Thin inductive shaft structure

Abstract

A thin inductive shaft structure, comprising a base (1), an upper cover (2) covering the base (1), a guide core (3) disposed within the base (1) and the upper cover (2) and extending upward out of the upper cover (2), and a return spring (4) having an upper end abutting against the guide core (3) and a lower end abutting against the base (1). The thin inductive shaft structure further comprises a metal member (5) disposed on a side of the guide core (3) and having an overall tapered configuration with a diameter gradually decreasing from top to bottom. A mounting member (6) is provided on the side of the guide core (3), and an upper end of the metal member (5) is received in the mounting member (6). A through channel (11) is formed in the base (1) for allowing the metal member (5) to pass downward therethrough. The thin inductive shaft structure effectively ensures linear conduction of the shaft without direct contact, reduces wear, realizes accurate conduction, and enables fine gradation, thereby satisfying the application requirements for multi-level signal output. Furthermore, disposing the metal member (5) on the side of the guide core (3) reduces the overall height of the shaft, achieves a low-profile design, and meets the usage requirements for keyboard height.

Description

A thin inductive shaft structure Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of push-button switch technology, and in particular to a thin inductive shaft structure. Background Technology

[0002] Most push-button switches on the market are mechanical. When pressed by external force, the moving contact and the stationary contact contact each other, causing a short circuit and sending a signal to achieve the corresponding operation. The disadvantage of this combination of moving and stationary contact is material wear, especially the contact surfaces of the moving and stationary contacts, which wear down with use. Therefore, as the push-button switch is used for a longer period of time, problems such as accidental activation or failure to activate will occur frequently, which is not conducive to daily use.

[0003] Furthermore, another drawback of this type of mechanical push-button switch is that it only provides one switching point in each actuation. In other words, each actuation at a certain point triggers exactly one signal. Therefore, it cannot implement variable signals in a multi-level, finely graded, or even stepless manner, and cannot meet users' needs for multi-level signal output.

[0004] Furthermore, conventional inductive switches place the actuator at the lower end of the guide, resulting in a relatively high overall height. This makes them unsuitable for use in environments such as laptops where a thin keyboard is required, limiting their applicability. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a thin inductive switch structure that effectively ensures linear conduction of the switch, eliminates the need for direct contact, reduces wear, ensures accurate conduction, and enables fine-grading, thereby meeting the needs of multi-level signal output. Furthermore, the structure in which the metal parts are located on the side of the conductor core reduces the overall height of the switch, achieving the goal of thinness and lightness, and meeting people's needs for keyboard height.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to achieve the above objectives is as follows:

[0007] A thin inductive shaft structure includes a base, a top cover fitted onto the base, a guide core disposed within the base and the top cover and extending upward through the top cover, and a return spring with its upper end pressing against the guide core and its lower end pressing against the base. It also includes a metal component disposed on the side of the guide core, having a tapered shape with its diameter decreasing sequentially from top to bottom. A mounting component is disposed on the side of the guide core, and the upper end of the metal component is inserted into the mounting component. A through-channel is formed on the base for the metal component to pass downward through.

[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, the metal part includes an embedding part embedded in the mounting part and a sensing part that is conical in shape with a diameter decreasing from top to bottom.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, the sensing part includes a first sensing end whose upper end is connected to the embedded part and whose overall shape is conical with a diameter decreasing sequentially from top to bottom, and a second sensing end integrally formed on the lower end of the first sensing end with a diameter that remains consistent from top to bottom.

[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, the diameter of the uppermost end of the first sensing end is greater than the diameter of its embedded part, and the diameter of the lowermost end of the first sensing end is equal to the diameter of the second sensing end.

[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, a mounting groove is formed in the middle of the mounting member for the embedding part to be embedded.

[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model, the lower end face of the mounting groove is provided with an inclined mounting guide surface that extends from the lower outer side to the upper inner side of the mounting groove.

[0013] As a further improvement of this utility model, the diameter of the mounting groove is smaller than the diameter of the uppermost end of the first sensing end.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0015] This switch structure includes a base, a top cover fitted onto the base, a guide core disposed within the base and top cover and extending upward through the top cover, and a return spring with its upper end pressing against the guide core and its lower end pressing against the base. It also includes a metal component disposed on the side of the guide core, with its overall tapered shape and decreasing diameter from top to bottom. A mounting component is disposed on the side of the guide core, and the upper end of the metal component is inserted into the mounting component. A through-channel is formed on the base for the metal component to pass downward. This switch structure is mounted on a keyboard or other mechanical device. The circuit board of the keyboard or other mechanical device has corresponding coils and holes for the metal component to pass through. The metal component, the through-channel, and the holes on the circuit board are on the same radial vertical line, thereby effectively ensuring the accuracy of the conductivity. When current passes through the coil, it generates a certain electromagnetic field. When an external force presses on the conductor, the conductor drives the mounting component and the metal component on the mounting component to move downwards simultaneously. The metal component passes through the through-channel and approaches the coil, inducing a signal in the conductor within the electromagnetic field range, thereby transmitting a signal outwards. By setting the metal component in a conical shape, the closer it is to the coil, the stronger the induction effect, thus ensuring linear conduction, eliminating the need for direct contact, reducing wear, improving conduction accuracy, and allowing different strokes to correspond to different operating signals, thereby achieving fine-grading and meeting the needs of multi-level signal output. By placing the metal component on the side of the conductor, compared to the structure on the market where the actuator is placed below the conductor, it saves more space and has a smaller height, thus reducing the overall height of the switch and achieving a thinner design, meeting people's needs for keyboard height.

[0016] The above is an overview of the utility model's technical solution. The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, will further illustrate the utility model. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 is a front view of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the bottom surface of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 is an exploded view of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the metal part being installed on the mounting component;

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the metal part;

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the mounting component in the guide core;

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Base; 11. Through-passage; 2. Top cover; 3. Guide core; 4. Reset spring; 5. Metal part; 51. Embedded part; 52. Sensing part; 521. First sensing end; 522. Second sensing end; 6. Mounting part; 61. Mounting groove; 62. Mounting inclined guide surface; 7. Circuit board; 71. Coil; 72. Hole.

[0024] Detailed Implementation

[0025] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this utility model to achieve its intended purpose, the specific implementation methods of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0027] 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 technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0028] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, this embodiment of the present invention provides a thin inductive shaft structure, including a base 1, an upper cover 2 covering the base 1, a guide core 3 disposed within the base 1 and the upper cover 2 and extending upward through the upper cover 2, and a return spring 4 whose upper end abuts against the guide core 3 and whose lower end abuts against the base 1. It also includes a metal part 5 disposed on the side of the guide core 3 and having a tapered shape with its diameter decreasing sequentially from top to bottom. A mounting part 6 is disposed on the side of the guide core 3, and the upper end of the metal part 5 is inserted into the mounting part 6. A through channel 11 is formed on the base 1 for the metal part 5 to pass downward through.

[0030] This shaft structure is mounted on mechanical devices such as keyboards. The circuit board 7 of these devices has a coil 71 and a hole 72 for the metal component 5 to pass through. The metal component 5, the through-channel 11, and the hole 72 on the circuit board 7 are on the same radial vertical line, effectively ensuring the accuracy of conduction. When current passes through the coil 71, a certain electromagnetic field is generated. When an external force presses the guide core 3, the guide core 3 drives the mounting part 6 and the metal component 5 mounted on the mounting part 6 to move downwards synchronously. The metal component 5 passes through the through-channel 11 and approaches the coil 71, inducing a signal in the conductor within the electromagnetic field range, thereby transmitting a signal outwards. By setting the metal component 5 in a conical shape, the closer it is to the coil 71, the stronger the induction effect, thus ensuring linear conduction, eliminating the need for direct contact, reducing wear, improving conduction accuracy, and allowing different strokes to correspond to different operating signals, thereby achieving fine-grained classification and meeting the needs of multi-level signal output. By placing the metal part 5 on the side of the guide core 3, compared to the structure in the market where the actuator is placed below the guide core 3, it saves more space and reduces height, thereby reducing the overall height of the switch and achieving a thinner design, meeting people's needs for keyboard height. The sensing principle of the coil 71, the circuit board 7 on the keyboard, and the connection method between the circuit board 7 and the coil 71 are all conventional techniques in the field, and therefore will not be elaborated upon in this embodiment. The coil 71 can be a flat coil 71, a conical coil 71 designed to further improve the grading effect, or a frustum-shaped wound coil 71, etc., and the choice can be made according to the actual situation; therefore, no specific limitation is made in this embodiment.

[0031] Preferably, the mounting component 6 is integrally formed with the guide core 3, thereby effectively ensuring the driving effect of the guide core 3 on the mounting component 6 and making it less prone to damage.

[0032] Regarding the material of the metal part 5, the metal part 5 can be made of metals such as iron and aluminum. Preferably, the metal part 5 is made of aluminum, which effectively avoids the problem that the metal part 5 made of iron products and magnets will demagnetize over time, thus causing the coil 71 to be unstable. This effectively ensures the accuracy of the output signal of the shaft structure and provides users with a better user experience.

[0033] Regarding the shape of the metal part 5, it can be a flat conical plate or a frustum shape, etc., and the choice can be made according to the actual situation. Therefore, no specific limitation is made in this embodiment.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the specific structural configuration of the metal component 5 includes an embedding part 51 embedded in the mounting member 6 and a sensing part 52 that is conical in shape with its diameter decreasing from top to bottom. The embedding part 51 is embedded in the mounting member 6 to fix the metal component 5, allowing the guide core 3 to stably drive the metal component 5 to move linearly through the mounting member 6, ensuring the conductivity of the shaft structure. The sensing part 52 passes through the through-channel 11 and approaches the coil 71, causing the wires within the electromagnetic field range to be induced, thereby transmitting signals outward and realizing the corresponding operation.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the sensing part 52 includes a first sensing end 521 with its upper end connected to the embedded part 51 and its overall conical shape with a diameter decreasing from top to bottom, and a second sensing end 522 integrally formed on the lower end of the first sensing end 521 with a diameter that remains consistent from top to bottom. The first sensing end 521 has a conical shape with a diameter decreasing from top to bottom, thus achieving a gradual change in sensing intensity. The closer it is to the coil 71, the stronger the sensing effect, thereby ensuring linear conduction, improving the accuracy of conduction, and allowing different operating signals to correspond to different strokes, thus achieving fine grading and meeting the needs of multi-level signal output. The second sensing end 522 has a diameter that remains consistent from top to bottom, so that the external coil 71 can stably sense the second sensing end 522 when pressed first, ensuring the sensitivity of the shaft structure and the stability of conduction. The specific method for classifying the operation signal of the metal component 5 can be achieved by using different strokes, or by directly using the first sensing end 521 and the second sensing segment, or by other methods. These methods can be selected and adjusted according to the actual situation, so no specific restrictions are imposed in this embodiment.

[0036] Preferably, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, in order to prevent the metal part 5 from shifting upwards during use, the diameter of the uppermost end of the first sensing end 521 is larger than the diameter of its embedded part 51. This ensures that while the embedded part 51 is embedded in the mounting part 6, the uppermost end of the first sensing end 521 will not pass through the mounting part 6, thereby restricting the position of the metal part 5 and effectively preventing the metal part 5 from shifting upwards during use, which could lead to inaccurate sensing.

[0037] Preferably, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the diameter of the lowest end of the first sensing end 521 is equal to the diameter of the second sensing end 522, thereby ensuring the integrated connection of the sensing part 52, preventing the problem of some parts of the sensing part 52 falling off during use, and ensuring the normal operation of the metal part 5.

[0038] As shown in Figures 3 to 4 and Figure 6, the mounting part 6 has a mounting groove 61 formed in the middle for the embedding part 51 to be embedded in. The embedding part 51 is inserted into the mounting groove 61. The upper end of the first sensing end 521 presses against the lower end surface of the mounting part 6, thereby effectively restricting the position of the metal part 5 and realizing the stable installation and fixation of the metal part 5.

[0039] To facilitate the installation of the metal part 5 onto the mounting member 6, as shown in Figure 6, an inclined mounting guide surface 62 extending obliquely from the lower outer periphery of the mounting groove 61 into the upper inner part of the mounting groove 61 is formed. By forming this inclined mounting guide surface 62 on the lower outer periphery of the mounting groove 61, the metal part 5 first contacts the inclined mounting guide surface 62 during installation. Under the oblique guiding action of the inclined mounting guide surface 62, it is more easily and accurately guided into the mounting groove 61, thereby making it easier to install the metal part 5 onto the mounting member 6 and improving the installation efficiency and accuracy of the metal part 5.

[0040] Preferably, as shown in FIG4, the diameter of the mounting groove 61 is smaller than the diameter of the uppermost end of the first sensing end 521. The diameter of the mounting groove 61 matches the embedding part 51, so that while the embedding part 51 is embedded in the mounting member 6, the uppermost end of the first sensing end 521 will not pass through the mounting member 6, thereby restricting the position of the metal part 5 and effectively preventing the metal part 5 from shifting upward during use, which would lead to inaccurate sensing.

[0041] It should be noted that the thin inductive shaft structure disclosed in this utility model is an improvement on a specific structure, but the specific control method is not an innovation of this utility model. The coils, top cover, circuit board, keyboard, and other components involved in this utility model can be general standard parts or components known to those skilled in the art. Their structures, principles, and control methods are all known to those skilled in the art through technical manuals or conventional experimental methods.

[0042] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not constitute any limitation on the technical scope of the present utility model. Therefore, other structures obtained by using the same or similar technical features as the above embodiments of the present utility model are all within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A thin inductive shaft structure, comprising a base, a top cover fitted onto the base, a guide core disposed within the base and the top cover and extending upward through the top cover, and a return spring with its upper end pressing against the guide core and its lower end pressing against the base, characterized in that: It also includes a metal part disposed on the side of the guide core and having a tapered shape with the diameter decreasing from top to bottom. A mounting part is disposed on the side of the guide core, and the upper end of the metal part is inserted into the mounting part. A through channel is formed on the base for the metal part to pass through downward.

2. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal component includes an embedded part that is embedded in the mounting component, and a sensing part that is conical in shape with a diameter decreasing from top to bottom.

3. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sensing part includes a first sensing end whose upper end is connected to the embedded part and whose overall shape is conical with a diameter decreasing from top to bottom, and a second sensing end integrally formed at the lower end of the first sensing end with a diameter that remains consistent from top to bottom.

4. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The diameter of the uppermost part of the first sensing end is greater than the diameter of its embedded part, and the diameter of the lowermost part of the first sensing end is equal to the diameter of the second sensing end.

5. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mounting component has a mounting groove formed in the middle for the embedding part to be embedded.

6. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lower end face of the mounting groove is formed with an inclined mounting guide surface that extends from the lower outer side to the upper inner side of the mounting groove.

7. The thin inductive shaft structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The diameter of the mounting groove is smaller than the diameter of the uppermost end of the first sensing terminal.

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