Low-travel key linkage device

Abstract

A low-travel key linkage device comprises a substrate unit, a frame unit, and a keycap. The substrate unit comprises a plate body, a first stop group, and a second stop group. The frame unit comprises a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member has two first arms and a first body. Each of the first arms has a first end and a first arm portion. The second frame member comprises two second arms and a second body. Each of the second arms has a second end and a second arm portion pivotally connected to the corresponding first end portion. The keycap is pivotally connected to the first body and the second body. When the keycap moves from a non-pressing position to a pressing position, the first body abuts against the first stop group and moves straight toward the plate body, and the second body abuts against the second stop group and moves straight toward the plate body. This improves the stability of the frame unit's actuation.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] A conventional key device, as disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. M594794U, includes a base, a keycap disposed above the base, and a pressure-balancing assembly disposed between the base and the keycap. The pressure-balancing assembly includes a first balance frame coupled between the base and the keycap, a second balance frame coupled between the base and the keycap and spaced horizontally from the first balance frame, and a tension spring connected between the first and second balance frames.

[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 opposite sides of the first crossbar, and two first inserts protruding from the first longitudinal bars. The second balancing frame comprises a second crossbar pivotally connected to the keycap, two second longitudinal bars connected to opposite sides of the second crossbar, and two second inserts protruding from the second longitudinal bars. Each first insert and its corresponding second insert are rotatably inserted into the corresponding receptacle of the mounting arm. When the keycap is pressed, the first and second balancing frames swing up and down to balance the pressing force.

[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 block, 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 down, thereby causing the keycap to wobble slightly in the horizontal direction. When the corner of the keycap is pressed, the wobble caused by the keycap moving down will be greater, resulting in the disadvantages of not pressing smoothly and poor stability. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a low-stroke key linkage device that can improve at least one of the aforementioned shortcomings.

[0007] The low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention includes a base unit, a frame unit, and a keycap. The base 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 in the left-right direction. The frame unit is located between the first stop group and the second stop group and includes a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member includes two first arms spaced apart in 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 first arm has a first end and a first arm portion connected between the first end and the first body and mounted to the plate body so as to be movable in the left-to-right direction. The second frame member includes two second arms spaced apart in the front-to-back direction, and a second body connected between the second arms and adjacent to the second stop group. Each second arm has a second end pivotally connected to its corresponding first end, and a second arm portion connected between the second end and the second body and mounted to the plate body so as to be movable in 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-pressed position away from the plate to a pressed position adjacent to the plate, the first body abuts the first stop group and moves straight toward the plate, while the second body abuts the second stop group and moves straight toward the plate. When the keycap is in the pressed position, the first body abuts the first stop group and is adjacent to the plate, while the second body abuts the second stop group and is adjacent to the plate.

[0008] The low-travel key linkage device described in the present invention has two first stop groups 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. 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] 18. The low-travel key linkage device of the present invention, wherein 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 key cap 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 first clamping groove is a circle with a shape matching the corresponding first clamping pin, so that each first clamping pin cannot move relative to the corresponding first clamping part in the left and right direction, and each second clamping part has a second clamping groove for rotatably clamping the corresponding second clamping pin, and the cross-section of each second clamping groove is a circle with a shape matching the corresponding second clamping pin, so that each second clamping pin cannot move relative to the corresponding second clamping part in the left and 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 portion, and two first protruding pins respectively arranged at the second end portion 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 keycap is in the non-pressing position, each of the first protruding pins leans downward against a side of the corresponding first lower surface away from the first body and is spaced from the corresponding first upper surface. When the keycap is in the pressing position, each of the first protruding pins leans upward against a side of the corresponding first upper surface adjacent to the first body and is spaced from the side of the corresponding 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 protruding pins is a semi-cylinder, and each of the first protruding pins has a first curved surface facing the corresponding first lower surface, and a first flat surface facing the corresponding first upper surface. When the keycap is in the non-pressed position, each of the first curved surfaces abuts against the corresponding first lower surface. When the keycap moves from the non-pressed position to the pressed position, each of the first curved surfaces slides along the corresponding first lower surface toward the first body. When the keycap is in the pressed position, each of the first flat surfaces fits against the corresponding first upper surface, and each of the first curved surfaces abuts against the side of the corresponding first 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 formed respectively at the second end portion, and two second pins respectively arranged at the first end portion and rotatably clamped in the second pivot grooves, each second pivot groove is jointly defined by a second upper surface and a second lower surface located below the second upper surface, each first pivot groove is located between the respective corresponding second pin and the first body, and each second pivot groove is located between the respective corresponding first pin and the second body, when the key cap is in the non-pressed position, each second pin leans downward against the side of the respective corresponding second lower surface away from the second body and is spaced apart from the respective second upper surface, when the key cap is in the pressed position, each second pin leans upward against the side of the respective corresponding second upper surface adjacent to the second body and is spaced apart from the 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, 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 the first limiting part, and the second clamping blocks respectively abut 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, and 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, and 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 keycap is 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 keycap is 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 portion, each of the second protrusions is located on the same side as the corresponding second block and is located 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 respectively move 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 movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

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

[0021] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional combined view 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 It is along Figure 3 An incomplete cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII;

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

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

[0027] Figure 10 It is along Figure 7 An incomplete cross-sectional view obtained along line XX;

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

[0029] Figure 11B is a similar Figure 11A sectional view illustrating the keycap moving from the non-depressed position to the depressed position;

[0030] Figure 11C is a similar Figure 11Bsectional view of FIG, illustrating that the keycap is located at the pressing position;

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

[0032] Figure 12B is a similar Figure 12A sectional view illustrating the keycap moving from the non-depressed position to the depressed position adjacent to the plate;

[0033] Figure 12C is a similar Figure 12B sectional view of FIG, illustrating that the keycap is located at the pressing position;

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

[0035] Figure 14 is similar Figure 10 sectional view, but the keycap is located in the pressed position;

[0036] Figure 15 is similar Figure 13 , but the keycap is in the depressed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to 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, such as "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up", and "down", are based on the orientations shown in the figures and the normal usage orientations.

[0038] See 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 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 stopper groups 14 spaced apart from each other along a front-back direction D2 perpendicular to the left-right direction D1 on the plate body 11. The stopper 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 includes two first stopper walls 121 extending upward from the plate body 11 and spaced apart from each other along the front-to-back direction D2. The second stopper set 13 includes two second stopper walls 131 extending upward from the plate body 11 and spaced apart from each other along the front-to-back direction D2.

[0041] Each of the limiting groups 14 includes 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 its corresponding second limiting portion 142 are spaced apart along the left-right direction D1 and define a groove 145. The third limiting portions 143 are spaced apart along the front-back direction D2 and located between the grooves 145. The fourth limiting portions 144 are located in the grooves 145.

[0043] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 The drive unit 2 includes a hollowed-out thin film circuit board 21 disposed within the plate body 11, and an elastic body 22 disposed between the thin film circuit board 21 and the keycap 7. The thin film circuit board 21 is composed of a plurality of stacked base layers 211. The first stopper group 12, the second stopper group 13, and the limiter group 14 extend upward through the hollowed-out portion of the thin film circuit board 21.

[0044] See 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 first arm 311 has a first end 316 and a first arm portion 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 the first retaining wall 121. The first latching blocks 313 are respectively connected to the first arms 317 and are respectively fixed to the grooves 145 so as to be movable along the left-right direction D1. The first protrusions 314 are respectively connected to the first end 316. Each first protrusion 314 is located on the side opposite to the corresponding first latching block 313. The first latching pins 315 are connected to opposite sides of the first body 312 along the front-to-back direction D2. Each first latching pin 315 is cylindrical.

[0047] See 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 second arm 321 has a second end 326 pivotally connected to its corresponding first end 316, and a second arm 327 connected between its corresponding second end 326 and the second body 322. The second body 322 is connected between the second arms 327 and abuts the second retaining wall 131. The second latches 323 are respectively connected to the second arms 327 and are respectively engaged 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 second protrusion 324 is located on the same side as its corresponding second latch 323. The second latches 325 are connected to opposite sides of the second body 322 along the front-to-back direction D2. Each second latch 325 is cylindrical.

[0049] See 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 retaining 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, 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 described.

[0050] See 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 first pivot slot 41 is defined by a planar first upper surface 44 and a concave arc-shaped first lower surface 45 located below the first upper surface 44. Each first slot 42 is upwardly open and located between the corresponding first pivot slot 41 and the first body 312. Each first slot 42 and the corresponding first pivot slot 41 are located on the same side as the corresponding first latch 313.

[0052] Each first protruding pin 43 is connected to its corresponding second end portion 326 and is located on the side opposite to its corresponding second latching block 323. Each first protruding pin 43 can be engaged with its corresponding first pivot slot 41 via its corresponding first slot 42 and rotatably secured to its corresponding first pivot slot 41. Each first protruding pin 43 is semi-cylindrical and has a first flat surface 431 facing its corresponding first upper surface 44 and a first curved surface 432 facing its corresponding first lower surface 45.

[0053] See Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 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 second pivot slot 51 is defined by a planar second upper surface 54 and a concavely curved second lower surface 55 located below the second upper surface 54. Each second slot 52 is downwardly open and located between the corresponding second pivot slot 51 and the second body 322. Each second pivot slot 51 and its corresponding second slot 52 are located on the side opposite the corresponding second latch 323 and between the corresponding first protruding pin 43 and the second body 322.

[0055] Each second protruding pin 53 is connected to its corresponding first end 316 and is located on the same side as its corresponding first latch 313. Each second protruding pin 53 can be engaged with its corresponding second pivot slot 51 via its corresponding second slot 52 and is rotatably secured thereto. Each second protruding pin 53 is semi-cylindrical and has a second flat surface 531 facing its corresponding second upper surface 54 and a second curved surface 532 facing its corresponding second lower surface 55. Each first pivot slot 41 and its corresponding first slot 42 are located between its corresponding second protruding pin 53 and the first body 312.

[0056] See Figure 2 and Figure 10 The key frame 6 is made of elastic material and is connected to the film circuit board 21 via 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 member 31 and the second frame member 32, thereby preventing the key from getting stuck when the frame unit 3 is actuated.

[0057] The keycap 7 includes a cap 71 that covers the keyframe 6, two first latching portions 72 disposed on the cap 71 and extending downward through the keyframe 6, and two second latching portions 73 disposed on the cap 71 and extending downward through the keyframe 6. The elastic body 22 is elastically supported between the film circuit board 21 and the cap 71. Each first latching portion 72 has a first latching slot 721 that rotatably engages the corresponding first latching pin 315. Each first latching slot 721 is downwardly open and has a circular cross-sectional shape that matches the corresponding first latching pin 315. Each second latching portion 73 has a second latching slot 731 that rotatably engages the corresponding second latching pin 325. Each second latching slot 731 is downwardly open and has a circular cross-sectional shape that matches the corresponding second latching pin 325.

[0058] See Figure 10 、 Figure 11A 、 Figure 12A ,and Figure 13 When the keycap 7 is in a non-pressed position relative to the plate 11, the elastic body 22 resiliently presses against the keycap 7, and the keycap 7, the first body 312, and the second body 322 move away from the plate 11. The first body 312 abuts the first retaining wall 121, and the second body 322 abuts the second retaining wall 131. The first latching blocks 313 abut the first limiting portion 141, and the second latching blocks 323 abut the second limiting portion 142. Each first latching block 313 defines a first width W1 with its corresponding second latching block 323. The second protrusion 324 abuts the fourth limiting portion 144 toward the second body 322. The first curved surface 432 of each first protruding pin 43 abuts downwardly against the side of the corresponding first lower surface 45 away from the first body 312. Each first protruding pin 43 is spaced apart from its corresponding first upper surface 44. The second curved surface 532 of each second protruding pin 53 rests downwardly against the side of the corresponding second lower surface 55 away from the second body 322. Each second protruding pin 53 is spaced apart from the corresponding second upper surface 54. The first protrusion 314 abuts against the third stopper 143 toward the first body 312. The first retaining wall 121, the second retaining wall 131, and the stopper assembly 14 stably secure the first frame member 31 and the second frame member 32.

[0059] See Figure 10 、 Figure 11B and Figure 12BWhen the keycap 7 moves from the non-pressed position to a pressed position adjacent to the plate 11, the first body 312 abuts the first retaining wall 121 and moves straight toward the plate 11, while the second body 322 abuts the second retaining wall 131 and moves straight toward the plate 11. The first curved surface 432 of each first protruding pin 43 slides along its corresponding first lower surface 45 toward the first body 312. The second curved surface 532 of each second protruding pin 53 slides along its corresponding second lower surface 55 toward the second body 322. Because the first and second retaining slots 721 and 731 have circular cross-sections, each first retaining pin 315 can only rotate relative to its corresponding first retaining portion 72 and cannot move relative to its corresponding first retaining portion 72 in the left-right direction D1. Each second retaining pin 325 can only rotate relative to its corresponding second retaining portion 73 and cannot move relative to its corresponding second retaining portion 73 in the left-right direction D1.

[0060] See Figure 11C 、 Figure 12C 、 Figure 14 ,and Figure 15When the keycap 7 is in the pressed position, the keycap 7, the first body 312, and the second body 322 are adjacent to the plate 11, and the elastic member 22 is compressed. The first flat surface 431 of each first protruding pin 43 abuts upward against the side of the first upper surface 44 adjacent to the first body 312. The first curved surface 432 of each first protruding pin 43 abuts 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 spaced apart from the side of the first lower surface 45 away from the first body 312. The first body 312 abuts against the first retaining wall 121. The second flat surface 531 of each second protruding pin 53 abuts upward 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 spaced apart 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 first latching block 313 is spaced apart from its corresponding first limiting portion 141, and each second latching block 323 is spaced apart from its corresponding second limiting portion 142. Each first latching block 313 and its corresponding second latching block 323 define a second width W2 that is smaller than the first width W1. The second protrusions 324 are each spaced apart from the fourth limiting portion 144. The first protrusions 314 are each spaced apart from the third limiting portion 143. At this point, 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 in the left-right direction D1.

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

[0062] Similarly, regarding the second frame member 32, when the keycap 7 moves downward, the second retaining wall 131 abuts against the second body 322 and the second latching slot 731, preventing the second latching pin 325 from moving in the left-right direction D1. This allows the second protruding pin 53 to move smoothly within the second pivot slot 51 along the second lower surface 55 toward one side of the first frame member 31. This allows the second latching pin 325 and the second body 322 to move straight downward. Therefore, even when pressing the corners of the keycap 7, any wobble in the left-right direction D1 during downward movement of the keycap 7 is reduced, maintaining the levelness and stability of the keycap 7 as it moves downward.

[0063] Furthermore, 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 their 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 descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Any 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 base unit, a frame unit, and a keycap; characterized in that: The substrate 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 in the left-right direction. The frame unit is located between the first stop group and the second stop group and includes a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member has two first arms spaced apart in 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 portion connected between the first end and the first body and movably mounted on the plate body in the left-to-right direction. The second frame member includes two second arms spaced apart in the front-to-back direction, and a second body connected between the second arms and adjacent to the second stop group. Each of the second arms has a second end pivotally connected to the corresponding first end, and a second arm portion connected between the second end and the second body and movably mounted on the plate body in 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-pressed position away from the plate body to a position adjacent to the plate body When the key cap is in the pressed position, the first body abuts the first stop group and moves straight toward the plate body, and the second body abuts the second stop group and moves straight toward the plate body. When the key cap is in the pressed position, the first body abuts the first stop group and is adjacent to the plate body, and the second body abuts the second stop group and is adjacent to the plate body. The low-travel key linkage device also includes a first pivot unit, the first pivot unit includes two first pivot grooves respectively formed at the first end portion, and two first protruding pins respectively arranged at the second end portion and respectively rotatably clamped in the first pivot grooves, each of the first pivot grooves being defined by a first upper surface and a first lower surface located below the first upper surface. When the key cap is in the non-pressed position, each of the first protruding pins abuts downwardly against a side of the first lower surface corresponding to the respective one away from the first body and is spaced apart from the first upper surface corresponding to the respective one. When the key cap is in the pressed position, each of the first protruding pins abuts upwardly against a side of the first upper surface corresponding to the respective one away from the first body and is spaced apart from the side of the first lower surface corresponding to the respective one.

2. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first stopper group has two first stopper walls that extend upward from the plate body and abut against the first body at intervals along the front-to-back direction. The second stopper group has two second stopper walls that extend upward from the plate body and abut 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 latch is a cylinder, and each of the second latch 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 first clamping groove is a circle with a shape matching the corresponding first clamping pin, so that each first clamping pin cannot move relative to the corresponding first clamping part in the left and right direction, each second clamping part has a second clamping groove for rotatably clamping the corresponding second clamping pin, and the cross-section of each second clamping groove is a circle with a shape matching the corresponding second clamping pin, so that each second clamping pin cannot move relative to the corresponding second clamping part in the left and right direction.

4. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the first upper surfaces is planar, and each of the first lower surfaces is concavely arc-shaped.

5. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each of the first protruding pins is a semi-cylinder, and each of the first protruding pins has a first curved surface facing the corresponding first lower surface, and a first flat surface facing the corresponding first upper surface. When the keycap is in the non-pressed position, each of the first curved surfaces abuts against the corresponding first lower surface. When the keycap moves from the non-pressed position to the pressed position, each of the first curved surfaces slides along the corresponding first lower surface toward the first body. When the keycap is in the pressed position, each of the first flat surfaces fits against the corresponding first upper surface, and each of the first curved surfaces abuts against a side of the corresponding first lower surface adjacent to the first body.

6. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The low-travel key linkage device also includes a second pivot unit, each of the second pivot units including two second pivot grooves respectively formed at the second end portion, and two second protruding pins respectively arranged at the first end portion and rotatably clamped in the second pivot grooves, each second pivot groove is jointly defined by a second upper surface and a second lower surface located below the second upper surface, each first pivot groove is located between the respective corresponding second protruding pin and the first body, and each second pivot groove is located between the respective corresponding first protruding pin and the second body, when the keycap is in the non-pressed position, each second protruding pin leans downward against a side of the respective corresponding second lower surface away from the second body and is spaced apart from the respective second upper surface, and when the keycap is in the pressed position, each second protruding pin leans upward against a side of the respective corresponding second upper surface adjacent to the second body and is spaced apart from a side of the respective corresponding second lower surface away from the second body.

7. A low-travel key linkage device comprising a substrate unit, a frame unit, and a keycap; 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 member and a second frame member. The first frame member has two first arms spaced apart along a front-to-rear direction perpendicular to the left-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 portion, and a first arm portion connected between the first end portion and the first body and movably mounted on the plate body along the left-right direction. The second frame member includes two first arms spaced apart along a front-to-rear direction perpendicular to the left-right direction. The second support arms are spaced apart in the front-to-back direction, and a second body is connected between the second support arms and adjacent to the second stop group, each second support arm has a second end portion pivotally connected to the first end portion corresponding to each other, and a second arm portion is connected between the second end portion and the second body and is movably installed on the board body along the left-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 body to a pressing position adjacent to the board body, the first body abuts against the first stop group and moves straight toward the board body, the second body abuts against the second stop group and moves straight toward the board body, when the keycap When in the pressing position, the first body abuts the first stop group and is adjacent to the plate body, and the second body abuts the second stop group and is adjacent to the plate body; the substrate unit also includes two limit groups arranged on the plate body at intervals along the front and rear directions 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 and right directions and jointly defining a groove with the first limit portion, the first frame also has two first clamping blocks respectively connected to the first arm and respectively movably clamped in the groove along the left and right directions, The second frame member also has two second clamping blocks respectively connected to the second arm parts and respectively movably clamped 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 the first limiting part, and the second clamping blocks respectively abut 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 defines a second width that is smaller than the first width.

8. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 7, 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 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, and 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 keycap is 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 keycap is in the pressed position, the first protrusions respectively move away from the third limit portion.

9. The low-travel key linkage device according to claim 8, 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. 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 is located between the corresponding fourth limit portion and the corresponding first limit portion. When the keycap is in the non-pressing position, the second protrusions respectively abut the fourth limit portion in the direction of the second body. When the keycap is in the pressing position, the second protrusions respectively move away from the fourth limit portion.

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