Keyboard having hinge structures and output method thereof

Abstract

The present application provides a keyboard having hinge structures, comprising key core supports, key cores, and key caps. Each key core is arranged on the corresponding key core support. One side of each key cap is provided with a connecting member. The key core support is provided with snaps. The connecting member and the snaps are hingedly connected to form a hinge structure. The other side of the key cap abuts against the key core. When the key cap is pressed, the key cap forms a lever structure by taking the hinged connection position of the connecting member and the snaps as a fulcrum. By means of the hinge structure formed by the key cap and the key core support, a lever structure is formed by taking the connecting member as a fulcrum when the whole key is pressed, thereby reducing the force consumed during the pressing, the keyboard structure is simpler, and pressing the keyboard is more labor-saving.

Description

Hinge structure keyboard and output method thereof TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of input devices, in particular to a hinge structure keyboard and an output method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a computer accessory, the keyboard is the most commonly used and the most important input device. Through the keyboard, English letters, Chinese characters, numbers, punctuation marks, etc. can be input into the computer, thereby issuing commands to the computer and inputting data. The keyboard is generally composed of a key cap and a key core. The conventional key cap has a scissors leg structure, a chocolate structure, a butterfly structure or a mechanical shaft structure. However, these structures are relatively complex in process and structure, and some structures increase some mechanical structures to improve the hand feeling, which is relatively laborious when pressed. When a single key instruction needs to be repeatedly output, it needs to be repeatedly pressed, which is very inconvenient to operate and cannot control the pressing frequency.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present application is proposed to provide a hinge structure keyboard to overcome the above problems or at least partially solve the above problems.

[0005] The hinge structure keyboard disclosed by the embodiment of the present application comprises a key core support, a key core and a key cap.

[0006] The key core is arranged on the key core support, one side of the key cap is provided with a connecting piece, the key core support is provided with a buckle, the connecting piece and the buckle are hingedly connected to form a hinge structure, and the other side of the key cap abuts against the key core.

[0007] When the key cap is pressed, the key cap forms a lever structure with the hinged position of the connecting piece and the buckle as a fulcrum.

[0008] Further, a protruding piece is arranged at the abutting position of the key cap and the key core.

[0009] The key core comprises a capacitive sensing layer, a bottom film, a pot piece and a top film which are sequentially stacked, and the pot piece is arranged correspondingly to the protruding piece.

[0010] When the key cap is pressed, the protruding piece extrudes the pot piece to generate deformation, and the capacitance between the pot piece and the capacitive sensing layer changes.

[0011] And / or

[0012] The key core comprises a conductive film and a silica gel particle which are sequentially stacked.

[0013] When the key cap is pressed, the protruding piece presses the silica gel particle to contact the conductive film.

[0014] Further, the key core further comprises a middle layer sheet, which is arranged in the same plane as the pot sheet.

[0015] Further, the key cap comprises a space key cap, which is provided with a plurality of light guide holes, and the key core positions corresponding to the light guide holes are provided with indicator lights.

[0016] Further, the top layer sheet is provided with a slot corresponding to the protruding piece position.

[0017] Further, the buckle is a strong demolding structure, and / or, an up-and-down plug-in mold structure.

[0018] Further, a bottom shell is further included, which is arranged at the bottom of the key core support; the bottom of the bottom shell is provided with a folding support and a plurality of anti-skid pads.

[0019] Further, a mounting panel is further included, which is arranged at the top of the support.

[0020] An output method of a keyboard key instruction, the keyboard being any of the above keyboards, comprising the steps of:

[0021] When a change in capacitance is detected, the capacitance change value, the abscissa and the ordinate of the capacitance change position are obtained;

[0022] The abscissa and the ordinate are used to determine the key instruction, and the capacitance change value is used to determine the output threshold value;

[0023] The output instruction is determined according to the output threshold value and the key instruction.

[0024] Further, it further comprises:

[0025] The total amount of change in the capacitance value of the abscissa and the total amount of change in the capacitance value of the ordinate are used to determine the number of keys;

[0026] The capacitance change ratio of the abscissa and the ordinate is used to determine the key position;

[0027] The key instruction is determined according to the number of keys and the key position.

[0028] The present application has the following advantages:

[0029] In the embodiments of the present application, in order to solve the problems of the prior art, such as the pressing of the capacitive keyboard is laborious and the process structure is complex, the present application provides a solution of setting a hinge structure to reduce the pressing force of the keyboard and simplify the structure of the keyboard, specifically: a hinge structure keyboard, comprising a key core support, a key core and a key cap; the key core is arranged on the key core support, one side of the key cap is provided with a connecting piece, the key core support is provided with a buckle, the connecting piece and the buckle are hinged to form a hinge structure, and the other side of the key cap abuts against the key core; when the key cap is pressed, the key cap forms a lever structure with the hinged position of the connecting piece and the buckle as the fulcrum. The hinge structure formed by the key cap and the key core support makes the whole key form a lever structure with the connecting piece as the fulcrum when pressed, reduces the force consumed when pressed, and the keyboard structure is simpler and more labor-saving. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the present application will be briefly introduced below, and obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0031] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a hinge structure keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Fig. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a key cap part of a hinge structure keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Fig. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a key of a hinge structure keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Fig. 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a key of a hinge structure keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application, which adopts a silica gel particle and a conductive film structure;

[0035] Fig. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a lever structure of a hinge structure keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application, which is below the key;

[0036] Fig. 6 is a step flow chart of a keyboard key instruction output method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Fig. 7 is a structural schematic diagram of a keyboard key instruction output method according to an embodiment of the present application, in which the bottom line capacitive sensing layer is a single key type;

[0038] Fig. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a keyboard key instruction output method according to an embodiment of the present application, in which the bottom line capacitive sensing layer is a matrix scanning type.

[0039] In the drawings: 201, key cap; 202, connecting piece; 203, buckle; 301, key core support; 302, top layer film; 303, pot piece; 304, middle layer film; 305, bottom layer film; 306, capacitive sensing layer; 307, protruding piece; 401, silica gel particle; 402, conductive film. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to make the objectives, characteristics and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the present application will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0041] The inventor found through analysis of the prior art that the existing keyboard structure, through capacitive sensing output of the key instruction of the key, needs to consume higher force to ensure the durability of the whole keyboard, and the structure is complex and the industrial production cost is high.

[0042] In the embodiments of the present application, in order to solve the problems of high force and complex process structure of the capacitive keyboard in the prior art, the present application provides a solution of setting a hinge structure to reduce the pressing force of the keyboard key and simplify the key structure, specifically: a hinge type structure keyboard, comprising a key core support, a key core and a key cap; the key core is arranged on the key core support, one side of the key cap is provided with a connecting piece, the key core support is provided with a buckle, the connecting piece and the buckle are hinged to form a hinge structure, and the other side of the key cap abuts against the key core; when the key cap is pressed, the key cap forms a lever structure with the hinge position of the connecting piece and the buckle as the fulcrum. The hinge structure formed by the key cap and the key core support makes the whole key form a lever structure with the connecting piece as the fulcrum when pressed, reduces the force consumed when pressed, and the keyboard structure is simpler and more labor-saving when pressed.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1-3, a hinged structure keyboard is shown, including a key core support 301, a key core and a key cap 201; one side of the key cap 201 is provided with a connecting piece 202, the key core support 301 is provided with a buckle 203, the connecting piece 202 and the buckle 203 are hinged to form a hinge structure, the other side of the key cap 201 abuts against the key core, the key core is arranged in the key core support 301, one side of the key cap 201 is provided with a connecting piece 202, the key core support 301 is provided with a buckle 203, the connecting piece 202 and the buckle 203 are hinged to form a hinge structure, the other side of the key cap 201 abuts against the key core; when the key cap 201 is pressed, the key cap 201 forms a lever structure with the hinged position of the connecting piece 202 and the buckle 203 as the fulcrum. The hinge structure formed by the key cap 201 and the key core support 301 makes the whole key form a lever structure with the connecting piece as the fulcrum when pressed, reduces the force consumed when pressed, and the keyboard structure is simpler and more labor-saving when pressing the keyboard.

[0044] It should be noted that the connecting piece 202 of a conventional key generally corresponds to two buckles 203, and the two buckles 203 are arranged at both ends of the connecting piece 202. At the same time, according to the volume of the key cap in the keyboard, similar to the space bar, the "shift" key and other keys with relatively large volume and length, a plurality of buckles 203 need to be additionally arranged to connect with the connecting piece 202, so that the key is stable and does not shake and deform when pressed.

[0045] The lever structure adopted in the present scheme can extend the connecting piece to the bottom of other keys by using a longer lever structure, as shown in FIG. 1; the length of the lever structure can also be adjusted according to the actual need of labor saving, as shown in FIG. 5, so that the lever structure is shorter and is arranged only below the key itself. The specific length can be adjusted according to the actual demand, and the extension direction of the lever structure can also be adjusted according to the actual demand.

[0046] In the following, a hinged structure keyboard in the present exemplary embodiment will be further described.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present application, the key cap 201 is provided with a protruding piece 307 at the abutting position with the key core; the key core comprises a capacitive sensing layer 306, a bottom layer of adhesive film 305, a pot piece 303 and a top layer of adhesive film 302 which are sequentially stacked, and the pot piece 303 is correspondingly arranged with the protruding piece 307; when the key cap 202 is pressed, the protruding piece 307 extrudes the pot piece 303 to generate deformation, and the capacitance between the pot piece 303 and the capacitive sensing layer 306 is changed. The hinge structure formed by the key cap 201 and the key core support 301 enables the key to form a lever structure with the connecting piece 202 as the fulcrum when pressed, thereby reducing the force consumed when pressed. Meanwhile, different key instructions are output by changing the capacitance to different threshold ranges, so that the use of the keyboard is more targeted.

[0048] and / or;

[0049] Referring to FIG. 4, the key core comprises a conductive film 402 and a silica gel 401 which are sequentially stacked; when the key cap is pressed, the protruding piece presses the silica gel particle 401 to contact the conductive film 402, so that the key is set as a conventional key structure, or the key is set as a mixed application of a conventional key structure and a capacitive sensing structure.

[0050] It should be noted that the bottom layer of adhesive film 305 is provided with a hole corresponding to the position of the pot piece 303, and the hole is smaller than the pot piece, so as to form a capacitive sensing between the pot piece 303 and the capacitive sensing layer 306, and the capacitive change is generated by pressing the pot piece 303 to output instructions.

[0051] In this scheme, one end of the key cap 201 is connected with the key core support 301, and the other end can not be provided with a fixing structure, so that the key cap 201 can be rotated, revolved and the like at a large angle, and the key cap 201 can be flipped to facilitate cleaning the gap at the bottom of the key cap 201 and keep the keyboard clean.

[0052] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 4, the hinge structure of the present application can not only be used in the keyboard structure of the capacitive sensing structure, but also be used in the keyboard output structure of the conventional silica gel particle 401 and the conductive film 402, so as to save the manufacturing cost by using the conventional structure. Some keys can adopt the capacitive sensing structure, and some keys can adopt the conventional key structure, so that the keys which need to be frequently pressed or need to adjust the pressing frequency are set as the capacitive sensing structure, and the keys which are not frequently used are set as the conventional key structure, so that the overall configuration of the keyboard is more flexible.

[0053] As an example, the pot piece 303 and the capacitive sensing layer 306 are set to trigger the key instruction by capacitive sensing, and the pressing speed of the output key data can be determined by the pressing force. For example, when the pot piece 303 is continuously pressed without releasing the hand, the capacitance between the pot piece 303 and the capacitive sensing layer 306 is always within a first threshold range, and the output key instruction is considered as continuously pressing the key at a frequency of 90 times per minute. The pressing force of the key is increased, so that the capacitance between the pot piece 303 and the capacitive sensing layer 306 exceeds the first threshold range and is maintained within a second threshold range. The output key instruction is considered as continuously pressing the key at a frequency of 120 times per minute. By changing the pressing force, the output frequency of the key can be changed, and the key instruction can be continuously output without releasing the hand. By changing the output frequency by the pressing force, the operation is more convenient.

[0054] In the following, a hinged structure keyboard in the present exemplary embodiment will be further described.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present application, the key core further comprises an intermediate layer film 304, and the intermediate layer film 304 is arranged in the same plane as the pot piece 303.

[0056] It should be noted that the intermediate layer film 304 is used to support and protect the pot piece 303, improve the durability of the keyboard, prevent the pot piece 303 from being displaced or pressed, and thus reduce the service life.

[0057] In an embodiment of the present application, the key cap 201 comprises a space key cap, and the space key cap is provided with a plurality of light guide holes. The key core position corresponding to the light guide hole is provided with an indicator lamp.

[0058] It should be noted that the space key cap is provided with a light guide hole or a transparent structure, and the key core support at the bottom of the space key cap is provided with an indicator lamp, which facilitates the user to observe the use state of the keyboard and prompts the user to operate.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present application, the top layer film 302 is provided with a slot corresponding to the position of the protruding piece 307.

[0060] It should be noted that by setting the slot, the protruding piece 307 is inserted into the slot, and the stability of the key cap 201 is improved to prevent skewing operation when pressing.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present application, the buckle 203 is a strong demolding structure, and / or an upper and lower plug-in mold structure.

[0062] It should be noted that the key core support has high integrity and compact structure by using the strong demolding structure, and the structure cost is lower by using the upper and lower insertion mold structure, and the industrial production is facilitated.

[0063] In an embodiment of the present application, the capacitive sensing layer is provided with conductive silica gel. The conductive silica gel structure is adopted to realize the key function

[0064] In an embodiment of the present application, a bottom shell is further included, which is arranged at the bottom of the key core support, and the bottom of the bottom shell is provided with a folding support and a plurality of anti-skid pads.

[0065] It should be noted that the bottom shell is used to improve the durability and aesthetics of the keyboard, and the folding support can make the keyboard produce a certain angle of inclination when placed, thereby facilitating the operation of the operator.

[0066] In an embodiment of the present application, a mounting panel is further included, which is arranged at the top of the support.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, in an embodiment of the present application, a keyboard key instruction output method is further provided, and the keyboard is any of the above keyboards, which includes the following steps:

[0068] S610, when the capacitance is detected to change, the capacitance change value, the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate of the capacitance change position are obtained;

[0069] S620, the key instruction is determined according to the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate, and the output threshold value is determined according to the capacitance change value;

[0070] S630, the output instruction is determined according to the output threshold value and the key instruction.

[0071] In the embodiment of the present application, when the capacitance is detected to change, the capacitance change value, the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate of the capacitance change position are obtained, the key instruction is determined according to the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate, the output threshold value is determined according to the capacitance change value, and the output instruction is determined according to the output threshold value and the key instruction. By judging the change of the capacitance coordinate, the corresponding output instruction can be determined, and the accuracy of the output instruction is determined by the output threshold value.

[0072] In the following, a keyboard key instruction output method in the present exemplary embodiment will be further described.

[0073] As described in step S610, when the capacitance is detected to change, the capacitance change value, the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate of the capacitance change position are obtained.

[0074] It should be noted that the number of pressed keys can be determined by the size of the capacitance change value, and the actually pressed key can be determined by the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate of the capacitance change position and the capacitance change value, so as to determine the output instruction.

[0075] According to the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate, the key instruction is determined, and the output threshold is determined according to the capacitance change value, as shown in step S620.

[0076] It should be noted that an output threshold is set to prevent errors in the output caused by the capacitance change when a key is pressed by mistake, so as to adjust the sensitivity of the keyboard output.

[0077] Meanwhile, a gradient output threshold can be set, the capacitance generated by pressing a key is within the first output threshold range, the key does not trigger the output instruction; the capacitance generated by pressing a key is within the second output threshold range, the instruction issued by the key is to press the key at a pressing frequency of 60 per minute; the capacitance generated by pressing a key is within the third output threshold range, the instruction issued by the key is to press the key at a pressing frequency of 90 per minute; and the like, and the pressing frequency corresponding to each threshold range can also be set according to actual application, so as to improve the targeted application of the key and improve the application.

[0078] According to the output threshold and the key instruction, the output instruction is determined, as shown in step S630.

[0079] As an example, the pot piece is placed parallel to the inductive line layer, the pot piece is surrounded by the ground wire to form a variable capacitance C0, the middle part of the pot piece is surrounded by the X-direction inductive disc and the Y-direction inductive disc to form two variable capacitances C1 and C2, the distance between the middle part of the pot piece and the inductive line layer changes when the pot piece is pressed, the capacitances C1 and C2 change, the actual key pressed is calculated by detecting the capacitance value change of each key, and reference can be made to FIG. 7.

[0080] Or, as shown in FIG. 8, the distance between the middle part of the pot piece and the inductive line layer changes when the pot piece is pressed, the capacitances C1 and C2 change, the actual key pressed is calculated by detecting the capacitance value change of each line through matrix scanning, for example, when the K1 key is pressed, the X1 and Y1 capacitance values change, the K1 pressure value can be calculated, a key action threshold is set, then the K4 key is pressed, the X1 capacitance value changes to the sum of the K1 key pressing capacitance value and the K4 key pressing capacitance value, the Y2 capacitance value changes, the K4 key is determined to be pressed according to the Y2 capacitance value key action threshold, and the pressure value can be used to simulate continuous tapping.

[0081] In an embodiment of the present application, the method further comprises:

[0082] The number of keys is determined according to the total amount of capacitance value change of the horizontal coordinate and the total amount of capacitance value change of the vertical coordinate.

[0083] determining the key position according to the ratio of the capacitance variation of the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate;

[0084] determining the key instruction according to the number of the keys and the key position.

[0085] Although the preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, those skilled in the art who become aware of the basic inventive concept can make further alterations and modifications to the embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all the alterations and modifications falling within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0086] Finally, it should be noted that, in the present text, the relational terms such as first and second and the like are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between such entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or terminal device including a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or terminal device. Without more limitations, an element defined by the statement "comprising a" does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or terminal device including the element.

[0087] The above has introduced in detail a hinged structure keyboard and its output method provided by the present application, and the principle and implementation mode of the present application have been described by applying specific examples; the above description of the embodiments is only for helping to understand the method of the present application and its core idea; at the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, there will be changes in the specific implementation mode and application range; in view of the above, the content of the present description should not be understood as a limitation of the present application.

Claims

1. A hinged structure keyboard, characterized by, The key core support, the key core and the key cap are included. The key core is arranged in the key core support, one side of the key cap is provided with a connecting piece, the key core support is provided with a buckle, the connecting piece and the buckle are hinged to form a hinge structure, and the other side of the key cap abuts against the key core. When the key cap is pressed, the key cap forms a lever structure with the hinged position of the connecting piece and the buckle as a fulcrum.

2. The hinged structure keyboard according to claim 1, wherein The key cap is provided with a protruding piece at the abutting position with the key core. The key core includes a capacitive sensing layer, a bottom layer of film, a pot piece and a top layer of film arranged in sequence. When the key cap is pressed, the protruding piece extrudes the pot piece to generate deformation, and the capacitance between the pot piece and the capacitive sensing layer changes. And / or The key core includes a conductive film and silica gel particles arranged in sequence. When the key cap is pressed, the protruding piece presses the silica gel particles to contact the conductive film.

3. The hinged structure keyboard according to claim 1, wherein The key core further includes a middle layer of film, and the middle layer of film and the pot piece are arranged in the same plane.

4. The hinged structure keyboard according to claim 1, wherein The key cap includes a space key cap, and the space key cap is provided with a plurality of light guide holes.

5. The hinged structure keyboard according to claim 1, wherein The top layer of film is provided with a slot corresponding to the position of the protruding piece.

6. The hinged structure keyboard according to claim 1, wherein The buckle is a strong demolding structure, and / or an up-and-down plug-in mold structure.

7. The hinged structure keyboard according to claim 1, wherein A bottom shell is further included, and the bottom shell is arranged at the bottom of the key core support.

8. The hinged structure keyboard according to claim 1, wherein The bottom shell is provided with a folding support and a plurality of anti-skid pads at the bottom.

9. A method of outputting a keyboard key instruction, characterized by, An installation panel is further included, and the installation panel is arranged at the top of the support. The keyboard is the keyboard of any one of claims 1-8, and the method comprises the steps of: When the capacitance change is detected, the capacitance change value, the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate of the capacitance change position are obtained; The key instruction is determined according to the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate, and the output threshold value is determined according to the capacitance change value; 10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The output instruction is determined according to the output threshold value and the key instruction. Further comprising: The number of keys is determined according to the total amount of capacitance value change of the horizontal coordinate and the total amount of capacitance value change of the vertical coordinate; The key position is determined according to the capacitance change ratio of the horizontal coordinate and the vertical coordinate; The key instruction is determined according to the number of keys and the key position.

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