Key and keyboard

Abstract

Provided in the present disclosure are a key and a keyboard. The key comprises a first stationary magnet, several second stationary magnets, and a movable magnet. The movable magnet and the second stationary magnets are magnetized in a vertical direction. The movable magnet is fixedly disposed below a press portion of the key, and moves together with the press portion. The several second stationary magnets are disposed on the outer side of the movable magnet, such that horizontal forces acting on the movable magnet are balanced. The magnetization direction of the first stationary magnet is the opposite of that of the movable magnet, and the first stationary magnet is arranged directly below the movable magnet, so as to provide an upward repulsive force for the movable magnet when the key is pressed, thereby eliminating the stepped feel during pressing caused by the abrupt transition points of repulsive forces exerted on the movable magnet by the several second stationary magnets. The key provided in the present application has a rational layout and a simple structure, and does not cause an obvious stepped feel during pressing, thereby providing good pressing feel and an excellent interaction experience.

Description

A type of key and keyboard

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2024226940722, filed on November 5, 2024, entitled "A Keypad and Keyboard", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to the field of input / output devices for human-computer interaction, and more specifically to a key that can eliminate the tactile feedback of pressing segments, and a corresponding keyboard. Background Technology

[0004] Physical buttons are a crucial type of input / output device, widely used in mobile phones, computers, and other electronic devices. Among these, one type is the magnetic axis button, which uses a magnetic sensor to detect the movement of a magnetic axis to output a press signal. The advantages of magnetic axis buttons are their rapid triggering, minimal physical wear, and relatively good durability. This is primarily due to their short travel length and low latency. For example, a typical mechanical key requires a travel of over 10mm to complete two triggers; in contrast, a magnetic axis button requires only a few millimeters of travel and has a response latency of only 1ms.

[0005] However, existing magnetic axis buttons typically use two magnets, a moving magnet and a stationary magnet, that move relative to each other when the button is pressed, causing a change in the magnetic field at the sensing point. A corresponding magnetic sensor detects this change in the magnetic field and thus the button's pressed state. Currently, magnetic axis buttons usually place the stationary magnet below or to the side of the moving magnet. When the button is pressed, the relative distance between the moving and stationary magnets changes. However, since magnetic force is proportional to the square of the distance between magnets, when the stationary magnet is below the moving magnet, the button's resistance increases rapidly during pressing, even becoming difficult to press further. When the stationary magnet is to the side of the moving magnet, a noticeable tactile bump occurs as the moving magnet experiences the crossing of the stationary magnet's poles during pressing, severely affecting the tactile feel.

[0006] Public content

[0007] In order to improve the pressing feel of existing magnetic axis keys and meet the personalized pressing needs of some users, this disclosure proposes a key with a simple structure that effectively eliminates the tactile feedback of pressing and is easy to press, as well as a corresponding keyboard.

[0008] This disclosure provides a button, which structurally includes: a first stationary magnet, a plurality of second stationary magnets, and a moving magnet.

[0009] The movable magnet is fixedly disposed below the pressing part of the button, and moves together with the pressing part when the button is pressed. Its magnetization direction is vertical. The first stationary magnet is disposed directly below the movable magnet, and its magnetization direction is opposite to that of the movable magnet.

[0010] The plurality of second stationary magnets are identical, and their magnetization direction is the same as that of the moving magnet. In a horizontal direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, the plurality of second stationary magnets are positioned outside the moving magnet, so that the moving magnet is subjected to force balance in the horizontal direction; in the pressing direction, the bottom of the plurality of second stationary magnets is not lower than the top of the first stationary magnet.

[0011] To detect the button's pressed state, the button also includes a magnetic field sensor positioned below the first static magnet. The magnetic field sensor can be implemented using a Hall-based sensing element or an XMR magnetoresistive sensor, where XMR includes TMR, AMR, and GMR; details are omitted here.

[0012] When the lower end of the moving magnet crosses the N-S boundary of the second stationary magnet, the repulsive force between the moving magnet and the second stationary magnet decreases quadratically; at the same time, the magnetic repulsive force between the first stationary magnet and the moving magnet increases quadratically, effectively eliminating the pressing segment sensation caused by the abrupt inflection point of the repulsive force of the second stationary magnet on the moving magnet.

[0013] Optionally, when the button is not pressed, the moving magnet is suspended between the plurality of second stationary magnets, and the bottom of the moving magnet is higher than the N / S pole interface of the second stationary magnets.

[0014] Optionally, the moving magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet, and the second stationary magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet. The first stationary magnet is a cylindrical or square magnetic disc.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first and second static magnets are made of a weakly magnetic material, and the movable magnet is made of a strong magnetic material. The button includes two second static magnets. The second static magnets and the movable magnet have the same shape and size. Specifically, the second static magnet is a cylindrical magnet with a diameter of 3mm and a height of 5mm, half of which is magnetized, and the first static magnet is a circular magnetic disc with a diameter of 3mm and a height of 1mm, half of which is magnetized.

[0016] This disclosure also provides a keyboard. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys; wherein at least one is a magnetic axis key as described above.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of the embodiments of this disclosure include, for example:

[0018] Compared to existing magnetic axis buttons, the buttons provided in this disclosure are based on a combination of static and dynamic magnets. With a simple physical structure, they eliminate the tactile feedback during pressing and improve the button's tactile feel. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a button provided in one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the shape and size of each magnet in the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 3 is a simulation diagram of the relationship between the pressing displacement and magnetic resistance force of the button during the pressing process (without considering the gravity of other accessories) in the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0022] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the button provided in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] 10-Moving magnet; 11-First stationary magnet; 12-Second stationary magnet; 20-Button base; 21-Button top cover; 22-Button shaft cap; 221 Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. The components of the embodiments of this disclosure described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0026] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this disclosure provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed disclosure, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without inventive effort are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, in one embodiment, the button provided in this disclosure includes: a first stationary magnet 11, a plurality of second stationary magnets 12, and a movable magnet 10. The movable magnet 10 is fixedly disposed below the pressing part of the button, and moves together with the pressing part when the button is pressed, with its magnetization direction being vertical. The first stationary magnet 11 is disposed directly below the movable magnet 10, and its magnetization direction is opposite to that of the movable magnet 10. The plurality of second stationary magnets 12 are identical, and their magnetization direction is the same as that of the movable magnet 10.

[0028] In the horizontal direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, the plurality of second stationary magnets 12 are disposed on the outer side of the movable magnet 10, so that the movable magnet 10 is subjected to force balance in the horizontal direction.

[0029] In the pressing direction, the bottom of the plurality of second static magnets 12 is not lower than the top of the first static magnet 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG1, although there are only two second static magnets 12, this is only for illustration and is not a limitation on the number of second static magnets 12 in the technical solution provided in this disclosure. In fact, the number of second static magnets 12 can also be three or more, as long as the force on the moving magnet 10 is balanced in the horizontal direction through reasonable distribution.

[0030] For button press detection, a magnetic field sensor (not shown in Figure 1) can be used, positioned below the first static magnet 11. The magnetic field sensor can be based on a Hall-type sensing element or an XMR magnetoresistive sensor, where XMR includes TMR, AMR, and GMR; details are omitted here.

[0031] Furthermore, the moving magnet 10 can be a cylindrical, bar, or square magnet, and the second stationary magnet 12 can be a cylindrical, bar, or square magnet. The first stationary magnet 11 is a cylindrical or square magnetic disc. No restrictions are placed on the shape or size of the moving magnet 10, the first stationary magnet 11, or the second stationary magnet 12. In fact, as long as the magnetic force exerted by the plurality of second stationary magnets 12 and first stationary magnets 11 on the moving magnet 10 is sufficient to balance the force on the moving magnet 10 in the initial state when the button is not pressed, allowing it to suspend among the plurality of second stationary magnets 12, it is acceptable.

[0032] Furthermore, when the button is not pressed in its initial state, the moving magnet 10 is suspended between the plurality of second stationary magnets 12, and the bottom of the moving magnet 10 is higher than the N / S pole interface of the second stationary magnets 12.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the button includes two second static magnets 12. The second static magnets 12 are identical to the moving magnet 10. Specifically, the second static magnet is a cylindrical magnet with a diameter of 3 mm and a height of 5 mm, half-magnetized, and the first static magnet is a circular magnetic disc with a diameter of 3 mm and a height of 1 mm, half-magnetized.

[0034] The positional relationship of the magnets in Figure 3 corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the axial distance between the moving magnet 10 and any of the second stationary magnets 12 is 3.7 mm, and the top of the first stationary magnet 11 and the bottom of the second stationary magnet 12 are on the same horizontal plane. In the initial state when the button is not pressed (ignoring the mass of other button components), the bottom of the moving magnet 10 is about 0.6 mm lower than the top of the second stationary magnet 12. The first stationary magnet 11 and the second stationary magnet 12 are both made of a weakly magnetic material (samarium to cobalt ratio of 1:5, remanence 0.7T), while the moving magnet is made of a strong magnetic material (sintered neodymium iron boron N35, remanence 1.2T). The button includes two second stationary magnets 12. The second stationary magnets 12 and the moving magnet 10 have the same shape and size.

[0035] Figure 3 is a simulation diagram of the relationship between pressing displacement and magnetic resistance force of the button in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 during the pressing process (without considering the gravity of other components). In this simulation diagram, the horizontal axis is the pressing displacement (unit: mm) with the initial state as the coordinate zero point, and the vertical axis is the resistance force (unit: GF) encountered during the pressing process.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the dimensions of the second stationary magnet 12 and the moving magnet 10 indicate that, without the first stationary magnet 11, when the pressing displacement is around 1.9 mm, the bottom of the moving magnet 10 crosses the N / S interface of the second stationary magnet 12, and the pressing resistance tends to decrease. However, this situation does not exist in the simulation curve in Figure 3. The reason is that, at the same time as the lower end of the moving magnet 10 crosses the N / S interface of the second stationary magnet 12 and the repulsive force between the moving magnet 10 and the second stationary magnet 12 decreases at an inflection point, the magnetic repulsive force between the first stationary magnet 11 and the moving magnet 10 increases. This effectively compensates for the abrupt decrease in the repulsive force of the second stationary magnets 12 on the moving magnet 10, eliminating the tactile feedback during button pressing.

[0037] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a button provided in one embodiment of this disclosure. In the example shown in Figure 4, excluding the magnetic sensing component, the complete button includes: a button base 20, a button top cover 21, a button shaft cap 22, two second stationary magnets 12, a first stationary magnet 11, and a movable magnet 10. The button base 20 has mounting positions for the second stationary magnets 12 and the first stationary magnets 11, and the movable magnet 10 is fitted inside the magnet sleeve of the button shaft cap 22. The lower end of the button shaft cap 22, where the movable magnet 10 is mounted, passes through the shaft hole of the button top cover 21, while the upper end protrudes from the shaft hole. The button top cover 21 and the button base 20 are snapped together to form the overall appearance of the button. The pressing stroke of the button can be limited by a protrusion 221 provided on the shaft of the button shaft cap 22.

[0038] Accordingly, this disclosure also provides a keyboard. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys; wherein at least one is a magnetic axis key as described above. Preferably, when implemented as a keyboard, the second stationary magnet 12 is configured as a bar magnet.

[0039] The above description is merely an embodiment of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure. Various modifications and variations can be made to this disclosure by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Industrial applicability

[0040] In summary, the present disclosure provides a button comprising a first static magnet, a plurality of second static magnets, and a movable magnet. The first static magnet is positioned directly below the movable magnet, with its magnetization direction opposite to that of the movable magnet. The plurality of second static magnets are positioned outside the movable magnet, balancing the forces acting on the movable magnet in the horizontal direction. The plurality of second static magnets are identical, and their magnetization directions are the same as those of the movable magnet. This simple physical structure eliminates the tactile feedback during pressing, improving the button's tactile feel.

Claims

1. A button, characterized in that, The button includes: a first static magnet, several second static magnets, and a moving magnet; The movable magnet is fixedly disposed below the pressing part of the button. When the button is pressed, it moves together with the pressing part, and its magnetization direction is up and down. The first stationary magnet is positioned directly below the moving magnet, and its magnetization direction is opposite to that of the moving magnet. The plurality of second static magnets are identical, and their magnetization direction is the same as that of the moving magnet; in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, the plurality of second static magnets are positioned outside the moving magnet, so that the moving magnet is subjected to force balance in the horizontal direction; in the pressing direction, the bottom of the plurality of second static magnets is not lower than the top of the first static magnet.

2. The button as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the button is not pressed, the moving magnet is suspended between the plurality of second stationary magnets, and the bottom of the moving magnet is higher than the N / S pole interface of the second stationary magnets.

3. The button as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The button also includes a magnetic field sensor located below the first static magnet.

4. The button as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first and second stationary magnets are made of weak magnetic materials, while the moving magnet is made of strong magnetic materials.

5. The button as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The moving magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet, and the second stationary magnet is a cylindrical or bar magnet.

6. The button as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first static magnet is a cylindrical magnetic disc or a square magnetic disc.

7. The button as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The button includes two second static magnets; the second static magnets and the moving magnets have the same shape and size.

8. The button as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The second static magnet is a cylindrical magnet with a diameter of 3mm and a height of 5mm, half of which is magnetized. The first static magnet is a circular magnetic disc with a diameter of 3mm and a height of 1mm, half of which is magnetized.

9. A keyboard, characterized in that, The keyboard includes a plurality of keys; wherein at least one key is the key as described in any one of claims 1-8.

Images