Key structure

Abstract

A key structure includes a base plate, at least one key cap and a membrane circuit board. The base plate has at least one elastic protrusion. The key cap is connected to the base plate in a liftable manner and has a pressing portion and at least one triggering portion. The pressing portion is located in a central region of the key cap and faces the elastic protrusion, and the triggering portion is located in a peripheral region of the key cap. When the key cap is lowered from a first position to a second position relative to the base plate, the pressing portion presses the elastic protrusion. The key cap is adapted to be reset from the second position to the first position by the elastic force of the elastic protrusion. The membrane circuit board is arranged on the base plate between the base plate and the key cap. The membrane circuit board has at least one electrical triggering point, and the triggering portion faces the electrical triggering point. When the key cap is in the second position, the triggering portion triggers the electrical triggering point.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Personal electronic devices such as laptops are becoming increasingly thinner and lighter, making them easier for consumers to carry and use. In laptop keyboards, the key mechanism often includes a scissor-switch mechanism to allow the keycaps to rise and fall. However, this scissor-switch mechanism increases the thickness of the keyboard module, contradicting the trend towards thinner laptop designs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a button structure with a small thickness.

[0004] The key structure of the present invention includes a base plate, at least one keycap, and a membrane circuit board. The base plate has at least one elastic protrusion. The keycap is vertically connected to the base plate and has a pressing portion and at least one trigger portion. The pressing portion is located in the central region of the keycap and faces the elastic protrusion, while the trigger portion is located in the peripheral region of the keycap. When the keycap descends relative to the base plate from a first position to a second position, the pressing portion presses down on the elastic protrusion. The keycap is adapted to be reset from the second position to the first position by the elastic force of the elastic protrusion. The membrane circuit board is disposed on the base plate and located between the base plate and the keycap. The membrane circuit board has at least one electrical trigger point, with the trigger portion facing the electrical trigger point. When the keycap is in the second position, the trigger portion triggers the electrical trigger point.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, the base plate has a plurality of holes, and the portion of the base plate between these holes forms an elastic protrusion.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic protrusion has a protruding point that contacts the pressing part.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the base plate has at least one first sliding portion and the keycap has at least one second sliding portion. The first sliding portion and the second sliding portion slide relative to each other. When the keycap moves up and down relative to the base plate, the first sliding portion and the second sliding portion slide relative to each other.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second sliding part has a sliding groove, and one end of the first sliding part is confined within the sliding groove. When the keycap moves up and down relative to the base plate, the end slides within the sliding groove.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned groove has an opening facing the base plate, and the outer diameter of the end is larger than the inner diameter of the opening.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first sliding part has a slot and the second sliding part has a hook. The hook is engaged in the slot. When the keycap moves up and down relative to the base plate, the hook moves in the slot.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first sliding portion is formed by bending a portion of the base plate.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned thin-film circuit board has an opening, through which a first sliding portion extends toward the keycap.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned thin-film circuit board has an opening, and an elastic protrusion protrudes through the opening toward the keycap.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the keycap has an annular flange that extends along the periphery of the keycap, and the trigger portion is at least one protrusion formed on the annular flange.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple trigger parts, which are located at multiple corners of the keycap.

[0016] Based on the above, in the key structure of the present invention, the base plate itself has an elastic protrusion corresponding to the keycap. The elastic protrusion can provide the user with a tactile feel when pressing the keycap by means of its elastic force and elastic deformation capability, and allow the keycap to return to its original position by the support of the elastic protrusion after being pressed down. In this way, it is not necessary to configure a scissor mechanism under the keycap as in conventional designs, and the overall thickness of the key structure can be effectively reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a button structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the button structure;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the button structure;

[0020] Figure 4 Draw Figure 3 The keycaps were pressed;

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the button structure;

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the keycaps;

[0023] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a partially enlarged view of the button structure in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the button structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A magnified view of a portion of the button structure;

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 A 3D view of the keycaps;

[0027] Figure 12 Draw Figure 10 The keycaps are tilted;

[0028] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A magnified view of a portion of the button structure;

[0029] Figure 14 This is an exploded view of the button structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] [Symbol Explanation]

[0031] 100, 100A: Button Structure

[0032] 110: Base Plate

[0033] 110a: Perforation

[0034] 112: Elastic protrusion

[0035] 1121: Highlights

[0036] 114, 114': First sliding section

[0037] 1141, 1141A, 1141B: Terminal

[0038] 1141C: Slotting

[0039] 120: Keycaps

[0040] 1201: Annular flange

[0041] 122: Pressing part

[0042] 124: Trigger Section

[0043] 126, 126': Second sliding section

[0044] 126a: Slide

[0045] 126b: Open

[0046] 126c: Hook

[0047] 130: Thin Film Circuit Board

[0048] 130a: Opening

[0049] 132: Electrical trigger point

[0050] D: Direction

[0051] E: chimeric amount Detailed Implementation

[0052] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a button structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the button structure. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the button structure, which corresponds to Figure 1 Line II. Please refer to... Figures 1 to 3 The key structure 100 of this embodiment includes a base plate 110, at least one keycap 120 (shown as one), and a thin-film circuit board 130. The base plate 110 has at least one elastic protrusion 112 (shown as one). The keycap 120 extends along a direction D perpendicular to the base plate 110 (indicated by...). Figure 3 The keycap 120 is height-adjustable to the base plate 110 and has a pressing part 122 and at least one trigger part 124 (shown as multiple). The pressing part 122 is located in the central region of the keycap 120 and faces the elastic protrusion 112, while the trigger part 124 is located in the peripheral region of the keycap 120.

[0053] A membrane circuit board 130 is disposed on a base plate 110 and located between the base plate 110 and the keycap 120. The membrane circuit board 130 has an opening 130a, through which a resilient protrusion 112 of the base plate 110 protrudes toward the keycap 120. The membrane circuit board 130 has at least one electrical trigger point 132, and the trigger portion 124 of the keycap 120 faces the electrical trigger point 132 of the membrane circuit board 130. Figure 3 In the diagram, the electrical trigger point 132 is illustrated schematically. The electrical trigger point 132 may actually comprise an electrical pad formed on the surface and / or inner layer of the thin-film circuit board 130. In other embodiments, the number of keycaps 120 may be multiple, and the number of elastic protrusions 112 may also be multiple, with the area of ​​the base plate 110 and the area of ​​the thin-film circuit board 130 correspondingly increased. This invention does not limit the scope of the invention.

[0054] Figure 4 Draw Figure 3 The keycap is pressed. When the user presses the keycap 120, it is positioned relative to the base plate 110 from... Figure 1 The first position shown has dropped to Figure 2In the second position shown, the pressing portion 122 of the keycap 120 presses down on the elastic protrusion 112 of the base plate 110, and the trigger portion 124 of the keycap 120 triggers the electrical trigger point 132 of the membrane circuit board 130. When the user stops pressing the keycap 120, the keycap 120 is released from the elastic force of the elastic protrusion 112. Figure 4 The second position shown is reset to Figure 1 The first position shown.

[0055] With the above configuration, the elastic protrusion 112 of the base plate 110 provides a tactile feel when the user presses the keycap 120 using its elastic force and elastic deformation capability, and allows the keycap 120 to return to its original position after being pressed down by the support of the elastic protrusion 112. This eliminates the need for other connecting components such as scissor mechanisms below the keycap 120, as is common in conventional designs, effectively reducing the overall thickness of the key structure 100. Since the elastic protrusion 112 is formed below the central area of ​​the keycap 120, the signal trigger position (i.e., the electrical trigger point 132) is not located below the central area of ​​the keycap 120, but rather below the peripheral area, thereby avoiding the overlap between the elastic protrusion 112 and the signal trigger position, which would make configuration difficult.

[0056] In this embodiment, the base plate 110 is, for example, a metal plate and has multiple perforations 110a. The portion of the base plate 110 between these perforations 110a constitutes an elastic protrusion 112. Through the formation of these perforations 110a, the elastic protrusion 112 can have sufficient elastic deformation capacity. Furthermore, the elastic protrusion 112 in this embodiment has a protruding point 1121, which is used to contact the pressing portion 122 of the keycap 120, making the contact force between the elastic protrusion 112 and the pressing portion 122 more concentrated.

[0057] The following details the connection between the keycaps and the base plate in this embodiment. Please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the base plate 110 has at least one first sliding portion 114 (shown as multiple), and the keycap 120 has at least one second sliding portion 126 (shown as multiple). The first sliding portion 114 extends through the opening 130a of the thin-film circuit board 130 toward the keycap 120, and the structures of the first sliding portion 114 and the second sliding portion 126 can be matched and slid together. When the keycap 120 moves up and down relative to the base plate 110, the first sliding portion 114 and the second sliding portion 126 slide up and down relative to each other. In this embodiment, the first sliding portion 114 is formed, for example, by bending a partial structure of the base plate 110 upwards, and the second sliding portion 126 is integrally formed with the keycap 120 by injection molding or other means.

[0058] In this embodiment, the base plate 110 and its elastic protrusion 112, along with the first sliding portion 114, are integrally formed by stamping a metal sheet. The elastic protrusion 112 is stamped into a collapsible dome shape and supported by the surrounding material of the base plate 110. When the elastic protrusion 112 is subjected to external force and pressed down, the elastic protrusion 112... Figures 3 to 4 As shown, the elastic protrusion 112 collapses downward relative to the surrounding base plate 110 material, and when the external force is no longer applied to the elastic protrusion 112, the elastic protrusion 112... Figures 4 to 3 As shown, it springs back to its original position. In addition, the first sliding part 114 is stamped into the form of an upwardly folded wall and its end 1141 is rolled downward to have a large outer diameter, so as to cooperate with the second sliding part 126.

[0059] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the button structure. Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A 3D diagram of the keycaps. Please refer to it. Figure 5 and Figure 6 More specifically, in this embodiment, the second sliding portion 126 is manufactured together with the keycap 120 body, for example, by injection molding. It protrudes from the bottom surface of the keycap 120 body and has a groove 126a. The groove 126a is, for example, teardrop-shaped and has an opening 126b facing the base plate 110 (marked in...). Figure 5 The end 1141 of the first sliding portion 114 is located in the slide groove 126a, and the outer diameter of the end 1141 is larger than the inner diameter of the opening 126b, so that the end 1141 of the first sliding portion 114 is confined within the slide groove 126a. When the keycap 120 is raised or lowered relative to the base plate 110, the end 1141 of the first sliding portion 114 slides within the slide groove 126a.

[0060] In this embodiment, the number of first sliding portions 114 is as follows: Figure 2 Two are shown; the number of the second sliding section 126 is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, there are four, with every two second sliding portions 126 corresponding to one first sliding portion 114. In other embodiments, the first sliding portions 114 and the second sliding portions 126 may have other suitable numbers and correspondences, and the present invention does not limit them.

[0061] The keycap 120 of this embodiment has an annular flange 1201 extending along the periphery of the keycap 120. The trigger portion 124 is a protrusion formed on the annular flange 1201 and is located at multiple corners of the keycap 120. Therefore, even if the user presses the keycap 120 with uneven force, as long as any protrusion (trigger portion 124) can contact the corresponding electrical trigger point 132, the triggering effect can be successfully achieved. In this embodiment, the multiple electrical trigger points 132 in the thin-film circuit board 130 are, for example, electrically connected to each other. In other embodiments, the number and position of the trigger portions can be changed according to design requirements, and the present invention does not limit this.

[0062] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a partially enlarged view of the button structure in another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 , Figure 8 The illustrated embodiments and Figure 5 The difference in the illustrated embodiment is that, Figure 5 The end portion 1141 of the first sliding part 114 has an arc-shaped cross-sectional profile, forming a structure similar to a shaft. Figure 7 The cross-sectional profile of the end 1141A of the first sliding part 114 is relatively flat. Figure 8 The cross-sectional profile of the end 1141B of the first sliding portion 114 is approximately square. In other embodiments, the end 1141 of the first sliding portion 114 may have other cross-sectional profiles, as long as they meet the requirement that the ends 1141A and 1141B of the first sliding portion 114 are located in the groove 126a and the outer diameter of the ends 1141A and 1141B is larger than the inner diameter of the opening 126b, so that the ends 1141A and 1141B of the first sliding portion 114 are confined within the groove 126a. The present invention does not limit this.

[0063] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the button structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A magnified view of a portion of the button structure. Figure 11 yes Figure 9 A 3D view of the keycaps. Figures 9 to 11 The difference between the illustrated embodiment and the aforementioned embodiments lies in that, Figures 9 to 11 In the illustrated embodiment, the first sliding portion 114' has a slot 1141C, and the second sliding portion 126' has a hook 126c, which is engaged within the slot 1141C. When the keycap 120 rises or falls relative to the base plate 110, the hook 126c moves within the slot 1141C. In other embodiments, the first and second sliding portions may have other forms of mutually sliding structures, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0064] Figure 12Draw Figure 10 The keycaps are tilted. Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A partial enlarged view of the key structure. In this embodiment, when the keycap 120 is pressed down, the latch 126c moves downward accordingly. If the user presses the edge or corner of the keycap 120, causing the keycap 120 to... Figure 12 If tilted as shown, hook 126c will... Figure 13 As shown, it tilts accordingly. To avoid the 126c hook from... Figure 13 In the tilted state shown, the hook 126c disengages from the slot 1141C of the first sliding part 114'. The hook 126c needs to have sufficient extension length to allow for a sufficient engagement amount E with the slot 1141C of the first sliding part 114'. With sufficient engagement amount E, the hook 126c will not disengage from the first sliding part 114' of the base plate 110 at its maximum tilt angle.

[0065] Figure 14 This is an exploded view of the button structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 The illustrated embodiments and Figure 2 The difference in the illustrated embodiment is that, Figure 14 In the button structure 100A, the base plate 110 does not have a button around the elastic protrusion 112. Figure 2 The hole 110a is shown. In this design, when the elastic protrusion 112 is subjected to external force and pressed down, the elastic protrusion 112 can still have a certain degree of elastic deformation ability and collapse downward relative to the surrounding base plate 110 material. When the external force is no longer applied to the elastic protrusion 112, the elastic protrusion 112 can bounce back to its original position by means of its elastic deformation ability.

[0066] In summary, in the key structure of the present invention, the base plate itself has an elastic protrusion corresponding to the keycap. The elastic protrusion provides the user with a tactile feel when pressing the keycap through its elastic force and elastic deformation capability, and allows the keycap to return to its original position after being pressed down by the support of the elastic protrusion. Therefore, it is unnecessary to configure a scissor mechanism under the keycap as in conventional designs, thus effectively reducing the overall thickness of the key structure. Furthermore, since the elastic protrusion is formed below the central area of ​​the keycap, the signal triggering position (i.e., the electrical trigger point) is not located below the central area of ​​the keycap, but rather below the peripheral area of ​​the keycap, thereby avoiding the overlap between the elastic protrusion and the signal triggering position, which would make configuration difficult.

Claims

1. A button structure, characterized in that, include: A base plate having at least one elastic protrusion; At least one keycap is vertically and retractably connected to the base plate and has a pressing portion and at least one trigger portion, wherein the pressing portion is located in the central region of the keycap and faces the at least one elastic protrusion, and the at least one trigger portion is located in the peripheral region of the keycap. When the keycap descends from a first position to a second position relative to the base plate, the pressing portion presses down on the at least one elastic protrusion, and the keycap is adapted to be reset from the second position to the first position by the elastic force of the at least one elastic protrusion. A thin-film circuit board is disposed on the base plate and located between the base plate and the at least one keycap, wherein the thin-film circuit board has at least one electrical trigger point, the trigger portion faces the at least one electrical trigger point, and when the keycap is in the second position, the at least one trigger portion triggers the at least one electrical trigger point; The base plate and the elastic protrusion are integrally formed by stamping.

2. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate has multiple holes, and the portion of the base plate between the holes forms the at least one elastic protrusion.

3. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the elastic protrusions has a protrusion that contacts the pressing part.

4. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate has at least one first sliding portion, and the at least one keycap has at least one second sliding portion. The at least one first sliding portion and the at least one second sliding portion slide relative to each other. When the at least one keycap moves up or down relative to the base plate, the at least one first sliding portion and the at least one second sliding portion slide relative to each other.

5. The button structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The at least one second sliding part has a sliding groove, and one end of the at least one first sliding part is confined within the sliding groove. When the at least one keycap is raised or lowered relative to the base plate, the end slides within the sliding groove.

6. The button structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The at least one groove has an opening facing the base plate, and the outer diameter of the end is larger than the inner diameter of the opening.

7. The button structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The at least one first sliding part has a slot, and the at least one second sliding part has a hook that is engaged in the slot. When the at least one keycap is raised or lowered relative to the base plate, the hook moves in the slot.

8. The button structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The at least one first sliding part is formed by bending a local structure of the base plate.

9. The button structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The thin-film circuit board has an opening through which at least one first sliding portion extends toward the at least one keycap.

10. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thin-film circuit board has an opening, through which at least one elastic protrusion protrudes toward at least one keycap.

11. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one keycap has an annular flange that extends along the periphery of the at least one keycap, and the at least one trigger portion is at least one protrusion formed on the annular flange.

12. The button structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the at least one trigger part is multiple, and these trigger parts are located at multiple corner positions of the at least one keycap.

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