Key device with pressure-sensitive switching function

Abstract

The invention discloses a key device with a pressure-sensitive switching function. The key device is suitable for a standby pressing module comprising a standby mounting piece. The key device comprises a pressing module, a bottom plate, a key cap located above the bottom plate, a scissor foot module rotatably arranged between the key cap and the bottom plate, and a sensing module arranged on the top side of a bottom plate body of the bottom plate. The pressing module comprises a mounting piece and a cover body which indicates a first peak force and is fixedly connected to the top side of the mounting piece. The bottom plate further comprises two limiting parts, and the limiting parts are used for containing and limiting the mounting pieces or the standby mounting pieces. The pressing module is arranged on the top side of the bottom plate body. A limiting relation is provided for the mounting piece through the limiting part of the bottom plate, so that the difficulty of mounting or dismounting the pressing module relative to the bottom plate is reduced, and the replaceability of the pressing module is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a key device, in particular to a key device with a pressure-sensing switching function. Background Art

[0002] A conventional keyboard switch, as disclosed in Taiwan Patent Publication No. TW1728209B, comprises a keycap, a plunger engaging the bottom side of the keycap, a rubber cap disposed on the bottom side of the plunger, a housing surrounding the plunger and the rubber cap, a thin plate supported by the housing, and a spacer disposed between the thin plate and the keycap. In actual use, the key travel of the conventional keyboard switch can be varied by freely attaching or removing the spacer.

[0003] However, the existing keyboard switch is only used to adjust the depth of the key travel to meet the needs of rapid continuous typing, but does not provide other different customized functions. Obviously, it still needs to be developed and improved by researchers in related fields. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a key device with a pressure-sensitive switching function.

[0005] The present invention provides a key device with a pressure-sensing switching function, which is suitable for a spare pressing module. The spare pressing module includes a spare mounting plate and a spare cover body that indicates a second peak force and is fixed to the top side of the spare mounting plate. The key device includes a pressing module, a base plate, a keycap, a scissor foot module and a sensing module. The pressing module includes a mounting plate and a cover body that indicates a first peak force and is fixed to the top side of the mounting plate. The base plate includes a base plate body, two limiting portions extending upward from the base plate body and spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of lower pivot portions extending upward from the base plate body, the limiting portions being used to accommodate and limit one of the mounting plate and the spare mounting plate. The keycap is located above the base plate, and includes an outer side surface, an inner side surface opposite to the outer side surface, and a plurality of upper pivot portions connected to the inner side surface. The scissor foot module can be rotatably arranged between the lower pivot portion and the upper pivot portion. The sensing module defines two limiting holes for the limiting parts to pass through, and a plurality of pivot holes for the lower pivot parts to pass through. The sensing module is located below the keycap and is arranged on the top side of the base body.

[0006] The key device with pressure-sensing switching function described in the present invention includes a pressing module, a spare pressing module, a base plate, a keycap, a scissor foot module and a sensing module. The pressing module includes a mounting plate and a cover body that indicates a first peak force and is fixed to the top side of the mounting plate. The spare pressing module includes a spare mounting plate and a spare cover body that indicates a second peak force different from the first peak force and is fixed to the top side of the spare mounting plate. The base plate includes a base plate body, two limiting parts extending upward from the base plate body and spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of lower pivot parts extending upward from the base plate body, the limiting parts are used to accommodate and limit one of the mounting plate and the spare mounting plate. The keycap is located above the base plate, and the keycap includes an outer side surface, an inner side surface opposite to the outer side surface, and a plurality of upper pivot parts connected to the inner side surface. The scissor foot module can be rotatably arranged between the lower pivot part and the upper pivot part. The sensing module defines two limiting holes for the limiting parts to pass through, and a plurality of pivot holes for the lower pivot parts to pass through. The sensing module is located below the keycap and is arranged on the top side of the base body.

[0007] The button device with pressure-sensitive switching function described in the present invention has four upper pivot parts and four lower pivot parts, and the scissor foot module includes a first bracket rotatably arranged between two of the upper pivot parts and two of the lower pivot parts, and a second bracket rotatably arranged between the other two of the upper pivot parts and the other two of the lower pivot parts, and the first bracket and the second bracket are pivotally connected to each other.

[0008] In the key device with pressure-sensing switching function of the present invention, the first bracket and the second bracket are cross-arranged and jointly define an installation space, and the installation space is used to accommodate one of the pressing module and the backup pressing module.

[0009] In the key device with pressure-sensitive switching function of the present invention, the material of the mounting plate is one of stainless steel, aluminum and polyethylene terephthalate.

[0010] In the key device with pressure-sensing switching function of the present invention, the cover is made of rubber.

[0011] In the key device with pressure-sensing switching function of the present invention, the sensing module is a sensing film.

[0012] In the key device with pressure-sensing switching function described in the present invention, the cover also indicates a first rebound force and a first key pressure ratio, and the spare cover also indicates a second rebound force different from the first rebound force, and a second key pressure ratio different from the first key pressure ratio.

[0013] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that by providing a limiting relationship for the mounting piece of the pressing module through the limiting portion of the base plate, the difficulty of installing or removing the pressing module relative to the base plate is reduced, thereby improving the replaceability of the pressing module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional composite diagram of an embodiment of a key device with a pressure-sensitive switching function according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment;

[0016] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional combined diagram of a base plate, a sensing module, and a pressing module of the embodiment;

[0017] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an embodiment of the key device with pressure-sensing switching function of the present invention is applicable to a spare pressing module 9. The spare pressing module 9 includes a spare mounting plate 91, and a spare cover body 92 fixed to the top side of the spare mounting plate 91. The spare cover body 92 indicates a second peak force, a second rebound force and a second key pressure ratio. In this embodiment, the material of the spare mounting plate 91 is stainless steel, and the material of the spare cover body 92 is rubber. In a variation of this embodiment, the material of the spare mounting plate 91 can also be aluminum (Al) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0019] The embodiment includes a pressing module 1, a circuit board 2, a base plate 3, a sensing module 4, a keycap 5, and a scissor foot module 6. However, in variations of this embodiment, the number of the pressing module 1, the keycap 5, and the scissor foot module 6 can be adjusted to more than one as needed.

[0020] The pressing module 1 includes a mounting plate 11 and a cover 12 fixed to the top side of the mounting plate 11. The cover 12 indicates a first peak force different from the second peak force, a first rebound force different from the second rebound force, and a first click pressure ratio different from the second click pressure ratio. More specifically, adjustments are made to the structural relationship, manufacturing process, or material to ensure that the cover 12 and the backup cover 92 have different peak forces, rebound forces, or click pressure ratios.

[0021] In this embodiment, the material of the mounting plate 11 is stainless steel, and the material of the cover 12 is rubber. In a variation of this embodiment, the material of the mounting plate 11 can also be aluminum (Al) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0022] The circuit board 2 is a printed circuit board. In a variation of this embodiment, the circuit board 2 is a flexible printed circuit board.

[0023] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 The base plate 3 is mounted on the top side of the circuit board 2 and includes a base plate body 31, two position-limiting portions 32 extending upward from the base plate body 31 and spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of lower pivoting portions 33 extending upward from the base plate body 31. The position-limiting portions 32 are used to accommodate and limit the position of one of the mounting plate 11 and the backup mounting plate 91. In this embodiment, there are four lower pivoting portions 33.

[0024] The sensing module 4 defines two stopper holes 41 for each of the stopper portions 32 to pass through, and a plurality of pivot holes 42 for each of the lower pivoting portions 33 to pass through. The sensing module 4 is disposed on the top side of the base plate 31 and electrically connected to the circuit board 2 to generate a pressure signal indicating the pressure applied to the keycap 5 and transmit it to the circuit board 2. This is common knowledge in the field of membrane keyboards and is not a feature of this embodiment, so it will not be described in detail here. In this embodiment, the sensing module 4 is a sensing film.

[0025] The keycap 5 is located above the base plate 3, the sensor module 4, and the scissor foot module 6, and includes an outer side surface 51, an inner side surface 52 opposite to the outer side surface 51, and a plurality of upper pivoting portions 53 connected to the inner side surface 52. In this embodiment, there are four upper pivoting portions 53.

[0026] The scissor foot module 6 is rotatably disposed between the lower pivot portion 33 and the upper pivot portion 53, and is located above the sensing module 4, the base plate 3, and the circuit board 2. The scissor foot module 6 includes a first bracket 61 rotatably disposed between two of the upper pivot portions 53 and two of the lower pivot portions 33, and a second bracket 62 rotatably disposed between the other two of the upper pivot portions 53 and the other two of the lower pivot portions 33. The first bracket 61 and the second bracket 62 are pivotally connected to each other and arranged in a cross-connection, and the first bracket 61 and the second bracket 62 jointly define an installation space 63. The installation space 63 is used to accommodate the pressing module 1 and the backup pressing module 9.

[0027] One of them is placed.

[0028] See Figure 2 and Figure 4 If the embodiment is desired to provide a pressing feel that meets the first peak force, the first rebound force, and the first key pressure ratio, the pressing module 1 is selected for installation. More precisely, the mounting plate 11 of the pressing module 1 is inserted between the limiting portions 32, and the cover 12 is located in the mounting space 63, providing a supporting force corresponding to the first peak force to the inner side surface 52 of the keycap 5 (e.g., Figure 4 ).

[0029] Similarly, if the embodiment is desired to provide a pressing feel that meets the second peak force, the second rebound force, and the second key pressure ratio, the backup pressing module 9 is selected for installation. More precisely, by inserting the backup mounting plate 91 of the backup pressing module 9 between the limiting portions 32, the backup cover 92 is positioned within the mounting space 63 and provides a supporting force corresponding to the second peak force to the inner side surface 52 of the keycap 5. The above description should clearly illustrate how the backup pressing module 9 is installed within the limiting portions 32. To avoid repetitive explanation, a separate diagram illustrating the backup pressing module 9 installed within the limiting portions 32 is not provided.

[0030] Therefore, the key device with pressure-sensitive switching function of the present invention can produce the following effects.

[0031] (1) By providing a limiting relationship for the mounting piece 11 of the pressing module 1 through the limiting portion 32 of the base plate 3, the difficulty of installing or removing the pressing module 1 relative to the base plate 3 is reduced, thereby improving the replaceability of the pressing module 1.

[0032] (2) By defining the installation space 63 for placing one of the pressing module 1 and the spare pressing module 9 through the first bracket 61 and the second bracket 62, a gap is created between the scissor leg module 6 and the pressing module 1, which can reduce the difficulty of installing or removing the pressing module 1 relative to the base plate 3, thereby improving the replaceability of the pressing module 1.

[0033] In summary, the keypad device with pressure-sensitive switching function of the present invention can indeed achieve the purpose of the present invention.

[0034] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. In other words, any simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and description of the present invention still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A key device with a pressure-sensing switching function, suitable for use in a backup pressing module, the backup pressing module comprising a backup mounting plate and a backup cover that indicates a second peak force and is fixed to the top side of the backup mounting plate, characterized in that: The key device includes: a pressing module, a base plate, a keycap, a scissor foot module and a sensing module, the pressing module including a mounting plate and a cover body indicating a first peak force and fixedly connected to the top side of the mounting plate; the base plate includes a base plate body, two limiting parts extending upward from the base plate body and spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of lower pivot parts extending upward from the base plate body, the limiting parts being used to accommodate and limit one of the mounting plate and the spare mounting plate; the keycap is located above the base plate and includes an outer side surface, an inner side surface opposite to the outer side surface, and a plurality of upper pivot parts connected to the inner side surface; the scissor foot module can be rotatably arranged between the lower pivot part and the upper pivot part; the sensing module defines two limiting holes for the limiting parts to pass through respectively, and a plurality of pivot holes for the lower pivot parts to pass through respectively, and the sensing module is located below the keycap and arranged on the top side of the base plate body.

2. The keypad device with pressure-sensing switching function according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the upper pivot parts and the number of the lower pivot parts are both four, and the scissor leg module includes a first bracket rotatably arranged between two of the upper pivot parts and two of the lower pivot parts, and a second bracket rotatably arranged between the other two of the upper pivot parts and the other two of the lower pivot parts, and the first bracket and the second bracket are pivotally connected to each other.

3. The key device with pressure-sensing switching function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first bracket and the second bracket are cross-arranged and define an installation space together. The installation space is used for accommodating one of the pressing module and the backup pressing module.

4. The keypad device with pressure-sensing switching function according to claim 1, wherein: The material of the mounting plate is one of stainless steel, aluminum and polyethylene terephthalate.

5. The keypad device with pressure-sensing switching function according to claim 1, wherein: The cover body is made of rubber.

6. The key device with pressure-sensing switching function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensing module is a sensing film.

7. A key device with a pressure-sensitive switching function, characterized in that: The button device includes: a pressing module, a spare pressing module, a bottom plate, a keycap, a scissor foot module and a sensing module, wherein the pressing module includes a mounting plate and a cover body indicating a first peak force and fixed to the top side of the mounting plate; the spare pressing module includes a spare mounting plate and a spare cover body indicating a second peak force different from the first peak force and fixed to the top side of the spare mounting plate; the bottom plate includes a bottom plate body, two limit portions extending upward from the bottom plate body and spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of lower pivot portions extending upward from the bottom plate body, the The limiting portion is used to accommodate and limit one of the mounting plate and the spare mounting plate; the keycap is located above the base plate, and the keycap includes an outer side surface, an inner side surface opposite to the outer side surface, and a plurality of upper pivot portions connected to the inner side surface; the scissor foot module is rotatably arranged between the lower pivot portion and the upper pivot portion; the sensing module defines two limiting holes for the limiting portion to pass through, and a plurality of pivot holes for the lower pivot portion to pass through, and the sensing module is located below the keycap and is arranged on the top side of the base plate body.

8. The key device with pressure-sensing switching function according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cover further indicates a first rebound force and a first key pressure ratio, and the spare cover further indicates a second rebound force different from the first rebound force, and a second key pressure ratio different from the first key pressure ratio.

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