Magnetic shaft key with magnetic assistance

Abstract

The application relates to the input device field, and discloses a magnetic-axis key with magnetic assistance, which comprises a shaft body shell, a sliding part axially slidably arranged in the shaft body shell, an elastic part for providing a reset elastic force for the sliding part, a stroke detection module matched with the sliding part and based on magnetic induction, and a magnetic attraction assistance device. The sliding part is slidably accommodated in the shaft body shell, the upper part of the sliding part is used for bearing a key cap, and the lower part of the sliding part is provided with a main magnet, the main magnet is matched with a magnetic induction sensor to detect the displacement of the sliding part and generate a corresponding trigger signal. The magnetic attraction assistance device at least comprises an auxiliary permanent magnet fixedly arranged in the bottom region of the shaft body. The scheme effectively offsets the inherent nonlinear mechanical characteristics of the elastic reset element without interfering with the original magnetic induction stroke detection function, and significantly improves the linearity and smoothness of force feedback in the key pressing process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of input devices, specifically to a keyboard key structure, and more particularly to a magnetic axis key with magnetic induction travel detection function and optimized operation feel through magnetic force assistance. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of keypad devices, coil springs are widely used components to provide restoring force. Due to their simple structure and low manufacturing cost, coil springs are commonly integrated into various keyboards and keypad devices. They achieve the pressing and resetting functions of keys through their elastic deformation, thereby meeting basic operational needs.

[0003] Although coil springs are widely used, their mechanical performance has inherent limitations in practical applications. When a key is pressed, the spring force provided by the coil spring does not change linearly with the increase of the compression stroke, but rather exhibits a non-linear characteristic. Specifically, the spring force is relatively small at the beginning of the key travel, but gradually increases with the depth of compression, reaching its peak at the end of the key travel. This non-linear characteristic leads to inconsistent tactile feedback. Users will clearly feel a sudden increase in resistance at the end when pressing keys quickly or repeatedly, thus affecting the smoothness and comfort of operation. This problem is particularly prominent in applications that require high key feedback, such as gaming keyboards or precision input devices. The main reason for this deficiency lies in the physical characteristics of the coil spring: during compression, factors such as the interaction between the turns of the spring, the stress-strain relationship of the material itself, and structural friction prevent the spring force from maintaining a strictly proportional relationship with the amount of compression. This results in a significant increase in spring force at the end of the travel, thus disrupting the linearity and smoothness of the force feedback.

[0004] To address the issue of nonlinear elastic force caused by helical springs, the industry is dedicated to exploring new button force feedback mechanisms. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a magnetic shaft switch, the purpose of which is to optimize the force feedback characteristics during the key press process. By introducing a magnetic suction assist structure, the downward pressure applied by the operator is dynamically compensated, so that the total operating force changes more smoothly and evenly with the stroke.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application discloses a magnetically assisted magnetic shaft button, which includes a shaft housing, a slider slidably disposed within the shaft housing, an elastic element for providing a reset force to the slider, a stroke detection module that cooperates with the slider and is based on magnetic induction, and a magnetic attraction assist device.

[0007] The slider is slidably housed inside the shaft housing. Its upper part is used to support the keycap, and its lower part is provided with a main magnet, which cooperates with a magnetic induction sensor to detect the displacement of the slider and generate a corresponding trigger signal.

[0008] The magnetic attraction assist device includes at least one auxiliary permanent magnet fixedly disposed in the bottom region of the shaft.

[0009] The auxiliary permanent magnet is configured to maintain an axial correspondence with the main magnet at the lower part of the slider, and the opposing surfaces of the two exhibit opposite magnetic poles, thereby generating a static magnetic attraction force downward along the axial direction.

[0010] Furthermore, the auxiliary permanent magnet is fixed to the shaft housing in one of the following ways: fixed to the outer side of the bottom of the shaft housing, embedded in the receiving structure formed at the bottom of the housing, or fixed to a support member on the bottom side inside the housing.

[0011] To further enhance the adaptability and adjustability of the assist effect, the magnetic assist device is equipped with multiple auxiliary permanent magnets.

[0012] Furthermore, multiple auxiliary permanent magnets are arranged in a ring or symmetrically around the axial center line of the slider. By adjusting the number of auxiliary permanent magnets, their magnetic strength, spatial arrangement, and initial axial distance between them and the main magnet on the slider, the curve shape of the magnetic attraction assist as the downward stroke changes can be controlled.

[0013] When a user applies external force to press the button, the slider moves the main magnet at its lower part downwards, gradually approaching the fixed auxiliary permanent magnet. As the air gap between them decreases, the resulting magnetic attraction increases non-linearly. The direction of this magnetic attraction is consistent with the user's downward pressing direction, thus creating a continuously increasing additional thrust in the middle to later stages of the button's pressing stroke. This thrust effectively compensates for the non-linear, rapid increase in elastic resistance caused by the increased compression of the elastic element within the same stroke range. Through this mutual cancellation and balance between magnetic assistance and elastic resistance, the total operating force curve perceived by the user during the entire pressing process is significantly smoothed, avoiding the sudden increase in resistance near the trigger stroke common in traditional switches.

[0014] In summary, this application adds an independent auxiliary permanent magnet to the bottom region of the magnetic shaft switch, forming a magnetic circuit that attracts each other with the main magnet inherent in the slider, thereby generating a dynamic magnetic attraction assist in the same direction as the operating force during the pressing operation. This solution effectively counteracts the inherent nonlinear mechanical characteristics of the elastic reset element without interfering with the original magnetic induction travel detection function, significantly improving the linearity and smoothness of the force feedback during button pressing.

[0015] The beneficial effects listed above are not exhaustive of all advantages. Other potential beneficial effects and detailed technical implementation methods will be further disclosed in the embodiments or other descriptive sections of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0016] A better understanding of various aspects of this disclosure will be achieved by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The positions, dimensions, and extents of the structures shown in the drawings, etc., do not always represent actual positions, dimensions, and extents. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment disclosed in this application.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment disclosed in this application from another perspective.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of an exploded view of one embodiment of the present application from another perspective.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of one embodiment disclosed in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

[0021] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of certain features may be modified in the drawings.

[0022] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. All terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail; however, where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of this specification.

[0023] Unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this specification include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “containing” used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term “and / or” used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0024] See Figures 1 to 4 The magnetically assisted magnetic shaft button of this embodiment mainly includes a shaft housing 100. The shaft housing 100 is generally three-dimensional and made of plastic (such as PC, ABS), forming the main support structure and external protection of the button. A sliding cavity 101 extending axially (i.e., vertically) is formed inside the shaft housing 100.

[0025] The slider 200 is axially slidably disposed within the sliding cavity 101 of the shaft housing 100. Specifically, the slider 200 has a columnar structure, with a keycap connecting portion 210 (not shown in the figure) at its upper part for mounting keycaps (such as a cross-shaped or cylindrical slot). A main magnet 310 is disposed at the lower part of the slider 200. A guide structure (such as guide ribs and guide grooves) is provided between the slider 200 and the inner wall of the sliding cavity 101 of the shaft housing 100 to ensure its stable linear movement.

[0026] The elastic element 400, in this embodiment, is a helical spring, sleeved on the outside of the slider 200, and abutting between the shoulder of the slider 200 and the stepped portion of the inner wall of the shaft housing 100. The elastic element 400 is used to be compressed and store energy after the button is pressed, and to provide an upward restoring force to the slider 200 after the external force is released, so that it returns to its initial position.

[0027] The travel detection module includes the main magnet 310 and a magnetic induction sensor (not shown) fixedly mounted on the shaft housing 100. The magnetic induction sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor or magnetoresistive sensor, has its sensing area facing the interior of the sliding cavity 101 and maintaining an axial correspondence with the main magnet 310. When the slider 200 moves the main magnet 310 up and down, the relative distance between it and the magnetic induction sensor changes, causing a change in the magnetic field strength sensed by the sensor. This results in a continuously changing electrical signal being output to detect the real-time travel of the button and can generate a trigger signal when a preset travel is reached.

[0028] The key improvement of this application lies in the magnetic attraction assist device 500. This device includes at least one auxiliary permanent magnet 510. The auxiliary permanent magnet 510 is fixedly disposed in the bottom region of the shaft.

[0029] In this embodiment, the bottom inner side of the shaft housing 100 is provided with an annular support step 102 for installing the elastic element 400, and the bottom of the shaft housing 100 is provided with a groove, and the auxiliary permanent magnet 510 is fixedly installed in the groove by adhesive or tight fit.

[0030] The auxiliary permanent magnet 510 and the main magnet 310 at the lower end of the slider 200 maintain an axially corresponding relationship, and their opposing surfaces (i.e., the upper surface of the auxiliary permanent magnet 510 and the lower surface of the main magnet 310) are configured as opposite magnetic poles (e.g., the lower end of the main magnet 310 is the S pole and the upper end of the auxiliary permanent magnet 510 is the N pole), thereby generating a static magnetic attraction force downward in the axial direction in the initial state.

[0031] To further enhance the adaptability and adjustability of the assist effect, in another embodiment, the magnetic assist device 500 is equipped with multiple auxiliary permanent magnets 510. These auxiliary permanent magnets 510 are arranged in a uniform ring array around the axial centerline of the slider 200. This symmetrical arrangement helps to maintain balanced force on the slider 200 while providing axial assistance, avoiding uneven wear. Furthermore, by adjusting the number of auxiliary permanent magnets 510, their magnetic strength (e.g., material, volume), spatial arrangement (e.g., ring diameter), and initial axial distance between them and the main magnet 310 on the slider 200, the curve shape of the magnetic assist change with the downward stroke can be precisely controlled to match different specifications of the elastic element 400, achieving diverse tactile curve designs.

[0032] The auxiliary permanent magnet 510 of the magnetic attraction assist device 500 can also be fixed in other ways. Optionally, the auxiliary permanent magnet 510 is fixed to the outer side of the bottom of the shaft housing 100, for example, by being encapsulated under the bottom of the housing by a metal or plastic bottom cover. Alternatively, in another embodiment, a support member with claws is provided on the inner side of the bottom of the shaft housing 100, and the auxiliary permanent magnet 510 is clamped and fixed by the claws of the support member.

[0033] The working principle and process of this application are as follows: In the initial state, the slider 200 is at its upper limit position under the support of the elastic element 400. At this time, the air gap between the main magnet 310 and the auxiliary permanent magnet 510 is at its maximum, and the static magnetic attraction is relatively weak. When the user applies a downward operating force to the keycap, the force is transmitted to the slider 200 through the keycap connection 210, causing it to overcome the initial resistance of the elastic element 400 and the magnetic attraction to begin sliding downward. As the slider 200 moves downward, the main magnet 310 gradually approaches the stationary auxiliary permanent magnet 510, and the air gap between them decreases. According to the principle of magnetism, the magnetic attraction between them increases significantly and non-linearly. The direction of this continuously increasing magnetic attraction is consistent with the direction of the user's downward operating force, thus forming a continuously increasing additional thrust in the middle to later stages of the downward stroke. At the same time, the elastic element 400 is compressed, and the upward rebound resistance it generates also increases rapidly and non-linearly with the increase of the compression. The key effect of this application is that the dynamically enhanced magnetic assist force is precisely used to compensate for the rapid increase in the rebound force of the elastic element 400 within the same stroke range. Through this mutual cancellation and balance between magnetic assistance and elastic resistance, the curve of the total operating force (i.e., operating force minus assistance) perceived by the user during the entire pressing process becomes smoother and more linear. When the slider 200 continues to move down to the trigger stroke, the magnetic induction sensor outputs a trigger signal, completing one key input. After the user releases the button, the elastic force stored in the elastic element 400 is released, pushing the slider 200 upward to reset. The magnetic attraction force then becomes a resistance to the reset, but since the reset process usually relies on elastic force, and the magnetic attraction force rapidly decreases with increasing distance, it does not affect the rapid reset.

[0034] In summary, this embodiment, by adding an auxiliary permanent magnet structure that attracts the main magnet, cleverly utilizes magnetic force to dynamically compensate for the nonlinear mechanical characteristics of the elastic element without changing the original magnetic induction stroke detection accuracy, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the linearity and smoothness of the button feel.

[0035] While exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included within the scope of protection of this disclosure as defined by the claims. This disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of those claims are also included.

Claims

1. A magnetically assisted magnetic shaft button, comprising a shaft housing, a slider slidably disposed axially within the shaft housing, an elastic element for providing a return force to the slider, and a travel detection module cooperating with the slider and based on magnetic induction, characterized in that, It also includes a magnetic suction assist device; The lower part of the slider is provided with a main magnet; The magnetic attraction assist device includes at least one auxiliary permanent magnet, which is fixedly disposed in the bottom region of the shaft. The auxiliary permanent magnet and the main magnet at the lower part of the slider maintain an axial correspondence, and their opposing surfaces exhibit opposite magnetic poles.

2. The magnetically assisted magnetic shaft button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary permanent magnet is embedded in the receiving structure formed at the bottom of the shaft housing.

3. The magnetically assisted magnetic shaft button according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The magnetic attraction assist device is equipped with multiple auxiliary permanent magnets.

4. The magnetically assisted magnetic shaft button according to claim 3, characterized in that, The auxiliary permanent magnets are arranged in a ring array around the axial center line of the slider.

5. The magnetically assisted magnetic shaft button according to claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary permanent magnet is fixed by adjusting the initial axial distance between it and the main magnet.

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