Keyboard and key structure thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a keyboard and a key structure thereof, the keyboard comprises a first key, a second key and a magnet, the first key comprises a first shielding piece and a first Hall sensor, the second key is arranged adjacent to the first key and comprises a second shielding piece and a second Hall sensor, the magnet is arranged between the first key and the second key, and the first shielding piece and the second Hall sensor are arranged on the first key. A first fixed distance is kept between the magnet and the first Hall sensor, a second fixed distance is kept between the magnet and the second Hall sensor, and when the first key is pressed, the first shielding piece moves relative to the magnet so as to change the magnetic field intensity of the magnet sensed by the first Hall sensor; and when the second key is pressed, the second shielding piece moves relative to the magnet so as to change the magnetic field intensity of the magnet sensed by the second Hall sensor. The magnetic field intensity received by each Hall sensor is changed in a magnetic field shielding mode, so that a plurality of adjacent keys can share magnets, the number of the magnets is effectively reduced, and the cost and the keyboard weight are further reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a keyboard and its key structure, and particularly to a keyboard and its key structure utilizing the Hall effect. Background Technology

[0002] Keyboards typically contain multiple keys, each with a corresponding trigger switch. Taking existing magnetic switch keyboards as an example, each key requires a magnet and a corresponding Hall sensor as a trigger switch. Therefore, the entire keyboard usually requires dozens or even hundreds of magnets, making the keyboard very expensive and relatively heavy. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a keyboard that uses a shielded magnetic field to change the magnetic field strength received by each Hall sensor, thereby allowing adjacent keys to share a magnet, effectively reducing the number of magnets, and thus reducing cost and keyboard weight.

[0004] This invention provides a keyboard comprising a first key, a second key, and a magnet. The first key includes a first shield and a first Hall sensor. The second key is disposed adjacent to the first key and includes a second shield and a second Hall sensor. The magnet is disposed between the first key and the second key, maintaining a first fixed distance from the first Hall sensor and a second fixed distance from the second Hall sensor. When the first key is pressed, the first shield moves relative to the magnet to change the magnetic field strength of the magnet sensed by the first Hall sensor. When the second key is pressed, the second shield moves relative to the magnet to change the magnetic field strength of the magnet sensed by the second Hall sensor.

[0005] As an optional technical solution, the first fixed distance is equal to the second fixed distance.

[0006] As an optional technical solution, the keyboard also includes a circuit board, wherein the circuit board is disposed below the first key and the second key, and the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0007] As an optional technical solution, the keyboard also includes a positioning frame, wherein the positioning frame is spaced above the circuit board, the first key and the second key are positioned by the positioning frame, and the magnet is disposed on the positioning frame or the circuit board.

[0008] As an optional technical solution, the first button and the second button each include a return mechanism, which is disposed above the circuit board. The return mechanism includes a housing, a movable shaft, and an elastic element. The movable shaft is movably disposed in the housing. The elastic element is disposed in the housing and moves together with the movable shaft. At least one of the elastic element and the movable shaft serves as the first shield or the second shield.

[0009] As an optional technical solution, the circuit board has a first clearance groove and a second clearance groove, which are respectively provided for the first shielding member and the second shielding member, so as to allow the first shielding member to at least partially extend into the first clearance groove when it moves, and to allow the second shielding member to at least partially extend into the second clearance groove when it moves.

[0010] As an optional technical solution, the first button includes a first keycap and a first support mechanism. The first support mechanism is disposed below the first keycap and supports the first keycap to move relative to the circuit board. The first shield is disposed on the first support mechanism, and the first support mechanism drives the first shield to move relative to the magnet. And / or, the second button includes a second keycap and a second support mechanism. The second support mechanism is disposed below the second keycap and supports the second keycap to move relative to the circuit board. The second shield is disposed on the second support mechanism, and the second support mechanism drives the second shield to move relative to the magnet.

[0011] As an optional technical solution, the first button includes a first keycap, the second button includes a second keycap, and the magnet is located outside the vertical projection of the first keycap and the second keycap.

[0012] As an optional technical solution, the first shield and the second shield are arranged symmetrically with respect to the magnet.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, both the first shielding component and the second shielding component contain magnetically conductive materials, and the magnetically conductive materials contain iron, cobalt, nickel or their alloys.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a button structure that uses an elastic element as a shielding element so that the button generates a trigger signal by means of the Hall effect.

[0015] The present invention provides a key structure comprising a keycap, an elastic element, a Hall sensor, and a magnet. The elastic element is disposed below the keycap and provides elastic restoring force. The Hall sensor is disposed below the elastic element. The magnet is disposed opposite to the Hall sensor. When the keycap is pressed, the magnet and the Hall sensor maintain a fixed distance, and the elastic element moves relative to the magnet to change the magnetic field strength of the magnet sensed by the Hall sensor.

[0016] As an optional technical solution, the elastic element includes a magnetically conductive material, and the magnetically conductive material includes iron, cobalt, nickel or their alloys.

[0017] Compared to existing technologies, the keyboard of this invention utilizes a shielding magnetic field to alter the magnetic field strength received by each Hall sensor, allowing multiple adjacent keys to share a single magnet. This effectively reduces the number of magnets, thereby lowering costs and keyboard weight. Furthermore, the key structure of this invention uses an elastic element as a magnetic field shield, simplifying the customization of the shield and improving cross-model compatibility. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are a partially exploded perspective view and a top view of the keyboard according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 For along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line AA in the middle.

[0020] Figure 4A and Figure 4B for Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the operation of adjacent buttons.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the keyboard according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 5 An exploded 3D diagram of the keyboard's key structure.

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the keyboard.

[0024] Figure 8A and Figure 8B for Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the operation of adjacent buttons. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features and functions of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to embodiments.

[0026] This invention provides a keyboard that alters the magnetic field between a magnet and a Hall sensor using a shielding element, allowing multiple adjacent keys to share the same magnet and enabling each key to utilize a Hall effect triggering mechanism. The keyboard of this invention can be a standalone keyboard device or a keyboard module integrated as an accessory into an electronic device (e.g., a portable electronic device or a laptop keyboard). The magnet is positioned between multiple adjacent keys and shared by all keys, helping to reduce the number of magnets used and thus lightening the keyboard's weight. The structure and operation of the keyboard according to embodiments of this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are, respectively, a partially exploded perspective view and a top view of the keyboard 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the keyboard 1 of the present invention includes a plurality of keys 10 and a magnet 20. The magnet 20 is disposed among the plurality of keys 10 and is shared by the plurality of keys 10, so that each key 10 can use the same magnet 20 to form a trigger switch utilizing the Hall effect. It should be noted that although the keyboard 1 in this embodiment includes four keys, it is not limited thereto. Depending on the actual application, the keyboard 1 may include two or more keys. Each key 10 preferably has the same structure, and each key 10 may include a Hall sensor 110 and a shield (e.g., 130 and / or 140), wherein the relative position between the Hall sensor 110 and the magnet 20 is fixed, and the shield is movably disposed in the key 10. Specifically, in the keyboard 1, the magnet 20 and the Hall sensor 110 of each key 10 are fixed members, and during the pressing of a key 10, a fixed distance is maintained between the Hall sensor 110 of the pressed key 10 and the magnet 20.

[0028] Specifically, magnet 20 generates a magnetic field, and Hall sensor 110 is a sensor that uses the Hall effect to sense the presence and intensity of the magnetic field, with the output voltage of Hall sensor 110 being proportional to the magnetic field strength. The fixed distance between magnet 20 and Hall sensor 110 can be the default distance at which Hall sensor 110 outputs a default voltage (e.g., a first output voltage) when button 10 is not pressed. In other words, the fixed distance between magnet 20 and Hall sensor 110 can be any appropriate distance at which Hall sensor 110 can sense the presence and strength of the magnetic field of magnet 20. This fixed distance can be determined based on the grade of magnet 20, the sensitivity of Hall sensor 110, and the preset trigger stroke.

[0029] In one embodiment, the fixed distance between the magnet 20 and the Hall sensor 110 of each button 10 is preferably the same, thereby ensuring that the magnetic field strength of the magnet 20 sensed by each Hall sensor 110 is the same when the button 10 is not pressed, but this is not a limitation. Depending on the actual application, when the Hall sensors 110 of multiple buttons 10 have different fixed distances from the magnet 20, the output signal of each Hall sensor 110 can be adjusted by the processor so that each button 10 can generate a trigger signal when pressed.

[0030] Furthermore, in the keyboard 1, the shielding component of each key 10 is movable and moves with the pressing of the key 10 to a position that can influence the Hall sensor 110 corresponding to the pressed key 10 to sense the magnetic field of the magnet 20. Alternatively, the shielding component moves at least partially with the pressing of the key 10 to the area between the magnet 20 and the corresponding Hall sensor 110, thereby partially shielding the magnetic field of the magnet 20 and changing the magnetic field strength of the magnet 20 sensed by the Hall sensor 110, causing the key 10 to generate a trigger signal.

[0031] In one embodiment, the Hall sensors 110 of the plurality of buttons 10 are preferably symmetrically arranged with respect to the magnet 20, and the shields of the plurality of buttons 10 are also preferably symmetrically arranged with respect to the magnet 20, with the vertical projection of each shield preferably located between the magnet 20 and the corresponding Hall sensor 110. For example, when the magnet 20 is disposed between the plurality of buttons 10, the corresponding plurality of shields are preferably at least partially located on the vertical projection of the circumference of a first virtual circle centered on the magnet 20, and the plurality of Hall sensors are preferably located on the vertical projection of the circumference of a second virtual circle centered on the magnet 20, wherein the radius of the first virtual circle is smaller than the radius of the second virtual circle, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the plurality of shields are preferably uniformly disposed on the vertical projection of the circumference of the first virtual circle, the plurality of Hall sensors are preferably uniformly disposed on the vertical projection of the circumference of the second virtual circle, and each shield is preferably at least partially located on or adjacent to the line (e.g., radius) connecting the corresponding Hall sensor 110 and the magnet 20.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the keyboard 1 also includes a circuit board 30, which is disposed below a plurality of keys 10, and the Hall sensor 110 of each key 10 is electrically connected to the circuit board 30. For example, the Hall sensor 110 may be disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board 30 and electrically connected to the switching circuit of the circuit board 30, but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the Hall sensor 110 may be disposed on the lower surface of the circuit board 30.

[0033] Continue to refer to Figure 1In this embodiment, the keyboard 1 further includes positioning frames 40, which are spaced apart above the circuit board 30, and the multiple keys 10 are positioned by the positioning frames 40. Specifically, the positioning frame 40 may be a frame with multiple openings 42, and the multiple openings 42 correspond to the multiple keys 10 respectively. Thus, the multiple keys 10 can be respectively disposed in the multiple openings 42 of the positioning frame 40, and supported and positioned by the positioning frame 40. For example, the positioning frame 40 may be the outer shell cover of the keyboard 1 or an independent support component in the keyboard 1.

[0034] In one embodiment, the magnet 20 may be disposed on the positioning frame 40 or the circuit board 30. For example, when the positioning frame 40 is the outer cover of the keyboard 1, the magnet 20 is preferably disposed on the lower surface of the positioning frame 40, but is not limited thereto. When the positioning frame 40 is an independent support component in the keyboard 1, the magnet 20 may be disposed on the lower or upper surface of the positioning frame 40. For example, the magnet 20 may be positioned on the positioning frame 40 or the circuit board 30 by means of adhesion, snap-fit ​​or any suitable positioning mechanism to maintain a fixed distance between the magnet 20 and each Hall sensor 110.

[0035] Furthermore, button 10 may also include a return mechanism 100 to return button 10 to an unpressed state after it has been pressed. Specifically, the return mechanism 100 is disposed above circuit board 30 and includes housing 120, movable shaft 130, and elastic element 140. In this embodiment, at least one of elastic element 140 and movable shaft 130 may serve as a shield for button 10.

[0036] The movable shaft 130 is movably disposed in the housing 120 and, in response to pressing pressure, can move between an unpressed position and a pressed position. An elastic element 140 is disposed in the housing 120; when the pressing pressure is removed, the elastic element 140 provides an elastic restoring force to return the movable shaft 130 to the unpressed position. Specifically, the housing 120 is formed by combining an upper housing 122 and a lower housing 124. The upper housing 122 has a through hole 1222 and an upper engaging portion 1224. The movable shaft 130 is movably inserted into the through hole 1222. The lower housing 124 has a lower engaging portion 1244 for engaging with the upper engaging portion 1224, thereby connecting the upper housing 122 and the lower housing 124. The lower housing 124 is preferably a seat extending along the X, Y, and Z axes, while the upper housing 122 is a cover corresponding to the lower housing 124. The lower housing 124 is preferably combined with the upper housing 122 to form a housing 120 with an internal accommodating space for accommodating the elastic member 140. For example, the lower housing 124 may have a snap-fit ​​lower engaging portion 1244, while the upper housing 122 has a snap-hole type upper engaging portion 1224, such that the lower housing 124 and the upper housing 122 are engaged with each other along the Z-axis direction by snap-fit ​​and snap-hole. The through hole 1222 of the upper housing 122 preferably corresponds to the top shape of the movable shaft 130, such that the movable shaft 130 can be movably inserted through the through hole 1222 of the upper housing 122 from below, and the top of the movable shaft 130 protrudes from the through hole 1222. For example, the movable shaft 130 is preferably a cap-shaped column that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. In addition, the movable shaft 130 may have a connecting portion 136, and the connecting portion 136 is preferably provided at the top of the movable shaft 130. The engagement portion 136 may be, for example, a cross-shaped engagement post formed on the top of the movable shaft 130 for engaging with a keycap (not shown), but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the engagement portion 136 may also be in other forms (e.g., an engagement hole) for engaging with a keycap.

[0037] In one embodiment, when the elastic member 140 serves as a shielding member, the elastic member 140 may be a spring made of a magnetically conductive material. For example, the magnetically conductive material preferably includes iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof (e.g., iron / manganese / zinc alloy, iron / nickel / zinc alloy, etc.). When the elastic member 140 is a spring made of a magnetically conductive material, the shielding effect on the magnetic field strength can be changed by the compression and recovery of the elastic member 140, thereby changing the magnetic field strength of the magnet 20 sensed by the Hall sensor 110. Specifically, the lower housing 124 has a positioning portion 1242, which allows the elastic member 140 to be positioned within the positioning portion 1242. For example, the positioning part 1242 is an annular column extending from the bottom of the lower housing 124 towards the upper housing 122, such that one end of the spring (i.e., the elastic element 140) can be fitted onto the outside of the positioning part 1242, and the other end of the spring abuts against the bottom of the movable shaft 130, thereby causing the top of the movable shaft 130 to protrude from the through hole 1222 of the upper housing 122. The Hall sensor 110 is preferably disposed in the annular column of the positioning part 1242. Thus, when a pressing force is applied, the movable shaft 130 can compress the spring downwards, giving the spring a tighter shape and thus enhancing the effect of shielding the magnetic field of the magnet 20, thereby changing the magnetic field strength of the magnet 20 sensed by the Hall sensor, and causing the button 10 to generate a trigger signal. When the pressing force is released, the spring provides elastic restoring force, causing the movable shaft 130 to move away from the lower housing 124 to the position before pressing.

[0038] In one embodiment, when the movable shaft 130 serves as a shield, the lower portion of the movable shaft 130 preferably contains a magnetically conductive material. For example, when the movable shaft 130 is formed by injection molding, the lower portion of the movable shaft 130 is doped with a magnetically conductive material (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof) to enable the movable shaft 130 to shield magnetic fields.

[0039] In one embodiment, a magnetically conductive material can be formed on the lower part of the movable shaft 130 by printing. For example, the magnetically conductive material can be printed only on the side of the movable shaft 130 facing the magnet 20, but is not limited thereto. The magnetically conductive material can be disposed around the periphery of the movable shaft 130, so that the lower part of the movable shaft 130 is magnetically conductive in all directions. In this way, during assembly, it is not necessary to spend time aligning the magnetically conductive side of the movable shaft 130 with the magnet 20, which can effectively improve the convenience of assembly. When pressure is applied, the movable shaft 130 moves downward, so that the magnetically conductive lower part of the movable shaft 130 moves to the area between the magnet 20 and the Hall sensor 110, so as to at least partially shield the magnetic field of the magnet 20, thereby changing the magnetic field strength of the magnet 20 sensed by the Hall sensor 110, causing the button 10 to generate a trigger signal. For example, when pressure is applied, the lower part of the movable shaft 130, which has magnetic conductivity, can move to cover the positioning part 1242 of the lower housing 124, thereby covering the Hall sensor 110 located in the annular column of the positioning part 1242, thereby effectively shielding the magnetic field of the magnet 20.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 3 to 4B , Figure 3 For along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line AA in the middle. Figure 4A and Figure 4B for Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the operation of adjacent buttons is provided below. The operation of adjacent buttons will be explained in detail later. For structural details of the buttons, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments; they will not be repeated here. Figure 3 As shown, the keyboard 1 has multiple keys 10, including a first key 10A and a second key 10B. The first key 10A includes a first shield (e.g., a movable shaft 130A or an elastic element 140A) and a first Hall sensor 110A. The second key 10B is disposed adjacent to the first key 10A, and the second key 10B includes a second shield (e.g., a movable shaft 130B or an elastic element 140B) and a second Hall sensor 110B. A magnet 20 is disposed between the first key 10A and the second key 10B. The magnet 20 maintains a first fixed distance from the first Hall sensor 110A, and a second fixed distance from the second Hall sensor 110B. In one embodiment, the first fixed distance is preferably equal to the second fixed distance, and the first and second shields are preferably symmetrically arranged relative to the magnet 20.

[0041] A circuit board 30 is disposed below the first button 10A and the second button 10B, and the first Hall sensor 110A and the second Hall sensor 110B are electrically connected and disposed on the circuit board 30. Positioning frames 40 are spaced apart above the circuit board 30, and the first button 10A and the second button 10B are positioned by the positioning frames 40. In this embodiment, a magnet 20 is disposed on the lower surface of the positioning frame 40. The first button 10A and the second button 10B each also include the aforementioned return mechanism 100.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, when no pressure is applied (e.g., the keycap is not pressed), the first Hall sensor 110A and the second Hall sensor 110B each sense the presence of the magnetic field of the magnet 20. Preferably, the magnetic field strength sensed by the first Hall sensor 110A and the second Hall sensor 110B is the same, and a first output voltage is generated corresponding to the sensed magnetic field strength. For example, when the movable shafts 130A / 130B are in the unpressed position, the movable shafts 130A / 130B are away from the area between the magnet 20 and the first Hall sensor 110A / second Hall sensor 110B, and the elastic members 140A / 140B have a looser shape, so that the shielding member has a small (or preset) influence or even no influence on the magnetic field of the magnet 20, causing the first Hall sensor 110A / second Hall sensor 110B to generate the first output voltage.

[0043] like Figure 4AAs shown, when the first button 10A is pressed, the first shielding member (e.g., movable shaft 130A or elastic member 140A) moves relative to the magnet 20 to change the magnetic field strength of the magnet 20 sensed by the first Hall sensor 110A. For example, when the first button 10A is pressed, the movable shaft 130A moves toward the circuit board 30 to a position that affects the magnetic field of the magnet 20, and compresses the elastic member 140A to give it a tighter shape, thereby enhancing the shielding effect on the magnetic field of the magnet 20. The first Hall sensor 110A senses the change in the magnetic field and generates a second output voltage. In this embodiment, since the first shielding member is preferably made of a magnetically conductive material, a shielding effect is formed between the magnet 20 and the first Hall sensor 110A. Therefore, the second output voltage generated by the first Hall sensor 110A is less than the first output voltage. The first button 10A can generate a trigger signal based on the change in the output voltage generated by the first Hall sensor 110A. In other words, the closer the first shield moves downward to the first Hall sensor 110A, the better the shielding effect, causing the output voltage generated by the first Hall sensor 110A to decrease as the distance the first shield moves downward. Therefore, the trigger point of the first button 10A can be set by the difference between the second output voltage generated by the first Hall sensor 110A and the first output voltage. For example, the larger the difference, the longer the movement of the first shield, and the later the trigger will be, thus achieving the advantage of adjusting the trigger travel according to the actual application. At this time, the second button 10B is not pressed, so the second shield does not move and change the shielding effect on the magnetic field. Therefore, the magnetic field strength sensed by the second Hall sensor 110B remains unchanged and it continues to generate the first output voltage.

[0044] like Figure 4B As shown, when the second button 10B is pressed, the second shield (e.g., movable shaft 130B or elastic element 140B) moves relative to the magnet 20 to change the magnetic field strength of the magnet 20 sensed by the second Hall sensor 110B. At this time, the first button 10A is not pressed, so the first Hall sensor 110A continues to generate the first output voltage. It should be noted that the actuation details of the second button 10B when it is pressed are similar to those of the first button 10A, so please refer to the relevant description of the first button 10A, which will not be repeated here.

[0045] The shielding element can be placed on any suitable movable part of the button, not limited to the embodiments shown above. Please refer to... Figures 5 to 7 , Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the keyboard 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 for Figure 5 An exploded 3D diagram of the key structure of keyboard 2 (e.g., 20A / 20B). Figure 7 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of keyboard 2. (See diagram below.) Figures 5 to 7As shown, in this embodiment, the keyboard 2 includes a first key 20A, a second key 20B, and a magnet 20. The first key 20A includes a first shield 260A and a first Hall sensor 210A, while the second key 20B is disposed adjacent to the first key 20A and includes a second shield 260B and a second Hall sensor 210B. The magnet 20 is disposed between the first key 20A and the second key 20B, maintaining a first fixed distance from the first Hall sensor 210A and a second fixed distance from the second Hall sensor 210B. The first Hall sensor 210A and the second Hall sensor 210B are disposed on the circuit board 30' and electrically connected to the switching circuit of the circuit board 30'.

[0046] In the second embodiment, the first button 20A further includes a first keycap 220A and a first support mechanism 250A. The first support mechanism 250A is disposed below the first keycap 220A and supports the first keycap 220A in moving relative to the circuit board 30'. A first shielding member 260A is disposed on the first support mechanism 250A, and the first support mechanism 250A drives the first shielding member 260A in moving relative to the magnet 20. The second button 20B includes a second keycap 220B and a second support mechanism 250B. The second support mechanism 250B is disposed below the second keycap 220B and supports the second keycap 220B in moving relative to the circuit board 30'. The second shielding member 260B is disposed on the second support mechanism 250B, and the second support mechanism 250B drives the second shielding member 260B in moving relative to the magnet 20.

[0047] In addition, the keyboard 2 may also include a base plate 230 to enhance the support strength of the keys. The base plate 230 may be located above or below the circuit board 30' (above in this embodiment), and the first support mechanism 250A may be movably coupled to the base plate 230 and the first keycap 220A, but is not limited thereto. When the support strength of the circuit board 30' is sufficient, the keyboard 2 may not require the base plate 230, and the first support mechanism 250A may still be movably coupled to the circuit board 30' and the first keycap 220A.

[0048] Specifically, the first support mechanism 250A includes an inner support and an outer support pivotally connected to each other to form a scissor-type support mechanism. The opposite ends of the inner and outer supports are movably coupled to the first keycap 220A and the base plate 230, respectively, to stably support the movement of the first keycap 220A relative to the base plate 230. The base plate 230 has multiple coupling members 232 and 234, which can be coupled to the base plate ends of the inner and outer supports of the first support mechanism 250A, respectively. The first keycap 220A may have corresponding connectors (not shown) to be coupled to the keycap ends of the inner and outer supports of the first support mechanism 250A, respectively. Thus, the first support mechanism 250A can smoothly support the up / down movement of the first keycap 220A relative to the base plate 230 (or circuit board 30'). The second support mechanism 250B has the same structure as the first support mechanism 250A; therefore, the structural details of the second support mechanism 250B can be found in the description of the first support mechanism 250A. In addition, the base plate 230 has multiple coupling members 232 and 234, which can be coupled to the base plate ends of the inner bracket and outer bracket of the second support mechanism 250B, respectively.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first shield 260A is disposed on the inner side of the inner bracket of the first support mechanism 250A. The first shield 260A may be a protrusion extending downward from the inner bracket, and is preferably disposed on the inner side of the keycap end of the inner bracket. Similar to the above embodiment, the first shield 260A is preferably made of a material that can affect the magnetic field between the magnet 20 and the first Hall sensor 210A, so that the first shield 260A moves relative to the magnet 20 and the first Hall sensor 210A, thereby causing the first Hall sensor 210A to generate different output voltages. The first shielding component 260A is preferably made of a material containing iron, cobalt, nickel or their alloys (e.g., iron / manganese / zinc alloy, iron / nickel / zinc alloy, etc.), and can be connected to the first support mechanism 250A by various joining methods (e.g., adhesion, snap-fit, locking, etc.), or doped with a magnetically conductive material (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel or their alloys) by injection molding, so that the inner support of the first support mechanism 250A and the first shielding component 260A are integrally formed, and the first shielding component 260A is a composite material containing magnetically conductive material and plastic.

[0050] Similarly, the second shield 260B is disposed inside the inner support of the second support mechanism 250B. The second shield 260B may be a protrusion extending downward from the inner support, and is preferably disposed inside the keycap end of the inner support. The second shield 260B contains a magnetic material, and the magnetic material includes, for example, iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof. The second shield 260B has similar structural details and functions to the first shield 260A, so please refer to the relevant description of the first shield 260A, which will not be repeated here. The first shield 260A and the second shield 260B are symmetrically arranged with respect to the magnet 20, and the magnet 20 is preferably located outside the vertical projection of the first keycap 220A and the second keycap 220B. In other words, the magnet 20 is preferably located in the key gap area between adjacent keys of the keyboard 2, and the magnet 20 is preferably disposed on the base plate 230, but is not limited thereto. Depending on the actual application, the magnet 20 may also be disposed on the circuit board 30'.

[0051] Corresponding to the first shield 260A and the second shield 260B, the circuit board 30' may have a first clearance groove 32A and a second clearance groove 32B. The first clearance groove 32A and the second clearance groove 32B are respectively disposed corresponding to the first shield 260A and the second shield 260B, allowing at least a partial extension of the first shield 260A into the first clearance groove 32A when it moves, and allowing at least a partial extension of the second shield 260B into the second clearance groove 32B when it moves. The magnet 20 and the first Hall sensor 210A are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the first clearance groove 32A, and the magnet 20 and the second Hall sensor 210B are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the second clearance groove 32B. For example, the first shield 260A and the second shield 260B are preferably symmetrically disposed with respect to the magnet 20, therefore the first clearance groove 32A and the second clearance groove 32B are also symmetrically disposed with respect to the magnet 20.

[0052] Furthermore, both the first button 20A and the second button 20B may include a return mechanism 240 to allow the first button 20A and the second button 20B to return to their unpressed state after being pressed. In this embodiment, the return mechanism 240 may be a rubber dome, but is not limited thereto. Depending on the actual application, the return mechanism 240 may be similar to... Figure 1 The return mechanism 100, which includes a housing, a movable shaft, and an elastic element (spring), is replaced to provide a restoring force for the first keycap 220A and the second keycap 220B to return to the unpressed position.

[0053] For reference later Figure 7 , Figure 8A and Figure 8B To illustrate the operation of adjacent keys (e.g., 20A / 20B) on the keyboard 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7As shown, when no pressure is applied (e.g., the first keycap 220A and the second keycap 220B are not pressed), the first Hall sensor 210A and the second Hall sensor 210B each sense the presence of the magnetic field of the magnet 20 and generate a first output voltage corresponding to the sensed magnetic field strength. For example, the first shield 260A / second shield 260B is located in the unpressed position and is far away from the area between the magnet 20 and the first Hall sensor 210A / second Hall sensor 210B, so that the shield has a small (or preset) influence or even no influence on the magnetic field of the magnet 20, causing the first Hall sensor 210A / second Hall sensor 210B to generate the first output voltage.

[0054] like Figure 8A As shown, when a pressing force is applied (e.g., when a pressing force is applied to the first keycap 220A), the first keycap 220A moves downward to compress the return mechanism 240, and the first support mechanism 250A moves along with the first keycap 220A to drive the first shield 260A downward toward the space between the magnet 20 and the first Hall sensor 210A, causing the first Hall sensor 210A to generate a second output voltage. In other words, the first shield 260A moves downward toward the area between the first Hall sensor 210A and the magnet 20 to a position that affects the magnetic field of the magnet 20 (e.g., the first shield 260A is at least partially located on the virtual connection line between the magnet 20 and the first Hall sensor 210A), causing the first Hall sensor 210A to sense the change in the magnetic field and generate a second output voltage, for example, less than the first output voltage, thereby causing the first button 20A to generate a trigger signal. When the first shield 260A moves downward toward the first Hall sensor 210A, the first shield 260A can at least partially extend into the first clearance groove 32A of the circuit board 30'. At this time, the second button 20B is not pressed, so the second Hall sensor 210B continues to generate the first output voltage.

[0055] like Figure 8B As shown, when the second button 20B is pressed, the second shield 260B moves relative to the magnet 20, thereby changing the magnetic field strength of the magnet 20 sensed by the second Hall sensor 210B. At this time, the first button 20A is not pressed, so the first Hall sensor 110A continues to generate the first output voltage. It should be noted that the operation details of the second button 20B when it is pressed are similar to those of the first button 20A, so please refer to the relevant description of the first button 20A, which will not be repeated here.

[0056] Depend on Figures 1 to 3As can be seen from the embodiments, the present invention also provides a key structure (e.g., key 10), which may include a keycap (not shown), an elastic element 140, a Hall sensor 110, and a magnet 20. The elastic element 140 is disposed below the keycap and provides elastic restoring force. The Hall sensor 110 is disposed below the elastic element 140. The magnet 20 is disposed corresponding to the Hall sensor 110. When the keycap is pressed, the magnet 20 and the Hall sensor 110 maintain a fixed distance, and the elastic element 140 moves relative to the magnet 20 to change the magnetic field strength of the magnet 20 sensed by the Hall sensor 110. The elastic element 140 may be a spring made of a magnetically conductive material, so as to change the magnetic field strength of the magnet 20 sensed by the Hall sensor 110 by the compression and restoring of the elastic element 140 to produce a change in tension. In this way, there is no need to customize the design of specific shielding components, which can improve cross-model compatibility.

[0057] In addition, Figures 5 to 7 In the second embodiment, although the shielding element is exemplified as being disposed within the support mechanism to move together with the support mechanism, this is not a limitation. In other embodiments (not shown), the shielding element may be integrated into an elastic dome-shaped elastic element (e.g., the aforementioned return mechanism 240), such that the shielding element can move and change the magnetic field strength sensed by the Hall sensor as the elastic dome is elastically deformed when pressed. For example, the downwardly extending column within the elastic dome may be coated or doped with a magnetically conductive material, making the column magnetically conductive and thus serving as a shielding element for the magnetic field. When a pressing force is applied, the keycap presses down on the elastic dome, and the column within the elastic dome moves downward between the Hall sensor and the magnet in response to the collapse deformation of the elastic dome, thereby changing the magnetic field strength sensed by the Hall sensor.

[0058] The keyboard of this invention utilizes a shielding magnetic field to alter the magnetic field strength received by each Hall sensor, allowing multiple adjacent keys to share a single magnet. This effectively reduces the number of magnets, thereby lowering cost and keyboard weight. Furthermore, the key structure of this invention uses an elastic element as a magnetic field shield, simplifying the customization of the shield and improving cross-model compatibility.

[0059] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention. The scale in the schematic drawings does not represent the actual proportions of the components, in order to clearly describe the required parts.

[0060] The present invention has been described in the above-described embodiments; however, these embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present invention. It must be noted that the disclosed embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. Conversely, any modifications and refinements made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A keyboard, characterized in that, Include: The first button includes a first shielding component and a first Hall sensor; A second button, disposed adjacent to the first button, includes a second shielding component and a second Hall sensor; and A magnet is disposed between the first button and the second button, the magnet maintaining a first fixed distance from the first Hall sensor and a second fixed distance from the second Hall sensor. When the first button is pressed, the first shield moves relative to the magnet to change the magnetic field strength of the magnet sensed by the first Hall sensor; when the second button is pressed, the second shield moves relative to the magnet to change the magnetic field strength of the magnet sensed by the second Hall sensor.

2. The keyboard as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first fixed distance is equal to the second fixed distance.

3. The keyboard as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The keyboard also includes a circuit board, which is disposed below the first key and the second key, and the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are electrically connected to the circuit board.

4. The keyboard as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The keyboard also includes a positioning frame, which is spaced above the circuit board. The first key and the second key are positioned by the positioning frame, and the magnet is disposed on the positioning frame or the circuit board.

5. The keyboard as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first button and the second button each include a response mechanism, which is disposed above the circuit board. The response mechanism includes: case; A movable shaft is movably disposed within the housing; and An elastic element is disposed within the housing and moves together with the movable shaft. Wherein, at least one of the elastic element and the movable shaft of the first button serves as the first shielding element; or, at least one of the elastic element and the movable shaft of the second button serves as the second shielding element.

6. The keyboard as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The circuit board has a first clearance groove and a second clearance groove, which are respectively provided for the first shielding member and the second shielding member, so as to allow the first shielding member to at least partially extend into the first clearance groove when it moves, and to allow the second shielding member to at least partially extend into the second clearance groove when it moves.

7. The keyboard as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first button includes a first keycap and a first support mechanism. The first support mechanism is disposed below the first keycap and supports the first keycap to move relative to the circuit board. The first shield is disposed on the first support mechanism, and the first support mechanism drives the first shield to move relative to the magnet. And / or, the second button includes a second keycap and a second support mechanism, the second support mechanism being disposed below the second keycap and supporting the movement of the second keycap relative to the circuit board, the second shielding member being disposed on the second support mechanism, and the second support mechanism driving the second shielding member to move relative to the magnet.

8. The keyboard as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first key includes a first keycap, the second key includes a second keycap, and the magnet is located outside the vertical projection of the first keycap and the second keycap.

9. The keyboard as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first shield and the second shield are arranged symmetrically with respect to the magnet.

10. The keyboard as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first shielding component and the second shielding component contain magnetically conductive material, and the magnetically conductive material contains iron, cobalt, nickel or their alloys.

11. A button structure, characterized in that, Include: keycap; An elastic element is located under the keycap and provides elastic restoring force; A Hall sensor is located below the elastic element; and The magnet corresponds to the Hall sensor setting. When the keycap is pressed, the magnet maintains a fixed distance from the Hall sensor, and the elastic element moves relative to the magnet to change the magnetic field strength of the magnet sensed by the Hall sensor.

12. The button structure as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The elastic element contains a magnetically conductive material, and the magnetically conductive material contains iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof.

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