Computer keyboard membrane switch with protective structure

By introducing a combination structure of metal mesh, cross-shaped reinforcement, and elastic buffer pillars into the keyboard membrane switch, the problem of membrane and circuit board damage caused by external impact is solved, achieving stable signal transmission and component protection.

CN224682988UActive Publication Date: 2026-08-25DONGGUAN YUANJIAXIN MEMBRANE SWITCH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202522149291.7
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-10-11
Publication Date
2026-08-25
Estimated Expiration
2035-10-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

When subjected to impact, existing keyboard membrane switches suffer from stress concentration, leading to membrane breakage, solder joint detachment, or breakage of conductive lines, causing signal crosstalk and failing to effectively disperse external forces, thus affecting normal use.

Method used

Using metal mesh as a rigid frame, combined with cross-shaped reinforcing brackets and elastic buffer columns, it disperses stress and absorbs impact energy to prevent damage to the film and circuit board, while providing overall protection through the protective frame.

Benefits of technology

It effectively disperses external stress, prevents damage to the film and circuit board, ensures stable transmission of touch signals, and avoids signal interference and component failure.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The utility model discloses a computer keyboard membrane switch with protection structure, specifically relates to membrane switch technical field, including panel, metal grid sheet, cross -reinforced frame, elastic buffer column and protection frame, metal grid sheet is bonded in the lower end surface of panel, and elastic buffer column sets up in the upper end surface of metal grid sheet, through metal grid sheet provides hard protection frame for membrane switch, when the keyboard is impacted by external force or the bending deformation in long -term use, the continuous support surface formed can disperse the concentrated stress to whole grid area, avoids the partial overload and leads to the membrane bending rupture, and simultaneously does not interfere with the capacitance signal transmission between touch -sensitive panel and circuit board, and the whole support frame is formed through the grid connection in the unit gap, and through the vertical setting elastic buffer column, linear impact is converted into three -dimensional buffer, and the impact force in the vertical direction is buffered, and the flexible contact of the column body does not extrude the membrane circuit, ensures that touch -sensitive signal is not interfered.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of membrane switch technology, and more specifically, to a computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure. Background Technology

[0002] Membrane switch technology originated in the 1960s, initially used in military and aerospace fields, and began commercial applications in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It achieves button triggering by printing conductive ink onto a flexible thin film to form a circuit, combined with a multi-layer structure. Existing patent publication number CN222421734U discloses a touch-sensitive keyboard membrane switch, including a membrane switch and a protective mechanism. The protective mechanism, comprising a pressure-sensitive button, side plates, a slide groove, a slider, a spring, and a pressure cover, is provided on the surface of the membrane switch. The membrane switch has a pressure-sensitive button, and side plates are provided on both sides of its top. Adjusting the slider position allows the pressure cover to fit precisely into the outer periphery of the pressure-sensitive button, thus shielding and protecting it. The spring acts as a connector. When the corresponding pressure-sensitive button needs to be operated, the corresponding pressure cover is pressed. After pressing, the spring controls the pressure cover to automatically reset. Compared to existing switch assemblies, this design does not affect the normal use of the membrane switch while providing excellent protection, preventing damage to the surface membrane from affecting normal switch operation. During the development of this utility model, the inventors discovered the following problems with the existing technology: Existing keyboard membrane switches suffer from the following problems: when the keyboard edge or corner is impacted, the membrane material itself is too soft to effectively disperse the impact force. The stress is quickly transmitted along the membrane plane to the weak area, causing the local stress to exceed the membrane's breaking strength. The instantaneous impact causes the entire keyboard to bend, which can cause the membrane to overstretch and deform. It can also cause rigid collisions between the membrane and the circuit board, resulting in solder joint detachment or breakage of conductive lines, causing signal crosstalk, and even causing the membrane switch to malfunction. Therefore, a computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure is proposed to address the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the present invention provides a computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure, comprising a panel, a metal mesh sheet, a cross-shaped reinforcing frame, an elastic buffer post, and a protective frame. An upper circuit board is provided below the panel, the metal mesh sheet is adhered to the lower end face of the panel, the cross-shaped reinforcing frame is embedded in the upper end face of the panel, and the elastic buffer post is provided on the upper end face of the metal mesh sheet. An isolation layer is installed below the upper circuit board, and a lower circuit board is embedded at the lower end of the isolation layer. The protective frame is sleeved on the outer surfaces of the panel, the upper circuit board, the isolation layer, and the lower circuit board.

[0005] Preferably, the surface of the metal mesh sheet has several hollow squares evenly distributed, and the lines of the several squares of the metal mesh sheet are extremely narrow and interconnected.

[0006] Preferably, the elastic buffer pillars are provided in several groups, and the several groups of elastic buffer pillars are distributed at the cross intersections of several squares of the metal mesh sheet.

[0007] Preferably, a buffer sleeve is adhered to the outer surface of the protective frame, and the surface of the buffer sleeve has a hollow hexagonal honeycomb structure.

[0008] Preferably, a lead wire is fixedly connected to the right side of the front end of the lower circuit board, and a connector is fixedly connected to the end of the lead wire away from the lower circuit board.

[0009] Preferably, a pad is installed at the bottom of the lower circuit board, and the panel, upper circuit board, metal mesh sheet, isolation layer, lower circuit board and pad are stacked in sequence from top to bottom.

[0010] Preferably, the width of the cross-shaped reinforcement frame is 0.5 cm, and the four sides of the cross-shaped reinforcement frame extend to the edge of the panel.

[0011] Preferably, the surface of the panel is provided with a hydrophobic coating, and the elastic buffer column is cylindrical in shape.

[0012] The technical effects and advantages of this utility model are as follows: 1. Compared with the existing technology, the computer keyboard membrane switch with protective structure provides a rigid protective frame for the membrane switch through a metal mesh sheet. When the keyboard is subjected to external impact or bending deformation during long-term use, the formed continuous support surface can disperse the concentrated stress to the entire mesh area, avoiding local overload that could cause the membrane to bend and break. At the same time, it does not interfere with the capacitive signal transmission between the touch panel and the circuit board. The mesh lines form an overall support frame in the gaps between the units.

[0013] 2. Compared with existing technologies, this computer keyboard membrane switch with protective structure uses the gaps between touch units as fulcrums to vertically set elastic buffer pillars at the intersections of the grid, which absorb energy through elastic compression, transforming linear impacts into three-dimensional buffering, thus buffering vertical impact forces. At the same time, the flexible contact of the pillars will not squeeze the membrane circuit, ensuring that the touch signal is not interfered with. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the metal grid sheet of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the circuit board of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 4 This utility model Figure 2 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the diagram.

[0018] The attached diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Panel; 2. Upper circuit board; 3. Metal mesh sheet; 4. Cross reinforcement frame; 5. Elastic buffer post; 6. Isolation layer; 7. Lower circuit board; 8. Lead wire; 9. Connector; 10. Protective frame; 11. Buffer sleeve; 12. Hydrophobic coating; 13. Pad. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model. Example

[0020] As attached Figures 1 to 4The diagram shows a computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure, comprising a panel 1, a metal mesh sheet 3, a cross-shaped reinforcing frame 4, elastic buffer posts 5, and a protective frame 10. An upper circuit board 2 is located below the panel 1, forming an intuitive operating area controlled by contacts. Conductive lines are printed on the surface of the upper circuit board 2 to transmit key trigger signals. The metal mesh sheet 3 is adhered to the lower end face of the panel 1, between the panel 1 and the upper circuit board 2. A rigid metal frame forms a mesh between the touch units, and the rigid support evenly transmits the stress generated by external impact along the mesh lines to the entire structure. The high strength of the metal material effectively resists bending deformation, maintaining the rigid support of the sandwich structure. The cross-shaped reinforcing frame 4... A cross-shaped reinforcing bracket 4 is embedded on the upper surface of panel 1. The width of the cross-shaped reinforcing bracket 4 is 0.5cm. The four sides of the cross-shaped reinforcing bracket 4 extend to the edge of panel 1. The cross-shaped reinforcing bracket 4 strengthens the overall bending resistance of panel 1 in the longitudinal and transverse directions. In particular, it is designed for the area in the middle of the keyboard that is prone to dents due to long-term typing. The rigid support of the cross-shaped bracket suppresses the deformation of the panel and prevents excessive bending of panel 1 from causing the internal membrane and circuit board to break under pressure. The elastic buffer pillar 5 is set on the upper surface of metal mesh 3. It is set on the upper surface of metal mesh 3 and uses the elastic buffering properties of rubber to absorb the vertical impact force generated by keystrokes or external impacts, reducing the impact force directly transmitted to the metal mesh and circuit board. An isolation layer 6 is installed below the upper circuit board 2. The isolation layer 6 is an insulating buffer layer between the upper circuit board 2 and the lower circuit board 7. The lower circuit board 7 is embedded at the lower end of the isolation layer 6. The lower circuit board 7 serves as the lower conductive structure of the circuit and works with the upper circuit board 2 to complete the conduction and transmission of touch signals. The protective frame 10 is sleeved on the outer surface of the panel 1, the upper circuit board 2, the isolation layer 6 and the lower circuit board 7. The protective frame 10 is a rigid frame sleeved on the outside of the overall structure, forming a wrap-around protection for the panel 1, the upper circuit board 2, the isolation layer 6 and the lower circuit board 7 from the edge to prevent the edges from cracking due to bumps or pressure. At the same time, it fixes the relative position of each layer structure. A lead wire 8 is fixedly connected to the right side of the front end of the lower circuit board 7. A connector 9 is fixedly connected to the end of the lead wire 8 away from the lower circuit board 7. Modular electrical connection is achieved through the lead wire 8 and the connector 9. Example

[0021] Based on Example 1, the solution in Example 1 will be further described in detail below with reference to the specific working method, such as... Figures 1 to 4 As shown below, see details: In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the metal mesh sheet 3 is divided into several hollow squares at equal intervals. The lines of the several squares of the metal mesh sheet 3 are extremely narrow and interconnected. The equally spaced distribution of the hollow squares makes the metal mesh sheet 3 form a rigid frame. When the keyboard is impacted by an external force, the stress will be transmitted to all sides along the square lines, avoiding concentration in a certain area. The extremely narrow line width can not only ensure the lightweight of the mesh, but also form a mechanical bridge through the rigid connection of the lines, connecting the scattered touch units into a whole force-bearing structure. Several sets of elastic buffer pillars 5 are provided. The elastic buffer pillars 5 are cylindrical in shape. Several sets of elastic buffer pillars 5 are distributed at the intersection of several squares of the metal mesh sheet 3. The elastic buffer pillars 5 form a cylindrical elastic buffer layer at the intersection of the metal mesh sheet 3. When an external force is applied, the elastic buffer pillars 5 absorb the impact energy through compression deformation.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, a buffer sleeve 11 is bonded to the outer surface of the protective frame 10. The surface of the buffer sleeve 11 is a hollow hexagonal honeycomb structure. When the hexagonal honeycomb structure is subjected to external impact, the honeycomb walls will collapse in a preset direction step by step, absorbing the impact energy through plastic deformation. A pad 13 is installed at the bottom of the lower circuit board 7. The pad 13 provides a rigid support surface for the bottom of the entire keyboard membrane switch. The panel 1, upper circuit board 2, metal mesh sheet 3, isolation layer 6, lower circuit board 7 and pad 13 are stacked in sequence from top to bottom, and the components are stacked in sequence to form a whole membrane switch.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment, the surface of panel 1 is provided with a hydrophobic coating 12. The hydrophobic coating 12 formed by nanoparticles can cause liquid to form water droplets and roll off the panel surface, while the coating has high hardness and wear resistance.

[0024] The working process of this utility model is as follows: First, when the user presses the operating area of ​​the panel 1, the panel 1 is depressed by the force, which causes the conductive lines on the surface of the upper circuit board 2 to contact the corresponding area of ​​the lower circuit board 7 through the gap of the isolation layer 6, forming an electrical signal path. The trigger button signal is transmitted to the external device through the lead wire 8 and the connector 9. The metal mesh sheet 3 is bonded between the panel 1 and the upper circuit board 2. Its hollow square structure will evenly distribute the stress generated by pressing or impact along the metal lines to the overall frame, avoiding local stress concentration that could cause the film or circuit board to break. At the same time, the extremely narrow line width ensures lightweight and mechanical transmission efficiency. The cross reinforcement frame 4 is embedded on the upper surface of the panel 1, which strengthens the bending resistance of the panel 1 in the longitudinal and transverse directions, especially suppressing the indentation caused by high-frequency knocking in the middle, and preventing the panel 1 from being excessively bent and squeezing the internal components. Elastic buffer pillars 5 are distributed in a cylindrical structure at the cross intersection of metal mesh 3. When external force is applied, they absorb vertical impact force through elastic compression, buffering the rigid collision between the metal mesh and the circuit board. The protective frame 10 is fitted onto the outside of the overall structure. When the hexagonal honeycomb buffer sleeve 11 on its outer surface is impacted, the honeycomb wall collapses step by step in a preset direction, absorbing external energy through plastic deformation and protecting the internal layered structure. The pad 13 is installed at the bottom of the lower circuit board 7, providing a rigid support base for the entire structure and balancing the pressure distribution when placed. The hydrophobic coating 12 on the surface of the panel 1 uses a nanoscale low surface energy structure to make liquid form water droplets and roll off, preventing it from seeping into the internal contact circuit. At the same time, the coating hardness ensures long-term wear resistance. The above is the working principle of a computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure.

Claims

1. A computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure, comprising a panel (1), a metal mesh sheet (3), a cross-shaped reinforcing frame (4), an elastic buffer post (5), and a protective frame (10), characterized in that: An upper circuit board (2) is provided below the panel (1), the metal mesh sheet (3) is bonded to the lower end face of the panel (1), the cross reinforcement frame (4) is embedded in the upper end face of the panel (1), and the elastic buffer column (5) is provided on the upper end face of the metal mesh sheet (3). An isolation layer (6) is installed below the upper circuit board (2), and a lower circuit board (7) is embedded at the lower end of the isolation layer (6). The protective frame (10) is sleeved on the outer surface of the panel (1), the upper circuit board (2), the isolation layer (6) and the lower circuit board (7).

2. The computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the metal mesh sheet (3) is distributed with several hollow squares at equal intervals, and the lines of the several squares of the metal mesh sheet (3) are extremely narrow and connected to each other.

3. A computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic buffer column (5) is provided in several groups, and the several groups of elastic buffer columns (5) are distributed at the cross intersection of several squares of the metal mesh sheet (3).

4. A computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the protective frame (10) is bonded with a buffer sleeve (11), and the surface of the buffer sleeve (11) is a hollow hexagonal honeycomb structure.

5. A computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A lead wire (8) is fixedly connected to the right side of the front end of the lower circuit board (7), and a connector (9) is fixedly connected to the end of the lead wire (8) away from the lower circuit board (7).

6. A computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the lower circuit board (7) is fitted with a pad (13), and the panel (1), upper circuit board (2), metal mesh sheet (3), isolation layer (6), lower circuit board (7) and pad (13) are stacked sequentially from top to bottom.

7. A computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the cross reinforcement frame (4) is 0.5cm, and the four sides of the cross reinforcement frame (4) extend to the edge of the panel (1).

8. A computer keyboard membrane switch with a protective structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the panel (1) is provided with a hydrophobic coating (12), and the elastic buffer column (5) is cylindrical in shape.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Light touch switch-on type keyboard membrane switch

    CN222421734U