Data input device
Through the integrated molded key top cover and stop structure, combined with elastomer and induction parts, the cover of the traditional key module is abolished and the plastic and rubber dome design is used to solve the problems of many keyboard parts, complex assembly and high cost, and the effects of parts reduction, process simplification and cost reduction are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421899804.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-29
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-08-07
AI Technical Summary
There are too many assembled parts for existing keyboards, cumbersome assembly procedures, high manufacturing costs, and cannot be effectively reduced.
The integrated button top cover and stop structure are adopted, combined with elastomer and induction parts, simplifying the button structure, canceling the bottom cover and top cover of the traditional button switch module, using plastic material and rubber dome design, integrating the induction module and elastomer, and using contactless sensing technology.
It reduces assembly parts and processes, reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies manufacturing processes, and achieves simplification and cost-effectiveness of key structures.
Smart Images
Figure CN223167373U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to a data input device, in particular to a data input device that can reduce the number of assembled parts and lower the cost. Background Art
[0002] In today's society, the use of electronic products has become an indispensable part of life. Everything from food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and entertainment is related to electronic products. Generally speaking, electronic products are equipped with keyboard devices to provide users with input information.
[0003] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 to illustrate a key switch module 2 for being disposed on a keyboard. The key switch module 2 includes a switch bottom cover 21, a switch top cover 22, a moving member 23, and a spring member 24. The moving member 23 is disposed between the switch bottom cover 21 and the switch top cover 22. The moving member 23 can move relative to the switch top cover 22. The spring member 24 pushes the moving member 23 upward.
[0004] Since there are a large number of key switch modules 2 disposed on the keyboard, and each key switch module 2 is provided with a switch bottom cover 21 and a switch top cover 22, the manufacturing cost of the existing keyboard is relatively high. In addition, when assembling the keyboard, the key switch modules 2 need to be set one by one, and the assembly process is relatively cumbersome.
[0005] As can be seen from the above description, the existing keyboard has the following disadvantages:
[0006] I. Too many assembled parts:
[0007] The existing key switch module 2 includes the switch bottom cover 21, the switch top cover 22, the moving member 23, and the spring member 24. Although the switch bottom cover 21 and the switch top cover 22 can limit the moving position of the moving member 23, each key switch module 2 is provided with a switch bottom cover 21 and a switch top cover 22, resulting in too many parts disposed on the keyboard.
[0008] II. Cumbersome assembly process:
[0009] The key switch module 2 needs to be manufactured using a separate production line. After the key switch module 2 is completed, it will enter the production line of the keyboard for assembly. In addition, each key switch module 2 needs to be disposed on the upper cover of the keyboard, resulting in an overly cumbersome assembly process for the keyboard.
[0010] III. Unable to reduce costs:
[0011] Continuing from the above, each key switch module 2 is provided with the switch bottom cover 21, the switch top cover 22, the moving member 23, and the spring member 24. Generally, the spring member 24 is a metal spring. And there are a large number of key switch modules 2 provided on the keyboard. The switch bottom cover 21, the switch top cover 22, and the spring member 24 all need to be purchased, resulting in the manufacturing cost of the keyboard not being able to be reduced.
[0012] Therefore, how to redesign the structure of the keyboard to reduce the number of assembled parts in the keyboard, simplify the manufacturing process on this basis, and effectively reduce the manufacturing cost is an urgent goal for relevant technical personnel. Summary of the Utility Model
[0013] In view of this, the purpose of the present utility model is to provide a data input device that can reduce the number of assembled parts in the keyboard. The data input device includes a main body unit and at least one key unit.
[0014] The main body unit includes a key base and a key top cover connected to the key base. At least one opening is provided in the key top cover.
[0015] The key unit includes a key structure connected to the key top cover and an elastic body connected to the key structure. The key structure is movably disposed in the key top cover. The key structure protrudes upward from the opening to be exposed externally.
[0016] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the above-mentioned main body unit further includes at least one stop structure formed on the key top cover. The stop structure extends upward from the key top cover and is an integrally formed structure with the key top cover. The key structure is disposed in the stop structure.
[0017] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the above-mentioned main body unit further includes at least one upper stop body provided on the key top cover. The key structure abuts against the bottom of the upper stop body.
[0018] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the above-mentioned key structure has a vertical rod provided on the key top cover and a keycap detachably provided on the vertical rod.
[0019] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the above-mentioned key structure further has a receiving groove provided at the bottom of the vertical rod and a sensing member provided in the receiving groove. The sensing member is selected from one or a combination of a magnetic sensing circuit, an inductive sensing circuit, a capacitive sensing circuit, a force change sensing circuit, a radio frequency identification sensing circuit, and a triboelectric nanogenerator sensing circuit.
[0020] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the key structure described above has a keycap disposed on the top cover of the key, and a convex block formed at the bottom of the keycap, and the keycap and the convex block are of an integrally formed structure.
[0021] Another technical means of the present novelty is that the key structure further has a receiving groove disposed at the bottom of the convex block, and a sensing member disposed in the receiving groove, and the sensing member is selected from one or a combination of a magnetic sensing circuit, an inductive sensing circuit, a capacitive sensing circuit, a force change sensing circuit, a radio frequency identification sensing circuit, and a triboelectric nanogenerator sensing circuit.
[0022] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the elastic body is a metal spring, and the key structure is sleeved in the elastic body.
[0023] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the elastic body is a rubber dome, and the elastic body supports the bottom of the key structure.
[0024] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the main body unit further includes a circuit module connected to the key base, the circuit module is disposed between the key base and the key top cover, and the key structure and the elastic body are fixed between the key top cover and the circuit module.
[0025] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the keycap is made of a light-transmissive material.
[0026] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the main body unit further includes at least one lens structure detachably disposed on the key top cover.
[0027] Another technical means of the present utility model is that the main body unit further includes at least one lens structure disposed on the key top cover, and the key top cover and the lens structure are integrally formed.
[0028] The beneficial effect of the present utility model is that the key top cover and the stop structure are of an integrally formed structure, the key structure does not need to be additionally provided with a bottom cover and a top cover, the cost can be reduced, and when the key structure and the elastic body are disposed on the key top cover, they can be combined with the key base, and the manufacturing process is simple. Description of the Drawings
[0029] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a key switch module;
[0030] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing the three-dimensional exploded state of the key switch module;
[0031] Figure 3 is a top view schematic diagram, which is the first preferred embodiment of a data input device of the present utility model, illustrating the top view structure of the data input device;
[0032] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram, illustrating, in the first preferred embodiment, Figure 3 the cross-sectional state of the tangent line a-a;
[0033] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram, illustrating, in the first preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional exploded state of a key unit;
[0034] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram, illustrating, in the first preferred embodiment, Figure 3 the cross-sectional state of the tangent line b-b;
[0035] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram, illustrating, in the first preferred embodiment, which is the second preferred embodiment of a data input device of the present utility model, the cross-sectional structure of the data input device; and
[0036] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional exploded schematic diagram, illustrating, in the second preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional exploded structure of the data input device.
[0037] In the figure:
[0038] 2 Key switch module
[0039] 21 Switch bottom cover
[0040] 22 Switch top cover
[0041] 23 Moving part
[0042] 24 Spring part
[0043] a-a tangent line
[0044] b-b tangent line
[0045] 3 Main body unit
[0046] 31 Key base
[0047] 32 Key top cover
[0048] 33 Stopping structure
[0049] 34 Upper stopper
[0050] 35 Circuit module
[0051] 36 Induction module
[0052] 37 Lens structure
[0053] 38 openings
[0054] 4 key units
[0055] 41 key structure
[0056] 411 vertical rod
[0057] 412 keycap
[0058] 413 receiving groove
[0059] 414 sensing element
[0060] 415 bump
[0061] 42 elastic body. Detailed implementation manners
[0062] The present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present utility model and be able to implement it, but the embodiments given are not intended to limit the present utility model.
[0063] Please refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 which is the first preferred embodiment of a data input device of the present utility model. The data input device includes a main body unit 3 and at least one key unit 4. Preferably, a plurality of key units 4 are arranged on the main body unit 3 to form a keyboard and provide the function of computer input. In actual implementation, the number of the key units 4 can also be set to one, and it should not be limited thereto.
[0064] The main body unit 3 includes a key base 31, a key top cover 32 connected to the key base 31, at least one stop structure 33 formed on the key top cover 32, at least one upper stop body 34 arranged on the key top cover 32, a circuit module 35 connected to the key base 31, and at least one sensing module 36 arranged on the circuit module 35.
[0065] Each key unit 4 includes a key structure 41 connected to the key top cover 32 and an elastic body 42 connected to the key structure 41. Each key structure 41 has a vertical rod 411 arranged on the key top cover 32, a keycap 412 detachably sleeved on the vertical rod 411, a receiving groove 413 arranged at the bottom of the vertical rod 411, and a sensing element 414 arranged in the receiving groove 413.
[0066] In this first preferred embodiment, the number of the stop structures 33, the upper stop bodies 34, and the sensing module 36 is plural, and they are used to cooperate with the plural key units 4 respectively. In actual implementation, the number of the stop structures 33, the upper stop bodies 34, and the sensing module 36 can also be set to one, and this should not be taken as a limitation.
[0067] Review Figure 5 , the key top cover 32 and the plural stop structures 33 are of an integrally formed structure. The stop structure 33 extends upward from the key top cover 32 and forms a surrounding wall structure. The stop structure 33 can make the data input device a water-proof structure. The integrally formed structure can also prevent the liquid splashed on the data input device from flowing into the interior of the main body unit 3. The key structure 41 is movably disposed in the stop structure 33. Preferably, the key top cover 32 and the plural stop structures 33 are made of plastic material and are manufactured by plastic injection molding process. The key top cover 32 and the plural stop structures 33 can be manufactured in one process. In actual implementation, the main body unit 3 may not be provided with the plural stop structures 33 in the key top cover 32, and the plural key structures 41 can be directly movably disposed in the key top cover 32. Moreover, the key top cover 32 and the stop structure 33 can also be made of metal or other materials and be manufactured by metal stamping or other forming techniques, and this should not be taken as a limitation.
[0068] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 , and Figure 6 , Figure 4 is Figure 3 a schematic cross-sectional view of the tangent line a-a in Figure 6 is Figure 3 a schematic cross-sectional view of the tangent line b-b in. The key top cover 32 is provided with plural openings 38, and the plural key structures 41 respectively protrude upward from the openings 38 so that the key structures 41 can be exposed to the outside for the user to press down. Among them, the number of the openings 38 can be one, and this should not be taken as a limitation. In this first preferred embodiment, the plural stop structures 33 protrude upward from the upper surface of the key top cover 32, and the plural openings 38 are respectively disposed in the middle of the plural stop structures 33 for the vertical rods 411 of the plural key structures 41 to pass through. In actual implementation, the plural stop structures 33 may not be provided on the key top cover 32 so that the key top cover 32 directly provides the plural openings 38, and this should not be taken as a limitation.
[0069] The plurality of upper stoppers 34 are respectively disposed on the tops of the plurality of stopper structures 33. The plurality of vertical rods 411 of the plurality of button structures 41 abut against the bottoms of the plurality of upper stoppers 34 to prevent the plurality of vertical rods 411 from falling outwards and limit the movable positions of the plurality of vertical rods 411. In actual implementation, the main body unit 3 may not be provided with the plurality of stopper structures 33, and only the plurality of vertical rods 411 need to be restricted inside the button top cover 32, but this should not be taken as a limitation. Preferably, the main body unit 3 further includes at least one lens structure 37 detachably disposed on the button top cover 32. Among them, the lens structure 37 can be formed in various styles, such as: plain lens, magnifying lens, Fresnel lens, light-pipe lens, etc. Different styles of lens structures 37 are installed on the button top cover 32 in a replaceable manner, thereby changing the effects of different light transmissions. In actual implementation, the number of the lens structures 37 is plural, and the lens structures 37 can also be detachably disposed in the stopper structures 33. In addition, the lens structure 37, the stopper structure 33, and the button top cover 32 can also be integrally formed structures, but this should not be taken as a limitation.
[0070] Please refer to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 ,and Figure 6 The plurality of elastic bodies 42 are metal springs. The plurality of vertical rods 411 of the plurality of button structures 41 are respectively sleeved in the plurality of elastic bodies 42. The tops of the plurality of elastic bodies 42 respectively abut against the plurality of vertical rods 411 of the plurality of button structures 41, and the bottoms of the plurality of elastic bodies 42 abut against the circuit module 35. The plurality of elastic bodies 42 support the plurality of button structures 41 upwards and provide elastic force to enable the user to press down the plurality of button structures 41.
[0071] Please refer to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 ,and Figure 6, in this first preferred embodiment, the circuit module 35 is a printed circuit board (PCBA) disposed in the main body unit 3. The circuit module 35 is disposed between the key base 31 and the key top cover 32. The plurality of key structures 41 and the plurality of elastic bodies 42 are fixed between the key top cover 32 and the circuit module 35. The plurality of sensing members 414 are magnets, and the plurality of sensing modules 36 are Hall detection circuits. The plurality of sensing modules 36 are disposed below the plurality of vertical rods 411. When the user presses down the plurality of key structures 41, the distance between the plurality of sensing members 414 and the plurality of sensing modules 36 will be changed. The plurality of sensing modules 36 can obtain the distance from the plurality of sensing members 414 and output the detection result externally. In actual implementation, other detection technologies can be used for the plurality of key structures 41, and it should not be limited thereto.
[0072] Since the plurality of vertical rods 411 and the plurality of elastic bodies 42 can be fixed between the circuit module 35 (PCBA) and the key top cover 32, the data input device does not require additional parts for fixation and does not need to use the key switch module 2 (refer to Figure 1 , and Figure 2 ), and there is no need to purchase the key switch module 2 from the manufacturer separately, effectively reducing the manufacturing cost of the data input device.
[0073] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 , and Figure 6 . The main body unit 3 only needs to be provided with the plurality of vertical rods 411 and the plurality of elastic bodies 42 to form a data input device for the user to input data. The present invention does not need to use the key switch module 2 and does not need to purchase the key switch module 2 from the manufacturer separately, effectively reducing the manufacturing cost of the data input device. In addition, for the previous keyboard using the key switch module 2, in order to fix the key switch module 2, the top plate of the keyboard needs to use a metal plate to snap-fix the key switch module 2. The key top cover 32 and the plurality of stop structures 33 are made of plastic materials, and the materials are relatively cheap. Moreover, the key top cover 32 and the plurality of stop structures 33 can be formed by one-time plastic injection molding, with simple process and low cost. It is calculated that the data input device of the present invention can save +$10 in manufacturing cost compared with a general keyboard.
[0074] In this first preferred embodiment, the assembly process of the data input device is as follows: invert the key top cover 32 formed with the plurality of stop structures 33, first place the plurality of vertical rods 411 on the plurality of stop structures 33, then sleeved the plurality of elastic bodies 42 on the plurality of vertical rods 411, and finally, after combining the key base 31 provided with the circuit module 35 and the key top cover 32, combine the plurality of key caps 412 on the plurality of vertical rods 411 to complete the assembly of the data input device.
[0075] Refer to Figure 7 , and Figure 8 , which is the second preferred embodiment of a data input device of the present utility model. This second preferred embodiment is substantially the same as the first preferred embodiment, and the same parts will not be described in detail here. The difference is that each key structure 41 has a keycap 412 disposed on the key top cover 32, a bump 415 formed at the bottom of the keycap 412, a receiving groove 413 disposed at the bottom of the bump 415, and a sensing member 414 disposed in the receiving groove 413.
[0076] In this second preferred embodiment, each keycap 412 and each bump 415 are integrally formed structures. Compared with the first preferred embodiment, although the bottoms of the plurality of keycaps 412 respectively have bumps 415, a keycap 412 with a bump 415 can be obtained by a single plastic injection. This not only reduces the parts of the upright rod 411 but also reduces the manufacturing process of the upright rod 411, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the data input device.
[0077] Among them, each elastic body 42 is a rubber dome. The plurality of elastic bodies 42 support the bottoms of the plurality of key structures 41, and the plurality of elastic bodies 42 provide an upward elastic force to the plurality of key structures 41 to enable the user to press down the plurality of key structures 41.
[0078] In this second preferred embodiment, the plurality of rubber dome elastic bodies 42 are formed on a rubber film, and the rubber film with the plurality of elastic bodies 42 can be obtained by a single plastic injection process. Since the plurality of elastic bodies 42 can be manufactured in one process, the manufacturing cost of the data input device can also be reduced. In actual implementation, the plurality of elastic bodies 42 can also be separately disposed and do not need to be connected together, and should not be limited thereto.
[0079] In this second preferred embodiment, the assembly process of the data input device is as follows: On the key base 31 provided with the circuit module 35, a rubber film with the plurality of elastic bodies 42 is laid. After the key base 31 and the key top cover 32 are combined, the keycap 412 formed with the bump 415 is inserted through the key top cover 32 to complete the assembly of the data input device. The assembly process of this second preferred embodiment is relatively simple compared to a general keyboard or the data input device of the first preferred embodiment, and can further reduce the manufacturing cost of the data input device.
[0080] The data input device in this case does not always need to be a complete keyboard. It can be an independent data input device or a part of an integral keyboard, and can even be used in combination with the key structures of a traditional general keyboard. It should not be limited to this. Among them, the keycap 412 in this case can be made of light-transmissive or light-opaque materials, and can be designed into different lens structures 37 to refract light to achieve the effects of diffused light, parallel light, or concentrated light. The keycap 412 itself can be assembled in a separable manner and can be applied to a key base with a lighting function (such as an RGB backlit keyboard) to achieve different visual design effects of light diffusion. Since the RGB lighting technology is not the focus of this case and those skilled in various technical fields have their own different technologies, it will not be introduced in detail here.
[0081] The data input device in this case can adopt a variety of non-contact sensing switch technologies: such as magnetic sensing circuits, inductive sensing circuits, capacitive sensing circuits, force change sensing circuits, radio frequency identification (RFID) sensing circuits, triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) sensing circuits, etc. In actual implementation, the data input device can adopt all non-contact sensing switch technologies and should not be limited to this. It should be noted here that different non-contact technologies can also be combined in this case, and it is not required to use only one type of non-contact sensing switch technology.
[0082] As can be seen from the above description, a data input device of the present utility model indeed has the following effects:
[0083] 1. Reducing the number of assembled parts:
[0084] In the first preferred embodiment, the data input device does not need to be provided with the top cover and bottom cover of the key switch module 2 compared with a general keyboard. In the second preferred embodiment, not only does the data input device further reduce the upright rod 411, but the plurality of elastic bodies 42 are more integrated into a rubber film, effectively reducing the number of assembled parts.
[0085] 2. Simplifying the assembly procedure:
[0086] In the second preferred embodiment, it is not necessary to set up the general key switch module 2 one by one, and the plurality of elastic bodies 42 are more integrated into a rubber film. Laying the rubber film completes the setting of the plurality of elastic bodies 42, effectively simplifying the assembly procedure.
[0087] 3. Reducing the manufacturing cost:
[0088] Since the data input device of the present invention does not require a key switch module 2, not only does it not need to purchase a key switch module 2 from a manufacturer, the key top cover 32 and the multiple stop structures 33 can also be made of plastic material instead of metal. The data input device of the present invention can also use a key cap 412 with a protrusion 415, which not only eliminates the parts of the vertical rod 411, but also eliminates the process of manufacturing the vertical rod 411. In addition, the elastomer 42 can use a rubber dome, and there is no need to use a metal spring, which can effectively reduce the manufacturing cost.
[0089] In summary, since the key top cover 32 and the multiple stop structures 33 are integrally formed, not only is it unnecessary to set up the key switch module 2, but plastic materials can also be used. The key cap 412 and the protrusion 415 are integrally formed, and the setting of the vertical rod 411 can be omitted. The elastomer 42 uses a dome structure design of a rubber dome, and the multiple elastomers 42 can be integrated into a rubber membrane, which not only reduces the number of assembled parts, but also simplifies the assembly process and reduces the manufacturing cost. Therefore, the purpose of this utility model can be achieved.
[0090] The above-described embodiments are only preferred embodiments for fully illustrating the present utility model, and the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or changes made by technicians in the technical field on the basis of the present utility model are all within the protection scope of the present utility model. The protection scope of the present utility model shall be subject to the claims.
Claims
1. A data input device, characterized in that, Comprising: A main body unit, including a key base, and a key top cover connected to the key base, wherein at least one opening is provided in the key top cover; and At least one key unit, including a key structure connected to the key top cover, and an elastic body connected to the key structure, the key structure being movably disposed in the key top cover, and the key structure protruding upward from the opening to be externally exposed.
2. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein, The main body unit further includes at least one stop structure formed on the key top cover, the stop structure being a structure extending upward from the key top cover and integrally formed with the key top cover, and the key structure is disposed in the stop structure.
3. The data input device according to claim 2, wherein, The main body unit further includes at least one upper stopper disposed on the key top cover, and the key structure abuts against the bottom of the upper stopper.
4. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein The key structure has a vertical rod disposed on the key top cover, and a keycap detachably sleeved on the vertical rod.
5. The data input device according to claim 4, wherein, The key structure further has a receiving groove disposed at the bottom of the vertical rod, and a sensing member disposed in the receiving groove, the sensing member being selected from one or a combination of a magnetic sensing circuit, an inductive sensing circuit, a capacitive sensing circuit, a force change sensing circuit, a radio frequency identification sensing circuit, and a triboelectric nanogenerator sensing circuit.
6. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein The key structure has a keycap detachably disposed on the key top cover, and a protrusion formed at the bottom of the keycap, the keycap and the protrusion being an integrally formed structure.
7. The data input device according to claim 6, wherein The key structure further has a receiving groove disposed at the bottom of the protrusion, and a sensing member disposed in the receiving groove, the sensing member being selected from one or a combination of a magnetic sensing circuit, an inductive sensing circuit, a capacitive sensing circuit, a force change sensing circuit, a radio frequency identification sensing circuit, and a triboelectric nanogenerator sensing circuit.
8. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein, The elastic body is a metal spring, and the key structure is sleeved in the elastic body.
9. The data input device according to claim 1, wherein The elastic body is a rubber dome, and the elastic body supports against the bottom of the key structure.
10. The data input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body unit further includes a circuit module connected to the key base, the circuit module being disposed between the key base and the key top cover, and the key structure and the elastic body are fixed between the key top cover and the circuit module.
11. The data input device according to any one of claims 4 or 7, characterized in that, The keycap is made of a light-transmissive material.
12. The data input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body unit further includes at least one lens structure detachably disposed on the key top cover.
13. The data input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The main body unit further includes at least one lens structure disposed on the key top cover, and the key top cover and the lens structure are integrally formed.