Keycap lifting mechanism and long-rectangular key structure

Abstract

The present application relates to a key cap lifting mechanism and a long rectangular key structure. The key cap lifting mechanism is used for supporting a long rectangular key cap. The long rectangular key cap has a long side direction and a short side direction. The key cap lifting mechanism includes two supports, which are connected with the long rectangular key cap and are pivotally connected with each other around a pivot axis parallel to the long side direction. One of the supports includes two outer sliding shafts, an inner sliding shaft located between the two outer sliding shafts, and two outer bottom shafts. The support is slidably and rotatably connected with the long rectangular key cap via the two outer sliding shafts and the inner sliding shaft. In the long side direction, one of the outer bottom shafts is closer to one of the outer sliding shafts, and the other outer bottom shaft is closer to the other outer sliding shaft and the inner sliding shaft and is located between the two. In the long side direction, the distance between the former outer bottom shaft and the outer sliding shaft is smaller than the distance between the latter outer bottom shaft and the outer sliding shaft. The present application can enhance the connection stability of the support and the key cap and the linkage effect therebetween.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a key structure, and more particularly to a keycap lifting mechanism and a rectangular key structure using the same. Background Technology

[0002] In general, keycap lifting mechanisms in keycap designs connect to every corner of the keycap as much as possible to stably support it and effectively interact with it. However, sometimes the keycap lifting mechanism needs to avoid interference with other components and therefore cannot connect to the corners of the keycap. This affects the stability of the keycap lifting mechanism in supporting the keycap and also reduces the efficiency of the interaction between the keycap lifting mechanism and the keycap. Furthermore, with the miniaturization of keycap structures, the aforementioned problems become more severe. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the problems in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a keycap lifting mechanism, wherein an inner sliding shaft is added between two outer sliding shafts in one of the brackets to enhance the connection stability between the bracket and the keycap and the linkage effect between the two.

[0004] Another objective of this invention is to provide a long rectangular key structure, including the aforementioned keycap lifting mechanism, to enhance the connection stability between the keycap lifting mechanism and the keycap and the linkage effect between the two.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a keycap lifting mechanism is provided for supporting a long rectangular keycap, the long rectangular keycap having a long side direction and a short side direction, the keycap lifting mechanism comprising:

[0006] A first bracket, the first bracket having a first keycap connecting portion and a first base plate connecting portion; and

[0007] The second support is pivotally connected to the first support about a pivot axis parallel to the long side. The second support includes a first outer sliding shaft, a second outer sliding shaft, an inner sliding shaft, a first outer bottom shaft, and a second outer bottom shaft. The first outer bottom shaft is closer to the first outer sliding shaft than the second outer bottom shaft in the long side direction. The second outer bottom shaft is also closer to the second outer sliding shaft than the first outer bottom shaft in the long side direction. The inner sliding shaft is located between the first and second outer sliding shafts. The second outer bottom shaft is located between the second outer sliding shaft and the inner sliding shaft in the long side direction. The distance between the first outer sliding shaft and the first outer bottom shaft in the long side direction is smaller than the distance between the second outer sliding shaft and the second outer bottom shaft in the long side direction. The second outer sliding shaft is closer to the inner sliding shaft than the first outer sliding shaft in the long side direction.

[0008] The first bracket is connected to the long rectangular keycap via the first keycap connecting part, and the second bracket is slidably and rotatably connected to the long rectangular keycap via the first outer sliding shaft, the inner sliding shaft and the second outer sliding shaft.

[0009] As an optional technical solution, the first bracket has a dome, and the inner sliding shaft is located between the dome and the second outer sliding shaft in the long side direction.

[0010] As an optional technical solution, the first bracket has a notch, which is disposed opposite to the inner sliding shaft in the short side direction.

[0011] As an optional technical solution, in the long side direction, apart from the inner sliding shaft, the second bracket has no other structure connecting the long rectangular keycap between the second outer sliding shaft and the dome hole.

[0012] As an optional technical solution, the second bracket is pivotally connected to the outer side of the first bracket in the long side direction.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, the second bracket has an outer frame, the first bracket is pivotally connected to the inner side of the outer frame, and the second bracket is connected to the long rectangular keycap via the outer frame.

[0014] As an optional technical solution, the first keycap connecting part includes two gripping shafts, and the first bracket is rotatably connected to the keycap via the two gripping shafts.

[0015] As an optional technical solution, the projections of the first outer bottom shaft and the second outer bottom shaft in the vertical direction overlap with the projections of the two gripping shafts in the vertical direction in the long side direction.

[0016] As an optional technical solution, when the first bracket and the second bracket overlap, the two gripping shafts overlap with the projections of the first outer bottom shaft and the second outer bottom shaft in the long side direction.

[0017] As an optional technical solution, a minimum cuboid space is defined that includes the entire keycap lifting mechanism. The edges of the minimum cuboid space are parallel to the long side direction, the short side direction, and a vertical direction. The vertical direction is perpendicular to the long side direction and the short side direction. An obstacle space is defined within the minimum cuboid space. The obstacle space penetrates the minimum cuboid space in the vertical direction. The keycap lifting mechanism does not enter the obstacle space. An edge of the obstacle space parallel to the vertical direction coincides with one of the edges of the minimum cuboid space.

[0018] As an optional technical solution, the ratio of the length of the edge of the minimum cuboid space parallel to the long side to the length of the edge of the minimum cuboid space parallel to the short side is greater than or equal to 2.5.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a long rectangular button structure is provided, the long rectangular button structure having a long side direction and a short side direction, the long rectangular button structure comprising:

[0020] Base plate;

[0021] Keycaps, which are positioned above the base plate; and

[0022] The keycap lifting mechanism described above is connected between the base plate and the keycap. The keycap moves vertically relative to the base plate via the keycap lifting mechanism. The first bracket is connected to the base plate via the first base plate connecting part, and the second bracket is rotatably connected to the base plate via the first outer bottom shaft and the second outer bottom shaft.

[0023] As an optional technical solution, the rectangular key structure also includes a light-emitting element, wherein the light-emitting element is configured to emit light toward the keycap, defining a minimum cuboid space that includes the entire keycap lifting mechanism. The edges of the minimum cuboid space are parallel to the long side direction, the short side direction, and a vertical direction. The vertical direction is perpendicular to the long side direction and the short side direction. An avoidance space is defined within the minimum cuboid space. The avoidance space penetrates the minimum cuboid space in the vertical direction. The keycap lifting mechanism does not enter the avoidance space. One edge of the avoidance space parallel to the vertical direction coincides with one of the edges of the minimum cuboid space. The projection of the light-emitting element and the avoidance space in the vertical direction overlap.

[0024] As an optional technical solution, the ratio of the length of the edge of the minimum cuboid space parallel to the long side to the length of the edge of the minimum cuboid space parallel to the short side is greater than or equal to 2.5.

[0025] As an optional technical solution, the projection of the light-emitting element onto the keycap in the vertical direction is located in a corner area of ​​the keycap.

[0026] As an optional technical solution, the rectangular key structure also includes a switch circuit board, which is stacked on the base plate. The switch circuit board has a switch portion, a first connecting portion, and a second connecting portion. The switch portion corresponds to the middle part of the keycap. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected to both sides of the switch portion. The first connecting portion extends parallel to the short side direction to connect to the switch portion. The second connecting portion extends obliquely to the long side direction and the short side direction to connect to the switch portion. The second connecting portion and the inner slide shaft are located on the same side of the pivot shaft in the short side direction.

[0027] In summary, the present invention enhances the connection stability between the second bracket and the keycap and the linkage effect between them by setting a first outer slide shaft, a second outer slide shaft, and an inner slide shaft on the second bracket, and setting the positions of the first outer slide shaft, the second outer slide shaft, and the inner slide shaft in the long side direction.

[0028] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a long rectangular button structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partially exploded view of a medium-length rectangular button structure.

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a medium-length rectangular button structure is shown below. Figure 2 The midline XX is shown.

[0032] Figure 4 for Figure 1 An exploded view of a medium-length rectangular button structure.

[0033] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram from another perspective.

[0034] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Front view of the second bracket of the keycap lifting mechanism.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a top view of the rectangular key structure when the first and second supports overlap, with the outline of the keycaps shown as dashed lines.

[0036] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Left side view of the first and second supports. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front, or back, are only for reference to the accompanying diagrams. Prefixes for component names, such as first, second, etc., are only for distinguishing components and facilitating description, and do not impose any other limitations on the components; furthermore, components with the same prefix in different embodiments do not necessarily correspond. The correspondence of components in each embodiment should still be determined according to the specific structure described in each embodiment.

[0038] Please see Figures 1 to 5 . Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a long rectangular button structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partially exploded view of a medium-length rectangular button structure. Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a medium-length rectangular button structure is shown below. Figure 2As shown by the midline XX, Figure 4 for Figure 1 An exploded view of a medium-length rectangular button structure. Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram from another perspective. According to one embodiment, the rectangular key structure 1 has a long side direction 1a and a short side direction 1b (both indicated by a double-headed arrow in the figure). The rectangular key structure 1 includes a base plate 12, keycaps 14, a keycap lifting mechanism 16, a switch circuit board 18, and an elastic element 20. The keycaps 14 are disposed above the base plate 12. The keycaps 14 are rectangular, with their long and short sides parallel to the long side direction 1a and the short side direction 1b, respectively (i.e., the long side of the keycap 14 is parallel to the long side direction 1a, and the short side of the keycap 14 is parallel to the short side direction 1b). The keycap lifting mechanism 16 is connected between the base plate 12 and the keycaps 14. The keycaps 14 move up and down relative to the base plate 12 via the keycap lifting mechanism 16, that is, substantially move along the vertical direction Dv (indicated by a double-headed arrow in the figure, and perpendicular to the long side direction 1a and the short side direction 1b). Switching circuit board 18 (e.g., but not limited to being made of a thin-film circuit board, which includes, for example, upper and lower circuit boards and an insulating spacer sandwiched between them) is stacked on base plate 12 and has a switching portion 182 (the corresponding position on the switching circuit board 18 is indicated by a circle filled with diagonal lines). Figure 4 and Figure 5 (In the middle). An elastic element 20 (e.g., but not limited to, made of rubber) is disposed on the switch circuit board 18 corresponding to the switch portion 182. The keycap 14 can move toward the base plate 12 and press the elastic element 20 to trigger the switch portion 182.

[0039] Furthermore, the keycap lifting mechanism 16 includes a first bracket 162 and a second bracket 164, which are pivotally connected to each other about a pivot axis 16a (shown as a chain line in the figure). The pivot axis 16a is parallel to the long side direction 1a. The first bracket 162 and the second bracket 164 are respectively connected between the base plate 12 and the keycap 14 to support the keycap 14. The first bracket 162 has a first keycap connecting portion 1622 and a first base plate connecting portion 1624. The first bracket 162 is connected to the keycap 14 via the first keycap connecting portion 1622 and to the base plate 12 via the first base plate connecting portion 1624. The first keycap connecting portion 1622 includes two gripping shafts 1622a, and the keycap 14 correspondingly includes two gripping hooks 142. The gripping shafts 1622a are rotatably gripped in the corresponding gripping hooks 142, so that the first bracket 162 is rotatably connected to the keycap 14 (and its gripping hooks 142) via the gripping shafts 1622a. The first base plate connecting part 1624 includes two base shafts 1624a, and the base plate 12 correspondingly includes two base hooks 122. The base shafts 1624a are slidably and rotatably hooked in the corresponding base hooks 122, so that the first bracket 162 is slidably and rotatably connected to the base plate 12 (the base hooks 122) via the base shafts 1624a.

[0040] The second bracket 164 has a second keycap connecting portion 1642 and a second base plate connecting portion 1644. The second bracket 164 is connected to the keycap 14 via the second keycap connecting portion 1642 and to the base plate 12 via the second base plate connecting portion 1644. The second keycap connecting portion 1642 includes a first outer slide shaft 1642a, a second outer slide shaft 1642b, and an inner slide shaft 1642c. The inner slide shaft 1642c is located between the first outer slide shaft 1642a and the second outer slide shaft 1642b in the long side direction 1a. The keycap 14 correspondingly includes a first outer hook 144a, a second outer hook 144b, and an inner hook 144c. The inner hook 144c is located between the first outer hook 144a and the second outer hook 144b in the long side direction 1a. The first outer sliding shaft 1642a, the second outer sliding shaft 1642b, and the inner sliding shaft 1642c are correspondingly slidably and rotatably hooked in the first outer sliding hook 144a, the second outer sliding hook 144b, and the inner sliding hook 144c, so that the second bracket 164 is slidably and rotatably connected to the keycap 14 (the first outer sliding hook 144a, the second outer sliding hook 144b, and the inner sliding hook 144c) via the first outer sliding shaft 1642a, the second outer sliding shaft 1642b, and the inner sliding shaft 1642c. The second base plate connecting part 1644 includes the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b, and the base plate 12 correspondingly includes two other bottom hooks 124. The first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b are rotatably hooked into corresponding bottom hooks 124, such that the second bracket 164 is rotatably connected to the base plate 12 (bottom hooks 124) via the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b. Furthermore, the base plate 12 also includes a plurality of stops 123. The stops 123 are used to limit the second bracket 164 so that the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b remain hooked by the corresponding bottom hooks 124. In one embodiment, along the long side direction 1a, the plurality of stops 123 are positioned between the aforementioned two additional bottom hooks 124.

[0041] Also, in the second support 164 (see also...) Figure 6 , Figure 6 for Figure 4(Front view of the second bracket of the keycap lifting mechanism). The second bracket 164 has an outer frame 1640 (equivalent to a ring frame structure) and is connected to the base plate 12 and the keycap 14 via the outer frame 1640. The first outer bottom shaft 1644a is closer to the first outer sliding shaft 1642a in the long side direction 1a than the second outer bottom shaft 1644b. That is, in the long side direction 1a, the distance between the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the first outer sliding shaft 1642a is smaller than the distance between the second outer bottom shaft 1644a and the first outer sliding shaft 1642a. The second outer bottom shaft 1644b is closer to the second outer sliding shaft 1642b in the long side direction 1a than the first outer bottom shaft 1644a. That is, in the long side direction 1a, the distance between the second outer bottom shaft 1644b and the second outer sliding shaft 1642b is smaller than the distance between the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer sliding shaft 1642b. The second outer bottom shaft 1644b is located between the second outer sliding shaft 1642b and the inner sliding shaft 1642c in the long side direction 1a, and the second outer sliding shaft 1642b is closer to the inner sliding shaft 1642c than the first outer sliding shaft 1642a. The distance 162a between the first outer sliding shaft 1642a and the first outer bottom shaft 1644a in the long side direction 1a is smaller than the distance 162b between the second outer sliding shaft 1642b and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b in the long side direction 1a. Figure 6 From a certain perspective, a recessed structure is formed on the upper right side of the second bracket 164, and the first outer bottom shaft 1644a, the second outer bottom shaft 1644b, the first outer sliding shaft 1642a, and the second outer sliding shaft 1642b are still generally located at the corner of the second bracket 164. This recessed structure can prevent the second bracket 164 from directly blocking the upward-emitting light emitted by the light-emitting element 22 (simply drawn in blocks in the figure) on the switch circuit board 18 (see also...). Figure 2 ).

[0042] In addition, please see Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a top view of the rectangular key structure when the first and second supports overlap, with the keycap outlines shown as dashed lines; wherein, in Figure 7 In the diagram, the outline of the keycap 14 is shown as a chain line, and the elastic element 20 is not shown. In this embodiment, the first support 162 is pivotally connected to the inner side of the second support 164 (outer frame 1640); conversely, the second support 164 is pivotally connected to the two outer sides of the first support 162 along the long side direction 1a. When the first support 162 and the second support 164 overlap (i.e., the first support 162 is stacked on the second support 164), the first support 162 (or its keycap side; the first support 162 is connected to the keycap 14 via this side) overlaps with the second support 164 (or its base plate side; the second support 164 is connected to the base plate 12 via this side). Furthermore, at this time, the rotation axes of the two gripping shafts 1622a of the first support 162 (indicated by chain lines) Figure 7The rotation axes of the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b of the middle and second brackets 164 (indicated by chain lines) Figure 7 The projections of the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b of the second bracket 164 onto the vertical direction Dv are collinear. From another perspective, at this time, the projections of the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b onto the vertical direction Dv (i.e., equivalent to...) Figure 7 The outline shown) and the projection of the two gripping shafts 1622a of the first bracket 162 onto the vertical direction Dv (i.e., equivalent to) Figure 7 The outline shown overlaps along the long side direction 1a; furthermore, this feature remains even when the keycap lifting mechanism 16 supports the keycap 14. The aforementioned structural relationship between the first support 162 and the second support 164 helps to reduce the area occupied by the keycap lifting mechanism 16 in the vertical direction Dv.

[0043] Furthermore, the first support 162 has a dome 1626 through which the elastic element 20 passes. The inner slide bar 1642c is located between the dome 1626 and the second outer slide bar 1642b in the long side direction 1a. In this embodiment, in the long side direction 1a, apart from the inner slide bar 1642c, the second support 164 has no other structure connecting the keycap 14 between the second outer slide bar 1642b and the dome 1626. The connection between the inner slide bar 1642c and the inner slide hook 144c improves the stability of the connection between the second support 164 and the keycap 14, and increases the mobility of the keycap 14 in the long side direction 1a via the second support 164 (e.g., especially the mobility of the second outer slide hook 144b of the keycap 14). Furthermore, the first support 162 has a notch 1628, which is positioned opposite to the inner sliding shaft 1642c of the second support 164 in the short side direction 1b to avoid interference with the inner sliding hook 144c of the keycap 14. In actual operation, the structure of the first support 162 at the notch 1628 can be thickened to increase the structural strength at this location and compensate for the possible decrease in structural strength caused by the proximity of the notch 1628 to the dome 1626. In addition, in this embodiment, the keycap side of the second support 164 also has a protrusion 1646, most of which is located to the left of the center of the elastic member 20 in the long side direction 1a, or in other words, in the long side direction 1a, most of the protrusion 1646 is located on the side of the center of the elastic member 20 adjacent to the first outer sliding shaft 1642a. This increases the structural strength of the second bracket 164 on the keycap side, also improves the stability of the connection between the second bracket 164 and the keycap 14, and increases the mobility of the keycap 14 in the long side direction 1a via the second bracket 164.

[0044] Additionally, please see Figure 8 , it is Figure 7The image shows a left-side view of the first support 162 and the second support 164; the hidden outlines of the two gripping shafts 1622a, the first outer bottom shaft 1644a, and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b are all drawn with dashed lines. In this embodiment, the outlines of the two gripping shafts 1622a are tangent to the outlines of the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b in the long side direction 1a. However, this is not a limitation in actual operation. For example, the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b can be designed to move further toward the two gripping shafts 1622a in the vertical direction Dv, so that the projections of the two gripping shafts 1622a overlap with the projections of the first outer bottom shaft 1644a and the second outer bottom shaft 1644b in the long side direction 1a.

[0045] Please see Figure 2 Define a minimum cuboid space Sm (shown as a chain line in the figure) that contains the entire keycap lifting mechanism 16; in other words, during the operation of the keycap lifting mechanism 16, the minimum cuboid space Sm is the smallest space containing the keycap lifting mechanism 16, meaning the entire keycap lifting mechanism 16 is located within the minimum cuboid space Sm. The edges of the minimum cuboid space Sm are parallel to the long side direction 1a, the short side direction 1b, and the vertical direction Dv. Define a clearance space Sa (shown as a dashed line in the figure) within the minimum cuboid space Sm. The clearance space Sa penetrates the minimum cuboid space Sm in the vertical direction Dv, and the keycap lifting mechanism 16 (during operation) does not enter the clearance space Sa. The projection of the light-emitting element 22 onto the clearance space Sa in the vertical direction Dv overlaps, allowing the upward-emitting light from the light-emitting element 22 to pass through the clearance space Sa to illuminate the keycap 14. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the clearance space Sa is located at a corner of the smallest cuboid space Sm in the vertical direction Dv (corresponding to the recessed structure of the second support 164); on the other hand, one edge of the clearance space Sa parallel to the vertical direction Dv coincides with one of the edges of the smallest cuboid space Sm. Also, (see also...) Figure 7 The projection of the light-emitting element 22 onto the keycap 14 in the vertical direction Dv (equivalent to) Figure 7The position of the light-emitting element 22 relative to the keycap 14) is located in a corner area of ​​the keycap 14 (e.g., corresponding to the light-transmitting part 146 of the keycap 14, used to indicate the key function status). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the length ratio of the edge of the smallest cuboid space Sm parallel to the long side direction 1a to the edge of the smallest cuboid space Sm parallel to the short side direction 1b is greater than or equal to 2.5, for example, this length ratio is 2.5 to 3.5; on the other hand, the aspect ratio of the projection of the entire keycap lifting mechanism 16 onto the vertical direction Dv is similar to this length ratio, and the aspect ratio of the projection of the entire rectangular key structure 1 (e.g., defined as the area covered by the keycap 14 on the vertical direction Dv) onto the vertical direction Dv is also close to this length ratio. In actual operation, the rectangular key structure 1 can be applied to multiple keys on the keyboard, such as Enter, Shift, Caps Lock, Ctrl, Backspace, etc.

[0046] Additionally, please see Figure 2 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 22 is electrically fixed to the switch circuit board 18, but this is not a limitation in actual operation. For example, the light-emitting element 22' (simply drawn as a dashed square) Figure 4 (middle) Electrically fixed to another circuit board 24 (shown as dashed lines) Figure 4 (in the middle), the circuit board 24 is disposed below the base plate 12, and the base plate 12 forms a through hole 126 corresponding to the light-emitting element 22' (shown as dashed lines in the middle). Figure 4 (in the middle), so that the light emitted upward by the light-emitting element 22' can directly pass through the base plate 12. For example, further, a light guide plate 26 (shown as dashed lines) is provided. Figure 4 In the middle, it is disposed between the circuit board 24 and the base plate 12, and may have a receiving groove (not shown in the figure) to receive the light-emitting element 22'. The light emitted by the light-emitting element 22' (enters the light guide plate 26 through the receiving groove) is guided by the light guide plate 26 to be emitted upward as the backlight of the long rectangular button structure 1.

[0047] Please see Figures 2 to 5 and Figure 7 Among them, Yu Figure 7 In the diagram, the hidden outline of the switch circuit board 18 is shown in dashed lines. The switch circuit board 18 has a surrounding portion 180 that extends substantially parallel to the periphery of the keycap 14. The switch circuit board 18 also has a first connecting portion 184 and a second connecting portion 186 respectively connected to opposite sides of the surrounding portion 180. The keycap 14 covers the switch portion 182, the first connecting portion 184, and the second connecting portion 186 in the vertical direction Dv. The switch portion 182 corresponds to the middle portion of the keycap 14, and the first connecting portion 184 and the second connecting portion 186 are connected to the two sides of the switch portion 182. The first connecting portion 184 extends parallel to the short side direction 1b to connect to the upper side of the switch portion 182 (with...). Figure 7 From the perspective of (the viewpoint of the switch portion 182), the second connecting portion 186 extends obliquely in the long side direction 1a and the short side direction 1b to connect to the left side of the switch portion 182. Figure 7 (From the perspective of the viewpoint). In one embodiment, in the short side direction 1b, the projection of the first connecting portion 184 and the projection of the second connecting portion 186 do not overlap. The second connecting portion 186 and the inner sliding shaft 1642c are located on the same side of the pivot shaft 16a in the short side direction 1b; wherein, the portion of the second connecting portion 186 that connects to the switch portion 182 extends obliquely (e.g., toward the direction of the first outer sliding shaft 1642a), and the portion of the second connecting portion 186 that connects to the surrounding portion 180 extends parallel to the short side direction 1b.

[0048] Furthermore, the first bracket 162 has clearance structures 1630 and 1631 corresponding to the first connecting portion 184 and the second connecting portion 186, and the second bracket 164 also has clearance structures 1648 and 1649 corresponding to the first connecting portion 184 and the second connecting portion 186. The clearance structures 1630, 1631, 1648, and 1649 are all implemented with groove structures to avoid structural interference between the first bracket 162 and the second bracket 164 and the first connecting portion 184 and the second connecting portion 186. The structural configuration (offset setting) of the second connecting portion 186 allows the clearance structure 1631 of the first bracket 162 to be relatively offset from the narrow portion next to the dome 1626 (e.g., Figure 5 The avoidance structure 1631 is set at the location shown in the middle link coil to reduce the impact of the avoidance structure 1631 on the structural strength of the first support 162. Similarly, the structural configuration (offset setting) of the second connecting part 186 can also make the avoidance structure 1649 of the second support 164 relatively offset from the inner sliding shaft 1642c and at least partially formed on the protrusion 1646, reducing the impact of the avoidance structure 1649 on the structural strength of the second support 164.

[0049] In summary, the keycap lifting mechanism and rectangular key structure of the present invention enhance the connection stability between the second bracket and the keycap and the linkage effect between them by setting a first outer sliding shaft, a second outer sliding shaft, and an inner sliding shaft on the second bracket, and setting the positions of the first outer sliding shaft, the second outer sliding shaft, and the inner sliding shaft in the long side direction. Furthermore, a minimum cuboid space encompassing the entire keycap lifting mechanism is defined. This minimum cuboid space may have clearance space for setting related components (such as light-emitting elements). The keycap lifting mechanism does not enter this clearance space, thereby ensuring the stability of the keycap supporting the keycap while avoiding interference between the keycap lifting mechanism and related components.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the claims of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A keycap lifting mechanism for supporting a long rectangular keycap, the long rectangular keycap having a long side direction and a short side direction, characterized in that, The keycap lifting mechanism includes: A first bracket, the first bracket having a first keycap connecting portion and a first base plate connecting portion; and The second support is pivotally connected to the first support about a pivot axis parallel to the long side. The second support includes a first outer sliding shaft, a second outer sliding shaft, an inner sliding shaft, a first outer bottom shaft, and a second outer bottom shaft. The first outer bottom shaft is closer to the first outer sliding shaft than the second outer bottom shaft in the long side direction. The second outer bottom shaft is also closer to the second outer sliding shaft than the first outer bottom shaft in the long side direction. The inner sliding shaft is located between the first and second outer sliding shafts. The second outer bottom shaft is located between the second outer sliding shaft and the inner sliding shaft in the long side direction. The distance between the first outer sliding shaft and the first outer bottom shaft in the long side direction is smaller than the distance between the second outer sliding shaft and the second outer bottom shaft in the long side direction. The second outer sliding shaft is closer to the inner sliding shaft than the first outer sliding shaft in the long side direction. The first bracket is connected to the long rectangular keycap via the first keycap connecting part, and the second bracket is slidably and rotatably connected to the long rectangular keycap via the first outer sliding shaft, the inner sliding shaft and the second outer sliding shaft.

2. The keycap lifting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first bracket has a dome, and the inner sliding shaft is located between the dome and the second outer sliding shaft in the long side direction.

3. The keycap lifting mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first bracket has a notch that is positioned opposite to the inner sliding shaft in the short side direction.

4. The keycap lifting mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, Along the long side, apart from the inner slide shaft, there is no other structure connecting the long rectangular keycap between the second bracket and the second outer slide shaft and the dome hole.

5. The keycap lifting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second support is pivotally connected to the first support on the outside of the long side.

6. The keycap lifting mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second bracket has an outer frame, the first bracket is pivotally connected to the inside of the outer frame, and the second bracket is connected to the long rectangular keycap via the outer frame.

7. The keycap lifting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first keycap connector includes two gripping shafts, and the first bracket is rotatably connected to the keycap via the two gripping shafts.

8. The keycap lifting mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The projections of the first and second outer bottom shafts in the vertical direction overlap with the projections of the two grip shafts in the vertical direction along the long side.

9. The keycap lifting mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the first bracket and the second bracket overlap, the two gripping shafts overlap with the projections of the first outer bottom shaft and the second outer bottom shaft in the long side direction.

10. The keycap lifting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, Define a minimum cuboid space containing the entire keycap lifting mechanism. The edges of the minimum cuboid space are parallel to the long side direction, the short side direction, and a vertical direction. The vertical direction is perpendicular to the long side direction and the short side direction. Define a clearance space within the minimum cuboid space. The clearance space penetrates the minimum cuboid space in the vertical direction. The keycap lifting mechanism does not enter the clearance space. An edge of the clearance space parallel to the vertical direction coincides with one of the edges of the minimum cuboid space.

11. The keycap lifting mechanism according to claim 10, characterized in that, The ratio of the length of the edge of the minimum cuboid space parallel to the long side to the length of the edge of the minimum cuboid space parallel to the short side is greater than or equal to 2.

5.

12. A rectangular button structure, the rectangular button structure having a long side direction and a short side direction, characterized in that, This rectangular button structure includes: Base plate; Keycaps, which are positioned above the base plate; and The keycap lifting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the keycap lifting mechanism is connected between the base plate and the keycap, and the keycap moves vertically relative to the base plate via the keycap lifting mechanism, wherein the first bracket is connected to the base plate via the first base plate connecting portion, and the second bracket is rotatably connected to the base plate via the first outer bottom shaft and the second outer bottom shaft.

13. The rectangular button structure according to claim 12, characterized in that, The rectangular key structure also includes a light-emitting element, which is configured to emit light toward the keycap, defining a minimum cuboid space that includes the entire keycap lifting mechanism. The edges of the minimum cuboid space are parallel to the long side direction, the short side direction, and a vertical direction. The vertical direction is perpendicular to the long side direction and the short side direction. An obstacle space is defined within the minimum cuboid space. The obstacle space penetrates the minimum cuboid space in the vertical direction. The keycap lifting mechanism does not enter the obstacle space. One edge of the obstacle space parallel to the vertical direction coincides with one of the edges of the minimum cuboid space. The projection of the light-emitting element and the obstacle space in the vertical direction overlap.

14. The rectangular button structure according to claim 13, characterized in that, The ratio of the length of the edge of the minimum cuboid space parallel to the long side to the length of the edge of the minimum cuboid space parallel to the short side is greater than or equal to 2.

5.

15. The rectangular button structure according to claim 13, characterized in that, The projection of the light-emitting element onto the keycap in the vertical direction is located in a corner area of ​​the keycap.

16. The rectangular button structure according to claim 12, characterized in that, The rectangular key structure also includes a switch circuit board stacked on the base plate. The switch circuit board has a switch portion, a first connecting portion, and a second connecting portion. The switch portion corresponds to the middle part of the keycap. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected to both sides of the switch portion. The first connecting portion extends parallel to the short side direction to connect to the switch portion. The second connecting portion extends obliquely to the long side direction and the short side direction to connect to the switch portion. The second connecting portion and the inner slide shaft are located on the same side of the pivot shaft in the short side direction.

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