Keycap supporting frame for ultrathin mechanical shaft

Abstract

A keycap supporting frame for an ultrathin mechanical shaft, comprising a base (1), a left fork (2), and a right fork (3). The left fork (2) and the right fork (3) are symmetrically and obliquely arranged on the base (1); the oblique bottoms of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3) extend towards each other; the bottoms of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3) are both rotatably connected to the base (1); the tops of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3) are both rotatably connected to a keycap (6); the inner side wall of the keycap (6) is provided with a limiting space for the top ends of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3) to slide; and an elastic member (4) is connected between the left fork (2) and the right fork (3), and the elastic member (4) is always in a stretched state. According to the technical solution, the occupied space of the oblique arrangement relative to the vertical arrangement is smaller, and the key thinning effect is achieved while the stable supporting effect on keycaps is achieved.

Description

A keycap support frame for ultra-thin mechanical axis Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of keyboards, in particular to a keycap support frame for an ultra-thin mechanical axis. Background Art

[0002] Reducing the overall thickness of mechanical keyboards has been a research hotspot in the keyboard industry in recent years. People have made keys thinner by reducing the height of the keycaps, simplifying the structure of the parts installed in the keycaps, and other methods.

[0003] Mechanical keyboards were the first to be adopted, generally using a metal contact switch to open and close contacts. They are characterized by simple manufacturing, easy maintenance, average feel, high noise, and easy wear. Most inexpensive mechanical keyboards use copper springs as the elastic material, which are prone to breaking and losing their elasticity, leading to increased failure rates over time. Furthermore, as the overall structure of the mechanical switch keys becomes thinner, the simple spring structure is more likely to lose its original elasticity, resulting in insensitive contact or a deteriorating feel. Therefore, if a support structure for the keycap could be designed that could both support the keycap and achieve rebound and partially replace the mechanical switch, the failure rate could be significantly reduced. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to reduce the situation where the failure rate of an ultra-thin mechanical switch increases when the thickness is reduced, the utility model provides a keycap support frame for an ultra-thin mechanical switch.

[0005] The utility model provides a keycap support frame for an ultra-thin mechanical switch, which adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] The key cap support frame of an ultra-thin mechanical axis comprises a base, a left fork frame and a right fork frame, wherein the left fork frame and the right fork frame are symmetrically inclined and arranged on the base, and the inclined bottom portions of the left fork frame and the right fork frame extend in a direction approaching each other, and the bottom portions of the left fork frame and the right fork frame are rotatably connected to the base, and the top portions of the left fork frame and the right fork frame are respectively provided with plug-in columns, which are clamped in the key cap, and the plug-in columns are also integrally connected with a connecting strip, and the plug-in columns and the connecting strip are both plastic columns, and the left fork frame and the right fork frame are metal frames, and the end portion of the left fork frame away from the base is plugged and fixed in the connecting strip, and the top portions of the left fork frame and the right fork frame are both rotatably connected to the key cap, and the inner side wall of the key cap is provided with a limiting space for sliding the top ends of the left fork frame and the right fork frame, and an elastic member is connected between the left fork frame and the right fork frame, and the elastic member is always in a stretched state.

[0007] Preferably, the four top corners of the keycap are provided with plug-in slots, and the two ends of the plug-in column are respectively plugged into two adjacent plug-in slots of the keycap, the thickness of the plug-in slot is adapted to the diameter of the plug-in column, and the length of the plug-in slot is greater than the length of the plug-in column. When the keycap is reset, the plug-in column abuts against one side of the plug-in slot perpendicular to the length direction of the plug-in column. When the keycap is pressed down to the maximum extent, the plug-in column abuts against the other side of the plug-in slot perpendicular to the length direction of the plug-in column.

[0008] Preferred.

[0009] Preferably, the top ends of the left fork frame and the right fork frame are both provided with connection holes for injecting the injection molding material.

[0010] Preferably, the plug-in column and the left fork frame are integrally formed.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic member is a torsion spring, the left fork frame and the right fork frame are hollow, a hanging ring is provided inside the hollow left fork frame, hooks are provided at both ends of the torsion spring, and the two hooks are respectively hung in the hanging rings of the left fork frame and the right fork frame.

[0012] Preferably, a connecting hook is provided on the base, and avoidance holes for the connecting hook to be hooked and inserted are opened on both sides of the left fork frame along the width direction, and the inner side wall of the hook portion of the connecting hook is arc-shaped.

[0013] In summary, the present invention provides the following beneficial technical effects: When a key is pressed, the left and right fork frames, pushed by the keycap, rotate their bottoms relative to the base, and the tops of the left and right fork frames rotate within the keycap and slide a certain distance away from each other. When the keycap is released, the elastic force of the elastic member drives the left and right fork frames toward each other and slides upward, thereby resetting the keycap. The left and right fork frames are arranged at an angle, providing a stable support for the keycap. Compared to a vertical arrangement, the inclined arrangement occupies less space, achieving a thinner key. The elastic member is positioned between the left and right fork frames, significantly reducing the impact of the height space within the keycap on the length and volume of the elastic member. The length of the elastic member can be selected based on the lengths of the symmetrical positions of the left and right fork frames, which helps reduce the problem of a vertically arranged elastic member having too little elastic length, resulting in a weak elastic force, and also makes the elastic member less likely to lose its elasticity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an ultra-thin mechanical switch.

[0015] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a keycap support frame of an ultra-thin mechanical switch of the present application.

[0016] FIG3 is a structural diagram illustrating the relative relationship between the keycap and the plug-in column.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a connection hole.

[0018] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a plug-in column.

[0019] Explanation of the accompanying reference numerals: 1. base; 2. left fork frame; 3. right fork frame; 4. elastic member; 5. torsion spring; 6. keycap; 7. plug-in slot; 8. plug-in column; 9. connecting strip; 10. connecting hole; 11. hanging ring; 12. hook; 13. connecting hook; 14. avoidance hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to Figures 1-4.

[0021] The embodiment of the present invention discloses a keycap support frame for an ultra-thin mechanical switch. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a keycap support frame for an ultra-thin mechanical switch comprises a base 1, a left fork frame 2, and a right fork frame 3. The left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are symmetrically and tiltedly arranged on the base 1. The tilted bottoms of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 extend in a direction approaching each other. The bottoms of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are both rotatably connected to the base 1. The tops of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are both rotatably connected to the keycap 6. The inner side wall of the keycap 6 is provided with a restricted space for the top ends of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 to slide. An elastic member 4 is connected between the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3, and the elastic member 4 is always in a stretched state.

[0022] When a key is pressed, the left and right fork frames 2 and 3, pushed by the keycap 6, rotate their bottoms relative to the base 1. The tops of the left and right fork frames 2 and 3 rotate within the keycap 6 and slide a certain distance away from each other. When the keycap 6 is released, the elastic force of the elastic member 4 drives the left and right fork frames 2 and 3 toward each other, causing the keycap 6 to slide upward, thereby resetting the keycap 6. The tilted arrangement of the left and right fork frames 2 and 3 provides a stable support for the keycap 6. This arrangement occupies less space than a vertical arrangement, achieving a thinner key. The elastic member 4 is positioned between the left and right fork frames 2 and 3, significantly reducing the impact of the height space within the keycap 6 on its length and volume. The length of the elastic member 4 can be selected based on the symmetrical lengths of the left and right fork frames 2 and 3. This helps reduce the risk of a vertically positioned elastic member 4 with a too-short elastic length, resulting in a weak elastic force, and also makes the elastic member 4 less likely to lose its elasticity.

[0023] 2 and 3 , in the present embodiment, plug-in slots 7 are provided at the four top corners of the keycap 6, and a plug-in column 8 is provided at the top of the left fork frame 2. The two ends of the plug-in column 8 are respectively plugged into two adjacent plug-in slots 7 of the keycap 6. The thickness of the plug-in slot 7 is adapted to the diameter of the plug-in column 8, and the length of the plug-in slot 7 is greater than the length of the plug-in column 8. When the keycap 6 is reset, the plug-in column 8 abuts against one side of the plug-in slot 7 perpendicular to the length direction of the plug-in column 8. When the keycap 6 is pressed down to the maximum extent, the plug-in column 8 abuts against the other side of the plug-in slot 7 perpendicular to the length direction of the plug-in column 8.

[0024] The mutual cooperation between the plug post 8 and the plug slot 7 enables the end of the plug post 8 to rotate and slide in the plug slot 7. At the same time, the plug slot 7 can limit the separation of the plug post 8 from the keycap 6, thereby realizing the rotational and sliding connection between the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 and the keycap 6, and limiting the separation of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 from the keycap 6, so that the top of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are firmly installed in the keycap 6. At the same time, the length of the plug slot 7 can limit the rotation angle of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3, thereby limiting the sliding distance of the keycap 6, reducing the situation where the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are difficult to reset due to excessive sliding of the keycap 6.

[0025] 3 and 4 , in this embodiment, the plug-in column 8 is also integrally connected to a connecting strip 9 . The plug-in column 8 and the connecting strip 9 are both plastic columns. The left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are metal frames. The end of the left fork frame 2 away from the base 1 is plugged and fixed in the connecting strip 9 .

[0026] Since the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are both flat-plate-shaped, they are easier to process directly. The cost of processing the left fork frame 2 can be reduced by selecting the special-shaped plug-in column 8 as a column made of plastic material. The left fork frame 2 can be formed by only making a simple cut on the flat plate. If the plug-in column 8 is directly processed as one piece, an additional mold is required to injection-mold the metal plug-in column 8. The cost of selecting the injection-mold plastic plug-in column 8 and the connecting strip 9 is relatively much lower.

[0027] 2 and 4 , in this embodiment, the top ends of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are both provided with connection holes 10 for injecting the injection molding material.

[0028] When processing the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3, the already formed left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are directly placed in the injection molding machine for injection molding. The setting of the connecting hole 10 makes it more difficult for the connecting strip 9 and the plug-in column 8 after injection molding to separate from the left fork frame 2 or the right fork frame 3, which is beneficial to improving the integrity and making the structure more compact, thereby increasing the service life of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3.

[0029] 3 and 5 , in other embodiments, the plug-in column 8 and the left fork frame 2 or the right fork frame 3 may also be integrally formed.

[0030] The plug-in column 8 and the left fork frame 2 or the right fork frame 3 are all integrally formed. During processing, the plug-in column 8 and the left fork frame 2 are directly cast as one piece, which makes the processing technology simpler and makes the plug-in column 8 and the left fork frame 2 more difficult to separate.

[0031] 2 and 3 , in this embodiment, the elastic member 4 is a torsion spring 5 , the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are hollow, a hanging ring 11 is provided inside the hollow portion of the left fork frame 2 , and hooks 12 are provided at both ends of the torsion spring 5 , and the two hooks 12 are respectively hung in the hanging rings 11 of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 .

[0032] A torsion spring 5 is arranged between the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3. The two hooks 12 pull the hanging rings 11 of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 through the elastic force of the torsion spring 5. Since the torsion spring 5 is always in a stretched state, it can limit the separation of the hook 12 from the hanging ring 11, and the hook 12 is always in a tight state with the inner wall of the hanging ring 11.

[0033] 2 and 3 , in this embodiment, a connecting hook 13 is provided on the base 1 , and avoidance holes 14 for the connecting hook 13 to be hooked and inserted are opened on both sides of the left fork frame 2 along the width direction, and the inner side wall of the hook portion of the connecting hook 13 is arc-shaped.

[0034] The cooperation between the connecting hook 13, the avoidance hole 14 and the torsion spring 5 makes it difficult for the bottom of the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 to separate from the connecting hook 13, and the inner side of the hook portion of the connecting hook 13 is arc-shaped. When the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 rotate, the bottom wall of the avoidance hole 14 and the hook portion of the connecting hook 13 are always in a tight state, so that the hook portion of the connecting hook 13 can limit the separation of the connecting hook 13 from the avoidance hole 14, so that the left fork frame 2 and the right fork frame 3 are firmly connected to the base 1.

[0035] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, any equivalent changes made based on the structure, shape, and principle of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036]

Claims

1. A keycap support for an ultra-thin mechanical shaft, characterized in that: It includes a base (1), a left fork (2) and a right fork (3). The left fork (2) and the right fork (3) are symmetrically and obliquely arranged on the base (1). The inclined bottoms of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3) extend towards each other. The bottoms of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3) are rotatably connected to the base (1). Plug posts (8) are provided at the tops of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3). The plug posts (8) are snap-fitted into the keycaps (6). The plug posts (8) are also integrally connected with connecting strips (9). The plug posts (8) and the connecting strips (9) are both plastic posts. The left fork (2) and the right fork (3) are metal frames. The end of the left fork (2) away from the base (1) is inserted and fixed into the connecting strip (9). The tops of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3) are rotatably connected to the keycap (6). A limiting space for the tops of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3) to slide is provided on the inner side wall of the keycap (6). An elastic member (4) is connected between the left fork (2) and the right fork (3), and the elastic member (4) is always in a stretched state.

2. The keycap support frame of the ultra-thin mechanical shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: Insertion slots (7) are provided at the four top corners of the keycap (6). A plug post (8) is provided at the top of the left fork (2). The two ends of the plug post (8) are respectively inserted into two adjacent insertion slots (7) of the keycap (6). The thickness of the insertion slot (7) is adapted to the diameter of the plug post (8). The length of the insertion slot (7) is greater than the length of the plug post (8). When the keycap (6) is reset, the plug post (8) abuts against a side surface perpendicular to the length direction of the plug post (8) of the insertion slot (7). When the keycap (6) is pressed down to the maximum extent, the plug post (8) abuts against the other side surface perpendicular to the length direction of the plug post (8) of the insertion slot (7).

3. The keycap support of the ultra-thin mechanical shaft according to claim 2, characterized in that: Connection holes (10) for injecting injection molding materials are provided at the tops of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3).

4. The keycap support of the ultra-thin mechanical shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug post (8) and the left fork (2) can also be replaced with an integrally formed whole.

5. The keycap support frame of the ultra-thin mechanical shaft according to either claim 1 or claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic member (4) is a torsion spring (5). The left fork (2) and the right fork (3) are hollow. Hanging rings (11) are provided inside the hollow of the left fork (2). Hooks (12) are provided at both ends of the torsion spring (5). The two hooks (12) are respectively hung in the hanging rings (11) of the left fork (2) and the right fork (3).

6. The keycap support frame of the ultra-thin mechanical shaft according to claim 5, characterized in that: A connection hook (13) is provided on the base (1). Avoidance holes (14) for the connection hook (13) to be hooked and inserted are provided on both sides of the left fork (2) along the width direction. The inner side wall of the hook part of the connection hook (13) is arc-shaped.

Images