Key structure

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of keyboard keys, and discloses a key structure which comprises a bottom plate, a trigger piece, a base, an elastic body, a plurality of supporting arms, a linkage piece and a key cap are sequentially arranged on the bottom plate, and the two ends of each supporting arm are connected with the base and the key cap through a first clamping structure and a second clamping structure respectively. The middle of each supporting arm is provided with a second guide groove penetrating in the width direction of the supporting arm, the linkage piece is arranged in the second guide groove and can move in the second guide groove along with the key pressing process, the four supporting arms are connected through the linkage piece, the linkage performance of the mechanism is good, the key function can be triggered when the key cap is pressed at any position, and the operation is convenient. And the keycap and the supporting arm, the supporting arm and the linkage piece, and the supporting arm and the base are all connected through pressing buckles, so that the assembly is very simple and convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of keyboard keys and relates to a key structure. Background Art

[0002] In the existing keyboard key structure, the key module generally adopts a multi-layer composite design, usually consisting of a keycap, a scissor support, an elastic silicone bowl, and a metal contact film layer. Among them, the scissor support, as the core component, is composed of upper and lower cross-linking rods formed by precision injection molding and connected by a rotating shaft to form an X-shaped structure. Although this design can achieve a stable vertical movement trajectory of the keycap, it has the following significant technical defects:

[0003] The scissor structure needs to realize the connection between the keycap and the substrate through multi-point cooperation such as buckles and rotating shafts, and three-dimensional positioning operations are required during assembly. Taking the keyboard of a laptop computer as an example, a single key needs to complete processes such as snapping the keycap onto the upper cover of the scissor, buckling the lower cover of the scissor with the positioning posts on the substrate, and installing the elastic body. The automated production line needs to be equipped with a high-precision robotic arm for micron-level alignment, and the manual assembly efficiency is low. During disassembly and repair, the buckle is easily broken due to stress concentration, and the damage rate is high.

[0004] Although the membrane key structure (such as the crater structure) can reduce costs, its key travel stability is poor, and the problem of easy key jamming during inclined pressing is prominent; while the mechanical axis structure has excellent durability, but its height dimension is difficult to meet the requirements of ultra-thin devices.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide a key structure that can reduce costs and assembly difficulty while ensuring the key pressing feel has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To overcome the problems existing in the related art, this application aims to provide a key structure that can reduce costs and assembly difficulty while ensuring the key pressing feel.

[0007] This application is implemented through the following technical solutions.

[0008] This technical solution provides a key structure, including: a bottom plate, on which a trigger member, a base, an elastic body, a plurality of support arms, a linkage member, and a keycap are sequentially arranged;

[0009] Both ends of the support arm are connected to the base and the keycap through a first clamping structure and a second clamping structure respectively;

[0010] A second guiding groove penetrating along the width direction of the support arm itself is provided in the middle of the support arm;

[0011] The linkage member is arranged inside the second guiding groove and generates an axial displacement under the constraint of the second guiding groove in response to the key pressing action;

[0012] The keycap abuts against the elastomer. The base is provided with a reserved hole for installing the elastomer. When the keycap displaces towards the side close to the base, the elastomer contacts and presses the trigger, closing the circuit.

[0013] In this technical solution, four support arms are connected by a linkage member, and the mechanism has good linkage. Pressing any position of the keycap can trigger the key function. Moreover, the keycap is connected to the support arm, the support arm is connected to the linkage member, and the support arm is connected to the base by snap connections, making the assembly very simple.

[0014] The present invention is further configured such that the first clamping structure is a first guiding groove and a guide rod;

[0015] An open-type support arm groove penetrating along the thickness direction is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the base. The base is provided with first guiding grooves at both ends of the support arm groove;

[0016] One end of the support arm adjacent to the base is provided with a guide rod corresponding to the first guiding groove;

[0017] The guide rod can displace inside the first guiding groove in response to the key pressing action.

[0018] The present invention is further configured such that the second clamping structure is a keycap snap and a shaft post;

[0019] One side of the keycap close to the base is provided with a keycap snap;

[0020] One end of the support arm adjacent to the keycap is provided with a shaft post corresponding to the keycap snap.

[0021] The present invention is further configured such that a conical joint is provided on the bottom plate, a through hole corresponding to the conical joint is provided on the trigger, a connecting rod corresponding to the conical joint is provided on the side of the base close to the bottom plate, and the connecting rod is embedded inside the conical joint.

[0022] The present invention is further configured such that the connecting rod and the conical joint are integrally connected by a hot melt welding process.

[0023] The present invention is further configured such that four support arms are provided and are circumferentially distributed below the four corner regions of the keycap.

[0024] The present invention is further configured such that a first slot is formed in the base along its thickness direction adjacent to the first guiding groove, and the first slot is configured to assist in installing the guide rod.

[0025] The present invention is further configured such that a second slot is provided in the support arm along its thickness direction adjacent to the second guiding groove, and the second slot is used to assist in installing the linkage member.

[0026] The present invention is further configured such that one end of the support arm close to the keycap is provided with an avoidance groove for accommodating the keycap snap;

[0027] The shaft post is arranged on the side of the avoidance groove adjacent to the keycap.

[0028] The present invention is further configured such that the linkage member is elastic and provided with an opening.

[0029] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit this application. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] By describing the exemplary embodiments of the present application in more detail in conjunction with the drawings, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present application will become more obvious. Among them, in the exemplary embodiments of the present application, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the key release state in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view shown in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the substrate structure shown in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the base structure shown in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the position of the linkage member in the release state shown in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the position of the guide rod in the release state shown in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the keycap structure shown in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the key pressing state in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the position of the linkage member in the pressing state shown in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the position of the guide rod in the pressing state shown in an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] Reference numerals: 1, base plate; 11, tapered joint; 2, trigger member; 21, through hole; 3, base; 31, reserved hole; 32, support arm groove; 33, first guide groove; 34, first slot; 35, connecting rod; 4, elastic body; 5, support arm; 51, guide rod; 52, second guide groove; 53, second slot; 54, avoidance groove; 55, shaft post; 6, linkage member; 61, opening; 7, keycap; 71, keycap buckle. Detailed implementation manners

[0042] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in some embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in some embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0043] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] This embodiment discloses a key structure, as Figures 1-10 shown, including: a base plate 1, on which a trigger member 2, a base 3, an elastic body 4, a plurality of support arms 5, a linkage member 6 and a keycap 7 are sequentially arranged;

[0045] Both ends of the support arm 5 are connected to the base 3 and the keycap 7 through a first clamping structure and a second clamping structure respectively;

[0046] A second guide groove 52 penetrating along the width direction of itself is provided in the middle of the support arm 5;

[0047] The linkage member 6 is arranged inside the second guide groove 52 and generates an axial displacement under the constraint of the second guide groove 52 in response to the key pressing action;

[0048] The keycap 7 abuts against the elastic body 4. The base 3 is provided with a reserved hole 31 for installing the elastic body 4. When the keycap 7 is displaced toward the side close to the base 3, the elastic body 3 contacts and presses the trigger member 2 to realize circuit closing.

[0049] It should be noted that the trigger member 2 is a conductive film or other trigger elements in the prior art, the elastic body 4 is a rubber bowl or other elastic elements in the prior art, and the linkage member 6 has elasticity.

[0050] When the key is used, the keycap 7 is pressed, so that the connected support arm 5 drives by the keycap 7 rotates around the guide rod 51 as the axis. At the same time, the guide rod 51 displaces inside the first guide groove 33, and the axis position changes, avoiding movement interference. At the same time, the keycap 7 presses the elastic body 4, so that the elastic body 4 arranged through the base 3 directly presses the trigger member 2 to realize the key function.

[0051] Among them, the support arms 5 are linked by a linkage member 6. When one of the support arms 5 is stressed and moves, the other support arms 5 will move along with it. That is to say, when any point on the keycap 7 is pressed, the support arm 5 closest to this point can trigger the other support arms 5 through the linkage member 6, so as to achieve a balanced feel when pressing the key.

[0052] As Figure 4 shown, the first clamping structure is the first guiding groove 33 and the guide rod 51;

[0053] An open support arm groove 32 penetrating along the thickness direction is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the base 3, and the first guiding grooves 33 are arranged at both ends of the support arm groove 32 of the base 3;

[0054] One end of the support arm 5 adjacent to the base 3 is provided with a guide rod 51 corresponding to the first guiding groove 33;

[0055] The guide rod 51 can displace inside the first guiding groove 33 in response to the key pressing action.

[0056] It should be noted that the length of the first guiding groove 33 is greater than the radial length of the guide rod 51. Therefore, the guide rod 51 can move inside the first guiding groove 33.

[0057] As Figure 7 shown, the second clamping structure is the keycap buckle 71 and the shaft column 55;

[0058] A keycap buckle 71 is provided on one side of the keycap 7 close to the base 3;

[0059] One end of the support arm 5 adjacent to the keycap 7 is provided with a shaft column 55 corresponding to the keycap buckle 71.

[0060] It should be noted that the shaft column 55 is clamped inside the keycap buckle 71 and can rotate.

[0061] As Figure 3 shown, a conical joint 11 is provided on the bottom plate 1, the trigger member 2 is provided with a through hole corresponding to the conical joint 11, and a connecting rod 35 corresponding to the conical joint 11 is provided on one side of the base 3 close to the bottom plate 1. The connecting rod 35 is embedded inside the conical joint 11.

[0062] It should be noted that the base 3 is fixedly connected to the bottom plate 1, which can ensure the stable connection relationship between the various structures of the key.

[0063] As Figure 2 shown, the connecting rod 35 and the conical joint 11 are integrally connected by a hot melt welding process.

[0064] As Figures 3-7 shown, four support arms 5 are provided and are circumferentially distributed below the four corner regions of the keycap 7.

[0065] As Figure 4 shown, a first slot 34 is formed in the base 3 along its thickness direction adjacent to the first guide groove 33, and the first slot 34 is configured to assist in installing the guide rod 51.

[0066] As Figure 4 shown, along the thickness direction of the support arm 5, a second slot 53 is provided adjacent to the second guide groove 52, and the second slot 53 is used to assist in installing the linkage 6.

[0067] It should be noted that setting the first slot 34 and the second slot 53 can significantly reduce the assembly difficulty of the guide rod 51 and the linkage 6, and the disassembly is not easy to damage each structure.

[0068] As Figure 4 and Figure 7 shown, one end of the support arm 5 close to the keycap 7 is provided with an avoidance groove 54 for accommodating the keycap buckle 71;

[0069] The shaft column 55 is arranged on one side of the avoidance groove 54 adjacent to the keycap 7.

[0070] As Figure 7 shown, the linkage 6 is provided with an opening 61, which is convenient for production and manufacturing.

[0071] Working principle: The four support arms 5 are connected by the linkage 6, and the mechanism has good linkage. Pressing any position of the keycap 7 can trigger the key function. Moreover, the keycap 7 is connected to the support arm 5, the support arm 5 is connected to the linkage 6, and the support arm 5 is connected to the base 3 by snap connection. The assembly is very simple and the height after assembly is low.

[0072] The embodiments of the present application have been described above. The above description is exemplary and not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The selection of the terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or improvements to the technology in the market, or to enable other ordinary skilled persons in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A key structure, characterized in that, Including: A bottom plate (1), on which a trigger member (2), a base (3), an elastic body (4), a plurality of support arms (5), a linkage member (6) and a keycap (7) are sequentially arranged; Both ends of the support arm (5) are respectively connected to the base (3) and the keycap (7) through a first clamping structure and a second clamping structure; A second guiding groove (52) penetrating along the width direction of the support arm (5) is provided in the middle of the support arm (5); The linkage member (6) is arranged inside the second guiding groove (52) and generates an axial displacement under the constraint of the second guiding groove (52) in response to a key pressing action; The keycap (7) abuts against the elastic body (4), the base (3) is provided with a reserved hole (31) for installing the elastic body (4), and when the keycap (7) displaces towards the side close to the base (3), the elastic body (3) contacts and presses the trigger member (2) to realize circuit closing.

2. The key structure according to claim 1, wherein The first clamping structure is a first guiding groove (33) and a guide rod (51); An open support arm groove (32) penetrating along the thickness direction is formed on the outer periphery of the base (3), and the base (3) is provided with first guiding grooves (33) at both ends of the support arm groove (32); One end of the support arm (5) adjacent to the base (3) is provided with a guide rod (51) corresponding to the first guiding groove (33); The guide rod (51) can displace inside the first guiding groove (33) in response to a key pressing action.

3. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that The second clamping structure is a keycap buckle (71) and a shaft column (55); A keycap buckle (71) is provided on the side of the keycap (7) close to the base (3); One end of the support arm (5) adjacent to the keycap (7) is provided with a shaft column (55) corresponding to the keycap buckle (71).

4. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, A conical joint (11) is provided on the bottom plate (1), the trigger member (2) is provided with a through hole corresponding to the conical joint (11), and a connecting rod (35) corresponding to the conical joint (11) is provided on the side of the base (3) close to the bottom plate (1), and the connecting rod (35) is embedded inside the conical joint (11).

5. The key structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connecting rod (35) and the conical joint (11) are integrally connected by a hot melt welding process.

6. The key structure according to claim 1, wherein The support arms (5) are arranged in four and are circumferentially distributed below the four corner regions of the keycap (7).

7. The key structure according to claim 2, wherein, The base (3) is provided with a first slot (34) adjacent to the first guiding groove (33) along its thickness direction, and the first slot (34) is configured to assist in installing the guide rod (51).

8. The key structure according to claim 3, wherein, The support arm (5) is provided with a second slot (53) adjacent to the second guiding groove (52) along its thickness direction, and the second slot (53) is used to assist in installing the linkage member (6).

9. The key structure according to claim 3, wherein One end of the support arm (5) close to the keycap (7) is provided with an avoidance groove (54) for accommodating the keycap buckle (71); The shaft column (55) is arranged on the side of the avoidance groove (54) close to the keycap (7).

10. The key structure according to claim 1, wherein The linkage member (6) is elastic and is provided with an opening (61).

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