Push button switch and reset assembly

Abstract

A key switch, wherein a reset assembly comprises a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member, and a spring disposed between the two sleeve members. The first outer diameter of the first sleeve member is smaller than the second inner diameter of the second sleeve member, so that the second sleeve member can be relatively movably sleeved on the first sleeve member. The first sleeve member and the second sleeve member sleeved on each other are disposed between the key cap and the base of the key switch. The spring comprises a first end, a second end and a middle section, and the middle section outer diameter of the spring middle section is larger than the inner diameter of the first sleeve member. When the key cap is located in an unpressed position, the first end is inserted into the first sleeve member, and the second end and the middle section are inserted into the second sleeve member. When the spring is compressed, the middle section of the spring is squeezed and retracted, slides over the end edge of the first sleeve member, and enters the first sleeve member to produce a sense of paragraph and / or a first sound. The present invention adopts a design in which a spring with a larger outer diameter in the middle section interferes with or decouples from the sleeve member, and can provide a neat sense of paragraph and / or sound.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a key switch and a reset component thereof, and more particularly to a reset component which provides a stepping feeling of the key switch by changing the outer diameter of a spring of the reset component and interfering / disengaging with a sleeve. Background Art

[0002] In terms of current personal computer usage habits, the keyboard is one of the indispensable input devices for inputting text, symbols or numbers. In addition, all consumer electronic products in daily life or large-scale processing equipment used in the industrial sector need to be equipped with a key structure as an input device to operate the above electronic products and processing equipment.

[0003] In actual applications, in order to provide users with different key pressing feelings, the general key structure must be designed with key switches of different specifications for users to choose from. For example, a gaming keyboard will indicate on the packaging box whether the key switch used is a red axis, brown axis, black axis or other color axis. Different colors are used to inform users of the pressing feel of the keyboard keys, such as the height of the conduction position between the trigger spring arm and the trigger contact, the key pressing travel, the pressing segment feel, or the pressing sound feedback.

[0004] In terms of the design of pressing sound feedback and pressing step sense, it is usually necessary to add an additional sound-generating elastic member at a position that can interfere with the rib on the sleeve of the key switch, so that when the user presses the key switch downward, the sound-generating elastic member can bend and deform under the pressure of the rib during the pressing process, and then pass over the rib to produce a step sense or further hit the internal components of the key switch to produce a sound. However, the above design often leads to a time-consuming and labor-intensive key manufacturing and assembly process and occupies too much space inside the key. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a method to solve the above problems.

[0006] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a key switch, which comprises:

[0007] Base plate;

[0008] a first sleeve member having a first inner diameter;

[0009] A second sleeve member having a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter so that the second sleeve member is sleeved on the first sleeve member in a relatively movable manner, and one of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is disposed on the bottom plate; and

[0010] A spring having a first spring end, a second spring end, and an intermediate spring section, wherein the first spring end is inserted into the first sleeve member, the second spring end and the intermediate spring section are inserted into the second sleeve member, the outer diameter of the intermediate spring section is larger than the first inner diameter, and in the process in which the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is pressed at the highest position so that the spring is compressed, the intermediate spring section is squeezed by the inner edge of the first sleeve member and elastically shrinks and deforms to provide a sense of segmentation;

[0011] When the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is released at the lowest position, the other returns to the highest position by the elastic restoring force provided by the spring.

[0012] As an optional technical solution, the key switch also includes a keycap, which is arranged opposite to the base plate, and the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is connected to the keycap; or, the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is abutted against the base plate, or, the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is connected to the base plate.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, the key switch also includes:

[0014] The lifting mechanism is movably connected to the key cap and the base plate so that the key cap can move up and down relative to the base plate.

[0015] As an optional technical solution, the lifting mechanism is selected from a scissor-leg bracket structure, a bat bracket structure or a butterfly bracket structure.

[0016] As an optional technical solution, the first interference structure and the second interference structure extend and protrude inward in sequence along the inner edge to form a step-like structure on the inner edge, so that the middle spring section elastically shrinks and deforms when squeezed by the first interference structure to provide a sense of segmentation, and then elastically recovers when crossing the first interference structure to hit the second interference structure and make a sound; or, wherein the outer diameter of the middle spring section is equal to the second inner diameter, during the process of one of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member being released at the lowest position, the middle spring section elastically recovers when leaving the first sleeve member to hit the second sleeve member and make a sound.

[0017] The present invention also provides a key switch, the key switch comprising:

[0018] keycap;

[0019] A base protrudes toward the keycap to form a first sleeve member, the first sleeve member having a first inner diameter;

[0020] An upper cover, which is disposed on the base;

[0021] A second sleeve member, which can movably pass through the upper cover to be connected to the key cap and has a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter so that the second sleeve member is sleeved on the first sleeve member in a relatively movable manner;

[0022] a switch unit, which is adjacent to the second sleeve member and has a trigger spring arm and a trigger contact, the trigger spring arm and the trigger contact are opposite to each other and are used to electrically connect to the circuit board respectively, and a convex portion is formed on the second sleeve member; and

[0023] A spring having a first spring end, a second spring end, and a middle spring section, wherein the first spring end is inserted into the first sleeve member, the second spring end and the middle spring section are inserted into the second sleeve member, the outer diameter of the middle spring section is larger than the first inner diameter, and in the process that the second sleeve member is pressed at the highest position through the key cap so that the spring is compressed, the middle spring section is squeezed by the inner edge of the first sleeve member and elastically shrinks and deforms to provide a sense of paragraph;

[0024] Wherein, when the second sleeve member is released at the lowest position, it returns to the highest position upwards by the elastic restoring force provided by the spring;

[0025] When the second sleeve is located at the highest position, the trigger spring arm and the protrusion generate structural interference and are separated from the trigger contact point;

[0026] When the second sleeve is pressed to the lowest position, the trigger spring arm is misaligned with the protrusion to trigger the trigger contact.

[0027] As an optional technical solution, the first interference structure and the second interference structure extend and protrude inward in sequence along the inner edge to form a step-like structure on the inner edge, so that the middle spring section elastically shrinks and deforms when squeezed by the first interference structure to provide a sense of segmentation, and then elastically recovers when passing over the first interference structure to hit the second interference structure and make a sound.

[0028] As an optional technical solution, the outer diameter of the middle spring section is equal to the second inner diameter. During the release of the second sleeve member at the lowest position, the middle spring section elastically recovers when leaving the first sleeve member to hit the second sleeve member and make a sound.

[0029] The present invention also provides a key switch, the key switch comprising:

[0030] A base having a first sleeve member protruding therefrom and having a first inner diameter;

[0031] An upper cover, which is disposed on the base;

[0032] A keycap extending toward the base to form a second sleeve member, which can movably pass through the upper cover and has a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter so that the second sleeve member is sleeved on the first sleeve member in a relatively movable manner; and

[0033] A spring having a first spring end, a second spring end, and a middle spring section, wherein the first spring end is inserted into the first sleeve member, the second spring end and the middle spring section are inserted into the second sleeve member, the outer diameter of the middle spring section is larger than the first inner diameter, and in the process that the second sleeve member is pressed at the highest position through the key cap so that the spring is compressed, the middle spring section is squeezed by the inner edge of the first sleeve member and elastically shrinks and deforms to provide a sense of paragraph;

[0034] When the second sleeve is released at the lowest position, it returns to the highest position due to the elastic restoring force provided by the spring.

[0035] As an optional technical solution, the first interference structure and the second interference structure extend and protrude inward in sequence along the inner edge to form a step-like structure on the inner edge, so that the middle spring section elastically shrinks and deforms when squeezed by the first interference structure to provide a sense of segmentation, and then elastically recovers when crossing the first interference structure to hit the second interference structure and make a sound; or, the outer diameter of the middle spring section is equal to the second inner diameter, and during the process of the second sleeve member being released at the lowest position, the middle spring section elastically recovers when leaving the first sleeve member to hit the second sleeve member and make a sound.

[0036] Compared with the prior art, the present invention adopts a design in which a spring with a larger outer diameter in the middle section interferes with or disengages from the sleeve part, which can provide a neat paragraph feeling and / or sound, replacing the design required by the prior art to add an additional sound-generating elastic part to interfere with the key shaft body, and effectively solves the problems of the prior art such as additional parts cost, time-consuming and labor-intensive assembly, and occupying too much internal space of the key, thereby reducing the parts cost and process cost of the key switch, and facilitating the thinning of the key switch.

[0037] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but is not intended to limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1A FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 1B for Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the cross section of the middle spring.

[0040] Figure 2 for Figure 1A A bottom perspective diagram of a key cap after being assembled with a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member.

[0041] Figure 3A for Figure 1A A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a push switch when the second sleeve member is pressed to a pressed position.

[0042] Figure 3B for Figure 3A A cross-sectional schematic diagram showing that the middle section of the spring is instantly released and expands outward to hit the inner wall of the second sleeve member.

[0043] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional diagram of a key switch when the keycap is pressed.

[0047] Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key switch according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In order to provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features, and functions of the present invention, the following detailed description is given in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0049] See also Figure 1A as well as Figure 2 , Figure 1A is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 for Figure 1A The bottom perspective diagram of the key cap after being assembled with the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member. Figure 1A as well as Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment, the key switch 10 may include a reset component 11, a key cap 12 and a base 14. A plurality of key switches 10 may form a complete keyboard, and then be applied to an independent keyboard or a portable electronic device (as a built-in keyboard module of a notebook computer or a foldable leather keyboard that can be connected to a tablet computer) for a user to press and execute the function that the user wants to input. The horizontally extending key cap 12 and the plate-shaped base 14 are arranged opposite to each other up and down, and the reset component 11 is arranged between the key cap 12 and the base 14 to provide a reset force, so that the key cap 12 can move up and down relative to the base 14 between an unpressed position (usually the highest position of the key cap, that is, the reset component 11 and its spring 20 are in an extended state) and a pressed position (where the key cap is below the highest position, that is, the reset component 11 and its spring 20 are in a compressed state).

[0050] In more detail, the reset assembly 11 includes a cylindrical first sleeve member 16, a second sleeve member 18, and a spring 20; wherein the ends of the first sleeve member 16 and the second sleeve member 18 away from the sleeve joint are closed ends, and the ends of the first sleeve member 16 and the second sleeve member 18 sleeve joint are open ends, so that the spring 20 can be inserted between the first sleeve member 16 and the second sleeve member 18. The first sleeve member 16 has a first inner diameter D1a and a first outer diameter D1b, and the second sleeve member 18 has a second inner diameter D2a, wherein the second inner diameter D2a is larger than the first outer diameter D1b of the first sleeve member 16, so that the second sleeve member 18 is sleeved outside the first sleeve member 16 in a relatively movable manner.

[0051] Figure 1A and Figure 2 In the embodiment, the second sleeve member 18 is directly connected to the keycap 12, and the first sleeve member 16 is sleeved by the second sleeve member 18, so that the end of the first sleeve member 16 is close to or abuts against the base 14. In addition, the first sleeve member 16 can be selectively directly connected to the base 14, or only abuts against the base 14 without being connected to the base 14. In other words, when the first sleeve member 16 is not directly connected to the base 14, if the keycap 12 is removed, the entire reset assembly 11 will be removed synchronously with the keycap 12 and disassembled from the base 14. Figure 2 as shown in .

[0052] The second sleeve member 18 is connected to the keycap 12 in a manner such as directly extending from the bottom surface of the keycap 12, or by engaging the second sleeve member 18 with the keycap 12 through the engaging structure 121; if necessary, the second sleeve member 18 is detachably connected to the keycap 12 so as to replace the reset assembly 11 or the spring 20 as a whole, thereby changing the paragraph feeling and / or the key sound. The end of the first sleeve member 16 that is sleeved by the second sleeve member 18 is provided with a stopper 163 surrounding the outer wall. Correspondingly, the second sleeve member 18 is provided with a flange 181 surrounding the inner wall at the end that is sleeved by the first sleeve member 16, which can interfere with the stopper 163, so that the first sleeve member 16 and the second sleeve member 18 will not separate from each other when the spring 20 is extended. In this way, the first sleeve member 16 can form a telescopic sleeve structure together with the second sleeve member 18 and the spring 20, so that the spring 20 indirectly abuts between the keycap 12 and the base 14 to provide a reset force. As the spring 20 is compressed, stretched, retracted, expanded, etc. in response to the up and down movement of the keycap 12, it is located in the accommodating space surrounded by the first sleeve member 16 and the second sleeve member 18. The spring 20 can be protected by the first sleeve member 16 and the second sleeve member 18, thereby increasing the service life of the spring 20.

[0053] As for the structural design of the spring 20, Figure 1A and Figure 1B It can be seen that the spring 20 has a first end 22, a second end 24 and a middle section 26, and the middle section 26 is located between the first end 22 and the second end 24. Figure 1A In the embodiment, the key cap 12 is in the unpressed position, that is, the reset assembly 11 and its spring 20 are in the extended state, at which time the first end 22 is inserted into the first sleeve member 16, and the second end 24 and the middle section 26 are inserted into the second sleeve member 18. Figure 1A , Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 Although both ends of the spring 20 are open, the second end 24 of the spring 20 does not abut against the inner wall of the end of the second sleeve member 18. However, in other embodiments, the end of the second sleeve member 18 can be closed and have an inner wall, and the second end 24 of the spring 20 can directly abut against the inner wall of the end of the second sleeve member 18.

[0054] refer to Figure 1A and Figure 1BIn this embodiment, the first end outer diameter DS1 of the first end portion 22 of the spring 20 and the second end outer diameter DS2 of the second end portion 24 are both smaller than the middle section outer diameter DS3 of the middle section 26, and the first end outer diameter DS1 and the second end outer diameter DS2 of the spring 20 are both smaller than the first inner diameter D1a of the first sleeve member 16, but the middle section outer diameter DS3 is larger than the first inner diameter D1a of the first sleeve member 16. In actual operation, the middle section 26 of the spring 20 is realized by a protruding section of the spiral structure of the spring 20, and such a protruding section of the middle section 26 extends up and down along the spiral structure of the spring 20 up to 360 degrees (single turn), so as to interfere with the first sleeve member 16 in the range of 360 degrees of its cylindrical structure. In another embodiment, the middle section 26 may extend less than or greater than 360 degrees to reduce or increase the range of interference with the first sleeve member 16; however, in other embodiments, the middle section 26 may extend for multiple turns (e.g., 1080 degrees), wherein each turn has a different outer diameter, which can provide different levels of interference increase and decrease and a special sense of section during the interference process.

[0055] In addition, the key switch 10 further includes a lifting mechanism 30, which can be movably connected to the keycap 12 and the base 14. In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 30 can preferably adopt a scissor-leg bracket structure design (but not limited to this, it can also adopt other designs, such as butterfly V-shaped brackets or bat inverted V-shaped brackets and other structural designs), so that no matter where the user presses the keycap 12, the keycap 12 can be driven by the lifting mechanism 30 to move straight up and down relative to the base 14 to maintain balance, and will not deflect during the up and down movement. In another embodiment, the key switch 10 may not have the lifting mechanism 30, and the first sleeve member 16 and the second sleeve member 18 can also be used to maintain the balance of the keycap 12 and drive it to move straight up and down. The lifting mechanism 30 is not absolutely necessary. If necessary, the relative surfaces of the first sleeve member 16 and the second sleeve member 18 (the outer surface of the first sleeve member 16 and the inner surface of the second sleeve member 18) that are mutually sleeved further include mutually matching grooves and convex rails extending up and down to improve the stability of the keycap 12 during the up and down movement.

[0056] With the above design, the key switch 10 can generate a temporarily increased pressing resistance through the interference between the spring 20 and the first sleeve 16 when the user presses the key cap 12, thereby providing a step-like pressing feel and / or a friction sound. Figure 1A as well as Figure 3A , Figure 3A for Figure 1A The cross-sectional view of the push switch 10 when the second sleeve member 18 is pressed to the pressed position, Figure 1A as well as Figure 3A It can be seen that the second sleeve 18 is connected to the key cap 12 as shown in FIG. Figure 1AThe unpressed position shown is pressed, so that the spring 20 is compressed as the keycap 12 is pressed down. Since the middle section outer diameter DS3 of the middle section 26 is larger than the first inner diameter D1a of the first sleeve member 16, the middle section 26 of the spring 20 is pressed downward by the pressing pressure while interfering with the first sleeve member 16, causing the middle section 26 of the spring 20 and its middle section outer diameter DS3 to shrink. Then, the middle section 26 of the spring 20 slides into the first sleeve member 16 through the inner edge 161 of the open end of the first sleeve member 16 to generate a sense of passage and / or a first sound, and finally, the second end 24 of the spring 20 also enters the first sleeve member 16 in whole or in part, as shown in FIG. Figure 3A As shown. The step feeling comes from the middle section 26 of the spring 20 and its middle section outer diameter DS3 being reduced, and the interference between the middle section 26 of the spring 20 and the first sleeve member 16 is released; that is, after the pressing resistance is temporarily increased, the interference of the spring 20 is released, and the middle section 26 and the second end 24 slide down into the first sleeve member 16 successively, there will be a step feeling in which the pressing resistance first increases and then releases. The first sound can be a friction sound, which comes from the friction between the middle section 26 of the spring 20 with a larger middle section outer diameter DS3 and the inner wall 28 of the first sleeve member 16; at the same time, the middle section 26 is supported laterally against the inner wall 28 of the first sleeve member 16 and continues to rub against the inner wall 28 as the second sleeve member 18 moves downward, which will also cause the user to feel the change of pressing feedback during the process of pressing the keycap 12. In this way, the key switch 10 can provide a pressing feel with different step feelings such as longitudinal interference release and lateral support friction. Furthermore, the inner edge 161 of the first sleeve member 16 may be provided with a funnel-shaped guiding inclined surface 162 so that the middle section 26 of the interfered spring 20 can slide smoothly into the first sleeve member 16 .

[0057] On the other hand, when the key cap 12 reaches Figure 3A When the key cap 12 is in the pressed position, that is, when the reset assembly 11 and the spring 20 are about to return to the extended state, the second sleeve member 18 is largely sleeved outside the first sleeve member 16. When the spring 20 is released from the pressed position along with the key cap 12, the key cap 12 can return upward to the position as shown in FIG. 1 by the elastic restoring force provided by the extension of the spring 20. Figure 1A In the unpressed position shown, the second sleeve member 18 will return to its original position along with the key cap 12 , and the middle section 26 of the spring 20 will also move up from the first sleeve member 16 back into the second sleeve member 18 .

[0058] In the above process, when the middle section 26 of the spring 20 moves along with the key cap 12 and the second sleeve member 18, Figure 3A When the position shown in FIG. 1 is moved upward to a position where it is no longer constrained by the inner wall 28 of the first sleeve member 16, the middle section 26 can elastically stretch and return to the position shown in FIG. Figure 1AThe undeformed state shown in the figure will cause a change in the pressing feedback, so that the user can also feel the sense of pause during the process of releasing the keycap 12. At the same time, a second sound may also be generated during the process of releasing the keycap 12. For example, during the process of the middle section 26 elastically recovering to the undeformed state, when the middle section 26 of the spring 20 leaves the first sleeve member 16, the middle section 26 of the spring 20 or the middle section outer diameter DS3 is instantly released and expands outward, and the elastic recovery force can hit the inner wall of the second sleeve member 18 to generate a knocking sound as the second sound (such as Figure 3B As shown in FIG. 1 , the key switch 10 can provide a pressing sound and a paragraph feel during the pressing and rebounding process of the key cap 12 .

[0059] In other embodiments, the second end outer diameter DS2 can also be set to be equal to or greater than the middle section outer diameter DS3 of the middle section 26, that is, the second end outer diameter DS2 of at least a portion of the second end portion 24 is greater than the first inner diameter D1a of the first sleeve member 16. In this way, in the second half of the movement stroke of the keycap 12, the second end portion 24 of the spring 20 will also interfere with the first sleeve member 16, increasing the pressing resistance of the second half of the movement stroke when the keycap 12 is pressed down, and providing different sections of hand feel. When the second end outer diameter DS2 of at least a portion of the second end portion 24 is greater than the first inner diameter D1a of the first sleeve member 16, it also means that when the keycap 12 is reset upward from the pressed position, the middle section 26 and the second end portion 24 of the spring 20 will have a greater elastic expansion force during the upward sliding process, so that the elastic recovery of the middle section 26 and / or the second end portion 24 of the spring 20 and the instantaneous elastic recovery force of the outer diameter DS3 of the expanded middle section can hit the inner wall of the second sleeve member 18, and emit a stronger knocking sound (second sound).

[0060] In contrast, Figure 1A and Figure 3A As shown, when the first end outer diameter DS1 and the second end outer diameter DS2 are both smaller than the first inner diameter D1a of the first sleeve member 16, the front and rear halves of the movement stroke of the key cap 12 have a smaller pressing resistance, which, combined with the higher pressing resistance when the middle section 26 interferes with the first sleeve member 16, can produce a more obvious and distinct sense of paragraphing.

[0061] The key switch 10 of the above embodiment is not limited to any triggering method. For example, a pair of optical transceivers can be arranged on the base 14, and a light shielding sheet can be partially extended on the keycap 12 or the lifting mechanism 30. When the keycap 12 reaches the pressed position, that is, when the reset component 11 and the spring 20 are in a compressed state, the optical path between the optical transceivers is blocked and the intensity of the optical signal is changed, so that the key switch 10 can be triggered. Even if a thin film circuit is used, for example, it can be arranged under the base 14 with a hole, and a trigger column can be partially extended on the keycap 12 or the lifting mechanism 30. When the keycap 12 reaches the pressed position, that is, when the reset component 11 and the spring 20 are in a compressed state, the trigger column can be pressed against the trigger pad position of the thin film circuit to trigger the key switch 10. Furthermore, an optical distance measuring component can also be arranged on the base 14 to detect that the keycap 12 or the lifting mechanism 30 has dropped to a certain height value (distance value), and then a trigger signal can be sent.

[0062] In another embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown, the present invention can adopt the second sleeve member 18 to be fixedly arranged on the base 14, and the first sleeve member 16 is close to or abuts against the lower surface of the key cap 12, that is, Figure 1A The upside-down design of the reset component 11 can still provide the same effect; the relevant description can be deduced from the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0063] Through the above-mentioned design, since the present invention adopts a design in which a spring with a larger outer diameter in the middle section interferes with or disengages from the sleeve part, it can provide a neat paragraph feeling and / or sound, replacing the design required by the previous technology to additionally add a sound-generating elastic part to interfere with the key shaft body, and effectively solves the problems of the previous technology such as additional parts cost, time-consuming and labor-intensive assembly, and occupying too much internal space of the key, thereby reducing the parts cost and process cost of the key switch, and facilitating the thinning of the key switch.

[0064] The structural interference design between the spring and the sleeve member is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, see Figure 5 , which is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key switch 10' according to another embodiment of the present invention. The components described in this embodiment have the same names or component numbers as those described in the above embodiments, indicating that they have similar functions or structures, and will not be described in detail here. Figure 5As shown, the key switch 10' may include a reset component 11', a keycap 12, a base 14, a first sleeve member 16', a second sleeve member 18, a spring 20, and a lifting mechanism 30. The first sleeve member 16' may have a first interference structure 32 and a second interference structure 34 at the open end. The first interference structure 32 and the second interference structure 34 have gradually expanding inner diameters, so that the first interference structure 32, the second interference structure 34 and the inner wall 28 can jointly form a stepped structure 36, which is used to temporarily restrain and reduce the middle section outer diameter DS3 of the middle section 26 of the spring 20 when the keycap 12 is pressed, that is, when the reset component 11', that is, the spring 20 enters a compressed state.

[0065] Thereby, when the keycap 12 is pressed and the spring 20 is compressed, the second sleeve member 18 moves downward accordingly, and the middle section 26 of the spring 20 will first be squeezed downward by the pressing force, that is, interfere with the open end of the first sleeve member 16', and be constrained by the first interference structure 32, and then the middle section 26 will elastically shrink and deform under the downward pressing force, start to slide down, and then laterally support against the first interference structure 32; as the keycap 12 and the second sleeve member 18 move downward, the middle section 26 of the spring 20 will then rub against the first interference structure 32, generating a pressing feel such as a friction feel and a paragraph feel and / or a slight friction sound.

[0066] Next, when the middle section 26 continues to slide down and pass over the first interference structure 32 as the keycap 12 and the second sleeve member 18 move downward, the middle section 26 is not restrained by the first interference structure 32 and is released to expand outward. Therefore, the middle section 26 can elastically recover and expand outward by the middle section outer diameter DS3 to hit the second interference structure 34 and make a sound, so that the key switch 10' can further provide a pressing feel with a pressing sound; at this time, the middle section 26 is laterally supported against the second interference structure 34. When the middle section 26 continues to move downward with the keycap 12 and the second sleeve member 18 and continues to slide down and pass over the second interference structure 34, that is, when the middle section 26 slides down and completely passes over the stepped structure 36, the middle section 26 is not restrained by the second interference structure 34 and is released to expand outward. Therefore, the middle section 26 of the spring 20 can elastically recover and expand outward by the middle section outer diameter DS3 to hit the inner wall 28 of the first sleeve member 16' and make a sound again.

[0067] In another embodiment, the stepped structure 36 of the first sleeve member 16' at the open end is only composed of the first interference structure 32 and the inner wall 28, and also has an inner diameter that gradually expands downward, which can produce an additional pressing feel and friction or knocking sound. As for the related description of other designs of the key switch 10' (such as the connection configuration of the sleeve member, the lifting mechanism design, the outer diameter design of the middle section, etc.), it can be inferred by reference to the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0068] In addition, the present invention can also be applied to the design of traditional mechanical switch buttons. For example, please refer to Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 , Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key switch 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 for Figure 6 The cross-sectional view of the key switch 100 when the key cap 102 is pressed, the same component names or component numbers as those in the above embodiments indicate that they have similar designs and will not be described in detail. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the key switch 100 includes a key cap 102 , a reset assembly 110 , a base 104 , an upper cover 106 , a second sleeve 108 , a switch unit 112 , and a spring 114 . The base 104 protrudes toward the keycap 102 or the upper cover 106 to form a first sleeve member 116, and the first sleeve member 116 has a first inner diameter D1a and a first outer diameter D1b. The upper cover 106 is disposed below the keycap 102 and combined with the base 104, so that the upper cover 106 and the base 104 can jointly accommodate the switch unit 112 and the reset assembly 110. The second sleeve member 108 can movably pass through the upper cover 106. The second sleeve member 108 has a connecting portion 108a extending upward to be connected to the keycap 102, and has a rod-shaped sleeve portion 108b extending downward to be sleeved into the second end portion 126 of the spring 114. The second sleeve member 108 has a second inner diameter D2a, and the second inner diameter D2a is greater than the first outer diameter D1b of the first sleeve member 116, so that the second sleeve member 108 is sleeved on the first sleeve member 116 in a manner that the second sleeve member 108 can move relative to the first sleeve member 116. The switch unit 112 is adjacent to the second sleeve 108 and has a trigger spring arm 118 and a metal trigger contact 120. The trigger spring arm 118 and the trigger contact 120 are opposite to each other and are respectively electrically connected to the circuit board (not shown in the figure) of the key switch 100. A radially enlarged protrusion 122 is formed on the second sleeve 108. The spring 114 has a first end 124, a second end 126, and a middle section 128. The middle section 128 is located between the first end 124 and the second end 126. Figure 6 In the figure, the keycap 102 is in an unpressed position, that is, the reset assembly 110 and the spring 114 are in an extended state. At this time, the first end 124 is inserted into the first sleeve member 116, and the second end 126 and the middle section 128 are inserted into the second sleeve member 108. The middle section outer diameter DS3 of the middle section 128 is greater than the first inner diameter D1a of the first sleeve member 116.

[0069] By the above design, when the second sleeve member 108 is located at Figure 6In the unpressed position shown, the trigger spring arm 118 abuts against the protrusion 122 of the second sleeve member 108 to generate structural interference and is biased to bend outward, thereby separating from the trigger contact 120. Figure 7 When the reset element 110 and the spring 114 are in the pressed position, the trigger spring arm 118 and the protrusion 122 are misaligned, so that the trigger spring arm 118 contacts the trigger contact 120 to generate a corresponding input signal to be transmitted to the circuit board of the key switch 100, so that the key switch 100 can execute the function that the user wants to input. On the other hand, when the external force disappears, the spring 114 drives the second sleeve member 108 to move upward back to the position shown in FIG. Figure 6 The unpressed position shown is that the reset assembly 110 and the spring 114 return to the extended state, thereby producing the effect that the key switch 100 can automatically return to its original position.

[0070] In addition, the key cap 102 is as follows Figure 6 During the process in which the unpressed position shown is pressed and the spring 114 is compressed, that is, when the reset assembly 110 and the spring 114 enter a compressed state, since the middle section outer diameter DS3 of the middle section 128 is greater than the first inner diameter D1a of the first sleeve member 116, the middle section 128 will interfere with the first sleeve member 116 and be squeezed downward by the pressing pressure, causing the middle section 128 of the spring 114 and its middle section outer diameter DS3 to shrink. Then, the middle section 128 of the spring 114 passes through the inner edge of the open end of the first sleeve member 116 and slides into the first sleeve member 116. The middle section 128 laterally abuts against one of the inner walls 130 of the first sleeve member 116 and slides down and rubs to produce a sense of passage and / or sound. Finally, the second end portion 126 of the spring 114 also partially enters the first sleeve member 116. The middle section 128 finally abuts against the inner wall 130 of the first sleeve member 116. Figure 7 As shown. In contrast, when the key cap 102 reaches Figure 7 When the reset assembly 110 and the spring 114 are in the pressed position, the click feeling and / or sound can be generated again. The generation principle of the click feeling and sound is similar to the previous embodiment. As for the description of other designs of the key switch 100 (such as the outer diameter design of the middle section, the interference structure design, etc.), it can be deduced by referring to the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0071] In practical applications, the present invention can also be applied to the design of crater buttons. For example, see Figure 8 , which is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a key switch 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8As shown, the key switch 200 includes a reset assembly 110 , a base 202 , an upper cover 204 , a key cap 206 , and a circuit board 207 . The reset assembly 110 includes a spring 208 , a first sleeve member 210 , and a second sleeve member 212 .

[0072] As for the entire keyboard composed of multiple key switches in the present invention, the upper cover 204 of each key switch 200 is integrally connected, and only the key caps 206 are independent of each other (such as Figure 8 In other words, the key switch is integrally connected with the adjacent adjacent key switch (at least comprising an adjacent upper cover, an adjacent base, an adjacent first sleeve member and an adjacent second sleeve member), that is, its upper cover is integrally connected with its adjacent upper cover, the base is integrally connected with the adjacent base, the first sleeve member is integrally connected with the adjacent first sleeve member through the base (or the integrally connected adjacent base), and the second sleeve member 212 is integrally connected with the adjacent second sleeve member through the upper cover (or the integrally connected adjacent upper cover).

[0073] In contrast, Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, with respect to the entire keyboard composed of a plurality of key switches 100 in this embodiment, each upper cover 106 and each base 104 are independent corresponding to each key cap 102, that is, each key switch of the entire keyboard in this embodiment is independent of each other, and is individually electrically connected and fixed on the circuit board.

[0074] The first sleeve member 210 of the reset assembly 110 is formed by extending and protruding from the base 202. The upper cover 204 can be designed with a crater structure and is disposed on the base 202 to accommodate the spring 208 together with the base 202. The second sleeve member 212 of the reset assembly 110 is formed by extending from the key cap 206 toward the base 202. The second sleeve member 212 can movably pass through the upper cover 204. The inner diameter of the second sleeve member 212 is greater than the outer diameter of the first sleeve member 210, so that the second sleeve member 212 can be moved with the first sleeve member 210 is sleeved on the first sleeve member 210 in a relatively movable manner, the spring 208 has a first end 214, a second end 216, and a middle section 218 with a larger middle section outer diameter, the first end 214 is inserted into the first sleeve member 210 (the lower end of the spring 208 can be pressed against the circuit board 207 or the closed wall of the first sleeve member 210 itself), the second end 216 and the middle section 218 are inserted into the second sleeve member 212, and the outer diameter of the middle section 218 is larger than the inner diameter of the first sleeve member 210. In the embodiment of Figures 5 / 6 / 7, the second sleeve member 108 / 212 has a closed end and an inner wall adjacent to the second end 126 / 216 of the spring 114 / 208, and the second end 126 / 216 can directly press against the inner wall surface of the closed end of the second sleeve member 108 / 212. The key switch 200 of this embodiment is not limited to any triggering method. For example, the optical transceiver 203 can be arranged on the base 202, and a light shielding sheet (not shown) can be partially extended from the second sleeve 212, so that when the key cap 206 reaches the pressed position, that is, when the reset component 110 and the spring 208 are in a compressed state, the optical path between the optical transceiver 203 is blocked and the intensity of the optical signal is changed, so that the key switch 200 can be triggered. In different embodiments, the design of using the second sleeve 212 body for light shielding can also be adopted, that is, the optical path of the optical transceiver 203 passes through the action path range of the second sleeve 212, so that even if the second sleeve 212 does not extend the light shielding sheet, the triggering function can be achieved. In other embodiments, the key switch 200 can also adopt a design of triggering with the switch unit 112 in Figures 5 / 6, and the triggering timing is close to when the key cap 206 reaches the pressed position, that is, when the reset component 110 and the spring 208 are about to return to the extended state.

[0075] Through the above design, the key cap 206 is Figure 8During the process in which the unpressed position shown is pressed and the reset assembly 110 and the spring 208 enter a compressed state, since the outer diameter of the middle section 218 is greater than the inner diameter of the first sleeve member 210, the middle section 218 is squeezed downward by the pressing pressure while interfering with the first sleeve member 210, causing the middle section 218 of the spring 208 and its middle section outer diameter to shrink. Subsequently, the middle section 218 of the spring 208 passes through the inner edge of the open end of the first sleeve member 210 and slides into the first sleeve member 210. The middle section 218 laterally supports the inner wall 220 of the first sleeve member 210 and slides down to produce a sense of passage and / or sound. Finally, the second end 216 of the spring 208 also partially or completely enters the first sleeve member 210, and the middle section 218 finally laterally supports the inner wall 220 of the first sleeve member 210. In contrast, when the key cap 206 reaches the pressed position, that is, when the reset assembly 110 and the spring 208 return to the extended state, the step feeling and / or sound can be generated again. The principle of generating the two step feelings and two sound is similar to the previous embodiment. As for the related description of other designs of the key switch 200 (such as the outer diameter design of the middle section, the interference structure design, etc.), it can be deduced by referring to the above embodiment and will not be repeated here. Of course, if Figure 5 The stepped structure 36 shown has a design in which the inner diameter gradually expands downward, and can also be used in Figure 8 The first sleeve member 210 is placed on the key switch 200 to generate an additional pressing feel and a friction / knocking sound.

[0076] In summary, since the present invention adopts a design in which a spring with a larger outer diameter in the middle section interferes / disengages from the sleeve, it can provide a neat paragraph feeling and / or sound, replacing the design required by the prior art to add an additional sound-generating elastic part to interfere with the key shaft body, and effectively solves the problems of the prior art such as additional parts cost, time-consuming and labor-intensive assembly, and occupying too much internal space of the key, thereby reducing the parts cost and process cost of the key switch, and facilitating the thinning of the key switch.

[0077] Of course, the present invention may have many other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, technicians familiar with the field may make various corresponding changes and deformations based on the present invention, but these corresponding changes and deformations should all fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. A key switch, characterized in that: The key switch includes: Base plate; a first sleeve member having a first inner diameter; A second sleeve member having a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter so that the second sleeve member is sleeved on the first sleeve member in a relatively movable manner, and one of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is disposed on the bottom plate; and A spring having a first spring end, a second spring end, and an intermediate spring section, wherein the first spring end is inserted into the first sleeve member, the second spring end and the intermediate spring section are inserted into the second sleeve member, the outer diameter of the intermediate spring section is greater than the first inner diameter, and in the process in which the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is pressed at the highest position so that the spring is compressed, the intermediate spring section is squeezed by the inner edge of the first sleeve member and elastically shrinks and deforms to provide a sense of segmentation, and the intermediate spring section interferes with the one of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member to emit a sound; When the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is released at the lowest position, it returns to the highest position upwards by the elastic restoring force provided by the spring, and hits the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member to make a sound.

2. The key switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The key switch also includes a keycap, which is arranged opposite to the base plate, and the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is connected to the keycap; or, the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is abutted against the base plate, or, the other of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member is connected to the base plate.

3. The key switch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The key switch also includes: The lifting mechanism is movably connected to the key cap and the base plate so that the key cap can move up and down relative to the base plate.

4. The key switch according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism is selected from a scissor-leg bracket structure, a bat bracket structure or a butterfly bracket structure.

5. The key switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first interference structure and the second interference structure extend and protrude inward in sequence along the inner edge to form a stepped structure on the inner edge, so that the middle spring section elastically shrinks and deforms when squeezed by the first interference structure to provide a sense of segmentation, and then elastically recovers when crossing the first interference structure to hit the second interference structure and make a sound; or, wherein the outer diameter of the middle spring section is equal to the second inner diameter, during the process of one of the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member being released at the lowest position, the middle spring section elastically recovers when leaving the first sleeve member to hit the second sleeve member and make a sound.

6. A key, characterized in that: The button contains: keycap; A base protrudes toward the keycap to form a first sleeve member, wherein the first sleeve member has a first inner diameter; An upper cover, which is disposed on the base; A second sleeve member, which can movably pass through the upper cover to be connected to the key cap and has a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter so that the second sleeve member is sleeved on the first sleeve member in a relatively movable manner; a switch unit, which is adjacent to the second sleeve member and has a trigger spring arm and a trigger contact, the trigger spring arm and the trigger contact are opposite to each other and are used to electrically connect to the circuit board respectively, and a convex portion is formed on the second sleeve member; and A spring having a first spring end, a second spring end, and an intermediate spring section, wherein the first spring end is inserted into the first sleeve member, the second spring end and the intermediate spring section are inserted into the second sleeve member, the outer diameter of the intermediate spring section is greater than the first inner diameter, and in the process of the second sleeve member being pressed at the highest position through the key cap so that the spring is compressed, the intermediate spring section is squeezed by the inner edge of the first sleeve member and elastically shrinks and deforms to provide a sense of paragraph, and the intermediate spring section interferes with the first sleeve member and emits a sound; When the second sleeve is released at the lowest position, it returns to the highest position due to the elastic restoring force provided by the spring and hits the second sleeve to make a sound; When the second sleeve is located at the highest position, the trigger spring arm and the protrusion generate structural interference and are separated from the trigger contact point; When the second sleeve is pressed to the lowest position, the trigger spring arm is misaligned with the protrusion to trigger the trigger contact.

7. The key according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first interference structure and the second interference structure extend and protrude inward in sequence along the inner edge to form a stepped structure on the inner edge, so that the middle spring section elastically shrinks and deforms when squeezed by the first interference structure to provide a sense of segmentation, and then elastically recovers when passing over the first interference structure to hit the second interference structure and make a sound.

8. The key according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the middle spring section is equal to the second inner diameter. When the second sleeve is released at the lowest position, the middle spring section elastically recovers when leaving the first sleeve to hit the second sleeve and make a sound.

9. A key, characterized in that: The button contains: A base having a first sleeve member protruding therefrom and having a first inner diameter; An upper cover, which is disposed on the base; A keycap extending toward the base to form a second sleeve member, which can movably pass through the upper cover and has a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter so that the second sleeve member can be sleeved on the first sleeve member in a relatively movable manner; as well as A spring having a first spring end, a second spring end, and an intermediate spring section, wherein the first spring end is inserted into the first sleeve member, the second spring end and the intermediate spring section are inserted into the second sleeve member, the outer diameter of the intermediate spring section is greater than the first inner diameter, and in the process of the second sleeve member being pressed at the highest position through the key cap so that the spring is compressed, the intermediate spring section is squeezed by the inner edge of the first sleeve member and elastically shrinks and deforms to provide a sense of paragraph, and the intermediate spring section interferes with the first sleeve member and emits a sound; When the second sleeve is released at the lowest position, it returns to the highest position due to the elastic restoring force provided by the spring and hits the second sleeve to make a sound.

10. The key according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first interference structure and the second interference structure extend and protrude inward in sequence along the inner edge to form a stepped structure on the inner edge, so that the middle spring section elastically shrinks and deforms when squeezed by the first interference structure to provide a sense of segmentation, and then elastically recovers when crossing the first interference structure to hit the second interference structure and make a sound; or, the outer diameter of the middle spring section is equal to the second inner diameter, and when the second sleeve member is released at the lowest position, the middle spring section elastically recovers when leaving the first sleeve member to hit the second sleeve member and make a sound.

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