keys and keypads

Abstract

The utility model relates to a key and keyboard, and the key contains key cap, lifting support mechanism and bottom plate. Lifting support mechanism sets up in the key cap below and contains the first and second support piece of movablely connected key cap of cross pivot joint. The first support piece has sliding axle portion and first let -out recess. The second support piece has pivot joint axle portion and second let -out recess, and the first and second let -out recesses are collectively accommodated the corner recessed area of key cap. The bottom plate has the first and second broken hole structure respectively in the position corresponding sliding axle portion and pivot joint axle portion and is connected the first and second broken hole structure to form the first and second arch bridge structure respectively. Sliding axle portion movably presses in the first tongue piece below the first arch bridge structure and bears on the bottom plate and slides and rotates, pivot joint axle portion movably presses in the second tongue piece below the second arch bridge structure and bears on the bottom plate and rotates, so that key cap can move up and down. The utility model can solve the problem that the support design and arrangement configuration of keyboard key are limited by adding function key.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a key and a keyboard, and more particularly to a key and a keyboard in which a recess is formed on the support member of the lifting support mechanism to accommodate function keys together with the corner recess area of ​​the keycap. Background Technology

[0002] In terms of current personal computer usage habits, the keyboard is an indispensable input device used to input text, symbols, or numbers. Furthermore, all consumer electronics products encountered in daily life and large-scale processing equipment used in industry require keypads as input devices to operate these products and equipment.

[0003] In practical applications, in order to further improve the convenience and functionality of keyboard operation, the design of adding specific function keys between keyboard keys has emerged. For example, the pointing stick has been widely used in the keyboards of various computer devices (such as laptops) so that users can move the computer cursor or click function icons.

[0004] However, in the overall design of a keyboard, a certain amount of structural space is usually required to configure a lifting support mechanism (such as a scissor-switch bracket) to support the lifting of the keycaps. Therefore, the above-mentioned design of adding function keys between the keys often imposes many restrictions on the support design and arrangement of the keyboard keys because it requires additional installation space (for example, the key spacing must be increased), which is not conducive to the design of a thin and small keyboard. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a key and keyboard in which a recess is formed on the support member of the lifting support mechanism to accommodate the function key together with the corner recess of the keycap, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a button is provided, comprising:

[0007] The keycap has a recessed area at the corners;

[0008] A lifting support mechanism, disposed under the keycap, comprises:

[0009] A first support member, movably connected to the keycap and having a sliding shaft portion, has a first clearance notch formed at the position corresponding to the corner recessed area; and

[0010] A second support member, which is pivotally connected to the first support member, is movably connected to the keycap and has a pivot shaft portion. The second support member has a second clearance notch corresponding to the corner recessed area. The first clearance notch and the second clearance notch together provide a clearance space to accommodate the corner recessed area.

[0011] The base plate has a first perforation structure and a second perforation structure at positions corresponding to the sliding shaft portion and the pivot shaft portion, respectively. The base plate spans the first perforation structure and the second perforation structure to form a first arch bridge structure and a second arch bridge structure, respectively. The first arch bridge structure has a first tongue protruding towards the sliding shaft portion, and the second arch bridge structure has a second tongue protruding towards the pivot shaft portion.

[0012] The sliding shaft portion is movably pressed against the first tongue and slides and rotates against the base plate, while the pivot shaft portion is movably pressed against the second tongue and rotates against the base plate, so that the keycap can move up and down relative to the base plate via the lifting support mechanism.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, the first tongue plate is raised upward relative to the base plate to form a first guide plate portion, so as to guide the sliding shaft portion to press against the first tongue plate.

[0014] As an optional technical solution, the second tongue is obliquely cut downward relative to the base plate to form a second guide plate portion, so as to guide the pivot portion to be fastened to the bottom of the second tongue.

[0015] As an optional technical solution, the length of the first tongue is greater than the length of the second tongue.

[0016] As an optional technical solution, the base plate has a first connecting hole structure formed from the first perforation structure to the second perforation structure to communicate with the first perforation structure. The first connecting hole structure is bent upward to form a first limiting piece at the position corresponding to the first arch bridge structure. The first support member forms a first limiting recess at the position corresponding to the first limiting piece. The first limiting piece is accommodated in the first limiting recess to limit the first support member on the base plate.

[0017] As an optional technical solution, the base plate can form a second connecting hole structure from the second perforation structure to the first perforation structure to communicate with the second perforation structure. The second connecting hole structure is bent upward to form a second limiting piece at the position corresponding to the second arch bridge structure. The second support member forms a second limiting recess at the position corresponding to the second limiting piece. The second limiting piece is accommodated in the second limiting recess to limit the second support member on the base plate.

[0018] As an optional technical solution, the sliding shaft portion forms a first groove corresponding to the position of the first tongue to accommodate the first tongue, and the pivot shaft portion forms a second groove corresponding to the position of the second tongue to accommodate the second tongue.

[0019] As an optional technical solution, the button also includes:

[0020] A thin-film circuit board is disposed on the substrate;

[0021] When the keycap is pressed, the switch on the thin-film circuit board corresponding to the key is triggered.

[0022] As an optional technical solution, the button also includes:

[0023] An elastomer is disposed between the keycap and the thin-film circuit board. The elastomer provides elastic restoring force to the keycap and triggers the switch when the keycap is pressed.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, a keyboard is provided, comprising:

[0025] At least two buttons, arranged side-by-side adjacent to each other, each button being the button described above; and

[0026] A function key, which is at least partially housed in the corner recesses of the at least two buttons.

[0027] In summary, this invention employs a design that creates recessed spaces for function keys by forming notches directly on the support components of the lifting support mechanism and recessed corner areas directly on the keycaps. This effectively solves the problem in existing technologies where adding function keys occupies extra space, thus limiting the keyboard's support design and arrangement (e.g., requiring increased key spacing). This facilitates a slimmer, more compact keyboard design. Furthermore, this invention also uses an arch-bridge-style lifting support design to enhance the structural resistance to deformation of the base plate when connected to the lifting support mechanism, effectively preventing deformation caused by tension or pressure during assembly / disassembly of the base plate.

[0028] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1An exploded diagram of the middle button.

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A top view of the lifting support mechanism connected to the base plate.

[0032] Figure 4 for Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of the first support component connecting to the base plate.

[0033] Figure 5 for Figure 2 Enlarged schematic diagram of the second support member connecting to the base plate. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The following description, accompanied by illustrations, illustrates the technical content of this utility model through specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. This utility model can also be implemented or applied through other different embodiments. Various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this utility model. In particular, the structural design of various elements in the drawings (such as the arrangement of buttons / function keys, etc.) is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual implementation of this utility model.

[0035] Please see Figure 1 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the keyboard 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the keyboard 10 includes at least two keys 12 (in... Figure 1 The keyboard 10 is presented in a manner that fully displays the three buttons 12 adjacent to the function key 16 (the remaining buttons are only partially displayed, but this is not a limitation), the base plate 14, and the function key 16. The buttons 12 are arranged side by side on the base plate 14 for the user to press, thereby executing the function the user wants to input. The function key 16 can be a specific function key commonly arranged between keyboard keys, such as a pointer to facilitate the user to move the computer cursor or click function icons. The keyboard 10 is preferably used on portable electronic devices with an opening and closing mechanism consisting of a top cover and a bottom shell (such as a laptop or a folding keyboard), but this is not a limitation. For example, the keyboard 10 can also be a keyboard used on a desktop computer. It should be noted that the above-mentioned button / function key arrangement and configuration number can vary according to the actual application requirements of the keyboard 10. For example, in another embodiment, with a more compact arrangement, this invention can accommodate function keys using only the clearance space formed by the corner recesses of two buttons arranged side by side.

[0036] The key 12 can preferably adopt an arch-bridge support lifting design to improve the structural deformation resistance of the base plate 14 when connecting the lifting support mechanism, and adopt a keycap recessed design to create space for the function key 16 to be installed. The following is about Figure 1 The description will focus on button 12, located in the upper left corner of function key 16. The structural design of other buttons 12 with similar designs can be deduced similarly and will not be repeated here. Please refer to... Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 , Figure 2 for Figure 1 An exploded view of the middle button. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A top view of the lifting support mechanism connected to the base plate. Figure 4 for Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of the first support component connecting to the base plate. Figure 5 for Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of the second support member connecting to the base plate, from... Figures 1 to 5 It is known that the key 12 includes a base plate 14, a keycap 18, and a lifting support mechanism 20. The keycap 18 has a corner recessed area 19. The lifting support mechanism 20 is disposed under the keycap 18 and includes a first support member 22 and a second support member 24. The first support member 22 is movably connected to the keycap 18 and has a sliding shaft portion 26. The second support member 24 is pivotally connected to the first support member 22 and is movably connected to the keycap 18 and has a pivoting shaft portion 28. The first support member 22 and the second support member 24 respectively form a first support member 19 at the position corresponding to the corner recessed area 19. The first relief notch 30 and the second relief notch 32 (that is, the first support member 22 has a first relief notch 30 at the position corresponding to the corner recessed area 19, and the second support member 24 has a second relief notch 322 at the position corresponding to the corner recessed area 19) can provide relief space together to accommodate the corner recessed area 19 of the keycap 18, thereby achieving the effect of directly creating a recessed space between the keys 12 for the function key 16 to be installed (as shown in Figure 1).

[0037] The base plate 14 has a first perforation structure 34 and at least one second perforation structure 36 at the positions corresponding to the sliding shaft portion 26 and the pivot shaft portion 28, respectively. Figure 2Two are shown in the figure, but not limited to this, and the number depends on the connection configuration between the lifting support mechanism 20 and the base plate 14. The base plate 14 spans the first perforation structure 34 and the second perforation structure 36 to form the first arch bridge structure 38 and the second arch bridge structure 40 respectively (for example, formed by a stamping and embossing process, but not limited to this). The first arch bridge structure 38 and the second arch bridge structure 40 can respectively protrude the first tongue 42 and the second tongue 44 towards the sliding shaft portion 26 and the pivot shaft portion 28 (that is, the first arch bridge structure 38 can protrude the first tongue 42 towards the sliding shaft portion 26, and the second arch bridge structure 40 can protrude the second tongue 44 towards the pivot shaft portion 28).

[0038] More specifically, the first tongue 42 curves upward relative to the base plate 14 to form the first guide plate portion 46 (e.g., Figure 4 As shown), and the second tongue 44 is obliquely cut downward relative to the base plate 14 to form the second guide plate portion 48 (as shown). Figure 5 As shown), the sliding shaft portion 26 can be guided more smoothly into the space below the first tongue 42 by the upward tilting structure of the first guide portion 46 and press against the first tongue 42. The pivot shaft portion 28 can be guided more smoothly into the space below the second tongue 44 by the downward oblique cutting structure of the second guide portion 48 and fasten to the second tongue 44. This helps the user to complete the assembly operation of the base plate 14 with the first support member 22 and the second support member 24 more quickly and effortlessly.

[0039] In addition, in order to guide the first support member 22 and the second support member 24 to move more smoothly on the base plate 14, a first groove 50 can be formed in the sliding shaft portion 26 corresponding to the position of the first tongue 42 to accommodate the first tongue 42, so as to guide the sliding shaft portion 26 to slide and rotate smoothly without causing structural collision and interference. Similarly, a second groove 52 can be formed in the pivot shaft portion 28 corresponding to the position of the second tongue 44 to accommodate the second tongue 44, so as to guide the pivot shaft portion 28 to rotate smoothly without causing structural collision and interference. The length of the first tongue 42 can preferably be greater than the length of the second tongue 44.

[0040] Furthermore, the base plate 14 can be further formed with a first connecting hole structure 54 from the first perforation structure 34 to the second perforation structure 36 to communicate with the first perforation structure 34. The first connecting hole structure 54 is bent upward at the position corresponding to the first arch bridge structure 38 to form a first limiting piece 56. The first support member 22 forms a first limiting recess 58 at the position corresponding to the first limiting piece 56. In this way, the first limiting piece 56 can be accommodated in the first limiting recess 58 to limit the first support member 22 on the base plate 14. Similarly, the base plate 14 can also form a second connecting hole structure 60 from the second perforation structure 36 to the first perforation structure 34 to communicate with the second perforation structure 36. The second connecting hole structure 60 is bent upward at the position corresponding to the second arch bridge structure 40 to form a second limiting piece 62. The second support member 24 forms a second limiting recess 64 at the position corresponding to the second limiting piece 62. In this way, the second limiting piece 62 can be accommodated in the second limiting recess 64 to limit the second support member 24 on the base plate 14. In this way, through the above limiting design, the first support member 22 and the second support member 24 can move up and down more smoothly relative to the base plate 14, thereby further improving the stability of the support member operation of the lifting support mechanism 20 and the pressing feel of the button 12.

[0041] It should be noted that, such as Figure 2 As shown, button 12 also includes a membrane circuit board 66, which can be disposed on the base plate 14. When the keycap 18 is pressed to the pressed position, the switch (not shown) on the membrane circuit board 66 can be correspondingly triggered by the trigger part (not shown), thereby enabling button 12 to perform the function desired by the user. In addition, button 12 also includes an elastic body 68, which can be disposed between the keycap 18 and the base plate 14 to provide elastic restoring force to the keycap 18, and triggers the switch on the membrane circuit board 66 when the keycap 18 is pressed to generate a corresponding key signal. As for the description of the elastic body design and membrane circuit trigger design of button 12, they are common in the prior art and will not be repeated here.

[0042] With the above design, during assembly, it is only necessary to first align and laterally fasten the sliding shaft portion 26 of the first support member 22 into the space below the first tongue piece 42 of the first arch bridge structure 38, so that the sliding shaft portion 26 can movably press against the first tongue piece 42 and slide and rotate against the base plate 14 (e.g., Figure 4 (As shown), then the pivot shaft 28 of the second support member 24 is pressed down and fastened into the space below the second tongue 44 of the second arch bridge structure 40, so that the pivot shaft 28 is movably fastened to the second tongue 44 and rotates against the base plate 14 (as shown). Figure 5As shown), the assembly of the lifting support mechanism 20 and the base plate 14 can be completed quickly and easily, so that the keycap 18 connected to the lifting support mechanism 20 can move up and down relative to the base plate 14. In this way, when the keycap 18 is pressed, the keyboard 10 can perform the function that the user wants to input.

[0043] In summary, this invention employs a design that creates recessed spaces for function keys by forming notches directly on the support components of the lifting support mechanism and recessed corner areas directly on the keycaps. This effectively solves the problem in existing technologies where adding function keys occupies extra space, thus limiting the keyboard's support design and arrangement (e.g., requiring increased key spacing). This facilitates a slimmer, more compact keyboard design. Furthermore, this invention also uses an arch-bridge-style lifting support design to enhance the structural resistance to deformation of the base plate when connected to the lifting support mechanism, effectively preventing deformation caused by tension or pressure during assembly / disassembly of the base plate.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. All equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the patent application of the present utility model shall be covered by the present utility model.

Claims

1. A button, characterized in that, It includes: The keycap has a recessed area at the corners; A lifting support mechanism, disposed under the keycap, comprises: A first support member, movably connected to the keycap and having a sliding shaft portion, has a first clearance notch formed at the position corresponding to the corner recessed area; and The second support member is pivotally connected to the first support member. The second support member is movably connected to the keycap and has a pivot shaft portion. The second support member has a second clearance notch corresponding to the corner recessed area. The first clearance notch and the second clearance notch together provide a clearance space to accommodate the corner recessed area. as well as The base plate has a first perforation structure and a second perforation structure at positions corresponding to the sliding shaft portion and the pivot shaft portion, respectively. The base plate spans the first perforation structure and the second perforation structure to form a first arch bridge structure and a second arch bridge structure, respectively. The first arch bridge structure has a first tongue protruding towards the sliding shaft portion, and the second arch bridge structure has a second tongue protruding towards the pivot shaft portion. The sliding shaft portion is movably pressed against the first tongue and slides and rotates against the base plate, while the pivot shaft portion is movably pressed against the second tongue and rotates against the base plate, so that the keycap can move up and down relative to the base plate via the lifting support mechanism.

2. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first tongue plate curves upward relative to the base plate to form a first guide plate portion, so as to guide the sliding shaft portion to press against the first tongue plate.

3. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second tongue is obliquely cut downward relative to the base plate to form a second guide plate portion, so as to guide the pivot portion to be fastened to the bottom of the second tongue.

4. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the first tongue is greater than the length of the second tongue.

5. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate has a first connecting hole structure formed from the first perforation structure to the second perforation structure to communicate with the first perforation structure. The first connecting hole structure is bent upward to form a first limiting piece corresponding to the position of the first arch bridge structure. The first support member forms a first limiting recess corresponding to the position of the first limiting piece. The first limiting piece is accommodated in the first limiting recess to limit the first support member on the base plate.

6. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate can form a second connecting hole structure from the second perforation structure to the first perforation structure to communicate with the second perforation structure. The second connecting hole structure is bent upward to form a second limiting piece corresponding to the position of the second arch bridge structure. The second support member forms a second limiting recess corresponding to the position of the second limiting piece. The second limiting piece is accommodated in the second limiting recess to limit the second support member on the base plate.

7. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding shaft portion has a first groove corresponding to the position of the first tongue to accommodate the first tongue, and the pivot shaft portion has a second groove corresponding to the position of the second tongue to accommodate the second tongue.

8. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button also includes: A thin-film circuit board is disposed on the substrate; When the keycap is pressed, the switch on the thin-film circuit board corresponding to the key is triggered.

9. The button according to claim 8, characterized in that, The button also includes: An elastomer is disposed between the keycap and the thin-film circuit board. The elastomer provides elastic restoring force to the keycap and triggers the switch when the keycap is pressed.

10. A keyboard, characterized in that, It includes: At least two buttons, arranged side-by-side adjacent to each other, each button being a button as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; and A function key, which is at least partially housed in the corner recesses of the at least two buttons.

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