12, wherein the first protruding limiting portion extends parallel to the rotation axis. The key structure according to claim 16, wherein the first protruding limiting portion extends parallel to the rotation axis from opposite sides of the free end. The key structure according to claim 1, wherein the key cap includes two connection structures, the first upper connection portion is rotatably connected to the two connection structures, and the abutment position is located between the two connection structures. The key structure according to claim 1, wherein the key cap includes two connection structures, the first upper connection portion and the two connection structures are rotatably connected, and one of the connection structures is located between the other connection structure and the abutment position between. A key structure includes: a bottom plate; a key cap, which is arranged above the bottom plate; a first bracket, which is connected between the key cap and the bottom plate, the first bracket has a first upper connecting portion, a first A lower connecting part and a first protruding limiting part, the first upper connecting part is located between the first lower connecting part and the first protruding limiting part, the first bracket passes through the first upper connecting part and the first A lower connecting portion is rotatably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate respectively, the first protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacent to the keycap, the first upper connecting portion has a rotation axis and can be wound around the The rotation axis rotates relative to the keycap, the keycap has an edge close to the rotation axis; and a second bracket connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the keycap passes through the first bracket and the The second bracket can move up and down relative to the bottom plate in a vertical direction. The second bracket has a second upper connecting portion, a second lower connecting portion, and a second protruding limiting portion. The second upper connecting portion is located Between the second lower connecting portion and the second protruding limiting portion, the second bracket is rotatably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate via the second upper connecting portion and the second lower connecting portion, respectively, the first Two protruding limiting portions are arranged adjacent to the keycap; wherein, when the keycap is in an unpressed position, the first protruding limiting portion elastically abuts one of the lower surface of the keycap, The abutment position is between the rotation axis and the edge, and the second protruding limiting portion elastically abuts the lower surface of the keycap; wherein, when the keycap is in a pressing position, the first protruding limit The bit portion does not contact the lower surface. A key structure includes: a bottom plate; a key cap, which is arranged above the bottom plate; a first bracket, which is connected between the key cap and the bottom plate, the first bracket has a first upper connecting portion, a first A lower connecting part, a first protruding limiting part and a third protruding limiting part, the first upper connecting part is located between the first lower connecting part and the first protruding limiting part, the first bracket passes through the The first upper connecting portion and the first lower connecting portion are respectively rotatably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate, the first protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacent to the keycap, and the first upper connecting portion has a rotation Axial and rotatable relative to the keycap around the axis of rotation, the keycap has an edge close to the axis of rotation, the third protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacent to the keycap, the first The connecting portion is located between the first lower connecting portion and the third protruding limiting portion and between the first protruding limiting portion and the third protruding limiting portion; and A second bracket connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the keycap can move up and down relative to the bottom plate in a vertical direction through the first bracket and the second bracket; wherein, when the keycap is located at a In the unpressed position, the first protruding limiting portion elastically abuts a contact position of the lower surface of the keycap, the abutment position is located between the rotation axis and the edge; wherein, when the keycap is located In a pressing position, the first protruding limiting portion does not contact the lower surface. A key structure includes: a bottom plate; a key cap, disposed above the bottom plate, the key cap includes two connection structures; a first bracket connected between the key cap and the bottom plate, the first bracket has a first An upper connecting portion, a first lower connecting portion, a first protruding limiting portion and a third protruding limiting portion, the first upper connecting portion is located between the first lower connecting portion and the first protruding limiting portion The first bracket is rotatably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate via the first upper connecting portion and the first lower connecting portion, respectively, and the first protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacent to the keycap, the The first upper connecting portion has a rotation axis and is rotatably connected to the two connection structures with respect to the rotation axis, the keycap has an edge close to the rotation axis, and the third protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacently Under the keycap, the first protruding limiting portion and the third protruding limiting portion are located between the two connecting structures, the first protruding limiting portion and the third protruding limiting portion are parallel to the rotation axis Extending oppositely; and a second bracket connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the keycap can move up and down relative to the bottom plate in a vertical direction through the first bracket and the second bracket; wherein, when the When the keycap is in an unpressed position, the first protruding limiting portion elastically abuts an abutment position on the lower surface of the keycap, the abutment position is between the rotation axis and the edge; wherein, when When the keycap is in a pressing position, the first protruding limiting portion does not contact the lower surface. . A button structure, including: a bottom plate; A key cap is disposed above the bottom plate, the key cap includes a cap body and a first limiting structure, the first limiting structure is disposed on the cap body and has a first stop portion, the first block The stop portion is located between the cap body and the bottom plate; a first bracket is connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the first bracket has a first upper connecting portion, a first lower connecting portion and a first A protruding limiting portion, the first upper connecting portion is located between the first lower connecting portion and the first protruding limiting portion, the first bracket is connected to the first connecting portion and the first lower connecting portion respectively via the first upper connecting portion and the first lower connecting portion The keycap and the bottom plate are rotatably connected, the first protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacent to the keycap and between the first stop portion and the cap body, and the first upper connecting portion can be wound around a The rotation axis rotates relative to the keycap, the projection of the first protruding limiting portion on the rotation axis has an elliptical outline; and a second bracket is connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the keycap passes The first bracket and the second bracket can move up and down relative to the bottom plate in a vertical direction; wherein, when the keycap is not pressed, the keycap is in an unpressed position, and the first protruding limiting portion resists Relying on the surface of the first stop portion facing the cap body, the first protruding limiting portion abuts the surface of the cap body facing the first stop portion. A key structure includes: a bottom plate; a key cap, disposed above the bottom plate, the key cap includes a cap body and a first limit structure, the first limit structure is provided on the cap body and has a first A stop portion and a side wall portion, the first stop portion is located between the cap body and the bottom plate, the side wall portion connects the first stop portion and the cap body, the side wall portion, the first stop portion And a sliding groove is formed between the cap body; a first bracket is connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the first bracket has a first upper connecting portion, a first lower connecting portion, and a first protrusion A limiting portion and an extended connecting portion, the first upper connecting portion is located between the first lower connecting portion and the first protruding limiting portion, the first bracket passes through the The first upper connecting portion and the first lower connecting portion are rotatably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate, respectively, and the first protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacent to the keycap and is located between the first stop portion and the Between the cap bodies, the first protruding limiting portion slides in the sliding groove, the first upper connecting portion can rotate relative to the keycap about a rotation axis, and the extended connecting portion is from the first upper connecting portion Relative to the first lower connecting portion, extending perpendicularly to the rotation axis, the first protruding limiting portion extends from the extending connecting portion parallel to the rotation axis; and a second bracket connected to the keycap and Between the bottom plates, the keycap can move up and down relative to the bottom plate in a vertical direction through the first bracket and the second bracket. A key structure includes: a bottom plate; a key cap is disposed above the bottom plate, the key cap includes a cap body, a first limiting structure and a second limiting structure, the first limiting structure is disposed on the The cap body has a first stop portion, the first stop portion is located between the cap body and the bottom plate, the second limiting structure is disposed on the cap body and has a second stop portion, the The second stop portion is located between the cap body and the bottom plate; a first bracket is connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the first bracket has a first upper connecting portion, a first lower connecting portion and A first protruding limiting portion, the first upper connecting portion is located between the first lower connecting portion and the first protruding limiting portion, the first bracket passes through the first upper connecting portion and the first lower connecting portion Do not rotatably connect with the keycap and the bottom plate, the first protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacent to the keycap and between the first stop portion and the cap body; and a second bracket is connected Between the keycap and the bottom plate, the keycap can move up and down relative to the bottom plate in a vertical direction through the first bracket and the second bracket. The second bracket has a second upper connecting portion, a first Two lower connecting parts and a second protruding limiting part, the second upper connecting part is located between the second lower connecting part and the second protruding limiting part, the second bracket passes through the second upper connecting part and the The second lower connecting portion is rotatably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate, respectively, the second The protruding limiting portion is disposed between the second stop portion and the cap body. A key structure includes: a bottom plate; a key cap, which is arranged above the bottom plate; a first bracket, which is connected between the key cap and the bottom plate, the first bracket has a first upper connecting portion, a first A lower connecting part, a first protruding limiting part and an extended connecting part, the first upper connecting part is located between the first lower connecting part and the first protruding limiting part, the first bracket passes through the first upper part The connecting portion and the first lower connecting portion are respectively rotatably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate, the first protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacent to the keycap, the first upper connecting portion has a rotation axis and It can rotate relative to the keycap around the rotation axis, the keycap has an edge close to the rotation axis, the extended connection portion has a fixed end and a free end, and the first protruding limiting portion is located The free end portion forms an elastic structure with the extended connection portion; and a second bracket is connected between the key cap and the bottom plate, the key cap can pass along a vertical through the first bracket and the second bracket The direction moves up and down relative to the bottom plate; wherein, when the keycap is in an unpressed position, the first protruding limiting portion elastically abuts a contact position on the lower surface of the keycap, and the abutment position is on the Between the axis of rotation and the edge. A key structure includes: a bottom plate; a key cap, disposed above the bottom plate, the key cap includes a cap body and a first limit structure, the first limit structure is provided on the cap body and has a first A stop portion, the first stop portion is located between the cap body and the bottom plate; a first bracket is connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the first bracket has a first upper connecting portion, a A first lower connecting part and a first protruding limiting part, the first upper connecting part is located between the first lower connecting part and the first protruding limiting part, the first bracket passes through the first upper connecting part and The first lower connecting portion is rotatably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate, respectively, and the first protruding limiting portion is disposed adjacent to the keycap and between the first stop portion and the cap body; and A second bracket connected between the keycap and the bottom plate, the keycap can move up and down relative to the bottom plate in a vertical direction through the first bracket and the second bracket; wherein, when the keycap is not When pressed, the keycap is in an unpressed position and the first protruding limiting portion abuts the surface of the first blocking portion facing the cap body.

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