Thin inductance type shaft body structure
By incorporating a thin inductive switch structure with a tapered metal component on the side of the guide core, the wear and height issues of mechanical key switches are resolved, enabling precise conduction and multi-level signal output, thus meeting the needs of thin keyboards.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423152539.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing mechanical key switches suffer from issues such as material wear, accidental activation, or failure to make contact, and cannot achieve multi-level signal output. In addition, conventional inductive switches have a relatively high structure, which cannot meet the needs of thin keyboards.
It adopts a thin inductive shaft structure, and uses a tapered metal part set on the side of the guide core to achieve contactless conduction through electromagnetic induction. Combined with the tapered design, it can achieve fine graded signal output, and the metal part is set on the side of the guide core to reduce the shaft height.
It achieves wear-free operation, precise conduction, and multi-level signal output, meeting the usage requirements of thin keyboards.
Smart Images
Figure CN223785086U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model relates to key switch technical field especially relates to a thin inductive shaft structure. BACKGROUND
[0002] At present, many common key switches on the market are mechanical structures, when being pressed by external force, the moving piece and the static piece contact, resulting in short circuit and signal emission, realizing corresponding operation. The combination contact mode of the moving piece and the static piece has the disadvantage of material wear, especially the contact surface of the moving piece and the static piece is worn out with increasing use, therefore, as the use time of the key switch gradually increases, the problem of accidental touch or failure to contact also occurs frequently, which is not conducive to daily use.
[0003] Moreover, another disadvantage of the mechanical structure key switch is that only one switching point is provided in each actuation, that is, each actuation at a certain point triggers exactly one signal. Therefore, variable signals cannot be realized in a multi-level or fine grading or even stepless manner, and the use demand of multi-level signal output of users cannot be met.
[0004] Moreover, the conventional inductive shaft body sets the actuating piece at the lower end of the guide core, resulting in high overall height, which cannot meet the use demand of people in the use environment of notebook computers and other thin keyboard requiring environments, and the application range is small. UTILITY MODEL CONTENTS
[0005] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies, the purpose of the utility model is to provide a thin inductive shaft structure, which effectively ensures the linear conduction of the shaft body, does not need direct contact, reduces wear and tear, and realizes fine grading, thereby meeting the use demand of multi-level signal output, and the structure of setting the metal piece on the side edge of the guide core reduces the overall height of the shaft body, achieves the purpose of lightness and thinness, and meets the use demand of people on the height of the keyboard.
[0006] The technical scheme adopted by the utility model to achieve the above-mentioned purpose is as follows:
[0007] A thin inductive shaft structure, comprising a base, an upper cover covering the base, a guide core extending upwards and penetrating out of the upper cover and being arranged in the base and the upper cover, and a return spring with the upper end abutting against the guide core and the lower end abutting against the base, further comprising a metal piece arranged on the side edge of the guide core and being overall conical with the diameter decreasing from top to bottom, the side edge of the guide core is provided with a mounting piece, the upper end of the metal piece is arranged in the mounting piece, and the base is formed with a through channel for the metal piece to penetrate downwards.
[0008] As a further improvement of the present application, the metal piece comprises an embedded part embedded in the mounting part, and an induction part with a whole tapering diameter decreasing from top to bottom.
[0009] As a further improvement of the present application, the induction part comprises a first induction end connected to the embedded part at the top end and with a whole tapering diameter decreasing from top to bottom, and a second induction end integrally formed at the lower end of the first induction end and with a consistent diameter from top to bottom.
[0010] As a further improvement of the present application, the diameter of the uppermost end of the first induction end is larger than that of the embedded part, and the diameter of the lowermost end of the first induction end is equal to that of the second induction end.
[0011] As a further improvement of the present application, a mounting groove is formed in the middle of the mounting part for embedding the embedded part.
[0012] As a further improvement of the present application, the outer periphery of the lower end surface of the mounting groove is formed with a mounting inclined guide surface extending from the lower outer direction to the upper inside of the mounting groove.
[0013] As a further improvement of the present application, the diameter of the mounting groove is smaller than that of the uppermost end of the first induction end.
[0014] The present application has the following beneficial effects:
[0015] The shaft body structure is provided with a base, a cover combined with the base, a guide core arranged in the base and the cover and extending upward through the cover, and a reset spring with an upper end abutting against the guide core and a lower end abutting against the base, and a metal piece arranged on the side of the guide core and tapering in diameter from top to bottom.
[0016] The utility model is further described below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments. DRAWINGS
[0017] Figure 1 It is a front view of the utility model;
[0018] Figure 2 It is a bottom view of the utility model;
[0019] Figure 3 It is an exploded view of the utility model;
[0020] Figure 4 It is a structure view of the metal piece arranged on the mounting piece;
[0021] Figure 5 It is a structure view of the metal piece;
[0022] Figure 6 It is a structure view of the mounting piece on the guide core;
[0023] In the figure: 1, base; 11, through channel; 2, upper cover; 3, guide core; 4, reset spring; 5, metal piece; 51, embedded part; 52, sensing part; 521, first sensing end; 522, second sensing end; 6, mounting piece; 61, mounting groove; 62, mounting inclined guide surface; 7, circuit board; 71, coil; 72, hole position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In order to further clarify the technical means and effects taken by the utility model to achieve the predetermined purpose, the specific embodiments of the utility model are described in detail below in combination with the drawings and preferred embodiments.
[0025] In the description of the utility model, it is understood that the directions or position relationships indicated by the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like are based on the directions or position relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the utility model and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements indicated must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the utility model.
[0026] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first" and "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the utility model, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise specifically limited.
[0027] In the utility model, unless otherwise specifically defined and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connection", "fixing" and the like should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; 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 or interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0028] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6This utility model provides a thin inductive shaft structure, including a base 1, an upper cover 2 covering the base 1, a guide core 3 disposed in the base 1 and the upper cover 2 and extending upward through the upper cover 2, and a return spring 4 with its upper end pressing against the guide core 3 and its lower end pressing against the base 1. It also includes a metal part 5 disposed on the side of the guide core 3 and having a tapered shape with its diameter decreasing from top to bottom. A mounting part 6 is disposed on the side of the guide core 3, and the upper end of the metal part 5 is inserted into the mounting part 6. A through channel 11 is formed on the base 1 for the metal part 5 to pass downward through.
[0029] This shaft structure is mounted on mechanical devices such as keyboards. The circuit board 7 of these devices has a coil 71 and a hole 72 for the metal component 5 to pass through. The metal component 5, the through-channel 11, and the hole 72 on the circuit board 7 are on the same radial vertical line, effectively ensuring the accuracy of conduction. When current passes through the coil 71, a certain electromagnetic field is generated. When an external force presses the guide core 3, the guide core 3 drives the mounting part 6 and the metal component 5 mounted on the mounting part 6 to move downwards synchronously. The metal component 5 passes through the through-channel 11 and approaches the coil 71, inducing a signal in the conductor within the electromagnetic field range, thereby transmitting a signal outwards. By setting the metal component 5 in a conical shape, the closer it is to the coil 71, the stronger the induction effect, thus ensuring linear conduction, eliminating the need for direct contact, reducing wear, improving conduction accuracy, and allowing different strokes to correspond to different operating signals, thereby achieving fine-grained classification and meeting the needs of multi-level signal output. By placing the metal part 5 on the side of the guide core 3, compared to the structure in the market where the actuator is placed below the guide core 3, it saves more space and reduces height, thereby reducing the overall height of the switch and achieving a thinner design, meeting people's needs for keyboard height. The sensing principle of the coil 71, the circuit board 7 on the keyboard, and the connection method between the circuit board 7 and the coil 71 are all conventional techniques in the field, and therefore will not be elaborated upon in this embodiment. The coil 71 can be a flat coil 71, a conical coil 71 designed to further improve the grading effect, or a frustum-shaped wound coil 71, etc., and the choice can be made according to the actual situation; therefore, no specific limitation is made in this embodiment.
[0030] Preferably, the mounting component 6 is integrally formed with the guide core 3, thereby effectively ensuring the driving effect of the guide core 3 on the mounting component 6 and making it less prone to damage.
[0031] Regarding the material of the metal part 5, the metal part 5 can be made of metals such as iron and aluminum. Preferably, the metal part 5 is made of aluminum, which effectively avoids the problem that the metal part 5 made of iron products and magnets will demagnetize over time, thus causing the coil 71 to be unstable. This effectively ensures the accuracy of the output signal of the shaft structure and provides users with a better user experience.
[0032] Regarding the shape of the metal part 5, it can be a flat conical plate or a frustum shape, etc., and the choice can be made according to the actual situation. Therefore, no specific limitation is made in this embodiment.
[0033] Regarding the specific structural design of the metal component 5, as follows: Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the metal component 5 includes an embedding portion 51 embedded in the mounting member 6 and a sensing portion 52 that is conical in shape with its diameter decreasing from top to bottom. The embedding portion 51 is embedded in the mounting member 6 to fix the metal component 5, allowing the guide core 3 to stably drive the metal component 5 to move linearly through the mounting member 6, ensuring the conductivity of the shaft structure. The sensing portion 52 passes through the through-channel 11 and approaches the coil 71, causing the wires within the electromagnetic field range to be induced, thereby transmitting signals outward and realizing the corresponding operation.
[0034] Regarding the specific structural configuration of the sensing unit 52, as follows: Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the sensing part 52 includes a first sensing end 521 whose upper end is connected to the embedded part 51 and whose overall shape is conical with a diameter decreasing from top to bottom, and a second sensing end 522 integrally formed on the lower end of the first sensing end 521 with a diameter that remains consistent from top to bottom. The first sensing end 521 has a conical shape with a diameter that decreases from top to bottom, thereby achieving a gradual change in sensing intensity. The closer it is to the coil 71, the stronger the sensing effect, thus ensuring linear conduction, improving the accuracy of conduction, and allowing different strokes to correspond to different operating signals, thereby achieving fine gradation and meeting the usage requirements of multi-level signal output. The second sensing end 522 is designed with a diameter that remains consistent from top to bottom, so that the external coil 71 can stably sense the second sensing end 522 when it is first pressed, ensuring the sensitivity of the shaft structure and the stability of conduction. The specific method for classifying the operation signal of the metal component 5 can be achieved by using different strokes, or by directly using the first sensing end 521 and the second sensing segment, or by other methods. These methods can be selected and adjusted according to the actual situation, so no specific restrictions are imposed in this embodiment.
[0035] Preferred, such as Figures 3 to 5As shown, in order to prevent the metal part 5 from shifting upwards during use, the diameter of the uppermost end of the first sensing end 521 is larger than the diameter of its embedded part 51. This ensures that while the embedded part 51 is embedded in the mounting part 6, the uppermost end of the first sensing end 521 will not pass through the mounting part 6, thereby restricting the position of the metal part 5 and effectively preventing the metal part 5 from shifting upwards during use, which could lead to inaccurate sensing.
[0036] Preferred, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the diameter of the lowest end of the first sensing end 521 is equal to the diameter of the second sensing end 522, thereby ensuring the integrated connection of the sensing part 52, preventing the problem of some parts of the sensing part 52 falling off during use, and ensuring the normal operation of the metal part 5.
[0037] Regarding the specific method of mounting the metal part 5 on the mounting part 6, as follows: Figures 3 to 4 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the mounting member 6 has a mounting groove 61 formed in the middle for the embedding part 51 to be embedded in. The embedding part 51 is installed into the mounting groove 61. The upper end of the first sensing end 521 presses against the lower end surface of the mounting member 6, thereby effectively restricting the position of the metal part 5 and realizing the stable installation and fixation of the metal part 5.
[0038] To make it easier to install the metal part 5 onto the mounting part 6, such as Figure 6 As shown, the lower end face of the mounting groove 61 is provided with an inclined mounting guide surface 62 extending obliquely from the lower outer periphery into the upper inner part of the mounting groove 61. By providing this inclined mounting guide surface 62, the metal part 5 first contacts the inclined mounting guide surface 62 during installation. Under the guiding action of the inclined mounting guide surface 62, it is more easily and accurately guided into the mounting groove 61, thus making it easier to install the metal part 5 onto the mounting component 6, improving the installation efficiency and accuracy of the metal part 5.
[0039] Preferred, such as Figure 4 As shown, the diameter of the mounting groove 61 is smaller than the diameter of the uppermost end of the first sensing end 521. The diameter of the mounting groove 61 matches the embedding part 51, so that while the embedding part 51 is embedded in the mounting member 6, the uppermost end of the first sensing end 521 will not pass through the mounting member 6, thereby restricting the position of the metal part 5 and effectively preventing the metal part 5 from shifting upwards during use, which would lead to inaccurate sensing.
[0040] It should be noted that the thin inductive shaft structure disclosed in this utility model is an improvement on a specific structure, but the specific control method is not an innovation of this utility model. The coils, top cover, circuit board, keyboard, and other components involved in this utility model can be general standard parts or components known to those skilled in the art. Their structures, principles, and control methods are all known to those skilled in the art through technical manuals or conventional experimental methods.
[0041] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not constitute any limitation on the technical scope of the present utility model. Therefore, other structures obtained by using the same or similar technical features as the above embodiments of the present utility model are all within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A thin inductive shaft structure, comprising a base, a top cover fitted onto the base, a guide core disposed within the base and the top cover and extending upward through the top cover, and a return spring with its upper end pressing against the guide core and its lower end pressing against the base, characterized in that: It also includes a metal part disposed on the side of the guide core and having a tapered shape with the diameter decreasing from top to bottom. A mounting part is disposed on the side of the guide core, and the upper end of the metal part is inserted into the mounting part. A through channel is formed on the base for the metal part to pass through downward.
2. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal component includes an embedded part that is embedded in the mounting component, and a sensing part that is conical in shape with a diameter decreasing from top to bottom.
3. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sensing part includes a first sensing end whose upper end is connected to the embedded part and whose overall shape is conical with a diameter decreasing from top to bottom, and a second sensing end integrally formed at the lower end of the first sensing end with a diameter that remains consistent from top to bottom.
4. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The diameter of the uppermost end of the first sensing end is greater than the diameter of the embedded part, and the diameter of the lowermost end of the first sensing end is equal to the diameter of the second sensing end.
5. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mounting component has a mounting groove formed in the middle for the embedding part to be embedded.
6. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lower end face of the mounting groove is formed with an inclined mounting guide surface that extends from the lower outer side to the upper inner side of the mounting groove.
7. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The diameter of the mounting groove is smaller than the diameter of the uppermost end of the first sensing terminal.