Mechanical keyboard

Abstract

A mechanical keyboard comprises a plurality of mechanical keys, a circuit board, a plurality of first magnetic elements, a lower shell and a plurality of second magnetic elements. The mechanical keyboard is provided with a key area and an edge area surrounding the key area. And the plurality of mechanical keys are positioned in the key area. And the circuit board is arranged below the plurality of mechanical keys. And the plurality of first magnetic elements are arranged below the circuit board and are distributed in the key area. And the lower shell is arranged below the plurality of mechanical keys, the circuit board and the plurality of first magnetic elements. The plurality of second magnetic elements are arranged above the lower shell, and the plurality of second magnetic elements are respectively corresponding to the plurality of first magnetic elements and are respectively repellent to the plurality of first magnetic elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a mechanical keyboard. Background Art

[0002] The existing mechanical keyboard is to fix multiple keys on the circuit board. When the user presses any key, it will generate a corresponding electrical signal and transmit it to the controller through the circuit board to execute a specific function. However, the pressing feel of the mechanical keyboard is relatively hard. Although some mechanical keyboards currently have a buffer material between the positioning plate and the circuit board to make the key feel a little elastic when pressed, this elastic feel still needs to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a mechanical keyboard to solve at least one of the above problems.

[0004] The present invention provides a mechanical keyboard, which includes a plurality of mechanical keys, a circuit board, a plurality of first magnetic elements, a lower shell and a plurality of second magnetic elements. The mechanical keyboard has a key area and an edge area surrounding the key area. The plurality of mechanical keys are located in the key area. The circuit board is arranged below the plurality of mechanical keys. The plurality of first magnetic elements are arranged below the circuit board and distributed in the key area. The lower shell is arranged below the plurality of mechanical keys, the circuit board and the plurality of first magnetic elements. The plurality of second magnetic elements are arranged above the lower shell, wherein the plurality of second magnetic elements respectively correspond to the plurality of first magnetic elements and respectively repel the plurality of first magnetic elements.

[0005] In some embodiments of the present invention, no magnetic elements are located within the edge region.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present invention, the multiple vertical projections of the multiple first magnetic elements are staggered with the multiple vertical projections of the multiple mechanical keys, and the vertical projection of at least one of the multiple first magnetic elements is between the multiple vertical projections of two of the multiple mechanical keys.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of the first magnetic elements are fixed on the lower surface of the circuit board.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical keyboard further includes: a cover body, disposed between the circuit board and the lower shell and fixed on the lower surface of the circuit board, wherein the cover body has a plurality of first recesses for respectively accommodating the plurality of first magnetic elements.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, the cover is a cover layer or is composed of a plurality of cover parts.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the cover body is composed of a plurality of cover body parts, and each of the cover body parts has one of the plurality of first recesses.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, an opening end of each of the first recesses faces the circuit board.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, one of the multiple mechanical buttons has a limiting portion protruding downward from the lower surface of the mechanical button, the circuit board has a first opening, the limiting portion passes through the first opening, and the cover body also has a second recess to accommodate the end of the limiting portion.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical keyboard further includes: an acoustic material, which is disposed in the second recess and contacts the limiting portion.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of first magnetic elements and the plurality of second magnetic elements is an electromagnet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The following will be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and various aspects of the present invention may be best understood based on the following embodiments. However, it should be understood that, in accordance with industry practice, the various features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, for the sake of clarity, the shapes of the various features may be appropriately adjusted, and the sizes of the various features may be increased or decreased at will.

[0016] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a mechanical keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a mechanical keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a mechanical button and a first magnetic element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a mechanical keyboard (the upper housing is not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a mechanical keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 The figure is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a limit portion, a circuit board, a cover body and an acoustic material of a mechanical key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 The figure is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a limit portion, a circuit board, a cover body and an acoustic material of a mechanical key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a mechanical keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0025] 110: Mechanical buttons

[0026] 110l: Limiting part

[0027] 110p: Pin

[0028] 120: Circuit board

[0029] 120a: First opening

[0030] 130: First magnetic element

[0031] 140: Lower shell

[0032] 150: Second magnetic element

[0033] 160: Cover

[0034] 160a: first recess

[0035] 160b: Second recess

[0036] 170: Acoustic Materials

[0037] 180: Positioning plate

[0038] 190: Upper shell

[0039] 200: Buffer material

[0040] KR: Key area

[0041] ER: Edge Region DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving the same will be more easily understood by describing them in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments and drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, for those skilled in the art, the embodiments provided will make the present invention more thorough and comprehensive and fully convey the scope of the present invention.

[0043] The spatially relative terms used in this document, such as "lower" and "upper", are used to facilitate the description of the relative relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature in the drawings. The true meaning of these spatially relative terms includes other orientations. For example, when the drawings are flipped 180 degrees up and down, the relationship between one element and another element may change from "lower" to "upper". The spatially relative descriptions used in this document should also be interpreted in the same way.

[0044] As described in the prior art, the pressing feel of a mechanical keyboard is relatively hard. Although some mechanical keyboards currently set buffer materials between the positioning plate and the circuit board to produce a slightly elastic feel when the key is pressed, this elastic feel still needs to be improved. Accordingly, the present invention provides a mechanical keyboard, which includes a plurality of mechanical keys, a circuit board, a plurality of first magnetic elements, a lower shell and a plurality of second magnetic elements. A plurality of first magnetic elements are arranged below the circuit board and distributed in the key area, and a plurality of second magnetic elements are arranged above the lower shell, respectively corresponding to the plurality of first magnetic elements and respectively repelling the plurality of first magnetic elements. The repulsive force between the plurality of first magnetic elements and the plurality of second magnetic elements can provide the keyboard module (at least including a plurality of mechanical keys, a circuit board and a plurality of first magnetic elements) with sufficient resilience, so that the keyboard module has uniform and good resilience performance. Various embodiments of the mechanical keyboard of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0045] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a mechanical keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a mechanical keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a mechanical key and a first magnetic element according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the mechanical keyboard has a key area KR and an edge area ER, and the edge area ER surrounds the key area KR. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the mechanical keyboard includes a plurality of mechanical keys 110, a circuit board 120, a plurality of first magnetic elements 130, a lower shell 140 and a plurality of second magnetic elements 150 ( Figure 2 One of the second magnetic elements 150 is shown.) In some embodiments, no magnetic element is located within the edge region ER.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a plurality of mechanical keys (or shaft bodies) 110 are located in the key region KR. Each of the mechanical keys is an independent switch having an independent mechanical structure. Figure 2 As shown, one or each of the mechanical keys 110 has a stopper 1101, which protrudes downward from the lower surface of the mechanical key 110. In some embodiments, one or each of the mechanical keys 110 has one or more pins 110p, which protrude downward from the lower surface of the mechanical key 110 and are separated from the stopper 1101. In some embodiments, the mechanical keyboard further includes a positioning plate 180, which is configured to support and fix the plurality of mechanical keys 110.

[0047] like Figure 2As shown, the circuit board 120 is disposed below the plurality of mechanical buttons 110. In some embodiments, the circuit board 120 has a first opening 120a, and the stopper 110l of the mechanical button 110 passes through the first opening 120a. The mechanical button 110 is fixed to the circuit board 120 through the stopper 110l. In some embodiments, the circuit board 120 also has a second opening (not shown) corresponding to the pin 110p, and the pin 110p passes through the second opening.

[0048] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of first magnetic elements 130 are disposed below the circuit board 120 and distributed within the key region KR. In some embodiments, the plurality of first magnetic elements 130 are fixed on the lower surface of the circuit board 120. Figure 3 As shown, the plurality of vertical projections of the plurality of first magnetic elements 130 are staggered with the plurality of vertical projections of the plurality of mechanical keys 110. In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the vertical projections of the plurality of first magnetic elements 130 are separated from the vertical projections of the limiting portions 1101 of the mechanical buttons 110 and the vertical projections of the pins 110p of the mechanical buttons 110. Figure 3 As shown, a vertical projection of at least one of the plurality of first magnetic elements 130 is between a plurality of vertical projections of two of the plurality of mechanical keys 110 .

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the lower housing 140 is disposed below the plurality of mechanical keys 110, the circuit board 120, and the plurality of first magnetic elements 130. In some embodiments, the mechanical keyboard further comprises an upper housing 190, which together with the lower housing 140 accommodates the plurality of mechanical keys 110, the circuit board 120, the plurality of first magnetic elements 130, the plurality of second magnetic elements 150, and the positioning plate 180. In some embodiments, as Figure 1 As shown, the edge region ER is formed by four edges of the upper housing 190 .

[0050] A plurality of second magnetic elements 150 ( Figure 2 In some embodiments, the lower housing 140 has a plurality of grooves ( Figure 2One of the grooves is shown), and a plurality of second magnetic elements 150 are respectively disposed in the plurality of grooves. In actual applications, the size, quantity and distribution position of the plurality of first magnetic elements 130 / the plurality of second magnetic elements 150 can be appropriately adjusted according to actual needs, so that the floating keyboard module of the present invention (at least including a plurality of mechanical keys 110, a circuit board 120 and a plurality of first magnetic elements 130) is supported by sufficient upward repulsive force. In some embodiments, at least one (or more) of the plurality of first magnetic elements 130 and the plurality of second magnetic elements 150 is an electromagnet. In this way, the magnetic field strength of the electromagnet can be adjusted by adjusting the current to adjust the repulsive force between the electromagnet and the corresponding magnetic element, thereby adjusting the elastic strength of the floating keyboard module of the present invention.

[0051] It is worth noting that the first magnetic element 130 of the present invention is arranged below the circuit board 120, and the distance between it and the second magnetic element 150 is very small (several millimeters, for example, less than 2 millimeters, or even less than 1 millimeter), and the repulsive force generated between the two is very strong. Therefore, after the key is pressed, the keyboard module moves downward for a very short distance and then rebounds quickly. Therefore, the keyboard module has good rebound performance and good feel. If the first magnetic element is arranged at other positions, such as above the positioning plate 180 or between the positioning plate 180 and the circuit board 120, the distance between it and the second magnetic element 150 is large, and the repulsive force generated between the two is weak. Therefore, after the key is pressed, the keyboard module moves downward for a long distance before rebounding. Therefore, the rebound performance of the keyboard module is weak and the feel is poor.

[0052] On the other hand, since the plurality of first magnetic elements 130 and the plurality of second magnetic elements 150 of the present invention are distributed in the key region KR, no matter which key or keys are pressed, the repulsive force between the first magnetic elements 130 and the second magnetic elements 150 near them can provide sufficient resilience to the keyboard module, so the keyboard module has uniform resilience performance. If the first magnetic elements and the second magnetic elements are only distributed in the edge region ER, only the edge region ER of the keyboard module can generate resilience, which will cause the pressing feel of the keys close to the edge region ER to be different from the pressing feel of the keys far from the edge region ER (for example, located in the central region of the key region KR), and the keyboard module does not have uniform resilience performance.

[0053] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a mechanical keyboard (the upper housing is not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 4In some embodiments, the mechanical keyboard further includes a buffer material 200, which is disposed between the positioning plate 180 and the upper housing 190. After the key is pressed, the keyboard module moves downward a very short distance and then rebounds quickly. Since the mechanical keyboard is provided with the buffer material 200, the volume of the sound that may be generated when the keyboard module rebounds can be reduced.

[0054] Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a mechanical keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 Examples and Figure 2 The difference of the embodiments is that Figure 5 The mechanical keyboard of the embodiment further includes a cover 160, which is disposed between the circuit board 120 and the lower housing 140 and fixed on the lower surface of the circuit board 120. The cover 160 has a plurality of first recesses 160a for respectively accommodating a plurality of first magnetic elements 130. The cover 160 can be adhered to the lower surface of the circuit board 120. In some embodiments, the opening end of each of the first recesses 160a faces the circuit board 120.

[0055] In some embodiments, the cover 160 is a cover layer (eg Figure 4 shown) or by a plurality of cover parts (not shown, see Figure 8 ). In some embodiments, the cover body is composed of a plurality of cover body parts, the plurality of cover body parts are separated from each other, and each of the cover body parts has one of the plurality of first recesses 160a. In some embodiments, the cover body is composed of a plurality of cover body parts, and the stopper 110l and / or the pin 110p of the mechanical button 110 are exposed from the lower surface of the circuit board 120.

[0056] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the cover 160 also has a second recess 160b, which accommodates the end of the limiting portion 110l of the mechanical key 110. The second recess 160b constitutes a smaller resonance space. In some embodiments, there are multiple second recesses 160b, each of which accommodates one of the multiple ends of the multiple limiting portions 110l of the multiple mechanical keys 110.

[0057] In some embodiments, compared to a conventional non-suspended keyboard module, Figure 2 When the mechanical key 110 of the suspended keyboard module is pressed, there is no path for the sound to be transmitted downward, so the resonance is small and the sound is pure. "Pure sound" means that the volume of the sound produced when each key is pressed is relatively consistent with the spectrum of a specific frequency range. In some embodiments, compared with a traditional non-suspended keyboard module, Figure 5 When the mechanical key 110 of the suspended keyboard module is pressed, the resonance generated is smaller.

[0058] Figure 6The figure is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a limit portion, a circuit board, a cover body and an acoustic material of a mechanical key according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a limiter, a circuit board, a cover, and an acoustic material of a mechanical key according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the mechanical keyboard further includes an acoustic material 170, which is disposed in the second recess 160b and contacts the stopper 1101. The acoustic material 170 is configured to change the sound performance when the mechanical key 110 is pressed or reduce the volume of the sound.

[0059] In some embodiments, Figure 6 As shown, the acoustic material 170 is, for example, a compressible material for sound absorption / sound insulation, such as foam, rubber or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, Figure 6 When the mechanical key 110 is pressed, the volume of the sound produced is relatively low.

[0060] In some embodiments, Figure 7 As shown, the acoustic material 170 is, for example, a hard material, such as metal, hard plastic or other suitable material. In some embodiments, Figure 7 When the mechanical key 110 is pressed, high-frequency sound waves appear.

[0061] Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a mechanical keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 Examples and Figure 5 The difference of the embodiments is that Figure 8 The second concave portion 160b of the embodiment can accommodate the multiple ends of the multiple limiting portions 1101 of the multiple mechanical keys 110. The second concave portion 160b forms a larger resonance space. In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 8 The mechanical keyboard further includes an acoustic material (not shown), which is disposed in the second recess 160b to change the sound performance or reduce the volume of the sound when the mechanical key 110 is pressed. In some embodiments, the acoustic material is foam, rubber, metal, hard plastic or other suitable materials.

[0062] However, the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it cannot be used to limit the scope of the present invention. That is, all simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and the invention description of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention. In addition, any embodiment or claim of the present invention does not need to achieve all the purposes, advantages or features disclosed in the present invention. In addition, the abstract part and the title are only used to assist the search of patent documents, and are not used to limit the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mechanical keyboard having a key area and an edge area surrounding the key area, comprising: A plurality of mechanical buttons are located in the button area; A circuit board is arranged below the plurality of mechanical buttons; A plurality of first magnetic elements are arranged below the circuit board and distributed in the key area; A lower housing, disposed below the plurality of mechanical buttons, the circuit board and the plurality of the first magnetic elements; as well as A plurality of second magnetic elements are arranged above the lower shell, wherein the plurality of second magnetic elements respectively correspond to the plurality of first magnetic elements and respectively repel the plurality of first magnetic elements.

2. The mechanical keyboard of claim 1, wherein no magnetic element is located within the edge region.

3. A mechanical keyboard as described in claim 1, wherein the multiple vertical projections of the multiple first magnetic elements are staggered with the multiple vertical projections of the multiple mechanical keys, and the vertical projection of at least one of the multiple first magnetic elements is between the multiple vertical projections of two of the multiple mechanical keys. 4 . The mechanical keyboard as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the first magnetic elements are fixed on a lower surface of the circuit board.

5. The mechanical keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising: A cover body is arranged between the circuit board and the lower shell and fixed on a lower surface of the circuit board, wherein the cover body has a plurality of first recesses for respectively accommodating a plurality of the first magnetic elements. 6 . The mechanical keyboard as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the cover is a cover layer or is composed of a plurality of cover parts. 7 . The mechanical keyboard as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the cover is composed of a plurality of cover parts, and each of the cover parts has one of the plurality of first recesses. 8 . The mechanical keyboard as claimed in claim 5 , wherein an opening end of each of the first recesses faces the circuit board.

9. The mechanical keyboard as described in claim 5, wherein one of the plurality of mechanical keys has a limiting portion protruding downward from a lower surface of the mechanical key, the circuit board has a first opening, the limiting portion passes through the first opening, and the cover body also has a second recess to accommodate an end of the limiting portion.

10. The mechanical keyboard according to claim 9, further comprising: An acoustic material is disposed in the second recess and contacts the limiting portion. 11 . The mechanical keyboard as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of first magnetic elements and the plurality of second magnetic elements is an electromagnet.

Images