Optical mechanical keyboard switch
By using an optical-mechanical keyboard switch design, which utilizes a grating plate and a photosensitive element to determine the travel distance, the problem of unstable function and slow response of traditional keyboard switches is solved, resulting in faster response speed and longer service life.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520168142.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-24
AI Technical Summary
Traditional keyboard switches suffer from unstable function, long travel distance, and slow response time due to factors such as wear, oxidation, and corrosion; magnetic and infrared keyboard switches have problems with low precision or high cost.
It adopts an optical-mechanical keyboard switch design, which uses light signals to determine the travel distance through the cooperation of grating plate and photosensitive element, shortening the button travel distance, improving response speed and consistency, and extending the switch life.
This reduces the button travel distance, improves response speed and overall consistency, and extends the switch's lifespan.
Smart Images
Figure CN223785055U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of keyboard technology, specifically to an optical-mechanical keyboard switch. Background Technology
[0002] With technological advancements, people have increasingly higher demands for keyboards. Especially with the development of the e-sports industry, the requirements for keyboard switch actuation distance, actuation time, actuation force, overall consistency, and switch lifespan are becoming increasingly stringent.
[0003] Traditional keyboard switches achieve connection and disconnection through the contact of positive and negative contacts. Due to factors such as wear, oxidation, and corrosion, the contact can become unstable. The keyboard switch button needs to be pressed down to the bottom to achieve contact between the positive and negative contacts, resulting in a long travel distance and slow response time.
[0004] Magnetic keyboard switches obtain travel information by sensing the magnitude of magnetic flux and output a switch signal, which solves the functional instability caused by physical connection. However, because the change of magnetic flux is unstable, such as assembly errors, gaps, magnet angles, etc., the judgment of magnetic flux cannot be very accurate.
[0005] Infrared photosensitive keypad switches achieve switching signals by blocking the light source and causing the photosensitive element to switch on and off, thus solving the problem of functional instability caused by physical connections. However, they cannot change the switch travel distance.
[0006] The simulated infrared switch partially blocks the infrared signal using a trapezoidal light-blocking plate, and determines the switch travel by sensing the strength of the infrared signal. This solves the negative effects of the three types of switches mentioned above. However, it requires very high processing precision, and insufficient processing precision will lead to consistency errors. At the same time, the subsequent ADC circuitry results in a higher overall cost. Utility Model Content
[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an optical-mechanical keyboard switch. This structure can shorten the switch travel, improve response speed, determine travel direction, enhance overall consistency, and extend switch life.
[0008] An optical-mechanical keyboard switch includes a base, a button, a top cover, a light-emitting element, and a photosensitive element. The base has two cavities, a first cavity and a second cavity. A baffle plate is disposed within the second cavity, dividing the second cavity into a rear cavity and a front cavity. The light-emitting element is disposed in the front cavity, and the photosensitive element is disposed in the rear cavity. The button is disposed within the first cavity. The top cover is connected to the base. An elastic element connects the button to the bottom wall of the first cavity, allowing the button to move downwards through the top cover. A communication opening exists between the first cavity and the front cavity. A grating plate is connected to the button, extending into the front cavity, and is located between the light-emitting element and the baffle plate.
[0009] The shield has two horizontally distributed light-transmitting holes. The photosensitive element has two photoelectric sensors, which correspond to the two light-transmitting holes respectively. The grating plate has two horizontally distributed groups of light-passing holes, each group including multiple vertically distributed light-passing holes. The two groups of light-passing holes have different heights, and each group of light-passing holes corresponds one-to-one with a light-transmitting hole. In the initial state, the groups of light-passing holes are located above the light-transmitting holes. Pressing the button causes the grating plate to move downwards. When the light-passing holes correspond to the light-transmitting holes, the photoelectric sensors can receive the light signal from the light-emitting body and convert it into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the MCU.
[0010] Preferably, the height of the left light-passing aperture group is lower than the height of the right light-passing aperture group.
[0011] Preferably, the bottom wall of the button has a cavity, the top wall of the cavity is connected to a pin, the bottom wall of the cavity is connected to a fixing cylinder, and the bottom end of the pin enters the fixing cylinder.
[0012] Preferably, the elastic element is a spring, and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the top wall of the bottom cavity and the bottom wall of the cavity.
[0013] Preferably, the side wall of the button is connected to a mounting plate, and the grating plate is connected to the mounting plate.
[0014] Preferably, the mounting plate is provided with a mounting groove, and the right end of the grating plate enters the mounting groove.
[0015] Preferably, a fixing plate is connected to the base, the fixing plate has a sliding groove with an open upper end, a slider is connected to the side wall of the button, the slider enters the sliding groove, and the upper cover closes the upper end of the sliding groove.
[0016] Preferably, the multiple light-passing holes in the light-passing hole group are evenly distributed longitudinally.
[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are reflected in the following: In this technical solution, through the cooperation of various components, in the initial state, the two light-passing hole groups are respectively located above the two light-transmitting holes. When in use, pressing down on the button causes the grating plate to move downward. When the light-passing hole moves downward to correspond with the light-transmitting hole, the photoelectric sensor can receive the light signal from the light-emitting body and convert the light signal into an electrical signal and transmit it to the MCU. The MCU can then recognize the button's action. In this way, the button does not need to be pressed down to the bottom. As long as the light-passing hole aligns with the light-transmitting hole, the MCU can receive the button's pressed signal. This shortens the button travel, shortens the trigger time, and improves the response speed. Attached Figure Description
[0018] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;
[0020] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the top cover and button removed in this utility model;
[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the bottom of the upper cover in this utility model;
[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall rear structure of the upper cover, light-emitting element, and photosensitive element removed from this utility model.
[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the front overall structure of the upper cover, light-emitting element, and photosensitive element removed in this utility model.
[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the grating plate in this utility model;
[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the shield in this utility model.
[0027] In the attached diagram, 1-base, 2-button, 3-elastic element, 4-top cover, 5-light source, 6-grating plate, 7-shielding plate, 8-photosensitive element, 9-cavity one, 10-rear cavity, 11-front cavity, 12-light transmission hole, 13-connecting port, 14-light passage hole, 15-bottom cavity, 16-pin, 17-fixed cylinder, 18-mounting plate, 19-fixed plate, 20-slide groove, 21-slider. Detailed Implementation
[0028] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0029] It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the technical or scientific terms used in this application shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this utility model pertains.
[0030] Example 1
[0031] like Figure 1-8 As shown, this embodiment provides an optical-mechanical keyboard switch, including a base 1, a button 2, a top cover 4, a light-emitting element 5, and a photosensitive element 8. The base 1 has a first cavity 9 and a second cavity. A cover plate 7 is disposed in the second cavity, dividing the second cavity into a rear cavity 10 and a front cavity 11. The light-emitting element 5 is disposed in the front cavity 11, and the photosensitive element 8 is disposed in the rear cavity 10. The button 2 is disposed in the first cavity 9. The top cover 4 is connected to the base 1. An elastic element 3 connects the button 2 to the bottom wall of the first cavity 9. The button 2 moves through the top cover 4 and can move downwards. A communication port 13 is provided between the first cavity 9 and the front cavity 11. A grating plate 6 is connected to the button 2, and the grating plate 6 enters the front cavity 11. The grating plate 6 is located between the light-emitting element 5 and the cover plate 7.
[0032] The shield 7 has two horizontally distributed light-transmitting holes 12. The photosensitive element 8 has two photoelectric sensors, which correspond to the two light-transmitting holes 12 respectively. The grating plate 6 has two horizontally distributed light-passing hole groups, which include multiple vertically distributed light-passing holes 14. The heights of the two light-passing hole groups are different. The light-passing hole groups correspond one-to-one with the light-transmitting holes 12. In the initial state, the light-passing hole groups are located above the light-transmitting holes 12. When the button 2 is pressed, the grating plate 6 moves downward. When the light-passing holes 14 correspond to the light-transmitting holes 12, the photoelectric sensors can receive the light signals from the light-emitting body 5 and convert them into electrical signals, which are then transmitted to the MCU.
[0033] In this embodiment, the light-passing aperture group and the light-transmitting aperture 12 correspond one-to-one, meaning that the light-passing aperture 14 in the two light-passing aperture groups can correspond to the two light-transmitting apertures 12 respectively during the downward movement. That is, the left light-passing aperture 14 can correspond to the left light-transmitting aperture 12, and the right light-passing aperture 14 can correspond to the right light-transmitting aperture 12.
[0034] In this embodiment, the height of the left-side aperture group is lower than the height of the right-side aperture group. In this embodiment, the multiple apertures 14 within the aperture group are evenly distributed longitudinally. The statement that the left-side aperture group is lower than the right-side aperture group means that, from top to bottom, the height of the first aperture 14 in the left-side aperture group is lower than the height of the first aperture 14 in the right-side aperture group. The height of the second aperture 14 in the left-side aperture group is lower than the height of the second aperture 14 in the right-side aperture group, and so on. Specifically, it can be further specified that the height of the first aperture 14 in the left-side aperture group is higher than the height of the second aperture 14 in the right-side aperture group.
[0035] In this embodiment, the two light-transmitting holes 12 on the shield 7 are at the same height.
[0036] In this embodiment, through the cooperation of various components, in the initial state, the two light-passing hole groups are respectively located above the two light-transmitting holes 12. When in use, pressing down on button 2 causes the grating plate 6 to move downward. The grating plate 6 causes the light-passing hole groups to move downward. When the light-passing hole 14 moves downward to correspond with the light-transmitting hole 12, the photoelectric sensor can receive the light signal from the light-emitting body 5 and convert the light signal into an electrical signal and transmit it to the MCU. The MCU can then recognize the action of button 2. In this way, button 2 does not need to be pressed down to the bottom. As long as the light-passing hole 14 corresponds with the light-transmitting hole 12, the MCU can receive the signal of button pressing down. This shortens the travel of button 2, shortens the trigger time, and improves the response speed.
[0037] Each light-passing hole 14 can trigger a signal once when it corresponds to the light-transmitting hole 12. In actual use, it can be set that when any light-passing hole 14 in the left light-passing hole group (e.g., the third light-passing hole 14 below) corresponds to the light-transmitting hole 12, that is, when the left photoelectric sensor receives the third light signal, the MCU responds. In this way, the user can set the travel of button 2 according to their own triggering force and actual needs.
[0038] In this embodiment, the mechanical structure of the grating plate 6 and the cover plate 7 ensures that the switches on the entire keyboard are consistent. Unlike the contact reaction of spring contacts, this technical solution does not involve mechanical contact during the reaction, thus eliminating wear and improving the overall lifespan.
[0039] Since the height of the left light-passing hole group is lower than that of the right light-passing hole group, the photosensitive element 8 has two photoelectric sensors. The two photoelectric sensors correspond to the two light-transmitting holes 12 respectively. The photoelectric sensors can receive light signals and convert them into electrical signals and transmit them to the MCU. When moving downward, the left light-passing hole 14 corresponds to the light-transmitting hole 12 before the right light-passing hole 14. During the upward movement, the right light-passing hole 14 corresponds to the light-transmitting hole 12 before the left light-passing hole 14. In this way, the MCU can determine the travel direction of the button 2 based on the order of the signals emitted by the two photoelectric sensors on the photosensitive element 8. The MCU only responds when the button 2 moves downward and does not respond when the button 2 moves upward.
[0040] In this embodiment, the spacing between two adjacent light-passing holes 14 in the light-passing hole group within the grating plate 6 can be set according to user requirements, so that customers can customize any stroke trigger switch response between 0.05mm and 4mm.
[0041] In this embodiment, the bottom wall of the button 2 has a cavity 15, and the top wall of the cavity 15 is connected to a pin 16. The bottom wall of the cavity 9 is connected to a fixing cylinder 17, and the bottom end of the pin 16 enters the fixing cylinder 17. In this embodiment, the pin 16 is set to enter the fixing cylinder 17, which restricts the pin 16 to move only up and down, thus ensuring the stability of the button 2's movement.
[0042] In this embodiment, the elastic element 3 is a spring, and its two ends are connected to the top wall of the bottom cavity 15 and the bottom wall of the cavity 9, respectively. In this embodiment, the elastic element 3 is a spring. When the button 2 moves downward, the spring is compressed. When the external force disappears, the elastic restoring force of the spring is used to make the button 2 return to the initial position.
[0043] In this embodiment, the side wall of the button 2 is connected to the mounting plate 18, and the grating plate 6 is connected to the mounting plate 18. In this embodiment, the mounting plate 18 is provided with a mounting groove, and the right end of the grating plate 6 enters the mounting groove to connect with the mounting plate 18, thus achieving the connection between the grating plate 6 and the button 2.
[0044] In this embodiment, a fixing plate 19 is connected to the base 1. The fixing plate 19 has a sliding groove 20 with an open top. A slider 21 is connected to the side wall of the button 2. The slider 21 enters the sliding groove 20, and the upper cover 4 closes the upper end of the sliding groove 20. In this embodiment, the slider 21 and the sliding groove 20 are designed to cooperate to further improve the stability of the button 2's up and down movement. At the same time, the upper cover 4 closes the top of the sliding groove 20, limiting the highest position of the slider 21 and thus limiting the highest position of the button 2, so that the button 2 can return to its initial position when it rebounds after being pressed down.
[0045] Specifically, a shift register is connected to every four key switches on the keyboard, and all shift registers are cascaded to the MCU, which greatly reduces the number of pins on the MCU.
[0046] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this utility model.
Claims
1. An optical-mechanical keyboard switch, characterized in that, The device includes a base (1), a button (2), a top cover (4), a light-emitting element (5), and a photosensitive element (8). The base (1) has a first cavity (9) and a second cavity. A baffle (7) is provided in the second cavity, which divides the second cavity into a rear cavity (10) and a front cavity (11). The light-emitting element (5) is located in the front cavity (11), the photosensitive element (8) is located in the rear cavity (10), and the button (2) is located in the first cavity (9). Inside, the upper cover (4) is connected to the base (1), and an elastic element (3) is connected between the button (2) and the bottom wall of the cavity (9). The button (2) moves through the upper cover (4) and can move downward. There is a communication port (13) between the cavity (9) and the front cavity (11). A grating plate (6) is connected to the button (2). The grating plate (6) enters the front cavity (11) and is located between the light emitter (5) and the shield (7). The shield (7) is provided with two horizontally distributed light-transmitting holes (12). The photosensitive element (8) has two photoelectric sensors, which correspond to the two light-transmitting holes (12) respectively. The grating plate (6) has two horizontally distributed light-passing hole groups, which include multiple vertically distributed light-passing holes (14). The heights of the two light-passing hole groups are different. The light-passing hole groups correspond one-to-one with the light-transmitting holes (12). In the initial state, the light-passing hole groups are located above the light-transmitting holes (12). Pressing the button (2) drives the grating plate (6) to move downward. When the light-passing holes (14) correspond to the light-transmitting holes (12), the photoelectric sensors can receive the light signals from the light-emitting body (5) and convert them into electrical signals to be transmitted to the MCU.
2. The optical-mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the left aperture group is lower than the height of the right aperture group.
3. The optical-mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom wall of the button (2) has a bottom cavity (15), the top wall of the bottom cavity (15) is connected to a pin (16), the bottom wall of the cavity (9) is connected to a fixing cylinder (17), and the bottom end of the pin (16) enters the fixing cylinder (17).
4. The optical-mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elastic element (3) is a spring, and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the top wall of the bottom cavity (15) and the bottom wall of the cavity (9).
5. An optical-mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side wall of the button (2) is connected to the mounting plate (18), and the grating plate (6) is connected to the mounting plate (18).
6. An optical-mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mounting plate (18) is provided with a mounting groove, and the right end of the grating plate (6) enters the mounting groove.
7. An optical-mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, A fixing plate (19) is connected to the base (1). The fixing plate (19) has a sliding groove (20) with an open top. A slider (21) is connected to the side wall of the button (2). The slider (21) enters the sliding groove (20). The top cover (4) closes the top of the sliding groove (20).
8. An optical-mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple light-passing holes (14) in the light-passing hole group are evenly distributed longitudinally.