Keycap support frame of ultrathin mechanical shaft
By designing the keycap support frame for ultra-thin mechanical shafts, the tilt setting and elastic parts are used to solve the problem of high failure rate when reducing thickness of the mechanical keyboard, the stable support and rebound effect of the keycaps are achieved, and the failure rate is reduced.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202420202039.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-01-26
AI Technical Summary
In the process of reducing the thickness of the mechanical keyboard, the failure rate of the mechanical shaft increases, and the loss of elasticity of the spring structure leads to insensitive contact or poor hand feeling.
Design a keycap support frame with an ultra-thin mechanical shaft, using an inclined left fork and right fork frame, combining elastic parts (such as torsion springs) and plug columns and plug slots to achieve a stable support and rebound effect of keycaps.
Through the tilt setting and the matching of the elastic parts, the key caps are achieved with a stable support and rebound effect, which reduces the failure rate and reduces the length and volume of the elastic parts, avoiding the problem of insufficient elasticity.
Smart Images
Figure CN222653845U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the field of keyboards, in particular to a key cap supporting frame of an ultra-thin mechanical axis. Background Art
[0002] Reducing the overall thickness of mechanical keyboards has been a research hotspot in the keyboard industry in recent years. People have made keys thinner by reducing the height of the keycaps, simplifying the structure of the parts installed in the keycaps, and other methods.
[0003] Mechanical keyboards are the earliest structure to be adopted. Generally, the principle of a metal contact switch is similar to that of a metal contact switch to make the contacts conductive or disconnected. They have the characteristics of simple process, easy maintenance, average feel, loud noise, and easy wear. Most cheap mechanical keyboards use copper springs as elastic materials. Copper is easy to break and lose elasticity, and the failure rate increases over time. Moreover, when the overall structure of the mechanical axis key becomes thinner, the simple spring structure is more likely to lose its original elasticity and cause insensitive contact or poor feel. Therefore, if a support structure for supporting the keycap can be designed, which can realize rebound and replace part of the mechanical axis while supporting the keycap, the failure rate can be reduced to a great extent. Utility Model Content
[0004] In order to reduce the situation where the failure rate of an ultra-thin mechanical switch increases when the thickness is reduced, the utility model provides a keycap support frame for an ultra-thin mechanical switch.
[0005] The utility model provides a key cap support frame of an ultra-thin mechanical axis adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] A keycap support frame for an ultra-thin mechanical axis, comprising a base, a left fork frame and a right fork frame, wherein the left fork frame and the right fork frame are symmetrically inclined on the base, the inclined bottom portions of the left fork frame and the right fork frame extend in a direction approaching each other, the bottom portions of the left fork frame and the right fork frame are both rotatably connected to the base, the top portions of the left fork frame and the right fork frame are both provided with plug-in columns, the plug-in columns are clamped in the keycaps, the plug-in columns are also integrally connected with connecting strips, the plug-in columns and the connecting strips are both plastic columns, the left fork frame and the right fork frame are metal frames, the end portion of the left fork frame away from the base is plugged and fixed in the connecting strip, the top portions of the left fork frame and the right fork frame are both rotatably connected to the keycaps, the inner side wall of the keycaps is provided with a limiting space for sliding the top portions of the left fork frame and the right fork frame, an elastic member is connected between the left fork frame and the right fork frame, and the elastic member is always in a stretched state.
[0007] Preferably, the four top corners of the keycap are provided with plug-in grooves, and the two ends of the plug-in column are respectively plugged into two adjacent plug-in grooves of the keycap, the thickness of the plug-in groove is adapted to the diameter of the plug-in column, and the length of the plug-in groove is greater than the length of the plug-in column. When the keycap is reset, the plug-in column abuts against one side of the plug-in groove perpendicular to the length direction of the plug-in column, and when the keycap is pressed down to the maximum extent, the plug-in column abuts against the other side of the plug-in groove perpendicular to the length direction of the plug-in column.
[0008] Preferred.
[0009] Preferably, the top ends of the left fork frame and the right fork frame are both provided with connection holes for injecting the injection molding material.
[0010] Preferably, the plug-in column and the left fork frame are integrally formed.
[0011] Preferably, the elastic member is a torsion spring, the left fork frame and the right fork frame are hollow, a hanging ring is provided inside the hollow left fork frame, hooks are provided at both ends of the torsion spring, and the two hooks are respectively hung in the hanging rings of the left fork frame and the right fork frame.
[0012] Preferably, a connecting hook is provided on the base, and avoidance holes for the connecting hook to be hooked and inserted are opened on both sides of the left fork frame along the width direction, and the inner side wall of the hook portion of the connecting hook is arc-shaped.
[0013] In summary, the utility model includes the following beneficial technical effects: when pressing a key, the left fork frame and the right fork frame are pushed by the key cap, the bottom of the left fork frame and the right fork frame rotate relative to the base, the top of the left fork frame and the right fork frame rotate in the key cap and slide a certain space in the direction away from each other, when the key cap of the key is released, the elastic force of the elastic member drives the left fork frame and the right fork frame to move in the direction of approaching each other and drives the key cap to slide up, so as to achieve the reset of the key cap. The left fork frame and the right fork frame are arranged obliquely, and while playing a stable supporting role for the key cap, the inclined setting occupies less space than the vertical setting, so as to achieve the effect of thinning the key. The elastic member is arranged between the left fork frame and the right fork frame, so that the length and volume of the elastic member are greatly reduced by the height space in the key cap of the key, and the length of the elastic member can be selected according to the length of the mutually symmetrical position of the left fork frame and the right fork frame, which is conducive to reducing the situation that the elastic length of the vertically arranged elastic member is too small and the elastic force is weak, and also makes the elastic member less likely to lose elasticity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an ultra-thin mechanical switch.
[0015] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a keycap support frame of an ultra-thin mechanical axis of the present application.
[0016] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram used to illustrate the relative relationship between the keycap and the plug-in column.
[0017] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram used to illustrate the connection holes.
[0018] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram for illustrating the structure of the second embodiment of the plug-in column.
[0019] Explanation of the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings: 1. base; 2. left fork frame; 3. right fork frame; 4. elastic member; 5. torsion spring; 6. key cap; 7. plug-in slot; 8. plug-in column; 9. connecting strip; 10. connecting hole; 11. hanging ring; 12. hook; 13. connecting hook; 14. avoidance hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following is combined with Figure 1-4 The utility model is described in further detail.
[0021] The utility model embodiment discloses a key cap support frame of an ultra-thin mechanical axis. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 A keycap support frame of an ultra-thin mechanical axis includes a base 1, a left fork frame 2 and a right fork frame 3. The left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are symmetrically inclined on the base 1, and the inclined bottoms of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 extend in a direction approaching each other. The bottoms of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are both rotatably connected to the base 1, and the tops of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are both rotatably connected to the keycap 6. The inner side wall of the keycap 6 is provided with a restricted space for the top ends of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 to slide. An elastic member 4 is connected between the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3, and the elastic member 4 is always in a stretched state.
[0022] When the key is pressed, the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are pushed by the key cap 6, and the bottom of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 rotate relative to the base 1, and the top of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 rotate in the key cap 6 and slide a certain space in the direction away from each other. When the key cap 6 of the key is released, the elastic force of the elastic member 4 drives the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 to move in the direction of approaching each other and drives the key cap 6 to slide up, so as to achieve the reset of the key cap 6. The left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are arranged obliquely, and while playing a stable supporting role for the key cap 6, the inclined setting occupies less space than the vertical setting, so as to achieve the effect of thinning the key. The elastic member 4 is arranged between the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3, so that the length and volume of the elastic member 4 are greatly reduced by the height space in the key cap 6 of the key. The length of the elastic member 4 can be selected according to the length of the mutually symmetrical positions of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3, which is conducive to reducing the situation that the elastic length of the vertically arranged elastic member 4 is too small and the elastic force is weak, and it also makes the elastic member 4 less likely to lose elasticity.
[0023] Reference Figure 2as well as Figure 3 In the present embodiment, plug-in grooves 7 are provided at the four top corners of the keycap 6, and a plug-in column 8 is provided at the top of the left fork frame 2. The two ends of the plug-in column 8 are respectively plugged into two adjacent plug-in grooves 7 of the keycap 6, and the thickness of the plug-in groove 7 is adapted to the diameter of the plug-in column 8. The length of the plug-in groove 7 is greater than the length of the plug-in column 8. When the keycap 6 is reset, the plug-in column 8 abuts against one side of the plug-in groove 7 perpendicular to the length direction of the plug-in column 8. When the keycap 6 is pressed down to the maximum extent, the plug-in column 8 abuts against the other side of the plug-in groove 7 perpendicular to the length direction of the plug-in column 8.
[0024] The plug-in column 8 cooperates with the plug-in slot 7 so that the end of the plug-in column 8 can rotate and slide in the plug-in slot 7. At the same time, the plug-in slot 7 can limit the separation of the plug-in column 8 from the keycap 6, thereby realizing the rotation and sliding connection between the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 and the keycap 6, and limiting the separation of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 from the keycap 6, so that the top of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 is firmly installed in the keycap 6. At the same time, the length of the plug-in slot 7 can limit the rotation angle of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3, thereby limiting the sliding distance of the keycap 6, and reducing the situation where the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are difficult to reset due to excessive sliding of the keycap 6.
[0025] Reference Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 In this embodiment, the plug-in column 8 is also integrally connected to a connecting strip 9, the plug-in column 8 and the connecting strip 9 are both plastic columns, the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are metal frames, and the end of the left fork frame 2 away from the base 1 is plugged and fixed in the connecting strip 9.
[0026] Since the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are both in the shape of plates, they are easier to process directly. The cost of processing the left fork frame 2 can be reduced by selecting the irregular-shaped plug-in column 8 as a column made of plastic material. The left fork frame 2 can be formed by only a simple cut on the plate. If the plug-in column 8 is directly processed as one piece, an additional mold for injection molding of the metal plug-in column 8 is required. The cost of selecting injection molding of plastic plug-in columns 8 and connecting strips 9 is relatively much lower.
[0027] Reference Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 In this embodiment, the top ends of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are both provided with connection holes 10 for injecting the injection molding material.
[0028] When processing the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3, the already formed left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are directly placed in the injection molding machine for injection molding. The setting of the connecting hole 10 makes it more difficult for the connecting strip 9 and the plug-in column 8 to be separated from the left fork frame 2 or the right fork frame 3 after injection molding, which is beneficial to improving the integrity and making the structure more compact, thereby increasing the service life of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3.
[0029] Reference Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 In other embodiments, the plug-in column 8 and the left fork frame 2 or the right fork frame 3 can also be integrally formed.
[0030] The plug-in column 8 and the left fork frame 2 or the right fork frame 3 are all integrally formed. During processing, the plug-in column 8 and the left fork frame 2 are directly cast as one piece, which makes the processing technology simpler and makes the plug-in column 8 and the left fork frame 2 more difficult to separate.
[0031] Reference Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 In this embodiment, the elastic member 4 is a torsion spring 5, the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are hollow, a hanging ring 11 is provided inside the hollow of the left fork frame 2, and hooks 12 are provided at both ends of the torsion spring 5. The two hooks 12 are respectively hung in the hanging rings 11 of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3.
[0032] A torsion spring 5 is arranged between the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3. The two hooks 12 pull the hanging rings 11 of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 through the elastic force of the torsion spring 5. Since the torsion spring 5 is always in a stretched state, it can limit the separation of the hook 12 from the hanging ring 11, and the hook 12 is always in a tight state with the inner wall of the hanging ring 11.
[0033] Reference Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 In this embodiment, a connecting hook 13 is provided on the base 1, and avoidance holes 14 for the connecting hook 13 to be hooked and inserted are opened on both sides of the left fork frame 2 along the width direction, and the inner side wall of the hook portion of the connecting hook 13 is in an arc shape.
[0034] The cooperation between the connecting hook 13, the avoidance hole 14 and the torsion spring 5 makes it difficult for the bottom of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 to separate from the connecting hook 13, and the inner side of the hook portion of the connecting hook 13 is arc-shaped. When the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 rotate, the bottom wall of the avoidance hole 14 and the hook portion of the connecting hook 13 are always in a tight state, so that the hook portion of the connecting hook 13 can limit the separation of the connecting hook 13 and the avoidance hole 14, so that the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are firmly connected to the base 1.
[0035] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present utility model. Therefore, any equivalent changes made based on the structure, shape, and principle of the present utility model should be included in the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A keycap support frame for an ultra-thin mechanical switch, characterized in that: The invention comprises a base (1), a left fork frame (2) and a right fork frame (3), wherein the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3) are symmetrically arranged on the base (1) and tilted, and the tilted bottoms of the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3) extend in a direction approaching each other, and the bottoms of the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3) are both rotatably connected to the base (1), and the tops of the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3) are both provided with plug-in columns (8), and the plug-in columns (8) are clamped in the key cap (6), and the plug-in columns (8) are also integrally connected with a connecting strip (9), so that The plug-in column (8) and the connecting strip (9) are both plastic columns, the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3) are metal frames, the end of the left fork frame (2) away from the base (1) is plugged and fixed in the connecting strip (9), the tops of the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3) are rotatably connected to the key cap (6), the inner wall of the key cap (6) is provided with a limiting space for the top of the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3) to slide, and an elastic member (4) is connected between the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3), and the elastic member (4) is always in a stretched state.
2. The keycap support frame of the ultra-thin mechanical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The four top corners of the keycap (6) are each provided with an inserting groove (7), the top of the left fork frame (2) is provided with an inserting column (8), the two ends of the inserting column (8) are respectively inserted into two adjacent inserting grooves (7) of the keycap (6), the thickness of the inserting groove (7) is adapted to the diameter of the inserting column (8), the length of the inserting groove (7) is greater than the length of the inserting column (8), when the keycap (6) is reset, the inserting column (8) abuts against one side of the inserting groove (7) perpendicular to the length direction of the inserting column (8), and when the keycap (6) is pressed down to the maximum extent, the inserting column (8) abuts against another side of the inserting groove (7) perpendicular to the length direction of the inserting column (8).
3. The keycap support frame of the ultra-thin mechanical switch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top ends of the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3) are both provided with connection holes (10) for injection of injection molding material.
4. The keycap support frame of the ultra-thin mechanical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug-in column (8) and the left fork frame (2) are integrally formed as a whole.
5. The keycap support frame of the ultra-thin mechanical switch according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: The elastic member (4) is a torsion spring (5); the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3) are hollow; a hanging ring (11) is provided inside the hollow left fork frame (2); hooks (12) are provided at both ends of the torsion spring (5); the two hooks (12) are respectively hung in the hanging rings (11) of the left fork frame (2) and the right fork frame (3).
6. The keycap support frame of the ultra-thin mechanical switch according to claim 5, characterized in that: The base (1) is provided with a connecting hook (13), and both sides of the left fork frame (2) along the width direction are provided with avoidance holes (14) for the connecting hook (13) to be hooked and inserted, and the inner side wall of the hook portion of the connecting hook (13) is in an arc shape.