Keyboard, switch assembly, and electronic device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of electronic devices, and provides a keyboard, a switch assembly, and an electronic device. The keyboard comprises: a keycap, an elastomer, and a switch assembly; the switch assembly comprises: a resilient layer and a support layer which are arranged in a stacked configuration in a first direction; the switch assembly is provided with a cavity, a first cavity wall of the cavity is located at the resilient layer, a second cavity wall of the cavity is located at the support layer, and the first cavity wall and the second cavity wall are opposite wall surfaces of the cavity in a first direction; the switch assembly further comprises a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion that are disposed opposite to each other, wherein the first conductive portion is disposed on the first cavity wall, and the second conductive portion is disposed on the second cavity wall; when the keycap is pressed in the first direction, the first conductive portion moves toward the second conductive portion, and the switch assembly closes, triggering an electrical signal of a key corresponding to the keycap. A switch assembly having a two-layer structure ensures an ultra-thin keyboard and a high-yield production process.

Description

A keyboard, a switch assembly, and an electronic device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application filed on January 13, 2025, with application number 202510053452.4 and entitled "A Keyboard, Switch Assembly and Electronic Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of electronic device technology, and more particularly to a keyboard, a switch assembly, and an electronic device. Background Technology

[0003] Keyboards, as input devices, are widely used in various electronic devices for inputting text, numbers, symbols, or executing specific commands. Membrane keyboards have gained widespread market acceptance and application due to their advantages such as thinness, durability, and affordability. As the market share of membrane switch keyboards increases, the variety of membrane keyboards has also increased. What they all have in common is that their core structure is a three-layer membrane switch (MEM). Currently, three-layer membrane switches typically suffer from a high defect rate during the manufacturing process. How to improve the yield rate of membrane switches in membrane keyboards while maintaining an ultra-thin keyboard design has become a pressing issue for the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a keyboard, an electronic device, and a key switch assembly, wherein the switch assembly can be made very thin, thereby ensuring an ultra-thin keyboard; at the same time, the defect rate in the production process of the switch assembly is low. By using this switch assembly to replace the membrane switch in a membrane keyboard, the ultra-thin keyboard can be ensured while solving the problem of high defect rate in the production process of membrane switches in membrane keyboards.

[0005] In a first aspect, a keyboard is provided, comprising: a keycap, an elastomer, and a switch assembly. The elastomer is located between the keycap and the switch assembly in a first direction, the first direction being the thickness direction of the keyboard. The switch assembly comprises: an elastic layer and a carrier layer stacked in the first direction. The switch assembly has a cavity, a first cavity wall located in the elastic layer, and a second cavity wall located in the carrier layer, the first and second cavity walls being opposing walls of the cavity in the first direction. The switch assembly further comprises a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion disposed opposite to each other, the first conductive portion disposed in the first cavity wall, and the second conductive portion disposed in the second cavity wall. When the keycap is not pressed along the first direction, the first and second conductive portions are not connected, and the switch assembly is in an open state. When the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the elastomer is compressed and presses against the elastic layer, causing the elastic layer to deform under the pressure of the elastomer, resulting in the first conductive portion moving towards the second conductive portion, closing the switch assembly, and triggering an electrical signal for the key corresponding to the keycap.

[0006] The keyboard provided in this application replaces the traditional three-layer membrane switch with a two-layer switch assembly, ensuring an ultra-thin keyboard. Furthermore, no additional interlayer is needed between the elastic layer and the carrier layer; only the bonding between the elastic layer and the carrier layer is required. If adhesive bonding is used between the elastic layer and the carrier layer, one bonding process is reduced compared to the three-layer bonding of membrane switches. Therefore, the defect rate of the switch assembly in this application is lower than that of traditional membrane switches. Similarly, by replacing the membrane switch in a membrane keyboard with this switch assembly, the high defect rate in the membrane switch manufacturing process of membrane keyboards can be solved while maintaining an ultra-thin keyboard.

[0007] For example, the elastomer can be directly pressed against the elastic layer; or the elastomer can be indirectly pressed against the elastic layer. This application does not limit or elaborate on this.

[0008] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first surface of the elastic layer and the first surface of the carrier layer are bonded together in the portion of the switching assembly outside the cavity. In this embodiment, the bonding between the first surface of the elastic layer and the first surface of the carrier layer of the switching assembly, excluding the cavity, provides better stability to the switching assembly.

[0009] In some embodiments of the first aspect, both the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion are conductive contacts; when the keycap is not pressed along the first direction, there is a gap between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion, so that the switch assembly is in the open state; when the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion come into contact, so that the switch assembly is closed. In this embodiment, both the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion are configured as conductive contacts, and the opening and closing of the switch assembly is controlled by the mutual gap between the conductive contacts or the contact between the conductive contacts, which is simple in structure and easy to implement.

[0010] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the keyboard further includes key circuitry; the key circuitry is located on a carrier layer, on an elastic layer, or a first portion of the key circuitry is located on the elastic layer, and a second portion of the key circuitry is located on the carrier layer; when the keycap is not pressed along a first direction, the key circuitry is in an open state; when the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the key circuitry is in a closed state. In this embodiment, the key circuitry can be disposed on the carrier layer, or on the elastic layer, or the key circuitry can be separated into two parts and disposed on the carrier layer and the elastic layer respectively, making the arrangement of the switch assembly more diverse and flexible.

[0011] For example, the first conductive portion and / or the second conductive portion may be formed by brushing silver paste, or the first conductive portion and / or the second conductive portion may be formed by wires in the circuit of the button.

[0012] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first conductive portion includes a boss, and the second conductive portion includes an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver arranged opposite to and spaced apart, the interval between the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver forming an infrared signal channel; or the second conductive portion includes a boss, and the first conductive portion includes an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver arranged opposite to and spaced apart, the interval between the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver forming an infrared signal channel; when the keycap is not pressed along the first direction, the boss is located outside the infrared signal channel; when the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the boss is located in the infrared signal channel and blocks the infrared signal between the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver. In this embodiment, the opening and closing of the switch assembly is achieved through the guide boss, the infrared emitter, and the infrared receiver, which is simple and easy to implement; and this embodiment controls the opening and closing of the switch assembly by switching the infrared signal between the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver, which can reduce the amount of wire used and reduce costs.

[0013] For example, the infrared emitter can be connected to a power supply circuit (or the infrared emitting electrode is connected to the positive and negative terminals of the power supply) to enable the infrared emitter to continuously emit infrared signals; the infrared receiver can be connected to a signal line, and the infrared receiver emits different signals through the signal line depending on whether it can receive infrared signals or not; when the keycap is not pressed along the first direction, the infrared receiver can receive the infrared signal sent by the infrared emitter, and the infrared receiver emits a signal through the signal line so that the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap is not triggered; when the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the protrusion is located in the infrared signal channel, the infrared receiving electrode cannot receive infrared signals, and the signal emitted by the infrared receiver through the signal line triggers the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap.

[0014] For example, a resistor (load resistor) can be connected to the output of the infrared receiver, and a voltage signal will be output. The magnitude of this voltage signal depends on the intensity of the infrared signal received by the infrared receiver. When the infrared signal emitted by the infrared emitter shines on the infrared receiver, the infrared receiver will generate a current. This current will create a voltage drop through the load resistor, thereby outputting a low-level signal. This low-level signal will not trigger the button's electrical signal. When the infrared signal emitted by the infrared emitter cannot shine on the infrared receiver, the infrared receiver is in a cutoff state and outputs a high-level signal. This high-level signal will trigger the button's electrical signal.

[0015] For example, when the keycap is not pressed along the first direction, the infrared receiver may not output a signal, and the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap is not triggered; when the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the infrared receiver outputs a signal through the signal line, and the signal output by the infrared receiver can be used as the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap, that is, the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap is triggered.

[0016] For example, each key in the keyboard can correspond to a pair of infrared emitters and infrared receivers. Different pairs of infrared emitters and infrared receivers are used to trigger electrical signals for different keys. The triggering key can be identified by numbering the pairs of infrared emitters and infrared receivers. This application does not limit or elaborate on this aspect.

[0017] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first surface of the elastic layer and the first surface of the carrier plate layer are disposed opposite to each other, and the cavity includes: a first groove formed on the first surface of the elastic layer, and / or a second groove formed on the first surface of the carrier plate layer; the first cavity wall of the cavity includes the bottom surface of the first groove, and / or the second cavity wall of the cavity includes the bottom surface of the second groove. In this embodiment, the cavity is formed by the first groove of the first surface of the elastic layer, or it can be formed by the second groove of the first surface of the carrier plate layer, or it can be formed by the first groove and the second groove together. The method is simple and easy to implement, and the cavity can be flexibly and diversely arranged, making it convenient to select and set.

[0018] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the elastic layer is a flexible circuit board, which includes a first substrate layer, a first metal layer, and a first cover film layer sequentially stacked in a first direction; the bottom surface of the first groove is located on the first substrate layer, or the bottom surface of the first groove is located on the first metal layer. In this embodiment, the elastic layer is a flexible circuit board, and the first groove is formed by utilizing the cover film layer of the flexible circuit board itself, or by utilizing the cover film layer and the metal layer of the flexible circuit board itself, making full use of the structure of the flexible circuit board itself, and the method is simple and easy to implement.

[0019] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the keyboard further includes circuitry for keys, at least a portion of which is located in an elastic layer, and the key circuitry within the elastic layer is located in a first metal layer.

[0020] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the carrier layer is a circuit board, which includes a second cover film layer, a second metal layer, and a second substrate layer sequentially stacked in a first direction; the bottom surface of the second groove is located on the second substrate layer, or the bottom surface of the second groove is located on the second metal layer. In this embodiment, the carrier layer is a circuit board, and the second groove is formed by utilizing the cover film layer of the circuit board itself, or the cover film layer + metal layer of the circuit board itself, making full use of the structure of the circuit board itself, and the method is simple and easy to implement.

[0021] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the keyboard further includes circuitry for keys, at least a portion of which is located in a substrate layer, and the key circuitry in the substrate layer is located in a second metal layer.

[0022] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the keyboard further includes a light-emitting component, which is located between the keycap and the switch assembly in a first direction, and is located in a region outside the region where the elastomer is located; at least a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting component is incident on a first surface of the keycap, the first surface of the keycap being the surface facing the switch assembly. In this embodiment, the light-emitting component is disposed between the keycap and the switch assembly, and is located in a region outside the region where the elastomer is located, thus eliminating the need for a light-emitting layer to obtain a backlit keyboard, thereby enabling a thinner backlit keyboard.

[0023] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the light-emitting component is embedded in the switch assembly, and the keyboard further includes a power supply circuit for supplying power to the light-emitting component. The power supply circuit is located on a carrier layer or on an elastic layer. In this embodiment, the light-emitting component is embedded in the switch assembly, and the power supply circuit of the light-emitting component is disposed within the light-emitting component. This simplifies the placement of the light-emitting component and improves the utilization rate of the switch assembly.

[0024] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the light-emitting component includes a first light-emitting element; the first light-emitting element does not emit light when the keycap is not pressed along the first direction; the first light-emitting element emits light when the keycap is pressed along the first direction. In this embodiment, the light-emitting component may include a first light-emitting element, and the switch component can control the emitting and non-emitting of the first light-emitting element while controlling the key, thereby improving the utilization rate of the switch component; and the key can be triggered to emit light while the key is pressed, thus enhancing the user experience.

[0025] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the keyboard further includes a housing and a switch disposed on the housing. The light-emitting component includes a second light-emitting element, and the switch is used to control the opening and closing of the second light-emitting element. The elastomer, the switch assembly, and the light-emitting component are all located inside the housing, and the second side of the keycap is exposed outside the housing. The second side of the keycap is the side of the keycap opposite to the first side of the keycap. In this embodiment, the light-emitting component includes a second light-emitting element that can be controlled by a separate switch, allowing the user to control the keyboard light-emitting by the switch, thereby improving the user experience.

[0026] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the keyboard further includes a housing and a support plate, the support plate being fixedly connected within the housing, and the elastomer and switch assembly both located within the housing; the surface of the support plate is bonded to the second surface of the elastic layer, or the surface of the support plate is bonded to the second surface of the carrier layer; wherein: the second surface of the elastic layer is the surface of the elastic layer facing away from the carrier layer, and the second surface of the carrier layer is the surface of the carrier layer facing away from the elastic layer. In this embodiment, the support plate can be located below the switch assembly, or the support plate can be located above the switch assembly, making the keyboard arrangement diverse and flexible.

[0027] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the surface of the support plate is bonded to the second surface of the elastic layer; a first through hole is formed in the support plate, penetrating the support plate in a first direction, and the first through hole is disposed opposite to the first conductive portion in the first direction; when the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the elastic body is compressed and deformed, and part of the structure of the elastic body passes through the first through hole and presses the elastic layer. In this embodiment, the surface of the support plate is bonded to the second surface of the elastic layer, and a first through hole is formed in the support plate. By providing the first through hole, the elastic body can smoothly act on the elastic layer when the key is pressed, thereby triggering the electrical signal of the key.

[0028] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first end of the elastomer is located in the first through hole and abuts against the elastic layer; or the first end of the elastomer is located outside the first through hole and abuts against the support plate. In this embodiment, when the first end of the elastomer is located in the first through hole, the thickness of the support plate can be excluded from the keyboard thickness, thereby achieving keyboard thinning; when the elastomer is located outside the first through hole, the elastomer abuts against the support plate, and the support plate provides better support for the elastomer than the elastomer provides for the support plate, thus improving keyboard stability.

[0029] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the surface of the support plate is bonded to the second surface of the carrier layer, and a second through hole is formed in the support plate, penetrating the support plate in a first direction and disposed opposite to the second conductive portion in the first direction. In this embodiment, the surface of the support plate is bonded to the second surface of the carrier layer, and the support plate provides good support for the entire switch assembly, improving the stability of the keyboard; furthermore, the second through hole in the support plate can prevent impurities that may enter between the support plate and the switch assembly.

[0030] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first end of the elastomer abuts against the elastic layer, and the orthographic projection of the cavity in the first projection plane is located within the orthographic projection of the contact surface between the elastomer and the elastic layer in the first projection plane, and the first projection plane is perpendicular to the first direction. In this embodiment, when the elastomer abuts against the elastic layer, the cross-section of the cavity is smaller than the contact surface between the elastomer and the elastic layer, ensuring that the elastic layer supports the elastomer, preventing the weight of the elastomer from causing the switch assembly to close, and improving the stability of the keyboard.

[0031] In a second aspect, a switch assembly is provided, comprising: an elastic layer and a carrier plate layer stacked in a first direction; the switch assembly having a cavity, a first cavity wall of the cavity located on the elastic layer, and a second cavity wall of the cavity located on the carrier plate layer, the first cavity wall and the second cavity wall being opposite walls of the cavity in the first direction; the switch assembly further comprising a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion disposed opposite to each other, the first conductive portion being disposed on the first cavity wall and the second conductive portion being disposed on the second cavity wall; when the elastic layer is not pressed along the first direction, the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion are not connected, and the switch assembly is in an open state; when the elastic layer is pressed along the first direction, the elastic layer deforms under the pressure, causing the first conductive portion to move toward the second conductive portion, and the switch assembly is closed.

[0032] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the switch component is applied to the keyboard.

[0033] Thirdly, an electronic device is provided, which includes a keyboard as described in any implementation of the first aspect.

[0034] It is understood that the beneficial effects of the second and third aspects mentioned above can be found in the relevant descriptions in the first aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 2 is a partial structural diagram of a keyboard provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2 at point AA;

[0038] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of point B in Figure 3;

[0039] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a partial structure of the keyboard shown in Figure 2;

[0040] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the pressing process of an elastic body in a keyboard according to an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the elastic layer and carrier plate layer in another keyboard provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of three different types of electrode pairs in another keyboard provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0043] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the stacked structure of a partial structure of an illuminated keyboard. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0045] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be understood that 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 indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature.

[0046] In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise expressly and specifically limited.

[0047] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "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 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, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0048] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0049] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "inner", "outer", "side", "upper", "bottom", "front", "rear", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0050] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0051] It should also be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same component or part. For the same part in the embodiments of this application, the reference numerals may only be used to mark one part or component as an example. It should be understood that the reference numerals are also applicable to other identical parts or components.

[0052] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Keyboards, as input devices, are widely used in various electronic devices for inputting text, numbers, symbols, or executing specific commands. Due to their slim and lightweight characteristics, membrane switch keyboards are gaining an increasingly larger market share. There are many types of membrane keyboards, including scissor-switch membrane keyboards, jack-o'-jack membrane keyboards, and butterfly membrane keyboards. What they all share is a three-layer membrane switch structure.

[0054] In related technologies, the three-layer structure of a membrane switch typically includes an upper membrane, an insulating layer, and a lower membrane. The upper and lower membranes each carry conductive patterns; these can also be referred to as an upper conductive membrane and a lower conductive membrane, respectively. The insulating layer, located between the upper and lower membranes, serves as the insulating layer. At the button's location, contacts are formed on both the upper and lower membranes, and the insulating layer has holes. When the button is pressed, the contacts on the upper and lower membranes make contact through the holes in the insulating layer. This contact establishes a circuit connection corresponding to the button, triggering an electrical signal. This signal is transmitted to the keyboard controller and recognized as a button input. When the button is released, the contacts on the upper and lower membranes separate, disconnecting the circuit corresponding to the button.

[0055] In related technologies, to improve the stability and water resistance of membrane switches, the three layers of the membrane switch are bonded together layer by layer to achieve a completely sealed state. However, such membrane switches require at least two bonding processes, leading to complex manufacturing and a high defect rate. For example, assuming a 90% defect rate for a single bonding process, the defect rate for two bonding processes is the square of the single bonding defect rate, reaching as high as 81%. Therefore, reducing the defect rate of membrane switches is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved in this field.

[0056] For ease of understanding, the electronic devices involved in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below.

[0057] The electronic devices provided in this application embodiment can be laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, handheld computers or portable computers, netbooks, point-of-sale (POS) terminals (such as POS machines, cash registers, etc.), ultra-mobile personal computers (UMPCs), personal digital assistants (PDAs), gaming devices, wearable computing devices, self-service terminals, industrial computers, smart TVs, walkie-talkies, netbooks, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and other mobile and fixed terminals with keyboards.

[0058] A laptop computer is a portable computer, also known as a portable computer, handheld computer, PDA, or lap computer. Due to its flexibility and portability, laptops have become an indispensable tool in modern life. For example, with the increasing demand for mobile work in recent years, portable and lightweight laptops have become the first choice for people working remotely.

[0059] The following explanation will primarily use a laptop computer as an example.

[0060] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional structural diagram of the electronic device. Referring to Figure 1, the electronic device 10 may include a display screen 100 and a main body 200. The display screen 100 and the main body 200 can be rotatably connected. For example, the display screen 100 and the main body 200 can be connected by a pivot, or the display screen 100 and the main body 200 can be rotatably connected by a hinge structure.

[0061] In some embodiments, the display screen 100 and the main unit 200 can also be independent devices. For example, the display screen 100 and the main unit 200 can be detached, allowing the display screen 100 to be placed on the main unit 200 during use and the display screen 100 and the main unit 200 to be separated after use. This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection method between the display screen 100 and the main unit 200.

[0062] It should be understood that there is an electrical connection between the display screen 100 and the host unit 200, enabling the display screen 100 to display content that needs to be displayed on the host unit 200. For example, the display screen 100 and the host unit 200 can be connected via an interface and connecting cable, or via a flexible printed circuit (FPC), or via electrical wires. The display screen 100 and the host unit 200 can also be wirelessly connected via wireless signals. This application embodiment does not limit or elaborate on the specific connection method between the display screen 100 and the host unit 200.

[0063] As shown in Figure 1, the electronic device 10 may also include a keyboard 300. The keyboard 300 may be disposed on the host body 200. Most of the structure of the keyboard 300 may be embedded inside the host body 200. In other words, the host body 200 includes a shell 201, and most of the keyboard 300 is embedded inside the shell 201, while the part of the keyboard 300 that comes into contact with the user (such as the side of the keycaps facing the user) is exposed on the outside of the shell 201 for user operation.

[0064] For example, the host body 200 has a mounting part (not shown in the figure). Generally, the mounting part can be located at the bottom of the host body 200, and the keyboard 300 is mounted on the mounting part of the host body 200.

[0065] It should be understood that, as an input device of electronic device 10, keyboard 300 can be electrically connected to the control unit of electronic device 10 so that the control unit can recognize the user's input operation on keyboard 300.

[0066] As shown in Figure 1, the keyboard 300 in Figure 1 includes multiple keys 301. The principles of different keys in the keyboard 300 can be the same or different, and this application does not limit this.

[0067] It should also be understood that the keyboard 300 in other electronic devices may include more or fewer keys, and some electronic devices may even include only one key; for example, the electronic device in the embodiments of this application may be a remote control, and some remote controls may include only one key. This application does not limit the number of keys included in an electronic device.

[0068] Referring to Figure 2, which is a partial structural schematic diagram of the keyboard 300 in one embodiment of this application, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2 at point AA, Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic diagram of Figure 3 at point B, and Figure 5 is an exploded schematic diagram of the partial structure of the keyboard 300 shown in Figure 2.

[0069] It is understood that Figures 2 to 5 only show a partial structure of the keyboard 300, that is, only the specific structure of one key is shown. The structures of other keys in the keyboard 300 can be referred to the structures shown in Figures 2 to 5.

[0070] As shown in Figure 2, the keyboard 300 includes: keycaps 310, elastomers 320 and switch components 330. In a first direction, the elastomers 320 are located between the keycaps 310 and the switch components 330. The first direction is the opposite direction of the Z direction shown in Figures 2 to 5, and this first direction is also the thickness direction of the keyboard. Therefore, it can also be said that the keycaps 310, elastomers 320 and switch components 330 are stacked in the thickness direction of the keyboard.

[0071] The keycap 310, the elastomer 320, and the switch assembly 330 will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] The keycap 310 is used to provide a pressing surface that bears the pressing force, that is, the user uses the keyboard 300 by pressing the keycap 310, or the user inputs information by pressing the keycap 310.

[0073] For example, the keycap 310 in this application embodiment can be made of plastic. When the keycap 310 is made of plastic, it can be produced by injection molding (also known as injection molding or injection molding) process.

[0074] Of course, the material of the keycap 310 can be any material that can be used to make the keycap 310, and the manufacturing process can be selected according to the material. That is, the material and manufacturing process of the keycap 310 can be set according to the actual use requirements. This application embodiment does not limit or elaborate on this.

[0075] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 5, the keycap 310 corresponding to each key is a separate structure, that is, there is no connection between the keycaps 310 of different keys. The keycap 310 in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 5 is just an example of a keycap. In other embodiments, the keycap 310 may adopt other styles.

[0076] For example, the keys in the keyboard 300 can share a flexible panel layer as keycaps. On the flexible panel layer, a mark corresponding to each key can be set at the position corresponding to that key. The user presses the key by pressing the mark on the flexible panel layer. In this embodiment, the keycaps of multiple keys in the keyboard 300 are interconnected.

[0077] Of course, the keyboard 300 can also use other types of keycaps. This application embodiment does not limit or elaborate on the specific structure of the keycaps.

[0078] Elastomer 320, sometimes referred to as a rubber dome, possesses a certain degree of elasticity and therefore needs to be made of an elastic material. It should be noted that this embodiment does not specifically limit the material of elastomer 320 while satisfying its compressibility; it can be any material that meets the elasticity requirements and can be used to manufacture elastomer 320.

[0079] For example, the material of elastomer 320 may be at least one of silicone, polyurethane and rubber.

[0080] For example, when the elastomer 320 is made of silicone, it can be produced using injection molding (also known as injection molding). Of course, the elastomer 320 can also be made of other metals or non-metals, and the manufacturing process can be selected according to the material. Therefore, the material and manufacturing process of the elastomer 320 can be set according to actual usage requirements, and this embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0081] As shown in Figure 3, the elastic body 320 is generally frustum-shaped. The first surface of the elastic body 320 abuts against the keycap 310, and the second surface of the elastic body 320 abuts against the switch assembly 330. A first opening 321 is provided on the first surface of the elastic body 320, and a second opening 322 is provided on the second surface of the elastic body. A column 323 extending in the second opening 322 is provided in the first direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the Z direction). In Figure 3, there is a gap between the top 324 of the free end of the column 323 and the switch assembly 330.

[0082] The structures of the elastomer 320 shown in Figures 2 to 5 are merely examples. The elastomer 320 may also adopt other shapes. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific structure of the elastomer.

[0083] For example, the keycap 310 can be fixedly connected to or detachably connected to the first surface of the elastomer 320, so that the elastomer 320 can support the keycap 310. This application does not limit the specific connection method between the keycap 310 and the elastomer 320.

[0084] For example, when the keycap 310 is not pressed in the first direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the Z direction), the keycap 310 is in the first position, which can also be called the unpressed position. There is a gap between the top 324 of the free end of the column 323 and the switch assembly 330, and the switch assembly 330 is in the open state. When the keycap 310 is pressed, the elastic body 320 is compressed and deformed, and the keycap 310 gradually moves from the first position to the second position, which can also be called the pressed position. The top 324 of the free end of the column 323 contacts the switch assembly 330, and the column 323 in the elastic body 320 presses the switch assembly 330 to close the switch assembly, thereby triggering the electrical signal of the corresponding key. When the pressed keycap 310 is released, the shape of the elastic body 320 can be restored, so that the keycap 310 moves from the second position to the first position. During the pressing of keycap 310, elastomer 320 provides a soft elastic feedback. This rebound feedback enhances the feel of the key, allowing users to more accurately perceive the trigger point of the key. In addition, elastomer 320 also plays a role in buffering and noise reduction. During the pressing of the key, elastomer 320 can absorb some of the impact force, reduce the noise emitted by the key, and provide users with a more comfortable operating experience.

[0085] For example, the keyboard 300 can send an electrical signal to the electronic device 10 so that the electronic device 10 can identify the specific key that is pressed, thereby enabling the character corresponding to the pressed keycap to be displayed in the electronic device 10, or enabling the electronic device 10 to execute the function command of the corresponding keycap 310 to realize the function of the keycap 310.

[0086] For ease of understanding, the pressing process of the elastic body 320 is illustrated in Figure 6. When the keycap 310 is not pressed in the first direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the Z direction), the elastic body 320 is in the standing state shown in Figure 6a. In this case, the height of the elastic body 320 is h1, and the position of the keycap 310 is the first position or the unpressed position. When the keycap 310 is pressed along the first direction, the elastic body 320 is in the compressed state shown in Figure 6b. In this case, the height of the elastic body 320 is h2, where h2 < h1, that is, the height of the elastic body 320 decreases after compression. The position of the keycap 310 is the second position or the pressed position. At this time, the key corresponding to the keycap 310 is pressed, and the electronic device 10 inputs the key character or the key function. When the pressing on the keycap 310 disappears, or when the keycap 310 is released, the elastic body 320 gradually returns from the compressed state shown in Figure 6b to the standing state shown in Figure 6a.

[0087] It is understandable that the key travel of keyboard 300 refers to the vertical distance between a key's initial position (unpressed state) and its lowest point when pressed. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the difference between the maximum height h1 of the elastic body 320 and the minimum height h2 after pressing is the key travel of keyboard 300. The key travel of the keyboard directly affects the user's input experience. The issue of key travel will be discussed later and will not be elaborated here.

[0088] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the keyboard 300 further includes a support component 340 and a support plate 350. In a first direction, the support component 340 is located between the keycap 310 and the switch component 330. The support component 340 is disposed around the elastomer 320 and is used to support the keycap 310 in movement between a first position (or an unpressed position) and a second position (or a pressed position), or in other words, the support component 340 is used to support the keycap 310. The support plate 350 is abutted to one side of the switch component 330. A first end of the support component 340 is connected to the keycap 310, and a second end of the support component 340 is connected to the support plate 350.

[0089] For example, to provide stable support for the keycap 310, the support component 340 can typically be made of a rigid material, such as metal, engineering plastic, or plastic. When the support component 340 is made of plastic, it can be manufactured using injection molding (also known as injection molding). Of course, the material of the support component 340 can be any material that meets the rigidity requirements and can be used to manufacture the support component 340, and the manufacturing process can be selected according to the material. Therefore, the material and manufacturing process of the support component 340 can be set according to actual usage requirements, and will not be limited or elaborated here.

[0090] For example, the support plate 350 is used to support the switch assembly 330 and the support assembly 340. Therefore, the support plate 350 can typically be made of a rigid material, such as metal, engineering plastic, or plastic. When the support plate 350 is made of metal, it can be manufactured using a stamping process. Of course, the material of the support plate 350 can be any material that meets the rigidity requirements and can be used to manufacture the support plate 350, and the manufacturing process can be selected according to the material. Therefore, the material and manufacturing process of the support plate 350 can be set according to actual usage requirements, and are not limited or elaborated here.

[0091] It is understood that the support component 340 can be implemented in different ways, as long as it can descend with the keycap 310 when the keycap 310 is pressed and rise with the keycap 310 when the press is released, it does not depart from the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, the support component 340 can be a scissor-switch component or a butterfly component.

[0092] For example, the scissor-switch component is an X-shaped component. When pressed, the X-shaped component closes in a stacked manner and opens in a crossed manner when the pressure is released. The butterfly component is a V-shaped component. The hinge of the V-shaped component can be located at the center of the keycap 310. When pressed, the V-shaped component opens (i.e., the angle between the two rods of the V-shaped component increases) and closes when the pressure is released (i.e., the angle between the two rods of the V-shaped component returns to its original state).

[0093] It should be understood that the support component 340 cooperates with the elastomer 320 to give the keycap 310 better stability. For example, when the keycap 310 is pressed, it causes the scissor-switch mechanism to close or the butterfly mechanism to open, compressing the elastomer 320 and thus putting the switch component 330 in the closed state. When the switch component 330 is in the closed state, the key is triggered, or the key information is transmitted to the electronic device 10. When the press on the keycap 310 is released, the elastomer 320 rebounds, simultaneously causing the scissor-switch mechanism to open or the butterfly mechanism to close, thus putting the switch component 330 in the open state, so that the key is not triggered.

[0094] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 5, the support component 340 is a scissor-leg component. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the support component 340 includes a first body 341 and a second body 342, which are rotatably connected by a pivot (not shown in the figure).

[0095] Wherein: the first end 3411 of the first body 341 and the first end 3421 of the second body 342 are respectively connected to the side of the keycap 310 facing the switch assembly 330, and the second end 3412 of the first body 341 and the second end 3422 of the second body 342 are respectively connected to the support plate 350. Wherein, the first end of the support assembly 340 includes: the first end 3411 of the first body 341 and the first end 3421 of the second body 342; the second end of the support assembly 340 includes: the second end 3412 of the first body 341 and the second end 3422 of the second body 342.

[0096] It is understandable that the support component 340 is provided with a clearance hole 343, which is used to avoid the elastomer 320, or in other words, the elastomer 320 passes through the clearance hole 343.

[0097] For example, the clearance hole 343 may be formed on the first body 341 and / or the second body 342; that is, the clearance hole 343 is formed on the first body 341, or on the second body 342, or the clearance hole 343 is formed on both the first body 341 and the second body 342.

[0098] It should be understood that during the process of the keycap 310 moving from the first position to the second position after being pressed along the first direction (i.e., the Z direction), both the first body 341 and the second body 342 rotate around the axis of rotation. Specifically, the first end 3411 of the first body 341 and the first end 3421 of the second body 342 move in opposite directions (or the distance between them increases), and the second end 3412 of the first body 341 and the second end 3422 of the second body 342 also move in opposite directions (or the distance between them increases). That is, the support component 340 gradually closes, causing the keycap 310 to move toward the direction closer to the switch component 330. When the keycap 310 moves from the pressed position to the unpressed position, the first body 341 and the second body 342 rotate relative to each other around the axis of the pivot 120. The first end 3411 of the first body 341 and the first end 3421 of the second body 342 move towards each other (or get closer and closer), and the second end 3412 of the first body 341 and the second end 3422 of the second body 342 move towards each other (or get closer and closer). That is, the support component 340 gradually opens, so that the keycap 310 moves away from the switch component 330.

[0099] In some embodiments, when the keycap 310 is pressed, the second end 3412 of the first body 341 and the second end 3422 of the second body 342 both move away from each other; similarly, the first end 3411 of the first body 341 and the first end 3421 of the second body 342 both move away from each other. When the keycap 310 moves from the pressed position to the unpressed position, the second end 3412 of the first body 341 and the second end 3422 of the second body 342 both move closer to each other, and at this time, the first end 3411 of the first body 341 and the first end 3421 of the second body 342 both move closer to each other. That is, in this embodiment, the second end 3412 of the first body 341 and the second end 3422 of the second body 342 can slide relative to the support plate 350, and the first end 3411 of the first body 341 and the first end 3421 of the second body 342 can slide relative to the keycap 310.

[0100] In other embodiments, when the keycap 310 is pressed, one of the second ends 3412 of the first body 341 and 3422 of the second body 342 moves away from the other; when the keycap 310 moves from the pressed position to the unpressed position, one of the second ends 3412 of the first body 341 and 3422 of the second body 342 moves closer to the other. That is, in this embodiment, one of the second ends 3412 of the first body 341 and 3422 of the second body 342 can slide relative to the support plate 350, while the other can only rotate relative to the support plate 350 on the support plate; one of the first ends 3411 of the first body 341 and 3421 of the second body 342 can slide relative to the support plate 350, while the other can only rotate relative to the support plate 350 on the support plate.

[0101] The embodiments of this application do not limit the shape of the first body 341 and the second body 342. For example, they can be plate-shaped as shown in FIG5. In other embodiments, the first body 341 and the second body 342 can also be rod-shaped, which will not be enumerated or described in detail here.

[0102] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, four connectors are provided on the support plate 350: two first connectors 351 and two second connectors 352. The second end 3412 of the first body 341 is slidably connected to the two first connectors 351. When the keycap 310 moves between the unpressed position and the pressed position, the second end 3412 of the first body 341 moves toward the second end 3422 of the second body 342, or moves away from the second end 3422 of the second body 342. Similarly, the second end 3422 of the second body 342 is slidably connected to the two second connectors 352. When the keycap 310 moves between the unpressed position and the pressed position, the second end 3422 of the second body 342 moves toward the second end 3412 of the first body 341, or moves away from the second end 3412 of the first body 341.

[0103] The first end 3411 of the first body 341 is rotatably connected to the first surface 311 of the keycap 310 (i.e. the surface of the keycap 310 facing the elastomer 320) (not shown in the figure), and the first end 3421 of the second body 342 is slidably connected to the first surface 311 of the keycap (not shown in the figure). When the keycap 310 moves between the unpressed position and the pressed position, the first end 3421 of the second body 342 moves toward the first end 3411 of the first body 341 or moves away from the first end 3411 of the first body 341.

[0104] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 5, the support plate 350 is provided with four first clearance holes 353. Each first clearance hole 353 is adjacent to one of the two first connectors 351 and the two second connectors 352. When the first body 341 and the second body 342 in the support assembly 340 rotate relative to each other, the first clearance hole 353 allows parts of the first body 341 and the second body 342 to sink into the first clearance hole 353, thereby achieving the thinning of the keyboard 300 while ensuring the normal operation of the support assembly 340.

[0105] In some embodiments, the support plate 350 can be a metal plate, and the two first connectors 351 and the two second connectors 352 are integrally formed with the support plate 350. This application does not limit the specific form of the first connectors 351 and the two second connectors 352.

[0106] It is understood that when the support plate 350 is a metal plate, it can be produced by processes such as stamping. This application embodiment does not elaborate on or limit the specific material and process of the support plate 350.

[0107] Of course, the support plate 350 can also be made of other materials. This application embodiment does not impose specific restrictions on the material of the support plate 350.

[0108] In some embodiments, the support plate 350 is provided with a first through hole 354, which is used to avoid the elastic body 320, or in other words, the elastic body 320 passes through the first through hole 354.

[0109] For example, the support plate 350 can serve as the basic support for the keyboard 300, meaning that other parts of the keyboard 300 can be directly or indirectly connected to the support plate 350 to form the entire keyboard 300. When the keyboard 300 is a keyboard embedded in the electronic device 10, the support plate 350 can be connected to the entire end of the electronic device 10 to achieve cooperation between the keyboard 300 and the electronic device 10.

[0110] In some embodiments, the keyboard 300 further includes a housing (not shown), an elastomer 320 and a switch assembly 330 are both located within the housing, and a support plate 350 is fixedly connected to the housing, or the support plate 350 extends within the housing along a plane perpendicular to a first direction.

[0111] It is understood that in the electronic device 10 shown in Figure 1, the outer casing 201 of the main body 200 can be regarded as the outer casing of the keyboard 300, and the support plate 350 can be fixedly connected to the inside of the outer casing 201.

[0112] The switching component 330 in the embodiments of this application will be described exemplarily below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0113] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the switch assembly 330 includes an elastic layer 331 and a carrier plate layer 332, which are stacked in a first direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the Z direction). The switch assembly 330 has a cavity 333, with a first cavity wall 3331 located on the elastic layer 331 and a second cavity wall 3332 located on the carrier plate layer 332. The first cavity wall 3331 and the second cavity wall 3332 are opposite walls of the cavity 333 in the first direction. The switch assembly 330 also includes a first conductive portion 334 and a second conductive portion 335 disposed opposite to each other. The first conductive portion 334 is disposed on the first cavity wall 3331, and the second conductive portion 335 is disposed on the second cavity wall 3332.

[0114] When the elastic layer 331 is not pressed along the first direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the Z direction), the first conductive part 334 and the second conductive part 335 are not connected, and the switch assembly 330 is in the open state; when the elastic layer 331 is pressed along the first direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the Z direction), the elastic layer 331 deforms under the pressure, causing the first conductive part 334 to move toward the second conductive part 335, and the switch assembly 330 is closed.

[0115] It should be understood that when the switch assembly 330 is turned on or in the on state, it means that the switch assembly 330 is in an inactive state, or it can also be understood as "off" or "disable". In this state, the switch assembly 330 can prevent a certain function, which in the keyboard 300 means that the key corresponding to the keycap 310 is not triggered, or in other words, the key corresponding to the keycap 310 is not pressed.

[0116] Similarly, when the switch assembly 330 is closed or in a closed state, it indicates that the switch assembly 330 is in an active state, or it can be understood as "on" or "enabled". In this state, the switch assembly 330 can enable a certain function, which in the keyboard 300 means triggering the key corresponding to the keycap 310, or in other words, the key corresponding to the keycap 310 is pressed.

[0117] In this embodiment of the application, the switch assembly 330, by providing a cavity 333, allows the elastic layer 331 to deform when pressed at the position corresponding to the cavity 333 (or, in other words, the elastic layer 331 at the first conductive part 334). The elastic layer 331 then moves the first conductive part 334 towards the second conductive part 335. This movement of the first conductive part 334 towards the second conductive part 335 causes the switch assembly 330 to switch from an open state to a closed state. Therefore, the switch assembly 330 in this embodiment of the application can function as a membrane switch.

[0118] In this embodiment, the switch assembly 330 includes a two-layer structure of an elastic layer 331 and a carrier layer 332. No additional interlayer is required between the elastic layer 331 and the carrier layer 332. Therefore, during the production of the switch assembly 330, only the elastic layer 331 and the carrier layer 332 need to be bonded together, simplifying the production process and reducing the defect rate. Thus, using this switch assembly 330 to replace a traditional membrane switch can solve the problem of high defect rates caused by the need for at least two surface-to-surface bonding processes in the production of traditional three-layer membrane switches. Furthermore, the switch assembly 330 in this embodiment can be made very thin; therefore, the keyboard 300 in this embodiment can be an ultra-thin keyboard.

[0119] In this embodiment, the side of the elastic layer 331 facing the carrier layer 332 is referred to as the first side of the elastic layer 331, and the second side of the elastic layer 331 is the side of the elastic layer 331 that is opposite to the first side, or it can also be said that the second side of the elastic layer 331 is the side of the elastic layer 331 that is opposite to the carrier layer 332; the side of the carrier layer 332 facing the elastic layer 331 is referred to as the first side of the carrier layer 332, and the second side of the carrier layer 332 is the side of the carrier layer 332 that is opposite to the first side, or it can also be said that the second side of the carrier layer 332 is the side of the carrier layer 332 that is opposite to the elastic layer 331.

[0120] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the switch assembly 330, except for the cavity 333, the first surface of the elastic layer 331 and the first surface of the carrier plate layer 332 are bonded together. In other words, in the switch assembly 330, the first surface of the elastic layer 331 and the first surface of the carrier plate layer 332 are not bonded together in the cavity 333 part, while the first surface of the elastic layer 331 and the first surface of the carrier plate layer 332 are bonded together in other parts.

[0121] It is understood that bonding connection is a way of connecting by having two surfaces come into contact with each other and fit tightly together. Exemplary bonding connections can be any of the following: adhesive connection, pin connection, magnetic connection, mechanical locking connection, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific method of bonding connection.

[0122] It should be understood that the selection of a specific bonding and connection method requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as the material and thickness of the board, the usage environment, and the required connection strength. This application embodiment will not elaborate on these factors.

[0123] For example, the first surface of the elastic layer 331 and the first surface of the carrier layer 332 can be bonded together by adhesive bonding, thus forming an adhesive layer on the first surface of the elastic layer 331 and the first surface of the carrier layer 332. The adhesive layer is formed by adhesive or bonding agent, such as water-based adhesive, in which case the adhesive layer can also be called a water-based adhesive layer.

[0124] It is understandable that the adhesive layer is generally very thin, for example, about 0.02 mm thick. This thickness is much smaller than that of the elastic layer 331 and the carrier layer 332. For the sake of clarity and readability of the drawings, it is not shown in Figures 2 and 5.

[0125] It should be understood that the elastic layer 331 needs to have a certain degree of elasticity. When the elastic layer 331 is pressed, it can deform to move the first conductive part 334 toward the second conductive part 335; when the pressing is removed, the elastic layer 331 can return from the deformed state to its original state to move the first conductive part 334 away from the second conductive part 335. Any material capable of achieving the above-mentioned functions can be used to manufacture the elastic layer 331 in the embodiments of this application. For example...

[0126] In some embodiments, the elastic layer 331 is made of an insulating elastic material, such as silicone, polyurethane, rubber, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc. When the elastic layer 331 is made of PET, the elastic layer 331 can also be called a PET layer.

[0127] In some other embodiments, the elastic layer 331 may also be a flexible printed circuit (FPC), in which case the elastic layer 331 may be used to carry part or all of the circuitry for the buttons.

[0128] It should also be understood that the carrier plate layer 332 is used to form a two-layer structure with the elastic layer 331 and can form a cavity 333 to realize the structure of the switching assembly 330.

[0129] In some embodiments, the carrier layer 332 may be a circuit board, in which case the carrier layer 332 may be used to carry part or all of the circuitry of the button.

[0130] For example, the carrier layer 332 can be any one of the following: printed circuit board (PCB), flexible circuit board, rigid-flex printed circuit board (Rigid-Flex PCB), high-density interconnect (HDI), ceramic circuit board, metal-based circuit board, etc.

[0131] In some embodiments, the carrier layer 332 can be an insulating plate, which serves to support the second conductive part 335. For example, the material of the carrier layer 332 can be polyimide (PI), epoxy resin, polyvinyl chloride, etc. This application does not limit or elaborate on this.

[0132] It is understood that the elastic layer 331 and the carrier plate layer 332 can be any possible combination.

[0133] For example, the elastic layer 331 is a PET layer, and the carrier layer 332 is a printed circuit board, a flexible circuit board, or a rigid-flex board; or, for another example, the elastic layer 331 is a flexible circuit board, and the carrier layer 332 is a printed circuit board, a flexible circuit board, or a rigid-flex board. The embodiments of this application do not limit or elaborate on the combination of the elastic layer 331 and the carrier layer 332.

[0134] For example, the carrier layer 332 in the switch assembly 330 can be configured as a printed circuit board (PCB). In this case, the switch assembly 330 can be regarded as an assembly of PCBs, and therefore the switch assembly 330 as a whole can also be referred to as a PCBA.

[0135] For example, the carrier layer 332 in the switch assembly 330 can be configured as a flexible circuit board (FPC). In this case, the switch assembly 330 can be regarded as an assembly of an FPC, and therefore the switch assembly 330 as a whole can also be referred to as FPCA.

[0136] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 5, the elastic layer 331 is provided with four second clearance holes 337, and the carrier plate layer 332 is provided with four third clearance holes 338. The function of the four second clearance holes 337 and the four third clearance holes 338 is the same as the function of the four first clearance holes 353 in the support assembly 340. They are all for the purpose of avoiding the first body 341 and the second body 342 when they rotate relative to each other in the support assembly 340, so as to achieve the thinning of the keyboard 300 while ensuring the normal operation of the support assembly 340.

[0137] It should also be understood that the connection between the switch assembly 330 and the support plate 350 can be as follows: one side of the switch assembly 330 is bonded to the surface of the support plate 350. Specifically, the surface of the support plate 350 can be bonded to the second side of the elastic layer 331 in the switch assembly 330, that is, the support plate 350 is located on one side of the elastic layer 331 of the switch assembly 330; or the surface of the support plate 350 can be bonded to the second side of the carrier plate layer 332 in the switch assembly 330, that is, the support plate 350 is located on one side of the carrier plate layer 332 of the switch assembly 330.

[0138] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 5, the support plate 350 is located on one side of the elastic layer 331 of the switch assembly 330. In this case, the surface of the support plate 350 is in contact with the second surface of the elastic layer 331 in the switch assembly 330. A first through hole 354 is provided on the support plate 350, penetrating the support plate 350. The first through hole 354 and the clearance hole 343 in the support assembly 340 are used together to avoid the elastic body 320. The first through hole 354 is positioned opposite to the first conductive portion 334 in a first direction. When the keycap 310 is pressed along the first direction, the elastic body 320 is compressed and deformed, and a portion of the structure of the elastic body 320 passes through the first through hole 354 to press the elastic layer 331. Specifically, the top 324 of the free end of the column 323 may pass through the first through hole 354 to press the elastic layer 331.

[0139] For example, the first end of the elastomer 320 can be located in the first through hole 354, and the first end of the elastomer 320 abuts against the elastic layer 331. The first end of the elastomer 320 can be understood as the end of the elastomer 320 that contacts the switch assembly 330. In this embodiment, the first through hole 354 on the support plate 350 accommodates the first end of the elastomer 320, or in other words, the first end of the elastomer 320 is recessed into the first through hole 354; thus, by setting the first end of the elastomer 320 in the first through hole 354, the support plate 350 is not on the stacking path of the keyboard 300 thickness, or in other words, the thickness of the support plate 350 can be ignored when calculating the thickness of the keyboard 300, thereby achieving a reduction in the thickness of the keyboard 300.

[0140] For example, the abutment between the first end of the elastomer 320 and the elastic layer 331 can be fixedly connected to the elastic layer 331. The specific method of fixed connection can be bonding, snap-fitting, etc. For example, the first end of the elastomer 320 can be snapped into the first through hole 354 to achieve a fixed connection between the elastomer 320 and the elastic layer 331. Alternatively, the first end of the elastomer 320 can simply abut without a fixed connection. The embodiments of this application do not limit the abutment method between the first end of the elastomer 320 and the elastic layer 331.

[0141] For example, the first end of the elastomer 320 is located outside the first through hole 354, and the first end of the elastomer 320 abuts against the support plate 350. The abutment between the first end of the elastomer 320 and the support plate 350 can be a fixed connection, and the specific method of the fixed connection can be adhesive, snap-fit, etc. Alternatively, the abutment between the first end of the elastomer 320 and the support plate 350 can simply be abutting without a fixed connection. The embodiments of this application do not limit the abutment method between the first end of the elastomer 320 and the support plate 350.

[0142] In some other embodiments, the support plate 350 is located on one side of the carrier layer 332 of the switch assembly 330. In this case, the surface of the support plate 350 can be attached to the second surface of the carrier layer 332 (not shown in the figure). A second through hole (not shown in the figure) is formed on the support plate 350, penetrating the support plate in a first direction, and the second through hole is disposed opposite to the second conductive part 335 in the first direction. In this embodiment, the support plate 350 is disposed on the side of the switch assembly 330 facing away from the keycap 310. By forming a second through hole on the support plate 350 at a position opposite to the second conductive part 335, the second through hole is used to prevent impurities that may enter between the support plate 350 and the switch assembly 330, so that impurities will not affect the state of the switch assembly 330, thereby improving the stability of the switch assembly 330.

[0143] For example, when the surface of the support plate 350 can be bonded to the second surface of the carrier plate layer 332, the contact between the first end of the elastomer 320 and the elastic layer 331 can be a fixed connection, and the specific method of the fixed connection can be adhesive, snap-fit, etc.; the contact between the first end of the elastomer 320 and the elastic layer 331 can also be simply abutting without a fixed connection. This application embodiment does not limit the contact method between the first end of the elastomer 320 and the elastic layer 331.

[0144] It should be understood that the cavity 333 can be formed on the elastic layer 331, the cavity 333 can be formed on the carrier plate layer 332, or the cavity 333 can be formed on both the elastic layer 331 and the carrier plate layer 332. An exemplary description follows.

[0145] In some embodiments, the cavity 333 may include only a first groove formed on the first surface of the elastic layer 331. The first groove may be formed by a partial recess in the elastic layer 331, which is not shown in the figure. In this case, the first cavity wall 3331 of the cavity 333 may be the bottom surface of the first groove, and the second cavity wall 3332 of the cavity 333 may be the first surface of the carrier plate layer 332.

[0146] In some embodiments, the cavity 333 may include only a second groove formed on the first surface of the carrier layer 332. The second groove may be formed by a partial recess in the carrier layer 332, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In this case, the first cavity wall 3331 of the cavity 333 may be the first surface of the elastic layer 331, and the second cavity wall 3332 of the cavity 333 may be the bottom surface of the second groove.

[0147] In some other embodiments, the cavity 333 may include a first groove formed on a first surface of the elastic layer 331 and a second groove formed on a first surface of the carrier layer 332, wherein the first groove may be formed by a partial recess in the carrier layer 332 and the second groove may be formed by a partial recess in the carrier layer 332; in this case, it is not shown in the figure. In this case, the first groove and the second groove may be arranged opposite to each other, the first cavity wall 3331 of the cavity 333 may be the bottom surface of the first groove, and the second cavity wall 3332 of the cavity 333 may be the bottom surface of the second groove.

[0148] In some embodiments, if the first end of the elastomer 320 abuts against the elastic layer 331, the orthographic projection of the cavity 333 in the first projection plane is located within the orthographic projection of the contact surface between the elastomer 320 and the elastic layer 331 in the first projection plane, and the first projection plane is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0149] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the end face of the first end of the elastic body 320 is circular, so the contact surface between the first end of the elastic body 320 and the elastic layer 331 is also circular. The cavity 333 is a cylinder with its axis parallel to the first direction, and the cross-section of the cylinder is also circular. The area of ​​the contact surface between the first end of the elastic body 320 and the elastic layer 331 is greater than the area of ​​the cross-section of the cavity 333.

[0150] Of course, the elastomer 320 and the cavity 333 can also be other shapes. As long as the orthographic projection of the cavity 333 in the first projection plane is located within the orthographic projection of the contact surface between the elastomer 320 and the elastic layer 331 in the first projection plane, the elastomer 320 can be well supported. That is, the cross-section of the elastomer 320 is smaller than the contact surface between the elastomer 320 and the elastic layer 331, ensuring the support of the elastic layer 331 for the elastomer 320, avoiding the closing of the switch assembly 330 caused by the weight of the elastomer 320 itself and / or the action of small external forces, and improving the stability of the switch assembly 330.

[0151] Understandably, a circuit board typically includes a substrate layer, a metal layer, and a cover layer stacked together. The substrate layer is the base layer of the circuit board, usually made of insulating materials, such as composites of fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin. Its main function is to provide the necessary physical strength and stability to ensure the circuit board remains flat and stable during manufacturing, assembly, and use. The metal layer is used to arrange circuit wires, which connect electrical signals between electronic components and circuits. By arranging wires in the metal layer, current paths and signal transmission can be achieved. An exemplary metal layer can be made of copper foil, and therefore can also be called a copper foil layer. The cover layer, also known as a circuit board cover or protective film, is a thin film material covering the surface of the circuit board. The cover layer effectively prevents dust, moisture, chemicals, and other contaminants from entering the circuit board surface, providing an extra layer of protection, reducing corrosion and damage to the circuit. Furthermore, the cover layer has insulating properties, effectively isolating the circuit board from electrical contact with the external environment, reducing the risk of leakage and short circuits. In addition, the cover layer can resist mechanical shock, vibration, and friction, providing a physical barrier and reducing the possibility of physical damage to the circuit board.

[0152] It should also be understood that a circuit board may include a single-layer circuit board and a multi-layer circuit board. A single-layer circuit board includes one metal layer, while a multi-layer circuit board includes multiple metal layers. The number of layers of a circuit board may be equal to the number of metal layers included in the circuit board. In a multi-layer circuit board, circuits located on different metal layers are connected by drilling and electroplating, which will not be elaborated in this application.

[0153] For example, a single-layer circuit board may mainly include three layers stacked in sequence: a substrate layer, a metal layer, and a cover film layer; a double-layer circuit board may include five layers stacked in sequence: a cover film layer, a metal layer, a substrate layer, a metal layer, and a cover film layer; this application does not limit or elaborate on the specific number of layers of the circuit board.

[0154] It should be understood that, in addition to the substrate layer, metal layer and cover film layer, other film layers may be included in the circuit board.

[0155] For example, an adhesive layer can be provided between the substrate layer and the metal layer, or between the metal layer and the cover film layer, which is not shown in Figure 7 for clarity of view.

[0156] It is understandable that the adhesive layer located between the metal layer and the cover film layer can be regarded as part of the cover film layer, or the cover film layer can be considered to include the adhesive layer between the metal layer and the cover film layer. In this way, when we say that the thickness of the groove is equal to the thickness of the cover film layer, the thickness of the groove is actually equal to the sum of the thickness of the cover film layer and the thickness of the adhesive layer.

[0157] For example, other membrane layers can be provided between the metal layer and the cover film layer. In this case, the depth of the groove can be equal to the sum of the thickness of the cover film layer and the thickness of the other membrane layers. Thus, the depth of the formed groove can be increased by providing other membrane layers. The other membrane layers can be adhesive layers or membrane layers other than adhesive layers.

[0158] For example, other films can be set on the side of the cover film away from the metal layer. These other films can be the same size as the cover film, or they can include local films set around the button. In this case, the depth of the groove can be equal to the sum of the thickness of the cover film and the thickness of the other films. This way, the depth of the formed groove can be increased by setting other films on the side of the cover film away from the metal layer.

[0159] It is understood that the substrate layer and cover film layer of different types of circuit boards can be made of different materials, as illustrated below.

[0160] For example, for a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), the substrate layer can be made of polyimide, the metal layer can be made of copper foil, and the covering film layer can be made of polyimide.

[0161] For example, for a printed circuit board (PCB), the substrate layer can be made of prepreg (PP), the metal layer can be made of copper foil, and the cover film layer can be made of ink. That is, the cover film layer can be an ink layer, or the cover film layer can include a prepreg layer and an ink layer.

[0162] In some embodiments, at least one of the elastic layer 331 and the carrier layer 332 is a circuit board, so that the thickness of the overlay film on the circuit board can be used to form the first groove and / or the second groove. This embodiment can make full use of the thickness of the film layer on the circuit board to form the groove and thus form the cavity 333. The method is simple and easy to implement.

[0163] For example, the elastic layer 331 can be a PET layer and the carrier layer 332 can be a circuit board, so that the cover film layer in the carrier layer 332 can be used to form a second groove, and the second groove forms a cavity 333.

[0164] For example, the elastic layer 331 can be a flexible circuit board, and the carrier layer 332 can be an insulating board. In this way, the covering film layer in the elastic layer 331 can be used to form the first groove, and the first groove forms the cavity 333.

[0165] For example, the elastic layer 331 can be a flexible circuit board, and the carrier layer 332 can be a circuit board. In this way, the cover film layer in the elastic layer 331 can be used to form the first groove, and the cover film layer in the carrier layer 332 can be used to form the second groove. The first groove and the second groove together form the cavity 333.

[0166] For ease of understanding, the process of forming a first groove in the elastic layer 331 and a second groove in the carrier plate layer 332 will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0167] The following description first illustrates that the elastic layer 331 can be a flexible circuit board, and a first groove is formed on the elastic layer 331. Referring to Figure 7a, it is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the elastic layer at the first groove in an embodiment of this application.

[0168] As shown in Figure 7a, the elastic layer 331 is a flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board includes a first substrate layer 3311, a first metal layer 3312, and a first cover film layer 3313, which are sequentially stacked in a first direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the Z direction). In this embodiment, the thickness of the first groove 3314 in the first direction is the same as the thickness of the first cover film layer 3313 in the first direction, or in other words, the depth of the first groove 3314 is equal to the thickness of the first cover film layer 3313. In this case, the bottom surface 3315 of the first groove 3314 is located on the first metal layer 3312, that is, the entire first groove 3314 is formed by the recess of the first cover film layer 3313. At this time, the bottom surface 3315 of the first groove 3314 is the first cavity wall 3331 of the cavity 333, and a first conductive portion 334 is formed on the bottom surface 3315 of the first groove 3314.

[0169] For example, in the circuit of the key corresponding to the keycap 310, if part or all of the circuit is located in the elastic layer 331, in which case the elastic layer 331 can be a flexible circuit board, then the circuit of the key in the elastic layer 331 can be located in the first metal layer 3312, and the circuit of the key in the elastic layer 331 is connected to the first conductive part 334 on the bottom surface of the first groove 3314.

[0170] It should also be understood that the recess depth of the first groove 3314 on the first covering film layer 3313 can be set as needed, and the recess depth of the first groove 3314 refers to the depth value of the first groove 3314 in the first direction.

[0171] For example, the thickness of the first groove 3314 in the first direction may be less than the thickness of the first covering film 3313 in the first direction, or the depth of the first groove 3314 may be less than the thickness of the first covering film 3313. In this case, the bottom surface 3315 of the first groove 3314 is located on the first covering film 3313. This application does not limit or elaborate on this.

[0172] Of course, the thickness of the first groove 3314 in the first direction can also be greater than the thickness of the first covering film layer 3313 in the first direction, or the depth of the first groove 3314 is greater than the thickness of the first covering film layer 3313. In this case, the bottom surface 3315 of the first groove 3314 is located in the first metal layer 3312. That is, the thickness of the first covering film layer 3313 and part of the first metal layer 3312 in the first direction can be used to form the first groove 3314.

[0173] It is understood that Figure 7a only illustrates the three-layer structure of the flexible circuit board near the first groove 3314. When the elastic layer 331 is a single-layer flexible circuit board, the elastic layer 331 may mainly include the three-layer structure shown in Figure 7a. When the elastic layer 331 is a multi-layer circuit board, other metal layers and cover film layers may also be included on the side of the first substrate layer 3311 facing away from the first metal layer 3312. This application will not elaborate on this.

[0174] After introducing the example of forming a first groove on the elastic layer 331, the following example illustrates that the carrier layer 332 can be a circuit board, and a second groove is formed on the carrier layer 332. Referring to Figure 7b, which is a cross-sectional view of the carrier layer at the second groove in one embodiment of this application, as shown in Figure 7b, in this embodiment, the carrier layer 332 is a circuit board. The circuit board includes a second cover film layer 3321, a second metal layer 3322, and a second substrate layer 3323 sequentially stacked in a first direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the Z direction). In this embodiment, the thickness of the second groove 3324 in the first direction is the same as the thickness of the second cover film layer 3321 in the first direction, or in other words, the depth of the second groove 3324 is equal to the thickness of the second cover film layer 3321. In this case, the bottom surface 3325 of the second groove 3324 is located on the second metal layer 3322, meaning the entire second groove 3324 is formed by the recess of the second cover film layer 3321. At this time, the bottom surface 3325 of the second groove 3324 is the second cavity wall 3332 of the cavity 333, and the second conductive part 335 is formed on the bottom surface 3325 of the second groove 3324.

[0175] It is understandable that the carrier layer 332 is a circuit board, which can be any of the following: printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, rigid-flex board, high-density interconnect board, ceramic circuit board, metal-based circuit board, etc.

[0176] In some embodiments, in the circuit of the key corresponding to the keycap 310, if part or all of the circuit is located in the carrier layer 332, in which case the carrier layer 332 can be a circuit board, then the circuit of the key in the carrier layer 332 can be located in the second metal layer 3322, and the circuit of the key in the carrier layer 332 is connected to the second conductive part 335 on the bottom surface of the second groove 3324.

[0177] It should also be understood that the recess depth of the second groove 3324 on the second cover film layer 3321 can be set as needed, and the recess depth of the second groove 3324 refers to the depth value of the second groove 3324 in the first direction.

[0178] For example, the thickness of the second groove 3324 in the first direction may be less than the thickness of the second covering film 3321 in the first direction, or the depth of the second groove 3324 may be less than the thickness of the second covering film 3321. In this case, the bottom surface 3325 of the second groove 3324 is located on the second covering film 3321. This application does not limit or elaborate on this.

[0179] Of course, the thickness of the second groove 3324 in the first direction can also be greater than the thickness of the second cover film layer 3321 in the first direction, or the depth of the second groove 3324 is greater than the thickness of the second cover film layer 3321. In this case, the bottom surface 3325 of the second groove 3324 is located in the second metal layer 3322. That is, the thickness of the second cover film layer 3321 and part of the second metal layer 3322 in the first direction can be used to form the second groove.

[0180] It is understood that Figure 7b only illustrates the three-layer structure of the circuit board near the second groove 3324. When the elastic layer 331 is a single-layer circuit board, the carrier layer 332 may mainly include the three-layer structure shown in Figure 7b. When the carrier layer 332 is a multi-layer circuit board, other metal layers and cover film layers may also be included on the side of the second substrate layer 3323 facing away from the second metal layer 3322. This application will not elaborate on this.

[0181] In some embodiments, the circuitry for the keys corresponding to the keycaps 310 in the keyboard 300 is entirely located in the carrier layer 332. Therefore, the carrier layer 332 shown in Figure 7b is the carrier layer in the switch assembly 330. The elastic layer in the switch assembly 330 may not include circuitry; for example, the elastic layer can be a PET layer. In this case, the cavity 333 only includes the second groove 3324 shown in Figure 7b. The second cavity wall 3332 of the cavity 333 is the bottom surface 3325 of the second groove 3324, and the first cavity wall 3331 of the cavity 333 is the first surface of the elastic layer (not shown in Figure 7b). The first surface of the carrier layer is the surface of the carrier layer closest to the elastic layer.

[0182] In some embodiments, the circuitry for the keys corresponding to the keycaps 310 in the keyboard 300 is entirely located in the elastic layer 331. Therefore, the elastic layer 331 shown in Figure 7a is the elastic layer in the switch assembly 330. The carrier layer in the switch assembly 330 may not include circuitry; for example, the carrier layer can be an insulating board (i.e., a non-circuit board). In this case, the cavity 333 only includes the first groove 3314 shown in Figure 7a. The first cavity wall 3331 of the cavity 333 is the bottom surface 3315 of the first groove 3314, and the second cavity wall 3332 of the cavity 333 is the first surface of the carrier layer (not shown in Figure 7a). The first surface of the carrier layer is the surface of the carrier layer closest to the elastic layer.

[0183] In some embodiments, the circuitry of the keys corresponding to the keycaps 310 in the keyboard 300 has a portion located in the elastic layer 331 and a portion located in the carrier layer 332. Therefore, the elastic layer 331 shown in Figure 7a is the elastic layer in the switch assembly 330, and the carrier layer 332 shown in Figure 7a is the carrier layer in the switch assembly 330. Since both the elastic layer and the carrier layer in the switch assembly 330 include circuitry, the elastic layer can be a flexible circuit board, and the carrier layer can be a circuit board. In this case, the cavity 333 includes a first groove 3314 as shown in Figure 7a and a second groove 3324 as shown in Figure 7b; the first cavity wall 3331 of the cavity 333 is the bottom surface 3315 of the first groove 3314, and the second cavity wall 3332 of the cavity 333 is the bottom surface 3325 of the second groove 3324.

[0184] It should also be understood that the switch assembly 330 further includes a first conductive portion 334 and a second conductive portion 335 disposed opposite to each other. The first conductive portion 334 is disposed on the first cavity wall 3331, while the second conductive portion 335 is disposed on the second cavity wall 3332. The relative positional relationship between the first conductive portion 334 and the second conductive portion 335 in a first direction determines the opening and closing of the switch assembly 330. The first conductive portion 334 and the second conductive portion 335 can be implemented in different forms. An exemplary description is given below.

[0185] For example, the keyboard 300 also includes circuitry for the keys corresponding to the keycaps 310. The key circuitry can be disposed on a substrate layer, on an elastic layer, or a first portion of the key circuitry can be disposed on the elastic layer, while a second portion is disposed on the substrate layer. That is, the key circuitry can be located solely on the substrate layer, or solely on the elastic layer, or partially on the substrate layer and partially on the elastic layer.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first conductive part 334 and the second conductive part 335 are both conductive contacts. The first conductive part 334 is referred to as the first conductive contact, and the second conductive part 335 is referred to as the second conductive contact. The conductive contact can also be referred to as a contact point that can conduct electricity. When the two conductive contacts are in contact, the circuit of the key will be turned on to trigger the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap 310.

[0187] For example, for the key corresponding to keycap 310, when the circuit of the key is set on the carrier layer, the second conductive contact can be the break point of the key circuit. For example, the second conductive contact can be an electrode pair, which includes two unconnected electrodes. The two unconnected electrodes are the positive and negative terminals of the key circuit, respectively. The first conductive contact can be a metal sheet. When keycap 310 is not pressed, there is a gap between the metal sheet and the electrode pair, that is, the two electrodes in the electrode pair are not connected, so that the key circuit is in the open state, thereby making the switch assembly in the open state. When keycap 310 is pressed, the metal sheet is connected to the two electrodes of the electrode pair, and the two electrodes are connected by the metal sheet, so that the key circuit is in the conductive state, thereby making the switch assembly in the closed state.

[0188] For example, for the key corresponding to keycap 310, when the circuit of the key is set on the elastic layer, the first conductive contact can be the break point of the key's circuit. For example, the first conductive contact can be an electrode pair, which includes two unconnected electrodes. The two unconnected electrodes are the positive and negative terminals of the key's circuit, respectively. The second conductive contact can be a metal sheet. When keycap 310 is not pressed, there is a gap between the electrode pair and the metal sheet, that is, the two electrodes in the electrode pair are not connected, so that the key's circuit is in an open state, thereby making the switch assembly in an open state. When keycap 310 is pressed, the metal sheet overlaps the electrode pair, and the two electrodes in the electrode pair are connected by the metal sheet, so that the key's circuit is in a conductive state, thereby making the switch assembly in a closed state.

[0189] For example, regarding the key corresponding to keycap 310, when the first part of the key's circuit is located on the elastic layer and the second part of the key's circuit is located on the carrier layer, both the first and second conductive contacts can be metal sheets. The first conductive contact is connected to the first part of the circuit located on the elastic layer, and the second conductive contact is connected to the second part of the circuit located on the carrier layer. Alternatively, one of the first and second conductive contacts can be considered as the negative terminal of the key's circuit, and the other as the positive terminal. When keycap 310 is not pressed, there is a gap between the first and second conductive contacts, meaning the positive and negative terminals of the key's circuit are not connected, causing the key's circuit to be in an open state, thereby causing the switch assembly to be in an open state. When keycap 310 is pressed, the first and second conductive contacts come into contact, meaning the positive and negative terminals of the key's circuit are connected, causing the key's circuit to be in a conductive state, thereby causing the switch assembly to be in a closed state.

[0190] It is understood that the shape of the metal sheet in this application embodiment can be circular, elliptical, square, etc., and the material of the metal sheet can be any material that can achieve the above functions. This application embodiment does not limit the specific shape and material of the metal sheet.

[0191] In some embodiments, the metal sheet can be made of silver, which can be obtained by brushing silver paste onto the elastic layer and / or the carrier layer. Of course, it can also be made by other processes, which will not be elaborated or limited in this application.

[0192] In some other embodiments, the metal sheet can be made of the same material as the wires forming the button circuit; for example, both the metal sheet and the wires can be made of copper.

[0193] For example, when the elastic layer or carrier layer containing the metal sheet contains a button circuit, the metal sheet can be formed by compressing the end of the wire that forms the button circuit.

[0194] Understandably, metal sheets can be formed in any possible way. For example, a metal sheet can be formed by forming a metal coating, or the metal sheet itself can be considered a metal coating. For example, a metal sheet can be a metal coating formed from silver paste.

[0195] Of course, the metal sheet may include multiple layers of metal, which may be formed by electroplating; or other structures for conducting circuits, such as springs, may be welded onto the metal sheet. This application does not limit the specific structure and material of the metal sheet.

[0196] Figure 8 shows three different types of electrode pairs, as shown in Figure 8a. The electrode pair includes a first electrode 81 and a second electrode 82, wherein the first electrode 81 is connected to a part of the button circuit through a first wire 811, and the second electrode 82 is connected to another part of the button circuit through a second wire 821.

[0197] As shown in Figure 8b, the electrode pair includes a third electrode 83 and a fourth electrode 84. The third electrode 83 is connected to a part of the button circuit through a third wire 831, and the fourth electrode 84 is connected to another part of the button circuit through a fourth wire 841.

[0198] As shown in Figure 8c, the electrode pair includes a fifth electrode 85 and a sixth electrode 86. The fifth electrode 85 is connected to a part of the button circuit through a fifth wire 851, and the sixth electrode 86 is connected to another part of the button circuit through a sixth wire 861.

[0199] It is understandable that when the circuit of the button includes the electrode pair shown in Figure 8a or the electrode pair shown in Figure 8b, the circuit of the button can be called a plug-in type circuit.

[0200] It should be understood that the electrode pair shown in Figure 8 is merely an example, and the electrode pair in the application embodiment can also be any other possible form. The specific form of the electrode pair is not limited or described in the embodiments of this application.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first conductive part 334 includes a boss, which can be understood as a protrusion provided on the first cavity wall 3331, the boss protruding towards the second cavity wall 3332; the second conductive part 335 includes an infrared emitter diode (IR) and an infrared receiver diode (PT) arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart, that is, the infrared emitter diode and the infrared receiver diode are arranged opposite to each other and there is a gap between the infrared emitter diode and the infrared receiver diode, the gap between the infrared emitter diode and the infrared receiver diode is the infrared signal channel, when the keycap 310 is not pressed along the first direction, the boss is located outside the infrared signal channel; when the keycap 310 is pressed along the first direction, the boss moves to the infrared signal channel and blocks the infrared signal between the infrared emitter diode and the infrared receiver diode, so as to trigger the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap 310.

[0202] In this embodiment, the boss is disposed on the first cavity wall 3331, while the infrared emitter and infrared receiver are disposed on the second cavity wall 3332. When the keycap 310 is pressed along the first direction, the boss on the first cavity wall 3331 moves in the first direction, while the infrared emitter and infrared receiver do not move. This avoids the movement of the infrared emitter and infrared receiver, thereby improving the stability of the switch assembly 330.

[0203] It should also be understood that since the second conductive part 335 is disposed on the carrier plate layer, the power supply circuit of the infrared emitter can be disposed in the carrier plate layer, and the signal line of the infrared receiver can also be disposed in the carrier plate layer. This application does not limit or elaborate on this.

[0204] In some other embodiments, the first conductive part 334 includes an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver that are opposite to and spaced apart, with the space between the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver forming an infrared signal channel; the second conductive part 335 includes a boss, which can be understood as a protrusion on the second cavity wall 3332, protruding toward the first cavity wall 3331; when the keycap 310 is not pressed along the first direction, the boss is located outside the infrared signal channel; when the keycap 310 is pressed along the first direction, the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver move, causing the boss to enter the infrared signal channel and block the infrared signal between the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver, thereby triggering the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap 310.

[0205] In the above embodiment, the opening and closing of the switch assembly 330 is controlled by the relative positional relationship between the boss and a pair of infrared emitting electrodes and infrared receiving electrodes. The infrared emitting electrodes are in an energized state and emit infrared signals outward, while the infrared receiving electrodes are used to receive the infrared signals emitted by the infrared emitting electrodes. When the infrared receiving electrodes can receive the infrared signals sent by the infrared emitting electrodes, the switch assembly 330 is in an open state. When the infrared receiving electrodes cannot receive the infrared signals sent by the infrared emitting electrodes, the switch assembly 330 is in a closed state.

[0206] For example, when the keycap 310 is not pressed along the first direction, the infrared signal between the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver is transmitted and received normally. At this time, the infrared receiver does not output a signal, and the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap 310 is not triggered, that is, the switch assembly 330 is in the open state. When the keycap 310 is pressed along the first direction, the protrusion is located in the infrared signal channel (or the protrusion is located between the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver). The infrared receiver cannot receive the infrared signal, so the infrared receiver outputs a signal. The signal output by the infrared receiver can be used as the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap 310, that is, the switch assembly 330 is in the closed state.

[0207] In the above embodiments, the thickness of the switch assembly 330 in the keyboard 300 can be very thin, thereby ensuring that the keyboard 300 including the switch assembly 330 can be an ultra-thin keyboard. Furthermore, by providing a two-layer structure for the switch assembly 330, including an elastic layer 331 and a carrier layer 332, and by providing a cavity 333 within the switch assembly 330, with a first conductive portion 334 and a second conductive portion 335 disposed opposite to each other within the cavity 333, no additional interlayer is required between the elastic layer 331 and the carrier layer 332. When the elastic layer 331 and the carrier layer 332 are bonded together using adhesive, one bonding process is reduced compared to the three-layer structure of traditional membrane switches. Therefore, the defect rate of the switch assembly 330 in this embodiment is lower than that of traditional membrane switch manufacturing processes. Replacing the membrane switch in a membrane keyboard with this switch assembly 330 can solve the problem of high defect rates in the manufacturing process of membrane switches in membrane keyboards.

[0208] The above embodiments mainly describe the keyboard 300 in this application from the perspective of the switch component 330. The following describes the illuminated keyboard in this application.

[0209] It should be understood that a backlit keyboard, also known as a keyboard that can emit light, is a type of keyboard with an illumination function. The illumination provided by a backlit keyboard makes it easier for users to use the keyboard in low-light environments, thereby improving typing efficiency. In addition, backlit keyboards can also enhance visual effects, meet gaming and entertainment needs, and showcase personalization.

[0210] Referring to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of the stacked structure of a partial structure of a keyboard that can emit light, Figure 9 only shows the specific structure of one key on the keyboard 300'. The structures of the other keys on the keyboard 300' can be referred to the structure shown in Figure 9.

[0211] As shown in Figure 9, the current keyboard 300' includes: keycaps 310', rubber domes 320', membrane switches (MEM) 330', support components 340', metal plates 350', and backlight modules (BLM) 360'. In the first direction (i.e., the opposite direction of the Z direction), the keycaps 310', rubber domes 320', membrane switches 330', metal plates 350', and backlight modules 360' are stacked, with the membrane switch 330' being a conventional three-layer structure. It can be understood that either the first direction or the Z direction can be considered the thickness direction of the illuminated keyboard 300'.

[0212] It should be understood that, generally speaking, a backlight module 360' may include a light-shielding layer, a light-guiding layer, a reflective layer, and a light strip layer arranged sequentially in the first direction. The light strip layer may be a light strip assembled using a flexible printed circuit (FPC) as a carrier, or it may also be called an FPC light strip.

[0213] Assuming the thickness of the illuminated keyboard is 300' is H1, then the thickness H1 satisfies equation (1): H1=A+B+C+D+E (1)

[0214] Where: A represents the thickness of the keycap 310' excluding the brim, B represents the height of the rubber dome 320', C represents the thickness of the membrane switch 330', D represents the thickness of the metal plate 350', and E represents the thickness of the backlight module 360'.

[0215] As shown in Figure 9 and Equation (1), current backlit keyboards 300' typically require a backlight module 360', which significantly increases the thickness of the keyboard 300' compared to non-backlit keyboards. This clearly contradicts the current trend of keyboards becoming increasingly thinner. Therefore, how to reduce the thickness of backlit keyboards has become an urgent technical problem to be solved.

[0216] To achieve a thinner backlit keyboard, this application embodiment improves upon the aforementioned keyboard 300, obtaining a backlit keyboard without increasing its thickness. The improved backlit keyboard 300 is described below as an example.

[0217] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, based on the aforementioned keyboard 300, the keyboard 300 may further include a light-emitting component 360. In a first direction, the light-emitting component 360 is located between the keycap 310 and the switch component 330, and is located outside the area where the elastomer 320 is located. At least a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting component 360 is incident on the first surface of the keycap 310, which is the surface of the keycap facing the switch component 330. In this embodiment, by placing the light-emitting component 360 between the keycap 310 and the switch component 330, and by placing the light-emitting component 360 outside the area where the elastomer 320 is located, the presence of the light-emitting component 360 does not increase the thickness of the keyboard 300, thus achieving light emission while avoiding increasing the thickness of the keyboard 300. Therefore, the backlight module 360' of the backlight module 300 in this embodiment can be thinned by at least E compared to the backlight module 300' shown in FIG9, or the thickness of the backlight module 300 can be thinned by at least E compared to the backlight module 300' shown in FIG9.

[0218] To make it easier to understand, the following comparison shows the thickness of the backlit keyboard 300 compared to the traditional backlit keyboard 300'.

[0219] Assume that the thickness of the keycap 310 in keyboard 300 is the same as the thickness of the keycap 310' in keyboard 300', both being A; the thickness of the elastomer 320 in keyboard 300 is the same as the thickness of the rubber dome 320' in keyboard 300', both being B; the thickness of the switch assembly 330 in keyboard 300 is the same as the thickness of the membrane switch 330' in keyboard 300', both being C; and the thickness of the support plate 350 in keyboard 300 is the same as the thickness of the metal plate 350' in keyboard 300', both being D. The thickness of keyboard 300 can be divided into two cases:

[0220] Case 1: The first end of the elastomer 320 is located in the first through hole 354, and the first end of the elastomer 320 abuts against the elastic layer 331. In this embodiment, the first through hole 354 on the support plate 350 accommodates the first end of the elastomer 320, or in other words, the first end of the elastomer 320 sinks into the first through hole 354. In this embodiment, the thickness of the support plate 350 is included in the thickness of the keyboard 300. Assuming that the thickness of the keyboard 300 is H2 in this case, then H2 satisfies equation (2): H2=A+B+C (2)

[0221] According to the comparison of equations (1) and (2), in this case, the thickness H2 of the illuminated keyboard 300 is less than the thickness H1 of the keyboard 300', that is, the thickness of the illuminated keyboard 300 relative to the keyboard 300' is equal to the sum of D and E.

[0222] Scenario 2: The first end of the elastic body 320 is located outside the first through hole 354, and the first end of the elastic body 320 abuts against the support plate 350. In this embodiment, the thickness of the keycap 310, the thickness of the elastic body 320, the thickness of the switch assembly 330, and the thickness of the support plate 350 all need to be included in the thickness of the keyboard 300. Assuming that the thickness of the keyboard 300 in this case is H3, then H3 satisfies equation (3): H3=A+B+C+D (3)

[0223] Based on the comparison of equations (1) and (3), it can be seen that in this case, the thickness H3 of the illuminated keyboard 300 is less than the thickness H of keyboard 300'. 1， The thickness reduction of the illuminated keyboard 300 relative to keyboard 300' is equal to E.

[0224] Based on the comparison of Equations (1) and (2), and Equations (1) and (3), it can be seen that for the backlit keyboard, in this embodiment of the application, by placing the backlit component 360 between the keycap 310 and the switch component 330, and by placing the backlit component 360 in a region outside the region where the elastomer 320 is located, the presence of the backlit component 360 will not increase the thickness of the keyboard 300, thus effectively reducing the thickness of the keyboard.

[0225] It is understandable that the thickness of the backlit keyboard 300 that meets condition one is reduced even compared to a conventional non-backlit keyboard including membrane switches. That is, the keyboard 300 that meets condition one in this application embodiment has a thickness advantage compared to conventional backlit keyboards including membrane switches and non-backlit keyboards.

[0226] It is understood that, in this embodiment of the application, by using a switch assembly 330 and a light-emitting assembly 360 to replace the traditional membrane switch (MEM) 330' and backlight module (BLM) 360', the stacking path of the keyboard 300 thickness is reduced by one layer of component material, thus making the keyboard 300 thinner. Alternatively, the light-emitting assembly 360 can be integrated into the switch assembly 330, thereby allowing the switch assembly 330 to integrate key functions and backlight functions. This allows the keyboard 300 to achieve light emission while being thinner, and also makes the overall structure of the keyboard 300 simpler and easier to manufacture.

[0227] In the embodiments of this application, the solutions for thinning the keyboard 300 can all achieve the thinning of the keyboard 300 without reducing the key travel. The key travel not being reduced (remaining unchanged or increasing) can ensure the input experience. Therefore, the thickness reduction solution of the keyboard 300 in this application can well support the thinning requirements of the entire electronic device 10 while ensuring the user's input experience.

[0228] In some embodiments, the keyboard 300 further includes a power supply circuit (not shown) for supplying power to the light-emitting component 360. The power supply circuit may be disposed on the carrier layer 332 or on the elastic layer 331.

[0229] In some embodiments, the light-emitting component 360 includes a first light-emitting element. When the keycap 310 is not pressed along a first direction, the first light-emitting element does not emit light; when the keycap 310 is pressed along the first direction, the first light-emitting element emits light. In this embodiment, the opening and closing of the first light-emitting element in the light-emitting component 360 is controlled by the switch component 330. That is, the first light-emitting element in the light-emitting component 360 is triggered simultaneously with the electrical signal of the key. This design ensures that when a key is pressed, the first light-emitting element in the light-emitting component 360 corresponding to that key emits light, and when the pressing ends, the first light-emitting element stops emitting light. This design enhances the keyboard's visual appeal.

[0230] In some embodiments, the light-emitting component 360 includes a second light-emitting element, and a switch (not shown) for controlling the opening and closing of the second light-emitting element is provided on the housing of the keyboard 300. In this embodiment, the opening and closing of the second light-emitting element in the light-emitting component 360 is controlled by the switch provided on the housing, so that the user can control the opening and closing of the second light-emitting element by the switch, which is convenient for the user.

[0231] In some other embodiments, the light-emitting component 360 may include both a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element. With this configuration, when the user presses the keycap 310, the first light-emitting element in the key corresponding to the keycap 310 can light up independently, enhancing the keyboard's appeal. Additionally, the user can control the second light-emitting element in the light-emitting component 360 to turn on and off via a switch, making it convenient for the user.

[0232] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the carrier layer 332 in the switch assembly 330 is a circuit board, and the circuit of the key corresponding to the keycap 310 can be partially or completely disposed on the carrier layer 332; the surface of the support plate 350 is attached to the second surface of the elastic layer 331 in the switch assembly 330 (or the support plate 350 is located on the upper side of the switch assembly 330); wherein the power supply circuit (not shown in the figure) for powering the light-emitting component 360 can be disposed on the carrier layer 332 in the switch assembly 330.

[0233] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 5, the light-emitting component 360 shown in Figures 3 and 5 includes two light-emitting elements 361, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In order to ensure that the light from the light-emitting elements 361 can be incident on the keycap 310, two third through holes 339 are opened on the elastic layer 331 at positions corresponding to the two light-emitting elements 361, and two fourth through holes 355 are opened on the support plate 350 at positions corresponding to the two light-emitting elements 361.

[0234] It should be understood that the positions of the light-emitting components 360 shown in Figures 2 to 5 are merely examples. As long as at least part of the light emitted by the light-emitting components 360 can be incident on the first surface of the keycap 310, the light-emitting components 360 can be positioned at any position between the keycap 310 and the switch assembly 330. The specific position of the light-emitting components 360 is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0235] In the above-described embodiment of the illuminated keyboard 300, by placing the light-emitting component 360 between the keycap 310 and the switch component 330, and by placing the light-emitting component 360 in an area outside the area where the elastomer 320 is located, the presence of the light-emitting component 360 does not increase the thickness of the keyboard 300. The keyboard 300 can emit light without increasing its thickness, thereby achieving a thinner illuminated keyboard.

[0236] It is understood that the switch component 330 in the above embodiments is mainly used to trigger the electrical signals of the keys in the keyboard 300. The switch component 330 can also be applied to other signal triggering scenarios. For example, the switch component 330 can be applied to a key switch, or the switch component 330 can be applied to a power button; or the switch component 330 can be used as a key component of the power button of other electronic devices to realize the power on and off of the electronic device. The application scenarios of the switch component 330 in this application embodiment are not limited or described in detail.

[0237] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0238] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application.

[0239] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A keyboard, characterized in that, The keyboard includes: keycaps, an elastomer, and a switch assembly, wherein the elastomer is located between the keycaps and the switch assembly in a first direction, the first direction being the thickness direction of the keyboard; The switch assembly includes: an elastic layer and a carrier plate layer stacked in the first direction; the switch assembly has a cavity, a first cavity wall of the cavity is located in the elastic layer, a second cavity wall of the cavity is located in the carrier plate layer, the first cavity wall and the second cavity wall are opposite walls of the cavity in the first direction; the switch assembly further includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion disposed opposite to each other, the first conductive portion being disposed in the first cavity wall, and the second conductive portion being disposed in the second cavity wall; When the keycap is not pressed along the first direction, the first conductive part and the second conductive part are not connected, and the switch assembly is in the open state; When the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the elastomer is compressed and presses the elastic layer. The elastic layer deforms under the pressure of the elastomer, causing the first conductive part to move toward the second conductive part. The switch assembly closes, triggering the electrical signal of the key corresponding to the keycap.

2. The keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the switch assembly, outside the cavity, the first surface of the elastic layer and the first surface of the carrier plate layer are bonded together.

3. The keyboard according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Both the first conductive part and the second conductive part are conductive contacts; When the keycap is not pressed along the first direction, there is a gap between the first conductive part and the second conductive part, so that the switch assembly is in the open state; When the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the first conductive part and the second conductive part come into contact, thereby closing the switch assembly.

4. The keyboard according to claim 3, characterized in that, The keyboard also includes circuitry for the keys; The circuitry for the button is located on the carrier board layer; The circuitry for the button is located on the elastic layer; or The first part of the circuit of the button is located on the elastic layer, and the second part of the circuit of the button is located on the carrier layer. When the keycap is not pressed along the first direction, the circuit of the key is in the open state; When the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the circuit of the key is in a conductive state.

5. The keyboard according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first conductive part includes a boss, and the second conductive part includes an infrared emitting electrode and an infrared receiving electrode that are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart, with the space between the infrared emitting electrode and the infrared receiving electrode forming an infrared signal channel; or the second conductive part includes a boss, and the first conductive part includes an infrared emitting electrode and an infrared receiving electrode that are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart, with the space between the infrared emitting electrode and the infrared receiving electrode forming an infrared signal channel. When the keycap is not pressed along the first direction, the boss is located outside the infrared signal channel; When the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the boss is located in the infrared signal channel and blocks the infrared signal between the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver.

6. The keyboard according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first surface of the elastic layer and the first surface of the carrier plate layer are disposed opposite to each other. The cavity includes: a first groove formed on the first surface of the elastic layer, and / or a second groove formed on the first surface of the carrier plate layer; the first cavity wall of the cavity includes the bottom surface of the first groove, and / or the second cavity wall of the cavity includes the bottom surface of the second groove.

7. The keyboard according to claim 6, characterized in that, The elastic layer is a flexible circuit board, which includes a first substrate layer, a first metal layer and a first cover film layer stacked sequentially in the first direction; the bottom surface of the first groove is located on the first substrate layer, or the bottom surface of the first groove is located on the first metal layer.

8. The keyboard according to claim 7, characterized in that, The keyboard also includes circuitry for the keys, with at least a portion of the key circuitry located in the elastic layer, and the key circuitry within the elastic layer located in the first metal layer.

9. The keyboard according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The carrier layer is a circuit board, and the circuit board includes a second cover film layer, a second metal layer and a second substrate layer that are sequentially stacked in the first direction. The circuit of the button in the carrier layer is located in the second metal layer; the bottom surface of the second groove is located in the second substrate layer, or the bottom surface of the second groove is located in the second metal layer.

10. The keyboard according to claim 9, characterized in that, The keyboard also includes circuitry for the keys, at least a portion of which is located on the carrier layer, and the key circuitry within the carrier layer is located on the second metal layer.

11. The keyboard according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The keyboard further includes a light-emitting component, which is located between the keycap and the switch component in the first direction, and is located in a region outside the region where the elastomer is located; at least a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting component is incident on a first surface of the keycap, the first surface of the keycap being the surface of the keycap facing the switch component.

12. The keyboard according to claim 11, characterized in that, The light-emitting component is embedded in the switch assembly. The keyboard also includes a power supply circuit for supplying power to the light-emitting component. The power supply circuit is located on the carrier layer or on the elastic layer.

13. The keyboard according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The light-emitting component includes a first light-emitting element; When the keycap is not pressed along the first direction, the first light-emitting element does not emit light; When the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the first light-emitting element emits light.

14. The keyboard according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The keyboard also includes a housing and a switch disposed on the housing. The light-emitting component includes a second light-emitting element, and the switch is used to control the opening and closing of the second light-emitting element. The elastic body, the switch assembly and the light-emitting component are all located inside the housing. The second side of the keycap is exposed outside the housing. The second side of the keycap is the side of the keycap that is opposite to the first side of the keycap.

15. The keyboard according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The keyboard also includes a housing and a support plate, the support plate being fixedly connected inside the housing, and the elastomer and the switch assembly both being located inside the housing; The surface of the support plate is bonded to the second surface of the elastic layer, or the surface of the support plate is bonded to the second surface of the carrier plate layer; wherein: the second surface of the elastic layer is the surface of the elastic layer facing away from the carrier plate layer, and the second surface of the carrier plate layer is the surface of the carrier plate layer facing away from the elastic layer.

16. The keyboard according to claim 15, characterized in that, The surface of the support plate is bonded to the second surface of the elastic layer; a first through hole is provided on the support plate, the first through hole penetrates the support plate in the first direction, and the first through hole is disposed opposite to the first conductive part in the first direction; when the keycap is pressed along the first direction, the elastic body is compressed and deformed, and part of the structure of the elastic body passes through the first through hole and presses the elastic layer.

17. The keyboard according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first end of the elastomer is located in the first through hole, and the first end of the elastomer abuts against the elastic layer; or The first end of the elastic body is located outside the first through hole, and the first end of the elastic body abuts against the support plate.

18. The keyboard according to claim 15, characterized in that, The surface of the support plate is bonded to the second surface of the carrier plate layer. A second through hole is provided on the support plate. The second through hole penetrates the support plate in the first direction and is disposed opposite to the second conductive part in the first direction.

19. The keyboard according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that, The first end of the elastomer abuts against the elastic layer. The orthographic projection of the cavity in the first projection plane is located within the orthographic projection of the contact surface between the elastomer and the elastic layer in the first projection plane. The first projection plane is perpendicular to the first direction.

20. A switching assembly, characterized in that, The switch assembly includes: an elastic layer and a carrier plate layer stacked in a first direction; the switch assembly has a cavity, a first cavity wall of the cavity is located in the elastic layer, a second cavity wall of the cavity is located in the carrier plate layer, the first cavity wall and the second cavity wall are opposite walls of the cavity in the first direction; the switch assembly further includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion disposed opposite to each other, the first conductive portion being disposed in the first cavity wall, and the second conductive portion being disposed in the second cavity wall; When the elastic layer is not pressed along the first direction, the first conductive part and the second conductive part are not connected, and the switch assembly is in the open state; When the elastic layer is pressed along the first direction, the elastic layer deforms under the pressure, causing the first conductive part to move toward the second conductive part, and the switch assembly closes.

21. The switching assembly according to claim 20, characterized in that, The switch assembly is used in the keyboard.

22. An electronic device, characterized in that, Includes the keyboard as described in any one of claims 1 to 19.

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