Key structure

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of keyboard keys, and discloses a key structure which comprises a bottom plate, a trigger piece, a base, an elastic body, a plurality of supporting arms, a linkage piece and a key cap are sequentially arranged on the bottom plate, and the two ends of each supporting arm are connected with the base and the key cap through a first clamping structure and a second clamping structure respectively. The middle of each supporting arm is provided with a second guide groove penetrating in the width direction of the supporting arm, the linkage piece is arranged in the second guide groove and can move in the second guide groove along with the key pressing process, the four supporting arms are connected through the linkage piece, the linkage performance of the mechanism is good, the key function can be triggered when the key cap is pressed at any position, and the operation is convenient. And the keycap and the supporting arm, the supporting arm and the linkage piece, and the supporting arm and the base are all connected through pressing buckles, so that the assembly is very simple and convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of keyboard key technology and relates to a key structure. Background Technology

[0002] In existing keyboard key structures, key modules generally adopt a multi-layer composite design, typically consisting of keycaps, scissor-switch support brackets, elastic silicone domes, and a metal contact film layer. The scissor-switch support bracket, as the core component, is an X-shaped structure formed by precision injection-molded upper and lower intersecting rods connected by a pivot. While this design can achieve a stable vertical movement trajectory for the keycaps, it suffers from the following significant technical defects:

[0003] The scissor-switch mechanism requires multiple points of connection between the keycap and the base plate, including snap-fit ​​mechanisms and hinges, necessitating three-dimensional positioning during assembly. Taking a laptop keyboard as an example, each key requires several steps: the keycap snaps into the scissor-switch cover, the lower cover engages with the base plate's positioning posts, and the elastomer is installed. Automated production lines require high-precision robotic arms for micron-level alignment, making manual assembly inefficient. Furthermore, stress concentration during disassembly and repair can easily lead to snap-fit ​​breakage, resulting in a high damage rate.

[0004] Although membrane key structures (such as crater structures) can reduce costs, they have prominent problems such as poor key travel stability and easy key jamming when pressed at an angle; while mechanical switch structures have excellent durability, their height dimensions are difficult to meet the requirements of ultra-thin devices.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide a button structure that reduces costs and assembly difficulty while ensuring the tactile feel of the buttons has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0006] To overcome the problems existing in the related technologies, this application aims to provide a button structure that can reduce costs and assembly difficulty while ensuring the button's tactile feel.

[0007] This application is achieved through the following technical solution.

[0008] This technical solution provides a button structure, including: a base plate, on which a trigger element, a base, an elastomer, multiple support arms, a linkage element, and a keycap are sequentially arranged;

[0009] The two ends of the support arm are connected to the base and the keycap respectively through a first snap-fit ​​structure and a second snap-fit ​​structure;

[0010] The support arm is provided with a second guide groove that runs through its width in the middle.

[0011] The linkage is located inside the second guide groove and, in response to the button pressing action, generates axial displacement under the constraint of the second guide groove.

[0012] The keycap abuts against the elastomer, and the base is provided with a reserved hole for installing the elastomer. When the keycap moves toward the side closer to the base, the elastomer contacts and squeezes the trigger, thereby closing the circuit.

[0013] This technical solution connects four support arms through linkage components, resulting in good mechanism linkage. Pressing any position of the keycap can trigger the button function. Furthermore, the keycap is connected to the support arm, the support arm to the linkage component, and the support arm to the base using snap-fit ​​connections, making assembly very simple.

[0014] The present invention is further configured such that the first snap-fit ​​structure is a first guide groove and a guide rod;

[0015] The base has an open support arm groove extending through its thickness along its outer periphery, and the base has a first guide groove at both ends of the support arm groove.

[0016] The support arm is provided with a guide rod corresponding to the first guide groove at one end near the base;

[0017] The guide rod can respond to the button pressing action and move inside the first guide groove.

[0018] The present invention is further configured such that the second snap-fit ​​structure is a keycap snap-fit ​​and a shaft post;

[0019] The keycap has a keycap clip on the side near the base;

[0020] The support arm has a corresponding keycap latch at one end.

[0021] The present invention is further configured such that the base plate is provided with a tapered connector, the trigger member is provided with a through hole corresponding to the tapered connector, and the base is provided with a connecting rod corresponding to the tapered connector on the side near the base plate, the connecting rod being embedded inside the tapered connector.

[0022] The present invention is further configured such that the connecting rod and the tapered joint are integrated by a hot melt welding process.

[0023] The present invention is further configured such that the support arms are four in number and are circumferentially distributed below the four corner areas of the keycap.

[0024] The present invention is further configured such that the base has a first slot adjacent to the first guide groove along its thickness direction, and the first slot is configured to assist in the installation of the guide rod.

[0025] The present invention is further configured such that, along its thickness direction, the support arm has a second slot adjacent to the second guide groove, and the second slot is used to assist in the installation of the linkage component.

[0026] The present invention is further provided that the end of the support arm that approaches the keycap is provided with a relief groove for accommodating the keycap clip;

[0027] The shaft is located on the side of the clearance groove adjacent to the keycap.

[0028] The present invention is further configured such that the linkage is elastic and has an opening.

[0029] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the more detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals generally represent the same components in the exemplary embodiments thereof.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the button release state shown in one embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view shown in one embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the substrate structure shown in one embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the base structure shown in one embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the released state position of the linkage in one embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the guide rod release state position in one embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the keycap structure shown in one embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the button pressing state shown in one embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the pressing position of the linkage component shown in one embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the pressed position of the guide rod in one embodiment of this application.

[0041] Reference numerals: 1. Base plate; 11. Conical connector; 2. Trigger; 21. Through hole; 3. Base; 31. Reserved hole; 32. Support arm groove; 33. First guide groove; 34. First slot; 35. Connecting rod; 4. Elastic body; 5. Support arm; 51. Guide rod; 52. Second guide groove; 53. Second slot; 54. Clearance groove; 55. Column; 6. Linkage component; 61. Opening; 7. Keycap; 71. Keycap clip. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The technical solutions of some embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0043] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] This embodiment discloses a button structure, such as Figures 1-10 As shown, it includes: a base plate 1, on which a trigger 2, a base 3, an elastic body 4, multiple support arms 5, a linkage 6 and a keycap 7 are arranged in sequence;

[0045] The two ends of the support arm 5 are connected to the base 3 and the keycap 7 respectively through the first snap-fit ​​structure and the second snap-fit ​​structure;

[0046] The middle part of the support arm 5 is provided with a second guide groove 52 that runs through its own width direction;

[0047] The linkage 6 is located inside the second guide groove 52 and responds to the button pressing action, generating axial displacement under the constraint of the second guide groove 52;

[0048] The keycap 7 abuts against the elastomer 4. The base 3 is provided with a reserved hole 31 for installing the elastomer 4. When the keycap 7 moves to the side closer to the base 3, the elastomer 3 contacts and squeezes the trigger 2 to close the circuit.

[0049] It should be noted that the trigger 2 is a conductive film or other triggering element in the prior art, the elastomer 4 is a rubber cup or other elastic element in the prior art, and the linkage 6 is elastic.

[0050] When the key is used, pressing the keycap 7 causes the connected support arm 5 to rotate around the guide rod 51. At the same time, the guide rod 51 is displaced inside the first guide groove 33, and the position of the axis changes to avoid motion interference. Meanwhile, the keycap 7 squeezes the elastic body 4, so that the elastic body 4, which passes through the base 3, directly squeezes the trigger 2 to realize the key function.

[0051] The support arms 5 are linked together by a linkage 6. When one of the support arms 5 is subjected to force and moves, the other support arms 5 also move together. That is, when any point on the keycap 7 is pressed, the other support arms 5 can be touched by the support arm 5 closest to that point through the linkage 6, so as to achieve a balanced feel when pressing the key.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, the first snap-fit ​​structure consists of a first guide groove 33 and a guide rod 51;

[0053] An open support arm groove 32 extending through its thickness is provided on the outer periphery of the base 3, and a first guide groove 33 is provided at both ends of the support arm groove 32.

[0054] One end of the support arm 5 adjacent to the base 3 is provided with a guide rod 51 corresponding to the first guide groove 33;

[0055] The guide rod 51 can respond to the button pressing action and move inside the first guide groove 33.

[0056] It should be noted that the length of the first guide groove 33 is greater than the radial length of the guide rod 51, therefore, the guide rod 51 can move inside the first guide groove 33.

[0057] like Figure 7 As shown, the second snap-fit ​​structure consists of a keycap clip 71 and a stem 55;

[0058] The keycap 7 has a keycap clip 71 on the side near the base 3;

[0059] The support arm 5 has a corresponding keycap clip 71 with a post 55 at one end near the keycap 7.

[0060] It should be noted that the keycap 55 is engaged inside the keycap clip 71 and can rotate.

[0061] like Figure 3 As shown, the base plate 1 is provided with a conical joint 11, the trigger 2 is provided with a through hole corresponding to the conical joint 11, and the base 3 is provided with a connecting rod 35 corresponding to the conical joint 11 on the side close to the base plate 1. The connecting rod 35 is embedded in the inside of the conical joint 11.

[0062] It should be noted that the base 3 is fixedly connected to the base plate 1, which can ensure a stable connection between the various structures of the button.

[0063] like Figure 2 As shown, the connecting rod 35 and the tapered joint 11 are integrated through a hot melt welding process.

[0064] like Figures 3-7 As shown, there are four support arms 5, which are distributed circumferentially below the four corner areas of the keycap 7.

[0065] like Figure 4 As shown, the base 3 has a first slot 34 adjacent to the first guide groove 33 along its thickness direction, and the first slot 34 is configured to assist in the installation of the guide rod 51.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown, the support arm 5 has a second slot 53 along its thickness direction, adjacent to the second guide groove 52. The second slot 53 is used to assist in the installation of the linkage component 6.

[0067] It should be noted that setting the first slot 34 and the second slot 53 can significantly reduce the assembly difficulty of the guide rod 51 and the linkage 6, and the disassembly method is less likely to damage the various structures.

[0068] like Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the end of the support arm 5 that approaches the keycap 7 is provided with a relief groove 54 for accommodating the keycap clip 71;

[0069] The pivot 55 is located on the side of the relief groove 54 adjacent to the keycap 7.

[0070] like Figure 7 As shown, the linkage 6 has an opening 61, which facilitates production.

[0071] Working principle: The four support arms 5 are connected by the linkage 6, which has good linkage. Pressing any position of the keycap 7 can trigger the button function. The keycap 7 is connected to the support arm 5, the support arm 5 to the linkage 6, and the support arm 5 to the base 3 by snap-fit ​​connection, which makes the assembly very simple and the height after assembly is low.

[0072] The various embodiments of this application have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical application, or improvement of the technology in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A button structure, characterized in that, include: The base plate (1) is provided with a trigger (2), a base (3), an elastic body (4), multiple support arms (5), a linkage (6) and a keycap (7) in sequence. The two ends of the support arm (5) are connected to the base (3) and the keycap (7) respectively through the first snap-fit ​​structure and the second snap-fit ​​structure; The support arm (5) is provided with a second guide groove (52) that runs through its width direction in the middle. The linkage (6) is located inside the second guide groove (52) and, in response to the button pressing action, generates axial displacement under the constraint of the second guide groove (52); The keycap (7) abuts against the elastomer (4), and the base (3) is provided with a reserved hole (31) for installing the elastomer (4). When the keycap (7) moves to the side closer to the base (3), the elastomer (4) contacts and squeezes the trigger (2) to achieve circuit closure.

2. The button structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first snap-fit ​​structure consists of a first guide groove (33) and a guide rod (51); The base (3) has an open support arm groove (32) extending through its thickness along its outer periphery, and the base (3) has a first guide groove (33) at both ends of the support arm groove (32). The support arm (5) is provided with a guide rod (51) corresponding to the first guide groove (33) at one end near the base (3); The guide rod (51) can respond to the button pressing action and move inside the first guide groove (33).

3. The button structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second snap-fit ​​structure consists of a keycap snap-fit ​​(71) and a stem (55); The keycap (7) is provided with a keycap clip (71) on the side near the base (3); The support arm (5) has a corresponding keycap buckle (71) with a shaft (55) at one end near the keycap (7).

4. The button structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate (1) is provided with a tapered connector (11), the trigger (2) is provided with a through hole corresponding to the tapered connector (11), and the base (3) is provided with a connecting rod (35) corresponding to the tapered connector (11) on the side close to the base plate (1). The connecting rod (35) is embedded in the inside of the tapered connector (11).

5. The button structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connecting rod (35) and the tapered joint (11) are integrated by hot melt welding.

6. The button structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support arms (5) are configured as four, and are distributed circumferentially below the four corner areas of the keycap (7).

7. The button structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base (3) has a first slot (34) along its thickness direction adjacent to the first guide groove (33), and the first slot (34) is configured to assist in the installation of the guide rod (51).

8. The button structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The support arm (5) has a second slot (53) along its thickness direction, adjacent to the second guide groove (52), and the second slot (53) is used to assist in the installation of the linkage (6).

9. The button structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The support arm (5) has a relief groove (54) at one end near the keycap (7) for accommodating the keycap clip (71); The shaft (55) is located on the side of the clearance groove (54) adjacent to the keycap (7).

10. The button structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linkage (6) is elastic and has an opening (61).

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