Keyboard device and key structure

Abstract

A keyboard device includes a key structure comprising a substrate, keycaps, a resilient reset member, a first connecting assembly, and a second connecting assembly. The keycaps are disposed above the substrate and have an inner surface facing the substrate. The inner surface includes a first surface region and a second surface region, which are connected to each other by a connecting edge. The resilient reset member is disposed between the keycap and the substrate and adjacent to the connecting edge. The first connecting assembly is located between the first surface region and the substrate. The second connecting assembly is located between the second surface region and the substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to a keyboard device and key structure. Prior Technology

[0002] Keyboards have become an indispensable and common input device in modern life. Computer products that we often encounter in daily life (such as laptops, desktop computers or tablets) or large control or processing equipment in industry often use keyboards for operation or text input.

[0003] For larger or longer keys on a keyboard, users often cannot accurately press the center of the key every time. When users press the side or corner of the key, the force on the key is not evenly distributed, causing the key to not fall smoothly or evenly, which affects the generation of signals. This results in user inconvenience and poor operating feel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above, in one embodiment, a key structure is provided, including a substrate, a keycap, an elastic reset member, a first connecting assembly, and a second connecting assembly. The keycap is disposed above the substrate and has an inner surface facing the substrate. The inner surface includes a first surface region and a second surface region, which are connected to each other and have a connecting edge. The first surface region has a first side edge relative to the connecting edge, and the second surface region has a second side edge relative to the connecting edge. The elastic reset member is disposed between the keycap and the substrate and adjacent to the connecting edge. The first connecting assembly is located between the first surface region and the substrate. The first connecting assembly includes a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate pivotally connected to each other. The first connecting plate includes a first upper connecting side and a first lower connecting side opposite to each other. The second connecting plate includes a second upper connecting side and a second lower connecting side opposite to each other. The first upper connecting side and the second lower connecting side are adjacent to the connecting edge, and the first lower connecting side and the second upper connecting side are adjacent to the first side edge. The second connecting assembly is located between the second surface region and the substrate. The second connecting assembly includes a third connecting plate and a fourth connecting plate pivotally connected to each other. The third connecting plate includes opposing third upper and third lower connecting sides, and the fourth connecting plate includes opposing fourth upper and fourth lower connecting sides. The third upper and fourth lower connecting sides are adjacent to the connecting edge, and the third lower connecting side and the fourth upper connecting side are adjacent to the second side edge. The first upper connecting side of the first connecting plate has a first rotation axis, and a portion of the first rotation axis lies within the orthographic projection range of the elastic reset member.

[0005] In another embodiment, a keyboard device is provided that includes the above-described key structure.

[0006] In summary, according to the key structure of the present invention, the first upper group contact side and the second lower group contact side of the first connecting component, and the third upper group contact side and the fourth lower group contact side of the second connecting component are adjacent to the connecting edge and the elastic reset member. The first lower group contact side and the second upper group contact side of the first connecting component are adjacent to the first side of the keycap, and the third lower group contact side and the fourth upper group contact side of the second connecting component are adjacent to the second side of the keycap. Furthermore, a portion of the first rotation axis of the first upper group contact side of the first connecting plate is located within the orthographic projection range of the elastic reset member. This allows the force of pressing any part of the keycap (e.g., a corner or edge of the keycap) to be transmitted to the elastic reset member and other parts of the keycap through the first connecting component and the second connecting component. This enables the keycap to descend evenly without the need for additional balance rods, providing stable signal triggering and good operating feel, thus achieving advantages such as cost savings and simplified assembly process. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0007] Figure 1 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of the keyboard device of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 4 is another exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 6 is a top view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 6 along line segment 7-7. Figure 8 is a pressing cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 10 is another exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 11 is a partial exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 12 is a top view of the second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along line segment 13-13 in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a pressing cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 16 is another exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 17 is a partial exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 18 is a top view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 18 along line segment 19-19. Figure 20 is a pressing cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Implementation

[0008] It should be noted that in the descriptions of the various embodiments, the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used to describe different elements, and these elements are not limited by such predicates. Furthermore, for ease of explanation and clarity, the thickness or dimensions of the elements in the drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or approximated for the understanding and reading of those skilled in the art. The dimensions of each element are not exactly their actual dimensions and are not intended to limit the feasibility of this invention; therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, without affecting the effects and objectives of this invention, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this invention. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar elements in all drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of the keyboard device of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the key structure of the present invention, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the key structure of the present invention, and Figure 4 is another exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the keyboard device 1 of this embodiment includes a key structure 2, which includes a substrate 20, keycaps 30, elastic reset members 40, a first connecting component 50, and a second connecting component 60. The keyboard device 1 can be an input device for various electronic products (such as desktop computers, laptop computers, or other electronic devices). The keyboard device 1 can include multiple keys, for example, multiple letter keys, multiple number keys, a space key, an enter key, and a Caps Lock key, etc.

[0010] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the substrate 20 can be a rigid plate made of metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, alloy, etc.) or plastic. In this embodiment, a circuit board 25 is stacked on the substrate 20, wherein the circuit board 25 can be a general circuit board (PCB), a membrane circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), or a rigid-flex PCB, etc.

[0011] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, there can be one or more keycaps 30. The keycaps 30 are disposed above the substrate 20 and the circuit board 25. The keycaps 30 can be pressed by the user to input text, symbols or instructions. The keycap 30 has an inner surface 31 facing the substrate 20. The inner surface 31 includes a central portion 32, a first surface region 33, and a second surface region 34. The central portion 32 may be the geometric center of the inner surface 31, or the central portion 32 may be a region within a certain distance (e.g., 0.1cm, 0.2cm, 0.5cm, or 1cm) around the geometric center of the inner surface 31. The first surface region 33 and the second surface region 34 are connected to each other and have a connecting edge 335. That is, the connecting edge 335 (as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting edge 335 is indicated by a dashed line) divides the inner surface 31 into the first surface region 33 and the second surface region 34. In this embodiment, the connecting edge 335 is adjacent to the central portion 32. The first surface region 33 has a first side 331 relative to the connecting edge 335, and the second surface region 34 has a second side 341 relative to the connecting edge 335.

[0012] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the keycap 30 can be a key with a relatively large aspect ratio among the multiple keys of the keyboard device 1. For example, the keycap can be the space key, the enter key, or the Caps Lock key. However, this invention is not limited to this, and the keycap 30 can also be a key with a larger area in the keyboard device 1. For example, the length or width of the first surface area 33 of the keycap 30 can be different from the length or width of the second surface area 34. For example, in this embodiment, the first side 331 and the second side 341 are parallel to each other and are opposite sides of the keycap 30. The length of the second side 341 of the second surface area 34 is greater than the length of the first side 331 of the first surface area 33, so that the keycap 30 is in a non-quadrilateral shape (e.g., non-square or non-rectangular).

[0013] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the elastic reset member 40 is disposed between the keycap 30 and the substrate 20, and adjacent to the center portion 32 of the inner surface 31 of the keycap 30. For example, the elastic reset member 40 can be an elastic body such as a rubber dome, metal dome, plastic dome, spring, or sheet spring. The elastic reset member 40 can contact the keycap 30. Thus, when the user presses the keycap 30 and moves it towards the substrate 20, the keycap 30 can compress the elastic reset member 40 to accumulate elastic force. When the user releases the keycap 30, the elastic force accumulated in the elastic reset member 40 can move the keycap 30 away from the substrate 20, returning it to its unpressed position.

[0014] Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the key structure of the present invention, and Figure 6 is a top view of the first embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the first connecting component 50 is located between the first surface region 33 of the keycap 30 and the substrate 20. The first connecting component 50 includes a first connecting plate 51 and a second connecting plate 55 pivotally connected to each other. In this embodiment, the second connecting plate 55 is a frame-shaped plate body. The second connecting plate 55 includes a shaft plate 56 and two side arms 57 extending from one side of the shaft plate 56. The two side arms 57 are integrally connected to the opposite ends of the shaft plate 56. The first connecting plate 51 is located between the two side arms 57 of the second connecting plate 55, and the two sides of the first connecting plate 51 surrounded by the two side arms 57 are pivotally connected to the two side arms 57, so that the first connecting plate 51 and the second connecting plate 55 are cross-connected to each other and can swing relative to each other.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the first connecting plate 51 includes a first upper connecting side 511 and a first lower connecting side 515. The first upper connecting side 511 is rotatably connected to the inner surface 31 of the keycap 30 and is adjacent to the connecting edge 335 and the elastic reset member 40. The first lower connecting side 515 is rotatably connected to the substrate 20 and is adjacent to the first side edge 331 of the first surface region 33. The second connecting plate 55 includes a second upper connecting side 551 and a second lower connecting side 555. The second upper connecting side 551 is rotatably connected to the inner surface 31 of the keycap 30 and is adjacent to the first side edge 331 of the first surface region 33. The second lower connecting side 555 is rotatably connected to the substrate 20 and is adjacent to the connecting edge 335 and the elastic reset member 40.

[0016] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the second connecting component 60 is located between the second surface region 34 of the keycap 30 and the substrate 20. The second connecting component 60 includes a third connecting plate 61 and a fourth connecting plate 65 pivotally connected to each other. In this embodiment, the fourth connecting plate 65 is a frame-shaped plate body. The fourth connecting plate 65 includes a shaft plate 66 and two side arms 67 extending from one side of the shaft plate 66. The two side arms 67 are integrally connected to the opposite ends of the shaft plate 66, and each side arm 67 extends in a direction perpendicular to the shaft plate 66. The third connecting plate 61 is located between the two side arms 67 of the fourth connecting plate 65, and the two sides of the third connecting plate 61 surrounded by the two side arms 67 are pivotally connected to the two side arms 67, so that the third connecting plate 61 and the fourth connecting plate 65 are cross-connected to each other and can swing relative to each other.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the third connecting plate 61 includes a third upper connecting side 611 and a third lower connecting side 615. The third upper connecting side 611 is rotatably connected to the inner surface 31 of the keycap 30 and is adjacent to the connecting edge 335 and the elastic reset member 40. The third lower connecting side 615 is rotatably connected to the substrate 20 and is adjacent to the second side 341 of the second surface region 34. The fourth connecting plate 65 includes a fourth upper connecting side 651 and a fourth lower connecting side 655. The fourth upper connecting side 651 is rotatably connected to the inner surface 31 of the keycap 30 and is adjacent to the second side 341 of the second surface region 34. The fourth lower connecting side 655 is rotatably connected to the substrate 20 and is adjacent to the connecting edge 335 and the elastic reset member 40.

[0018] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, in this embodiment, the substrate 20 has a plurality of first group connectors 21 and a plurality of second group connectors 22 arranged at intervals between each other. Each first group connector 21 and each second group connector 22 may be a hook that is integrally bent upward from the substrate 20 (for example, the shape of the hook may be L-shaped, U-shaped or T-shaped). In other embodiments, the first group connectors 21 and the second group connectors 22 may also be plastic hooks disposed on the substrate 20. The present invention is not limited thereto. The first lower connecting side 515 of the first connecting plate 51 has a plurality of first shaft portions 516, the second lower connecting side 555 of the second connecting plate 55 has a plurality of second shaft portions 556, the third lower connecting side 615 of the third connecting plate 61 has a plurality of third shaft portions 616, and the fourth lower connecting side 655 of the fourth connecting plate 65 has a plurality of fourth shaft portions 656. The plurality of first shaft portions 516 and the plurality of second shaft portions 556 are respectively assembled on a plurality of first connecting members 21 on the substrate 20, and the plurality of third shaft portions 616 and the plurality of fourth shaft portions 656 are respectively assembled on a plurality of second connecting members 22 on the substrate 20, so that each first shaft portion 516, each second shaft portion 556, each third shaft portion 616 and the fourth shaft portion 656 can rotate relative to the substrate 20.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the inner surface 31 of the keycap 30 has a plurality of first connectors 35 and a plurality of second connectors 36, wherein each first connector 35 and each second connector 36 may be a pivot or a hook. In this embodiment, there are four first connectors 35. Some of the first connectors 35 (two of them in this case) are adjacent to the opposite ends of the first side 331 of the first surface region 33 and close to two corners of the keycap 30. The other two first connectors 35 are adjacent to the connecting edge 335 and the central portion 32. There are four second connectors 36. Some of the second connectors 36 (two of them in this case) are adjacent to the opposite ends of the second side 341 of the second surface region 34 and close to two other corners of the keycap 30. The other two second connectors 36 are adjacent to the opposite ends of the connecting edge 335 and the central portion 32.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the two first connectors 35 and the two second connectors 36 adjacent to the connecting edge 335 are pivot seats with water droplet holes and are coaxial with each other. The two first connectors 35 adjacent to the first side 331 and the two second connectors 36 adjacent to the second side 341 are hooks with sliding grooves. The two first connectors 35 adjacent to the first side 331 are coaxially arranged, and the two second connectors 36 adjacent to the second side 341 are coaxially arranged, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, each first connector 35 and each second connector 36 can be selected as a pivot seat with water droplet holes or a hook with sliding grooves, and the two first connectors 35 and the two second connectors 36 adjacent to the connecting edge 335 may not be coaxial, the two first connectors 35 adjacent to the first side 331 may not be coaxial, and the two second connectors 36 adjacent to the second side 341 may not be coaxial, depending on the actual product requirements.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the two first connectors 35 adjacent to the connecting edge 335 are located between the two second connectors 36 adjacent to the connecting edge 335. However, this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the two second connectors 36 may also be located between the two first connectors 35, or the two first connectors 35 and the two second connectors 36 may be arranged alternately.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the first upper connecting side 511 of the first connecting plate 51 has two first rotating shafts 512, the second upper connecting side 551 of the second connecting plate 55 has two second rotating shafts 552, the third upper connecting side 611 of the third connecting plate 61 has two third rotating shafts 612, and the fourth upper connecting side 651 of the fourth connecting plate 65 has two fourth rotating shafts 652. The two first rotating shafts 512 and the two second rotating shafts 552 are respectively assembled on a plurality of first connecting members 35 on the inner surface 31 of the keycap 30, such that the first upper connecting side 511 is arranged along the connecting edge 335 and the two first rotating shafts 512 are respectively adjacent to the two opposite ends of the connecting edge 335, and the second upper connecting side 551 is arranged along the first side 331 of the first surface region 33 and the two second rotating shafts 552 are respectively adjacent to the two opposite ends of the first side 331. Two third pivots 612 and two fourth pivots 652 are respectively assembled on a plurality of second connectors 36 on the inner surface 31 of the keycap 30, such that the third upper connecting side 611 is disposed along the connecting edge 335 and the two third pivots 612 are respectively adjacent to the two opposite ends of the connecting edge 335, and the fourth upper connecting side 651 is disposed along the second side 341 of the second surface region 34 and the two fourth pivots 652 are adjacent to the two opposite ends of the second side 341. In this way, each first pivot 512, each second pivot 552, each third pivot 612 and the fourth pivot 652 can rotate relative to the keycap 30. When the keycap 30 is pressed by the user and moves toward the substrate 20, the first connecting component 50 and the second connecting component 60 can swing relative to the keycap 30 and the substrate 20.

[0023] Based on the above, in this embodiment of the invention, the key structure 2, through the first upper group connection side 511 and the second lower group connection side 555 of the first connecting component 50, and the third upper group connection side 611 and the fourth lower group connection side 655 of the second connecting component 60, are adjacent to the connecting edge 335 and the elastic reset member 40. The first lower group connection side 515 and the second upper group connection side 551 of the first connecting component 50 are adjacent to the first side edge 331 of the keycap 30, and the third lower group connection side 615 and the fourth upper group connection side 651 of the second connecting component 60 are adjacent to the second side edge 341 of the keycap 30. When any part of the keycap 30 (e.g., a corner or edge of the keycap 30) is pressed, the pressing force can be transmitted to the elastic reset member 40 and other parts of the keycap 30 through the effective linkage between the first connecting component 50 and the second connecting component 60. This allows the keycap 30 to descend evenly and provide a stable signal trigger without the need for additional balance rods, achieving advantages such as cost savings and simplified assembly process.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first upper connecting side 511 of the first connecting plate 51 of the first connecting assembly 50 may have a first groove 514, and the third upper connecting side 611 of the third connecting plate 61 of the second connecting assembly 60 may have a third groove 614, with the position of the first groove 514 corresponding to the position of the third groove 614. In this embodiment, the first groove 514 and the third groove 614 are arc-shaped grooves corresponding to the curvature of the edge of the elastic reset member 40. The elastic reset member 40 is located within the first groove 514 and the third groove 614, allowing the first pivot 512 of the first upper connecting side 511 of the first connecting plate 51 and the third pivot 612 of the third upper connecting side 611 of the third connecting plate 61 to be closer to the elastic reset member 40, thereby enabling the pressing force to be transmitted to the elastic reset member 40 more quickly and stably. However, the above embodiments are merely examples. In other embodiments, the shape or size of the first groove 514 and the third groove 614 may be designed differently depending on the type, shape, or size of the elastic reset member 40, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0025] For example, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, in this embodiment, the key structure 2 has a first horizontal direction F, a second horizontal direction S, and a vertical direction V. The first horizontal direction F is perpendicular to the first side 331 and the second side 341 of the keycap 30, the second horizontal direction S is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction F and parallel to the first side 331 and the second side 341 of the keycap 30, and the vertical direction V is perpendicular to the substrate 20, the first horizontal direction F, and the second horizontal direction S. In this embodiment, the first rotating shaft 512 of the first connecting plate 51 of the first connecting assembly 50 has a first rotation axis A1. The first rotation axis A1 is parallel to the second horizontal direction S, and a portion of the first rotation axis A1 overlaps with the elastic reset member 40 in the vertical direction V. That is, a portion of the first rotation axis A1 of the first upper connecting side 511 of the first connecting plate 51 is located within the orthographic projection range of the elastic reset member 40. The third pivot 612 of the third connecting plate 61 of the second connecting assembly 60 has a third rotation axis A3. A portion of the third rotation axis A3 also overlaps with the elastic reset member 40 in the vertical direction V. That is, a portion of the third rotation axis A3 of the third upper connecting side 611 of the third connecting plate 61 is located within the orthographic projection range of the elastic reset member 40. Therefore, when the corner or edge of the keycap 30 is pressed, the pressing force can be transmitted to the elastic reset member 40 more quickly through the linkage of the first connecting assembly 50 or the second connecting assembly 60, thereby improving the reaction speed of the elastic reset member 40 under reduced force, providing more efficient signal input and a better operating feel.

[0026] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, in this embodiment, the bottom of the elastic reset member 40 is wider than the top, and it has a shape that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. The above-mentioned orthographic projection range of the elastic reset member 40 can refer to the spatial range formed by the projection of the outermost ring of the bottom of the elastic reset member 40 onto the inner surface 31 of the keycap 30.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the elastic reset member 40 has a central axis C. Preferably, the central axis C passes through the center of the elastic reset member 40 and is perpendicular to the first rotation axis A1 and the third rotation axis A3. In this embodiment, the first rotation axis A1 of the first rotating shaft 512 of the first connecting plate 51 and the third rotation axis A3 of the third connecting plate 61 are coaxial with each other, and the first rotation axis A1, the third rotation axis A3 and the central axis C of the elastic reset member 40 intersect each other. Therefore, when the corner or edge of the keycap 30 is pressed, the pressing force can be quickly transmitted to the center of the elastic reset member 40 through the linkage of the first connecting component 50 or the second connecting component 60, thereby further improving the reaction speed of the elastic reset member 40 under reduced force. Furthermore, when the first rotation axis A1 and the third rotation axis A3 are coaxial, the width of the second surface area 34 of the keycap 30 in the second horizontal direction S can be 1.2 to 1.5 times the width of the first surface area 33 in the second horizontal direction S.

[0028] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along line segment 7-7 of Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a pressing cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, the second lower group contact side 555 of the second connecting plate 55 and the fourth lower group contact side 655 of the fourth connecting plate 65 maintain a distance, and the first upper group contact side 511 of the first connecting plate 51 is located between the second lower group contact side 555 and the fourth lower group contact side 655. In some embodiments, the distance from the first upper group contact side 511 to the second lower group contact side 555 can be equal to or close to the distance from the first upper group contact side 511 to the fourth lower group contact side 655, so that the volume of the elastic reset member 40 can be maximized, and the first connecting component 50 and the second connecting component 60 on both sides of the elastic reset member 40 can be subjected to force evenly.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the second connecting plate 55 of the first connecting assembly 50 includes a reinforcing plate 58 on the side opposite to the shaft plate 56. The reinforcing plate 58 is connected between the two side arms 57, making the second connecting plate 55 U-shaped with better structural strength. Compared with a U-shape, it has a better force transmission effect and plays a role in restricting and guiding the direction of force transmission. The fourth connecting plate 65 of the second connecting assembly 60 includes a reinforcing plate 68 on the side opposite to the shaft plate 66. The reinforcing plate 68 is connected between the two side arms 67, making the fourth connecting plate 65 U-shaped with better structural strength. Compared with a U-shape, it has a better force transmission effect and plays a role in restricting and guiding the direction of force transmission. Furthermore, the reinforcement plates 58 and 68 can further improve the efficiency of force transmission between the first connecting assembly 50 and the second connecting assembly 60. Preferably, the reinforcing plates 58 and 68 can be integrally connected to the two side arms 57 and 67, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 to 8, at least a portion of the reinforcing plate 58 of the second connecting plate 55 overlaps with the first connecting plate 51 in the aforementioned vertical direction V, and at least a portion of the reinforcing plate 68 of the fourth connecting plate 65 overlaps with the third connecting plate 61 in the aforementioned vertical direction V. In this embodiment, the reinforcing plate 58 of the second connecting plate 55 includes two horizontal plates 581 and a U-shaped plate 582. The U-shaped plate 582 is connected between the two horizontal plates 581 and has a recess 583. A partial area 251 of the circuit board 25 corresponds to the recess 583. The first connecting plate 51 has a groove 513, and the position of the U-shaped plate 582 of the reinforcing plate 58 corresponds to the groove 513. The reinforcing plate 68 of the fourth connecting plate 65 includes two horizontal plates 681 and a U-shaped plate 682. The U-shaped plate 682 is connected between the two horizontal plates 681 and has a recess 683. Another partial area 252 of the circuit board 25 corresponds to the recess 683. The third connecting plate 61 has a groove 613, and the position of the U-shaped plate 682 of the reinforcing plate 68 corresponds to the groove 613. In some embodiments, the groove 513 of the first connecting plate 51 and the groove 613 of the third connecting plate 61 can both be through grooves or recesses. When the grooves 513 and 613 are both through grooves, the grooves 513 and 613 can serve as light-transmitting parts. If the keyboard device 1 is provided with a light-emitting element, the light emitted by the light-emitting element can pass through the grooves 513 and 613 to illuminate the keycap 30. Alternatively, the groove 513 of the first connecting plate 51 and the groove 613 of the third connecting plate 61 can also serve as alignment grooves during assembly, so as to facilitate the automated assembly of the first connecting component 50 and the second connecting component 60.

[0031] Therefore, as shown in Figures 4 to 8, when the keycap 30 is pressed by the user and moves towards the substrate 20 (as shown in Figure 8), the U-shaped plate 582 of the reinforcing plate 58 of the second connecting plate 55 and the U-shaped plate 682 of the reinforcing plate 68 of the fourth connecting plate 65 can be located in the groove 513 of the first connecting plate 51 and the groove 613 of the third connecting plate 61, respectively. This allows the first connecting component 50 and the second connecting component 60 to become nearly flat after being pressed together, thereby reducing the thickness of the keyboard device 1. In addition, after the keycap 30 is pressed, a local area 251 of the circuit board 25 can be located in the recess 583 of the U-shaped plate 582 of the reinforcing plate 58, and another local area 252 of the circuit board 25 can be located in the recess 683 of the U-shaped plate 682 of the reinforcing plate 68. This can increase the usable area of ​​the circuit board 25 and provide more space for circuit layout, and can also further reduce the overall thickness of the keyboard device 1, making it thinner.

[0032] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the key structure of the present invention; Figure 10 is another exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the key structure of the present invention; Figure 11 is a partial exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the key structure of the present invention; Figure 12 is a top view of the second embodiment of the key structure of the present invention; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along line segment 13-13 of Figure 12; and Figure 14 is a pressing cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. As shown in Figures 9 to 14, the difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment described above is at least that the third upper connecting side 611 of the third connecting plate 61 of the second connecting component 60 has four third rotating shafts 612 (as shown in Figure 11), wherein two of the third rotating shafts 612 are arranged in a plurality of second connecting members 36 on the inner surface 31 of the keycap 30. The first connecting plate 51 of the first connecting assembly 50 has two first pivot portions 512a (here, shaft holes) on its first upper connecting side 511. The two first pivot portions 512a are respectively pivotally mounted on two other third rotating shafts 612 of the third connecting plate 61 and indirectly connected to the keycap 30, so that the first rotation axis A1 of the first upper connecting side 511 and the third rotation axis A3 of the third upper connecting side 611 are coaxial with each other, and the first connecting plate 51 can rotate relative to the third connecting plate 61 and the keycap 30. Therefore, compared with the first embodiment, this embodiment can not only reduce the number of connecting parts of the keycap 30 (as shown in FIG. 9, the keycap 30 in this embodiment can reduce two first connecting parts 35), but also enable the first connecting plate 51 and the third connecting plate 61 to move together to improve the efficiency of force transmission.

[0033] As shown in Figures 9 to 14, another difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment described above is that the fourth lower connecting side 655 of the fourth connecting plate 65 of the second connecting assembly 60 has four fourth shaft portions 656 (as shown in Figure 11), of which two fourth shaft portions 656 are assembled on the second connecting member 22 on the substrate 20. The second lower connecting side 555 of the second connecting plate 55 of the first connecting assembly 50 has two second pivot portions 556a (here, shaft holes). The two second pivot portions 556a are respectively pivotally connected to the other two fourth shaft portions 656 of the fourth connecting plate 65 and indirectly connected to the substrate 20, so that the second connecting plate 55 can rotate relative to the fourth connecting plate 65 and the substrate 20. Therefore, compared with the first embodiment, this embodiment can not only reduce the number of connectors on the substrate 20 (as shown in Figure 10, the keycap 30 in this embodiment can reduce two first connectors 21), but also enable the second connecting plate 55 and the fourth connecting plate 65 to move together to improve the efficiency of force transmission. In addition, the reduction in the number of connectors on the substrate 20 can effectively reduce the number or area of ​​holes in the circuit board 25 and increase the circuit layout space, thereby making more effective use of the space of the circuit board 25.

[0034] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, in this embodiment, the first rotation axis A1 of the first rotating shaft 512 of the first connecting plate 51 and the third rotation axis A3 of the third rotating shaft 612 of the third connecting plate 61 are coaxial with each other, and a portion of the first rotation axis A1 and the third rotation axis A3 overlap with the elastic reset member 40 in the vertical direction V. As shown in Figure 12, another difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment described above is that the first rotation axis A1 and the central axis C of the elastic reset member 40 maintain a distance from each other and do not intersect.

[0035] Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention; Figure 16 is another exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention; Figure 17 is a partial exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention; Figure 18 is a top view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention; Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view along line segment 19-19 of Figure 18; and Figure 20 is a pressing cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. As shown in Figures 15 to 20, the difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment described above is at least that the first connecting plate 51 and the third connecting plate 61 in this embodiment are frame-shaped plates. The first connecting plate 51 includes a shaft plate 52 and two side arms 53 extending from one side of the shaft plate 52. The second connecting plate 55 is located between the two side arms 53 of the first connecting plate 51, and the two sides of the second connecting plate 55 surrounded by the two side arms 53 are respectively pivotally connected to the two side arms 53, so that the first connecting plate 51 and the second connecting plate 55 are cross-connected to each other and can rotate relative to each other. The third connecting plate 61 includes a shaft plate 62 and two side arms 63 extending from one side of the shaft plate 62. The fourth connecting plate 65 is located between the two side arms 63 of the third connecting plate 61, and the two sides of the fourth connecting plate 65 surrounded by the two side arms 63 are respectively pivotally connected to the two side arms 63, so that the third connecting plate 61 and the fourth connecting plate 65 are cross-connected to each other and can swing relative to each other.

[0036] As shown in Figures 15 to 20, in this embodiment, the first connecting plate 51 includes a reinforcing plate 54 on the other side relative to the shaft plate 52, and the reinforcing plate 54 is connected between the two side arms 53. The third connecting plate 61 includes a reinforcing plate 64 on the other side relative to the shaft plate 62, and the reinforcing plate 64 is connected between the two side arms 63. The reinforcing plate 54 of the first connecting plate 51 includes two horizontal plates 541 and a U-shaped plate 542. The U-shaped plate 542 is connected between the two horizontal plates 541 and has a recess 543. A local area 251 of the circuit board 25 corresponds to the recess 543. The second connecting plate 55 has a groove 553 (as shown in Figure 19), and the position of the U-shaped plate 542 of the reinforcing plate 54 corresponds to the groove 553. The reinforcing plate 64 of the third connecting plate 61 includes two horizontal plates 641 and a U-shaped plate 642. The U-shaped plate 642 is connected between the two horizontal plates 641 and has a recess 643. Another part of the circuit board 25, 252, corresponds to the recess 643. The fourth connecting plate 65 has a groove 653 (as shown in Figure 19). The position of the U-shaped plate 642 of the reinforcing plate 64 corresponds to the groove 653.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 15 and 19, in this embodiment, since the two first connectors 35 adjacent to the first side 331 and the two second connectors 36 adjacent to the second side 341 are pivot seats with water droplet holes, in order to maximize the stability of the structure and the efficiency of force transmission, this embodiment sets the groove 553 of the second connecting plate 55 connected to the aforementioned two first connectors 35 and two second connectors 36 and the groove 653 of the fourth connecting plate 65 as a non-through groove, which can maximize the preservation of the volume of the second connecting plate 55 and the fourth connecting plate 65 and improve the load-bearing capacity and the efficiency of force transmission of the second connecting plate 55 and the fourth connecting plate 65.

[0038] Therefore, as shown in Figures 16 to 20, when the keycap 30 is pressed by the user and moves towards the substrate 20 (as shown in Figure 20), the U-shaped plate 542 of the reinforcing plate 54 of the first connecting plate 51 and the U-shaped plate 642 of the reinforcing plate 64 of the third connecting plate 61 can be located in the groove 553 of the second connecting plate 55 and the groove 653 of the fourth connecting plate 65, respectively. This allows the first connecting component 50 and the second connecting component 60 to become nearly flat when pressed as a whole, thereby reducing the thickness of the keyboard device 1. In addition, after the keycap 30 is pressed, a local area 251 of the circuit board 25 can be located in the recess 543 of the U-shaped plate 542 of the reinforcing plate 54, and another local area 252 of the circuit board 25 can be located in the recess 643 of the U-shaped plate 642 of the reinforcing plate 64. This can increase the usable area of ​​the circuit board 25 and provide more space for circuit layout, and can further reduce the overall thickness of the keyboard device 1, making it thinner.

[0039] As shown in Figures 16 to 18, another difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment described above is that in this embodiment, the first rotation axis A1 of the first rotating shaft 512 of the first connecting plate 51 and the third rotation axis A3 of the third rotating shaft 612 of the third connecting plate 61 maintain a distance from each other and are not coaxial with each other. Furthermore, the first rotation axis A1 maintains a distance from the central axis C of the elastic reset member 40 and does not intersect with it, and the third rotation axis A3 also maintains a distance from the central axis C of the elastic reset member 40 and does not intersect with it. The distance between the first rotation axis A1 and the central axis C can be equal to the distance between the third rotation axis A3 and the central axis C (as shown in Figure 18). A smaller distance can improve the triggering efficiency when the keycap 30 is pressed, but this is not a limitation. In some embodiments, either the first rotation axis A1 or the third rotation axis A3 may intersect with the central axis C of the elastic reset member 40.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 15 and 18, when the first rotation axis A1 and the third rotation axis A3 are not coaxial, the width of the second surface region 34 of the keycap 30 in the second horizontal direction S can be 1.1 to 1.5 times the width of the first surface region 33 in the second horizontal direction S. The shortest distance between the second side 341 of the keycap 30 and the third rotation axis A3 in the first horizontal direction F can be 0.5 to 0.8 times the shortest distance between the first side 331 and the first rotation axis A1 in the first horizontal direction F.

[0041] Although the technical content of the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications and refinements made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0042] 1: Keyboard device 2: Button Structure 20:Substrate 21: First group of receiving packages 22: Second group of receiving packages 25: Circuit Board 251, 252: Local regions 30: Keycaps 31: Inner surface 32: Central Department 33: First surface region 331: First side 335: Connecting edge 34: Second surface region 341: Second side 35: First connector 36: Second connector 40: Elastic reset component 50: First connecting component 51: First connecting plate 511: First upper group connection side 512: First pivot 512a: First pivot part 513: Tank 514: First Groove 515: First lower group connection side 516: First shaft section 52: Shaft plate 53: Side Arm 54: Reinforcing plate 541: Horizontal board 542: U-shaped plate 543: concave part 55: Second connecting plate 551: Second upper group side connection 552: Second pivot 553: Tank 555: Second lower group side connection 556: Second shaft section 556a: Second pivot part 56: Shaft plate 57: Side Arm 58: Reinforcing plate 581: Horizontal board 582: U-shaped plate 583: concave part 60: Second connection component 61: Third connecting plate 611: Third upper group side connection 612: Third pivot 613: Tank 614: Third Groove 615: Third lower group side connection 616: Third shaft section 62: Shaft plate 63: Side arm 64: Reinforcing plate 641: Horizontal board 642: U-shaped plate 643: concave part 65: Fourth connecting plate 651: Fourth upper group side connection 652: Fourth pivot 653: Tank 655: Fourth lower group side connection 656: Fourth Shaft 66: Shaft plate 67: Side Arm 68: Reinforcing plate 681: Horizontal board 682: U-shaped plate 683: concave part A1: First axis of rotation A3: Third axis of rotation C: Central axis V: Vertical direction F: First horizontal direction S: Second horizontal direction

Claims

1. A button structure, comprising: One substrate; A keycap is disposed above the substrate. The keycap has an inner surface facing the substrate. The inner surface includes a first surface region and a second surface region. The first surface region and the second surface region are connected to each other and have a connecting edge. The first surface region has a first side edge relative to the connecting edge, and the second surface region has a second side edge relative to the connecting edge. An elastic reset member is disposed between the keycap and the substrate and adjacent to the connecting edge. A first connecting assembly is located between the first surface region and the substrate. The first connecting assembly includes a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate pivotally connected to each other. The first connecting plate includes a first upper connecting side and a first lower connecting side opposite to each other. The second connecting plate includes a second upper connecting side and a second lower connecting side opposite to each other. The first upper connecting side and the second lower connecting side are adjacent to the connecting edge, and the first lower connecting side and the second upper connecting side are adjacent to the first side edge. A second connecting assembly is located between the second surface region and the substrate. The second connecting assembly includes a third connecting plate and a fourth connecting plate pivotally connected to each other. The third connecting plate includes a third upper connecting side and a third lower connecting side opposite to each other. The fourth connecting plate includes a fourth upper connecting side and a fourth lower connecting side opposite to each other. The third upper connecting side and the fourth lower connecting side are adjacent to the connecting edge, and the third lower connecting side and the fourth upper connecting side are adjacent to the second side edge. The first connecting plate has a first rotation axis on its first upper connecting side, and a portion of the first rotation axis is located within the orthographic projection range of the elastic reset member.

2. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the third upper connection side of the third connecting plate has a third rotation axis, and a portion of the third rotation axis is located within the orthographic projection range of the elastic reset member.

3. The button structure as described in claim 2, wherein the first upper contact side, the second upper contact side, the third upper contact side and the fourth upper contact side are rotatably connected to the inner surface, the first lower contact side, the second lower contact side, the third lower contact side and the fourth lower contact side are rotatably connected to the substrate, and the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis are coaxial with each other.

4. The button structure as described in claim 2, wherein the first upper connection side of the first connecting plate of the first connecting component is pivotally connected to the third upper connection side of the third connecting plate of the second connecting component, such that the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis are coaxial with each other.

5. The button structure as described in claim 2, wherein the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis are not coaxial with each other.

6. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the resilient reset member has a central axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis, and the first rotation axis intersects the central axis.

7. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the second lower connection side of the second connection plate of the first connection component is pivotally connected to the fourth lower connection side of the fourth connection plate of the second connection component.

8. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the second lower group contact side of the second connecting plate and the fourth lower group contact side of the fourth connecting plate maintain a distance, and the first upper group contact side of the first connecting plate is located between the second lower group contact side and the fourth lower group contact side.

9. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the second upper connecting side of the second connecting plate of the first connecting assembly has two second rotating shafts, the two second rotating shafts being rotatably connected to the inner surface, and the two second rotating shafts being respectively adjacent to opposite ends of the first side of the first surface region.

10. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the fourth upper connection side of the fourth connecting plate of the second connecting assembly has two fourth pivots, the two fourth pivots being rotatably connected to the inner surface, and the two fourth pivots being adjacent to opposite ends of the second side of the second surface region.

11. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first connecting plate or the second connecting plate of the first connecting assembly includes a shaft plate, two side arms and a reinforcing plate, the two side arms extending from one side of the shaft plate and the reinforcing plate connecting the two side arms.

12. The button structure as described in claim 11, wherein the reinforcing plate includes two horizontal plates and a U-shaped plate connected between the two horizontal plates, the U-shaped plate having a recess, and a circuit board on the substrate, a portion of the circuit board corresponding to the recess.

13. The button structure as described in claim 12, wherein the first connecting plate of the first connecting assembly has a groove, the second connecting plate includes the shaft plate, the two side arms and the reinforcing plate, and the position of the U-shaped plate of the reinforcing plate corresponds to the groove.

14. The button structure as described in claim 12, wherein the second connecting plate of the first connecting assembly has a groove, the first connecting plate includes the shaft plate, the two side arms and the reinforcing plate, and the position of the U-shaped plate of the reinforcing plate corresponds to the groove.

15. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the first upper connection side of the first connecting plate of the first connecting assembly has a first groove, the third upper connection side of the third connecting plate of the second connecting assembly has a third groove, the position of the first groove corresponds to the position of the third groove, and the elastic reset member is located in the first groove and the third groove.

16. A keyboard device comprising a key structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

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