Key and keyboard

Abstract

The utility model provides a key and a keyboard. The key comprises a first static magnet, a plurality of second static magnets and a movable magnet. Wherein the movable magnet and the second static magnet are magnetized up and down, and the movable magnet is fixedly arranged below a pressing part of the key and moves along with the pressing part; and the plurality of second static magnets are arranged on the outer side of the moving magnet, so that the horizontal stress of the moving magnet is balanced. The magnetizing direction of the first static magnet is opposite to that of the movable magnet, and the first static magnet is arranged under the movable magnet; when the key is pressed, an upward repulsive force is provided for the moving magnet so as to eliminate a pressing paragraph feeling brought by a sudden change inflection point of the repulsive force of the plurality of second static magnets to the moving magnet. The key provided by the utility model is reasonable in layout, simple in structure, free of obvious pressing paragraph feeling, good in pressing hand feeling and good in interaction experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of human-computer interaction input / output devices, specifically to a key that can eliminate the tactile feedback of pressing segments, and a corresponding keyboard. Background Technology

[0002] Physical buttons are a crucial type of input / output device, widely used in mobile phones, computers, and other electronic devices. One type of physical button is the magnetic axis button, which uses a magnetic sensor to detect the movement of a magnetic axis to output a press signal. The advantages of magnetic axis buttons are their rapid triggering, minimal physical wear, and relatively good durability. This is primarily due to their short travel length and low latency. For example, a typical mechanical key requires a travel of over 10mm to complete two triggers; in contrast, a magnetic axis button only requires a travel of a few millimeters, with a response latency of only 1ms.

[0003] However, existing magnetic axis buttons typically use two magnets, a moving magnet and a stationary magnet, that move relative to each other when the button is pressed, causing a change in the magnetic field at the sensing point. A corresponding magnetic sensor detects this change in the magnetic field and thus the button's pressed state. Currently, magnetic axis buttons usually place the stationary magnet below or to the side of the moving magnet. When the button is pressed, the relative distance between the moving and stationary magnets changes. However, since magnetic force is proportional to the square of the distance between magnets, when the stationary magnet is below the moving magnet, the button's resistance increases rapidly during pressing, even becoming difficult to press further. When the stationary magnet is to the side of the moving magnet, a noticeable tactile bump occurs as the moving magnet experiences the crossing of the stationary magnet's poles during pressing, severely affecting the tactile feel of the button. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to improve the pressing feel of existing magnetic axis keys and meet the personalized pressing needs of some users, this utility model proposes a key and corresponding keyboard with a simple structure that effectively eliminates the tactile feedback of pressing and is easy to press.

[0005] This utility model provides a button, which structurally includes: a first static magnet, a plurality of second static magnets and a moving magnet.

[0006] The movable magnet is fixedly disposed below the pressing part of the button, and moves together with the pressing part when the button is pressed, with its magnetization direction being vertical. A first stationary magnet is disposed directly below the movable magnet, with its magnetization direction opposite to that of the movable magnet. The plurality of second stationary magnets are identical, and their magnetization direction is the same as that of the movable magnet. In a horizontal direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, the plurality of second stationary magnets are disposed outside the movable magnet, so that the movable magnet is subjected to force balance in the horizontal direction; in the pressing direction, the bottom of the plurality of second stationary magnets is not lower than the top of the first stationary magnet.

[0007] To detect the button's pressed state, the button also includes a magnetic field sensor positioned below the first static magnet. The magnetic field sensor can be implemented using a Hall-based sensing element or an XMR magnetoresistive sensor, where XMR includes TMR, AMR, and GMR; details are omitted here.

[0008] When the lower end of the moving magnet crosses the N-S boundary of the second stationary magnet, the repulsive force between the moving magnet and the second stationary magnet decreases quadratically; at the same time, the magnetic repulsive force between the first stationary magnet and the moving magnet increases quadratically, effectively eliminating the pressing segment sensation caused by the abrupt inflection point of the repulsive force of the second stationary magnet on the moving magnet.

[0009] Furthermore, when the button is not pressed, the moving magnet is suspended between the plurality of second stationary magnets, and the bottom of the moving magnet is higher than the N / S pole interface of the second stationary magnets.

[0010] Preferably, the moving magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet, and the second stationary magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet. The first stationary magnet is a cylindrical or square magnetic disc.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first and second stationary magnets are made of a weakly magnetic material, and the movable magnet is made of a strong magnetic material. The button includes two second stationary magnets. The second stationary magnets and the movable magnet have the same shape and size. Specifically, the second stationary magnet is a cylindrical magnet with a diameter of 3mm and a height of 5mm, half of which is magnetized, and the first stationary magnet is a circular magnetic disc with a diameter of 3mm and a height of 1mm, half of which is magnetized.

[0012] Accordingly, this utility model also provides a keyboard. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys; wherein at least one is the aforementioned magnetic axis key.

[0013] Compared to existing magnetic axis buttons, the button provided by this utility model is based on a combination of static and dynamic magnets. With a simple physical structure, it eliminates the tactile feedback during the pressing process and improves the button's pressing feel. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the buttons provided by the present invention in one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment shows a schematic diagram of the shape and size of each magnet.

[0016] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The embodiment shown is a simulation diagram of the relationship between the pressing displacement and magnetic resistance during the pressing process of the button (without considering the gravity of other components).

[0017] Figure 4 An exploded view of the button provided by this utility model in one embodiment.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0019] 10 - Moving magnet, 11 - First stationary magnet, 12 - Second stationary magnet, 20 - Button base

[0020] 21-Key top cover, 22-Key switch cap Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0022] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the button provided by this utility model includes: a first stationary magnet 11, a plurality of second stationary magnets 12, and a movable magnet 10. The movable magnet 10 is fixedly disposed below the pressing part 1 of the button, and moves together with the pressing part 1 when the button is pressed, with its magnetization direction being vertical. The first stationary magnet 11 is disposed directly below the movable magnet 10, and its magnetization direction is opposite to that of the movable magnet 10. The plurality of second stationary magnets 12 are identical, and their magnetization direction is the same as that of the movable magnet 10.

[0024] In a horizontal direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, the plurality of second stationary magnets 12 are positioned outside the movable magnet 10, balancing the forces acting on the movable magnet 10 in the horizontal direction. In the pressing direction, the bottom of the plurality of second stationary magnets 12 is not lower than the top of the first stationary magnet 11. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, although there are only two second stationary magnets 12, this is merely illustrative and does not limit the number of second stationary magnets 12 in the technical solution provided by this utility model. In fact, the number of second stationary magnets 12 can also be three or more, as long as the forces on the moving magnets 10 are balanced in the horizontal direction through reasonable distribution.

[0025] For button press detection, a magnetic field sensor can be used located below the first static magnet 11. Figure 1 (Not illustrated in the diagram) This is achieved by using a magnetic field sensor based on a Hall induction element or an XMR magnetoresistive element. The XMR includes TMR, AMR, and GMR; these will not be elaborated upon here.

[0026] Furthermore, the moving magnet 10 can be a cylindrical, bar, or square magnet, and the second stationary magnet 12 can be a cylindrical, bar, or square magnet. The first stationary magnet 11 is a cylindrical or square magnetic disc. No restrictions are placed on the shape or size of the moving magnet 10, the first stationary magnet 11, or the second stationary magnet 12. In fact, as long as the magnetic force exerted by the plurality of second stationary magnets 12 and first stationary magnets 11 on the moving magnet 10 is sufficient to balance the force on the moving magnet 10 in the initial state when the button is not pressed, allowing it to suspend among the plurality of second stationary magnets 12, it is acceptable.

[0027] Furthermore, when the button is not pressed in its initial state, the moving magnet 10 is suspended between the plurality of second stationary magnets 12, and the bottom of the moving magnet 10 is higher than the N / S pole interface of the second stationary magnets 12.

[0028] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the button includes two second static magnets 12. The second static magnets 12 are identical to the moving magnet 10. Specifically, the second static magnet is a cylindrical magnet with a diameter of 3mm and a height of 5mm, half-magnetized, and the first static magnet is a circular magnetic disc with a diameter of 3mm and a height of 1mm, half-magnetized.

[0029] Figure 3 The positional relationship of each magnet is set accordingly Figure 2 The example shown. Figure 3As shown, the axial distance between the moving magnet 10 and any of the second stationary magnets 12 is 3.7 mm, and the top of the first stationary magnet 11 and the bottom of the second stationary magnet 12 are on the same horizontal plane. In the initial state when the button is not pressed (ignoring the mass of other button components), the bottom of the moving magnet 10 is about 0.6 mm lower than the top of the second stationary magnet 12. The first stationary magnet 11 and the second stationary magnet 12 are both made of a weakly magnetic material (samarium to cobalt ratio of 1:5, remanence 0.7T), while the moving magnet is made of a strong magnetic material (sintered neodymium iron boron N35, remanence 1.2T). The button includes two second stationary magnets 12. The second stationary magnets 12 and the moving magnet 10 have the same shape and size.

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment shows a simulation diagram of the relationship between the pressing displacement and magnetic resistance force of the button during the pressing process (without considering the gravity of other components). In this simulation diagram, the horizontal axis represents the pressing displacement (unit: mm) with the initial state as the zero point, and the vertical axis represents the resistance force encountered during the pressing process (unit: GF).

[0031] according to Figure 2 As can be seen from the dimensions of the second stationary magnet 12 and the movable magnet 10 shown, without the first stationary magnet 11, when the pressing displacement is around 1.9 mm, the bottom of the movable magnet 10 crosses the N / S interface of the second stationary magnet 12, and the pressing resistance tends to decrease. However, in Figure 3 The above situation does not exist in the simulation curve because: when the lower end of the moving magnet 10 crosses the N-S boundary of the second stationary magnet 12 and the repulsive force between the moving magnet 10 and the second stationary magnet 12 decreases at an inflection point, the magnetic repulsive force between the first stationary magnet 11 and the moving magnet 10 increases, which effectively compensates for the sudden decrease in the repulsive force of the second stationary magnets 12 on the moving magnet 10 and eliminates the pressing tactile sensation during the button pressing process.

[0032] Figure 4 An exploded view of the button provided by this utility model in one embodiment. Figure 4 In the example shown, excluding the magnetic sensing component, the complete button includes: a button base 20, a button top cover 21, a button shaft cap 22, two second stationary magnets 12, a first stationary magnet 11, and a movable magnet 10. The button base 20 has mounting positions for the second stationary magnets 12 and the first stationary magnets 11. The movable magnet 10 is fitted into the magnet sleeve of the button shaft cap 22. The lower end of the button shaft cap 22, where the movable magnet 10 is mounted, passes through the shaft hole of the button top cover 21, while the upper end protrudes from the shaft hole. The button top cover 21 and the button base 20 are snapped together to form the overall appearance of the button. The pressing stroke of the button can be limited by a protrusion 221 provided on the shaft of the button shaft cap 22.

[0033] Accordingly, this utility model also provides a keyboard. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys; wherein at least one is a magnetic axis key as described above. Preferably, when implemented as a keyboard, the second stationary magnet is a bar magnet.

[0034] The above description is merely an embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A button, characterized in that, The button includes: a first static magnet, several second static magnets, and a moving magnet; The movable magnet is fixedly disposed below the pressing part of the button. When the button is pressed, it moves together with the pressing part, and its magnetization direction is up and down. The first stationary magnet is positioned directly below the moving magnet, and its magnetization direction is opposite to that of the moving magnet. The plurality of second static magnets are identical, and their magnetization direction is the same as that of the moving magnet; in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, the plurality of second static magnets are positioned outside the moving magnet, so that the moving magnet is subjected to force balance in the horizontal direction; in the pressing direction, the bottom of the plurality of second static magnets is not lower than the top of the first static magnet.

2. The button as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the button is not pressed, the moving magnet is suspended between the plurality of second stationary magnets, and the bottom of the moving magnet is higher than the N / S pole interface of the second stationary magnets.

3. The button as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The button also includes a magnetic field sensor located below the first static magnet.

4. The button as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first and second stationary magnets are made of weak magnetic materials, while the moving magnet is made of strong magnetic materials.

5. The button as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The moving magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet, and the second stationary magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet.

6. The button as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first static magnet is a cylindrical magnetic disc or a square magnetic disc.

7. The button as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The button includes two second static magnets; the second static magnets and the moving magnets have the same shape and size.

8. The button as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The second static magnet is a cylindrical magnet with a diameter of 3mm and a height of 5mm, half of which is magnetized. The first static magnet is a circular magnetic disc with a diameter of 3mm and a height of 1mm, half of which is magnetized.

9. A keyboard, characterized in that, The keyboard includes a plurality of keys; wherein at least one key is the key as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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