Keycap and key using this keycap
By setting up plug-in channels and exhaust channels on the convex columns of the keycap, a gap is formed to vent stress, which solves the problem of easy rupture of the keycap plug-in channels, and a stable connection between the keycap and the switch is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202110619661.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-06-03
AI Technical Summary
The keycap plug-in channel of existing mechanical keys is prone to rupture due to stress accumulation after a long period of use, resulting in unstable connection.
A key cap is designed, which when fitting with the open key shaft, by setting a plug-in channel and an exhaust channel on the convex column to form a gap to vent internal stress and avoid cracking of the plug-in channel.
It effectively reduces the internal stress of the convex column, prevents the plug-in channel from rupturing after long-term use, and maintains a stable connection between the key cap and the switch.
Smart Images
Figure CN115440527B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a keycap, and more particularly to a keycap having an exhaust structure. Background Art
[0002] Existing mechanical keys generally include two key components, namely a keycap and a switch. For example, a keycap is tightly fitted with a key shaft on the switch through a socket channel formed on the keycap. In order to maintain a tightly fitted connection between the two, the socket channel and the key shaft have a very close corresponding shape in structure. However, in this tightly fitted state, after long-term use, the socket channel often cracks due to stress accumulation. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the existing design. Summary of the Invention
[0003] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a keycap that can exhaust air during the tight fitting process with the key shaft of the switch, thereby avoiding cracking of the socket channel of the keycap.
[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a key is provided, which includes a switch and a keycap. The switch has a key shaft. The keycap is located above the switch. The keycap has a pressing surface, an inner bottom surface, and a convex column. The pressing surface and the inner bottom surface are oppositely arranged, and the convex column extends downward from the inner bottom surface. The convex column has a socket channel and an exhaust channel. The socket channel is tightly fitted with the key shaft, and a gap is formed between the exhaust channel and the key shaft.
[0005] Preferably, the exhaust channel is expanded outward from the socket channel.
[0006] Preferably, the convex column is a hollow tube, and the cross-section of the hollow tube is a complete and continuous surface without a notch.
[0007] Preferably, the key shaft is a cross shaft, and the socket channel is a cross shaft hole.
[0008] Preferably, the cross shaft hole has a central section and four extending sections, and at least one exhaust channel is connected to the extending section.
[0009] Preferably, the exhaust channel is arranged at a position in the extending section far from the central section.
[0010] Preferably, the key shaft has a resetable elasticity.
[0011] Preferably, the switch includes an elastic element that pushes against the key shaft.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a keycap is provided. The keycap can be assembled with a switch, and the switch has a key shaft. The keycap includes a pressing surface, an inner bottom surface, and a convex column. The pressing surface is disposed opposite to the inner bottom surface. The convex column extends from the inner bottom surface in a direction away from the pressing surface. The convex column has a plugging channel and an exhaust channel. The plugging channel is tightly fitted with the key shaft, and a gap is formed between the exhaust channel and the key shaft.
[0013] Preferably, the exhaust channel is expanded outward from the plugging channel.
[0014] Preferably, the convex column is a hollow tube body, and the cross-section of the hollow tube body is a complete and continuous surface without gaps.
[0015] Preferably, the key shaft is a cross shaft, and the plugging channel is a cross shaft hole.
[0016] Preferably, the cross shaft hole has a central section and four extending sections, and the extending sections are connected to at least one exhaust channel.
[0017] Preferably, the exhaust channel is disposed at a position in the extending section away from the central section.
[0018] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that when the plugging channel is tightly fitted with the key shaft, a gap is formed between the exhaust channel and the key shaft, so that the air inside the convex column can be vented outward, reducing the stress inside the convex column. Description of the Drawings
[0019] Figure 1 A perspective view of a key according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 2 For Figure 1 The exploded view of the key shown.
[0021] Figure 3 For Figure 1 Another exploded view of the key shown.
[0022] Figure 4 For Figure 1 The partial perspective view of the key in.
[0023] Figure 5 For Figure 1 The top view of the key obtained along the 5-5 section line in.
[0024] Figure 6 For Figure 2 The top view of the keycap obtained along the 6-6 section line in.
[0025] The reference numerals are as follows:
[0026] 1: Key
[0027] 2: Keycap
[0028] 21: Pressing surface
[0029] 22: Inner bottom surface
[0030] 23: Convex post
[0031] 231: Insertion slot
[0032] 2311: Central section
[0033] 2312: Extension section
[0034] 232: Exhaust slot
[0035] 233: Gap
[0036] 234: Inner edge
[0037] 235: Tube wall
[0038] 3: Switch
[0039] 31: Key shaft Detailed implementation manners
[0040] Embodiments are provided below for detailed description. The embodiments are only used as examples for illustration and will not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, unnecessary elements or elements that can be completed by ordinary techniques in the accompanying drawings of the embodiments are omitted to clearly show the technical features of the present invention.
[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a keycap and a key using this keycap are provided. Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 , where Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of the key, Figure 2 is an exploded view of the key, and Figure 3 is another exploded view of the key. The key 1 includes a keycap 2 and a switch 3. The switch 3 is mainly used to generate a pressing signal after being triggered and can be installed on a corresponding substrate such as a circuit board to transmit the pressing signal. The switch 3 used in this embodiment is a mechanical switch and has a key shaft 31. An elastic element (not shown in the figure) can be provided in the switch 3 to push against the key shaft 31 so that the key shaft 31 has a resetable elasticity.
[0042] In Figure 2 the exploded view of the key shown, the keycap 2 is located above the switch 3. The keycap 2 has a pressing surface 21, an inner bottom surface 22, and a convex post 23. The pressing surface 21 and the inner bottom surface 22 are oppositely arranged. The convex post 23 extends downward from the inner bottom surface 22 or extends away from the pressing surface 21.
[0043] Please refer to Figure 2, Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , where Figure 4 is Figure 1 a partial perspective view of button 1 in Figure 5 is Figure 1 a top view of the interior of button 1 obtained along the 5-5 section line in Figure 4 and Figure 5 one can understand the structure when the boss 23 of keycap 2 and the key shaft 31 of switch 3 are assembled together. And Figure 6 is Figure 2 a top view of keycap 2 obtained along the 6-6 section line in Figure 5 and Figure 6 From the cross-section of the boss 23 shown, the exhaust channel 232 is formed by expanding or pushing outwards from the insertion channel 231. During the assembly of keycap 2 and switch 3, the insertion channel 231 will be tightly fitted with the key shaft 31, and a gap 233 (or space) will be formed between the exhaust channel 232 and the key shaft 31. This gap 233 can be used for exhausting air during the tight fitting process, and at the same time relieve the stress inside the boss 23. Also, it can prevent the insertion channel 231 from cracking after long-term tight fitting with the key shaft 31.
[0044] In the button 1 provided in this embodiment, the key shaft 31 of the switch 3 uses a cross shaft, and the boss of the keycap 2 correspondingly forms an insertion channel 231 with a cross shaft hole. This cross shaft hole has a central section 2311 and four extension sections 2312. The extension sections 2312 extend outwards from the central section 2311, and at least one exhaust channel 232 is provided in the extension sections 2312. From Figure 5 it can be observed that when the insertion channel 231 is tightly fitted with the key shaft 31, a gap 233 will be formed between the exhaust channel 232 and the key shaft 31, so that the air inside the boss 23 can be vented outwards, reducing the stress inside the boss 23. And even after long-term tight fitting of the insertion channel 231 and the key shaft 31, the insertion channel 231 is not easily cracked.
[0045] In the first embodiment according to the present invention above, the key shaft 31 is a cross shaft and the insertion channel 231 is a cross shaft hole as an example. In other embodiments according to the present invention, the key shaft 31 and the insertion channel 231 can also adopt other corresponding or complementary shapes, as long as there is no relative movement or rotation after tight fitting, they can all be specifically implemented under the concept of the present invention.
[0046] Please refer toFigure 5 and Figure 6 In the keycap 2 provided in this embodiment, the exhaust channel 232 is disposed at a position in the extension section 2312 away from the central section 2311. The purpose is to prevent the existence of the exhaust channel 232 from affecting the tight-fitting process between the insertion channel 231 and the key shaft 31. In other words, one of the rules for setting the exhaust channel 232 in this embodiment is to avoid relative movement or rotation between the insertion channel 231 and the key shaft 31 after tight fitting.
[0047] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 In this embodiment, the boss 23 provided on the keycap 2 is a hollow tube. The inner edge 234 of the hollow tube is the insertion channel 231 and the exhaust channel 232, and the cross-section of this hollow tube is a complete and continuous surface without gaps. In other words, the insertion channel 231 and the exhaust channel 232 do not form breaks in the tube wall 235 of the hollow tube. This also helps to maintain the structural strength of the boss 23.
[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, any equivalent changes or modifications made without departing from the spirit disclosed by the present invention should be included in the inventive concept of the present invention.
Claims
1. A key, comprising: A switch having a key shaft; And A keycap located above the switch. The keycap has a pressing surface, an inner bottom surface, and a convex column. The pressing surface and the inner bottom surface are oppositely arranged. The convex column extends downward from the inner bottom surface. The convex column has a plugging channel and an exhaust channel. The plugging channel is tightly fitted with the key shaft, and a gap is formed between the exhaust channel and the key shaft. Wherein, the key shaft is a cross shaft, the plugging channel is a cross shaft hole, the cross shaft hole has a central section and four extending sections, the extending section is connected to at least one of the exhaust channels, and the exhaust channel is arranged at a position away from the central section in the extending section.
2. The key according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust channel is expanded outward from the plugging channel.
3. The key according to claim 1, wherein the convex column is a hollow tube body, and the cross section of the hollow tube body is a complete and non-notch continuous surface.
4. The key according to claim 1, wherein the key shaft has a resetable elasticity.
5. The key according to claim 4, wherein the switch includes an elastic element pushing against the key shaft.
6. A keycap that can be assembled with a switch. The switch has a key shaft. The keycap includes: A pressing surface; An inner bottom surface, the pressing surface and the inner bottom surface are oppositely arranged; And A convex column extending from the inner bottom surface in a direction away from the pressing surface. The convex column has a plugging channel and an exhaust channel. The plugging channel is tightly fitted with the key shaft, and a gap is formed between the exhaust channel and the key shaft. Wherein, the key shaft is a cross shaft, the plugging channel is a cross shaft hole, the cross shaft hole has a central section and four extending sections, the extending section is connected to at least one of the exhaust channels, and the exhaust channel is arranged at a position away from the central section in the extending section.
7. The keycap according to claim 6, wherein the exhaust channel is expanded outward from the plugging channel.
8. The keycap according to claim 6, wherein the convex column is a hollow tube body, and the cross section of the hollow tube body is a complete and non-notch continuous surface.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
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CN203690175U