Long key structure

Abstract

The invention provides a long key structure which can reduce vibration abnormal noise of a metal moving piece and delay of a stroke during pressing and improve pressing hand feeling. The long key structure comprises a key cap, a substrate and a supporting element. The support comprises an outer shear frame, at least two inner shear frames and a metal reinforcing plate. And the metal reinforcing plate is combined on the surface of the outer shear frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure of an input device, and in particular to a key structure. Background Art

[0002] In today's society, electronic products have become an indispensable part of life. Food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and entertainment are all related to electronic products. Electronic products are usually equipped with keyboards, allowing users to easily input control signals.

[0003] In the prior art, the supporting elements of keycaps, known as scissor-leg structures, are often made of plastic. However, when applied to long keycaps, plastic has a limited strength and cannot provide sufficient structural strength to transmit force, resulting in an unpleasant pressing feel when users press the corners of the keycaps.

[0004] In order to improve the structural strength of the supporting element, the prior art also uses two metal brackets in conjunction with a scissor structure made of plastic material to compensate for the problem of insufficient structural strength of the scissor leg structure.

[0005] While adding a metal bracket can significantly improve the problem of insufficient structural strength, the addition of the metal bracket not only increases the manufacturing and assembly costs of the overall key structure, but also makes the metal bracket and other moving parts more likely to produce vibration and noise when rotating or swinging, which fails to meet the needs of some consumers for extremely quiet operation.

[0006] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is how to provide a long key structure that can reduce the vibration and noise generated when the metal movable part rotates or swings, reduce the delay of the key stroke when pressing the key, and improve the pressing feel. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a long key structure that can reduce the vibration and noise generated when the metal movable part rotates or swings, while reducing the delay in the stroke when the key is pressed and effectively improving the feel when pressing.

[0008] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention provides a long key structure, comprising: a keycap; a substrate; and a supporting element, comprising: an outer shear frame having a first end and a second end relative to each other; at least two inner shear frames, each inner shear frame having a third end and a fourth end relative to each other, the inner shear frame being pivotally connected to the outer shear frame and being able to swing relative to the outer shear frame; and a metal reinforcement plate, the shape and structure of which correspond to the outer shear frame and can be combined with the surface of the outer shear frame; wherein the first and third ends are connected to the keycap, and the second and fourth ends are connected to the substrate, so that the keycap can move up and down relative to the substrate.

[0009] In the above-mentioned preferred embodiment, the lower surface of the keycap has multiple rotating connection parts and multiple movable connection parts, the first end has a first rod part, and the third end has a third rod part. The first rod part can be movably connected to the movable connection part, and the third rod part can be rotatably connected to the rotating connection part.

[0010] In the above preferred embodiment, the third rod portion is rotatably coupled to at least two rotating connection portions.

[0011] In the above preferred embodiment, the substrate has a plurality of substrate connecting portions, the second end has a second rod portion, the fourth end has a fourth rod portion, and the second and fourth rod portions are movably coupled to the substrate connecting portions.

[0012] In the above preferred embodiment, it further includes a metal reinforcing rod, which is arranged on the lower surface of the keycap and surrounds the long and short sides of the keycap.

[0013] In the above preferred embodiment, a plurality of engaging portions are provided on the long and short sides of the lower surface of the keycap, and the engaging portions are used to engage the metal reinforcing rod.

[0014] In the above-mentioned preferred embodiment, a platform structure is provided on the short side of the lower surface of the keycap, and the platform structure is used to push up the metal reinforcement rod located on the short side of the keycap, so that the distance from the upper surface of the short side of the keycap to the metal reinforcement rod is greater than the distance from the upper surface of the long side of the keycap to the metal reinforcement rod.

[0015] In the above preferred embodiment, the periphery of the metal reinforcing plate has a bent structure, and the bent structure is used to reduce the weight of the metal reinforcing plate.

[0016] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the supporting element of the provided long key structure can improve the structural strength of the overall supporting element by a metal reinforcement plate combined with the external shear frame. Therefore, when the key is pressed, the supporting element can effectively transmit force and reduce the vibration and abnormal sound generated by the rotation or swing of the metal moving part.

[0017] Furthermore, since the third rod of the inner shear frame is coupled to at least two pivoting connections of the keycap, it effectively enhances the keycap's pressing feel at corners. Furthermore, the metal reinforcement rods and platform structure provided on the long and short edges of the keycap's underside further improve the keycap's pressing feel and key actuation sensitivity at corners, effectively reducing key press travel delay. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the long key structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 1BThis is a three-dimensional exploded view of the long key structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a keycap provided by the present invention from one perspective;

[0021] Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a support element provided by the present invention from one perspective;

[0022] Figure 4 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a substrate provided by the present invention from one perspective;

[0023] Figures 5A to 5B is a cross-sectional view of the long key structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the metal reinforcement rod provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6B A perspective view of the long side of the keycap provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6C A perspective view of the short side of the keycap provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7A The first embodiment of the metal reinforcement plate provided by the present invention; and

[0028] Figure 7B This is the second embodiment of the metal reinforcement plate provided by the present invention. The accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0029] h1, h2 distance

[0030] 1. Long key structure

[0031] 10 keycaps

[0032] 11 Upper surface

[0033] 12 Lower surface

[0034] 121 Rotating connection

[0035] 122 movable connection

[0036] 123, 124 engagement portion

[0037] 125 Platform Structure

[0038] 20 Metal reinforcement rods

[0039] 30 Support elements

[0040] 31 External shear frame

[0041] 311 First End

[0042] 3111 First Rod

[0043] 312 Second End

[0044] 3121 Second Rod

[0045] 313 Mounting opening

[0046] 32 Internal shear frame

[0047] 321 The Third End

[0048] 3211 Third Rod

[0049] 322 The Fourth End

[0050] 3221 Fourth Pole

[0051] 33 Metal reinforcement plate

[0052] 331 bending structure

[0053] 40 substrate

[0054] 41, 42 substrate connection part DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as methods for achieving the same, will be more readily understood by describing them in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be embodied in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable this disclosure to be more thorough, comprehensive, and fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0056] First, please also refer to Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, Figure 1A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the long key structure of the present invention; Figure 1B It is a three-dimensional exploded view of the long key structure of the present invention. The long key structure 1 includes: a keycap 10, a metal reinforcement rod 20, a support element 30 and a substrate 40. In this embodiment, the support element 30 includes: an outer shear frame 31, two inner shear frames 32 and a metal reinforcement plate 33, wherein the inner shear frame 32 and the outer shear frame 31 are pivotally connected to each other so that the inner shear frame 32 can swing relative to the outer shear frame 31; the metal reinforcement plate 33 is correspondingly combined on a surface of the outer shear frame 31. It should be noted that in order to avoid the drawings being too cluttered, the present invention omits the triggering elements such as the switch circuit board and the elastomer structure arranged above the substrate 40.

[0057] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a keycap provided by the present invention from one perspective. The keycap 10 has an upper surface 11 and a lower surface 12, wherein the lower surface 12 is provided with a plurality of rotating connection parts 121, a plurality of movable connection parts 122 and a plurality of locking parts 123, 124. The rotating connection parts 121 and the movable connection parts 122 are arranged in a straight line, and there are six of them. The locking parts 123, 124 are respectively provided on the long side and the short side of the keycap 10, which can be used to lock the metal reinforcing rod 20 (such as Figure 1B In this embodiment, a raised platform structure 125 is further provided on the lower surface 12 of the keycap 10 at the corner of the short side adjacent to the engaging portion 124 .

[0058] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a support element provided by the present invention from one perspective. The outer shear frame 31 and the inner shear frame 32 can be made of a non-metallic plastic material, wherein the outer shear frame 31 has a first end 311 and a second end 312 opposite to each other, and the first and second ends 311 and 312 respectively have a first rod portion 3111 and a second rod portion 3121; the inner shear frame 32 has a third end 321 and a fourth end 322 opposite to each other, and the third and fourth ends 321 and 322 respectively have a third rod portion 3211 and a fourth rod portion 3221. In this embodiment, the total surface area of ​​the outer shear frame 31 is greater than the total surface area of ​​the two inner shear frames 32, and the outer shear frame 31 is further provided with a mounting opening 313 corresponding to the shape of the inner shear frame 32. The inner shear frame 32 can be correspondingly mounted in the mounting opening 313 and can be pivotally connected to the outer shear frame 31 so that the inner shear frame 32 can swing relative to the outer shear frame 31.

[0059] On the other hand, the metal reinforcement plate 33 has a shape and structure corresponding to the outer shear frame 31. In this embodiment, due to the large total surface area of ​​the outer shear frame 31, the metal reinforcement plate 33 can be bonded to the surface of the outer shear frame 31 through a hot melt process or injection molding process. The combination of the metal reinforcement plate 33 and the outer shear frame 31 effectively enhances the structural strength of the entire support element 30. In this embodiment, the metal reinforcement plate 33 is bonded to the upper surface of the outer shear frame 31. However, in other possible embodiments, the metal reinforcement plate 33 may also be bonded to the lower surface of the outer shear frame 31, and the embodiment is not limited to the embodiment presented in this embodiment.

[0060] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 The base plate 40 is a perspective view of a base plate provided by the present invention. The base plate 40 has a plurality of corresponding base plate connecting portions 41 and 42.

[0061] See also Figures 5A to 5B , Figures 5A to 5BThis is a cross-sectional view of the long key structure of the present invention. Figure 5A In the embodiment, the third rod portion 3211 of the third end 321 of the inner shear frame 32 is rotatably coupled to the rotating connection portion 121. When manufacturing the long key structure 1, the number of the rotating connection portions 121 can be adjusted according to the size of the keycap 10, and the number can be two or more; the fourth rod portion 3221 of the fourth end 322 can be movably coupled to the base plate connection portion 41. Figure 5B In the embodiment, the first rod portion 3111 of the first end 311 of the outer shear frame 31 is movably coupled to the movable connection portion 122; the second rod portion 3121 of the second end 312 is movably coupled to the base plate connection portion 42. In this way, the keycap 10 can be moved up and down relative to the base plate 40 through the connection of the support element 30. In a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, the third rod portion 3211 of the third end 321 of the inner shear frame 32 is pivotally connected to the three rotating connection portions 121. The pivotal connection between the three rotating connection portions 121 and the third rod portion 3211 further enhances the pressing feel of the keycap 10 at corners.

[0062] See also Figures 6A to 6B , Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the metal reinforcement rod provided by the present invention; Figure 6B A perspective view of the long side of the keycap provided by the present invention; Figure 6C A perspective view of the short side of the keycap provided by the present invention. Figure 6A In the embodiment, the metal reinforcing rod 20 can be forced into and engaged with the engaging portions 123 and 124 on the lower surface 12 of the keycap 10, so that it can be disposed around the long and short sides of the keycap 10. Furthermore, the platform structure 125 disposed on the short side of the keycap 10 pushes the metal reinforcing rod 20 located on the short side of the keycap 10, causing the metal reinforcing rod 20 at the short side to be slightly away from the lower surface 12 of the keycap 10.

[0063] At Figure 6A In the embodiment, a distance h1 is formed between the upper surface 11 of the long side of the key cap 10 and the metal reinforcing rod 20; Figure 6B In the embodiment, a distance h2 is formed between the upper surface 11 of the short side of the keycap 10 and the metal reinforcing rod 20. Because the platform structure 125 pushes against the metal reinforcing rod 20 located on the short side of the keycap 10, the distance h2 between the upper surface 11 of the short side of the keycap 10 and the metal reinforcing rod 20 is greater than the distance h1 between the upper surface 11 of the long side of the keycap 10 and the metal reinforcing rod 20. This causes the four corners of the keycap 10 to be slightly higher than the center of the keycap 10. This arrangement further improves the pressing feel and key actuation sensitivity of the keycap at the corners, and effectively reduces the delay in the key pressing stroke.

[0064] See also Figure 7A and Figure 7B , Figure 7A This is the first embodiment of the metal reinforcement plate provided by the present invention; Figure 7B This is the second embodiment of the metal reinforcement plate provided by the present invention. Figure 7A In the embodiment, the metal reinforcement plate 33 has a shape and structure corresponding to the outer shear frame 31 (such as Figure 3 As shown), the metal reinforcement plate 33 can be evenly covered and combined with the surface of the outer shear frame 31; Figure 7B In the embodiment, a bending structure 331 may be further provided around the metal reinforcing plate 33 to reduce the thickness of the metal reinforcing plate 33 and further reduce the weight of the metal reinforcing plate 33 .

[0065] Compared with the existing technology, the long key structure provided by the present invention can improve the structural strength of the overall supporting element through the metal reinforcement plate combined with the outer shear frame. In this way, when the key is pressed, the supporting element can effectively transmit force and at the same time reduce the vibration and abnormal noise generated by the rotation or swing of the metal movable part. In addition, since the third rod portion of the inner shear frame is combined with at least two rotating connection portions of the keycap, it can effectively improve the pressing feel of the keycap at the corners. On the other hand, by designing the metal reinforcement rods and platform structures provided on the long and short sides of the lower surface of the keycap, the pressing feel of the keycap at the corners and the sensitivity of the key triggering can be further improved, and the delay of the key pressing stroke can be effectively reduced; therefore, the present invention is indeed a creation of great industrial value.

[0066] The present invention can be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art, but all of these modifications are within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A long key structure, comprising: One key cap; a substrate; as well as A supporting element comprising: An external shear frame having a first end and a second end opposite to each other; At least two inner shear frames, each inner shear frame having a third end and a fourth end opposite to each other, the at least two inner shear frames being pivotally connected to the outer shear frame so as to be capable of swinging relative to the outer shear frame; and a metal reinforcing plate, the shape and structure of which correspond to the outer shear frame and can be combined with the surface of the outer shear frame; The first end and the third end are connected to the keycap, and the second end and the fourth end are connected to the substrate, so that the keycap can move up and down relative to the substrate.

2. The long key structure as described in claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the keycap has multiple rotating connection parts and multiple movable connection parts, the first end has a first rod part, and the third end has a third rod part, the first rod part can be movably connected to the multiple movable connection parts, and the third rod part can be rotatably connected to the multiple rotating connection parts. 3 . The long key structure as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the third rod portion is rotatably coupled to at least two of the rotating connection portions.

4. The long key structure as described in claim 1, wherein the substrate has a plurality of substrate connecting portions, the second end has a second rod portion, the fourth end has a fourth rod portion, and the second rod portion and the fourth rod portion can be movably combined with the plurality of substrate connecting portions. 5 . The long key structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a metal reinforcement rod, wherein the metal reinforcement rod is disposed on the lower surface of the key cap and surrounds the long and short sides of the key cap. 6 . The long key structure according to claim 5 , wherein a plurality of engaging portions are provided on the long and short sides of the lower surface of the key cap, and the plurality of engaging portions are used to engage the metal reinforcing rod.

7. The long key structure as described in claim 5, wherein a platform structure is provided on the short side of the lower surface of the keycap, and the platform structure is used to push up the metal reinforcement rod located on the short side of the keycap, so that the distance from the upper surface of the short side of the keycap to the metal reinforcement rod is greater than the distance from the upper surface of the long side of the keycap to the metal reinforcement rod. 8 . The long key structure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a periphery of the metal reinforcement plate has a bending structure, and the bending structure is used to reduce the weight of the metal reinforcement plate.

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