Key and input device

Abstract

The utility model provides a key and an input device. The key bag at least comprises a press detection unit, and the press detection unit comprises a magnet and a first pair of same magnetic sensing elements. The magnet is fixed at the bottom of a pressing assembly of the key, and the first pair of magnetic sensing elements are located below the magnet and respectively form two bridge arms of a half bridge on a circuit. Through the magnetizing direction of the magnet and the sensing direction and the setting position of the magnetic induction element, the key has the anti-interference capability. The key with a simple structure is realized through the collaborative design of the magnetic sensing element and the magnet, and the key not only can effectively restrain interference caused by noise of a power supply or a system lead, but also can restrain magnetic field interference generated by adjacent keys when being applied to a keyboard.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of human-computer interaction input and output devices, specifically to a button with anti-magnetic interference capability and an input device. Background Technology

[0002] Physical buttons are a crucial type of input / output device, widely used in mobile phones, computers, and other electronic devices. Among these, one type 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 just 1ms.

[0003] However, existing magnetic key switches lack interference resistance and are susceptible to magnetic field interference from power sources (especially when located near AC power) and system circuitry when integrated into a system. Furthermore, when using existing magnetic key switches, adjacent keys with magnetic switches generate additional magnetic field interference when pressed. Improving the interference resistance of magnetic key switches often requires complex interference designs, leading to a more complex structure and increased cost. These factors limit the application of magnetic key switches, resulting in most keyboards still using mechanical keys despite their numerous advantages. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problem of insufficient anti-interference capability of existing magnetic axis buttons, the purpose of this invention is to provide a new magnetic axis button structure to expand the application range of magnetic axis buttons. To improve the anti-interference capability and expand the application range of magnetic axis buttons, this invention provides a button with a simple structure, strong effective sensing signal, strong anti-interference capability, and low cost through the coordinated design of the magnetic sensing element and the magnetic axis (magnet).

[0005] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a button including at least one press detection unit, the press detection unit comprising: a magnet fixed to the bottom of the button's pressing assembly, and a pair of magnetic sensing elements. With the button's pressing direction as the Z-axis direction and the direction extending from the center of the magnet T to the side where either of the pair of magnetic sensing elements is located as the X-axis direction, the magnet is magnetized along the Z-axis, and the sensing directions of the pair of magnetic sensing elements are parallel to or antiparallel to the X-axis direction or the Z-axis direction. The pair of magnetic sensing elements have the same sensing direction, are disposed below the magnet, and located on both sides of the magnet, respectively forming two arms of a sensing half-bridge in the circuit.

[0006] Obviously, since the magnetic fields sensed by the two magnetic sensing elements in the first pair are in opposite directions and their sensing directions are the same, the influence of the interfering magnetic field can be effectively suppressed when they form the two arms of the same half bridge, and the effective signal is enhanced compared to a single magnetic sensing unit.

[0007] Furthermore, the press detection unit also includes two of the aforementioned sensing half-bridges, which together form a Wheatstone full bridge. Magnetic sensing elements that exhibit the same trend in signal change during the pressing process constitute a pair of arms of the Wheatstone full bridge.

[0008] In another embodiment, the button provided by this utility model includes at least one press detection unit, which includes a magnet fixed to the bottom of the button's pressing assembly and two pairs of magnetic sensing elements. Taking the pressing direction of the button as the Z-axis and the direction extending from the central axis of the magnet T to the side where any pair of magnetic sensing elements is located as the X-axis, the magnet is magnetized along the Z-axis. The sensing directions of the magnetic sensing elements are either parallel or antiparallel to the X-axis and parallel or antiparallel to the Z-axis. The sensing directions of any pair of magnetic sensing elements are opposite, and they are disposed below the magnet and located on one side of the magnet, respectively forming two arms of a sensing half-bridge in the circuit. The two sensing half-bridges formed by the two pairs of magnetic sensing elements constitute a Wheatstone full bridge. Magnetic sensing elements with the same trend of signal change during the pressing process constitute a pair of arms of the Wheatstone full bridge.

[0009] Furthermore, the pair of magnetic sensing elements of the aforementioned sensing half-bridge are mounted on the same XY plane or different XY planes. That is, the two magnetic sensing elements in the same pair can be located at different heights. This is because for a constant interfering magnetic field, the same pair of magnetic sensing elements are affected by the same influence; for a gradient interfering field, although the half-bridge circuit cannot completely cancel out the interference, it can still play a suppressive role.

[0010] Furthermore, the magnetic sensing element is an XMR magnetoresistive element, or a magnetic sensor based on XMR magnetoresistive or Hall effect; the XMR includes GMR, TMR, and AMR. Preferably, the magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet that is half-magnetized.

[0011] In some embodiments, the button includes two press detection units; the two press detection units are respectively disposed on both sides of the bottom of the press assembly.

[0012] Furthermore, in the initial state where the button is not pressed, the component of the distance in the Z-axis direction between the pair of magnetic sensing elements of the sensing half-bridge and the bottom of the magnet is less than or equal to half the overall height of the magnet.

[0013] Corresponding to the aforementioned buttons, this utility model also provides an input device. The input device includes a plurality of the aforementioned buttons.

[0014] The key provided by this utility model is based on the collaborative design of magnetic sensing element and magnet, which effectively enhances the anti-interference ability. It can not only effectively suppress interference caused by power supply or system lead noise, but also suppress magnetic field interference generated by adjacent keys when applied to a keyboard.

[0015] Compared with existing magnetic axis buttons, the buttons provided by this invention greatly expand the scope of practical applications, and have a simple structure and low manufacturing cost. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the button provided by this utility model in some embodiments.

[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the button provided by this utility model in another embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a button provided by this utility model in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] like Figure 1 In some embodiments shown, the button provided by this utility model includes a press detection unit. The press detection unit includes a magnet T and a first pair of magnetic sensing elements R1 and R2. The magnet T is fixed to the button's press assembly (…). Figure 1The bottom (not shown) moves with the pressing component. The first pair of magnetic sensing elements R1 and R2 are located below the magnet T and on both sides of the magnet T, respectively forming the two arms of the first sensing half-bridge in the circuit. Taking the pressing direction of the button as the Z-axis direction and the direction extending from the central axis of the magnet T to the side where the magnetic sensing element R1 is located as the X-axis direction, the magnet is magnetized along the Z-axis, and the sensing direction of the first pair of magnetic sensing elements R1 and R2 is both in the X-axis direction.

[0022] Since the magnetic fields sensed by magnetic sensing elements R1 and R2 are in opposite directions, but their sensing directions are the same, the influence of interfering magnetic fields will be eliminated or suppressed when magnetic sensing elements R1 and R2 form the two arms of the same half-bridge, and the effective signal of the magnetic sensing unit will be enhanced compared to a single magnetic sensing unit. Clearly, anti-interference can also be achieved when the sensing directions of magnetic sensing elements R1 and R2 are antiparallel to the X-direction.

[0023] Figure 1 The illustration only shows the case where the sensing direction of magnetic sensing elements R1 and R2 is parallel or antiparallel to the X-axis direction. In fact, the sensing direction of magnetic sensing elements R1 and R2 can also be parallel or antiparallel to the Z-axis direction.

[0024] To further enhance the effective pressure signal, the pressure detection unit also includes two of the aforementioned sensing half-bridges, which together form a Wheatstone full bridge. Magnetic sensing elements exhibiting the same signal change trend during the pressing process constitute a pair of arms of the Wheatstone full bridge. Thus, compared to a single sensing half-bridge, the effective pressure signal output by the pressure detection unit will be further improved.

[0025] like Figure 2 In another embodiment shown, the button provided by this utility model includes at least one press detection unit, comprising: a magnet fixed to the bottom of the button's press assembly, and two pairs of magnetic sensing elements.

[0026] With the pressing direction of the button as the Z-axis direction and the direction extending from the center of the magnet T to the side where any pair of magnetic sensing elements are located as the X-axis direction, the magnet is magnetized along the Z-axis, and the sensing direction of the magnetic sensing elements is either parallel or antiparallel to the X-axis direction and parallel or antiparallel to the Z-axis direction. Figure 2 The scenario where the sensing direction of the magnetic sensing element is parallel or antiparallel to the Z-axis is not shown.

[0027] Any pair of magnetic sensing elements, with opposite sensing directions, are positioned below and to one side of the magnet, forming the two arms of a sensing half-bridge in the circuit. For example... Figure 2 As shown, magnetic sensing elements R11 and R12 are a pair of magnetic sensing elements with opposite sensing directions, and R21 and R22 are another pair of magnetic sensing elements with opposite sensing directions.

[0028] The two pairs of magnetic sensing elements form two sensing half-bridges that together constitute a Wheatstone full bridge. Magnetic sensing elements with the same trend of signal change during pressing constitute a pair of arms of the Wheatstone full bridge. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, magnetic sensing elements R11 and R21 constitute one pair of arms of the Wheatstone bridge, and magnetic sensing elements R12 and R22 constitute another pair of arms of the Wheatstone bridge.

[0029] Furthermore, the magnetic sensing element is an XMR magnetoresistive sensor, or a magnetic sensor based on XMR magnetoresistive or Hall effect; the XMR includes GMR, TMR, and AMR. When the magnetic sensing element is a magnetoresistive sensor, its sensing direction is the sensitive direction. Preferably, the magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet that is partially magnetized.

[0030] It is worth noting that the two magnetic sensing elements in the aforementioned sensing half-bridge can be mounted on the same XY plane or on different XY planes. For example, the mounting heights of magnetic sensing elements R1 and R2 can be the same or different. That is, the two magnetic sensing elements in the same pair can be located at different heights. This is because for a constant interfering magnetic field, the same pair of magnetic sensing elements are affected by the same influence; for a gradient interfering field, although the half-bridge circuit cannot completely cancel out the interference, it can still play a suppressive role.

[0031] Furthermore, the button provided by this utility model may also include two press detection units; the two press detection units are respectively disposed on both sides of the bottom of the press assembly. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the button provided by this utility model includes a pressing component A, and a aforementioned button detection unit is fixedly mounted on the left and right sides of the lower end of the button component A. Specifically, the magnetic sensing elements below the magnet T1 in the left pressing detection unit are all disposed in the PCB board G1.

[0032] Preferably, in the initial state where the button provided by this utility model is not pressed, the component of the distance in the Z-axis direction between the pair of magnetic sensing elements of the sensing half-bridge and the bottom of the magnet is less than or equal to half the overall height of the magnet.

[0033] Because the buttons provided by this invention have excellent anti-interference capabilities, they can adapt well to environments with interfering magnetic fields (including those generated by current, adjacent magnetic axis buttons, etc.). Therefore, this invention also provides an input device comprising a plurality of the aforementioned buttons.

[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 at least one press detection unit, which includes: a magnet fixed to the bottom of the button's press assembly, and a pair of magnetic sensing elements; With the pressing direction of the button as the Z-axis direction and the direction extending from the center of the magnet T to the side where either of the pair of magnetic sensing elements is located as the X-axis direction, the magnet is magnetized along the Z-axis, and the sensing directions of the pair of magnetic sensing elements are parallel to or antiparallel to the X-axis direction or the Z-axis direction. The pair of magnetic sensing elements have the same sensing direction and are located below the magnet and on both sides of the magnet, forming the two arms of a sensing half-bridge in the circuit.

2. The button as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The press detection unit also includes two sensing half-bridges, which together form a Wheatstone full bridge. Magnetic sensing elements that exhibit the same trend in signal change during the pressing process constitute a pair of arms of the Wheatstone full bridge.

3. A button, characterized in that, The button includes at least one press detection unit, which includes: a magnet fixed to the bottom of the button's press assembly, and two pairs of magnetic sensing elements; With the pressing direction of the button as the Z-axis direction and the direction extending from the central axis of the magnet T to the side where any pair of magnetic sensing elements are located as the X-axis direction, the magnet is magnetized along the Z-axis, and the sensing direction of the magnetic sensing elements is either parallel or antiparallel to the X-axis direction and parallel or antiparallel to the Z-axis direction. The sensing directions of any pair of magnetic sensing elements are opposite, and they are set below the magnet and located on one side of the magnet. In the circuit, they respectively form the two arms of a sensing half-bridge. The two sensing half-bridges formed by the two pairs of magnetic sensing elements form a Wheatstone full bridge. Magnetic sensing elements with the same trend of sensing signal change during the pressing process form a pair of arms of the Wheatstone full bridge.

4. The button as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The pair of magnetic sensing elements of the sensing half-bridge are mounted on the same XY plane or different XY planes.

5. The button as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The button includes two press detection units; the two press detection units are respectively located on both sides of the bottom of the press assembly.

6. The button as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet that is partially magnetized.

7. The button as described in claim 5, characterized in that, In the initial state where the button is not pressed, the component of the distance in the Z-axis direction between the pair of magnetic sensing elements on the sensing half-bridge and the bottom of the magnet is less than or equal to half the overall height of the magnet.

8. The button as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The magnetic sensing element is an XMR magnetoresistive element, or a magnetic sensor based on XMR magnetoresistive element or Hall effect; the XMR includes GMR, TMR, and AMR.

9. An input device, characterized in that, The input device includes a plurality of buttons as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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