Pluggable ultrathin mechanical keyboard switch

Abstract

A pluggable ultrathin mechanical keyboard switch, comprising a base, a balance frame assembly rotatably arranged on the base, a turn-on member and a driving protruding block arranged on the balance frame assembly. The driving protruding block drives the turn-on member to move up and down along with the balance frame assembly so as to turn on and off the keyboard switch. The turn-on member is a conductive elastomer, a fixing part being provided in the middle part of the conductive elastomer. A first elastic arm and a second elastic arm respectively extend from the fixing part towards two sides, an end part of the first elastic arm being provided with a turn-on driving part, and the second elastic arm being provided with a turn-on fixing part. The turn-on driving part extends above the driving protruding block so as to be linked to the balance frame assembly. The present invention has good contact stability and an internal structure that is convenient and rapid to mount, is freely pluggable and easy to replace, implements accurate turn-on and turn-off operations, exhibits a good elastic restoring force, a relatively low overall height and good balance, is lighter and thinner, and meets the use requirements of different people.

Description

A pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of keyboard switches, and in particular to a pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch. Background Art

[0002] A mechanical keyboard is a more complex keyboard than a membrane keyboard. Mechanical switches are used under the keycaps. Mechanical keyboards are more expensive than membrane keyboards and have the characteristics of better feel, crisp sound, and long mechanical life. However, mechanical switches have poor performance in terms of water and dust resistance, so failures are inevitable.

[0003] The mechanical switches of existing mechanical keyboards are directly soldered to the PCB board, which has obvious drawbacks: once the mechanical switch becomes defective or damaged, it is difficult and costly to replace. End users generally cannot replace it themselves. Even if they can replace it, it is time-consuming and there are soldering hazards. In addition, this existing technology also prevents end users from choosing different types of mechanical switches for different keys on the keyboard according to their own preferences.

[0004] In addition, the conduction structure of the existing mechanical switch needs to be fixed on a structure such as a housing or a conductor core. Its structure is relatively delicate and requires high precision for fixation. It is technically difficult and consumes a lot of manpower and material resources, making it unsuitable for current rapid production needs.

[0005] As electronic products tend to be thinner and thinner, existing pluggable and replaceable keyboard switches are increasingly unable to meet the trend of thinning.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] In response to the above-mentioned shortcomings, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch with good contact stability, convenient and quick internal structure installation, free pluggability, easy replacement, accurate conduction and disconnection actions, good elastic recovery force, and a low overall height, good balance, and lighter and thinner to meet the usage needs of different people.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned object is:

[0009] A pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch includes a base, a balance frame assembly rotatably mounted on the base, a conductive member, and a drive protrusion mounted on the balance frame assembly. The drive protrusion drives the conductive member to move up and down with the balance frame assembly to turn the keyboard switch on and off. The conductive member is a conductive elastomer with a fixed portion provided in the middle. A first elastic arm and a second elastic arm extend from the fixed portion to either side, respectively. The first elastic arm has a conductive drive portion provided at its end, and the second elastic arm has a conductive fixed portion provided. The conductive drive portion extends above the conductive drive protrusion to achieve linkage with the balance frame assembly.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, it also includes a fixing plate arranged parallel to the PCB board, and a snap-fit ​​block respectively arranged on both sides of the base, and a clip corresponding to the snap-fit ​​block and extending upward is respectively provided on both sides of the fixing plate, and the snap-fit ​​block is snapped with the clip to fix the base on the fixing plate.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, the PCB board is provided with an electrical connection static contact electrically connected to the conduction fixing part, and an electrical connection moving contact electrically connected to the conduction driving part.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the PCB board is provided with buckle clearance holes corresponding one-to-one to the buckles.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the outermost end of the snap-fit ​​block is provided with a guiding inclined surface.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, it further comprises a fixing seat provided on the fixing plate, the conducting member is installed in the fixing seat and moves in the fixing seat to realize the conduction and disconnection of the keyboard switch.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, the conductive elastomer is a torsion spring, which includes a fixed portion mounted on the fixed seat, a first elastic arm extending from the fixed portion toward one end of the driving protrusion, a conductive driving portion integrally formed at the outermost end of the first elastic arm and bent 90 degrees to extend outward, a second elastic arm extending from the fixed portion toward one end away from the driving protrusion, and a conductive fixed portion integrally formed at the outermost side of the second elastic arm and bent 90 degrees to extend inward; the conductive fixed portion is pressed against the electrical connection static contact of the PCB board to achieve electrical connection.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, a conductive contact portion bent downward is formed on the first elastic arm.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, a mounting portion for installing the conductive part is protruded from the fixing seat, and the mounting portion includes a first horizontal mounting groove for the conductive driving part, a first longitudinal mounting groove connected to one side of the first horizontal mounting groove and for the first elastic arm to be placed in a movable manner, a fixing portion mounting groove connected to the tail end of the first longitudinal mounting groove and for the fixing portion to be placed in, a second longitudinal mounting groove connected to the other end of the fixing portion mounting groove and for the second elastic arm to be placed in a movable manner, and a second horizontal mounting groove connected to the tail end of the second longitudinal mounting groove and for the conductive fixing portion to be placed in.

[0018] As a further improvement of the present invention, it also includes a dust cover covering the mounting portion.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0020] (1) A driving protrusion is provided on the balance frame assembly, and the conductive part is a conductive elastic body. The driving protrusion drives the conductive part to move up and down with the balance frame to realize the conduction and disconnection of the keyboard switch. No welding is required for fixing. The installation technology requirements are low, the installation is convenient and fast, and manpower and material resources are saved. In addition, the conduction and disconnection actions are accurate, and the elastic recovery force is good, thereby improving the practicality of the keyboard switch.

[0021] (2) By using the coordination among the balance frame assembly, the base, the fixing plate and the fixing seat, the push-to-level function and the push-to-conduct function are combined together by the linkage action of the balance frame assembly, thereby reducing the overall height, improving the balance, improving the contact stability, and meeting the needs of different people.

[0022] (3) By setting a fixing plate parallel to the PCB board, the base is fastened to the PCB board by snapping the snap block into the snap buckle, thereby realizing the insertion installation of the keyboard switch. When disassembly is required, the keyboard switch can be pulled out by simply stretching the snap buckle. The whole operation is convenient and fast, easy to replace, and free to plug and unplug.

[0023] The above is an overview of the technical solution of the invention. The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG1 is an overall schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0026] FIG2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention without the fixing seat;

[0027] FIG3 is an exploded view of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a fixing base;

[0029] In the figure: 1. base; 11. snap-fit ​​block; 111. guide inclined surface; 2. balance frame assembly; 21. driving protrusion; 3. conductive member; 31. fixing part; 32. first elastic arm; 33. second elastic arm; 34. conductive driving part; 35. conductive fixing part; 36. conductive contact part; 4. fixing plate; 41. buckle; 5. PCB board; 51. electrical connection static contact; 52. electrical connection moving contact; 53. buckle clearance hole; 6. fixing seat; 61. mounting part; 62. first horizontal mounting groove; 63. first longitudinal mounting groove; 64. fixing part mounting groove; 65. second longitudinal mounting groove; 66. second horizontal mounting groove; 7. dust cover.

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined purpose, the specific implementation methods of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0033] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature identified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0034] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch, comprising a base 1, a gimbal assembly 2 rotatably mounted on the base 1, a conductive member 3, and a driving protrusion 21 mounted on the gimbal assembly 2. The driving protrusion 21 drives the conductive member 3 to move up and down with the gimbal assembly 2 to turn the keyboard switch on and off. The conductive member 3 is a conductive elastomer having a fixing portion 31 disposed in the middle thereof. A first elastic arm 32 and a second elastic arm 33 extend from the fixing portion 31 to either side. The first elastic arm 32 has a conductive driving portion 34 disposed at its end, and the second elastic arm 33 has a conductive fixing portion 35 disposed thereon. The conductive driving portion 34 extends above the conductive driving protrusion 21 to achieve linkage with the gimbal assembly 2. The conductive fixing portion 35 is fixedly connected to and electrically connected to a PCB 5.

[0036] When the user presses the gimbal assembly 2, the gimbal assembly 2 is forced downward. The conductive drive portion 34, which is pulled up by the drive protrusion 21 in the gimbal assembly 2, rotates downward with the fixed portion 31 as the center under the elastic restoring force of the conductive member 3, thereby electrically connecting the first elastic arm 32 to the PCB board 5. The conductive fixed portion 3531 is fixedly connected to the PCB board 5 and electrically connected. With both ends conductive, a complete circuit is formed with the PCB board 5, thereby achieving a single signal input. When the user releases the gimbal assembly 2, the gimbal assembly 2 moves upward under the action of its own elastic restoring force. At the same time, the drive protrusion 21 on the gimbal assembly 2 moves upward with the gimbal assembly 2, thereby pulling up the conductive fixed portion 3531 pressed against the drive protrusion 21, causing the first elastic arm 32 connected to the conductive fixed portion 3531 to separate from the PCB board 5, thereby disconnecting the signal. The entire operation features excellent connectivity, precise on / off action, and a long torsion spring life. The fact that no separate mold is required saves costs and further enhances the practicality of this keyboard switch. The point-contact structure of the conductive element 3 and the PCB board 5 eliminates the need for conventional keyboard switches to have active and static pins extending into the PCB board 5 for conduction, making this keyboard switch easier to plug in and out and replace, meeting the needs of diverse users.

[0037] The specific structural arrangement of the gimbal assembly 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, comprises a gimbal A22 rotatably connected to the base 1, a gimbal B23 rotatably connected to the base 1 and gimbal A22, and a tension spring 24 connected between gimbal A22 and gimbal B23. The driving protrusion 21 is disposed on the inner side of gimbal B23. The gimbal assembly 2 provides balance and stability for the pressing of the keyboard switch, while the tension spring 24 provides the elastic restoring force to reset the pressed key. The gimbal assembly 2, the conductive member 3, the fixing plate 4, and the fixing base 6 work together, combining the pressing balancing function with the pressing conducting function. This reduces the overall height, improves balance, and provides excellent contact stability, meeting the needs of various users. During use, a keycap is installed on gimbal A22 and gimbal B23. The specific structure of the balance frame A22 and the balance frame B23, as well as the installation method of the keycaps are not the innovation of the present invention. As for the specific structure, the patent number is 202121092814.4, and the patent name is "A photoelectric key switch with increased pressing feel", which will not be repeated here.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 , the keyboard switch comprises a fixed plate 4 positioned parallel to the PCB 5 and a snap-fit ​​block 11 disposed on either side of the base 1. A latch 41 extending upward and corresponding to each of the snap-fit ​​blocks 11 is disposed on either side of the fixed plate 4. The snap-fit ​​blocks 11 engage with the latches 41 to secure the base 1 to the fixed plate 4. To disassemble the keyboard switch, simply use a sharp object to prop the latches 41 apart, freeing the snap-fit ​​block 11 from the latches 41. The keyboard switch can then be removed for replacement. The interaction between the snap-fit ​​blocks 11 and the latches 41 allows the keyboard switch to be freely plugged in and out of the PCB 5, making it easy to replace. The plug-in installation method is quick and convenient, enhancing the user experience and effectively meeting the needs of diverse users.

[0039] Regarding the positioning of the fixing plate 4, the fixing plate 4 can be positioned below the PCB board 5, with the base 1 and the fixing plate 4 securing the PCB board 5, thereby electrically connecting the other components on the base 1 to the PCB board 5. Alternatively, the fixing plate 4 can be positioned above the PCB board 5, with the fixing plate 4 secured to the PCB board 5 and the base 1 inserted into the fixing plate 4, thereby electrically connecting the other components of the pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch on the base 1 to the PCB board 5. Both approaches can be selected and adjusted based on actual circumstances and are not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0040] As shown in FIG3 , the specific structure of the connection between the PCB 5 and the conductive member 3 is shown. The PCB 5 is provided with a static electrical contact 51 electrically connected to the conductive fixing portion 35, and a dynamic electrical contact 52 electrically connected to the conductive driving portion 34. The conductive fixing portion 35 is fixedly pressed against the static electrical contact 51, thereby achieving electrical connection at one end of the conductive member 3. When pressed by a user, the conductive contact portion 36, through its own elastic restoring force, drives the first elastic arm 32 downward, thereby causing the first elastic arm 32 to contact the dynamic electrical contact 52, achieving electrical connection. With electrical connection between the two ends, a complete circuit is formed between the conductive member 3 and the PCB 5, completing a signal input.

[0041] As for the buckling method between the fixing plate 4 and the base 1 when the fixing plate 4 is arranged under the PCB board 5, as shown in Figure 3, the PCB board 5 is provided with a buckle clearance hole 53 corresponding to the buckle 41. When the base 1 needs to be installed on the fixing plate 4, it is only necessary to pass the buckle 41 through the buckle clearance hole 53, and then the buckling block 11 on the base 1 is buckled into the buckle 41 to complete the installation of the base 1. The whole process is simple and convenient, easy to replace, effectively improving the user experience, and meeting the usage needs of different people.

[0042] In order to facilitate the buckling of the snap block 11 into the buckle 41, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, a guiding inclined surface 111 is provided at the outermost end of the snap block 11, and the guiding inclined surface 111 is a guiding inclined surface 111 that is inclined from the outside to the inside and downward. When the user or manufacturer needs to install the fixing plate 4 on the base 1, the guiding inclined surface 111 first contacts the buckle 41. Under the guiding action of the guiding inclined surface 111, the snap block 11 moves toward the inner side of the buckle 41, making it easier to enter the buckle 41 from the inner side of the buckle 41 to complete the installation of the keyboard switch, which is beneficial to the coordination between the various components, improves the speed and accuracy of the installation of the base 1 on the fixing plate 4, and further improves the efficiency of the installation.

[0043] Regarding the specific manner in which the conductive member 3 is installed in the keyboard switch, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the keyboard switch further includes a fixing seat 6 provided on the fixing plate 4. The conductive member 3 is installed in the fixing seat 6 and moves in the fixing seat 6 to realize the conduction and disconnection of the key switch.

[0044] Regarding the specific structural arrangement of the conductive member 3, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the conductive elastic body is a torsion spring. The torsion spring includes a fixing portion 31 mounted on the fixing base 6, a first elastic arm 32 extending from the fixing portion 31 toward one end of the driving protrusion 21, a conductive driving portion 34 integrally formed at the outermost end of the first elastic arm 32 and extending outward by a 90-degree bend, a second elastic arm 33 extending from the fixing portion 31 toward the end away from the driving protrusion 21, and a conductive fixing portion 35 integrally formed at the outermost end of the second elastic arm 33 and extending inward by a 90-degree bend. The conductive fixing portion 35 presses against the electrical connection static contact 51 of the PCB board 5 to achieve electrical connection. By configuring the conductive member 3 as a torsion spring and the integrally molded structure, the conductive member 3 is less prone to breakage, thereby increasing its service life. It also eliminates the need for a separate mold, saving costs and further enhancing the practicality of the conductive member 3. By providing a conductive drive portion 34 that bends 90 degrees and extends outward at the outermost end of the first elastic arm 32, the gimbal assembly 2 can better pull up the conductive drive portion 34. By providing a conductive fixing portion 3531 that bends 90 degrees and extends inward at the outermost end of the second elastic arm 33, its contact surface is large, thereby better ensuring a fixed electrical connection between the conductive member 3 and the PCB board 5.

[0045] As for the specific structural setting of the electrical connection between the first elastic arm 32 and the PCB board 5, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a downwardly bent conductive contact portion 36 is formed on the first elastic arm 32. When the balance frame assembly 2 is forced to move downward, the conductive member 3 rotates downward with the fixed portion 31 as the center, so that the conductive contact portion 36 on the first elastic arm 32 is electrically connected and conductive with the electrical connection moving contact 52 in the PCB board 5, completing a signal input, and the conductive and disconnecting actions are accurate, thereby improving the accuracy and installation efficiency of the keyboard switch.

[0046] Regarding the specific manner in which the conductive member 3 is mounted on the fixing base 6, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the fixing base 6 is provided with a mounting portion 61 for mounting the conductive member 3. The mounting portion 61 includes a first transverse mounting slot 62 for the conductive drive portion 34, a first longitudinal mounting slot 63 connected to one side of the first transverse mounting slot 62 and into which the first elastic arm 32 is positioned, a fixing portion 31 mounting slot connected to the rear end of the first longitudinal mounting slot 63 and into which the fixing portion 31 is positioned, a second longitudinal mounting slot 65 connected to the other end of the fixing portion 31 mounting slot and into which the second elastic arm 33 is positioned, and a second transverse mounting slot 66 connected to the rear end of the second longitudinal mounting slot 65 and into which the conductive fixing portion 35 is positioned. The conductive fixing portion 35 is pressed against the PCB board 5 via the lower end of the second transverse mounting slot 66. By setting the mounting grooves in one-to-one correspondence, the conductive member 3 is stably mounted on the fixing seat 6, and has sufficient space to move up and down to realize different operations of conduction and disconnection, and accurately limits the moving stroke of each part of the conductive member 3, effectively preventing the conductive member 3 from shifting during the activity and causing the problem of malfunction. The conduction and disconnection actions are accurate, thereby improving the input efficiency of the keyboard switch.

[0047] In order to prevent the conductive member 3 from being separated from the top of the fixing seat 6 during the pulling process, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the keyboard switch further includes a dust cover 7 covering the mounting portion 61. The top of the conductive member 3 is blocked by the dust cover 7, so that the conductive member 3 is better restricted by the mounting portion 61, thereby improving the accuracy of the movement and effectively preventing the conductive member 3 from being separated from the top of the fixing seat 6 when being pulled.

[0048] It should be noted that the pluggable, ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch disclosed in this invention is an improvement to its specific structure, and the specific control method is not the innovation of this invention. The keycaps, PCB board, and other components involved in this invention can be commonly used standard parts or components known to those skilled in the art. Their structure, principles, and control methods are all known to those skilled in the art through technical manuals or routine experimental methods.

[0049] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, other structures obtained by adopting the same or similar technical features as the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch, comprising a base, a balance frame assembly rotatably disposed on the base, and a conducting member, characterized in that: A driving protrusion is arranged on the balance frame assembly, and the driving protrusion drives the conductive part to move up and down with the balance frame assembly to realize the conduction and disconnection of the keyboard switch. The conductive part is a conductive elastomer, and a fixing part is arranged in the middle of the conductive elastomer; a first elastic arm and a second elastic arm are extended to both sides from the fixing part respectively, a conductive driving part is arranged at the end of the first elastic arm, and a conductive fixing part is arranged at the second elastic arm; the conductive driving part extends to the top of the conductive driving protrusion to realize the linkage with the balance frame assembly.

2. The pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a fixing plate arranged parallel to the PCB board, and a snap-fit ​​block respectively arranged on both sides of the base, and a buckle corresponding to the buckle block and extending upward is respectively arranged on both sides of the fixing plate, and the buckle block is snap-fitted with the buckle to fix the base on the fixing plate.

3. The pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The PCB board is provided with an electrical connection static contact electrically connected to the conduction fixing part, and an electrical connection moving contact electrically connected to the conduction driving part.

4. The pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The PCB board is provided with buckle-making holes corresponding to the buckles one by one.

5. The pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outermost end of the buckling block is provided with a guiding inclined surface.

6. The pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a fixing seat arranged on the fixing plate, the conducting member is installed in the fixing seat and moves in the fixing seat to realize the conduction and disconnection of the keyboard switch.

7. The pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 6, characterized in that: The conductive elastic body is a torsion spring, which includes a fixed portion installed on the fixed seat, a first elastic arm extending from the fixed portion toward one end of the driving protrusion, a conductive driving portion integrally formed at the outermost end of the first elastic arm and bent 90 degrees to extend outward, a second elastic arm extending from the fixed portion toward one end away from the driving protrusion, and a conductive fixed portion integrally formed at the outermost side of the second elastic arm and bent 90 degrees to extend inward; the conductive fixed portion is pressed against the electrical connection static contact of the PCB board to achieve electrical connection.

8. The pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 7, characterized in that: A conductive contact portion bent downward is formed on the first elastic arm.

9. The pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fixing seat is provided with a mounting portion for mounting the conductive member, and the mounting portion includes a first transverse mounting groove for the conductive driving portion, a first longitudinal mounting groove connected to one side of the first transverse mounting groove and for the first elastic arm to be placed in a movable manner, a fixing portion mounting groove connected to the tail end of the first longitudinal mounting groove and for the fixing portion to be placed in, a second longitudinal mounting groove connected to the other end of the fixing portion mounting groove and for the second elastic arm to be placed in a movable manner, and a second transverse mounting groove connected to the tail end of the second longitudinal mounting groove and for the conductive fixing portion to be placed in.

10. The pluggable ultra-thin mechanical keyboard switch according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes a dust cover covering the mounting portion.

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