Key, keyboard, electronic equipment and electronic equipment assembly

Abstract

The utility model provides a key, a keyboard, electronic equipment and an electronic equipment assembly. The key comprises a key cap, a supporting assembly and a substrate assembly which are sequentially stacked, the supporting assembly is used for supporting the key cap to move relative to the substrate assembly, the substrate assembly comprises a conductive film and a substrate, the conductive film is provided with a contact part, a first avoiding hole is formed in the area, corresponding to an elastic body in the supporting assembly, of the substrate, and the elastic body can be compressed when the key cap is pressed; the compressed elastic body extrudes the conductive film to protrude towards the direction of the first avoiding hole, and the top of the elastic body abuts against the position between the key cap and the contact part of the conductive film, so that the protruding part of the conductive film is contained in the first avoiding hole, or the protruding part of the conductive film and the part of the compressed elastic body are contained in the first avoiding hole. On the basis of the light and thin design of the keyboard, it can be guaranteed that the keys have the long enough key travel, the hand feeling and use experience of a user are improved, abrasion of the elastic body is reduced, and the service life of the elastic body and the keys is prolonged.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of keyboards, in particular to a key, a keyboard, an electronic device and an electronic device assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] A keyboard is an instruction and data input device for operating an electronic device (for example, a notebook computer) to run, and is one of the core components of the electronic device. The hand feeling of the keyboard refers to the tactile feedback of the user when tapping the keyboard, and is crucial to improving the typing efficiency and comfort.

[0003] Among them, the key travel of the keyboard is the distance of pressing a key, which may directly affect the hand feeling and use experience of the keyboard. Generally, the thickness of the keyboard is proportional to the key travel, the thinner the thickness of the keyboard, the smaller the key travel, and the input experience of the keyboard will decrease accordingly. However, with the miniaturization and lightness of electronic devices, the thickness of the keyboard becomes thinner, which will make the key travel correspondingly shorter, and thus affect the use experience of the user.

[0004] Therefore, the keyboard in the prior art cannot guarantee a long enough key travel on the basis of its lightness and thinness. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0005] The key, the keyboard, the electronic device and the electronic device assembly provided by the embodiments of the present application solve the problem that the keyboard in the prior art cannot guarantee a long enough key travel on the basis of its lightness and thinness.

[0006] The first aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a key, which comprises a keycap, a support assembly and a substrate assembly which are sequentially stacked in a first direction, and the support assembly is used for supporting the keycap to move relative to the substrate assembly in the first direction. The substrate assembly comprises a conductive film and a substrate which are stacked in the first direction, the conductive film is located on the side of the substrate facing the support assembly, and the conductive film has a contact part, the substrate has a first surface and a second surface which are oppositely arranged along the thickness direction of the substrate, and the first surface is arranged to face the conductive film.

[0007] The support assembly comprises an elastic body, the elastic body is located between the conductive film and the keycap, and comprises a top part and a bottom part. The substrate is provided with a first avoiding hole corresponding to the region of the elastic body, the first avoiding hole extends from the first surface of the substrate to the direction of the second surface, and the first avoiding hole has a first opening on the first surface of the substrate, and the projection of the elastic body on the first surface of the substrate is entirely located in the first opening. The keycap can be pressed to compress the elastic body, and the conductive film is extruded by the compressed elastic body to protrude in the direction of the first avoiding hole, and the top part of the compressed elastic body abuts between the keycap and the contact part of the conductive film, wherein the protruding part of the conductive film is accommodated in the first avoiding hole, or the protruding part of the conductive film and the part of the compressed elastic body are accommodated in the first avoiding hole.

[0008] The key provided by the embodiment of the application can support the keycap to move relative to the substrate assembly in the first direction during the pressing or releasing of the keycap. The elastic body is compressed to store energy when the keycap is pressed, and the keycap is reset when the keycap is released. When the top of the elastic body abuts against the contact portion of the conductive film, the function of the key is triggered to be turned on. When the keycap is pressed, the compressed elastic body can extrude the conductive film to deform (i.e., protrude towards the direction of the first avoiding hole) because the first avoiding hole is below the elastic body and there is no restriction of the substrate, so that the conductive film can be located inside the first avoiding hole, or the conductive film and the compressed elastic body can be located inside the first avoiding hole. The thickness of the conductive film and the elastic body pressed into the first avoiding hole can be understood as the increased stroke of the key.

[0009] That is, by opening the first avoiding hole, the conductive film and the compressed elastic body can be accommodated in the first avoiding hole. On the one hand, by releasing the internal space, the pressing stroke of the key is further increased while the thickness of the key is kept unchanged, which can bring more comfortable feedback to the user, and thus the comfort and fluency of the user when the key is pressed down are improved, which helps to improve the user experience. In this way, the keys on the keyboard can have a long enough stroke on the basis of the thinness of the keyboard. At the same time, the displacement of the conductive film and the compressed elastic body in the first avoiding hole can increase the maximum compression amount of the elastic body when the keycap is pressed, so that the rebound force provided by the elastic body to the keycap is increased, the user is provided with more explicit key feedback, the user can input instructions more easily and fluently, and the use experience of the key is improved. On the other hand, by opening the first avoiding hole on the substrate, the elastic body is directly and effectively provided with a stroke in the first direction towards the substrate, so that the thickness of the keyboard can be reduced on the premise that the pressing stroke of the key meets the user's hand feeling, for example, by reducing the thickness of the keycap or the support assembly, without reducing the pressing stroke of the key, thereby promoting the thin design of the key and the keyboard.

[0010] Further, the first avoiding hole can provide redundant space for the contact portion on the conductive film, that is, when there is impurity on the surface of the conductive film, the impurity will not extrude the contact portion of the conductive film to directly realize the function of turning on, which improves the reliability and accuracy of the key.

[0011] Further, when the elastic body is compressed, part of the elastic body protrudes upward to press the inner surface of the keycap, when the elastic body is compressed to the maximum compression state, the conductive film and the compressed elastic body can be located in the first avoiding hole, so that the extrusion force generated by the extrusion contact between the outer surface of the elastic body and the inner surface of the keycap can be released at the elastic deformation position of the elastic body in the direction of the first avoiding hole, and the extrusion force generated by the contact between the inner surface of the elastic body and the surface of the conductive film can also be reduced due to the bending deformation of the conductive film in the direction of the first avoiding hole. Therefore, by opening the first avoiding hole on the substrate, the mutual extrusion between the elastic body and the substrate assembly can be reduced to reduce the wear of the elastic body and increase the service life of the key.

[0012] In conclusion, the key provided by the embodiments of the present application can ensure a long enough key stroke of the key on the basis of the thin and light design of the keyboard, that is, in the case that the thickness of each key on the keyboard is relatively small, thereby improving the user's hand feeling and use experience. Moreover, the space released by the first avoiding hole in the key is fully utilized, so that the conductive film and the elastic body can be partially accommodated in the first avoiding hole, and the wear can be reduced in the process of extruding the elastic body, thereby improving the service life of the elastic body and the key.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first avoiding hole is a blind hole. In this way, the pressing stroke of the key can be increased, while the overall structural strength of the substrate is taken into account, and the reliability of the keyboard is improved.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first avoiding hole is a through hole. The pressing process of the key can increase a greater stroke, and the processing is simple and low in cost.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first avoiding hole has a first end and a second end arranged opposite to each other in the first direction, the first end is a first opening, and the first avoiding hole extends from the first end to the second end along at least one of a straight line, a broken line and a curve.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the first avoiding hole extends from the first end to the second end along a straight line, and the straight line is parallel to the first direction.

[0017] By using the above scheme, the first avoiding hole has a simple structure, which is beneficial to shorten the process flow.

[0018] In a possible implementation, in a plane perpendicular to the first direction, the wall surface of the first avoiding hole is located on the outer circumferential side of the elastic body as a whole.

[0019] By using the above scheme, the first avoiding hole can wrap part of the elastic body, so that the elastic body can move in the first avoiding hole in the first direction as a whole in the pressing process of the key, which is beneficial to increase the stroke and improve the user's use experience.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the shape of the first avoiding hole matches the shape of the bottom of the elastic body.

[0021] By adopting the above scheme, the first avoiding hole has a simple structure, can better cooperate with the movement of the elastic body, is beneficial to simplifying the processing procedure, and simultaneously controls the area occupied by the first avoiding hole on the substrate, takes into account the structural strength of the substrate, and ensures reliability.

[0022] In a possible implementation manner, a projection of the first avoiding hole on a first plane is located within a projection of the keycap on the first plane, wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0023] In a possible implementation manner, a projection of the first avoiding hole on the keycap is located at a central part of the keycap. In this way, the smoothness when a user strikes the key is improved, and thus the user experience is improved.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, a projection of the top of the elastic body on the keycap is located within a projection of the bottom on the keycap. The top includes a top plate and an actuating column, the actuating column extends from an inner surface of the top plate towards the conductive film, and the actuating column is used to abut the contact part of the conductive film.

[0025] The elastic body further includes a connecting part in a ring shape, the connecting part is connected between the top and the bottom, the connecting part includes a first ring-shaped part and a second ring-shaped part, the first ring-shaped part is a part of the elastic body that protrudes upwards and contacts the keycap after being compressed, and the second ring-shaped part is a part of the elastic body that protrudes downwards and contacts the conductive film after being compressed.

[0026] By adopting the above scheme, the elastic body in the keycap can fully contact the keycap and the substrate assembly, effectively conduct force, guarantee the smoothness of the user's key pressing process, and improve the user experience. The connecting part is arranged in a ring shape, which is beneficial to elastic deformation of the elastic body, so that the part is compressed, thereby increasing the stroke.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the elastic body is arranged in a hollow frustum shape.

[0028] By adopting the above scheme, the top of the elastic body has a small area and is used to contact the inner surface of the keycap, the bottom has a large area, and the elastic body is a hollow structure and can be well fixed on the substrate assembly. When the keycap is pressed down, the elastic body has sufficient deformation space, can better target the contact part, realizes functional conduction, and improves the accuracy of the user using the key.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, the material of the elastic body is silica gel or rubber.

[0030] With the above scheme, the elastic body is made of silica gel material, which can better provide comfortable rebound force and has good durability and is not easy to age. The elastic body is made of rubber material, which can provide good pressing feeling and is easy to process and recycle.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the substrate is a rigid plate.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the support assembly further includes a first scissor leg and a second scissor leg pivotally connected to each other, two ends of the first scissor leg are movably connected to the substrate and the keycap respectively, two ends of the second scissor leg are movably connected to the substrate and the keycap respectively, and the elastic body is arranged in the middle of the first scissor leg and the middle of the second scissor leg.

[0033] Alternatively, the support assembly further includes a pair of rigid rods arranged in pairs, and the elastic body is located between the pair of rigid rods, wherein a first end of each rigid rod is pivotally connected to the keycap, and a second end of each rigid rod is slidably installed on the substrate, or a first end of each rigid rod is slidably installed on the keycap, and a second end of each rigid rod is pivotally connected to the substrate.

[0034] With the above scheme, the support assembly includes a pair of scissor legs or a pair of rigid rods arranged in an X shape, and the pair of scissor legs or the pair of rigid rods cooperate with each other to support and balance the keycap.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the substrate is provided with a plurality of second avoiding holes arranged at intervals corresponding to the keycap, and the first avoiding hole and the plurality of second avoiding holes are independently and arranged at intervals on a plane perpendicular to the first direction, and the first avoiding hole is located between the plurality of second avoiding holes.

[0036] With the above scheme, the substrate is provided with a plurality of second avoiding holes, which makes full use of the space on the substrate, does not need to set other wiring layers, is conducive to light and thin design, and the first avoiding hole and the second avoiding hole do not interfere with each other, which ensures the realization of the function, takes into account the structural strength of the substrate itself, and improves the reliability of the key application.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the plurality of second avoiding holes on the substrate include a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole, a first clamping hook portion is arranged on the periphery of the first mounting hole, and a second clamping hook portion is arranged on the periphery of the second mounting hole, wherein the first clamping hook portion has a first sliding groove, and the second clamping hook portion has a second sliding groove. When the support assembly includes the first scissor leg and the second scissor leg, the second end of the first scissor leg is slidably installed in the first sliding groove, and the second end of the second scissor leg is slidably installed in the second sliding groove.

[0038] The second aspect of the embodiment of the application provides a keyboard including the key provided by the first aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0039] The keyboard provided by the embodiment of the present application can increase the key stroke of each key, and can ensure that the keyboard has a long enough key stroke on the basis of thinning the whole keyboard, thereby improving the use experience of the user.

[0040] The third aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device including the keyboard provided in the second aspect.

[0041] The electronic device provided by the embodiment of the present application, which is configured with the keyboard mentioned above, can provide a good use experience for the user and ensure the reliability of the keyboard.

[0042] The fourth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device assembly including an electronic device and a keyboard provided in the second aspect, wherein the keyboard is in communication connection with the electronic device.

[0043] The electronic device assembly provided by the embodiment of the present application, which is configured with the keyboard mentioned above, can provide a good use experience for the user and ensure the reliability of the keyboard. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1a FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device in an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 1b FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device in another application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 1c FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device in still another application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 2a FIG. 4 is a structural exploded view of a key according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 2b FIG. 5 is a structural exploded view of the key from another perspective according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 3a FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a first scissor leg position in the key according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 3b FIG. 7 is a structural view of the cooperation of a first scissor leg and a second scissor leg in the key according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 4 FIG. 8 is a central sectional view of the key according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 5 FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an elastic body of the key according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram illustrating the switching of a reference design button from a standing state to a compressed state.

[0054] Figure 7a This is a schematic diagram illustrating the switching of a button from a standing state to a compressed state according to an embodiment of this application.

[0055] Figure 7b This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first state when the button is pressed according to an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 7c This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the second state when the button is pressed according to an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the first clearance hole and the elastomer of the button in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 9a This is a structural schematic diagram of another implementation of the first clearance hole of the button in the embodiments of this application;

[0059] Figure 9b for Figure 9a Cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0060] Figures 10a-10f This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first clearance hole of the button in an embodiment of this application.

[0061] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0062] Reference Design:

[0063] 300', Key; 310', Keycap; 331', Substrate; 332', Conductive film;

[0064] 400', Elastomer; 410', Top; 420', Bottom.

[0065] This application:

[0066] 100a. Electronic equipment; 100b. Electronic equipment components;

[0067] 11. Laptop computer; 111. First casing; 112. Second casing;

[0068] 12. Desktop computer; 121. Data cable;

[0069] 13. Tablet PC;

[0070] 14. Main unit; 15. Display screen;

[0071] 200. Keyboard;

[0072] 300, button;

[0073] 310, key cap; 311, front surface; 312, back surface; 313, center portion; 314, first pivot seat; 315, second pivot seat;

[0074] 320, support assembly; 321, first scissor leg; 3211, first end; 3212, second end;

[0075] 322, second scissor leg; 3221, first end; 3222, second end;

[0076] 330, base plate assembly; 331, base plate; 3311, first surface; 3312, second surface; 3313, first hook portion; 3314, first sliding slot; 3315, second hook portion; 3316, second sliding slot;

[0077] 332, conductive film; 3321, contact portion;

[0078] 333, first avoiding hole; 3331, first end; 3332, second end; 3333, first opening; 334, second avoiding hole; 3341, first mounting hole; 3342, second mounting hole;

[0079] 400, elastic body; 410, top portion; 411, top plate; 4111, first groove; 412, actuating column;

[0080] 420, bottom portion; 421, mouth portion;

[0081] 430, connecting portion; 431, first annular portion; 431a, upward protruding portion; 432, second annular portion; 432a, downward protruding portion;

[0082] z, first direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] The present application is described in detail by specific embodiments, and other advantages and effects of the present application can be easily understood by those skilled in the art from the disclosure of the present application. Although the description of the present application will be introduced in combination with some embodiments, it does not mean that the features of the present application are limited to the embodiments. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the present application in combination with the embodiments is to cover other options or modifications that can be extended based on the claims of the present application. In order to provide a deep understanding of the present application, many specific details will be included in the following description. The present application can also be implemented without using these details. In addition, in order to avoid confusion or obscure the focus of the present application, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0084] It should be noted that in the present specification, similar labels and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in the subsequent drawings.

[0085] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0086] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0087] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "electrical connection" can be understood as physical contact and electrical conduction of components; it can also be understood as a form of connection between different components in the circuit structure through the entity circuit of the copper foil or wire of the printed circuit board (PCB) that can transmit electrical signals. "Communication connection" can refer to electrical signal transmission, including wireless communication connection and wired communication connection. Wireless communication connection does not require a physical medium, and does not belong to a connection relationship that limits the product structure.

[0088] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the mutual perpendicularity in the embodiments of the present application is not absolute perpendicularity, and approximate perpendicularity (for example, the included angle between two structural features is 89°) caused by processing errors and assembly errors is also within the range of mutual perpendicularity in the embodiments of the present application. The mutual parallelism in the embodiments of the present application is also not absolute parallelism, and approximate parallelism (for example, the included angle between two structural features is 1°) caused by processing errors and assembly errors is also within the range of mutual parallelism in the embodiments of the present application. The axial symmetry in the embodiments of the present application is also not absolute axial symmetry, and approximate axial symmetry (for example, part of the structure is offset by a certain distance or angle relative to the symmetry axis) caused by processing errors and assembly errors is also within the range of axial symmetry in the embodiments of the present application. The central symmetry in the embodiments of the present application is also not absolute central symmetry, and approximate central symmetry (for example, part of the structure is offset by a certain distance or angle relative to the symmetry axis) caused by processing errors and assembly errors is also within the range of central symmetry in the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0089] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more clear, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0090] A keyboard is a common input device and an important tool for interacting with electronic devices such as desktop computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, and the like. The performance and appearance of the keyboard are also increasingly valued by users, among which the thickness of the keyboard, the smoothness of the keystroke, and the use of the hand feel are several design points that users generally care about. At present, in order to cater to the design demand of light and thin electronic devices, the space occupied by the internal electronic devices has been basically compressed to the minimum space. In the case that the thickness space occupied by the electronic components cannot be further compressed, the light and thin design of the electronic device can only be further realized by thinning the keyboard, the support frame and other mechanical components. This measure will shorten the key travel of each key in the keyboard, thereby affecting the user's experience. Therefore, a thicker keyboard is not conducive to the light and thin design of the electronic device, and on the basis of the light and thin design of the keyboard, that is, in the case that the thickness of the keyboard is getting thinner, the key travel of the keyboard cannot be guaranteed to ensure the comfort and smoothness of the user when using the keyboard, thereby affecting the user's experience.

[0091] Among them, the key travel refers to the stroke of the key, that is, the distance from the initial position of each key on the keyboard to the lowest point when the key is pressed.

[0092] To solve the above problems, the embodiment of the present application provides a key. By opening a first avoiding hole on the substrate, the stroke of the key can be increased, and on the basis of the thin and light design of the keyboard, the keyboard can have a long enough stroke, thereby improving the user's hand feeling and use experience. Moreover, the space released by the first avoiding hole in the key is fully utilized, so that the conductive film and the elastic body can be partially accommodated in the first avoiding hole. In the process of extruding the elastic body, the abrasion can be reduced, thereby improving the service life of the key.

[0093] The embodiment of the present application also provides a keyboard applying the key. It should be noted that the specific number of keys in the keyboard is not limited, and the specific function and structure size of the key are not limited. Specifically, the key can be a multiple key (i.e., a long key) or a function key with a large length-width ratio, for example, a shift key, a space bar, a return key, and a "0" key, a "+" key and the like on a numeric keypad. The key can also be a common key with a small length-width ratio, for example, a number key from 1 to 9, a 26-letter key and the like. The key can also be a special key with a special shape, for example, a return key in the shape of "L".

[0094] In one example, the keyboard is a membrane keyboard, which forms an electric circuit between multiple layers of membranes. When the key is pressed, the electric circuit is closed,

[0095] so as to trigger a signal, which is transmitted to a host after processing, and finally converted into corresponding characters and commands to realize the input requirement of the user. The membrane keyboard has the advantages of thinness, portability and small key sound, and is therefore widely used.

[0096] The embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device applying the keyboard. It should be noted that the electronic device can be a laptop, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer, a mobile terminal, a fixed terminal or a foldable device and the like. The embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0097] The embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device assembly applying the keyboard, and the keyboard is in communication connection with the electronic device. It should be noted that the electronic device can be a desktop computer, a tablet computer (Tablet) and the like mobile terminal, a fixed terminal or a foldable device. The embodiment of the present application does not limit this. The following will be explained in combination with specific application scenarios.

[0098] Please refer to Figures 1a-1c , Figure 1a Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device in an application scenario in the embodiment of the present application, Figure 1b Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device in another application scenario in the embodiment of the present application, Figure 1cThis is a schematic diagram of the electronic device in yet another application scenario according to the embodiments of this application.

[0099] like Figure 1a As shown, in one possible implementation, the electronic device 100a is a laptop computer 11. Specifically, the laptop computer 11 may include a first housing 111 and a second housing 112 connected by rotation. The first housing 111 is provided with a display screen 15, and the second housing 112 is provided with a keyboard 200. The first housing 111 and the second housing 112 can be connected by a hinge; alternatively, the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 can be connected by a hinge structure. This embodiment does not limit the specific connection. The keyboard 200 serves as an input device for the laptop computer 11 and is electrically connected to a control unit inside the laptop computer 11. During use, the user can press the keys 300 on the keyboard 200 to input characters or operation commands. The laptop computer 11, based on the input from the keyboard 200, performs operations in response to the input, thus achieving interaction with the user.

[0100] When the laptop 11 is folded, the angle between the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 can approach 0°, allowing the display screen 15 and keyboard 200 to be close together, and the display screen 15 and keyboard 200 can be accommodated within the cavity formed by the first housing 111 and the second housing 112. When the laptop 11 is opened, the angle between the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 can approach 90° to 180°, allowing the display screen 15 and keyboard 200 to be further apart, so that the display screen 15 and keyboard 200 can both face the user for convenient use.

[0101] like Figure 1bAs shown, in one possible implementation, electronic device component 100b includes an electronic device and a keyboard 200, with the keyboard 200 communicatively connected to the electronic device. This electronic device can be a desktop computer 12. Specifically, the desktop computer 12 may include a display screen 15 and a host computer 14. The display screen 15 and the host computer 14 are independently configured. The display screen 15 and the host computer 14 are electrically connected via a data cable 121 to achieve the display effect of the display screen 15. The keyboard 200, as an input accessory of electronic device component 100b, can input characters or operation commands. In this case, the keyboard 200 and the host computer 14 can be independently configured. It should be noted that the specific placement of the keyboard 200 is not limited; users can adjust the placement of the keyboard 200 arbitrarily according to their personal usage habits. In one possible implementation, the keyboard 200 and the host 14 are electrically connected via a data cable. In other possible implementations, the keyboard 200 and the host 14 can also be wirelessly connected via a wireless signal (e.g., Bluetooth signal). Alternatively, the keyboard 200 can also be interconnected via a communication network to achieve wireless signal interaction. This communication network can be, but is not limited to, a Wi-Fi hotspot network, a Wi-Fi peer-to-peer (PP) network, a Bluetooth network, a Zigbee network, or a near field communication (NFC) network, etc.

[0102] like Figure 1c As shown, in one possible implementation, the electronic device in electronic device component 100b can be a tablet computer 13. Specifically, similar to a desktop computer, the tablet computer 13 also includes a display screen 15 and a host computer 14, and the display screen 15 and the host computer 14 are not separate but integrated together. The tablet computer 13 and the keyboard 200 can be independent devices. In one example, the tablet computer 13 and the keyboard 200 can be detachable; when in use, the tablet computer 13 is placed on the keyboard 200, and after use, the tablet computer 13 and the keyboard 200 can be separated. Exemplarily, the tablet computer 13 and the keyboard 200 can be electrically connected via contacts (not shown). Alternatively, the tablet computer 13 and the keyboard 200 can be electrically connected via a data cable. Alternatively, the tablet computer 13 and the keyboard 200 can also be wirelessly connected via a wireless signal (e.g., Bluetooth). Alternatively, the tablet computer 13 and the keyboard 200 can also be communicatively connected via a communication network.

[0103] The use scenarios and connection modes of the keyboard 200 are mainly described above, and the specific structure of the keyboard 200 will be exemplarily described below. It should be noted that the keyboard 200 includes a plurality of keys 300 arranged in rows and columns, and the structures of different keys 300 are substantially the same, but the functions are different. Therefore, by pressing each key 300, the electrical connection inside the key 300 can be realized, and then the function conduction is realized, and the input instruction is transmitted to the host 14 of the electronic device 100a to execute the user's instruction. The basic structure of a single key 300 will be first explained below.

[0104] Please refer to Figures 2a-4 , Figure 2a for the structural exploded view of the key in the embodiment of the present application, Figure 2b for the structural exploded view of the key from another perspective in the embodiment of the present application, Figure 3a for the cross-sectional view of the first scissor leg position, Figure 3b for the structural view of the cooperation of the first scissor leg and the second scissor leg, Figure 4 for the central cross-sectional view of the key.

[0105] As shown in Figure 2a and Figure 2b , the key 300 includes a keycap 310, a support assembly 320 and a substrate assembly 330 which are sequentially stacked in a first direction z. The keycap 310 is available for user to press, and the support assembly 320 is used to support the keycap 310 to move relative to the substrate assembly 330 in the first direction z. That is, when the key 300 is pressed, the keycap 310 will move in the first direction z towards the substrate assembly 330, and when the keycap 310 is released, the keycap 310 will move in the first direction z away from the substrate assembly 330. It should be noted that the specific structure and material of the keycap 310 are not limited in the embodiment of the present application, and the person skilled in the art can design and produce according to the production needs and user's use needs. In a possible implementation manner, the keycap 310 can be an injection molding part, which is convenient for mass production.

[0106] It should be noted that, as shown in Figure 2b , the front surface 311 of the keycap 310 refers to the side surface of the keycap 310 facing the user, and the back surface 312 of the keycap 310 is arranged opposite to the front surface 311.

[0107] It should be noted that the first direction z is the pressing direction of the key 300, and in a possible implementation manner, the first direction z is the thickness direction of the key 300, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0108] As shown in Figure 2a and Figure 4As shown, the substrate assembly 330 includes a conductive film 332 and a substrate 331 stacked along a first direction z. The conductive film 332 is located on the side of the substrate 331 facing the support assembly 320 and has a contact portion 3321. The substrate 331 has a first surface 3311 and a second surface 3312 disposed opposite to each other along the first direction z, with the first surface 3311 facing the conductive film 332.

[0109] It should be noted that, in one possible implementation, the base plate 331 of each key 300 in the keyboard 200 can be integrally formed, that is, the keyboard 200 is provided with only one base plate 331, and then independent keycaps 310 and support components 320 are arranged in the corresponding areas of each key 300. Using this type of base plate 331 is beneficial to improving the structural reliability of the base plate 331, enhancing the stability of the connection between the base plates 331 corresponding to each key 300, thereby improving the reliability of the keyboard 200, and also improving the installation efficiency of each key 300 and the keyboard 200.

[0110] In other possible implementations, the substrates 331 of each key 300 within the keyboard 200 may be configured as a single integrated structure, a separate structure, or all substrates 331 may be configured as separate structures. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments of this application do not limit the specific structure and connection method of the substrates 331.

[0111] like Figures 1a-1c In one possible implementation, the keyboard 200 may also include a housing in which the keys 300 are mounted. Figure 4 It is understood that the base plate 331 of the key 300 is fixed to the housing. For example, the base plate 331 can be screwed into the housing of the keyboard 200 and located in the inner cavity enclosed by the housing.

[0112] It should be noted that the specific implementation of the keyboard 200's casing is not limited. One possible implementation is as follows: Figure 1a As shown, and in combination Figure 4 It is understood that when the keyboard 200 is applied to the electronic device 100a, the housing of the electronic device 100a can be reused as the housing of the keyboard 200. For example, the second housing 112 of the laptop 11 can be reused as the housing of the keyboard 200. The substrate 331 is located in the cavity enclosed by the second housing 112 and can be fixed to the upper housing portion of the second housing 112 (which can be understood as the housing portion of the second housing 112 facing the user when the laptop 11 is in the open state).

[0113] In another possible implementation, such as Figure 1aAs shown, the housing of keyboard 200 and the housing of electronic device 100a can be set independently of each other, and the housing of keyboard 200 is fixed to the housing of electronic device 100a.

[0114] In another possible implementation, such as Figure 1b and Figure 1c As shown, when the keyboard 200 is applied to the electronic device component 100b, the housing of the keyboard 200 and the housing of the electronic device are set independently of each other.

[0115] like Figure 2a and Figure 4 As shown, the material of the substrate 331 is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In one possible implementation, the substrate 331 is a rigid metal plate.

[0116] like Figure 2a and Figure 4 As shown, in one possible implementation, the substrate 331 is provided with a plurality of second clearance holes 334 at intervals corresponding to the area of ​​the keycap 310. That is, the substrate 331 is provided with a plurality of second clearance holes 334, which can make full use of the space on the substrate 331 without the need to provide other wiring layers, which is beneficial for thin and light design.

[0117] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the number and size of the second clearance holes 334 are not limited, and can be specifically set according to functional needs, or they can be omitted.

[0118] It is understandable that the button 300 achieves functional conduction through the internal conductive film 332. That is, during the pressing of the button 300, the conductive film 332 is electrically connected, thereby triggering a signal. The following will describe the possible structure of the conductive film 332 in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0119] In one possible implementation, such as Figure 2a As shown, the conductive film 332 can also have an opening at the position corresponding to the second clearance hole 334 on the substrate 331, ensuring sufficient mounting space for the device within the second clearance hole 334, which also helps to save costs. In other possible implementations, the conductive film 332 may not have an opening at the position corresponding to the second clearance hole 334 on the substrate 331, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0120] like Figure 4As shown, the conductive film 332 has a contact portion 3321, so that during the pressing process of the key 300, the circuit on the conductive film 332 is closed through the contact portion 3321, i.e. through pressing the key cap 310, the pressing force of the user can be transmitted to the contact portion 3321 on the conductive film 332, so as to close the circuit on the conductive film 332 and trigger the function signal of the key 300. Specifically, the position and size of the contact portion 3321 are not limited, and can be designed according to actual needs by those skilled in the art.

[0121] Further, the specific structure of the conductive film 332 is not limited. In one possible implementation, the conductive film 332 includes a first film and a second film arranged in a stack, which can be made of resin or soft material, and the present application does not limit this. The two films are arranged opposite to each other and each has a conductive circuit on the opposite surface. Figure 4 As shown, when the key cap 310 is pressed down, the elastic body 400 is compressed and deformed, and the actuating column 412 of the elastic body 400 abuts against the contact portion 3321 of the conductive film 332. The electrical contact between the first film and the second film is realized, so as to close the internal circuit of the key 300 and trigger the function signal. When the key cap 310 is released, the elastic body 400 and the films are reset under the action of the elastic body 400 and the characteristics of the films, and the electrical contact between the first film and the second film is separated, so as to disconnect the internal circuit of the key 300. The specific structure of the elastic body 400 will be described below in combination with the drawings.

[0122] In other possible implementations, the conductive film 332 is provided with an independent switch as the contact portion 3321, such as a touch switch. When the key cap 310 is pressed down, the elastic body 400 is compressed and deformed, and the actuating column 412 of the elastic body 400 abuts against the independent switch, so as to close the internal circuit of the key 300. When the key cap 310 is released, the independent switch is reset, so as to disconnect the internal circuit of the key 300.

[0123] In one possible implementation, the conductive film 332 can be fastened to the substrate 331 by adhesion, clamping or the like. In addition, during the assembly of the substrate assembly 330, the conductive film 332 can be assembled with the substrate 331 first, and then the substrate 331 and the support assembly 320 are assembled. In one example, the conductive film 332 can be pre-assembled with the substrate 331 by using adhesive, and then the substrate 331 and the support assembly 320 are pre-assembled, and finally the substrate 331 and the key cap 310 are fixed.

[0124] The key cap 310 and the substrate assembly 330 of the key 300 are mainly described above, and the support assembly 320 of the key 300 will be described below in combination with the drawings.

[0125] It should be noted that the specific structure of the support assembly 320 is not limited. For example,Figure 3a and Figure 3b As shown, in one possible implementation, the support component 320 includes a first scissor leg 321 and a second scissor leg 322 that are pivotally connected to each other. The two ends of the first scissor leg 321 are movably connected to the substrate 331 and the keycap 310, respectively, and the two ends of the second scissor leg 322 are movably connected to the substrate 331 and the keycap 310, respectively.

[0126] In one example, the first scissor-switch leads 321 and 322 are arranged in an X-shape. Specifically, the first end 3211 of the first scissor-switch lead 321 is pivotally connected to the keycap 310, and the second end 3212 of the first scissor-switch lead 321 is slidably mounted on the substrate 331. The first end 3221 of the first scissor-switch lead 322 is pivotally connected to the keycap 310, and the second end 3222 of the second scissor-switch lead 322 is slidably mounted on the substrate 331. The axes of the first end 3211 of the first scissor-switch lead 321 and the first end 3221 of the second scissor-switch lead 322 are parallel to each other. During the up-and-down movement of the keycap 310 relative to the substrate 331, the sliding directions of the second ends 3212 of the first scissor-switch lead 321 and 3222 of the second scissor-switch lead 322 are opposite and both perpendicular to the first direction z. For example, when pressing the keycap 310, the second ends 3212 of the first scissor-switch leg 321 and 3222 of the second scissor-switch leg 322 slide in opposite directions away from each other. When releasing the keycap 310, the second ends 3212 of the first scissor-switch leg 321 and 3222 of the second scissor-switch leg 322 slide in opposite directions towards each other. Therefore, the first scissor-switch leg 321 and the second scissor-switch leg 322 work together to support and balance the keycap 310.

[0127] like Figure 3b As shown, when the first scissor leg 321 and the second scissor leg 322 are configured, the first scissor leg 321 is an inner ring structure, and the second scissor leg 322 is an outer ring structure. The first scissor leg 321 is pivotally connected to the inner side of the second scissor leg 322. Figure 2b and Figure 3aAs shown, the back surface 312 of the keycap 310 is provided with a first pivot seat 314 and a second pivot seat 315. The first end 3211 of the first scissor leg 321 is pivoted on the keycap 310 through the first pivot seat 314, and the first surface 3311 of the base plate 331 is provided with a first hook portion 3313 having a first sliding slot 3314, and the second end 3212 of the first scissor leg 321 is slidingly installed in the first sliding slot 3314. Correspondingly, the first end 3221 of the second scissor leg 322 is pivoted on the keycap 310 through the second pivot seat 315, and the first surface 3311 of the base plate 331 is provided with a second hook portion 3315 having a second sliding slot 3316, and the second end 3222 of the second scissor leg 322 is slidingly installed in the second sliding slot 3316. In this way, the first scissor leg 321 and the second scissor leg 322 are facilitated to be assembled between the base plate 331 and the keycap 310.

[0128] It should be noted that in other examples, the first end 3211 of the first scissor leg 321 can be pivoted on the keycap 310, and the second end 3212 of the first scissor leg 321 can be slidingly installed on the base plate 331. The first end of the second scissor leg 322 is slidingly installed on the keycap 310, and the second end of the second scissor leg 322 is slidingly installed on the base plate 331.

[0129] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, Figure 2a and Figure 2b As shown in a possible implementation, the plurality of second avoiding holes 334 on the base plate 331 include a first mounting hole 3341 and a second mounting hole 3342, the periphery of the first mounting hole 3341 is provided with the first hook portion 3313, and the periphery of the second mounting hole 3342 is provided with the second hook portion 3315, wherein the first hook portion 3313 has the first sliding slot 3314, and the second hook portion 3315 has the second sliding slot 3316.

[0130] In other possible implementations, the support assembly 320 can include a pair of rigid rods (not shown in the figure), wherein the first end of each rigid rod is pivoted on the keycap 310, and the second end is slidingly installed on the base plate 331, or the first end of each rigid rod is slidingly installed on the keycap 310, and the second end is pivoted on the base plate 331. Or it can be understood that the support assembly 320 includes a pair of rigid rods arranged in a butterfly shape, the first end of the rigid rod is pivoted on the keycap 310, and the second end of the rigid rod is slidingly installed on the base plate 331, and the elastic body 400 is located between the pair of rigid rods. In a single rigid rod, the first end and the second end of the rigid rod are parallel to each other. During the movement of the keycap 310 up and down relative to the base plate 331, the first end of the rigid rod rotates relative to the keycap 310, and the second end of the rigid rod slides relative to the base plate 331. The pair of rigid rods cooperate to support and balance the keycap 310.

[0131] In assembling the rigid rod, the back surface 312 of the key cap 310 is provided with a plurality of pivot seats for pivoting the first end of the rigid rod. The base plate 331 is provided with a plurality of sliding grooves for slidingly assembling the second end of different rigid rods. In this way, the rigid rod is assembled between the base plate 331 and the key cap 310.

[0132] It should be noted that the specific structure of the rigid rod is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In a possible implementation, the rigid rod is a circular rod.

[0133] The above mainly introduces the telescopic structure (e.g., the scissor leg structure, the rigid rod structure) in the support assembly 320. The structure of the elastic body 400 in the support assembly 320 and various possible implementation manners of cooperation with other parts will be described below in conjunction with the drawings.

[0134] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 for a sectional view of the elastic body of the key in the embodiments of the present application.

[0135] As Figure 2a , Figure 2b , Figures 4-5 indicated, the support assembly 320 further includes an elastic body 400, which is located between the conductive film 332 and the key cap 310. The elastic body 400 includes a top portion 410 and a bottom portion 420. The top portion 410 is connected to the key cap 310, and the bottom portion 420 can be connected to the base plate assembly 330. The key cap 310 is pressed to compress the elastic body 400, and the top portion 410 of the compressed elastic body 400 abuts between the key cap 310 and the contact portion 3321 of the conductive film 332. In this way, the elastic body 400 is compressed to store energy when the key cap 310 is pressed, so that the circuit of the contact portion 3321 on the conductive film 332 is closed to realize the function conduction. When the key cap 310 is released, the elastic body 400 can reset the key cap 310.

[0136] It should be noted that the specific structure of the top portion 410 of the elastic body 400 is not limited. As Figure 4 and Figure 5 indicated, in a possible implementation, the top portion 410 of the elastic body 400 can include a top plate 411 and an actuating column 412. The actuating column 412 extends from the inner surface of the top plate 411 towards the conductive film 332, and is used to abut the contact portion 3321 of the conductive film 332.

[0137] It should be noted that the length of the actuating column 412 in the first direction z is not limited, and a person skilled in the art can reasonably set it according to the function implementation of the key 300. Further, the shape and size of the actuating column 412 are not limited. In a possible implementation, the actuating column 412 is a cylindrical body.

[0138] As Figure 4And Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 4B, the outer surface of the top plate 411 of the elastic body 400 is provided with a first groove 4111, that is, when the keycap 310 is pressed, due to the elastic deformation of the elastic body 400, the back surface 312 of the keycap 310 has a larger area of pressing surface with the top portion 410 of the elastic body 400, so that the pressure passing through the keycap 310 is uniformly transmitted to the top portion 410 of the elastic body 400, which is conducive to the stable compression deformation of the elastic body 400 and improves the repeatability of the deformation of the elastic body 400.

[0139] It should be noted that the relative position of the elastic body 400 and the telescopic structure mentioned above is not limited. For example, Figure 3a And Figure 3b As shown in FIG. 4B, in a possible implementation, the elastic body 400 is arranged in the middle portion of the first scissor leg 321 and the middle portion of the second scissor leg 322, so that the elastic body 400 can support the keycap 310 in cooperation with the first scissor leg 321 and the second scissor leg 322, and at the same time, the elastic body 400 can have enough space to store energy during pressing the key 300, so as to ensure that the elastic body 400 stably provides the rebound force and improves the reliability of the key 300. In another possible implementation, the elastic body 400 is located between the pair of rigid rods, and the elastic body 400 can support the keycap 310 in cooperation with the pair of rigid rods.

[0140] It should be noted that the material of the elastic body 400 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In a possible implementation, the elastic body 400 is made of silica gel material, so that the elastic body 400 can better provide comfortable rebound force and has good durability and is not easy to age. In other possible implementations, the elastic body 400 is made of rubber material, which can provide a good pressing feeling and is easy to process and recycle.

[0141] Further, the relative position relationship between the top portion 410 and the bottom portion 420 of the elastic body 400 is not limited. In a possible implementation, the projection of the top portion 410 of the elastic body 400 on the keycap 310 is located within the projection of the bottom portion 420 of the elastic body 400 on the keycap 310. In an example, Figure 4 And Figure 5As shown, the elastomer 400 is provided as a hollow conical frustum structure, wherein the conical frustum structure refers to a solid structure between two parallel planes after a cone, such as a circular cone, an elliptical cone, or a pyramid, is cut by the two parallel planes. According to the cut cone, the conical frustum can be a circular frustum, an elliptical frustum, or a prismatic frustum. In addition, the edges of the prismatic frustum can be provided with rounded corners. With this structure, the top 410 of the elastomer 400 has a small area and can be in full contact with the inner surface of the keycap 310, which is also conducive to supporting and stabilizing the keycap 310 with other support components 320 (such as the first and second scissor legs 321 and 322). In addition, the bottom 420 of the elastomer 400 has a large area, and the elastomer 400 is hollow, which can be better fixed on the substrate assembly 330. When the key 300 is pressed down, the elastomer 400 has sufficient deformation space and can better target the contact point 3321 to achieve functional conduction and improve the accuracy of user use of the key 300.

[0142] As shown in Figure 5 , the conical frustum elastomer 400 refers to the appearance of the elastomer 400 being generally conical frustum-shaped. The bottom of the conical frustum can have a mouth portion 421. The lateral cross-section of the elastomer 400 can be circular, elliptical, polygonal, rounded rectangular, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. In one example, as shown in Figure 5 , the elastomer 400 is a circular frustum with a mouth portion 421, i.e., the top 410 and the bottom 420 are both circular, the diameter of the top 410 is smaller than that of the bottom 420, and the bottom 420 has a mouth portion 421. In this way, during compression, the compressed part of the hollow circular frustum elastomer 400 can be partially accommodated in the mouth portion 421 by extruding the top 410, which is conducive to increasing the contact area of the elastic part and releasing part of the elastic force to the contacted other components (here, the conductive film 332 in the substrate assembly 330), reducing the wear of the elastomer 400, and increasing the key travel and improving the user experience.

[0143] As shown in Figure 5 , and in combination with Figures 7a-7cIt is to be understood that, in a possible implementation, the elastic body 400 further comprises a connecting portion 430 in the form of a ring, which is connected between the top portion 410 and the bottom portion 420. The connecting portion 430 comprises a first ring portion 431 and a second ring portion 432, the first ring portion 431 being a portion of the elastic body 400 that protrudes upward and contacts the keycap 310 after being compressed, and the second ring portion 432 being a portion of the elastic body 400 that protrudes downward and contacts the conductive film 332 after being compressed. The connecting portion 430 is provided in a ring structure, which is conducive to elastic deformation of the elastic body 400, so that the portion is compressed, thereby increasing the stroke. Alternatively, the elastic body 400 can be provided in the order of the top portion 410, the first ring portion 431, the second ring portion 432, and the bottom portion 420, and the bottom portion 420 has a mouth portion 421. In a possible implementation, the top portion 410, the first ring portion 431, the second ring portion 432, and the bottom portion 420 can be an integrally formed structure.

[0144] Specifically, when the keycap 310 is pressed to make the actuating column 412 of the elastic body 400 abut against the contact portion 3321, the first ring portion 431 protrudes toward the keycap 310 to form an upward protruding portion 431a, and the second ring portion 432 protrudes toward the substrate assembly 330 to form a downward protruding portion 432a. With this structure, the elastic body 400 in the key 300 can be in full contact with the keycap 310 and the substrate assembly 330, effectively conducting force, ensuring smoothness of the user's pressing process, and improving user experience.

[0145] The above mainly introduces the basic structure of the key 300. It is to be understood that the support assembly 320 is a main structural member for realizing functional conduction of the key 300. By pressing the keycap 310, the elastic body 400 is elastically deformed, and then the actuating column 412 of the elastic body 400 makes the circuit on the conductive film 332 closed, thereby realizing functional conduction. However, under the premise of overall thinning of the keyboard 200, the thickness of each key 300 is required to be increasingly thin, so that the key stroke is increasingly small, thereby affecting user experience. The following specifically describes a scheme of a reference design with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0146] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 for a schematic view of switching of a standing state of a key in a reference design to a compressed state.

[0147] As shown in Figure 6 , the keycap 310', the elastic body 400', the conductive film 332', and the substrate 331' in the key 300' are stacked in the first direction z'. The top portion 410' of the elastic body 400' is in contact with the keycap 310', and the bottom portion 420' of the elastic body 400' is in contact with the conductive film 332'. As shown in Figure 6As shown, when the keycap 310' is not pressed (i.e., the elastomer 400' is in a standing position), there is a first gap C' between the keycap 310' and the conductive film 332'. Figure 6 As shown, when the keycap 310' is pressed (i.e., the elastomer 400' is in a compressed state), the elastomer 400' is compressed and deformed. When the top 410' of the elastomer 400' abuts against the conductive film 332' and the elastomer 400' can no longer be compressed further, there is a second gap C1' between the keycap 310' and the conductive film 332', and the key's pressing stroke (i.e., key travel) R' is C'-C1'. However, with this structure, during the pressing of the keycap 310', because the elastomer 400' is restricted by the substrate 331', it cannot continue to deform and move downward after the elastomer 400' is compressed to a certain extent, thus making the key's pressing stroke relatively short.

[0148] Therefore, given the design requirement of making the keyboard 200' thinner and lighter (i.e., C' is smaller), it is impossible to guarantee that the keyboard has a sufficiently long key travel.

[0149] And, as Figure 6 As shown, when the keycap 310' is pressed, the elastomer 400' is compressed and deformed. Specifically, the outer surface of the elastomer 400' will elastically abut against the inner surface of the keycap 310', for example at position A'. This position is prone to interference with the keycap 310' and fatigue cracking. In addition, the inner surface of the elastomer 400' will elastically abut against the upper surface of the conductive film 332', for example at position B'. This position is prone to interference and compression cracking with the conductive film 332'. At this time, positions A' and B' are in hard contact. Therefore, during the repeated compression of the elastomer 400', fatigue damage to the elastomer 400' will occur, affecting the service life of the keycap 300'.

[0150] To address this issue, this application provides a key 300. By providing a first clearance hole 333, it is possible to ensure a sufficiently long key travel while maintaining a thin and lightweight keyboard design, thereby improving the user's feel and experience. Furthermore, by fully utilizing the space freed up inside the key 300 structure, both the conductive film 332 and the elastomer 400 can be accommodated within the first clearance hole 333. This reduces wear during the compression of the elastomer 400, thus extending the lifespan of both the elastomer 400 and the key 300.

[0151] Please see Figures 7a-7c , Figure 7a This is a schematic diagram illustrating the switching of a button from a standing state to a compressed state in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7b This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first state when the button is pressed in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7c This is a cross-sectional view of the second state when the button is pressed in an embodiment of this application.

[0152] As shown in Figure 7a , the substrate 331 is provided with a first avoiding hole 333 corresponding to the area of the elastic body 400. When the keycap 310 is pressed, the elastic body 400 can be compressed, and the conductive film 332 is extruded by the compressed elastic body 400 to protrude towards the direction of the first avoiding hole 333, and the top 410 of the compressed elastic body 400 abuts between the contact part 3321 of the keycap 310 and the conductive film 332, wherein the protruding part of the conductive film 332 is accommodated in the first avoiding hole 333 (see Figure 7b ), or the protruding part of the conductive film 332 and the part of the compressed elastic body 400 are accommodated in the first avoiding hole 333 (see Figure 7c ).

[0153] As shown in Figure 7a , that is, when the keycap 310 is not pressed, the keycap 310 and the conductive film 332 have a first distance C, and when the keycap 310 is pressed, the elastic body 400 is compressed to a certain extent, and then the compressed elastic body 400 can extrude the conductive film 332 to deform (i.e. protrude towards the direction of the first avoiding hole 333) due to the first avoiding hole 333 below without the restriction of the substrate 331, so that the conductive film 332 can be located inside the first avoiding hole 333, or the conductive film 332 and the compressed elastic body 400 can be located inside the first avoiding hole 333, wherein the thickness of the conductive film 332 and the elastic body 400 compressed into the first avoiding hole 333 can be understood as the increased stroke R of the key 300. Here or can be understood as the deformed part of the compressed elastic body 400 and the extruded conductive film 332 can be accommodated in the first avoiding hole 333 on the substrate 331, which can reduce the distance C1 between the keycap 310 and the conductive film 332, and the elastic body 400 will be compressed more completely, that is, the thickness of the elastic body 400 at the maximum compression will be smaller, and the second distance C1 between the keycap 310 and the conductive film 332 can also be reduced.

[0154] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7a , when the thickness of the key 300 is consistent, that is, C=C', the first avoiding hole 333 can be provided in the embodiment to reduce C1, so that C1 is less than C1', wherein the pressing stroke R of the key 300 is C-C1, so the pressing stroke of the key 300 can be increased. Further, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7aAs shown, the elastic compression is higher at positions A (where the outer surface of the elastomer 400 elastically contacts the inner surface of the keycap 310) and B (where the inner surface of the elastomer 400 elastically contacts the upper surface of the conductive film 332). However, the compression force at position A can be released through the elastomer 400 and the displaced conductive film 332, thereby helping to reduce elastic wear at positions A and B and improve the service life of the elastomer 400 and the keycap 300.

[0155] Therefore, by opening the first clearance hole 333 on the substrate 331, the conductive film 332 and the compressed elastomer 400 can be accommodated within the first clearance hole 333. On the one hand, while keeping the thickness of the key 300 unchanged, by releasing its internal space, the pressing stroke of the key 300 is further increased, which can bring more comfortable feedback to the user, thereby improving the comfort and smoothness of the user when pressing the key 300 and enhancing the user experience. This helps the keyboard 200 to have a sufficiently long key travel while maintaining its thinness. At the same time, the displacement of the conductive film 332 and the compressed elastomer 400 in the first clearance hole 333 can increase the maximum compression of the elastomer 400 when the keycap 310 is pressed, thereby increasing the rebound force provided by the elastomer 400 to the keycap 310, providing the user with clearer key feedback, allowing the user to input commands more easily and smoothly, and improving the user experience of the key 300. On the other hand, by opening the first clearance hole 333 on the substrate 331, the elastomer 400 is directly and effectively provided with a travel distance toward the substrate 331 in the first direction z. Therefore, while ensuring that the pressing travel of the key 300 meets the user's tactile feedback, the thickness of the keyboard 200 can be reduced. For example, by reducing the thickness of the keycap 310 or the support component 320, the pressing travel of the key 300 will not be reduced, thereby promoting the thinner and lighter design of the key 300 and the keyboard 200.

[0156] Furthermore, such as Figures 7a-7c As shown, the first clearance hole 333 can provide redundant space for the contact portion 3321 on the conductive film 332. That is, when there are impurities (such as sawdust, dust and other small particles) on the surface of the conductive film 332, the impurities will not squeeze the contact portion 3321 on the conductive film 332 due to the first clearance hole 333, and the function can be directly turned on, which improves the reliability and accuracy of the button 300.

[0157] Furthermore, when the elastomer 400 is compressed, part of it bulges upwards, pressing against the inner surface of the keycap 310, as... Figure 7cAs shown, when the elastomer 400 is compressed to the maximum compression state, the conductive film 332 and the compressed elastomer 400 can be located in the first relief hole 333, so that the extrusion force generated by the extrusion contact between the outer surface of the elastomer 400 and the inner surface of the keycap 310 can be released along the elastic deformation of the elastomer 400 towards the first relief hole 333, and the extrusion force generated by the contact between the inner surface of the elastomer 400 and the surface of the conductive film 332 can also be reduced due to the bending deformation of the conductive film 332 towards the first relief hole 333.

[0158] Briefly, as Figure 7b and Figure 7c shown, the upward protruding portion 431a of the first annular portion 431 in the elastomer 400 of the key 300 (i.e., position A in Figure 7a ) is in hard contact with the back surface 312 of the keycap 310 by elastic extrusion, but can be released to a certain extent by elastic force transmission to the second annular portion 432 and the conductive film 332, so that the elastomer 400 is not easy to wear, and the downward protruding portion 432a of the second annular portion 432 (i.e., position B in Figure 7a ) is in soft contact with the substrate assembly 330 by elastic extrusion, so that the elastomer 400 is not easy to wear. Therefore, by providing the first relief hole 333 on the substrate 331, the mutual extrusion between the elastomer 400 and the substrate assembly 330 can be reduced to cause fatigue failure of the elastomer 400, thereby reducing the wear of the elastomer 400 and increasing the service life of the key 300.

[0159] In summary, the key 300 provided by the embodiments of the present application can ensure that the key 300 has a long enough keystroke on the basis of the thin and light design of the keyboard 200, i.e., in the case that the thickness of each key 300 on the keyboard 200 is relatively small, thereby improving the user's hand feeling and use experience. Moreover, the space released by the first relief hole 333 in the key 300 is fully utilized, so that the conductive film 332 and the elastomer 400 can be partially accommodated in the first relief hole 333, and the wear can be reduced in the process of extruding the elastomer 400, thereby improving the service life of the elastomer 400 and the key 300.

[0160] It should be noted that the specific positions of the first relief hole 333 and the elastomer 400 are not limited. In one possible implementation manner, as Figure 4 and Figure 7cAs shown, the first avoiding hole 333 extends from the first surface 3311 of the substrate 331 towards the second surface 3312, and has a first opening 3333 on the first surface 3311 of the substrate 331, and a projection of the elastic body 400 on the first surface 3311 of the substrate 331 is entirely located in the first opening 3333. In this way, the elastic body 400 can be partially accommodated in the first avoiding hole 333 during compression. The specific structure of the first avoiding hole 333 will be described below in combination with the drawings.

[0161] As shown in Figure 7b and Figure 7c understood in combination with Figure 8 and Figure 9a in a possible implementation, in a plane perpendicular to the first direction z, the wall surface of the first avoiding hole 333 is entirely located on the outer circumferential side of the elastic body 400. That is, during pressing of the key 300, the continuously compressed elastic body 400 can be partially displaced into the first avoiding hole 333, that is, the first avoiding hole 333 can wrap part of the elastic body 400, so that the elastic body 400 can be entirely moved in the first direction z in the first avoiding hole 333 during pressing of the key 300, which is beneficial to increase the stroke and improve the user experience.

[0162] In other possible implementations, the wall surface of the first avoiding hole 333 can also be partially located on the outer circumferential side of the elastic body 400, that is, part of the wall surface of the first avoiding hole 333 close to the first opening 3333 is located on the outer circumferential side of the elastic body 400, so that the continuously compressed elastic body 400 can still be partially displaced into the first avoiding hole 333, and part of the wall surface of the first avoiding hole 333 is located in the projection area of the elastic body 400 on the first plane (for example, see the part of the first avoiding hole 333 away from the first opening 3333 shown in Figure 10c which is located in the projection area of the elastic body 400 on the first plane), which can improve the structural reliability of the first avoiding hole 333. The first plane is a plane perpendicular to the first direction z.

[0163] Further, as shown in Figure 7b and Figure 7cAs shown, in one possible implementation, the shape of the first clearance hole 333 matches the shape of the bottom 420 of the elastomer 400. In this case, the structural design of the first clearance hole 333 is simple, allowing for better coordination with the movement of the elastomer 400, simplifying the manufacturing process, and simultaneously controlling the area occupied by the first clearance hole 333 on the substrate 331, while also considering the structural strength of the substrate 331 and ensuring reliability. It should be noted that the specific shape of the first clearance hole 333 is not limited. In one example, the elastomer 400 is frustum-shaped, i.e., the bottom 420 is circular. In this case, the first clearance hole 333 can be configured as a circular hole to match the bottom 420 of the elastomer 400, and there is a uniform gap between the first clearance hole 333 and the bottom 420 of the elastomer 400, i.e., the center of the first clearance hole 333 coincides with or approximately coincides with the center of the bottom 420 of the elastomer 400, which can better realize the displacement of the elastomer 400 in the first direction z.

[0164] In other possible implementations, the shape of the first clearance hole 333 may not match the shape of the bottom 420 of the elastomer 400. In one example, the outer wall of the bottom 420 of the elastomer 400 is circular. In this case, the shape of the first clearance hole 333 is not limited. Specifically, the first opening 3333 in the first clearance hole 333 can be square, elliptical, polygonal, etc. Those skilled in the art can design it according to the actual situation.

[0165] Furthermore, such as Figure 7c As shown, in one possible implementation, the projection of the first clearance hole 333 onto the keycap 310 is located at the center 313 of the keycap 310, such that the center of the first clearance hole 333 coincides with the center of the keycap 310 in the first direction z. This improves the smoothness of keystrokes 300 and enhances the user experience. In other possible implementations, the projection of the first clearance hole 333 onto the keycap 310 may be partially located at the center 313 of the keycap 310, or it may not be located at the center 313. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this. The center 313 of the keycap 310 can be understood as the area where the center of the keycap 310 is located.

[0166] It should be noted that in one possible implementation, such as Figure 2a and Figure 4 As shown, the first clearance hole 333 is located on a plane perpendicular to the first direction z, and can be independently and spaced apart from multiple second clearance holes 334, with the first clearance hole 333 situated between the multiple second clearance holes 334. In this case, the first clearance hole 333 and the second clearance holes 334 do not interfere with each other, ensuring functional implementation while also maintaining the structural strength of the substrate 331, thus improving the reliability of the button 300 application.

[0167] In other possible implementation manners, the first avoiding hole 333 can also share an opening with the partial second avoiding hole 334, and the partial second avoiding hole 334 is independently arranged with the first avoiding hole 333, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In one example, the first avoiding hole 333 can share an opening with the first mounting hole 3341 or the second mounting hole 3342, and a clamping hook part cooperating with the related components in the support assembly 320 is arranged on the circumferential side of the first avoiding hole 333.

[0168] The specific function and configuration of the first avoiding hole 333 are mainly described above, and the specific structure of the first avoiding hole 333 will be introduced below.

[0169] Please refer to Figures 8-9b , Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the first avoiding hole of the key in the embodiments of the present application, Figure 9a FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another implementation manner of the first avoiding hole 333 of the key 300 in the embodiments of the present application, Figure 9b is Figure 9a a schematic sectional view in the A-A direction.

[0170] Those skilled in the art can understand that the specific structure of the first avoiding hole 333 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application, and thus the designer can specifically select according to the actual demand.

[0171] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, Figure 4 and Figure 8 in one possible implementation manner, the first avoiding hole 333 is a through hole, that is, the first avoiding hole 333 extends from the first surface 3311 to the second surface 3312 of the substrate 331, and at this time, the first avoiding hole 333 also has a second opening on the second surface 3312 of the substrate 331. In this way, the key 300 can have a larger stroke during pressing, and the processing is simple and the cost is low.

[0172] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, Figure 9a and Figure 9b in another possible implementation manner, the first avoiding hole 333 is a blind hole, which can increase the pressing stroke of the key 300, and at the same time, the overall structural strength of the substrate 331 can be considered, and the reliability of the keyboard can be improved.

[0173] Please refer to Figures 10a-10f , Figures 10a-10f FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another implementation manner of the first avoiding hole of the key.

[0174] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, Figures 10a-10fAs shown in the drawings, the extension path of the first avoiding hole 333 in the first direction is not limited, and a person skilled in the art can reasonably set it according to actual needs. Specifically, the first avoiding hole 333 has a first end 3331 and a second end 3332 oppositely arranged in the first direction z, and the first end 3331 is a first opening 3333. In one possible implementation, as shown in Figure 10a and Figure 10b As shown in the drawings, the first avoiding hole 333 extends from the first end 3331 to the second end 3332 along a straight line, which is beneficial to processing implementation, saves production cost, and ensures structural stability.

[0175] Further, the present application does not limit the extension direction of the straight line. In one possible implementation, as shown in Figure 10a the first avoiding hole 333 extends from the first end 3331 to the second end 3332 along a straight line, and the straight line is parallel to the first direction z. At this time, the first avoiding hole 333 has a simple structure, which is beneficial to shorten the process flow. In another possible implementation, as shown in Figure 10b the first avoiding hole 333 extends from the first end 3331 to the second end 3332 along a straight line, and the straight line is inclined relative to the first direction z.

[0176] In other possible implementations, as shown in Figure 10c the first avoiding hole 333 extends from the first end 3331 to the second end 3332 along a broken line. Specifically, the present application does not limit the number of broken lines. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 10d-10f the first avoiding hole 333 extends from the first end 3331 to the second end 3332 along a curve. A person skilled in the art can understand that the present application does not limit the specific processing technology and processing precision of the first avoiding hole 333. The curve is, for example, a wavy line as shown in Figure 10d , or an arc shape that arches towards the center of the avoiding hole as shown in Figure 10e , or an arc shape that arches away from the center of the avoiding hole as shown in Figure 10f , which is beneficial to the processing implementation of the first avoiding hole, and can better take into account the structural strength of the side of the first avoiding hole 333, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the substrate 331 and improving the reliability of the key 300.

[0177] Obviously, a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A key, characterized in that The keycap, the support assembly and the substrate assembly are sequentially stacked in a first direction, and the support assembly is used to support the keycap to move in the first direction relative to the substrate assembly; The substrate assembly comprises a conductive film and a substrate stacked in the first direction, the conductive film is located on the side of the substrate facing the support assembly, and has a contact part, the substrate has a first surface and a second surface arranged oppositely along the thickness direction thereof, and the first surface is arranged to face the conductive film; The support assembly comprises an elastic body, which is located between the conductive film and the keycap and comprises a top part and a bottom part; The substrate is provided with a first avoiding hole corresponding to the region of the elastic body, the first avoiding hole extends from the first surface of the substrate to the direction of the second surface, and the first avoiding hole has a first opening on the first surface of the substrate, and the projection of the elastic body on the first surface of the substrate is entirely located in the first opening; When the keycap is pressed, the elastic body is compressed, the conductive film is extruded by the compressed elastic body to protrude in the direction of the first avoiding hole, and the top part of the compressed elastic body abuts between the keycap and the contact part of the conductive film, wherein the protruding part of the conductive film is accommodated in the first avoiding hole, or the protruding part of the conductive film and the part of the compressed elastic body are accommodated in the first avoiding hole.

2. The key of claim 1, wherein The first avoiding hole is a blind hole or a through hole.

3. The key of claim 1, wherein The first avoiding hole has a first end and a second end arranged oppositely in the first direction, the first end is the first opening, and the first avoiding hole extends from the first end to the second end along at least one of a straight line, a broken line and a curve.

4. The key of claim 3, wherein The first avoiding hole extends from the first end to the second end along a straight line, and the straight line is parallel to the first direction.

5. The key of claim 1, wherein In a plane perpendicular to the first direction, the wall surface of the first avoiding hole is entirely located on the outer circumferential side of the elastic body.

6. The key of claim 1, wherein The shape of the first avoiding hole matches the shape of the bottom part of the elastic body.

7. The key of claim 1, wherein The projection of the first avoiding hole on the keycap is located in the central part of the keycap.

8. The key of claim 1, wherein The projection of the top part of the elastic body on the keycap is located in the projection of the bottom part on the keycap. The top part comprises a top plate and an actuating column, the actuating column extends from the inner surface of the top plate to the direction of the conductive film, and the actuating column is used to abut the contact part of the conductive film. The elastic body further comprises a connecting part in the form of a ring, the connecting part is connected between the top part and the bottom part, the connecting part comprises a first ring part and a second ring part, the first ring part is the part of the elastic body protruding upward and contacting the keycap after being compressed, and the second ring part is the part of the elastic body protruding downward and contacting the conductive film after being compressed.

9. The key of claim 1, wherein The elastic body is in the form of a hollow conical frustum structure, and the material of the elastic body is silicone or rubber. The substrate is a rigid plate.

10. The key of claim 1, wherein The support assembly further comprises a first scissor leg and a second scissor leg pivotally connected to each other, two ends of the first scissor leg are movably connected to the base plate and the key cap respectively, two ends of the second scissor leg are movably connected to the base plate and the key cap respectively, and the elastic body is arranged in the middle of the first scissor leg and the middle of the second scissor leg; or The support assembly further comprises a pair of rigid rods arranged in pairs, the elastic body is located between the pair of rigid rods, and a first end of each rigid rod is pivotally connected to the key cap and a second end of each rigid rod is slidably installed on the base plate, or a first end of each rigid rod is slidably installed on the key cap and a second end of each rigid rod is pivotally connected to the base plate.

11. The key of any of claims 1-10, wherein The base plate is provided with a plurality of second avoiding holes in the region corresponding to the key cap, the first avoiding hole and the plurality of second avoiding holes are independently and spacedly arranged in a plane perpendicular to the first direction, and the first avoiding hole is located between the plurality of second avoiding holes.

12. A keyboard, characterized by The keyboard comprises the key as claimed in any one of claims 1-11.

13. An electronic device, comprising: The keyboard comprises the key as claimed in claim 12.

14. An electronic device assembly comprising an electronic device, characterized by The keyboard comprises the key as claimed in claim 12, and the keyboard is communicatively connected to the electronic device.

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