Side inductor shaft and keyboard

Abstract

The side-arranged inductance shaft comprises a base, an upper cover, a button, a spring and a PCB, the button and the base are installed in a sliding fit mode, a positioning column protruding downwards is arranged at the center of the bottom of the button, the side portion of the button is connected with an inductance bar, the PCB is provided with an electric inductor, the bottom of the base is provided with a guiding counter bore matched with the positioning column, and the guiding counter bore is connected with the spring. When the button moves downwards to the tail end of the stroke, the positioning column impacts the bottom of the guide counter bore, and the inductance bar penetrates through the coil to trigger the electric inductor to achieve circuit conduction. According to the utility model, the inductance bar is ingeniously arranged at the side part of the button, so that the space utilization rate is improved, the length of the positioning column can be increased without influencing the volume of the shaft body, the button and the base can be limited more tightly when the button moves downwards to contact the bottom, the reliability is effectively improved, and meanwhile, the positioning column collides with the bottom of the guide counter bore to give out feedback sound; confirmation feeling and sound feedback similar to that of a mechanical keyboard are provided for a user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of keyboard switches, and in particular to a side-mounted inductive shaft and a keyboard. Background Art

[0002] In the design of inductive switches, the placement of the inductive rod has certain limitations. The inductive rod is usually placed in the middle and bottom of the button. Although this layout meets the basic inductive requirements to a certain extent, it has obvious shortcomings.

[0003] Because the inductor is located at the bottom center of the button, it's susceptible to contact and friction with the base's guide channel during pressing and releasing. This friction causes physical wear on the inductor. Over time, the surface of the inductor can become rough, reducing the keyboard switch's accuracy in detecting key presses and potentially even causing inductor failure due to wear. This wear reduces keyboard switch reliability, leading to slow, delayed, or false key presses, severely impacting typing efficiency and comfort, and even causing keyboard misoperation or failure, severely impacting the user experience.

[0004] Furthermore, the current design of the inductor also limits the design flexibility of the keyboard switch. Because the inductor must maintain a certain distance and position relative to the base's guide channel, this restricts the overall size and shape of the keyboard switch. This limitation can be a significant obstacle for keyboards pursuing a slim design or a unique shape. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the utility model provides a side-mounted inductive shaft, which cleverly places the inductive rod on the side of the button, thereby improving space utilization and increasing the length of the positioning column without affecting the volume of the shaft body, so that the button is more tightly limited to the base when it touches the bottom when it goes down, effectively improving reliability. At the same time, the positioning column can emit a feedback sound when it hits the bottom of the guide countersunk hole, providing users with a sense of confirmation and sound feedback similar to that of a mechanical keyboard.

[0006] The purpose of the utility model is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A side-mounted inductive shaft comprises a base, an upper cover, a button, a spring and a PCB board. The button is slidably mounted on the base. A downwardly protruding positioning post is provided at the center of the bottom of the button. An inductive rod is connected to the side of the button. An inductive inductor is provided on the PCB board. A guide countersunk hole is provided at the bottom of the base to cooperate with the positioning post. When the button descends to the end of its stroke, the positioning post hits the bottom of the guide countersunk hole. The inductive rod passes through a coil to trigger the inductive inductor to achieve circuit conduction.

[0008] The inductor bar is ingeniously placed on the side of the button, improving the space utilization rate. Without affecting the volume of the shaft body, the length of the positioning post can be increased, effectively reducing the wobbling of the button by enhancing the tube position, and improving the feel of the key press. The extended design of the button positioning post makes the button fit more tightly with the base when it hits the bottom during downward movement. When the positioning post hits the bottom of the guiding counter bore, a feedback sound can be emitted. This design mimics the tactile feeling of a mechanical axis, providing users with a confirmation feeling and sound feedback similar to that of a mechanical keyboard. By selecting different materials and designing the bottom-touch structure, the sound and feel of the key can be further adjusted to meet the personalized needs of different users. This design not only improves the overall performance of the keyboard switch but also brings a more comfortable and pleasant typing experience to users.

[0009] Preferably, the coil is arranged on the PCB board. A guiding through hole matching with the inductor bar is provided at the inner bottom of the base. After passing through the guiding through hole, the inductor bar passes through the coil to trigger the inductor to achieve the conduction of the circuit.

[0010] The guiding through hole provided at the inner bottom of the base provides a clear passing route for the inductor bar, ensuring that the inductor bar can move along a predetermined path during the process of passing through the coil, avoiding problems such as circuit mis-triggering or failure to trigger caused by position deviation, and improving the stability and reliability of the entire circuit. When the inductor bar passes through the guiding hole smoothly and then continues to pass through the coil area, the electromagnetic induction phenomenon generated between the two will immediately trigger the conduction of the circuit, and the switch action can be completed without additional physical contact. This non-contact triggering method greatly reduces the risk of mechanical wear and extends the service life of the device.

[0011] Preferably, the coil is arranged on the base.

[0012] When the coil is arranged on the base, the inductor bar is more likely to pass through the coil during movement, avoiding problems such as circuit mis-triggering or failure to trigger caused by position deviation, and improving the stability and reliability of the entire circuit.

[0013] Preferably, the cross-section of the guiding counter bore is in a U shape.

[0014] The U-shaped guiding counter bore provides a stable guiding path for the inductor bar, ensuring its linear movement during the triggering process, avoiding deviation and wobbling, and greatly improving the accuracy and stability of triggering, which is crucial for applications that require highly reliable signal transmission. The special geometric configuration of the U-shaped guiding counter bore can also play a certain mechanical buffering role when the inductor bar moves rapidly, absorbing part of the kinetic energy by changing the aerodynamic characteristics and converting it into sound energy or other forms of energy dissipation, further enhancing the overall stability and durability of the device.

[0015] Preferably, a semi-closed sound cavity is formed inside the guiding counter bore.

[0016] The semi-enclosed sound chamber design is cleverly integrated into the guide countersunk hole, forming a passive acoustic tuning mechanism. As the inductor rod passes through the guide hole, the sound chamber captures and modulates the resulting air vibrations, effectively filtering out unnecessary noise and leaving only the clear impact sound, greatly improving the user experience.

[0017] Preferably, the inductor rod is cylindrical, conical, truncated cone, square column or flat rod-shaped.

[0018] As the core component of the inductor shaft, the optimal shape of the inductor rod is not only related to aesthetics and process difficulty, but more importantly, it affects the efficiency and reliability of signal triggering. The following is an in-depth discussion of several typical shapes:

[0019] Cylindrical probes: The most common type, they enjoy a wide range of applications due to their uniform perimeter. The cylindrical design ensures consistent guidance and signal triggering regardless of the probe's placement, making it ideal for applications requiring a trigger mechanism that is not restricted by angle.

[0020] Conical / truncated cone-shaped inductor rods: These two shapes with gradually varying cross-sections can dynamically adjust the contact area with the inductor according to the insertion depth of the inductor rod, thereby achieving fine-grained control of signal strength as the stroke changes. They are suitable for product designs that require multi-level triggering functions within a limited space.

[0021] Square-shaped inductor rods: Inductor rods with square or rectangular cross-sections can provide more secure mechanical locking and guidance than round ones in some cases, especially in applications that need to withstand lateral forces, such as high-strength industrial switches or game controller buttons.

[0022] Flat rod-shaped inductor: The flattened profile reduces the vertical space occupied by the inductor while increasing horizontal stability. It is very suitable for electronic devices with limited space but requiring high-precision guidance, such as the sensor array under the touch panel of ultra-thin mobile phones or portable devices.

[0023] Preferably, the inductor rod is a metal rod.

[0024] The inductor rod is made of aluminum or copper. Aluminum and its alloys are known for their low density and high strength, significantly reducing the weight of the inductor rod without sacrificing mechanical strength. This is particularly important for inductor shaft devices that require high-speed response and low-inertia operation. The lightweight design not only helps speed up triggering but also reduces wear during long-term operation, extending the life of the device. Aluminum's high thermal conductivity means that the inductor rod can quickly dissipate accumulated heat during frequent triggering, preventing performance degradation or damage caused by localized overheating, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the inductor shaft device over a long period of time. Copper, on the other hand, has significantly higher conductivity than aluminum and exhibits excellent electrical conductivity.

[0025] Preferably, an inductor column is provided on the side of the button, the inductor rod is installed on the inductor column, a mounting hole is provided at the bottom of the inductor column, and the inductor rod is installed in the mounting hole.

[0026] Dedicated mounting holes at the base of the inductor post ensure the inductor rod fits precisely and accurately into its intended position during assembly, eliminating signal delays or false triggering caused by looseness or misalignment, significantly improving triggering accuracy and repeatability. The nested design of the inductor rod and inductor post strengthens the physical connection between the two, forming a robust, integrated structure. This ensures the rod remains in proper operation even under external shock or vibration, preventing displacement or breakage, significantly enhancing the overall durability of the inductor shaft. The standardized mounting hole arrangement simplifies inductor rod assembly, reduces worker skill requirements, and mitigates quality risks associated with improper manual operation. This facilitates automated, mass-produced production on large-scale lines, improving production efficiency and yielding higher quality products. Should an inductor rod malfunction or require regular replacement, removal and installation can be completed quickly by simply removing the corresponding inductor post, eliminating the need for complex modifications to the main inductor shaft structure. This greatly facilitates routine inspection and maintenance, reducing maintenance costs.

[0027] Preferably, the upper portion of the spring is sleeved on the positioning column, and the lower portion is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide countersunk hole.

[0028] The spring is an essential reset mechanism in the inductor shaft assembly. By fastening one end of the spring to the positioning post and the other end around the guide countersunk hole, the spring ensures instant rebound after each triggering of the inductor rod, achieving fast and accurate position recovery. This avoids the accumulation of errors after multiple triggering and significantly improves the response speed and stability of the inductor shaft. With the two ends of the spring aligned with the positioning post and guide countersunk hole, respectively, this simplifies positioning during assembly, enabling precise installation without the need for additional tools or complex procedures, improving the efficiency and flexibility of the production line.

[0029] Preferably, an exhaust hole is provided on the top of the inductor column, and the exhaust hole is communicated with the mounting hole.

[0030] When the inductor rod is installed in the mounting hole, exhaust can be carried out through the exhaust hole to ensure that the inductor rod is installed in place and that the connection between the inductor rod and the mounting hole is firm and reliable.

[0031] A keyboard comprises the side-mounted inductive switch described above.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0033] The side-mounted inductive shaft of this utility model cleverly places the inductive rod on the side of the button, which improves space utilization and can increase the length of the positioning column without affecting the volume of the shaft body. By strengthening the tube position, the shaking of the button is effectively reduced, thereby improving the feel of the key. The extended design of the button positioning column makes the button more tightly limited to the base when it touches the bottom. The positioning column hits the bottom of the guide countersunk hole to make a feedback sound. This design imitates the tactile feel of a mechanical axis and provides users with a sense of confirmation and sound feedback similar to a mechanical keyboard. By selecting different materials and designing the bottoming structure, the sound and feel of the key can be further adjusted to meet the personalized needs of different users. This design not only improves the overall performance of the keyboard switch, but also brings a more comfortable and enjoyable typing experience to users. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0035] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the side-mounted inductor shaft according to Example 1 of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the side-mounted inductor axis according to Example 1 of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a partial exploded view of the side-mounted inductor shaft of Example 1 of the present utility model.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the base of Example 1 of the present utility model.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the flat rod-shaped inductor according to Example 1 of the present utility model.

[0040] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the side-mounted inductor shaft of Example 2 of the present utility model.

[0041] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the base and coil of Example 2 of the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0043] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present application for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0044] It should be noted that similar numbers and letters represent similar items in the following figures, so once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in the subsequent figures. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or position relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", etc. is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, or is the orientation or position relationship in which the product of the application is usually placed when in use, or is the orientation or position relationship commonly understood by those skilled in the art. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0045] It should be noted that, unless there is any conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0046] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example 1

[0047] This embodiment provides a side-mounted inductor shaft, which includes a base 100, an upper cover 200, a button 300, a spring 400, a PCB board 500, and a light guide column 700. The button 300 is slidably installed with the base 100. A positioning column 310 protruding downward is provided at the center of the bottom of the button 300. An inductor rod 600 is connected to the side of the button 300. The PCB board 500 is provided with an inductor 520. A guiding counterbore 110 matching with the positioning column 310 is provided at the bottom of the base 100. When the button 300 descends to the end of the stroke, the positioning column 310 hits the bottom of the guiding counterbore 110, and the inductor rod 600 passes through the coil 510 to trigger the inductor 520 to achieve the conduction of the circuit.

[0048] The inductor rod 600 is ingeniously placed on the side of the button 300, which improves the space utilization rate. The length of the positioning column 310 can be increased without affecting the volume of the shaft body. By enhancing the tube position, the shaking of the button 300 is effectively reduced, and the feel of the key is improved. The extended design of the positioning column of the button 300 makes the limit between the button 300 and the base 100 tighter when the button 300 touches the bottom during downward movement. The positioning column 310 hitting the bottom of the guiding counterbore 110 can emit a feedback sound. This design mimics the touch of a mechanical shaft and provides users with a confirmation feeling and sound feedback similar to that of a mechanical keyboard. By selecting different materials and designing the bottom-touch structure, the sound and feel of the key can be further adjusted to meet the personalized needs of different users. This design not only improves the overall performance of the keyboard switch but also brings a more comfortable and pleasant typing experience to users.

[0049] In this embodiment, the coil 510 is arranged on the PCB board. A guiding through hole 120 matching with the inductor rod is provided at the inner bottom of the base. The inductor rod passes through the guiding through hole and then through the coil to trigger the inductor to achieve the conduction of the circuit.

[0050] The guiding through hole provided at the inner bottom of the base provides a clear path for the inductor rod, ensuring that the inductor rod can move along a predetermined path during the process of passing through the coil, avoiding problems such as circuit mis-triggering or non-triggering caused by position deviation, and improving the stability and reliability of the entire circuit. When the inductor rod successfully passes through the guiding hole and continues to pass through the coil area, the electromagnetic induction phenomenon generated between the two will immediately trigger the conduction of the circuit, and the switch action can be completed without additional physical contact. This non-contact triggering method greatly reduces the risk of mechanical wear and extends the service life of the device.

[0051] In this embodiment, the cross-section of the guiding counterbore 110 is in a U shape.

[0052] The "C"-shaped guiding counter bore 110 provides a stable guiding path for the inductor rod 600, ensuring its linear movement during the triggering process, avoiding deviation and wobbling, and greatly enhancing the triggering accuracy and stability, which is crucial for applications that require highly reliable signal transmission. The special geometric configuration of the "C"-shaped guiding counter bore 110 can also play a certain mechanical buffering role when the inductor rod 600 moves rapidly, absorbing part of the kinetic energy by changing the aerodynamic characteristics and converting it into sound energy or other forms of energy dissipation, further strengthening the overall stability and durability of the device.

[0053] In this embodiment, a semi-closed sound cavity is formed inside the guiding counter bore 110.

[0054] The semi-closed sound cavity design is ingeniously integrated into the guiding counter bore 110, forming a passive acoustic tuning mechanism. When the inductor rod 600 passes through the guiding hole, the sound cavity can capture and adjust the resulting air vibrations, effectively filtering out unnecessary noise and leaving only clear impact sounds, greatly enhancing the user experience.

[0055] In this embodiment, the inductor rod 600 is frustum-shaped. In other embodiments, the inductor rod can be cylindrical, conical, square-columnar, or flat-bar-shaped.

[0056] As a key component of the trigger inductor, the shape of the inductor rod directly affects the efficiency and reliability of signal transmission. Frustum-shaped inductor rod: This design with a non-linear gradually changing cross-section helps to adjust the trigger sensitivity within a specific stroke range, facilitating more precise motion recognition in a limited space and being suitable for operation modes that require differentiating force differences.

[0057] In other embodiments, it can also be several other geometric forms - cylindrical, conical, square-columnar, and flat-bar-shaped, each with unique physical and engineering advantages, aiming to maximize the overall performance of the device:

[0058] Cylindrical inductor rod: With its uniform cross-sectional dimensions, it ensures the stable consistency of signal strength when triggered at different positions, being particularly suitable for application scenarios that require a strict linear response.

[0059] Square-columnar inductor rod: The distinct corners increase the contact area with the guiding hole wall surface, facilitating higher guiding accuracy and reducing lateral wobbling, being particularly suitable for high-end application fields that pursue extremely high straightness and positioning accuracy.

[0060] Flat-bar-shaped inductor rod: The flattened shape reduces the space occupied in the vertical direction and has stronger rigidity in the parallel plane, being suitable for compact designs and ensuring excellent mechanical stability and electrical performance even in a narrow space.

[0061] In this embodiment, the inductor rod 600 is an aluminum rod or a copper rod.

[0062] The inductor rod is made of aluminum or copper. Aluminum and its alloys are known for their low density and high strength. This significantly reduces the weight of the Inductor Rod 600 without sacrificing mechanical strength. This is particularly important for inductor shaft devices that require high-speed response and low-inertia operation. This lightweight design not only speeds up triggering but also reduces wear and tear over time, extending the device's lifespan. Aluminum's high thermal conductivity means that the Inductor Rod 600 can quickly dissipate accumulated heat during frequent triggering, preventing the risk of performance degradation or damage caused by localized overheating, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the inductor shaft device over extended periods of time. Copper, on the other hand, has significantly higher electrical conductivity than aluminum and possesses excellent conductive properties.

[0063] In this embodiment, an inductor column 320 is provided on the side of the button 300 , and the inductor rod 600 is installed on the inductor column 320 . A mounting hole is provided at the bottom of the inductor column 320 , and the inductor rod 600 is installed in the mounting hole.

[0064] Dedicated mounting holes at the base of the inductor posts 320 ensure that the inductor rod 600 fits precisely and accurately into its intended position during assembly, preventing signal delays or false triggering caused by looseness or misalignment, significantly improving triggering accuracy and repeatability. The nested design of the inductor rod 600 and the inductor post 320 strengthens the physical connection between them, forming a robust, integrated structure. This ensures the inductor rod 600 remains in proper operation even under external shock or vibration, making it less susceptible to displacement or breakage, significantly enhancing the overall durability of the inductor shaft. The standardized mounting hole arrangement simplifies the assembly process for the inductor rod 600, reduces the skill requirements, and mitigates quality risks caused by improper manual operation. This facilitates automated, mass-produced production on large-scale production lines, improving production efficiency and yielding higher product quality. Should an inductor rod 600 malfunction or require regular replacement, it can be quickly removed and installed by simply disassembling the corresponding inductor post 320, eliminating the need for complex modifications to the main structure of the inductor shaft. This greatly facilitates routine inspection and maintenance, reducing maintenance costs.

[0065] In this embodiment, the upper portion of the spring 400 is sleeved on the positioning post 310 , and the lower portion is sleeved on the outer periphery of the guide counterbore 110 .

[0066] Spring 400 is an essential reset mechanism in the inductor shaft assembly. By fastening one end of spring 400 to positioning post 310 and positioning the other end around guide countersunk hole 110, it ensures instant rebound of the inductor rod 600 after each triggering, achieving fast and accurate position recovery. This avoids the accumulation of errors after multiple triggering and significantly improves the response speed and stability of the inductor shaft. With both ends of spring 400 aligned with positioning post 310 and guide countersunk hole 110, respectively, this simplifies positioning during assembly, enabling precise installation without the need for additional tools or complex procedures, improving the efficiency and flexibility of the production line.

[0067] In this embodiment, a vent hole 322 is provided on the top of the inductor column 320 , and the vent hole 322 is communicated with the mounting hole.

[0068] When the inductor rod 600 is installed in the mounting hole, exhaust can be performed through the exhaust hole 322 to ensure that the inductor rod 600 is installed in place and that the connection between the inductor rod 600 and the mounting hole is firm and reliable. Example 2

[0069] In this embodiment, the coil 510 is disposed on the base 100 .

[0070] The coil is set on the base, and the inductor rod is easier to pass through the coil during movement, avoiding the problem of circuit mis-triggering or failure to trigger due to position deviation, and improving the stability and reliability of the entire circuit.

[0071] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A side-mounted inductive axis, characterized in that: It includes a base, an upper cover, a button, a spring and a PCB board. The button is slidably installed on the base. A positioning column protruding downward is provided at the center of the bottom of the button. An inductor bar is connected to the side of the button. The PCB board is provided with an inductor. A guiding counterbore cooperating with the positioning column is provided at the bottom of the base. When the button moves downward to the end of the stroke, the positioning column hits the bottom of the guiding counterbore, and the inductor bar passes through the coil to trigger the inductor to achieve the conduction of the circuit.

2. The side-mounted inductive axis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coil is arranged on the PCB board. A guiding through hole cooperating with the inductor bar is provided at the inner bottom of the base. The inductor bar passes through the guiding through hole and then through the coil to trigger the inductor to achieve the conduction of the circuit.

3. The side-mounted inductive axis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coil is arranged on the base.

4. The side-mounted inductive axis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-section of the guiding counterbore is in a C shape.

5. The side-mounted inductive axis according to claim 1, characterized in that: A semi-closed sound cavity is formed inside the guiding counterbore.

6. The side-mounted inductive axis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inductor bar is cylindrical or conical or frustum-shaped or square-columnar or flat-bar-shaped.

7. The side-mounted inductive axis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inductor bar is a metal bar.

8. The side-mounted inductive axis according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inductor column is provided on the side of the button, and the inductor bar is installed on the inductor column.

9. The side-mounted inductive axis according to claim 8, characterized in that: An installation hole is provided at the bottom of the inductor column, and the inductor bar is installed in the installation hole.

10. A keyboard, characterized in that: It includes a side-mounted inductor shaft according to any one of claims 1-9.

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