Key and keyboard

Abstract

The utility model discloses a key and a keyboard, and belongs to the technical field of electronic input equipment. The key comprises an upper cover, a base, an electrode, a metal elastic piece and a trigger piece, the upper cover is provided with a first guide hole communicated with the mounting space, and the trigger piece penetrates through the first guide hole in a sliding mode; at least part of the metal elastic piece is contained in the installation space, the two ends of the metal elastic piece abut against the base and the trigger piece respectively, the metal elastic piece and the electrode are arranged in a spaced mode, the metal elastic piece is located on one side of the electrode, and the trigger piece can move towards the base under the external effect and compress the metal elastic piece. The sensing area between the metal elastic piece and the electrode is changed; the key further comprises a pin, one pin is connected to the electrode, and the pin is used for electric connection between the electrode and the capacitive sensing control unit. According to the key provided by the invention, the pins are connected to the electrodes, and only one pin needs to be arranged on the electrodes of the key, so that the number of the pins can be reduced, and electric connection between the electrodes and the capacitive sensing control unit is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electronic input devices, and particularly relates to a key and a keyboard. Background Art

[0002] The key of the keyboard is provided with electrodes, and the electrodes are electrically connected to a capacitance sensing control unit through pins, so as to detect an input action by obtaining a change in capacitance value. In the related art, the key is provided with two electrodes, and each electrode is connected with a pin, and the number of pins is large, resulting in inconvenient electrical connection between the electrodes and the capacitance sensing control unit. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides a key, which can solve the problem of inconvenient electrical connection between the electrodes and the capacitance sensing control unit.

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, on the one hand, this application provides a key, which includes an upper cover, a base, an electrode, a metal elastic member, and a trigger member. The upper cover and the base enclose to form an installation space. The electrode is installed on one side of the installation space. The upper cover is provided with a first guiding hole communicating with the installation space, and the trigger member slidably penetrates through the first guiding hole. At least part of the metal elastic member is accommodated in the installation space. The two ends of the metal elastic member respectively abut against the base and the trigger member. The metal elastic member and the electrode are arranged at intervals, and the metal elastic member is located on one side of the electrode. The trigger member can move towards the base under an external action and compress the metal elastic member to change the induction area between the metal elastic member and the electrode. The key further includes a pin, and the pin is connected to the electrode and is used for the electrical connection between the electrode and the capacitance sensing control unit.

[0005] On the other hand, this application provides a keyboard, which includes a plurality of keys as described above and at least one capacitance sensing control unit, and the keys are electrically connected to the capacitance sensing control unit.

[0006] For the key provided by this application, the trigger member can move towards the base under an external action and compress the metal elastic member to change the induction area between the metal elastic member and the electrode, so that an input action can be detected through a change in capacitance value. The pin is connected to the electrode. Since only one pin needs to be provided on the electrode of the key, the number of pins can be reduced, which is convenient for the electrical connection between the electrode and the capacitance sensing control unit. Description of the Drawings

[0007] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of this application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0008] Figure 1 It is a schematic assembly structure diagram of an embodiment of a key provided by this application;

[0009] Figure 2 It is a schematic exploded structure diagram of an embodiment of a key provided by this application;

[0010] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of an embodiment of a key provided by this application along one perspective;

[0011] Figure 4 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of an embodiment of a key provided by this application along another perspective;

[0012] Figure 5 It is a schematic partial cross-sectional structure diagram of an embodiment of a key provided by this application along one perspective;

[0013] Figure 6 It is a schematic structure diagram of an embodiment of an electrode provided by this application;

[0014] Figure 7 It is a schematic structure diagram of an embodiment of a trigger provided by this application;

[0015] Figure 8 It is a schematic block diagram of the structural composition of an embodiment of a keyboard provided by this application. Detailed implementation manners

[0016] Next, in combination with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, this application will be further described in detail. It should be specifically pointed out that the following embodiments are only used to illustrate this application, but do not limit the scope of this application. Similarly, the following embodiments are only partial embodiments of this application rather than all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0017] In the description of this application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined. The terms "first", "second", and "third" in the embodiments of this application are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first", "second", and "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly. The terms "comprising" and "having" in the embodiments of this application and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally further includes unlisted steps or units, or optionally further includes other steps or components inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0018] Reference to "embodiment" in this context means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The phrase appears in various places in the specification and does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0019] This application provides a button. Please refer to Figures 1-4 , the button 10 may include an upper cover 11, a base 12, an electrode 13, a metal elastic member 14, and a trigger member 15. The upper cover 11 and the base 12 may be snap-connected, adhesively connected, or threadedly connected. An installation space 123 is formed by enclosing the upper cover 11 and the base 12. The electrode 13 is installed on one side of the installation space 123. The upper cover 11 is provided with a first guiding hole 111 communicating with the installation space 123, and the trigger member 15 slidably passes through the first guiding hole 111. By slidably passing the trigger member 15 through the first guiding hole 111, the hole wall of the first guiding hole 111 can restrict the lateral movement of the trigger member 15, so that the trigger member 15 is not prone to deflection when reciprocating.

[0020] The metal elastic member 14 is at least partially received in the installation space 123, and both ends of the metal elastic member 14 are respectively abutted against the base 12 and the trigger member 15. The metal elastic member 14 can be a spring or a shrapnel. The metal elastic member 14 can be deformed under an external action. For example, when the user presses the trigger member 15, the pressing action is transmitted to the metal elastic member 14 through the trigger member 15, causing the metal elastic member 14 to undergo compressive deformation; when the external action is removed, the deformation of the metal elastic member 14 can be restored, thereby driving the trigger member 15 to reset. The metal elastic member 14 and the electrode 13 are arranged at intervals, and the metal elastic member 14 is located on one side of the electrode 13, so that the metal elastic member 14 and the electrode 13 can form a capacitor. The trigger member 15 can move toward the base 12 under an external action and compress the metal elastic member 14 to change the induction area between the metal elastic member 14 and the electrode 13. According to the capacitance calculation formula, the capacitance value C = εS / 4πkd, where ε is the dielectric constant, k is the electrostatic constant, d is the distance between the plates, and S is the induction area of the electrode. It can be seen from the above calculation formula that when the induction area between the metal elastic member 14 and the electrode 13 changes, the capacitance value of the capacitor will change, so that the input action can be detected by the change of the capacitance value. Compared with a mechanical button, since the metal elastic member 14 is arranged at intervals on one side of the electrode 13, the electrode 13 does not need to repeatedly contact the metal elastic member 14 to achieve conduction, so that there is no frictional loss on the electrode 13, which can improve the reliability of the electrode 13 and extend the service life. The metal elastic member 14 is arranged on one side of the electrode 13, and the induction area between the metal elastic member 14 and the electrode 13 is changed by compressing the metal elastic member 14, so that the metal elastic member 14 can have a larger movement stroke, which is convenient for detecting the capacitance value. The button 10 further includes a pin 16, and a pin 16 is connected to the electrode 13. The pin 16 and the electrode 13 can be integrally formed, or the pin 16 and the electrode 13 can be separately processed and then connected, such as the pin 16 being welded to the electrode 13. The pin 16 is used for the electrical connection between the electrode 13 and the capacitance sensing control unit to facilitate the detection of the change of the capacitance value.

[0021] For the button 10 provided in this application, the trigger member 15 can move toward the base 12 under an external action and compress the metal elastic member 14 to change the induction area between the metal elastic member 14 and the electrode 13, so that the input action can be detected by the change of the capacitance value; the pin 16 is connected to the electrode 13. Since the button 10 only needs to provide one pin 16 on the electrode 13, the number of pins 16 can be reduced, which is convenient for the electrical connection between the electrode 13 and the capacitance sensing control unit.

[0022] Please refer to Figures 1-3, in one embodiment, the key 10 includes a keycap 18, and the keycap 18 is connected to one end of the trigger 15 away from the metal elastic member 14. The keycap 18 and the trigger 15 may be integrally formed, or the keycap 18 and the trigger 15 are detachably connected. For example, the keycap 18 is snap-fitted onto the trigger 15, which facilitates the installation and removal of the keycap 18.

[0023] Please refer to Figures 2-4 , in one embodiment, the key 10 includes a conductive member 17. The conductive member 17 is installed on one side of the installation space 123, and the conductive member 17 is spaced apart from the electrode 13. The trigger 15 can reduce the distance between the electrode 13 and the conductive member 17 while moving towards the base 12, so that the electrode 13 is electrically connected to the conductive member 17, and at least a part of the conductive member 17 is located outside the connection between the electrode 13 and the conductive member 17. The conductive member 17 may be a sheet-like metal that can conduct electricity, and the conductive member 17 has a certain surface area. By providing the conductive member 17, the trigger 15 makes the electrode 13 electrically connected to the conductive member 17 while moving towards the base 12. Since at least a part of the conductive member 17 is located outside the connection between the electrode 13 and the conductive member 17, when the electrode 13 is electrically connected to the conductive member 17, the sensing area of the electrode 13 can have a sudden change. Correspondingly, the capacitance value of the capacitor changes suddenly, and the sudden change of the capacitance value is more easily detected by the capacitance sensing control unit, which can improve the sensitivity of the key 10.

[0024] Optionally, in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the trigger 15, the installation position of the conductive member 17 is farther from the metal elastic member 14 than the installation position of the electrode 13. For example, the electrode 13 is arranged between the conductive member 17 and the metal elastic member 14. The trigger 15 pushes the electrode 13 towards the conductive member 17 while moving towards the base 12, thereby reducing the distance between the electrode 13 and the conductive member 17 and making the electrode 13 electrically connected to the conductive member 17. Or, as Figure 3 shown, in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the trigger 15, the installation position of the conductive member 17 is closer to the metal elastic member 14 than the installation position of the electrode 13. By arranging the conductive member 17 between the electrode 13 and the metal elastic member 14, while the capacitance value of the capacitor changes suddenly when the electrode 13 is electrically connected to the conductive member 17, since the installation position of the conductive member 17 is closer to the metal elastic member 14 than the installation position of the electrode 13, the combined electrode formed by the electrical connection between the electrode 13 and the conductive member 17 can be closer to the metal elastic member 14, that is, the distance d in the capacitance calculation formula is changed simultaneously, further increasing the sudden change amount of the capacitance value, which can improve the sensitivity of the key 10.

[0025] In a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the trigger member 15, the electrode 13 can be spaced apart from the trigger member 15. When the trigger member 15 moves towards the base 12, the trigger member 15 applies a force to the conductive member 17 or the electrode 13, causing the conductive member 17 or the electrode 13 to deform. As the deformation amount of the conductive member 17 or the electrode 13 increases, the distance between the electrode 13 and the conductive member 17 decreases, thereby electrically connecting the electrode 13 and the conductive member 17. In the above manner of the trigger member 15 reducing the distance between the electrode 13 and the conductive member 17, the conductive member 17 or the electrode 13 may not have a deformation amount under normal conditions, and the deformation amount of the conductive member 17 or the electrode 13 gradually increases under the action of the trigger member 15. Or, as Figure 3 shown, the electrode 13 abuts against one side of the trigger member 15, and the electrode 13 has a preset deformation amount under the action of the trigger member 15. When the trigger member 15 moves towards the base 12, the force applied by the trigger member 15 to the electrode 13 decreases. Correspondingly, the deformation amount of the electrode 13 decreases to reduce the distance between the electrode 13 and the conductive member 17, so that the electrode 13 and the conductive member 17 are electrically connected. By setting that the electrode 13 has a preset deformation amount under the action of the trigger member 15 and reducing the deformation amount of the electrode 13 by reducing the force applied by the trigger member 15 to the electrode 13, the reaction force of the electrode 13 on the trigger member 15 decreases correspondingly when the force applied by the trigger member 15 to the electrode 13 decreases, reducing the resistance when pressing the trigger member 15, and making the trigger member 15 easier to press, which can improve the feel of the input operation of the button 10.

[0026] A boss may protrude from the side of the trigger member 15 that abuts against the electrode 13, and the electrode 13 abuts against the boss. When the trigger member 15 moves towards the base 12, the electrode 13 slides out of the boss, so that the force applied by the trigger member 15 to the electrode 13 decreases. Or, as Figure 5 shown, the trigger member 15 includes a trigger portion 151, and the extending direction of the trigger portion 151 is arranged at an angle with the moving direction of the trigger member 15, and the electrode 13 abuts against the trigger portion 151. By setting that the extending direction of the trigger portion 151 has an angle with the moving direction of the trigger member 15, an inclined contact surface can be formed on the side where the trigger member 15 abuts against the electrode 13. When the trigger member 15 moves towards the base 12, the electrode 13 always abuts against the inclined contact surface, so that the force applied by the trigger member 15 to the electrode 13 gradually decreases, and the trigger member 15 applies a gradually changing force to the electrode 13. Correspondingly, the reaction force of the electrode 13 on the trigger member 15 is also gradually changing, and the resistance received by the trigger member 15 is also gradually changing, making the movement of the trigger member 15 smoother and improving the feel of the input operation of the button 10.

[0027] The electrode 13 can be in a sheet shape. One end of the electrode 13 is fixedly connected to the base 12, and the other end of the electrode 13 is inclined towards the trigger portion 151, so that the electrode 13 can abut against the trigger portion 151. The electrode 13 can rotate around the end fixedly connected to the base 12, and the deformation of the electrode 13 mainly occurs at the end fixedly connected to the base 12. Or, as Figure 5 , Figure 6 shown, the electrode 13 includes a mounting portion 131, a bending portion 132, a conducting portion 133 and an abutting portion 134. The mounting portion 131 is inserted and connected to the base 12. One end of the bending portion 132 is connected to the mounting portion 131, and the other end of the bending portion 132 is connected to the conducting portion 133. The abutting portion 134 is connected to both sides of the conducting portion 133 and protrudes from the conducting portion 133. The abutting portion 134 is disposed opposite to the mounting portion 131. The abutting portion 134 abuts against the trigger portion 151. The bending portion 132 has a preset deformation amount under the action of the trigger portion 151. When the trigger member 15 moves towards the base 12, the deformation amount of the bending portion 132 decreases, and the bending portion 132 drives the conducting portion 133 to move towards the conductive member 17, and the conducting portion 133 is electrically connected to the conductive member 17. By providing the bending portion 132, the bending portion 132 can be bent in a U shape, so that the abutting portion 134 is located on the opposite side of the mounting portion 131, and the abutting portion 134 and the mounting portion 131 can be as close as possible in the moving direction of the trigger member 15. Under the action of the trigger portion 151, the deformation of the electrode 13 mainly occurs in the bending portion 132, which can reduce the deformation at the connection between the bending portion 132 and the mounting portion 131, so that the force at the connection between the bending portion 132 and the mounting portion 131 is small, and the connection between the bending portion 132 and the mounting portion 131 is not likely to fail and break, which can improve the reliability of the connection between the electrode 13 and the base 12.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 7 , in an embodiment, a second guiding hole 121 is formed in the base 12. The trigger member 15 includes a guiding portion 152. The metal elastic member 14 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guiding portion 152, and the guiding portion 152 slidably passes through the second guiding hole 121. By sleeving the metal elastic member 14 on the outer periphery of the guiding portion 152, the guiding portion 152 can limit the lateral movement of the metal elastic member 14, so that the movement of the metal elastic member 14 when being pressed is more stable. By slidably passing the guiding portion 152 through the second guiding hole 121, the second guiding hole 121 can guide the movement direction of the guiding portion 152, so that the trigger member 15 is not likely to deflect when reciprocating.

[0029] In an embodiment, as Figure 4 , Figure 7As shown, a limiting groove 122 is formed in the base 12, and the trigger member 15 includes a limiting portion 153 which is slidably received in the limiting groove 122. By providing the cooperation between the limiting portion 153 and the limiting groove 122, the lateral displacement of the trigger member 15 during movement can be further restricted, making the movement of the trigger member 15 smoother.

[0030] This application provides a keyboard. Refer to Figure 8 , the keyboard 100 may include a plurality of keys 10 as described above and at least one capacitive sensing control unit 20. The keys 10 are electrically connected to the capacitive sensing control unit 20. The capacitive sensing control unit 20 may be a micro control unit (MCU). The capacitive sensing control unit 20 can detect the change in the capacitance value of the keys 10, thereby converting the input signal into an electrical signal. The keyboard 100 may further include a support body (not shown in the figure), and the keys 10 and the capacitive sensing control unit 20 are mounted on the support body. The specific internal structure of the keyboard 100 will not be elaborated here.

[0031] The above are only some embodiments of this application, and thus do not limit the protection scope of this application. Any equivalent device or equivalent process transformation made by using the content of the specification and drawings of this application, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, shall equally be included in the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A button, characterized in that, It includes an upper cover, a base, an electrode, a metal elastic member and a trigger member. The upper cover and the base enclose an installation space. The electrode is installed on one side of the installation space. The upper cover is provided with a first guiding hole communicating with the installation space, and the trigger member slidably penetrates through the first guiding hole. At least part of the metal elastic member is accommodated in the installation space. Two ends of the metal elastic member respectively abut against the base and the trigger member. The metal elastic member and the electrode are arranged at intervals, and the metal elastic member is located on one side of the electrode. The trigger member can move towards the base under an external action to compress the metal elastic member, so as to change the induction area between the metal elastic member and the electrode. The button further includes a pin, and one pin is connected to the electrode. The pin is used for the electrical connection between the electrode and the capacitance sensing control unit.

2. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button includes a conductive member, and the conductive member is installed on one side of the installation space. The conductive member and the electrode are arranged at intervals. When the trigger member moves towards the base, the distance between the electrode and the conductive member can be reduced, so that the electrode and the conductive member are electrically connected. At least part of the conductive member is located outside the connection position between the electrode and the conductive member.

3. The key according to claim 2, characterized in that, In a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the trigger member, the installation position of the conductive member is closer to the metal elastic member than the installation position of the electrode.

4. The button according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electrode abuts against one side of the trigger member, and the electrode has a preset deformation amount under the action of the trigger member. When the trigger member moves towards the base, the acting force applied by the trigger member to the electrode decreases, so as to reduce the distance between the electrode and the conductive member.

5. The button according to claim 4, wherein The trigger member includes a trigger portion, and the extending direction of the trigger portion forms an angle with the movement direction of the trigger member. The electrode abuts against the trigger portion.

6. The button according to claim 5, characterized in that, The electrode includes a mounting portion, a bending portion, a conducting portion and an abutting portion. The mounting portion is inserted and connected to the base. One end of the bending portion is connected to the mounting portion, and the other end of the bending portion is connected to the conducting portion. The abutting portions are connected to both sides of the conducting portion and protrude from the conducting portion. The abutting portions are arranged opposite to the mounting portion. The abutting portion abuts against the trigger portion, and the bending portion has a preset deformation amount under the action of the trigger portion. When the trigger member moves towards the base, the deformation amount of the bending portion decreases, and the bending portion drives the conducting portion to move towards the conductive member, and the conducting portion is electrically connected to the conductive member.

7. The key according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, A second guiding hole is opened on the base. The trigger member includes a guiding portion, and the metal elastic member is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guiding portion. The guiding portion slidably penetrates through the second guiding hole.

8. The button according to claim 7, characterized in that, A limiting groove is opened on the base. The trigger member includes a limiting portion, and the limiting portion is slidably accommodated in the limiting groove.

9. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button includes a key cap, and the key cap is connected to one end of the trigger member away from the metal elastic member.

10. A keyboard, characterized in that, Comprising a plurality of keys as described in any one of claims 1-9 and at least one capacitance sensing control unit, wherein the keys are electrically connected to the capacitance sensing control unit.

Images