TWI901294B - Key structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A key structure includes a connecting assembly. The connecting assembly includes a first inner frame, a first outer frame pivotally, a second inner frame and a second outer frame. The first inner frame has a first positioning structure, and the first outer frame has a second positioning structure. The second inner frame has a third positioning structure, and the second outer frame has a fourth positioning structure. The first positioning structure is used to directly or indirectly connect to the third positioning structure, and the second positioning structure is used to directly or indirectly connect to the fourth positioning structure. By adjusting the position of the first and second positioning structures connected to the third and fourth positioning structures, a first spacing length between the first and second inner frame and a second spacing length between the first and second outer frame can be adjusted.

Description

Key structure

The present invention relates to a key structure.

In today's computer usage habits, the keyboard is an indispensable input device. A keyboard is composed of multiple key structures. Generally speaking, a key structure connects a keycap and a base plate via a scissor-type connector, which drives the keycap to rise and fall relative to the base plate. Most keycaps are square, but depending on the functionality of the key or its placement on the keyboard, keycaps can also have other shapes. For example, the keycaps of blank keys or other multiple keys are often rectangular or other polygonal.

Because blank keys or other multiple-key layouts are larger and require slight adjustments to keyboard sizes, the length of the scissor-type connector must also be slightly adjusted accordingly. However, for keyboard manufacturers, even a slight length difference requires additional mold production, which is quite costly and warrants improvement.

In view of the above problems, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide a key structure that uses a connecting assembly with adjustable length to solve the problem that conventional key structures need to be made into molds for different sizes, thereby increasing manufacturing costs.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a key structure, which includes a base plate, a key cap and a connecting assembly. The connecting assembly includes a first inner frame and a first outer frame, a second inner frame and a second outer frame. The first inner frame and the first outer frame are connected to the base plate and the key cap on opposite sides respectively. The second inner frame and the second outer frame are arranged adjacent to the first inner frame and the first outer frame, and the second inner frame and the second outer frame are connected to the base plate and the key cap on opposite sides respectively. The first inner frame has a first positioning structure at one end close to the second inner frame, and the first outer frame has a second positioning structure at one end close to the second outer frame. The second inner frame has a third positioning structure at one end close to the first inner frame, and the second outer frame has a fourth positioning structure at one end close to the first outer frame. The first positioning structure is directly or indirectly connected to the third positioning structure, and the second positioning structure is directly or indirectly connected to the fourth positioning structure. By adjusting the position where the first positioning structure is connected to the third positioning structure, a first distance between the first inner frame and the second inner frame is adjusted. By adjusting the position where the second positioning structure is connected to the fourth positioning structure, a second distance between the first outer frame and the second outer frame is adjusted.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first positioning structure includes a plurality of first positioning portions arranged at intervals. The third positioning structure is connected to at least some of the first positioning portions to adjust the first interval length. The second positioning structure includes a plurality of second positioning portions arranged at intervals. The fourth positioning structure is connected to at least some of the second positioning portions to adjust the second interval length.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the third positioning structure includes a plurality of third positioning portions arranged at intervals, the third positioning portions cooperating with the first positioning portion. The fourth positioning structure includes a plurality of fourth positioning portions arranged at intervals, the fourth positioning portions cooperating with the second positioning portion.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are respectively a convex portion, and the third positioning portion and the fourth positioning portion are respectively a concave portion.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the connection assembly includes a first engaging structure and a second engaging structure. Opposite ends of the first engaging structure are connected to the first positioning structure and the third positioning structure, respectively, so that the first positioning structure is indirectly connected to the third positioning structure via the first engaging structure. Opposite ends of the second engaging structure are connected to the second positioning structure and the fourth positioning structure, respectively, so that the second positioning structure is indirectly connected to the fourth positioning structure via the second engaging structure.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first positioning structure includes a plurality of first positioning portions arranged at intervals. The second positioning structure includes a plurality of second positioning portions arranged at intervals. The third positioning structure includes a plurality of third positioning portions arranged at intervals. The fourth positioning structure includes a plurality of fourth positioning portions arranged at intervals. One end of the first engaging structure is connected to at least a portion of the first positioning portion, and the other end is connected to at least a portion of the third positioning portion. One end of the second engaging structure is connected to at least a portion of the second positioning portion, and the other end is connected to at least a portion of the fourth positioning portion.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first engaging structure includes a plurality of first engaging portions arranged at intervals. The first engaging portions cooperate with the first positioning portions and the third positioning portions. The second engaging structure includes a plurality of second engaging portions arranged at intervals. The second engaging portions cooperate with the second positioning portions and the fourth positioning portions.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first positioning portions, the second positioning portions, the third positioning portions, and the fourth positioning portions are respectively a convex portion, and the first engaging portions and the second engaging portions are respectively a concave portion.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first engaging structure and the second engaging structure are each a clamping member. Opposite ends of the first engaging structure are respectively engaged with the first positioning structure and the third positioning structure. Opposite ends of the second engaging structure are respectively engaged with the second positioning structure and the fourth positioning structure.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first engaging structure includes two first clamping members and a first expansion member. The first expansion member is disposed between the two first clamping members, and the two first clamping members are connected to the first positioning structure and the second positioning structure, respectively. The second engaging structure includes two second clamping members and a second expansion member. The second expansion member is disposed between the two second clamping members, and the two second clamping members are connected to the third positioning structure and the fourth positioning structure, respectively.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first expansion member further includes a plurality of spaced fifth positioning portions, the two first clamping members being engaged with at least some of the fifth positioning portions. The second expansion member further includes a plurality of spaced sixth positioning portions, the two second clamping members being engaged with at least some of the sixth positioning portions.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first inner frame has a first pivot, the first outer frame has a first pivot hole, and the first pivot is received in the first pivot hole. The distance between the first pivot and the first pivot hole and the keycap is greater than the distance between the first pivot and the first pivot hole and the keycap. Furthermore, the second inner frame has a second pivot, the second outer frame has a second pivot hole, and the second pivot is received in the second pivot hole. The distance between the second pivot and the second pivot hole and the keycap is greater than the distance between the second pivot and the second pivot hole and the keycap.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a surface of the first inner frame and the first outer frame together form a thinned first relief structure, located centrally between the first inner frame and the first outer frame. A surface of the second inner frame and the second outer frame together form a thinned second relief structure, located centrally between the second inner frame and the second outer frame.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first inner frame includes a third thinned relief structure located on a side of the first inner frame close to the second inner frame. The first outer frame includes a fourth thinned relief structure located on a side of the first outer frame close to the second outer frame.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second inner frame includes a thinned fifth relief structure located on a side of the second inner frame proximate to the first inner frame, and the first positioning structure is located within the fifth relief structure. The second outer frame includes a thinned sixth relief structure located on a side of the second outer frame proximate to the first outer frame, and the second positioning structure is located within the sixth relief structure.

As described above, according to the key structure of the present invention, its connecting assembly includes a first inner frame and a first outer frame, a second inner frame and a second outer frame. Among them, the first positioning structure of the first inner frame is used to directly or indirectly connect to the third positioning structure of the second inner frame, and the second positioning structure of the first outer frame is used to directly or indirectly connect to the fourth positioning structure of the second outer frame. Therefore, by adjusting the position of the first and second positioning structures connected to the third and fourth positioning structures, the first spacing length between the first and second inner frames and the second spacing length between the first and second outer frames can be adjusted. By adjusting the first and second spacing lengths, the overall length of the connecting assembly can be adjusted to match the length of the key cap. Therefore, the connecting assembly of the present invention can be adjusted to suit key caps of different lengths without the need to make additional molds, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the key structure.

In order to better understand the technical content of the present invention, the preferred specific embodiments are described below.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the key structure of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG2 is an exploded schematic diagram of the key structure shown in FIG1 , FIG3A is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the connecting assembly shown in FIG2 , and FIG3B is an enlarged schematic diagram of the connecting assembly shown in FIG3A after assembly. Please refer to FIG1 , FIG2 , FIG3A and FIG3B . The key structure 1 of this embodiment includes a base plate 10, a key cap 20 and a connecting assembly 30. It should be noted that the base plate 10 drawn in the drawings of this case corresponds to one of the key structures 1. In actual applications, multiple key structures 1 may correspond to one base plate 10. Furthermore, the key structure 1 can be applied to larger blank keys or other multiple keys. The keycap 20 of this embodiment is described using a blank key as an example. In addition, to clearly illustrate the structure of the connecting assembly 30, the surface S of the connecting assembly 30 shown in Figures 3A and 3B is the side surface facing the base plate 10.

As shown in Figures 2, 3A, and 3B, the connection assembly 30 of this embodiment includes two sets of connectors, each set comprising an inner frame and an outer frame pivotally connected to each other, referred to herein as the first and second, respectively. Specifically, the connection assembly 30 of this embodiment includes a first inner frame 31 and a first outer frame 32 pivotally connected to each other, and a second inner frame 33 and a second outer frame 34 pivotally connected to each other. Opposite sides of the first inner frame 31 and the first outer frame 32 are connected to the base plate 10 and the keycap 20, respectively. To clarify the description of this embodiment, the side of the first inner frame 31 connected to the base plate 10 is referred to as the connecting side 311, and the side connected to the keycap 20 is referred to as the connecting side 312. Furthermore, the side of the first outer frame 32 connected to the base plate 10 is referred to as the connecting side 321, and the side connected to the keycap 20 is referred to as the connecting side 322. In this embodiment, the length of the connecting side 312 of the first inner frame 31 is substantially the same as the length of the connecting side 322 of the first outer frame 32. Furthermore, the length of the connecting side 311 of the first inner frame 31 is shorter than the length of the connecting side 321 of the first outer frame 32, so that more of the first inner frame 31 is located within the first outer frame 32, and thus it is referred to as the inner frame.

Furthermore, the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34 are disposed adjacent to the first inner frame 31 and the first outer frame 32 and have substantially the same configuration. Specifically, the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34 have opposing sides connected to the base plate 10 and the keycap 20, respectively. In this embodiment, the side of the second inner frame 33 connected to the base plate 10 is referred to as the connection side 331, and the side connected to the keycap 20 is referred to as the connection side 332. Furthermore, the side of the second outer frame 34 connected to the base plate 10 is referred to as the connection side 341, and the side connected to the keycap 20 is referred to as the connection side 342. The structure of the first inner frame 31 and the first outer frame 32, and the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34, enables the keycap 20 to be raised and lowered relative to the base plate 10.

The first inner frame 31 and the first outer frame 32 of this embodiment are directly or indirectly connected to each other with the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34 via a positioning structure. In addition, the overall length of the connecting assembly 30 can be adjusted by adjusting the connection position of the positioning structure.

Specifically, the first inner frame 31 has a first positioning structure 313, which is located at one end of the first inner frame 31 close to the second inner frame 33. The first outer frame 32 has a second positioning structure 323, which is located at one end of the first outer frame 32 close to the second outer frame 34. The second inner frame 33 has a third positioning structure 333, which is located at one end of the second inner frame 33 close to the first inner frame 31. The second outer frame 34 has a fourth positioning structure 343, which is located at one end of the second outer frame 34 close to the first outer frame 32. The first positioning structure 313 is used to directly or indirectly connect to the third positioning structure 333, and the second positioning structure 323 is used to directly or indirectly connect to the fourth positioning structure 343. In this embodiment, the first positioning structure 313 is directly connected to the third positioning structure 333, and the second positioning structure 323 is also directly connected to the fourth positioning structure 343. By adjusting the position where the first positioning structure 313 connects to the third positioning structure 333, a first spacing length L1 between the first inner frame 31 and the second inner frame 33 is adjusted, as shown in Figure 3B . Similarly, by adjusting the position where the second positioning structure 323 connects to the fourth positioning structure 343, a second spacing length L2 between the first outer frame 32 and the second outer frame 34 is adjusted, as shown in Figure 3B . By adjusting the first spacing length L1 and the second spacing length L2, the overall length of the connecting assembly 30 is adjusted to match the length of the keycap 20. Therefore, the connecting assembly 30 of this embodiment can be adjusted to accommodate keycaps 20 of varying lengths.

Preferably, the first positioning structure 313 includes a plurality of first positioning portions 3131 arranged at intervals (as shown in FIG3B ), and the first positioning portions 3131 are arranged at intervals along the long axis of the first inner frame 31. The third positioning structure 333 connects at least some of the first positioning portions 3131 to adjust the first interval length L1. For example, the more first positioning portions 3131 are connected, the closer the first inner frame 31 and the second inner frame 33 are, and thus the smaller the first interval length L1. Similarly, the second positioning structure 323 includes a plurality of second positioning portions 3231 (as shown in FIG3B ), which are arranged at intervals along the first outer frame 32. The fourth positioning structure 343 connects at least some of the second positioning portions 3231 to adjust the second interval length L2. Similarly, the more second positioning portions 3231 are connected, the smaller the second interval length L2.

Preferably, the third positioning structure 333 of this embodiment also includes a plurality of third positioning portions 3331 (as shown in FIG3B ), which are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the second inner frame 33. Furthermore, the third positioning portions 3331 cooperate with the first positioning portions 3131. The term "interaction" herein refers to the third positioning portions 3331 and the first positioning portions 3131 being structurally compatible and spaced apart at the same distance. Similarly, the fourth positioning structure 343 includes a plurality of fourth positioning portions 3431 (as shown in FIG3B ), which are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the second outer frame 34. The fourth positioning portions 3431 and the second positioning portions 3231 are structurally compatible and spaced apart at the same distance.

As shown in Figure 3B , in this embodiment, the first positioning portion 3131 and the second positioning portion 3231 are each a protrusion, while the third positioning portion 3331 and the fourth positioning portion 3431 are each a recess. When more first positioning portions 3131 and second positioning portions 3231 (i.e., protrusions, such as rectangular bumps) engage with the third positioning portion 3331 and the fourth positioning portion 3431 (i.e., recesses, such as rectangular recesses), the first spacing length L1 and the second spacing length L2 decrease, thereby shortening the overall length of the connection assembly 30. Conversely, if only one first positioning portion 3131 and one second positioning portion 3231 (i.e., protrusions) respectively engage with one third positioning portion 3331 and one fourth positioning portion 3431 (i.e., recesses), the first spacing length L1 and the second spacing length L2 are maximized, resulting in the longest overall length of the connection assembly 30.

As can be seen from the above description, the first positioning structure 313, the second positioning structure 323, and the connection structure between the third positioning structure 333 and the fourth positioning structure 343 of this embodiment are similar to a length-adjustable drawstring.

FIG4A is an exploded schematic diagram of the connection assembly of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG4B is a schematic diagram of the connection assembly shown in FIG4A after assembly. Please refer to FIG4A and FIG4B for reference. The connection assembly 30a of this embodiment also includes a first inner frame 31a and a first outer frame 32a that are pivotally connected to each other, and a second inner frame 33a and a second outer frame 34a that are pivotally connected to each other. The first positioning structure 313a is also located at an end of the first inner frame 31a that is close to the second inner frame 33a, and the second positioning structure 323a is located at an end of the first outer frame 32a that is close to the second outer frame 34a. Similarly, the third positioning structure 333a is located at an end of the second inner frame 33a that is close to the first inner frame 31a, and the fourth positioning structure 343a is located at an end of the second outer frame 34a that is close to the first outer frame 32a. The difference from the previous embodiment is that the connection assembly 30a of this embodiment further includes a first engaging structure 35a and a second engaging structure 36a. The first engaging structure 35a has two opposite ends connected to the first positioning structure 313a and the third positioning structure 333a, respectively, allowing the first positioning structure 313a to be indirectly connected to the third positioning structure 333a via the first engaging structure 35a. Furthermore, the second engaging structure 36a has two opposite ends connected to the second positioning structure 323a and the fourth positioning structure 343a, respectively, allowing the second positioning structure 323a to be indirectly connected to the fourth positioning structure 343a via the second engaging structure 36a.

In this embodiment, the first spacing length L1 and the second spacing length L2 are controlled by adjusting the position of the first engaging structure 35a connected to the first positioning structure 313a and the third positioning structure 333a, and the position of the second engaging structure 36a connected to the second positioning structure 323a and the fourth positioning structure 343a, thereby adjusting the overall length of the connecting assembly 30a.

Similarly, the first positioning structure 313a of this embodiment includes a plurality of first positioning portions 3131a arranged at intervals, the second positioning structure 323a includes a plurality of second positioning portions 3231a arranged at intervals, the third positioning structure 333a includes a plurality of third positioning portions 3331a arranged at intervals, and the fourth positioning structure 343a includes a plurality of fourth positioning portions 3431a arranged at intervals. Preferably, the first engaging structure 35a connects at least a portion of the first positioning portions 3131a and at least a portion of the third positioning portions 3331a to adjust the first interval length L1. For example, the more first positioning portions 3131a and third positioning portions 3331a are connected, the closer the first inner frame 31a and the second inner frame 33a are, and thus the smaller the first interval length L1. Similarly, the second engaging structure 36a connects at least part of the second positioning portion 3231a and at least part of the fourth positioning portion 3431a to adjust the second interval length L2. For example, the more second positioning portions 3231a and fourth positioning portions 3431a are connected, the smaller the second interval length L2.

Preferably, the first engaging structure 35a of this embodiment also includes a plurality of first engaging portions 351a arranged at intervals, while the second engaging structure 36a includes a plurality of second engaging portions 361a arranged at intervals. The first engaging portions 351a cooperate with the first positioning portion 3131a and the third positioning portion 3331a, while the second engaging portions 361a cooperate with the second positioning portion 3231a and the fourth positioning portion 3431a. The term "cooperation" herein refers to interoperable structures with identical spacing.

In this embodiment, the first positioning portion 3131a, the second positioning portion 3231a, the third positioning portion 3331a, and the fourth positioning portion 3431a are each a protrusion, while the first engaging portion 351a and the second engaging portion 361a are each a groove. When more first positioning portions 3131a and third positioning portions 3331a (i.e., protrusions, such as circular bumps) engage with the first engaging portion 351a (i.e., grooves, such as circular grooves), and when more second positioning portions 3231a and fourth positioning portions 3431a (i.e., protrusions) engage with the second engaging portion 361a (i.e., grooves), the first spacing length L1 and the second spacing length L2 become shorter, thereby shortening the overall length of the connecting assembly 30a. As can be seen from the above description, the first positioning structure 313a, the second positioning structure 323a, the third positioning structure 333a, the fourth positioning structure 343a, and the connection structure between them and the first engaging structure 35a and the second engaging structure 36a of this embodiment are similar to building blocks.

In other embodiments, the first positioning portion 3131a, the second positioning portion 3231a, the third positioning portion 3331a, and the fourth positioning portion 3431a may also be grooves, and the first engaging portion 351a and the second engaging portion 361a may correspond to protrusions, which is not a limitation of the present invention.

FIG5A is an exploded schematic diagram of the connection assembly of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG5B is a schematic diagram of the connection assembly shown in FIG5A after assembly. Please refer to FIG5A and FIG5B. The connection assembly 30b of this embodiment also includes a first inner frame 31b and a first outer frame 32b that are pivotally connected to each other, a second inner frame 33b and a second outer frame 34b that are pivotally connected to each other, a first locking structure 35b and a second locking structure 36b. Among them, the first inner frame 31b also has a first positioning structure 313b, the first outer frame 32b has a second positioning structure 323b, the second inner frame 33b has a third positioning structure 333b, and the second outer frame 34b has a fourth positioning structure 343b. The difference from the second embodiment is that the first positioning structure 313b of this embodiment is a groove located on the connection side 312b of the first inner frame 31b. Similarly, the second positioning structure 323b is a groove located on the connecting side 322b of the first outer frame 32b. The third positioning structure 333b and the fourth positioning structure 343b are located on the connecting side 332b of the second inner frame 33b and the connecting side 342b of the second outer frame 34b, respectively.

Furthermore, the first engaging structure 35b and the second engaging structure 36b of this embodiment each comprise a clamping member. As shown in Figure 5A , both the first engaging structure 35b and the second engaging structure 36b are clamping members with elongated openings. The elongated openings of the first engaging structure 35b face the connecting side 312b of the first inner frame 31b and the connecting side 332b of the second inner frame 33b, respectively. Opposite ends of the first engaging structure 35b engage with the first positioning structure 313b and the third positioning structure 333b, respectively. Furthermore, the elongated opening of the second engaging structure 36b faces the connecting side 322b of the first outer frame 32b and the connecting side 342b of the second outer frame 34b, and two opposite ends of the second engaging structure 36b are respectively engaged with the second positioning structure 323b and the fourth positioning structure 343b.

Preferably, the first engaging structure 35b has first engaging portions 351b at opposite ends, and the second engaging structure 36b has second engaging portions 361b at opposite ends. In this embodiment, the first positioning structure 313b includes a plurality of first positioning portions 3131b arranged at intervals, such as a plurality of finger-shaped grooves. Similarly, the second positioning structure 323b includes a plurality of second positioning portions 3231b arranged at intervals, the third positioning structure 333b includes a plurality of third positioning portions 3331b arranged at intervals, and the fourth positioning structure 343b includes a plurality of fourth positioning portions 3431b arranged at intervals. The first engaging portion 351b cooperates with the first positioning portion 3131b and the third positioning portion 3331b, while the second engaging portion 361b cooperates with the second positioning portion 3231b and the fourth positioning portion 3431b. For example, the first engaging portion 351b and the second engaging portion 361b of this embodiment may be finger-shaped protrusions extending outward from the elongated opening. Correspondingly, the first positioning portion 3131b, the second positioning portion 3231b, the third positioning portion 3331b, and the fourth positioning portion 3431b may be, for example, a plurality of finger-shaped grooves. Taking the first positioning portion 3131b as an example, a plurality of retaining walls may be formed on the first positioning structure 313b (i.e., the groove) to form the first positioning portion 3131b with a plurality of finger-shaped grooves, with the openings of the grooves located on the side edges of the connecting side 312b of the first outer frame 32b, as shown in FIG5B .

As shown in Figures 5A and 5B , the first engaging portion 351b (i.e., finger-shaped protrusion) engages with one of the first positioning portions 3131b (i.e., finger-shaped groove) and one of the third positioning portions 3331b (i.e., finger-shaped groove) to adjust the first spacing length L1. Similarly, the second engaging portion 361b (i.e., finger-shaped protrusion) engages with one of the second positioning portions 3231b (i.e., finger-shaped groove) and one of the fourth positioning portions 3431b (i.e., finger-shaped groove) to adjust the second spacing length L2. By adjusting the position of the first engaging structure 35b connected to the first positioning structure 313b and the third positioning structure 333b, and the position of the second engaging structure 36b connected to the second positioning structure 323b and the fourth positioning structure 343b, the first interval length L1 and the second interval length L2 are controlled, thereby adjusting the overall length of the connecting assembly 30b.

Figure 6A is an exploded schematic diagram of a connection assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the connection assembly shown in Figure 6A after assembly. Please refer to Figures 6A and 6B for details. The connection assembly 30c of this embodiment similarly includes a first inner frame 31c and a first outer frame 32c that are pivotally connected to each other, a second inner frame 33c and a second outer frame 34c that are pivotally connected to each other, a first engaging structure 35c, and a second engaging structure 36c. The first inner frame 31c also has a first positioning structure 313c, the first outer frame 32c has a second positioning structure 323c, the second inner frame 33c has a third positioning structure 333c, and the second outer frame 34c has a fourth positioning structure 343c. The structures and positions of the first positioning structure 313c, the second positioning structure 323c, the third positioning structure 333c, and the fourth positioning structure 343c can be referred to in the third embodiment and will not be described in detail here. The difference from the third embodiment is that the first engaging structure 35c and the second engaging structure 36c of this embodiment are composed of multiple parts.

Specifically, the first engaging structure 35c of this embodiment includes two first clamping members 352c and 353c and a first expansion member 354c. The first expansion member 354c is disposed between the two first clamping members 352c and 353c. The structures of the first clamping members 352c and 353c are similar to those of the first engaging structure 35b of the third embodiment, being clamping members with elongated openings. Therefore, the opposing ends of the first clamping member 352c can respectively engage with the first positioning structure 313c of the first inner frame 31c and one end of the first expansion member 354c, while the opposing ends of the first clamping member 353c can respectively engage with the third positioning structure 333c of the second inner frame 33c and the other end of the first expansion member 354c. In other words, the first clamping members 352c and 353c are connected to the first positioning structure 313c and the third positioning structure 333c, respectively. Similarly, the second engaging structure 36c includes two second clamping members 362c and 363c and a second expansion member 364c, with the second expansion member 364c disposed between the two second clamping members 362c and 363c. The second clamping members 362c and 363c are connected to the second positioning structure 323c of the first outer frame 32c and the fourth positioning structure 343c of the second outer frame 34c, respectively.

The provision of the first expansion member 354c and the second expansion member 364c increases the overall length of the first and second engaging structures 35c, 36c, thereby increasing the first spacing length L1 between the first inner frame 31c and the second inner frame 33c, and increasing the second spacing length L2 between the first outer frame 32c and the second outer frame 34c. In other words, this embodiment also allows the overall length of the connecting assembly 30c to be adjusted by adjusting the length of the first and second engaging structures 35c, 36c. In other embodiments, the number of first and second expansion members 354c, 364c, and correspondingly, the number of clamping members, can be increased to further increase the length of the first and second engaging structures 35c, 36c.

Furthermore, the first positioning structure 313c, second positioning structure 323c, third positioning structure 333c, and fourth positioning structure 343c of this embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment, also including a plurality of spaced-apart positioning portions. Their specific structures can be referenced in the third embodiment and are not described in detail here. Therefore, this embodiment can also adjust the overall length of the connecting assembly 30c by adjusting the position at which the first engaging structure 35c connects to the first positioning structure 313c and the third positioning structure 333c, and the position at which the second engaging structure 36c connects to the second positioning structure 323c and the fourth positioning structure 343c. Preferably, the first expansion member 354c also includes a plurality of spaced-apart fifth positioning portions 3541c, which may be, for example, finger-shaped grooves. The first clamping members 352c and 353c engage at least a portion of the fifth positioning portion 3541c, thereby adjusting the overall length of the first engaging structure 35c. Similarly, the second expansion member 364c may include a plurality of spaced-apart sixth positioning portions 3641c, which may also be finger-shaped grooves, for example. The second clamping members 362c and 363c engage at least a portion of the sixth positioning portion 3641c, thereby adjusting the overall length of the second engaging structure 36c.

Referring to Figure 2 , the first inner frame 31 of this embodiment has a first pivot 314, and the first outer frame 32 has a first pivot hole 324. The first pivot 314 is received in the first pivot hole 324, pivotally connecting the first inner frame 31 and the first outer frame 32. Preferably, the distance from the first pivot 314 to the connecting side 312 (i.e., the side connected to the keycap 20) is greater than the distance from the first pivot 314 to the connecting side 311 (i.e., the side connected to the base plate 10). Similarly, the distance from the first pivot hole 324 to the connection side 322 (i.e., the side connected to the keycap 20) is greater than the distance from the first pivot 314 to the connection side 321 (i.e., the side connected to the base plate 10). In other words, the distance from the first pivot 314 and the first pivot hole 324 to the keycap 20 is greater than the distance from them to the base plate 10, making the first inner frame 31 and the first outer frame 32 of this embodiment also similar to the structure of a butterfly-style connector. Furthermore, the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34 also have the same configuration. Specifically, the second inner frame 33 has a second pivot 334, and the second outer frame 34 has a second pivot hole 344, which is accommodated in the second pivot hole 344. Furthermore, the distance between the second pivot 334 and the second pivot hole 344 and the keycap 20 is greater than the distance between the second pivot and the base plate 10, making the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34 of this embodiment similar to a butterfly-style connector structure. This butterfly-style connector structure allows the length of the connecting side 312 of the first inner frame 31 connected to the keycap 20 to be substantially the same as the length of the connecting side 322 of the first outer frame 32 connected to the keycap 20. Similarly, the length of the connecting side 332 of the second inner frame 33 and the length of the connecting side 342 of the second outer frame 34 are substantially the same. With the aforementioned structure, the first inner frame 31 and the second inner frame 33 can be connected to two corners of the keycap 20, while the first outer frame 32 and the second outer frame 34 can be connected to the other two corners of the keycap 20. When a user presses a corner of the keycap 20, the connecting assembly 30 can still reliably move the keycap 20 upward and downward toward the base plate 10. Similarly, the connecting assemblies 30a, 30b, and 30c of the second, third, and fourth embodiments have the same configuration and are not further described here.

As shown in Figure 2, the key structure 1 of the present embodiment further includes a circuit board 40, which is arranged above the base plate 10. It should be noted that the surface S of the connecting assembly 30 indicated in Figures 3A and 3B is the side surface facing the circuit board 40 and the base plate 10. Preferably, as shown in Figure 3A, a surface S of the first inner frame 31 and the first outer frame 32 of the present embodiment jointly form a thinned first give-way structure 371. In addition, a surface S of the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34 jointly form a thinned second give-way structure 372. Among them, the surface S is the side surface facing the circuit board 40, and the surface S is thinned to form the first give-way structure 371 and the second give-way structure 372, so that it can achieve the effect of giving way to the wiring of the circuit board 40. Preferably, the first relief structure 371 is located at the center of the first inner frame 31 and the first outer frame 32, and the second relief structure 372 is located at the center of the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34. Furthermore, because the first and second relief structures 371 and 372 are located at the center, the thickness of the joints between the first inner frame 31 and the first outer frame 32, the joints between the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34, and the joints with the base plate 10 and the keycap 20 are greater than at the center, thus preserving the structural strength of the joints.

As shown in Figure 3A, preferably, the surfaces S of the first inner frame 31 and the first outer frame 32 each include a thinned third relief structure 315 and a fourth relief structure 325. The third relief structure 315 is located on a side of the first inner frame 31 near the second inner frame 33, while the fourth relief structure 325 is located on a side of the first outer frame 32 near the second outer frame 34. The first positioning structure 313 is connected to the outer side of the third relief structure 315, while the second positioning structure 323 is connected to the outer side of the fourth relief structure 325. Preferably, the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34 also have similar configurations. The surfaces S of the second inner frame 33 and the second outer frame 34 each include a thinned fifth relief structure 335 and a sixth relief structure 345. The fifth relief structure 335 is located on the side of the second inner frame 33 near the first inner frame 31, while the sixth relief structure 345 is located on the side of the second outer frame 34 near the first outer frame 32. The third positioning structure 333 is located on the fifth relief structure 335, while the fourth positioning structure 343 is located on the sixth relief structure 345. Similarly, the third relief structure 315, the fourth relief structure 325, the fifth relief structure 335, and the sixth relief structure 345 not only provide clearance for the wiring of the circuit board 40, but also for the rubber dome of the key structure 1. In summary, according to the key structure of the present invention, its connecting assembly includes the first inner frame and the first outer frame, and the second inner frame and the second outer frame. The first positioning structure of the first inner frame is used to directly or indirectly connect to the third positioning structure of the second inner frame, and the second positioning structure of the first outer frame is used to directly or indirectly connect to the fourth positioning structure of the second outer frame. Therefore, by adjusting the positions at which the first and second positioning structures are connected to the third and fourth positioning structures, the first spacing length between the first and second inner frames and the second spacing length between the first and second outer frames can be adjusted. By adjusting the first and second spacing lengths, the overall length of the connecting assembly can be adjusted to match the length of the keycap. Therefore, the connecting assembly of the present invention can be adjusted to accommodate keycaps of different lengths without the need for additional molds, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the key structure.

It should be noted that the above embodiments are given for the purpose of illustration only. The scope of the rights claimed by the present invention shall be subject to the scope of the patent application and shall not be limited to the above embodiments.

1: Key structure 10: Base plate 20: Key cap 30, 30a, 30b, 30c: Connecting assembly 31, 31a, 31b, 31c: First inner frame 311, 312, 312b: Connecting side 313, 313a, 313b, 313c: First positioning structure 3131, 3131a, 3131b: First positioning portion 314: First pivot 315: Third yielding structure 32, 32a, 32b, 32c: First outer frame 321, 322, 322b: Connecting side 323, 323a, 323b, 323c: Second positioning structure 3231, 3231a, 3231b: Second positioning portion 324: First pivot hole 325: Fourth relief structure 33, 33a, 33b, 33c: Second inner frame 331, 332, 332b: Connecting side 333, 333a, 333b, 333c: Third positioning structure 3331, 3331a, 3331b: Third positioning portion 334: Second pivot 335: Fifth relief structure 34, 34a, 34b, 34c: Second outer frame 341, 342, 342b: Connecting side 343, 343a, 343b, 343c: Fourth positioning structure 3431, 3431a, 3431b: Fourth positioning portion 344: Second pivot hole 345: Sixth relief structure 35a, 35b, 35c: First locking structure 351a, 351b: First locking portion 352c, 353c: First clamping member 354c: First expansion member 3541c: Fifth positioning member 36a, 36b, 36c: Second locking structure 361a, 361b: Second locking portion 362c, 363c: Second clamping member 364c: Second expansion member 3641c: Sixth positioning member 371: First relief structure 372: Second relief structure 40: Circuit board L1: First spacing length L2: Second spacing length S: Surface

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a key structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of the key structure shown in Figure 1. Figure 3A is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the connection assembly shown in Figure 2. Figure 3B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the connection assembly shown in Figure 3A after assembly. Figure 4A is an exploded schematic diagram of the connection assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of the connection assembly shown in Figure 4A after assembly. Figure 5A is an exploded schematic diagram of the connection assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the connection assembly shown in Figure 5A after assembly. Figure 6A is an exploded schematic diagram of the connection assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the connection assembly shown in Figure 6A after assembly.

1: Button structure

10: Base Plate

20: Keycaps

30: Connection components

31: First inner frame

311, 312: Connection side

313: First positioning structure

314: First Axis

32: First outer frame

321, 322: Connection side

323: Second positioning structure

324: First Axis

33: Second inner frame

331, 332: Connection side

333: Third positioning structure

334: Second Axis

34: Second outer frame

341, 342: Connection side

343: Fourth positioning structure

344: Second pivot hole

40: Circuit board

Claims (15)

A key structure includes: a base plate; a key cap; and a connecting assembly, comprising: a first inner frame and a first outer frame, wherein opposite sides of the first inner frame and the first outer frame are connected to the base plate and the key cap, respectively; a second inner frame and a second outer frame, which are disposed adjacent to the first inner frame and the first outer frame, and opposite sides of the second inner frame and the second outer frame are connected to the base plate and the key cap, respectively; the first inner frame has a first positioning structure at one end proximate to the second inner frame, and the first outer frame has a second positioning structure at one end proximate to the second outer frame; The second inner frame has a third positioning structure at one end close to the first inner frame, and the second outer frame has a fourth positioning structure at one end close to the first outer frame; the first positioning structure is used to connect to the third positioning structure, and the second positioning structure is used to connect to the fourth positioning structure; and by adjusting the position of the first positioning structure connected to the third positioning structure, a first spacing length between the first inner frame and the second inner frame is adjusted; by adjusting the position of the second positioning structure connected to the fourth positioning structure, a second spacing length between the first outer frame and the second outer frame is adjusted. A key structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first positioning structure includes a plurality of first positioning parts arranged at intervals, the third positioning structure is connected to at least some of the first positioning parts, so that the first positioning structure is directly connected to the third positioning structure to adjust the first interval length, and the second positioning structure includes a plurality of second positioning parts arranged at intervals, the fourth positioning structure is connected to at least some of the second positioning parts, so that the second positioning structure is directly connected to the fourth positioning structure to adjust the second interval length. A key structure as described in claim 2, wherein the third positioning structure includes a plurality of third positioning parts arranged at intervals, and the third positioning parts cooperate with the first positioning parts; the fourth positioning structure includes a plurality of fourth positioning parts arranged at intervals, and the fourth positioning parts cooperate with the second positioning parts. The key structure as described in claim 3, wherein the first positioning portions and the second positioning portions are respectively a convex portion, and the third positioning portions and the fourth positioning portions are respectively a groove. A key structure as described in claim 1, wherein the connecting assembly includes a first locking structure and a second locking structure, the opposite ends of the first locking structure are respectively connected to the first positioning structure and the third positioning structure, so that the first positioning structure is indirectly connected to the third positioning structure through the first locking structure, and the opposite ends of the second locking structure are respectively connected to the second positioning structure and the fourth positioning structure, so that the second positioning structure is indirectly connected to the fourth positioning structure through the second locking structure. A key structure as described in claim 5, wherein the first positioning structure includes a plurality of first positioning parts arranged at intervals, the second positioning structure includes a plurality of second positioning parts arranged at intervals, the third positioning structure includes a plurality of third positioning parts arranged at intervals, and the fourth positioning structure includes a plurality of fourth positioning parts arranged at intervals; one end of the first locking structure is connected to at least part of the first positioning parts, and the other end is connected to at least part of the third positioning parts; one end of the second locking structure is connected to at least part of the second positioning parts, and the other end is connected to at least part of the fourth positioning parts. A key structure as described in claim 6, wherein the first locking structure includes a plurality of first locking parts arranged at intervals, and the first locking parts cooperate with the first positioning parts and the third positioning parts; the second locking structure includes a plurality of second locking parts arranged at intervals, and the second locking parts cooperate with the second positioning parts and the fourth positioning parts. As described in claim 7, the key structure, wherein the first positioning parts, the second positioning parts, the third positioning parts and the fourth positioning parts are respectively a convex part, and the first clamping parts and the second clamping parts are respectively a groove. As described in claim 5, the key structure, wherein the first engaging structure and the second engaging structure are respectively a clamping member, the opposite ends of the first engaging structure are respectively engaged with the first positioning structure and the third positioning structure, and the opposite ends of the second engaging structure are respectively engaged with the second positioning structure and the fourth positioning structure. A key structure as described in claim 5, wherein the first engaging structure includes two first clamping members and a first expansion member, the first expansion member is arranged between the two first clamping members, and the two first clamping members are respectively connected to the first positioning structure and the second positioning structure; the second engaging structure includes two second clamping members and a second expansion member, the second expansion member is arranged between the two second clamping members, and the two second clamping members are respectively connected to the third positioning structure and the fourth positioning structure. The key structure as described in claim 10, wherein the first expansion member further includes a plurality of fifth positioning portions arranged at intervals, the two first clamping members are engaged with at least some of the fifth positioning portions, and the second expansion member further includes a plurality of sixth positioning portions arranged at intervals, the two second clamping members are engaged with at least some of the sixth positioning portions. A key structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first inner frame has a first pivot, the first outer frame has a first pivot, the first pivot is accommodated in the first pivot, and the distance between the first pivot and the first pivot to the key cap is greater than the distance between the first pivot and the first pivot and the base plate; and the second inner frame has a second pivot, the second outer frame has a second pivot, the second pivot is accommodated in the second pivot, and the distance between the second pivot and the second pivot to the key cap is greater than the distance between the second pivot and the second pivot and the base plate. A key structure as described in claim 1, wherein a surface of the first inner frame and the first outer frame together form a thinned first yield structure, and the first yield structure is located at a central position of the first inner frame and the first outer frame, and a surface of the second inner frame and the second outer frame together form a thinned second yield structure, and the second yield structure is located at a central position of the second inner frame and the second outer frame. A key structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first inner frame includes a thinned third relief structure located on a side of the first inner frame close to the second inner frame, and the first outer frame includes a thinned fourth relief structure located on a side of the first outer frame close to the second outer frame. A key structure as described in claim 1, wherein the second inner frame includes a thinned fifth yield structure, which is located on a side of the second inner frame close to the first inner frame, and the first positioning structure is located on the fifth yield structure, and the second outer frame includes a thinned sixth yield structure, which is located on a side of the second outer frame close to the first outer frame, and the second positioning structure is located on the sixth yield structure.