Notebook computer keyboard adopting optical switch

Abstract

A notebook keyboard adopting an optical switch comprises key caps (1), a key supporting and connecting structure (2), a reset body, a metal supporting plate (4), an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, a light guide plate module, a switch blocking body (5) and a circuit wafer, optical signals transmitted by the optical transmitter are conducted with an optical path of the optical receiver through the light guide plate module, and when the switch blocking body (5) is triggered, the optical receiver detects changes of the optical signals; the switch blocking body (5) is composed of a light-transmitting on-off body and an annular elastic supporting plate (6) or composed of the annular elastic supporting plate (6) and a light-transmitting on-off part on the annular elastic supporting plate (6). The invention provides the optical switch keyboard which is thin and sealed, so that the optical switch keyboard is better in hand feeling and longer in service life, is applied to a PC keyboard, and is particularly suitable for a thin notebook keyboard.

Description

A notebook keyboard using optical switches Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a keyboard using optical switches, and in particular to the composition and structure of a keyboard using optical switches installed in a keyboard serving as an input device of an electronic instrument. Background Art

[0002] Key technical specifications for existing laptop keyboards include lifespan, thinness, a keycap rebound rate >40%, waterproofing, a pleasant keystroke feel, and the brightness of the keycap characters. Keyboards typically use rubber springs for their reset mechanism. The Guinness World Record holds the record for accurately typing 807 keys per minute, or 13.45 keystrokes per second. To meet the needs of high-speed keyboard typists, a key technical specification for computer keyboards is a rebound rate >40%.

[0003] The existing optical switch keyboard is detailed in PCT / CN2017 / 078887 or 2017800186784; see Figure 4 (the prior art is numbered as Figure 29 in the original specification), the existing optical switch keyboard is composed of a key cap (1), a key support structure (2), a reset body, a metal support plate (4), a switch blocking body 5, a light guide plate 7, a PCB board 8, an LED light source 9, and a photosensitive element 10, wherein the reset body is an arch reset body or a spring or a magnetic body, and the arch reset body is composed of a ring elastic support plate 6 or a rubber elastic ring 3 (the rubber elastic ring 3 is still widely used on computer keyboards); the switch blocking body 5 is located directly below the rubber elastic ring 3, the light guide plate module 11 is located below the metal support plate (4, the circuit chip is connected to the metal support plate 4 and is located below the metal support plate 4, and the arch reset body is located between the key cap 1 and the light guide plate module 11.

[0004] At the position corresponding to the metal support plate 4 and the switch blocking body 5, a support plate mid-elevation space 4-5 is provided that penetrates the metal support plate 4. A through hole, an arched light-transmitting through hole, is provided on the upper portion of the rubber elastic ring 3. A light-transmitting portion is provided on the upper portion of the switch blocking body 5. The arched light-transmitting through hole is optically connected to the characters on the keycap 1; the arched light-transmitting through hole is optically connected to the light-transmitting portion of the switch blocking body 5.

[0005] The existing optical switch keyboard is detailed in PCT / CN2017 / 078887 or 2017800186784; see Figure 5 (the prior art is numbered as Figure 24 in the original specification. There is a ring elastic support plate 6 above the switch blocking body 5. The ring elastic support plate 6 is composed of an elastic metal spring. A light-transmitting hole is provided on the ring elastic support plate 6 that passes through its plate surface. A film sheet 12 is provided below the switch blocking body 5. The film sheet 12 has a blocking through hole 7-1 that passes through the film. The ring elastic support plate 6 is located above the switch blocking body 5. A switch blocking body 5 is provided below the elastic support plate 6, and the blocking action space 7-2 below the switch blocking body 5 is closed. An LED light source 9 packaged as a patch and a photosensitive element 10 packaged as a patch are welded near the middle of the circuit chip. There is a receiving space between the LED light source 9 and the photosensitive element 10. A film with characters printed on it (not shown in the figure) is located above the annular elastic support plate 6. This technical solution is mainly used for membrane keyboards with luminous characters on the film; the annular elastic support plate 6 is still widely used in membrane keyboards and remote controls with metal contact switches.

[0006] The description of the present invention in the specifications of PCT / CN2017 / 078887 or 2017800186784 is as follows: 0097 in the specifications, the blocking action spaces 7-2 of the light guide plate module 11 are enclosed spaces, and the blocking action spaces 7-2 in a row are connected. The connected blocking action spaces 7-2 in a row are connected to a communication interface connected to a communication line via a communication line, and the communication interface is connected to the outside, or the connected blocking action spaces 7-2 in a row are connected to an elastic thin-walled air bag.

[0007] In 0149-0151 of the specification, the blocking body 2-1 can also be a metal spring made of metal material, and the light blocking portion 2-2 is arranged on the elastic metal spring.

[0008] 6 and 7 , the rubber elastic ring 3 is composed of an upper boss 3-2, a lower boss 3-5, an elastic ring contact 3-7, a lower exhaust groove 3-8, and an elastic wall 3-9. In order to ensure that the restoring force generated by the rubber elastic ring 3 satisfies a rebound rate of >40%, the H1 and H2 dimensions of the upper boss 3-2 are designed to be relatively large. When the keycap 1 approaches the lower limit position, the H1 dimension of the upper boss 3-2 is compressed. When the keycap 1 is pressed down to the lower limit position, the upper boss 3-2 produces a large elastic deformation.

[0009] Referring to FIG9 , when the keycap 1 (not shown in the figure) is at the upper limit position, the keycap 1 is at point a. Under the action of external force, the keycap 1 moves downward from point a to point b, and the reset elastic force of the rubber elastic ring 3 increases to the maximum. The keycap 1 continues to move downward from point b to point c. The elastic force of the rubber elastic ring 3 is inversely proportional to the displacement. When the keycap 1 reaches point c, the elastic ring contact 3-7 just contacts the membrane switch (not shown in the figure), and the reset elastic force of the rubber elastic ring 3 suddenly changes from the maximum to the minimum, resulting in the so-called collapse feel. The elastic force is provided by the deformation of the elastic wall 3-9 of the elastic ring; the keycap 1 moves downward, and the elastic ring contact 3-7 begins to touch the membrane switch (not shown in the figure) and deforms. When the keycap 1 reaches point d, the keycap 1 is at the lower limit position, and the keycap 1 squeezes the upper boss 3-2 of the elastic ring. The upper boss 3-2 of the elastic ring, the elastic ring contact 3-7, and the elastic wall 3-9 of the elastic ring are severely squeezed and deformed, and a large reset elastic force is generated, so that the rebound rate of the keycap 1 is greater than 40%; the rubber elastic ring 3 is severely squeezed and deformed, which greatly reduces the service life of the rubber elastic ring 3.

[0010] 8 and 10 , the relationship diagrams between the elastic force and displacement of the annular elastic support plate 6 are similar to those of the rubber elastic ring 3 , and also have a similar collapse feel, but without the requirement of a rebound rate greater than 40%. When the annular elastic support plate 6 is pressed to the lowest position, severe deformation occurs, which greatly reduces the service life of the annular elastic support plate 6 . Technical issues

[0011] 1. The thinning of keyboards is an important development direction for notebook keyboards;

[0012] The prior art fails to propose a technical solution for thinning the keyboard; the prior art fails to propose a technical solution for thinning the keyboard when using a combination of a rubber elastic ring and a switch blocking body;

[0013] 2. Service life is an important technical indicator of laptop keyboards;

[0014] The reset body of the prior art adopts the typical structure of the rubber elastic ring 3 commonly used in existing keyboards. The existing rubber elastic ring is greatly deformed during use (when the keyboard is in the low position, the rebound rate is obtained by squeezing the rubber elastic ring), which greatly reduces the service life of the rubber elastic ring;

[0015] To achieve a thin keyboard, the switch blocking element 5 is a metal dome. After providing a light-transmitting portion (light-transmitting through-hole) and a light-blocking portion on the metal dome, the size of the metal dome becomes larger than that of the rubber elastic ring, increasing the difficulty of sealing the optical switch. The prior art fails to propose a specific technical solution for sealing the optical switch. An unsealed optical switch significantly reduces its service life. If tea accidentally enters the optical switch during use, the service life of the optical switch keyboard will be seriously affected. The entry and accumulation of dust during prolonged use also seriously affects the service life of the optical switch keyboard.

[0016] 3. To achieve a thinner keyboard, the switch blocking body 5 uses a metal dome, and the keyboard adopts a technical solution of a combination of a rubber elastic ring and a metal dome. However, the prior art fails to provide a specific technical solution for the light-blocking part and the light-transmitting part of the metal dome. Technical Solutions

[0017] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a thin and sealed optical switch keyboard, in particular to provide an optical switch keyboard with better hand feel and longer service life.

[0018] A notebook keyboard using an optical switch comprises a keycap 1, a key support structure 2, a reset body, a metal support plate 4, an optical transmitter, an optical connector, a light guide plate module, a switch blocking body 5, and a circuit chip. An optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter is conducted through the light guide plate module to the optical path of the optical connector. When the switch blocking body 5 is triggered, the optical connector detects a change in the optical signal. The switch blocking body 5 is composed of a light-transmitting switch body and an annular elastic support plate 6, or of the annular elastic support plate 6 and a light-transmitting switch portion on the annular elastic support plate 6. The annular elastic support plate 6 is formed using a stamping die and is composed of an annular connecting upper plate 6-3, an annular elastic arm plate 6-4, and an annular lower connecting portion 6-5. The plane of the annular connecting upper plate 6-3 is higher than the plane of the annular lower connecting portion 6-5. The annular connecting upper plate 6-3 and the annular lower connecting portion 6-5 are connected by an elastic annular elastic arm plate 6-4. A light-transmitting space is provided in the middle of the annular connecting upper plate 6-3.

[0019] Furthermore, the light-transmitting switching body is connected to the middle part of the ring elastic support plate 6, and the light-transmitting switching body is provided with a light-blocking part and a light-transmitting part; the light-transmitting space is composed of a through hole provided on the ring-connected upper plate 6-3, and the light-transmitting switching body is composed of a thin steel tube connected to the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 or a light-guiding column connected to the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 or a lens connected to the ring-connected upper plate 6-3.

[0020] The key cap 1 includes a key support structure 2, a reset body, a metal support plate 4, an optical transmitter, an optical connector, a circuit chip, a switch blocking body 5, and a light guide plate module 11. The optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter is connected to the optical path of the optical connector through the light guide plate module. When the switch blocking body 5 is triggered, the optical connector detects the change in the optical signal. The switch blocking body 5 is composed of a light-transmitting switch body and an annular elastic support plate 6, or a light-transmitting switch portion on the annular elastic support plate 6. Among them, the light-transmitting on-off body and the light-transmitting on-off portion are both located in the middle of the ring elastic support plate 6, and the light-transmitting on-off body and the light-transmitting on-off portion are both provided with a light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion; the ring elastic support plate 6 is composed of a ring connecting upper plate 6-3, a ring elastic arm plate 6-4, and a ring lower connecting portion 6-5, wherein the plane where the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 is located is higher than the plane where the ring lower connecting portion 6-5 is located, and the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 and the ring lower connecting portion 6-5 are connected by at least two elastic ring elastic arm plates 6-4. When the keycap 1 is in the upper limit position, the keycap 1 is reset and the keycap 1 is reset.

[0021] Furthermore, the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 is provided with a light-transmitting on-off portion, and the light-transmitting on-off portion is provided with a light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion; the light-transmitting on-off portion and the ring elastic support plate 6 are formed by mold stamping; the light-blocking portion is composed of an annular flange wall 6-1, and the annular flange wall 6-1 is formed by a stamping mold and is formed by a through hole located on the ring-connected upper plate 6-3; the light-transmitting portion is a light-transmitting space, and the light-transmitting space is composed of an annular plate wall space 6-2, and the annular plate wall space 6-2 is composed of a space surrounded by the annular wall of the annular flange wall 6-1.

[0022] Furthermore, the reset body is composed of a rubber elastic ring 3, and by reducing the height H1 of the elastic ring upper boss 3-2 of the rubber elastic ring 3 and canceling the elastic ring contact 3-7 of the rubber elastic ring 3, the reset elastic force of the rubber elastic ring 3 becomes smaller when the keycap 1 drops to the lower limit position; when the keycap 1 is at the lower limit position, the plane where the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 is located is still higher than the plane where the ring lower connecting part 6-5 is located, so that when the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 drops from a high position to a low position, the reset elastic force generated by the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 increases in the same direction as the downward displacement, so that when the keycap 1 is at the lower limit position, the reset elastic force generated by the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 becomes larger.

[0023] Furthermore, when the keycap 1 is at the upper limit position, the keycap 1 is at point a. Under the action of external force, the keycap 1 moves downward from point a to point b, and the reset force of the rubber elastic ring 3 increases to the maximum. The keycap 1 continues to move downward from point b to point c, and the reset force of the rubber elastic ring 3 is inversely proportional to the displacement. The keycap 1 continues to move downward, and the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 is pushed to move downward from point c to point d. The reset force generated by the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 is proportional to the displacement. Under the joint action of the reset force of the rubber elastic ring 3 and the reset force of the ring elastic arm plate 6-4, the rebound rate of the keycap 1 is greater than 40%.

[0024] Furthermore, the notebook keyboard is also provided with a waterproof membrane 13, the rubber elastic ring 3 is connected to the upper surface of the waterproof membrane 13, the waterproof membrane 13 is connected to the upper surface of the metal support plate 4, the light guide plate module 11 is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate 4, and the annular elastic support plate 6 is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate module 11.

[0025] Furthermore, the waterproof membrane 13 is provided with an anti-membrane through hole 13-1 and an anti-membrane arm space 13-2; when the keycap 1 is in the upper limit position, the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 of the ring elastic support plate 6 passes through the anti-membrane through hole 13-1 and is located above the waterproof membrane 13, and the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 is located in the anti-membrane arm space 13-2.

[0026] Furthermore, the ring elastic support plate 6 is composed of a ring connecting upper plate 6-3, a ring elastic arm plate 6-4, and a ring lower connecting portion 6-5, and the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 is connected to a light-transmitting switch or the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 is provided with a light-transmitting switch; the metal support plate 4 is provided with a support arm space 4-2, a support connection space 4-1, and a support plate middle space 4-4 that pass through its plate surface, wherein the support connection space 4-1 and the support plate middle space 4-4 are connected by the support arm space 4-2 or the support arm space 4-2 connects the support connection space 4-1, and the number of the support connection spaces 4-1 and the support arm space 4-2 is the same and at least 2 are provided; the support arm space 4-2, the support connection space 4-1, and the support plate middle space 4-4 can respectively accommodate the ring elastic arm plate 6-4, the ring lower connecting portion 6-5, the light-transmitting switch or the light-transmitting switch of the ring elastic support plate 6.

[0027] Furthermore, the metal support plate 4 is provided with a support plate contact surface 4-3, which is located outside the support plate middle space 4-4 and between the support accommodating arm spaces 4-2 or below the annular elastic arm plate 6-4.

[0028] Furthermore, the support plate contact surface 4-3 is a part of the metal support plate 4, and the support plate contact surface 4-3 is formed by a stamping mold to form a concave step surface. The support plate contact surface 4-3 is located on a plane, and the plane is located between the plane and the plane, and the plane and the plane are respectively located on the upper surface and lower surface of the metal support plate 4.

[0029] Furthermore, the light guide plate module 11 is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate 4, and the metal support plate 4 is provided with a support plate bullet space 4-5 that penetrates its plate surface. The ring elastic support plate 6 is located in the support plate bullet space 4-5 and is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate module 11 through the ring lower connecting portion 6-5, wherein the ring lower connecting portion 6-5 is connected to form an integral closed circular ring; the rubber elastic ring 3 is provided with an elastic ring arm space 3-6, a ring sealing extension surface 3-11, an elastic ring upper boss 3-2, and an elastic ring lower boss 3-5, wherein the lower surface of the elastic ring lower boss 3-5 is provided with at least two elastic ring lower extension bosses extending downward. Platform 3-12, at least two elastic ring arm spaces 3-6 are set between the elastic ring lower extension boss 3-12, the ring sealing extension surface 3-11 is connected to the circular surface of the elastic ring lower boss 3-5 in a closed circular ring, and the lower surface of the ring sealing extension surface 3-11 is located above the lower surface of the elastic ring lower extension boss 3-12; the lower surface of the ring sealing extension surface 3-11 is sealed and connected to the upper surface of the ring lower connecting part 6-5, and the elastic ring lower extension boss 3-12 passes through the ring elastic arm side space 6-6 of the ring elastic support plate 6 and is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate module 11 or is connected to the upper surface of the upper plate surface of the metal lower support plate 14.

[0030] Furthermore, the notebook keyboard is also provided with a metal lower support plate 14, the upper surface of the metal lower support plate 14 is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate 4, and the lower surface of the metal lower support plate 14 is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate 7. The metal lower support plate 14 is provided with a gold lower support through-hole 14-1 running through its surface, and the support plate contact surface 4-3 is located on the bent edge of the gold lower support through-hole 14-1 or on the flange wall of the gold lower support through-hole 14-1, and the support plate contact surface 4-3 is higher than the upper surface of the metal lower support plate 14. Beneficial effects

[0031] The present invention provides a thin and sealed optical switch keyboard. The technical solution of the present invention makes the optical switch keyboard have a better feel and a longer service life. The optical switch keyboard is applied to PC keyboards, and is particularly suitable for thin notebook keyboards.

[0032] 1. The through hole connecting the ring to the upper plate 6-3 is formed by die processing to form the annular flange wall 6-1 and the annular plate wall space 6-2, thereby simplifying the structure of the annular elastic support plate 6;

[0033] 2. A light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion are formed on the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 in the middle of the ring elastic support plate 6, so that light emitted by the light emitter (using MiniLED) directly enters the transparent rubber elastic ring 3. The incident light is scattered by the rubber elastic ring 3 and then directly enters the key characters. The keycaps of the present invention emit light with uniform and high brightness.

[0034] 3. The establishment of the support plate contact surface 4-3 protects the optical switch from the processing errors of the rubber elastic ring 3, ensures the distance between the end surface of the ring flange wall 6-1 and the upper surface of the PCB board 8, and improves the reliability of the switch. At the same time, when the keycap 1 is in the lower limit position, the support plate contact surface 4-3 restricts the lower surface of the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 to a position higher than the lower surface of the ring lower connecting portion 6-5, significantly extending the service life of the ring elastic support plate 6.

[0035] 4. The optical switch is sealed while the keyboard thickness is increased by 0.05mm (waterproof membrane solution) or the keyboard thickness does not increase;

[0036] 5. The reset body is composed of a rubber elastic ring 3 and an elastic ring support plate 6. After the optimized design, the deformation of the rubber elastic ring 3 and the elastic ring support plate 6 is reduced during use, which greatly increases the service life of the rubber elastic ring 3 and the elastic ring support plate 6;

[0037] 6. The ring elastic support plate 6 adopts two ring elastic arm plates 6-4 with an angle of 180 degrees to each other, and two elastic ring lower convex hulls 3-10 are provided on the elastic ring lower boss 3-5 of the rubber elastic ring 3, and an elastic ring arm space 3-6 is provided on the elastic ring lower convex hull 3-10; so that the function keys with ultra-small structures (small keys such as F keys) can also use the technology of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0039] FIG1 is a front view of a notebook keyboard with 101 keys;

[0040] FIG2 is a partial enlarged view of FIG1;

[0041] FIG3 is a partial perspective view of a key unit of FIG2 ;

[0042] FIG4 is an exploded view of a key unit of the conventional optical switch keyboard of FIG3 ;

[0043] FIG5 is an exploded perspective view of a membrane optical switch of the prior art using an annular elastic support plate 6;

[0044] FIG6 is a perspective view of a rubber elastic ring 3 of the prior art;

[0045] FIG7 is a front view of the rubber elastic ring 3 of the prior art;

[0046] FIG8 is a perspective view of a ring elastic support plate 6 of the prior art;

[0047] 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the force F and the stroke H of the rubber elastic ring 3 of the prior art and a deformation diagram of the rubber elastic ring 3 at key points;

[0048] 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the ring elastic support plate force F and the stroke H and a deformation diagram of the metal pot at a key point in the prior art;

[0049] FIG11 is an exploded view of a key unit of the optical switch keyboard of the present invention;

[0050] FIG12 is a partial enlarged view of FIG11;

[0051] FIG13 is a perspective view of the rubber elastic ring 3 of the present invention;

[0052] FIG14 is a perspective view of the annular elastic support plate 6 of the present invention;

[0053] FIG15 is a perspective view of the light guide plate module 11 of the present invention mounted on the lower surface of the metal support plate 4;

[0054] FIG16 is a perspective view of the waterproof membrane 13 of the present invention after being connected to the upper surface of the metal support plate 4;

[0055] 17 is a perspective view of the rubber elastic ring 3 of the present invention and the upper surface of the waterproof membrane 13 is connected;

[0056] FIG18 is a perspective view of the exhaust groove provided in the light guide plate module 11 of the present invention;

[0057] FIG19 is a front view of a key unit of the optical switch keyboard of the present invention;

[0058] FIG20 is an AA sectional view of the keycap 1 of FIG19 of the present invention when it is located at the upper limit position;

[0059] FIG21 is an AA sectional view of the keycap 1 of FIG19 of the present invention when it is located at the lower limit position;

[0060] FIG22 is a BB cross-sectional view of the keycap 1 of FIG19 of the present invention when it is located at the lower limit position;

[0061] FIG23 is a partial enlarged view of FIG21;

[0062] FIG24 is a partial enlarged view of FIG22;

[0063] 25 is a diagram showing the relationship between the force F and the stroke H of the rubber elastic ring 3 of the present invention and a deformation diagram of the rubber elastic ring 3 at key points;

[0064] 26 is a diagram showing the relationship between the force F and the stroke H of the annular elastic support plate of the present invention and a deformation diagram of the annular elastic support plate at key points;

[0065] FIG27 is a perspective view of a metal support plate 4 of another structure of the present invention;

[0066] FIG28 is a perspective view of a metal support plate 4 of another structure of the present invention;

[0067] FIG29 is a perspective view of a metal support plate 4 of another structure of the present invention;

[0068] FIG30 is a perspective view of a metal support plate 4 of another structure of the present invention;

[0069] FIG31 is an exploded perspective view of a metal support plate 4 provided with a metal lower support plate (14) according to another structure of the present invention;

[0070] FIG32 is a perspective view of the metal support plate 4 of FIG31;

[0071] FIG33 is an exploded perspective view of a metal support plate 4 provided with a metal lower support plate 14 according to another structure of the present invention;

[0072] FIG34 is a perspective view of the metal support plate 4 of FIG33;

[0073] FIG35 is an exploded view of a key unit of an F key of an optical switch keyboard of the present invention, which adopts two ring elastic arm plates 6-4;

[0074] FIG36 is a partial enlarged view of FIG35;

[0075] FIG37 is a perspective view of the rubber elastic ring 3 of the F key of the present invention;

[0076] FIG38 is a perspective view of the rubber elastic ring 3 of the F key of the present invention;

[0077] 39 is a cross-sectional view of a key unit of the present invention when the F key is located at the upper limit position;

[0078] FIG40 is a cross-sectional view of a key unit of the present invention when the F key is located at the lower limit position;

[0079] FIG41 is another cross-sectional view of a key unit when the F key of the present invention is located at the upper limit position;

[0080] FIG42 is an exploded front view of a rubber elastic ring 3 and an elastic support plate of four arms of another structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0081] Figure 43 is a front view of Figure 42;

[0082] FIG44 is an exploded perspective view of FIG43;

[0083] FIG45 is a perspective view of the cooperation of FIG44;

[0084] FIG46 is a perspective view of the rubber elastic ring 3 of the ring elastic support plate 6 of the three arms of the present invention;

[0085] FIG47 is a perspective view of the rubber elastic ring 3 and the three-arm elastic support plate 6;

[0086] FIG48 is a cross-sectional view of a key unit using the rubber elastic ring and the ring elastic support plate of FIG47 when the key is located at the upper limit position;

[0087] FIG49 is a cross-sectional view of a key unit of the annular elastic support plate 6 of FIG48 when the key is located at the lower limit position;

[0088] FIG50 is a cross-sectional view of an optical switch body of the present invention using a thin-walled steel tube;

[0089] FIG51 is a cross-sectional view of an optical switch body of the present invention using a clad plastic optical fiber;

[0090] FIG52 is a three-dimensional view of another annular elastic support plate 6 of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0091] The switch blocking body 5 is composed of an annular elastic support plate 6 and a light-transmitting on-off portion on the annular elastic support plate 6; the annular elastic support plate 6 is formed by die stamping; the light-transmitting on-off portion is composed of an annular flange wall 6-1 and an annular plate wall space 6-2. The annular flange wall 6-1 is formed by a stamping die and is formed by a through hole located on the annular upper plate 6-3. The annular plate wall space 6-2 is composed of the space enclosed by the annular wall of the annular flange wall 6-1. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0092] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example 1

[0093] As shown in Figures 11 to 28, a notebook keyboard using an optical switch includes a keycap 1, a key support structure 2, a reset body, a metal support plate 4, an optical transmitter, an optical connector, a light guide plate module, a switch blocking body 5, and a circuit chip, wherein the optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter is connected to the optical path of the optical connector through the light guide plate module. When the switch blocking body 5 is triggered, the optical connector detects the change in the optical signal; the switch blocking body 5 is composed of a light-transmitting on-off body and an annular elastic support plate 6 or a light-transmitting on-off portion on the annular elastic support plate 6; the annular elastic support plate 6 is formed by a stamping die, and the annular elastic support plate 6 is composed of an annular connecting upper plate 6-3, an annular elastic arm plate 6-4, and an annular lower connecting portion 6-5. The plane where the annular connecting upper plate 6-3 is located is higher than the plane where the annular lower connecting portion 6-5 is located. The annular connecting upper plate 6-3 and the annular lower connecting portion 6-5 are connected by an elastic annular elastic arm plate 6-4, and a light-transmitting space is provided in the middle of the annular connecting upper plate 6-3.

[0094] A light-transmitting portion is formed on the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 in the middle of the ring-elastic support plate 6, so that the light emitted by the light emitter (using minLED) directly enters the transparent rubber elastic ring 3, and the incident light is scattered by the rubber elastic ring 3 and directly enters the characters of the key. The luminous brightness of the characters on the keycap of the present invention is uniform and bright; wherein, the plane where the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 is located is higher than the plane where the ring lower connecting part 6-5 is located, the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 and the ring lower connecting part 6-5 are connected by at least two elastic ring elastic arm plates 6-4, a light-transmitting space is provided in the middle of the ring-connected upper plate 6-3, and the number of ring lower connecting parts 6-5 provided is at least two; the light-transmitting space is composed of a space surrounded by through holes on the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 that penetrate the plate surface, the light-transmitting on-off body and the light-transmitting on-off part are both located in the middle of the ring-elastic support plate 6, and the light-transmitting on-off body and the light-transmitting on-off part are both provided with a light-blocking part and a light-transmitting part.

[0095] The reset body is a rubber elastic ring 3, which is connected to the upper surface of the waterproof membrane 13, the waterproof membrane 13 is connected to the upper surface of the metal support plate 4, the light guide plate module 11 is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate 4, and the ring elastic support plate 6 is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate module 11; the waterproof membrane 13 is provided with an anti-membrane through hole 13-1 and an anti-membrane arm space 13-2; when the keycap 1 is in the upper limit position, the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 of the ring elastic support plate 6 passes through the anti-membrane through hole 13-1 and is located above the waterproof membrane 13, and the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 is located in the anti-membrane arm space 13-2; the ring elastic support plate 6 is composed of a ring-connected upper plate 6-3, a ring elastic arm plate 6-4, and a ring lower connecting part 6-5, and the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 is connected to a light-transmitting switch or the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 is provided with a light-transmitting switch; the reset body is composed of a reset body, a ring elastic support plate 6 When the key cap 1 is in the upper limit position, the upward resetting force of the key cap 1 in the first stroke is provided by the reset body 1, and the upward resetting force of the key cap 1 in the second stroke is mainly provided by the ring elastic support plate 6; when in use, under the action of external force, the key cap 1 overcomes the upward force of the reset body 1 and moves downward. After the key cap 1 moves downward for a distance, the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 is pushed to move downward, and the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 produces elastic deformation; when the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 is pressed to the lowest position, the key cap 1 is in the lower limit position, and the light blocking part disconnects the optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter from the optical path of the optical connector; when the external force is removed, the upward elastic force is mainly provided by the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 of the ring elastic support plate 6, so that the key cap 1 is reset upward.

[0096] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the optical switch keyboard consists of a keycap 1, a key support structure 2, a reset body, a metal support plate 4, an optical transmitter, an optical connector, a light guide plate module, a switch blocking body 5, a circuit chip, and a waterproof membrane 13. The optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter is connected to the optical path of the optical connector through the light guide plate module. When the switch blocking body 5 is triggered, the optical connector detects the change in the optical signal. The reset body is an arched reset body or a spring or a magnetic body. The arched reset body is composed of an annular elastic support plate 6 or a rubber elastic ring 3 (this embodiment uses a rubber elastic ring 3). The switch blocking body 5 is located directly below the rubber elastic ring 3, and the light guide plate module 11 is located below the metal support plate 4. The switch blocking body 5 is composed of an annular elastic support plate 6 and a light-transmitting on-off portion on the annular elastic support plate 6.

[0097] As shown in FIG12, the waterproof membrane 13 is located above the metal support plate 4 and is bonded to the upper surface of the metal support plate 4. The waterproof membrane 13 is provided with a membrane-proof through-hole 13-1 and a membrane-proof arm space 13-2. The rubber elastic ring 3 corresponds to the position of the membrane-proof through-hole 13-1 and is bonded to the waterproof membrane 13. The rubber elastic ring 3 and the waterproof membrane 13 seal the support arm space 4-2, the support connection space 4-1, and the support plate middle space 4-4 below them. The metal support plate 4 is provided with a support arm space 4-2 penetrating its plate surface. -2, support connection space 4-1, support plate middle space 4-4, wherein the support connection space 4-1 and the support plate middle space 4-4 are connected by the support accommodating arm space 4-2, the number of the support connection spaces 4-1 and the support accommodating arm spaces 4-2 is the same and at least 2 are set; the metal support plate 4 is provided with a support plate contact surface 4-3, the support plate contact surface 4-3 is located outside the support plate middle space 4-4, and is located between the support accommodating arm spaces 4-2 or the support plate contact surface 4-3 is located below the annular elastic arm plate 6-4.

[0098] The support plate contact surface 4-3 is a part of the metal support plate 4. The support plate contact surface 4-3 is formed by a stamping mold to form a concave step surface. The support plate contact surface 4-3 is located on a plane, and the plane is located between the plane and the plane. The plane and the plane are respectively located on the upper surface and the lower surface of the metal support plate 4.

[0099] The establishment of the support plate contact surface 4-3 prevents the optical switch from being affected by the processing error of the rubber elastic ring 3, ensures the distance from the end face of the ring circular flange wall 6-1 to the upper board surface of the PCB board 8, and increases the reliability of the switch; at the same time, when the keycap 1 is in the lower limit position, the support plate contact surface 4-3 limits the lower board surface of the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 to a position higher than the lower board surface of the ring lower connecting part 6-5, greatly increasing the service life of the ring elastic support plate 6.

[0100] As shown in FIG13 , the reset body is composed of a rubber elastic ring 3, which is provided with an upper exhaust groove 3-1, an upper boss 3-2, a thin wall 3-3, a trigger boss 3-4, a lower boss 3-5, an arm space 3-6, and an elastic contact 3-7.

[0101] As shown in Figure 14, the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 is provided with a light-transmitting on-off portion, and the light-transmitting on-off portion is provided with a light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion; the light-transmitting on-off portion and the ring elastic support plate 6 are formed by mold stamping; the ring elastic support plate 6 is formed by a stamping mold, and the ring elastic support plate 6 is composed of the ring-connected upper plate 6-3, the annular flange wall 6-1, the annular plate wall space 6-2, the ring-connected upper plate 6-3, the ring elastic arm plate 6-4, the ring lower connecting portion 6-5, and the ring elastic arm side space 6-6, wherein the annular flange wall 6-1 is formed by a stamping mold by stretching the flange downwardly and forming the through hole on the ring-connected upper plate 6-3, the light-transmitting portion is a light-transmitting space, and the light-transmitting space is composed of the annular plate wall space 6-2, and the annular plate wall space 6-2 is composed of the space surrounded by the annular wall of the annular flange wall 6-1; the through hole of the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 is formed by mold processing the annular flange wall 6-1 and the annular plate wall space 6-2, which simplifies the structure of the ring elastic support plate 6.

[0102] The number of the ring elastic arm plates 6-4 and the ring lower connecting parts 6-5 is the same and at least 2 are set; the ring elastic support plate 6 of the large keys of the notebook keyboard, such as the space bar, adopts the ring elastic arm plates 6-4 and the ring lower connecting parts 6-5, which are the same and 4 are set; the ring elastic support plate 6 of the standard keys such as the numeric keys and letter keys adopts the ring elastic arm plates 6-4 and the ring lower connecting parts 6-5, which are the same and 3 are set; the ring elastic support plate 6 of the small keys, such as the function keys (F keys), adopts the ring elastic arm plates 6-4 and the ring lower connecting parts 6-5, which are the same and 2 are set; a contact surface is provided on the ring connecting upper plate 6-3, and the contact surface is located on the lower surface of the ring connecting upper plate 6-3. The ring lower connecting part 6-5 and the annular flange wall 6-1 of this embodiment are concentric; the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 is concentric.

[0103] As shown in Figures 12, 15-17, it should be ensured that the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 corresponds to the anti-film arm space 13-2 and the elastic ring arm space 3-6 respectively; the anti-film arm space 13-2 and the elastic ring arm space 3-6 can accommodate the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 respectively.

[0104] It should be ensured that: the supporting arm space 4-2, the supporting connection space 4-1, and the space in the support plate 4-4 correspond to the positions of the annular elastic arm plate 6-4, the lower ring connection part 6-5, the light-transmitting switching body or the light-transmitting switching part of the annular elastic support plate 6 respectively; the supporting arm space 4-2, the supporting connection space 4-1, and the space in the support plate 4-4 can respectively accommodate the annular elastic arm plate 6-4, the lower ring connection part 6-5, the light-transmitting switching body or the light-transmitting switching part of the annular elastic support plate 6; the rubber elastic ring 3, the waterproof membrane 13 and the light guide plate module 11 seal the supporting arm space 4-2, the supporting connection space 4-1, and the space in the support plate 4-4.

[0105] As shown in Figures 12 and 16, the notebook keyboard is also provided with a waterproof membrane 13, the rubber elastic ring 3 is connected to the upper surface of the waterproof membrane 13, the waterproof membrane 13 is connected to the upper surface of the metal support plate 4, the light guide plate module 11 is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate 4, and the annular elastic support plate 6 is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate module 11.

[0106] The waterproof membrane 13 is provided with an anti-membrane through hole 13-1 and an anti-membrane arm space 13-2; when the keycap 1 is in the upper limit position, the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 of the ring elastic support plate 6 passes through the anti-membrane through hole 13-1 and is located above the waterproof membrane 13, and the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 is located in the anti-membrane arm space 13-2.

[0107] As shown in Figure 18, taking a keyboard with 101 keys as an example, the light guide plate module 11 is provided with 101 blocking through holes 7-1. The space surrounded by the blocking through holes 7-1 is the blocking action space 7-2. By providing a module exhaust groove 11-1 on the light guide plate module 11, the 101 blocking action spaces 7-2 on the light guide plate module 11 are connected; the light guide plate module 11 is composed of a light guide plate 7, a PCB board 8, an LED light source 9, and a photosensitive element 10, wherein the reflective film, the lower reflective film, and the PC board are connected. The B board 8 and the photosensitive element 10 are not shown in the figure. An upper reflective film and a lower reflective film are respectively provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the light guide plate 7. The PCB board 8 adopts a thin PCB board. The module exhaust groove 11-1 is located between the light guide plate 7 and the PCB board. The module exhaust groove 11-1 is located on the lower reflective film or the module exhaust groove 11-1 is located on a thin film provided between the reflective film and the PCB board (not shown in the figure). The PCB board 8 is located at the bottom layer, blocking the through hole 7-1 from penetrating the upper reflective film and the lower reflective film.

[0108] As shown in Figure 19, the rubber elastic ring 3 lifts the keycap 1 and restricts the keycap 1 to the upper limit position; it should be ensured that: the rubber elastic ring 3 corresponds to the position of the anti-membrane through hole 13-1; the elastic ring triggering boss 3-4 of the rubber elastic ring 3 is aligned with the anti-membrane through hole 13-1 and the ring connecting upper plate 6-3.

[0109] As shown in Figures 19 to 24, the rubber elastic ring 3 lifts the keycap 1 to the upper limit position; taking a notebook keyboard with 101 key positions as an example, the stroke of the keycap 1 of the keyboard is 1.5mm, the stroke of the ring elastic support plate 6 is 0.25mm, and the total height is 0.4mm; when the keycap 1 moves downward, the upward reset force of the keycap 1 in the first stroke is provided by the rubber elastic ring 3, and the upward reset force of the keycap 1 in the second stroke is mainly provided by the ring elastic support plate 6; the first stroke of the keycap 1 is: the stroke from the upper limit position of the keycap 1 to the time when the lower surface of the elastic ring trigger boss 3-4 of the rubber elastic ring 3 contacts the ring upper plate 6-3. The first stroke of this embodiment is approximately 1.25mm, and the second stroke is approximately 0.25mm.

[0110] When in use, under the action of external force, when the key cap 1 moves downward, the upward restoring force of the key cap 1 in the first stroke is provided by the rubber elastic ring 3. The first stroke is about 1.25mm. When the key cap 1 moves downward by about 1.25mm, the lower surface of the elastic ring triggering boss 3-4 of the rubber elastic ring 3 contacts the ring-connected upper plate 6-3. At this time, the restoring force of the rubber elastic ring 3 becomes minimum; it continues to move downward. In the second stroke, the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 is pushed downward, and the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 produces elastic deformation. When the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 is pressed to the lowest position, the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 is pressed tightly against the support The plate contacts the surface 4-3, the keycap 1 is in the lower limit position, and the light-blocking part disconnects the optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter from the optical path of the optical connector; when the external force is removed, the upward elastic force is mainly provided by the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 of the ring elastic support plate 6, so that the keycap 1 is reset upward; it should be ensured that: when the keycap 1 is in the lower limit position, the lower surface of the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 is triggered by the elastic ring and the lower surface of the boss 3-4 is reliably pressed on the upper plate surface of the support plate contact surface 4-3; it should be ensured that: when the keycap 1 is in the lower limit position, the support plate contact surface 4-3 limits the lower plate surface of the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 to a position higher than the lower plate surface of the ring lower connecting part 6-5.

[0111] When the keycap 1 moves downward, the inner space of the rubber elastic ring 3 is compressed. Since the space of each optical switch is sealed, the resistance under the keycap 1 is very large. To solve this problem, first, an upper elastic ring exhaust groove 3-1 and an elastic ring airbag thin wall 3-3 are provided on the elastic ring upper boss 3-2 of the rubber elastic ring 3. In addition, the following methods are adopted: by providing an exhaust groove on the light guide plate module 11, the 101 blocking through holes 7-1 on the light guide plate module 11 are connected; when one or more keycaps 1 move downward, the inner space of one or more rubber elastic rings 3 is compressed, and the elastic ring airbag thin walls 3-3 of the other 90 to 100 rubber elastic rings 3 are deformed upward and the air is discharged through the exhaust groove 3-1.

[0112] Since the laptop keyboard is connected to the motherboard using a 0.1mm thick FPC cable, and the space of the optical switch is sealed, it is impossible to use existing technology to vent air through the USB cable. The present invention uses a thin-walled 0.15mm-0.2mm thick elastic ring airbag wall 3-3 and connects 101 sealed spaces. When one or more keycaps 1 move downward, the elastic ring airbag walls 3-3 of the other 90 to 100 rubber elastic rings 3 deform upward and discharge air through the exhaust groove 3-1. At the same time, when the external force is removed, the elastic ring airbag walls 3-3 deform upward to provide a reset elastic force.

[0113] As shown in Figures 20 to 24, the keycap 1 moves from the upper limit position to the lower limit position. After simulation calculation, the volume of the inner space of the rubber elastic ring 3 is 15.90 cubic millimeters; the volume of the pressed inner space is 3.13 cubic millimeters; when the keycap 1 is pressed, the exhaust of one rubber elastic ring 3 is 12.77 cubic millimeters; the thin wall 3-3 of the elastic ring airbag is deformed upward by 0.32 mm, and the volume of the thin wall 3-3 of the elastic ring airbag is expanded by 0.94 cubic millimeters. m; Assuming that 8 keys are pressed at the same time, the total exhaust volume of the rubber elastic ring 3 is 102.1 cubic millimeters, and 90 elastic ring airbag thin walls 3-3 are deformed upward by 89.1 cubic millimeters: at the same time, when the elastic wall 3-9 of the elastic ring is deformed outward by 0.01 mm, the outward deformation volume of the rubber elastic ring 3 = 0.30 cubic millimeters, and the outward deformation volume of 90 to 100 rubber elastic rings 3 is: 27 cubic millimeters--30 cubic millimeters. The total deformation volume of the two items is about 119 cubic millimeters.

[0114] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, the first stroke of the keycap 1 is: the keycap 1 pushes the rubber elastic ring 3 from point a to point c, and the second stroke of the keycap 1 is: the rubber elastic ring 3 of the keycap 1 from point c to point d, and at the same time, the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 of the ring elastic support plate 6 from point c to point d; when the keycap 1 is at the upper limit position, the keycap 1 is at point a, and under the action of external force, the keycap 1 moves downward from point a to point b. At point b, the reset elastic force of the rubber elastic ring 3 increases to the maximum, and the keycap 1 continues to move downward from point b to point c. The reset elastic force of the rubber elastic ring 3 is inversely proportional to the displacement, and at point c, the reset elastic force of the rubber elastic ring 3 is reduced to the minimum; the elastic ring triggering boss 3-4 of the rubber elastic ring 3 contacts the ring connecting upper plate 6-3, and the keycap 1 continues to move downward. The ring elastic arm plate 6-4 of the ring elastic support plate 6 is pushed to move downward, and the keycap 1 moves from point c to point d, and the reset elastic force of the rubber elastic ring 3 increases slightly.

[0115] As shown in Figure 26, the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 of the ring-elastic support plate 6 is pushed downward and displaced from point c to point d. The reset elastic force generated by the ring-elastic arm plate 6-4 is proportional to the displacement. At point d, the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 is triggered by the elastic ring, and the lower surface of the boss 3-4 is reliably pressed against the upper plate surface of the support plate contact surface 4-3. The reset elastic force of the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 increases to the maximum. Under the joint action of the reset elastic force of the rubber elastic ring 3 and the reset elastic force of the ring elastic arm plate 6-4, the rebound rate of the keycap 1 is greater than 40%.

[0116] The reset body is composed of a rubber elastic ring 3. By reducing the height H1 of the upper boss 3-2 of the rubber elastic ring 3 and eliminating the elastic ring contact 3-7 of the rubber elastic ring 3, the reset elastic force of the rubber elastic ring 3 becomes smaller when the keycap 1 drops to the lower limit position. Compared with the prior art, the present invention reduces the large extrusion deformation of the upper boss 3-2 and the elastic wall 3-9 of the elastic ring, thereby significantly improving the service life of the rubber elastic ring 3.

[0117] The prior art obtains a larger reset elastic force by squeezing the upper boss 3-2 and the elastic wall 3-9 of the elastic ring by the keycap 1 to produce a larger deformation, so as to make the rebound rate of the keycap 1 greater than 40%; the present invention mainly relies on the reset elastic force of the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 to make the rebound rate of the keycap 1 greater than 40%.

[0118] The reset body is composed of a rubber elastic ring 3 and an elastic ring support plate 6. After the optimized design, the deformation of the rubber elastic ring 3 and the elastic ring support plate 6 is reduced during use, which greatly improves the service life of the rubber elastic ring 3 and the elastic ring support plate 6.

[0119] It should be ensured that: when the keycap 1 is in the lower limit position, the plane where the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 is located is still higher than the plane where the ring lower connecting part 6-5 is located, so that when the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 drops from a high position to a low position, the reset elastic force generated by the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 increases in the same direction as the downward displacement, so that when the keycap 1 is in the lower limit position, the reset elastic force generated by the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 becomes larger.

[0120] In order to obtain a similar collapse feeling, the ring elastic support plate 6 in the prior art has a large deformation of the ring elastic arm plate 6-4. In the present invention, when the keycap 1 is at the lower limit position, the plane where the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 is located is still higher than the plane where the ring lower connecting part 6-5 is located. The elastic force of the ring elastic support plate 6 of the present invention is proportional to the displacement, and a similar collapse feeling is not required. The ring elastic arm plate 6-4 has a small deformation, which greatly improves the service life of the ring elastic support plate 6.

[0121] As shown in Figures 27 to 34, the metal support plate 4 is provided with a support arm space 4-2, a support connection space 4-1, and a support plate middle space 4-4 that pass through its plate surface, wherein the support arm space 4-2 connects the support connection space 4-1 and the support plate middle space 4-4, the number of the support connection spaces 4-1 and the support arm space 4-2 is the same and at least 2 are provided; the support arm space 4-2, the support connection space 4-1, and the support plate middle space 4-4 can respectively accommodate the ring elastic arm plate 6-4, the ring lower connection part 6-5, the light-transmitting switching body or the light-transmitting switching part of the ring elastic support plate 6; the metal support plate 4 is provided with a support plate contact surface 4-3, and the metal support plate 4 is provided with a plane, a plane, and a plane, wherein the plane and the plane are respectively located on the upper surface and the lower surface of the metal support plate 4, and the plane is located between the plane and the plane.

[0122] As shown in Figures 27 and 28, the support plate contact surface 4-3 is located outside the support plate space 4-4 and between the support arm spaces 4-2. The support plate contact surface 4-3 is located in a plane, and the lower plate surface of the ring lower connecting portion 6-5 is located in a plane; the support plate contact surface 4-3 is located in a plane or in a position below the plane, and the support plate contact surface 4-3 is part of the metal support plate 4.

[0123] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, the support plate contact surface 4-3 is located outside the support plate space 4-4 and located in the support arm space 4-2. The support plate contact surface 4-3 is formed by a stamping die to form a concave step surface.

[0124] As shown in Figures 31 to 34, the metal support plate 4 is thinned and a metal lower support plate 14 is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate 4, wherein the plane is located on the upper surface of the metal support plate 4, the plane is located on the lower surface of the metal lower support plate 14, and the plane is located between the planes.

[0125] As shown in Figures 31 and 32, the support plate contact surface 4-3 is located on the metal lower support plate 14, inside the support plate space 4-4 and below the support arm space 4-2.

[0126] As shown in Figures 33 and 34, the support plate contact surface 4-3 is located on the metal lower support plate 14, the support plate contact surface 4-3 is located on the inner side of the support plate middle space 4-4 and is located in the support arm space 4-2, the support plate contact surface 4-3 is located on the upward stamped flange wall or the upward stamped bent wall of the metal lower support through hole 14-1 of the metal lower support plate 14, and the ring lower connecting portion 6-5 is connected to the upper plate surface of the metal lower support plate 14. Example 2

[0127] As shown in Figures 35 to 41, the ring elastic support plate 6 of the function key (small key such as the F key) adopts the same number of ring elastic arm plates 6-4 and ring lower connecting parts 6-5, and two are set. A contact surface portion is set on the ring connecting upper plate 6-3, and the contact surface portion is located on the lower surface of the ring connecting upper plate 6-3. The ring lower connecting part 6-5 and the annular flange wall 6-1 of this embodiment are concentric; the ring connecting upper plate 6-3 is concentric, and the ring elastic arm plate 6-4 and the ring lower connecting part 6-5 are connected together, and one ring elastic arm plate 6-4 and the ring lower connecting part 6-5 are 180 degrees with the other ring elastic arm plate 6-4 and the ring lower connecting part 6-5.

[0128] The lower boss 3-5 of the rubber elastic ring 3 is provided with two lower convex bumps 3-10 of the elastic ring, and an elastic ring arm space 3-6 is provided on the lower convex bump 3-10 of the elastic ring; the ring elastic support plate 6 adopts two ring elastic arm plates 6-4 that are 180 degrees apart, and two lower convex bumps 3-10 of the elastic ring are provided on the lower boss 3-5 of the rubber elastic ring 3, and an elastic ring arm space 3-6 is provided on the lower convex bump 3-10 of the elastic ring; the technology of the present invention can also be used for small function keys with ultra-small structures, such as the F key.

[0129] As shown in Figures 39 to 41, the light-transmitting touch panel 15 is in the shape of a transparent plate. The light-transmitting touch panel 15 is in optical communication with the key cap 1. When the key cap 1 moves downward, the convex portion of the upper boss 3-2 of the rubber elastic ring 3 pushes the light-transmitting touch panel 15 downward, and the light-transmitting touch panel 15 pushes the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 downward.

[0130] The rest is the same as in Example 1. Example 3

[0131] As shown in Figures 42 to 49, the light guide plate module 11 is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate (4, the metal support plate 4 is provided with a support plate bullet space 4-5 that penetrates the plate surface, the ring elastic support plate 6 is located in the support plate bullet space 4-5 and is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate module 11 through the ring lower connecting portion 6-5, wherein the ring lower connecting portion 6-5 is connected to form an integral closed circular ring; the rubber elastic ring 3 is provided with an elastic ring arm space 3-6, a ring sealing extension surface 3-11, an elastic ring upper boss 3-2, and an elastic ring lower boss 3-5, wherein the lower surface of the elastic ring lower boss 3-5 is provided with a downward extending At least two elastic ring downward extension bosses 3-12 are extended, and at least two elastic ring arm spaces 3-6 are set between the elastic ring downward extension bosses 3-12. The ring sealing extension surface 3-11 is connected to the plate surface of the elastic ring downward extension boss 3-12 in a closed circular ring, and the lower surface of the ring sealing extension surface 3-11 is located above the lower surface of the elastic ring downward extension boss 3-12; the lower surface of the ring sealing extension surface 3-11 is sealed and connected to the upper surface of the ring lower connecting part 6-5, and the elastic ring downward extension boss 3-12 passes through the ring elastic arm side space 6-6 of the ring elastic support plate 6 and is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate module 11.

[0132] The laptop keyboard also includes a metal lower support plate 14, the upper surface of which is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate 4, which in turn is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate 7. A metal lower support hole 14-1 extends through the metal lower support plate 14, and a support plate contact surface 4-3 is located on the bent edge or flanged wall of the metal lower support hole 14-1. The support plate contact surface 4-3 is higher than the upper surface of the metal lower support plate 14. This technical solution achieves sealing of the optical switch without increasing the thickness of the keyboard.

[0133] The rest is the same as in Example 1. Example 4

[0134] As shown in Figures 50-51, the light-transmitting switching body is connected to the middle part of the ring elastic support plate 6, and the light-transmitting switching body is provided with a light-blocking part and a light-transmitting part; the light-transmitting space is composed of a through hole provided on the ring-connected upper plate 6-3, and the light-transmitting switching body is composed of a thin steel tube 16 connected to the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 or a light-guiding column 17 connected to the ring-connected upper plate 6-3 or a lens connected to the ring-connected upper plate 6-3, and the light-guiding column 17 is a clad plastic optical fiber.

[0135] The rest is the same as in Example 1. Example 5

[0136] As shown in FIG52 , in order to improve the flanging process of the annular flanging wall 6-1, the annular flanging wall 6-1 of the switch blocking body 5 is provided with an annular flanging wall release groove 6-7 penetrating the plate surface thereof.

[0137] The rest is the same as in Example 1.

[0138] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the invention. Industrial Applicability

[0139] The present invention adopts mature technology to provide a thin and sealed optical switch keyboard. The technical solution of the present invention makes the optical switch keyboard feel better and have a longer service life. It is applied to PC keyboards and is particularly suitable for thin notebook keyboards. Summary of attached pictures:

[0140] Keycap 1, key support structure 2, rubber elastic ring 3, elastic ring upper exhaust groove 3-1, elastic ring upper boss 3-2, elastic ring airbag thin wall 3-3, elastic ring trigger boss 3-4, elastic ring lower boss 3-5, elastic ring arm space 3-6, elastic ring contact 3-7, elastic ring lower exhaust groove 3-8 elastic ring elastic wall 3-9, ring sealing extension surface 3-11, elastic ring lower extension boss 3-11; metal support plate 4, support connection space 4-1, support arm space 4-2, support plate contact surface 4-3, support plate middle space 4-4, support plate middle elastic space 4-5; switch blocking body 5, ring elastic support plate 6, ring round Side wall 6-1, ring plate wall space 6-2, ring connecting upper plate 6-3, ring elastic arm plate 6-4, ring lower connecting part 6-5, ring elastic arm side space 6-6, ring flip wall release groove 6-7; light guide plate 7, blocking through hole 7-1, blocking action space 7-2; circuit chip is PCB board 8, PCB board 8, LED light source 9, photosensitive element 10, light guide plate module 11, plastic sheet 12, waterproof membrane 13, membrane-proof through hole 13-1, membrane-proof arm space 13-2, metal lower support plate 14, gold lower support through hole 14-1, light-transmitting touch panel 15, thin steel pipe 16, light guide column 17.

Claims

1. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch, comprising a key cap (1), a key support structure (2), a reset body, a metal support plate (4), an optical transmitter, an optical connector, a light guide plate module, a switch blocking body (5), and a circuit chip, wherein: The optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter is connected to the optical path of the optical connector through the light guide plate module. When the switch blocking body (5) is triggered, the optical connector detects the change of the optical signal. The switch blocking body (5) is characterized in that: the switch blocking body (5) is composed of a light-transmitting switch body and a ring elastic support plate (6) or a ring elastic support plate (6) and a light-transmitting switch portion on the ring elastic support plate (6); the ring elastic support plate (6) is formed by a stamping die, the ring elastic support plate (6) is composed of a ring connecting upper plate (6-3), a ring elastic arm plate (6-4) and a ring lower connecting portion (6-5), the plane where the ring connecting upper plate (6-3) is located is higher than the plane where the ring lower connecting portion (6-5) is located, the ring connecting upper plate (6-3) and the ring lower connecting portion (6-5) are connected by the elastic ring elastic arm plate (6-4), and a light-transmitting space is arranged in the middle of the ring connecting upper plate (6-3).

2. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The light-transmitting switch is connected to the middle part of the ring elastic support plate (6), and is provided with a light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion; the light-transmitting space is formed by a through hole provided on the ring connecting upper plate (6-3), and the light-transmitting switch is formed by a thin steel pipe connected to the ring connecting upper plate (6-3), or by a light-guiding column connected to the ring connecting upper plate (6-3), or by a lens connected to the ring connecting upper plate (6-3).

3. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch, comprising a key cap (1), a key support structure (2), a reset body, a metal support plate (4), an optical transmitter, an optical connector, a circuit chip, a switch blocking body (5), and a light guide plate module (11), wherein: The optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter is connected to the optical path of the optical connector through the light guide plate module, and when the switch blocking body (5) is triggered, the optical connector detects the change of the optical signal; the switch blocking body (5) is characterized in that: the switch blocking body (5) is composed of a light-transmitting switch body and an annular elastic support plate (6) or is composed of an annular elastic support plate (6) and a light-transmitting switch portion on the annular elastic support plate (6), wherein the light-transmitting switch body and the light-transmitting switch portion are both located in the middle of the annular elastic support plate (6), and the light-transmitting switch body and the light-transmitting switch portion are both provided with a light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion. The ring elastic support plate (6) is composed of a ring connecting upper plate (6-3), a ring elastic arm plate (6-4), and a ring lower connecting portion (6-5), wherein the plane where the ring connecting upper plate (6-3) is located is higher than the plane where the ring lower connecting portion (6-5) is located, the ring connecting upper plate (6-3) and the ring lower connecting portion (6-5) are connected by at least two elastic ring elastic arm plates (6-4), and a light-transmitting space is provided in the middle of the ring connecting upper plate (6-3); the reset body is composed of a reset body, the ring elastic support plate (6) and a ring lower connecting portion (6-5). The key cap (1) is composed of a plate (6), the I reset body is composed of a magnetic body or a rubber elastic ring (3), the I reset body lifts the key cap (1), and the key cap (1) is located at the upper limit position; when the key cap (1) moves downward, the upward reset force of the key cap (1) in the first stroke is provided by the I reset body, and the upward reset force of the key cap (1) in the second stroke is mainly provided by the annular elastic support plate (6); when in use, under the action of an external force, the key cap (1) overcomes the upward force of the I reset body and moves downward After the keycap (1) is displaced downward for a certain distance, the ring connecting upper plate (6-3) is pushed to displace downward, and the ring elastic arm plate (6-4) is elastically deformed; when the ring elastic arm plate (6-4) is pressed to the lowest position, the keycap (1) is located at the lower limit position, and the light blocking portion disconnects the optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter from the optical path of the optical connector; when the external force is removed, the upward elastic force is mainly provided by the ring elastic arm plate (6-4) of the ring elastic support plate (6), so that the keycap (1) is reset upward.

4. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The ring-connected upper plate (6-3) is provided with a light-transmitting on-off portion, and the light-transmitting on-off portion is provided with a light-blocking portion and a light-transmitting portion; the light-transmitting on-off portion and the ring elastic support plate (6) are formed by die stamping; the light-blocking portion is formed by an annular flange wall (6-1), and the annular flange wall (6-1) is formed by a through hole formed by a stamping die and located on the ring-connected upper plate (6-3); the light-transmitting portion is the light-transmitting space, and the light-transmitting space is formed by an annular plate wall space (6-2), and the annular plate wall space (6-2) is formed by the space surrounded by the annular wall of the annular flange wall (6-1).

5. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The reset body is composed of a rubber elastic ring (3). By reducing the height H1 of the elastic ring upper boss (3-2) of the rubber elastic ring (3) and eliminating the elastic ring contact (3-7) of the rubber elastic ring (3), when the key cap (1) is lowered to the lower limit position, the reset elastic force of the rubber elastic ring (3) becomes smaller; when the key cap (1) is located at the lower limit position, the plane where the ring connecting upper plate (6-3) is located is still higher than the plane where the ring lower connecting part (6-5) is located, so that when the ring connecting upper plate (6-3) is lowered from a high position to a low position, the reset elastic force generated by the ring elastic arm plate (6-4) increases in the same direction as the downward displacement, so that when the key cap (1) is located at the lower limit position, the reset elastic force generated by the ring elastic arm plate (6-4) becomes larger.

6. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 3 or 5, characterized in that: When the keycap (1) is located at the upper limit position, the keycap (1) is located at point a. Under the action of external force, the keycap (1) moves downward from point a to point b, and the resetting elastic force of the rubber elastic ring (3) increases to a maximum. The keycap (1) continues to move downward from point b to point c, and the resetting elastic force of the rubber elastic ring (3) is inversely proportional to the displacement. The keycap (1) continues to move downward, and the ring elastic arm plate (6-4) is pushed to move downward from point c to point d. The resetting elastic force generated by the ring elastic arm plate (6-4) is proportional to the displacement. Under the combined action of the resetting elastic force of the rubber elastic ring (3) and the resetting elastic force of the ring elastic arm plate (6-4), the rebound rate of the keycap (1) is greater than 40%.

7. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The notebook keyboard is also provided with a waterproof membrane (13), the rubber elastic ring (3) is connected to the upper surface of the waterproof membrane (13), the waterproof membrane (13) is connected to the upper surface of the metal support plate (4), and the light guide plate module (11) is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate (4).

8. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The waterproof membrane (13) is provided with an anti-membrane through hole (13-1) and an anti-membrane arm space (13-2); when the key cap 1 is in the upper limit position, the ring-connected upper plate (6-3) of the ring elastic support plate (6) passes through the anti-membrane through hole (13-1) and is located above the waterproof membrane (13), and the ring elastic arm plate (6-4) is located in the anti-membrane arm space (13-2).

9. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 1, 3 or 8, characterized in that: The ring elastic support plate (6) is composed of a ring connecting upper plate (6-3), a ring elastic arm plate (6-4), and a ring lower connecting portion (6-5); the ring connecting upper plate (6-3) is connected to a light-transmitting switch or the ring connecting upper plate (6-3) is provided with a light-transmitting switch; the metal support plate (4) is provided with a support accommodating arm space (4-2) penetrating the plate surface, a support connecting space (4-1), and a support plate middle space (4-4); wherein the support accommodating arm space (4-2) connects the support connecting space (4-1) , the space (4-4) in the support plate is connected or the support arm space (4-2) connects the support connection space (4-1); the number of the support connection spaces (4-1) and the support arm space (4-2) is the same and at least two are provided; the support arm space (4-2), the support connection space (4-1) and the space (4-4) in the support plate can respectively accommodate the ring elastic arm plate (6-4), the ring lower connecting part (6-5), the light-transmitting switch body or the light-transmitting switch part of the ring elastic support plate (6).

10. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The metal support plate (4) is provided with a support plate contact surface (4-3), and the support plate contact surface (4-3) is located outside the space (4-4) in the support plate. The annular elastic support plate (6) is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate module (11).

11. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The support plate contact surface (4-3) is a part of the metal support plate (4), and the support plate contact surface (4-3) is a stamped concave step surface. The support plate contact surface (4-3) is located in plane II, and plane II is located between plane I and plane III. Plane I and plane III are respectively located on the upper surface and lower surface of the metal support plate (4).

12. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The light guide plate module (11) is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate (4); the metal support plate (4) is provided with a support plate mid-elastic space (4-5) penetrating the plate surface; the annular elastic support plate (6) is located in the support plate mid-elastic space (4-5) and is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate module (11) through an annular lower connecting portion (6-5); wherein the annular lower connecting portion (6-5) is connected to form an integral closed circular ring; the rubber elastic ring (3) is provided with an elastic ring arm space (3-6), an annular sealing extension surface (3-11), an elastic ring upper boss (3-2), and an elastic ring lower boss (3-5); wherein the lower surface of the elastic ring lower boss (3-5) is provided with at least two elastic ring lower extension bosses (3-6) extending downward. 3-12), at least two elastic ring arm spaces (3-6) are arranged between the elastic ring lower extension boss (3-12), the ring sealing extension surface (3-11) is connected to the circular surface of the elastic ring lower boss (3-5) in a closed circular ring, and the lower surface of the ring sealing extension surface (3-11) is located above the lower surface of the elastic ring lower extension boss (3-12); the lower surface of the ring sealing extension surface (3-11) is sealedly connected to the upper surface of the ring lower connecting portion (6-5), and the elastic ring lower extension boss (3-12) passes through the ring elastic arm side space (6-6) of the ring elastic support plate (6) and is connected to the upper surface of the light guide plate module (11) or the upper surface of the upper plate surface of the metal lower support plate (14).

13. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch as claimed in claim 9 or 12, characterized in that: The notebook keyboard is also provided with a metal lower support plate (14), the upper plate surface of the metal lower support plate (14) is connected to the lower plate surface of the metal support plate (4), the lower plate surface of the metal lower support plate (14) is connected to the upper plate surface of the light guide plate 7, the metal lower support plate (14) is provided with a metal lower support through hole (14-1) penetrating its plate surface, the support plate contact surface (4-3) is located on the bent edge of the metal lower support through hole (14-1) or on the flange wall of the metal lower support through hole (14-1), and the support plate contact surface (4-3) is higher than the upper plate surface of the metal lower support plate (14).

14. A notebook keyboard using an optical switch, comprising a key cap (1), a key support structure (2), a reset body, a metal support plate (4), an optical transmitter, an optical connector, a light guide plate module, a switch blocking body (5), and a circuit chip, wherein: The optical signal emitted by the optical transmitter is connected to the optical path of the optical connector through the light guide plate module. When the switch blocking body (5) is triggered, the optical connector detects the change of the optical signal. The reset body is the rubber elastic ring (3), the rubber elastic ring (3) is connected to the upper surface of the waterproof membrane (13), the waterproof membrane (13) is connected to the upper surface of the metal support plate (4), and the light guide plate module (11) is connected to the lower surface of the metal support plate (4); the waterproof membrane (13) is provided with an anti-membrane through hole (13-1) and an anti-membrane arm space (13-2); when the key cap 1 is in the upper limit position, the ring-connected upper plate (6-3) of the annular elastic support plate (6) passes through the anti-membrane through hole (13-1) and is located above the waterproof membrane (13), and the annular elastic arm plate (6-4) is located in the anti-membrane arm space (13-2); the annular elastic support plate (6) is composed of a ring-connected upper plate (6-3), a ring elastic arm plate (6-4), and a ring lower connecting portion (6-5), wherein the ring-connected upper plate (6-3) is connected to a light-transmitting switch or the ring-connected upper plate (6-3) is provided with a light-transmitting switch; the metal support plate (4) is provided with a support arm space (4-2) and a support plate middle space (4-4) penetrating its plate surface, wherein the support arm space (4-2) and the support plate middle space (4-4) are connected, and at least two support arm spaces (4-2) are provided; the support arm space (4-2) and the support plate middle space (4-4) can respectively accommodate the ring elastic arm plate (6-4), the light-transmitting switch or the light-transmitting switch of the ring elastic support plate (6); the metal support plate (4) is provided with a support plate contact surface (4-3), and the support plate contact surface (4-3) is located outside the support plate middle space (4-4).

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