Low-stroke word key linkage device

Abstract

A low-stroke word key linkage device comprises a substrate unit, a frame unit and a key cap. The substrate unit comprises a plate body, a first stop group and a second stop group. The frame unit comprises a first frame and a second frame. The first frame piece is provided with two first supporting arms and a first body. Each first support arm is provided with a first end part and a first arm part; the second frame piece comprises two second supporting arms and a second body. Each second support arm is provided with a second end part pivoted with the corresponding first end part and a second arm part; the key cap is pivoted with the first body and the second body. When the key cap moves from a non-pressing position to a pressing position, the first body abuts against the first stop group and moves straightly towards the plate body, and the second body abuts against the second stop group and moves straightly towards the plate body. Therefore, the actuating stability of the frame unit is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a word key linkage device, in particular to a low-stroke word key linkage device. Background Art

[0002] A conventional key device as disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. M594794U includes a base, a key cap disposed above the base, and a pressing balance assembly disposed between the base and the key cap. The pressing balance assembly includes a first balance frame coupled between the base and the key cap, a second balance frame coupled between the base and the key cap and spaced apart from the first balance frame in a horizontal direction, and a tension spring connected between the first balance frame and the second balance frame.

[0003] The base has a base plate and two mounting arms extending upward from two sides of the base plate. Each mounting arm has two insertion holes.

[0004] The first balancing frame comprises a first crossbar pivotally connected to the keycap, two first longitudinal bars connected to two opposite sides of the first crossbar, and two first plug-in blocks respectively protruding from the first longitudinal bar. The second balancing frame comprises a second crossbar pivotally connected to the keycap, two second longitudinal bars connected to two opposite sides of the second crossbar, and two second plug-in blocks respectively protruding from the second longitudinal bar. Each first plug-in block and the corresponding second plug-in block are rotatably inserted into the corresponding insertion holes of the mounting arms. When the keycap is pressed, the first balancing frame and the second balancing frame swing up and down respectively to obtain a pressing balance.

[0005] When the keycap is pressed and drives the first balance frame and the second balance frame, since the first plug-in block of the first balance frame cannot move relative to the plug-in hole, the first crossbar of the first balance frame will move down along an arc around an axis passing through the first plug-in block. Similarly, the second crossbar of the second balance frame will also move down along an arc around an axis passing through the second plug-in block. This will cause the first crossbar and the second crossbar to move away from each other in the horizontal direction and produce a slight displacement when the keycap moves downward, thereby causing the keycap to shake slightly in the horizontal direction. When the corner of the keycap is pressed, the shaking caused by the downward movement of the keycap will be greater, resulting in the disadvantages of unsmooth pressing and poor stability. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a low-stroke key linkage device which can improve at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0007] The low-travel key linkage device of the present invention comprises a substrate unit, a frame unit, and a keycap. The substrate unit comprises a plate body, a first stopper group extending upward from the plate body, and a second stopper group extending upward from the plate body and spaced apart from the first stopper group along the left-right direction. The frame unit is located between the first stopper group and the second stopper group and comprises a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member comprises two first arms spaced apart along a front-to-back direction perpendicular to the left-to-right direction, and a first body connected between the first arms and adjacent to the first stopper group. Each of the first arms comprises a first end, and a first arm portion connected between the first end and the first body and movably mounted on the plate body along the left-to-right direction. The second frame member comprises two second arms spaced apart along the front-to-back direction, and a second body connected between the second arms and adjacent to the second stopper group. Each of the second arms comprises a second end pivotally connected to the first end corresponding to each other, and a second arm portion connected between the second end and the second body and movably mounted on the plate body along the left-to-right direction. The keycap is pivotally connected to the first body and the second body. When the keycap moves from a non-pressing position away from the board to a pressing position adjacent to the board, the first body abuts against the first stop group and moves straight toward the board, and the second body abuts against the second stop group and moves straight toward the board. When the keycap is in the pressing position, the first body abuts against the first stop group and is adjacent to the board, and the second body abuts against the second stop group and is adjacent to the board.

[0008] The low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention, the first stop group has two first stop walls that are spaced apart from each other along the front-to-back direction and extend upward from the plate body and abut against the first body, and the second stop group has two second stop walls that are spaced apart from each other along the front-to-back direction and extend upward from the plate body and abut against the second body.

[0009] The low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention, the first frame member also has two first latches arranged on two opposite sides of the first body along the front-to-back direction, the second frame member also has two second latches arranged on two opposite sides of the second body along the front-to-back direction, each of the first latches is a cylinder, each of the second latches is a cylinder, the keycap includes a cap cover, two first clamping parts arranged on the cap cover, and two second clamping parts arranged on the cap cover, each of the first clamping parts has a first clamping groove for rotatably clamping the corresponding first clamping pin, the cross-section of each of the first clamping groove is a circle with a shape matching the corresponding first clamping pin, so that each of the first clamping pin cannot move relative to the corresponding first clamping part in the left-right direction, each of the second clamping part has a second clamping groove for rotatably clamping the corresponding second clamping pin, the cross-section of each of the second clamping groove is a circle with a shape matching the corresponding second clamping pin, so that each of the second clamping pin cannot move relative to the corresponding second clamping part in the left-right direction.

[0010] The low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention also includes a first pivot unit, which includes two first pivot grooves respectively formed at the first end parts, and two first protruding pins respectively arranged at the second end parts and respectively rotatably clamped in the first pivot grooves. Each of the first pivot grooves is jointly defined by a first upper surface and a first lower surface located below the first upper surface. When the key cap is located in the non-pressing position, each of the first protruding pins presses downward against a side of the first lower surface away from the first body and is spaced from the first upper surface. When the key cap is located in the pressing position, each of the first protruding pins presses upward against a side of the first upper surface adjacent to the first body and is spaced from the side of the first lower surface away from the first body.

[0011] In the low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention, each of the first upper surfaces is planar, and each of the first lower surfaces is concave arc-shaped.

[0012] In the low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention, each of the first convex pins is a semi-cylinder, each of the first convex pins has a first arc surface facing the first corresponding lower surface, and a first plane facing the first corresponding upper surface. When the keycap is located in the non-pressing position, each of the first arc surfaces abuts against the first corresponding lower surface. When the keycap moves from the non-pressing position to the pressing position, each of the first arc surfaces slides along the first corresponding lower surface toward the first body. When the keycap is located in the pressing position, each of the first planes fits against the first corresponding upper surface, and each of the first arc surfaces abuts against one side of the first corresponding lower surface adjacent to the first body.

[0013] The low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention also includes a second pivot unit, each of the second pivot units includes two second pivot grooves respectively formed at the second end portions, and two second convex pins respectively arranged at the first end portions and respectively rotatably clamped in the second pivot grooves, each of the second pivot grooves is jointly defined by a second upper surface and a second lower surface located below the second upper surface, each of the first pivot grooves is located between the respective corresponding second convex pin and the first body, and each of the second pivot grooves is located between the respective corresponding first convex pin and the second body, when the key cap is located in the non-pressing position, each of the second convex pins press downward against a side of the respective corresponding second lower surface away from the second body and is spaced from the respective corresponding second upper surface, and when the key cap is located in the pressing position, each of the second convex pins press upward against a side of the respective corresponding second upper surface adjacent to the second body and is spaced from a side of the respective corresponding second lower surface away from the second body.

[0014] The low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention, the base plate unit also includes two limit groups arranged on the plate body at intervals along the front-to-back direction and located between the first stop group and the second stop group, each of the limit groups has a first limit portion protruding from the plate body, and a second limit portion protruding from the plate body at intervals along the left-right direction and defining a groove together with the first limit portion, the first frame member also has two first clamping blocks respectively connected to the first arm portions and respectively movably clamped in the groove along the left-right direction, and the second frame member also has two first clamping blocks respectively connected to the second arm portions And the second clamping blocks are respectively movably arranged in the groove along the left and right directions. When the keycap is located in the non-pressing position, the first clamping blocks respectively abut against the first limiting part, and the second clamping blocks respectively abut against the second limiting part. Each of the first clamping blocks and the corresponding second clamping blocks define a first width. When the keycap is located in the pressing position, each of the first clamping blocks is spaced from the corresponding first limiting part, and each of the second clamping blocks is spaced from the corresponding second limiting part. Each of the first clamping blocks and the corresponding second clamping blocks define a second width smaller than the first width.

[0015] The low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention, each of the limit groups also has a third limit portion protruding from the plate body, the third limit portions are located between the grooves at intervals from each other along the front-to-back direction, the first frame member also has two first protrusions respectively arranged at the first end portion, each of the first protrusions is located on the side opposite to the respective corresponding first blocking block and between the respective corresponding third limit portion and the second stop group, when the key cap is located in the non-pressing position, the first protrusions respectively abut against the third limit portion in the direction of the first body, and when the key cap is located in the pressing position, the first protrusions respectively move away from the third limit portion.

[0016] The low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention, each of the limit groups also has a fourth limit portion protruding from the plate body and located in the corresponding groove, the second frame member also has two second protrusions respectively arranged at the second end, each of the second protrusions is located on the same side as the corresponding second block and between the corresponding fourth limit portion and the corresponding first limit portion, when the keycap is located in the non-pressing position, the second protrusions respectively abut against the fourth limit portion in the direction of the second body, and when the keycap is located in the pressing position, the second protrusions are respectively away from the fourth limit portion.

[0017] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the first stop group abuts against the first body, and the second stop group abuts against the second body, so that when the keycap is pressed or released, the first body and the second body can keep moving straight up and down, thereby improving the stability of the frame unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of an embodiment of a low-stroke key linkage device of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a key cap of the embodiment being located in a non-pressed position relative to a plate body of a base unit;

[0021] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional combined diagram of the substrate unit and a frame unit of the embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5 is a perspective exploded view of the frame unit of the embodiment;

[0023] Figure 6 is a perspective exploded view of the frame unit of the embodiment viewed from another angle;

[0024] Figure 7 is along Figure 3 An incomplete cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII;

[0025] Figure 8 is along Figure 7 An incomplete cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII;

[0026] Fig. 9 is along Figure 7 An incomplete cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX;

[0027] Fig.10 is along Figure 7 An incomplete cross-sectional view obtained by line XX in;

[0028] Fig.11A yes Figure 8 An incomplete enlarged cross-sectional view of

[0029] Fig. 11B is a similar Fig.11A sectional view illustrating that the key cap moves from the non-pressed position to the pressed position;

[0030] Fig. 11C is a similar Fig. 11Bsectional view of the key cap, indicating that the key cap is located at the pressing position;

[0031] Fig. 12A yes Fig. 9 An incomplete enlarged cross-sectional view of

[0032] Fig. 12B is a similar Fig. 12A sectional view showing the keycap moving from the non-pressed position to the pressed position adjacent to the plate;

[0033] Fig. 12C is a similar Fig. 12B sectional view of the key cap, indicating that the key cap is located at the pressing position;

[0034] Fig.13 is along Figure 7 An incomplete enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII;

[0035] Fig.14 is similar Fig.10 , but the keycap is located at the pressing position;

[0036] Fig.15 is similar Fig.13 A cross-sectional view of the key cap, but the key cap is in the pressed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that the relative position terms used in the following description, for example, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up", and "down", are based on the orientation shown in the figures and the normal usage orientation.

[0038] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of the low-travel key linkage device of the present invention includes a substrate unit 1, a driving unit 2, a frame unit 3, a first pivot unit 4, a second pivot unit 5, a key frame 6, and a key cap 7.

[0039] The base plate unit 1 includes a plate body 11, a first stopper group 12 extending upward from the plate body 11, a second stopper group 13 extending upward from the plate body 11 and spaced apart from the first stopper group 12 along a left-right direction D1, and two limiter groups 14 spaced apart from each other on the plate body 11 along a front-back direction D2 perpendicular to the left-right direction D1. The limiter group 14 is located between the first stopper group 12 and the second stopper group 13 along the left-right direction D1.

[0040] The first stopper set 12 has two first stopper walls 121 extending upward from the plate body 11 at intervals along the front-rear direction D2. The second stopper set 13 has two second stopper walls 131 extending upward from the plate body 11 at intervals along the front-rear direction D2.

[0041] Each of the limiting groups 14 has a first limiting portion 141 , a second limiting portion 142 , a third limiting portion 143 , and a fourth limiting portion 144 protruding from the plate body 11 .

[0042] Each first limiting portion 141 and the corresponding second limiting portion 142 are spaced apart along the left-right direction D1 and define a groove 145 together. The third limiting portions 143 are spaced apart from each other along the front-back direction D2 and are located between the grooves 145. The fourth limiting portions 144 are located in the grooves 145 respectively.

[0043] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 The driving unit 2 includes a thin film circuit board 21 which is hollowed out and disposed on the plate body 11, and an elastic body 22 disposed between the thin film circuit board 21 and the key cap 7. The thin film circuit board 21 is composed of a plurality of stacked base layers 211. The first stop group 12, the second stop group 13, and the limit group 14 pass upward through the hollowed-out portion of the thin film circuit board 21.

[0044] See also Figures 4 to 6 The frame unit 3 is located between the first stop group 12 and the second stop group 13 and includes a first frame 31 and a second frame 32 .

[0045] The first frame member 31 has two first arms 311 , a first body 312 , two first blocks 313 , two first protrusions 314 , and two first latches 315 .

[0046] The first arms 311 are spaced apart along the front-to-back direction D2. Each of the first arms 311 has a first end 316 and a first arm 317 connected between the first end 316 and the first body 312. The first body 312 is connected between the first arms 317 and abuts against the first retaining wall 121. The first clamping blocks 313 are respectively connected to the first arms 317 and are respectively movably clamped in the grooves 145 along the left-right direction D1. The first protrusions 314 are respectively connected to the first end 316. Each of the first protrusions 314 is located on the side opposite to the first clamping blocks 313. The first bayonet 315 is connected to the two opposite sides of the first body 312 along the front-to-back direction D2. And each of the first bayonet 315 is a cylinder.

[0047] See also Figures 4 to 6 The second frame member 32 includes two second arms 321 , a second body 322 , two second blocks 323 , two second protrusions 324 , and two second latches 325 .

[0048] The second arms 321 are spaced apart along the front-to-back direction D2. Each of the second arms 321 has a second end 326 pivotally connected to the first end 316 corresponding thereto, and a second arm 327 connected between the second end 326 corresponding thereto and the second body 322. The second body 322 is connected between the second arms 327 and abuts against the second retaining wall 131. The second clamping blocks 323 are respectively connected to the second arms 327 and are respectively clamped in the groove 145 so as to be movable along the left-right direction D1. The second protrusions 324 are respectively connected to the second end 326. Each of the second protrusions 324 is located on the same side as the second clamping blocks 323 corresponding thereto. The second bayonet 325 is connected to two opposite sides of the second body 322 along the front-to-back direction D2. Each of the second bayonet 325 is a cylinder.

[0049] See also Figure 4 and Figure 7, when the first frame member 31 and the second frame member 32 are pivotally connected and installed on the substrate unit 1, each of the first clamping blocks 313 is located between the respective corresponding fourth limiting portion 144 and the respective corresponding first limiting portion 141. Each of the second clamping blocks 323 is located between the respective corresponding fourth limiting portion 144 and the respective corresponding second limiting portion 142. Each of the first protrusions 314 is located between the respective corresponding third limiting portion 143 and the respective corresponding second blocking wall 131. Each of the second protrusions 324 is located between the respective corresponding fourth limiting portion 144 and the respective corresponding first limiting portion 141. Since the first frame member 31 of this embodiment has the same structure as the first support arm 311, and the second frame member 32 has the same structure as the second support arm 321, in order to simplify the diagram, Figure 7 Only the structure of one side of the first frame member 31 and the second frame member 32 is used for illustration.

[0050] See also Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 The first pivot unit 4 includes two first pivot grooves 41 respectively formed at the first end 316, two first slots 42 respectively formed at the first end 316 and respectively connected to the first pivot grooves 41, and two first protruding pins 43 respectively arranged at the second end 326.

[0051] Each of the first pivot grooves 41 is defined by a first upper surface 44 in a planar shape and a first lower surface 45 in a concave arc shape located below the first upper surface 44. Each of the first slots 42 is open upward and is located between the first pivot groove 41 and the first body 312. Each of the first slots 42 and the first pivot groove 41 corresponding to each other are located on the same side as the first block 313 corresponding to each other.

[0052] Each of the first protruding pins 43 is connected to the second end portion 326 and is located on the side opposite to the second clamping block 323. Each of the first protruding pins 43 can be inserted into the first pivot slot 41 through the first slot 42 and can be rotatably mounted in the first pivot slot 41. Each of the first protruding pins 43 is a semi-cylindrical body and has a first flat surface 431 facing the first upper surface 44 and a first arc surface 432 facing the first lower surface 45.

[0053] See also Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Fig. 9The second pivot unit 5 includes two second pivot grooves 51 respectively formed at the second end portion 326, two second slots 52 respectively formed at the second end portion 326 and respectively connected to the second pivot grooves 51, and two second protruding pins 53 respectively arranged at the first end portion 316.

[0054] Each of the second pivot grooves 51 is defined by a second upper surface 54 in a planar shape and a second lower surface 55 in a concave arc shape located below the second upper surface 54. Each of the second slots 52 is open downward and is located between the second pivot groove 51 and the second body 322. Each of the second pivot grooves 51 and the second slots 52 are located on the side opposite to the second block 323 and between the first convex pin 43 and the second body 322.

[0055] Each second protruding pin 53 is connected to the first end portion 316 and is located on the same side as the first clamping block 313. Each second protruding pin 53 can be inserted into the second pivot groove 51 through the second slot 52 and can be rotatably mounted in the second pivot groove 51. Each second protruding pin 53 is a semi-cylindrical body and has a second flat surface 531 facing the second upper surface 54 and a second arc surface 532 facing the second lower surface 55. Each first pivot groove 41 and the first slot 42 are located between the second protruding pin 53 and the first body 312.

[0056] See also Figure 2 and Fig.10 The key frame 6 is made of elastic material and is connected to the film circuit board 21 through an annular adhesive layer 8. The key frame 6 covers the frame unit 3 to prevent external dust from entering and contaminating the first frame 31 and the second frame 32, thereby preventing the key from being stuck when the frame unit 3 is actuated.

[0057] The key cap 7 includes a cap cover 71 covering the key frame 6, two first clamping parts 72 arranged on the cap cover 71 and passing through the key frame 6 downward, and two second clamping parts 73 arranged on the cap cover 71 and passing through the key frame 6 downward. The elastic body 22 is elastically pressed between the film circuit board 21 and the cap cover 71. Each of the first clamping parts 72 has a first clamping groove 721 for the first clamping pin 315 corresponding to each other to be rotatably clamped. Each of the first clamping grooves 721 is open downward and has a circular cross-section that matches the first clamping pin 315 corresponding to each other. Each of the second clamping parts 73 has a second clamping groove 731 for the second clamping pin 325 corresponding to each other to be rotatably clamped. Each of the second clamping grooves 731 is open downward and has a circular cross-section that matches the second clamping pin 325 corresponding to each other.

[0058] See also Fig.10 , Fig.11A , Fig. 12A ,and Fig.13 When the keycap 7 is located at a non-pressed position relative to the plate 11, the elastic body 22 bounces against the keycap 7, and the keycap 7, the first body 312 and the second body 322 are away from the plate 11. The first body 312 abuts against the first retaining wall 121, and the second body 322 abuts against the second retaining wall 131. The first clamping blocks 313 abut against the first limiting portion 141, and the second clamping blocks 323 abut against the second limiting portion 142, respectively. Each of the first clamping blocks 313 and the corresponding second clamping blocks 323 define a first width W1. The second convex portions 324 abut against the fourth limiting portion 144 in the direction of the second body 322. The first arc surface 432 of each of the first convex pins 43 abuts downward against the side of the first lower surface 45 corresponding to the first body 312. And each of the first convex pins 43 is spaced apart from the corresponding first upper surface 44. The second arc surface 532 of each second protruding pin 53 is pressed downward against the side of the second lower surface 55 of the respective corresponding one, which is away from the second body 322. Each second protruding pin 53 is spaced apart from the second upper surface 54 of the respective corresponding one. The first convex portion 314 is pressed against the third position-limiting portion 143 in the direction of the first body 312. At this time, the first retaining wall 121, the second retaining wall 131 and the position-limiting group 14 stably fix the positions of the first frame member 31 and the second frame member 32.

[0059] See also Fig.10 , Fig. 11B and Fig. 12BWhen the key cap 7 moves from the non-pressed position to a pressed position adjacent to the board 11, the first body 312 abuts against the first retaining wall 121 and moves straight toward the board 11, and the second body 322 abuts against the second retaining wall 131 and moves straight toward the board 11. The first arc surface 432 of each first convex pin 43 slides along the first lower surface 45 corresponding to each other toward the first body 312. The second arc surface 532 of each second convex pin 53 slides along the second lower surface 55 corresponding to each other toward the second body 322. Since the cross-sections of the first clamping slot 721 and the second clamping slot 731 are circular, each first clamping pin 315 can only rotate relative to the first clamping portion 72 corresponding to each other and cannot move relative to the first clamping portion 72 corresponding to each other along the left-right direction D1. Each second clamping pin 325 can only rotate relative to the second clamping portion 73 corresponding to each other and cannot move relative to the second clamping portion 73 corresponding to each other along the left-right direction D1.

[0060] See also Fig. 11C , Fig. 12C , Fig.14 ,and Fig.15When the key cap 7 is located at the pressing position, the key cap 7, the first body 312 and the second body 322 are adjacent to the plate 11, and the elastic body 22 is compressed. The first plane 431 of each first protruding pin 43 is upwardly and tightly pressed against the side of the first upper surface 44 adjacent to the first body 312. The first arc surface 432 of each first protruding pin 43 is pressed against the side of the first lower surface 45 adjacent to the first body 312. Each first protruding pin 43 is adjacent to the first slot 42 and is spaced from the side of the first lower surface 45 away from the first body 312. The first body 312 is pressed against the first retaining wall 121. The second plane 531 of each second protruding pin 53 is upwardly and tightly pressed against the side of the second upper surface 54 adjacent to the second body 322. Each second protruding pin 53 is adjacent to the second slot 52 and is spaced from the side of the second lower surface 55 away from the second body 322. The second body 322 abuts against the second retaining wall 131. Each of the first clamping blocks 313 is spaced apart from the first limiting portion 141 corresponding thereto, each of the second clamping blocks 323 is spaced apart from the second limiting portion 142 corresponding thereto, and each of the first clamping blocks 313 and the second clamping blocks 323 corresponding thereto define a second width W2 that is smaller than the first width W1. The second protrusions 324 are respectively away from the fourth limiting portion 144. The first protrusions 314 are respectively away from the third limiting portion 143. At this time, the first retaining wall 121 and the second retaining wall 131 restrict the first frame member 31 and the second frame member 32 from moving away from each other along the left-right direction D1.

[0061] As can be seen from the above description, when observing the first frame member 31, when the key cap 7 moves downward, the first retaining wall 121 abuts against the first body 312 and the first latching groove 721 to restrict the first latching pin 315 from moving along the left-right direction D1, so that the first protruding pin 43 moves smoothly along the first lower surface 45 in the first pivot groove 41 toward one side of the second frame member 32, and the first latching pin 315 and the first body 312 move straight downward.

[0062] Similarly, when observing the second frame member 32, when the key cap 7 moves downward, the second retaining wall 131 abuts against the second body 322 and the second latching groove 731 to restrict the second latching pin 325 from moving along the left-right direction D1, and the second protruding pin 53 moves smoothly along the second lower surface 55 in the second pivot groove 51 toward one side of the first frame member 31. The second latching pin 325 and the second body 322 move straight downward. Therefore, even if the corner of the key cap 7 is pressed, the shaking of the key cap 7 along the left-right direction D1 when it moves downward can be reduced, and the level and stability of the key cap 7 when it moves downward can be maintained.

[0063] In addition, when the keycap 7 is released to reset the first frame member 31 and the second frame member 32, the third limiting portion 143 can limit the movement of the first frame member 31 along the left-right direction D1, and the fourth limiting portion 144 can limit the movement of the second frame member 32 along the left-right direction D1, thereby preventing the positions of the first frame member 31 and the second frame member 32 after reset from being offset compared to the positions before being pressed.

[0064] In summary, the low-travel key linkage device of the present invention, through the first stop group 12 abutting against the first body 312, and the second stop group 13 abutting against the second body 322, allows the first body 312 and the second body 322 to keep moving straight downward or upward when the keycap 7 is pressed or released, thereby improving the stability of the movement of the frame unit 3, and thus can indeed achieve the purpose of the present invention.

[0065] The above are merely embodiments of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and description of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A low-travel key linkage device, comprising a substrate unit, a frame unit, and a key cap; characterized in that: The base plate unit includes a plate body, a first stop group extending upward from the plate body, and a second stop group extending upward from the plate body and spaced apart from the first stop group along the left-right direction. The frame unit is located between the first stop group and the second stop group and includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame has two first arms spaced apart along a front-to-back direction perpendicular to the left-to-right direction, and a first body connected between the first arms and adjacent to the first stop group. Each of the first arms has a first end, and a first arm connected between the first end and the first body and movably installed on the plate body along the left-to-right direction. The second frame includes two second arms spaced apart along the front-to-back direction, and a first body connected to the second arms. The key cap is pivotally connected to the first body and the second body. When the key cap moves from a non-pressed position away from the board body to a pressed position adjacent to the board body, the first body abuts against the first stop group and moves straight toward the board body, and the second body abuts against the second stop group and moves straight toward the board body. When the key cap is located at the pressed position, the first body abuts against the first stop group and is adjacent to the board body, and the second body abuts against the second stop group and is adjacent to the board body.

2. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first stopper group has two first stopper walls extending upward from the plate body and abutting against the first body at intervals along the front-to-back direction, and the second stopper group has two second stopper walls extending upward from the plate body and abutting against the second body at intervals along the front-to-back direction.

3. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first frame member also has two first latches arranged on two opposite sides of the first body along the front-to-back direction, and the second frame member also has two second latches arranged on two opposite sides of the second body along the front-to-back direction, each of the first latches is a cylinder, and each of the second latches is a cylinder, the keycap includes a cap cover, two first clamping parts arranged on the cap cover, and two second clamping parts arranged on the cap cover, each of the first clamping parts has a first clamping groove for rotatably clamping the corresponding first clamping pin, and the cross-section of each of the first clamping groove is a circle whose shape matches the corresponding first clamping pin, so that each of the first clamping pin cannot move relative to the corresponding first clamping part in the left-right direction, and each of the second clamping parts has a second clamping groove for rotatably clamping the corresponding second clamping pin, and the cross-section of each of the second clamping groove is a circle whose shape matches the corresponding second clamping pin, so that each of the second clamping pin cannot move relative to the corresponding second clamping part in the left-right direction.

4. The low-stroke key linkage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The low-travel key linkage device also includes a first pivot unit, which includes two first pivot grooves formed at the first end portions, and two first protruding pins arranged at the second end portions and rotatably clamped in the first pivot grooves. Each of the first pivot grooves is defined by a first upper surface and a first lower surface located below the first upper surface. When the key cap is located in the non-pressing position, each of the first protruding pins presses downward against a side of the first lower surface away from the first body and is spaced from the first upper surface. When the key cap is located in the pressing position, each of the first protruding pins presses upward against a side of the first upper surface adjacent to the first body and is spaced from the side of the first lower surface away from the first body.

5. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each of the first upper surfaces is planar, and each of the first lower surfaces is concave arc-shaped.

6. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the first convex pins is a semi-cylinder, and each of the first convex pins has a first curved surface facing the first corresponding lower surface, and a first plane facing the first corresponding upper surface. When the keycap is located in the non-pressed position, each of the first curved surfaces abuts against the first corresponding lower surface. When the keycap moves from the non-pressed position to the pressed position, each of the first curved surfaces slides along the first corresponding lower surface toward the first body. When the keycap is located in the pressed position, each of the first planes fits against the first corresponding upper surface, and each of the first curved surfaces abuts against one side of the first corresponding lower surface adjacent to the first body.

7. The low-stroke key linkage device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The low-travel key linkage device also includes a second pivot unit, each of the second pivot units includes two second pivot grooves respectively formed at the second end portions, and two second convex pins respectively arranged at the first end portions and respectively rotatably clamped in the second pivot grooves, each of the second pivot grooves is defined by a second upper surface and a second lower surface located below the second upper surface, each of the first pivot grooves is located between the respective corresponding second convex pin and the first body, and each of the second pivot grooves is located between the respective corresponding first convex pin and the second body, when the key cap is located in the non-pressing position, each of the second convex pins press downward against a side of the respective corresponding second lower surface away from the second body and is spaced from the respective corresponding second upper surface, and when the key cap is located in the pressing position, each of the second convex pins press upward against a side of the respective corresponding second upper surface adjacent to the second body and is spaced from a side of the respective corresponding second lower surface away from the second body.

8. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base plate unit also includes two limit groups arranged on the plate body at intervals along the front-to-back direction and located between the first stop group and the second stop group, each of the limit groups includes a first limit portion protruding from the plate body, and a second limit portion protruding from the plate body at intervals from the first limit portion along the left-right direction and defining a groove together with the first limit portion, the first frame member also includes two first clamping blocks respectively connected to the first arm portions and respectively movably clamped in the groove along the left-right direction, the second frame member also includes two first clamping blocks respectively connected to the second arm portions and respectively movably clamped in the groove along the left-right direction, A second clamping block is movably clamped in the groove in the right direction. When the keycap is located in the non-pressing position, the first clamping block respectively abuts against the first limiting portion, and the second clamping block respectively abuts against the second limiting portion. Each of the first clamping blocks and the corresponding second clamping block define a first width. When the keycap is located in the pressing position, each of the first clamping block is spaced from the corresponding first limiting portion, and each of the second clamping block is spaced from the corresponding second limiting portion. Each of the first clamping block and the corresponding second clamping block define a second width smaller than the first width.

9. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 8, characterized in that: Each of the limit groups also has a third limit portion protruding from the plate body, and the third limit portions are located between the grooves at intervals along the front-to-back direction. The first frame member also has two first protrusions respectively arranged at the first end portion, and each of the first protrusions is located on the side opposite to the first corresponding block and between the third limit portion and the second stop group. When the key cap is located in the non-pressed position, the first protrusions respectively abut against the third limit portion in the direction of the first body, and when the key cap is located in the pressed position, the first protrusions respectively move away from the third limit portion.

10. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 9, characterized in that: Each of the limit groups also has a fourth limit portion protruding from the plate body and located in the corresponding groove, and the second frame member also has two second protrusions respectively arranged at the second end portion, each of the second protrusions is located on the same side as the corresponding second block and between the corresponding fourth limit portion and the corresponding first limit portion, when the key cap is located in the non-pressing position, the second protrusions respectively abut against the fourth limit portion in the direction of the second body, and when the key cap is located in the pressing position, the second protrusions are respectively away from the fourth limit portion.

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