CN104658793B - Input device, key button, switch and frame, circuit board and method for reducing stroke - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a key button for a key switch of a data input device. It has an operating surface section and an abutment section for abutment against a corresponding abutment section of a push-button switch operating element which is movable relative to the lateral recess. The pushbutton has a latching hook (26) with a retaining section (30) for a recess (48; 64) on the reverse side, parallel to the operating direction (A), and a spacing formed between the retaining section (30) and the contact section (20) is set for the non-switch-activated elastically pretensioned retention of the pushbutton switch operating element (54) in the reverse-latched state of the retaining section (30). The invention further relates to a key switch for a data input device, a key frame for a data input device, a circuit board for a data input device comprising a plurality of key switches, a data input device comprising a plurality of key switches and a method for reducing the switching stroke of the key switches of a data input device.

Description

Input device, key button, switch and frame, circuit board and method for reducing stroke

Technical Field

The invention relates to a key button, a key switch, a key frame and a circuit board for a data input device, a data input device and a method for reducing the switching travel of the key switch of the data input device.

Background

The data input device is typically an interface between a person and a machine so that information can be transferred to the machine. Such data input devices are implemented, for example, by means of a keyboard, in particular a computer keyboard. Computer keyboards are known that have a circuit board on which a plurality of key switches can be fixed and electrically connected. The push switches are usually designed as pressure push elements, which trigger a switching signal when they are actuated. The triggered switching signal is transmitted by means of the circuit board to an electronic device which is electrically connected to the circuit board, wherein the switching signal carries information which is specifically associated with the push button switch. The data entered by the key switches can correspond, for example, to numbers, letters, special symbols or combinations thereof, wherein at least one number, letter or special symbol is assigned to a key switch.

The circuit board is usually surrounded by a housing, which may have one or more recesses suitable for accommodating a predetermined number of key switches, wherein the recesses each define a key compartment. The key switches arranged in the key compartment usually have a key button with an operating surface for operating the key switch. The operating surface provides information to the user visually that can be communicated using the corresponding key switch.

A key frame can be arranged between the pushbutton and the circuit board, which key frame has through openings corresponding to the number of pushbutton switches, through which at least one pushbutton switch actuating element, in particular a pushbutton rod connected to the pushbutton, passes or can reach. The key frame can form a stop for the key button with a surface section surrounding the through-opening, whereby the maximum operating travel of the key button is limited for operation. The maximum operating travel corresponds in this case mostly to the switching travel of the push button switch, which is designed to trigger a switching signal by actuating the push button and the push button switch actuating element connected thereto. The push-button switch can be designed in a versatile manner.

Document DE 3229465C 2 relates to a pushbutton switch designed as a pushbutton module, having a module housing for accommodating the relevant components for converting a switch actuating force into a switching signal. The module housing is penetrated on one side by electrical contact elements for electrically connecting the pushbutton switches to the circuit board and on the opposite side by the free ends of the pushbutton switch actuating elements or of the pushbutton rods, wherein the free ends of the pushbutton switch actuating elements are at least provided for abutting against or coupling with the pushbutton. The push-button switch actuating element is mounted in the module housing in a resiliently movable manner, whereby the push-button switch actuating element is pressed out of the switch trigger point counter to its actuating direction and can be automatically moved back into the starting position after actuation in the direction of the switch trigger point. The pushbutton switch actuating element is coupled to the electrical contact element in such a way that, after a switch travel has been overcome by actuating or pressing the pushbutton switch actuating element, a switching signal is transmitted via the electrical contact element after a switch trigger point has been reached. However, such a key module or such a key switch does not provide a means for adjusting the switching travel or the key stroke of the key switch operating element after installation in the keyboard.

The adjustment of the switching travel or the key stroke distance of the key switches of the computer keyboard is preferred in the professional or semi-professional field of games. Therefore, a group of players support the viewpoint that a particularly large key reciprocating distance is required to safely operate the keys so as to obtain a sense of security at the time of operation. Conversely, other players prefer particularly short switch strokes for fast operation or tap rates. Furthermore, it is considered to be particularly advantageous by some players that the computer keyboard can be used on the one hand as a game keyboard and on the other hand as a conventional computer keyboard, wherein the key stroke or the switch travel of at least some of the keys of the computer keyboard is changeable or adjustable for a particular application as a game keyboard.

In order to solve this problem, for example, document JP 08-022348 a2 proposes a keyboard switch having changeable key strokes or key reciprocation distances. The push-button switch known in advance is thus designed as a push-button, which comprises a push-button switch actuating element designed as a push-button, which has an abutment section at a free end opposite an actuating surface of the push-button for abutment with a pneumatically fillable or evacuatable ball. The switching travel or the key stroke of the key button can be variably set by filling or emptying the ball accordingly.

Document CN 101763971 a describes an alternative solution for adjusting the switch travel of a key switch. The push-button switch has a push-button with a central spacer projecting from the push-button in an operating direction, the central spacer being coupled to a moving plate provided with a keyboard housing, the moving plate being height-adjustable in a direction parallel to the operating direction towards a central plate fixedly coupled to the keyboard housing. The intermediate plate is disposed between the moving plate and the key buttons, and is penetrated by the intermediate spacer. A compression spring surrounding the middle spacer is arranged between the key button and the middle plate to reset the key button to an initial position. By adjusting the moving plate in the operating direction, the key buttons move in the direction of the intermediate plate.

Disclosure of Invention

In addition, starting from the prior art described at the outset, the invention is intended to provide the improved possibility of adjusting the switching travel or the key stroke distance of the key switch already installed in the keyboard in a simple manner as required.

To this end, a pushbutton for a pushbutton switch of a data input device is proposed according to the invention, having the following features:

a pushbutton for a pushbutton switch of a data input device, wherein the pushbutton has an actuating surface section and an abutment section which is connected to the actuating surface section and which points in an actuating direction of the pushbutton, for abutment against a corresponding abutment section of a resiliently movable pushbutton switch actuating element of the pushbutton switch, wherein the pushbutton switch actuating element can be moved relative to an undercut which is formed together with the pushbutton switch or is adjacent to the pushbutton switch, characterized in that the pushbutton has at least one latching hook which is connected to the abutment section and extends in the actuating direction and has a retaining section for an undercut, wherein, parallel to the actuating direction, a spacing which is formed between the retaining section and the abutment section serves for the non-switch-triggered, resiliently prestressed retention of the pushbutton switch actuating element in the latched state of the retaining section.

The proposed pushbutton is particularly suitable for a pushbutton module as described above for a computer keyboard. The proposed pushbutton has an actuating surface section and an abutment section which is connected to the actuating surface section and points in the actuating direction of the pushbutton for abutment against a corresponding abutment section of a resiliently movable pushbutton switch actuating element of the pushbutton switch, wherein the pushbutton switch actuating element can be moved relative to an undercut which is formed by the pushbutton switch or is adjacent to the pushbutton switch. In the sense of the invention, the undercut corresponds to a projection, a flange, an edge or a similar type of projection which can be reversed and which is capable of moving an element of the reversed undercut in a direction away from the undercut at least to a switch activation point of the key switch operating element.

The operating surface section is provided for operation by a user and is correspondingly arranged on the side of the pushbutton facing the user. The operating surface section can preferably be ergonomically matched to a human fingertip. For this purpose, the operating surface section is further preferably concavely curved.

The contact section is arranged on the side opposite the actuating surface section or on the side of the pushbutton facing away from the user. The contact section is designed to contact or can contact a corresponding contact section of a resiliently movable pushbutton switch actuating element of the pushbutton switch. The contact section can be designed, for example, by one or more planar, linear or punctiform sections pointing in the operating direction of the pushbutton. The contact section can generally have any conceivable shape, as long as the contact section is suitable for transmitting an actuating force applied to the actuating surface section in the actuating direction of the pushbutton to a corresponding contact section of the resiliently movable pushbutton switch actuating element of the pushbutton switch.

The pushbutton switch actuating element can have a design known in advance from the prior art. The key switch operating element is preferably a key lever known from the computer keyboard field. The resilient movement of the key switch operating element is usually achieved by loading the key switch operating element with a spring force directed opposite to the operating direction of the key switch operating element. Thus, the key switch operation member can be automatically returned to its original position after its operation, thereby enabling a plurality of operations in succession.

The pushbutton is characterized in that it has at least one latching hook which is connected to the contact section and extends in the actuating direction and has a retaining section for the counter-latching undercut, wherein a distance which is formed parallel to the actuating direction between the retaining section and the contact section is provided for the non-switch-activated, elastically prestressed retention of the pushbutton switch actuating element in the counter-latching state of the retaining section. The connection of the latching hook to the contact section can preferably be realized by a one-piece forming. The connection between the latching hook and the contact section leads anyway to an immovable arrangement relative to one another on the pushbutton. Thus, by locking the key button via the retaining section of the locking hook counter-locking-side recess, the key switch operating element is moved over a predetermined stroke in an operating direction of the key switch operating element parallel to the operating direction of the key button and is held by the key button with pretension on the basis of the elastic movement. The distance between the holding portion and the contact portion determines the degree of the reduced switching travel, wherein the distance is selected as a function of the desired degree of reduction of the switching travel, and the holding portion and the contact portion are arranged at a distance from one another. The push-button switch actuating element can thus be pressed in the assembled state of the push-button in the direction of the switch trigger point of the push-button switch actuating element within a predetermined range without the switch trigger point of the trigger switch signal being reached.

The retaining section corresponds to a retaining position of the pushbutton, wherein a retaining force acts on the pushbutton in order to retain the pushbutton in a resiliently pretensioned position of the pushbutton switching element. The contact section corresponds to a contact position of the pushbutton, wherein a pressing force that can be applied to the corresponding contact section of the pushbutton switch actuating element can act in the contact state.

The distance between the holding section and the contact section can advantageously be set to different specifications in different push buttons, so that the user can be provided with the reduced switch travel or reduced push button travel distance desired by the user by selecting a particular push button. Furthermore, a projection, edge, flange or similar type of projection of the key switch, which accordingly constitutes a side recess, can be used for fixing the key button on the key switch. If the key switch should be free of such undercuts, the undercuts of the data input device adjacent to the key switch can alternatively be used to fix the key button on the key switch as described earlier. Therefore, for adjusting or reducing the switch travel or the key stroke of the key switch, it is only necessary to remove the key button that is normally connected to the key switch and to mount the proposed new key button on the key switch. In particular, the individual keys, which are important, for example, for the field of gaming, such as the WASD keys or arrow keys, can thereby be exchanged in a simple manner, wherein the user can be provided with the desired reduced key stroke or switching distance specifically for these keys.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pushbutton has at least two latching hooks which extend in the operating direction and are arranged on opposite sides of the pushbutton and have a retaining section for the counter-latching recess. Therefore, the button can be attached to the push switch more stably. For this purpose, the pushbutton can alternatively have more than two latching hooks with a retaining section for the counter-latching recess. Furthermore, as an alternative, the latching hook may have more than one retaining section for the counter-latching-side recess, wherein the retaining sections are arranged one behind the other in the operating direction of the pushbutton or in the direction of extension of the latching hook. In this way, the switching travel of the push button switch can be adjusted as required by selectively engaging the undercut via one of the holding sections using a single push button. For this purpose, the latching hook is preferably designed in such a way that the force with which the latching hook is brought from the anti-latching state of the holding section into the anti-latching state of the holding section different therefrom is greater than the operating force for operating the fitted pushbutton switch, so that the switching signal is triggered by means of the pushbutton switch coupled to the pushbutton switch.

The latching hook preferably has a projection with a section which is directed opposite to the operating direction of the pushbutton and is designed as a retaining section. Alternatively or additionally, the retaining section can be designed by a recess formed in the latching hook with a section which points opposite to the operating direction of the pushbutton. For each of the previously known embodiments, the latching hook can generally be designed to latch two components in at least one latching direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the latching hook is formed at least in one piece with the operating surface section and further preferably with the abutment section. Preferably, the pushbutton is formed from an injection-molded material containing plastic. It is further preferred that the latching hook is inclined in the direction of the holding section relative to the operating direction of the pushbutton, as a result of which, in the anti-latched state of the holding section, a projection of the latching hook can be produced in the direction of the holding section or the undercut. In this way, the pushbutton can be reliably held in contact with the pushbutton switch actuating element.

According to a further preferred embodiment, in the non-actuated, non-applied state of the pushbutton switch actuating element, the distance between the application section and the holding section is smaller than the distance between the corresponding application section and the lateral recess, which is formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element. In this way, it is reliably ensured that the pushbutton switch actuating element can be held elastically prestressed in the direction of the switching point of the pushbutton switch in the anti-latched state of the pushbutton without switching actuation. The non-contact state of the pushbutton switch actuating element corresponds here to a state in which the pushbutton switch actuating element is not in contact with the pushbutton.

In a further preferred embodiment, in the actuated state of the switch-actuated, actuated state of the pushbutton switch actuating element, the distance between the contact section and the holding section is greater than the distance between the corresponding contact section and the undercut, which is formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element. In this way, it is reliably ensured that the pushbutton switch actuating element can be held elastically prestressed in a non-switching-triggered manner in the anti-latched state of the pushbutton before the switching point of the pushbutton switch actuating element is reached. The distance thus selected is particularly advantageous for the underside recess, which is arranged in a region extending between the corresponding contact section of the push switch and the contact element in a direction parallel to the operating direction of the push switch operating element.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the retaining section extends from the latching hook toward a center plane of the pushbutton which extends parallel to the operating direction. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for fixing the pushbutton to the pushbutton switch by means of a lateral recess formed by the pushbutton switch by means of a counter-latching. For example, a pushbutton designed in this way can be latched with the previously known pushbutton module mentioned at the outset, which has a module housing with a module cover and a module base that can be latched to one another, wherein either the module cover or the module base has laterally projecting edges or flanges that form lateral recesses for holding the pushbutton. A keyboard designed with these previously known key modules can therefore be subsequently configured with keys that provide shorter switching strokes and thus shorter key travel distances than keys sold in original fashion with the keyboard. The keys of the keyboard can thus be adjusted as desired in terms of the switching travel or the key stroke of the respective key by using the proposed pushbutton.

Alternatively, according to a further preferred embodiment, the retaining section can extend from the latching hook to the outside of the pushbutton. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for a push button switch which lacks an undercut for locking the push button. The undercut of the data input device adjacent to the respective pushbutton switch can thus be used for locking the pushbutton with the data input device, wherein the pushbutton of the pushbutton switch actuating element can be held elastically pretensioned without switching actuation, whereby the pushbutton is held in the initial position of the pushbutton in a direction opposite to the actuating direction of the pushbutton by being latched back against the undercut via the holding section of the latching hook.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the spacing between the holding section and the actuating surface section is greater than the spacing between the contact section and the actuating surface section. In other words, the holding section is set back in the contact section in the operating direction of the pushbutton from the operating surface section. The distance is further preferably selected in such a way that one or more intermediate contact elements for indirectly contacting the contact section against the corresponding contact section can be arranged between the contact section of the pushbutton and the corresponding contact section of the pushbutton switch actuating element. In the previously described preferred embodiments of the latching hook with a plurality of retaining sections, the switching travel of the pushbutton switch actuating element can therefore be adjusted alternatively as required by selecting one or more intermediate abutment elements of a specific thickness.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the pushbutton is designed as a groove which is open, in particular on one side, wherein the groove base is shaped as an operating surface section on the outside of the groove base, wherein the contact section is arranged on the inside of the groove, and wherein the at least one latching hook projects from a groove wall which is connected to the groove base and at least partially delimits the groove interior. The key button can thus be configured as a key cap covering the key switch. The key buttons can thus have the key shapes common to keyboards. It is thus also possible to maintain the appearance common to corresponding keyboards after replacing one or more key buttons by a corresponding number of key buttons proposed with the invention.

It is further preferred that the end of the groove wall which at least partially delimits the groove interior is remote from the groove bottom is arranged in a common plane with the contact portion or in a plane which is further away from the groove bottom than the plane which comprises the contact portion. The slot wall preferably completely defines the slot interior space. In other words, the groove wall is formed in one piece in the peripheral direction of the pushbutton, whereby the groove base is completely surrounded by the groove wall. The contact section therefore does not project from the interior of the groove of the pushbutton, so that possible damage to the contact section and thus possible, less stable contact on the corresponding contact section can be prevented.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a key switch for a data input device is provided. The push-button switch has a push-button switch operating element which can be moved elastically relative to an undercut formed by the push-button switch or provided by the data input device and which is coupled to a push-button provided for operating the push-button switch. The pushbutton switch is characterized in that the pushbutton has at least one latching hook with a retaining section for the counter-latching undercut, wherein the retaining section is spaced apart from the coupling position in a direction extending parallel to the operating direction of the pushbutton by a distance provided for the non-switch-triggered, resiliently pretensioned retention of the pushbutton switch operating element in the counter-latched state of the retaining section. In the sense of the present invention, a connection is understood to mean a force-transmitting contact of the pushbutton with the pushbutton switch actuating element or a force-transmitting connection of the pushbutton with the pushbutton switch actuating element. The coupling position corresponds to a position in which an actuating force acting on the pushbutton switch is transmitted to the pushbutton switch actuating element. The force transmission can take place directly or indirectly. In the event of a touch, there is a direct transmission of force between the pushbutton and the pushbutton-switch actuating element. Indirect force transmission takes place using an intermediate contact element, which can be arranged between the pushbutton and the pushbutton actuating element, for adjusting the switching travel or the pushbutton travel of the pushbutton actuating element. In this case, the coupling position corresponds to a position in which an actuating force acting on the pushbutton and transmitted to the intermediate contact element or elements is transmitted to the pushbutton switch actuating element.

It is further preferred that the pushbutton has an abutment section, which is directed in the operating direction of the pushbutton, for abutment against a corresponding abutment section of the elastically movable pushbutton switch actuating element in order to couple the pushbutton to the pushbutton switch actuating element, wherein the abutment section is formed by an exchangeable intermediate abutment element arranged between the pushbutton and the pushbutton switch actuating element. In this preferred embodiment, the switching travel of the pushbutton switch can be adjusted as required solely by the intermediate position of one or more intermediate abutment elements between the pushbutton and the pushbutton switch actuating element.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the pushbutton has a design like that described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a key frame for a data input device is provided, which has a circuit board and a plurality of key switches electrically connectable to the circuit board, which key switches each have a key button for actuating the key switch and a resiliently movable key switch actuating element coupled or couplable to the key button. The key frame setting can be arranged between the circuit board and the key buttons. For this purpose, the key frame has a through-opening for connecting the key button to the key switch actuating element. The key frame is characterized in that it comprises a further through-opening for a latching hook connected to the key button, which latching hook has at least one holding section for the counter-latching of the key frame or a lateral recess formed by the key switch, in order to hold the key switch actuating element in a non-switch-activated, elastically pretensioned manner, relative to which the key switch actuating element can be moved elastically. The key frame thus offers the possibility of equipping the data input device with a pushbutton or several pushbuttons, by means of which the switching travel or the pushbutton travel of the pushbutton switches of the data input device can be adjusted as desired. The latching hook of the pushbutton can be moved in an advantageous manner in the further passage of the pushbutton frame between the latching position of the holding section, which corresponds to the latching position of the holding section, and the switching position of the trigger switch signal of the pushbutton switch, without hindrance, as a result of which a more flat design of the data input device is possible.

It is further preferred that two further passages which are adjacent to one another are formed as a common further passage for a respective locking hook of two adjacent pushbutton buttons. It is also preferred that the further through-openings or the common further through-opening are connected to the through-openings of the key frame, whereby a common through-opening is provided for the latching hook for coupling the key button to the key switch operating element and for connecting the key button.

The key frame preferably has a side recess. Further preferably, the side recess is connected to the further through-openings on the side of the key frame facing the circuit board. Alternatively, the key frame can have a wall which at least partially delimits the further passage and which projects from the surface side of the key frame facing the key button, said wall having a lateral recess for the counter-latching by a retaining section of the latching hook of the key button. It is further preferred that the further through-openings are connected to the through-openings and define a channel which circumferentially defines a common through-opening which is formed by one of the through-openings and which projects from a surface side of the key frame facing the key button, wherein the lateral recess is arranged on the channel side facing the retaining section of the latching hook. Accordingly, the key frame may be used for a water spray-proof data input device having a liquid discharge means, wherein the key frame is adapted to replace a key button of the data input device with a key button for variably adjusting a switch stroke or a key reciprocation distance of the key switch.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a circuit board for a data input device including a plurality of key switches. The circuit board has a fastening element for fastening and an electrical contact element for electrically contacting the pushbutton switches, wherein at least one pushbutton switch has a pushbutton and a pushbutton switch actuating element connected thereto and movable in a resilient manner. The circuit board is characterized in that it comprises a through-opening for a latching hook connected to the pushbutton switch, the latching hook also having at least one holding section for a lateral recess provided for the counter card with a data input device or a lateral recess formed as a pushbutton switch, with respect to which the pushbutton switch actuating element is correspondingly elastically movable relative to one another, in order to hold the pushbutton switch actuating element in a non-switch-activated, elastically pretensioned manner. This allows, on the one hand, an optimized arrangement of the circuit board, the pushbutton switches and the pushbutton switches in terms of the overall height and thus a relatively flat data input device with pushbutton switches which result in a reduced switching path or a smaller pushbutton travel distance of the pushbutton switches.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a data entry device is provided. The data input device comprises a plurality of key switches which are electrically connected with the circuit board and fixed on the circuit board, wherein at least one key switch is provided with a key button, and the key button is connected with a key switch operating element which can elastically move of the key switch. The data input device is characterized in that, in order to hold the key switch operating element in a non-switch-triggered manner in a resiliently biased manner, the key button has at least one latching hook with at least one holding section for the counter-latching undercut, relative to which the key switch operating element can be moved in a resiliently relative manner. Thus, a data input device may be provided for adjusting the switch stroke or the key stroke distance of the key switch as desired. The key buttons and the optional circuit board may be designed as described previously. Furthermore, the data input device may have a key frame as described above, which is arranged or can be arranged between the circuit board and the key button. It is further preferred for the last case that the key frame is formed in one piece with the housing of the data input device, wherein the housing comprises at least one recess in the form of a key compartment, wherein the key frame is formed by the bottom of the key compartment.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for reducing the switching travel of a key switch of a data input device is proposed. The data input device or the pushbutton switch has a lateral recess, wherein the pushbutton switch comprises a pushbutton switch actuating element which is movable in a relatively elastic manner relative to the lateral recess, is movable with an elastic bias at least between an initial position corresponding to an inoperative state of the pushbutton switch and a switch position corresponding to an actuated switch-triggered state of the pushbutton switch, and is couplable to the pushbutton switch. The method comprises the steps of connecting the pushbutton to the pushbutton switch actuating element and of fixing the pushbutton by means of a locking hook connected to the pushbutton by way of a counter-latching undercut, the locking hook being used to hold the pushbutton switch actuating element in an elastically prestressed intermediate position between the initial position and the switching position. The data input device, the pushbutton switches and the pushbutton switches can each have a preferred design as described above. By means of the proposed method, a desirably reduced switching travel of the pushbutton switches of the data input device can be provided using corresponding pushbutton by means of which a retention of the spring pretensioning of the pushbutton switch actuating elements is possible.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with the aid of the drawings which show details which are of importance for the invention and from the patent claims. The features may be implemented in the preferred embodiments of the invention either individually or in any combination in general.

Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail below with the aid of the figures. Wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a key button in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

fig. 2 illustrates a perspective side view of the key button shown in fig. 1 in a state of a key module of the reverse card key switch;

fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of a key arrangement with a key button according to a preferred embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along cutting line IV-IV shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of a portion of a key frame for the key arrangement shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 according to a preferred embodiment;

fig. 6 shows a perspective side view of a key button according to another preferred embodiment;

fig. 7 shows a perspective side view of the key button shown in fig. 6 of the key switch;

fig. 8 shows a schematic top view of a key arrangement with a key button according to another preferred embodiment shown in fig. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view along the cutting line IX-IX shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a partial schematic top view of a key frame disposed on a circuit board in accordance with another preferred embodiment;

fig. 11 shows a perspective side view of a key button in accordance with another preferred embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic top view of a key arrangement with the key button shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view along the cutting line XIII-XIII shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a partial schematic top view of a key frame according to another preferred embodiment;

FIG. 15 illustrates a flow chart of a method for reducing switch travel of a key switch of a data input device.

In the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for elements which are shown in different figures and which function in the same or similar manner, wherein an exhaustive repetition of the description of these elements is dispensed with.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a perspective side view of a key button 1 according to a preferred embodiment. The pushbutton 1 is injection-molded from a plastic-containing material and is designed as a pushbutton cap. Key button 1 has a one-sided open, quadrangular groove 10 with a groove bottom curved toward the open side, which groove bottom has an actuation section 12 for actuating key button 1 on the outside of key button 1. Groove walls 14 inclined to the outside of key button 1 extend from the respective edge-side ends of the groove bottom, respectively, groove walls 14 are connected in one piece with adjacent groove walls 14 in the circumferential direction of key button 1, respectively, and a common groove wall 14 for key button 1 is formed. The common groove wall 14 has an extension section extending from the inclined groove wall section parallel to the operating axis a of the key button 1, which extension section forms the open side of the groove 10 all around. The operating axis a corresponds to the central axis of the pushbutton 1 in an operating direction in which the pushbutton 1 can be operated by a user by pressing onto the operating surface section 12. The common groove wall 14 accordingly defines a groove interior space 16 of the groove 10.

The pushbutton 1 has an abutment element 18 in the groove interior 16, which extends from the groove bottom coaxially to the central or operating axis a to the open side of the groove 10. The free end 20 of the contact element 18, which is oriented in the operating direction of the pushbutton 1, is arranged in a common plane with the free end edge 22 of the common groove wall 14. The contact element 18 is of circular design in cross section. The free end 20 forms an abutment section for the pushbutton 1, by means of which the pushbutton 1 can be placed on another element. The contact portion 20 has a cross-shaped recess 24. The contact section 20 with the cross-shaped recess 24 is provided for contacting a cross-shaped free end 58 of the pushbutton actuation element 54 of the pushbutton switch, wherein the cross-shaped free end 58 of the pushbutton actuation element 54 is received by the cross-shaped recess 24 in the state in which the pushbutton 1 is in contact with the pushbutton actuation element 54 (fig. 4).

Furthermore, key button 1 has two opposing latching hooks 26, centered on contact section 20, which extend in a rod-like manner from end-side edge 22 on the opposing side of key button 1 in the operating direction of key button 1. Here, each locking hook 26 extends with an inclination directed toward the central axis a. In other words, the distance between the ends of the locking hooks 26 connected to the end-side edge 22 is greater than the distance between the free ends 28 of the locking hooks 26. A retaining section 30 pointing to the open side of the groove 10 is formed in each case by a latching hook end 28 by means of a projection extending in the direction of the central axis a. The surface section 32 of the projection, which extends from the outer end of the latching hook 26 to the retaining section 30, forms a sliding contact surface for the latching hook 26, in order to press the latching hook elastically in the direction of the outside of the pushbutton 1 when fitted to the pushbutton switch, so that the latching hook 26 can be locked elastically into the lateral recess by means of the retaining section 30.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective side view of key button 1 in a state of reverse card key module 40. The key module 40 includes a two-piece housing having a module cover 42 and a module base 44. Module cover 42 is locked to module base 44, module cover 42 and module base 44 forming a module edge 46 projecting laterally from key module 40. The module edge 46 forms a lateral recess with its surface section 48 pointing toward the module base 44, into which the retaining section 30 of the latching hook 26 can be snapped back and brought into abutment with the pushbutton 1. The side recesses 48 enable the key button 1 to be held on the key module 40 in a direction opposite to the operating direction, and the key button 1 and the key switch operating element 54 to move freely in the operating direction. In addition, the undercut 48 forms, in conjunction with the retaining section 30: from the time the reverse-stuck state is reached, the collective movement of the key button 1 and the key-switch operating element 54, which is opposite to the operating direction of the key button 1 and the key-switch operating element 54, is suspended. As soon as the holding section 30 reaches the lateral recess 48 (in which the anti-jamming state is assumed), the other common movement opposite to the operating direction is prevented.

The key module 40 has two contact elements 50 and a positioning element 52 on the underside of the module base 44 facing away from the key button 1 for connection to a circuit board. The key module 40 is generally of a design known from the prior art mentioned at the outset, so that, in view of the components necessary for the activation of the switch, a further detailed description of the key module 40 is subsequently dispensed with.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of the key arrangement of the key button 1 according to the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2. The key arrangement is shown in particular in the case of the conventional QWERTZ computer keyboard, with the keypad 1 being arranged on the side of the key frame 60 facing the user.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the key arrangement with the key frame 60 along the cutting line IV-IV shown in fig. 3. A circuit board 70 is arranged on the side of the key frame 60 facing away from the key button 1, which circuit board carries the key module 40 and electrically contacts the key module with the switching signal transmission means. For this purpose, the respective positioning elements 52 and contact elements 50 of the key module are passed through correspondingly associated, formed passages 72, 73 in the circuit board 70.

The key module 40 has a key switch actuating element 54 which passes through the module cover 42 on the side of the key module 40 facing the pushbutton 1, wherein the key switch actuating element 54 is arranged coaxially with the positioning element 52 in the key module 40. The positioning element 52 projects into the interior of the key module 40 and forms a guide for a free end of the key switch operating element 54 facing the positioning element 52. The pushbutton switch actuating element 54 is of fork-shaped design at the free end which passes through the module base 44 and engages in the cross-shaped recess 24 of the contact section 20. In this case, the contact section 20 of the pushbutton 1 contacts a corresponding contact section 56 formed by a cross-shaped free end 58 of the pushbutton actuating element 54, as a result of which the actuating force acting in the actuating direction on the pushbutton 1 can be transmitted from the pushbutton 1 to the pushbutton actuating element 54 and the spring force acting on the pushbutton actuating element 54 can be transmitted to the pushbutton 1. The applicable operating force acts counter to the spring force acting on the push button switch operating element 54. As long as the spring force has a greater value than the actuating force, the pushbutton switch actuating element 54 is pressed or moved back against the actuating direction against the push button 1 into the anti-latched state of the holding section 30 and the lateral recess 48.

The distance between the contact section 20 and the holding section 30, which distance extends along the center axis a, is selected in such a way that the pushbutton switch actuating element 54 is moved in the direction of the switching point of the pushbutton module 40 in the anti-latched state and is held elastically prestressed by the retaining section 30 against the latching-side recess 48. Thereby, the switch stroke of the key switch operation member 54 is reduced as compared with its initial position in the detached state of the key button 1. By mounting the key button 1 to the key module 40 by means of the state in which the locking hooks 26 are introduced into the reverse-card-side concave portions 48, the key reciprocation distance and thus the switch stroke of the key module 40 can be reduced in a predetermined manner. The user can provide the desired reduced switching travel or the key stroke distance by appropriately selecting a specific key button which has a predetermined spacing between the holding section and the contact section for the predetermined reduction of the switching travel.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic top view of the key frame 60 shown in fig. 3 and 4 according to a preferred embodiment without the key button 1. The key frame 60 has a through portion 61 for each key module 40, through which the corresponding key module 40 passes. The key frame 60 has a further through-opening 62 for each locking hook 26, wherein the further through-opening 62 is connected to the through-opening 61 and forms a common through-opening for the key switch formed by the key button 1 and the key module 40. After the application of an actuating force to the actuating surface section 12 until the switch signal is triggered without hindrance, the actuating pushbutton 1 can be moved into the state of the anti-jam pushbutton module 40 by means of the further through-opening 62 via the pushbutton actuating element 54. This makes it possible to achieve a reduced arrangement of the circuit board 70, the key frame 60, the key module 40 and the key button 1 in terms of structural height.

The respective passages 72, 73, which are formed in the circuit board 70 and are used for the contact elements 50 and the positioning elements 52 of the key module 40, which can be arranged in the key frame 60, can be seen below the respective through-openings 61 shown in a plan view.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective side view of a key button 2 according to another preferred embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a perspective side view of key button 2 shown in fig. 6 in a state where reverse card key module 40 is present. Key button 2 differs from key button 1 only in that locking hooks 26 are arranged on end-side edge 22 of slot 10 of key button 1. Locking hooks 26 are arranged on opposite sides of key button 2 along a line parallel to a diagonal line of key button 2. This arrangement makes it possible to achieve a counter-latching of the lateral recesses 48 by means of the latching hooks 26, which are formed by latching the module cover 42 with the module base 44 outside the center region of the key module 40, in particular in the corner regions of the key module 40. The position of the latching hooks 26 on the end-side edge 22 of the groove 10 is not fixed and can be adapted individually to the respective key module 40 or to the design of the respective key switch to which the pushbutton 1 is to be arranged in order to reduce the switching travel. For different pushbutton switches or pushbutton modules, corresponding pushbutton buttons can therefore be provided, which enable the switch travel to be reduced or to be adjusted as required by corresponding selection of pushbutton switches.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic top view of the key arrangement of the key button 2 shown in fig. 6 and 7 on the key frame 60, as in fig. 3. The key arrangement is in particular the arrangement of arrow keys of a computer keyboard.

Fig. 9 shows a sectional view along the cutting line IX-IX of the key arrangement shown in fig. 8. The pushbutton 2 is arranged on the module cover 42 of the pushbutton module 40, wherein the contact element 18 contacts the corresponding contact section 56 of the pushbutton actuating element 54 with the contact section 20. Diagonally opposite latching hooks 26 are designed with corresponding lateral recesses 48 of the key module 40 for the counter-latching of the holding section 30. In the preferred embodiment, the lateral recess 48 is formed by an edge or flange 46 of the module base 44 that projects laterally from the key module 40. The push switches 2, 40 thus constructed are electrically connected to the circuit board 70 via the contact elements 50. Furthermore, the positioning element 52 of the key module 40 is accommodated in and passes through a passage opening 72 provided for this purpose of the circuit board 70. A key frame 60 is arranged between the pushbutton 2 and the circuit board 70, in particular between the contact section 20 and the circuit board 70. The key frame 60 has a through portion 61 through which the key module 40 passes for each of the key switches 2 and 40. In addition, the key frame 60 has another penetrating portion 62 for each locking hook 26 of the key button 2. A corresponding further through-opening 62 is connected to the through-openings 61 and forms a common through-opening in the key frame 60, as is shown in particular with fig. 10. The key frame 60 differs from the key frame 60 shown in fig. 5 only in the arrangement of a further through-opening 62 which is adapted to the position of the latching hook 26 on the respective key button 1, 2. In the preferred exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 10, the further through-openings 62 are correspondingly arranged diagonally opposite to each other, depending on the arrangement of the latching hooks 26 on the pushbutton 2.

As is also shown in fig. 10, the circuit board 70, which is arranged below the key frame 60 in the top view of fig. 10, has a passage 72 for the positioning element 52 of the key module 40 and a further passage 73 for the corresponding contact element 50 of the key module 40. In addition, unlike the printed circuit board 70 shown in fig. 5 below the key frame 60, the printed circuit board 70 has additional passages 74, which are arranged diagonally opposite one another. Additional passages 74 are provided in each case for the passage of a free end of the latching hook 26 in the operating position of the push switches 2, 40, in which the switching signal is triggered. Accordingly, the additional passage opening 74 is arranged in the extension of the further through-opening 62 in the plan view shown in fig. 10 and has a diameter suitable for the free end of the latching hook 26 to pass through. This makes it possible to achieve a design of the stacked arrangement of circuit board 70 and keypad 60 that is further reduced in overall height and is therefore flatter. For this preferred embodiment, no suitable distance for the unimpeded switch-triggered operation of the pushbutton switches 2, 40 is provided between the pushbutton frame 60 and the circuit board 70. The further through-opening 62 provided by the key frame 60 and the additional through-opening 74 provided by the circuit board 70 enable an unimpeded movement of the pushbutton 2 in the state of a counter-latching of the pushbutton 2 with the pushbutton module 40 from the initial position of the pushbutton switch 2, 40, in which the pushbutton-switch actuating element 54 is held elastically preloaded, which is thus configured, into the switched state, in which the switching signal is generated by the circuit board 70, to the switched state, in which the pushbutton switch actuating element 2 is latched to the pushbutton module 40.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective side view of a key button 3 according to another preferred embodiment. The difference between button 3 and button 2 is: retaining section 30 formed by corresponding latching hooks 26 arranged diagonally opposite one another is directed toward the outside of pushbutton 3, wherein each latching hook 26 extends straight from end edge 22 of slot 10 parallel to central axis a of pushbutton 3. Alternatively, the locking hooks 26 can extend from the end-side edge 22 of the groove 10 in the direction of the outside of the pushbutton 3, wherein the distance between the fixed ends of the locking hooks 26 fixed to the end-side edge 22 is smaller than the distance formed between the free ends of the locking hooks 26. In the anti-jamming state of the holding section 30, a predetermined prestress can thus hold the pushbutton 3 in the direction of the outside of the pushbutton 3 with a spring bias on the side recess 64 associated therewith.

Fig. 12 shows a schematic top view of a key arrangement formed by key buttons 3 on the key frame 60 shown in fig. 11.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view along the cutting line XIII-XIII shown in fig. 12. The individual push switches 3, 40 shown in the sectional views are of identical design. The push- button switches 3, 40 consist of a push-button 3 and a push-button module 40 in contact therewith. The individual push switches 3, 40 are arranged on a circuit board 70, wherein the push switches 3, 40 are electrically connected to the circuit board 70 via corresponding contact elements 50. The corresponding positioning element 52 of the key module 40 passes through the circuit board 70 via a through opening 72 provided for this purpose. As fig. 4 and 9 show, the key frame 60 is arranged between the contact portion 20 of the pushbutton 3 and the circuit board 70. In contrast to the preferred exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the respective pushbutton 3 engages with its latching hook 26 and the retaining section 30 formed therewith against the pushbutton frame 60. The lateral recess necessary for the reverse locking by the retaining section 30 is formed by an edge 64 of the key frame 60 that delimits the further passage 62. The lateral recesses 64 provided by the key frame 60 thus allow the pushbutton switch actuating elements 54 to be held in a spring-biased, movable manner against the pushbutton 3.

As in the previously described preferred exemplary embodiments, the circuit board 70 has an additional through-opening 74, in order to be able to achieve a reduced or flat arrangement of the circuit board 70 and the keypad frame 60 in the greatest possible structural height. The free end of each latching hook 26 can thus be moved through the additional passage opening 74 without hindrance when the pushbutton 3 is actuated, as a result of which a switching operation of the pushbutton switches 3, 40 formed from the pushbutton 3 and the pushbutton module 40 is possible.

Fig. 14 shows a schematic top view of a part of the key frame 60 and the circuit board 70 arranged in the keys shown in fig. 12, as in fig. 10. As in the previously described preferred exemplary embodiment, the key frame 60 has in each case one through-opening 61 for the respective key module 40 and further through-openings 62 connected to the through-openings 61 for the diagonally opposite latching hooks 26 of the key button 3. The through-hole 61 and the other through-holes 62 form a common through-hole in the key frame 60. As in the previously described preferred exemplary embodiment, the circuit board 70, which is arranged below the key frame 60 in top view, comprises in each case one through opening 72 for a positioning element 52 of the key module 40, a further through opening 73 for a corresponding contact element 50 of the key module 40, and two additional through openings 74 for the respective latching hooks 26 of the pushbutton 3.

In the previously described embodiment, the side recesses 48; 64 are each arranged in the region of the key module 40 between the respective abutment section 56 and the end facing away from the respective abutment section 56. For such side recesses 48; 64, for the corresponding key button 1; 2; 3 to achieve a predetermined reduction in the switching travel, in the inoperative, non-contact state of the push-button switch actuating element 54, the distance between the contact section 20 and the holding section 30 is preferably smaller than the distance between the corresponding contact section 56 and the lateral recess 48; 64, which are configured parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element 54. It is further preferred that, in the activated state of the switch actuation of the pushbutton switch actuation element 54, the distance between the contact section 20 and the holding section 30 is greater than the distance between the corresponding contact section 56 and the lateral recess 48; 64, which are configured parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element 54. As long as the undercut is to be arranged outside the aforementioned region, the pushbutton is adjusted accordingly with the contact and holding sections and the distance between them. For example, the undercut can be designed by means of a key frame which is arranged between the operating surface of the key button and a corresponding contact section of the key switch operating element. In this alternative preferred embodiment, in the non-actuated, non-contact state of the pushbutton switch actuating element, the distance between the contact section and the holding section is greater than the distance between the corresponding contact section and the lateral recess, which is formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element. In a further preferred embodiment, in the activated, actuated state of the pushbutton switch actuating element, the distance between the contact section and the holding section is smaller than the distance between the corresponding contact section and the undercut, which is formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flow chart of a method for reducing the switching travel of the key switches of a data input device, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. It is essential for the method that the data input device or the pushbutton switch has a lateral recess and that the pushbutton switch has a pushbutton switch actuating element which is relatively elastically movable relative to the lateral recess, which is elastically movable at least between an initial position corresponding to an inoperative state of the pushbutton switch and a switch position corresponding to an operated, switch-activated state of the pushbutton switch and can be coupled to the pushbutton switch. Also suitable for the previously described preferred embodiments of the pushbutton 1, 2, 3, the undercut is formed, for example, by the pushbutton frame 60 or the pushbutton module 40. The key module 40 has a resiliently movable key switch actuating element 54, wherein the key switch actuating element 54 is moved toward a side recess 48 formed by the key module 40 or toward a side recess 64 formed by the key frame 60. The keyswitch operating member 54 is movable between at least two positions. The first position corresponds to an initial position of the push switch or push switch actuating element, which initial position corresponds to an inoperative, non-abutting state of the push switch or push switch actuating element 54. The second position corresponds to an operating position or operating state of the push switch or of the push switch operating element 54, wherein a switching signal of the push switch can be generated by operating the push switch operating element 54 via the circuit board 70.

The proposed method 100 comprises a step 110 of coupling a key button with a key switch operating element. In this step, the pushbutton contacts the pushbutton-switch actuating element. In particular, an abutment section shaped as a pushbutton is brought into abutment with a corresponding abutment section of the pushbutton switch actuating element.

The method 100 comprises a subsequent step 120 of fixing the pushbutton by means of a locking hook connected to the pushbutton, which serves to hold the pushbutton switch actuating element in an elastically pretensioned intermediate position between the initial position and the switching position, against a latching recess. This fixing causes a predetermined movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element in the direction of the switch position, as a result of which the pushbutton switch actuating element is pulled out of its initial position. After the side recess is locked by the locking hook connected to the key button, the key switch operating element is held in an intermediate position between the initial position and the switching position with elastic pretension. In this way, the switching travel of the pushbutton switch is reduced in comparison with a pushbutton switch having a pushbutton module with a pushbutton coupled thereto, which is coupled to the pushbutton switch actuating element in the initial position of the pushbutton switch actuating element provided with the pushbutton module.

The exemplary embodiments described and illustrated in the figures are selected by way of example only. The different embodiments can be combined with one another entirely and with reference to individual features. Embodiments may also be supplemented by one or more features of other embodiments. The dimensions of the geometry of the elements described are merely exemplary and may be adjusted accordingly.

List of reference numerals

1. 2, 3 push-button

10 groove

12 operating surface section

14 groove wall

16 groove inner space

18 abutting element

20 abutting section

22 end side edge

24 cross-shaped hollow part

26 locking hook

28 free end of the locking hook

30 holding section

32 reinforcing rib

40 key module

42 module cover

44 module base

46 module edge

48. 64 side recess

50 contact element

52 positioning element

54 push-button switch operating element

56 corresponding abutting section

58 cross-shaped free end of a push-button switch operating element

60 key frame

61 penetration part

62 another penetration part

70 circuit board

72 through hole

73 another penetration hole

74 additional feedthrough

100 method

110 first method step

120 second method step

A longitudinal axis

Claims (13)

1. A pushbutton (1; 2; 3) for a pushbutton switch of a data input device, wherein the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) has an actuating surface section (12) and an abutment section (20) which is connected to the actuating surface section (12) and which points in an actuating direction (A) of the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) for abutment against a corresponding abutment section (56) of a resiliently movable pushbutton actuating element (54) of the pushbutton switch, wherein the pushbutton actuating element (54) can be moved relative to a lateral recess (48; 64) which is formed with the pushbutton switch or is adjacent to the pushbutton switch, characterized in that the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) has at least one latching hook (26) which is connected to the abutment section (20) and extends in the actuating direction (A) and has a retaining section (30) for latching back the lateral recess (48; 64), wherein, parallel to the operating direction (A), a spacing formed between the holding section (30) and the contact section (20) serves for holding a push-button switch operating element (54) in a reverse-latching state of the holding section (30) in a non-switch-activated elastically prestressed manner, wherein, in the non-activated, non-contact state of the push-button switch operating element (54), the spacing between the contact section (20) and the holding section (30) is smaller than a spacing formed between the corresponding contact section (56) and the lateral recess (48; 64) parallel to the direction of movement of the push-button switch operating element (54), wherein, in the switch-activated, activated state of the push-button switch operating element (54), the spacing between the contact section (20) and the holding section (30) is greater than a spacing between the corresponding contact section (56) and the lateral recess (48; 64) parallel to the push-button switch operating element The movement directions of the pieces (54) are parallel to each other.

2. Key button (1; 2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining section (30) extends from the locking hook (26) towards an intermediate plane of the key button (1; 2) extending parallel to the operating direction (A).

3. Key button (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining section (30) extends from the locking hook (26) to the outside of the key button (3).

4. Key button (1; 2; 3) according to claim 1, characterised in that the spacing between the retaining section (30) and the operating surface section (12) is greater than the spacing between the abutment section (20) and the operating surface section.

5. Key button (1; 2; 3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the key button (1; 2; 3) is configured by a groove (10), wherein the groove bottom is shaped as an operating surface section (12) on the outside of the groove bottom, wherein the abutment section (20) is arranged on the inside of the groove, and wherein the at least one locking hook (26) protrudes from a groove wall (14) which is connected to the groove bottom and which at least partially defines a groove interior space.

6. Key button (1; 2; 3) according to claim 5, characterized in that an end (22) of a groove wall (14) at least partially delimiting the groove interior space remote from the groove bottom is arranged in a common plane with the abutting section (20) or in a plane further away from the groove bottom than a plane comprising the abutting section (20).

7. Key button (1; 2; 3) according to claim 5, characterised in that said groove (10) is open on one side.

8. Key switch for a data input device, wherein the key switch has a key switch actuating element (54) which is elastically movable relative to a lateral recess (48; 64) which is formed with the key switch or is provided with the data input device and which is coupled to a key button (1; 2; 3) for actuating the key switch, wherein the key button (1; 2; 3) has an actuating surface section (12) and an abutment section (20) which is coupled to the actuating surface section (12) and points in the actuating direction (A) of the key button (1; 2; 3) for abutment against a corresponding abutment section (56) of the elastically movable key switch actuating element (54) of the key switch, characterized in that the key button (1; 2; 3) has at least one latching hook (26), the latching hook has a retaining section (30) for counter-latching the undercut (48; 64), wherein the coupling position of the retaining section (30) with the pushbutton actuation element and the pushbutton button extends in a direction parallel to the actuation direction (A) of the pushbutton button (1; 2; 3) with a spacing for the non-switch-triggered resilient retention of the pushbutton actuation element (54) in the anti-latching state of the retaining section (30) being spaced apart, and wherein in the non-actuated non-abutting state of the pushbutton actuation element (54) the spacing between the abutment section (20) and the retaining section (30) is smaller than the spacing between the counter abutment section (56) and the undercut (48; 64) which is formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton actuation element (54), wherein, in the activated state of the switch activation of the pushbutton switch actuating element (54), the distance between the contact section (20) and the retaining section (30) is greater than the distance between the corresponding contact section (56) and the lateral recess (48; 64) which is formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element (54).

9. A push-button switch according to claim 8, characterized in that the abutment section (20) is formed by at least one exchangeable intermediate abutment element arranged between the push-button (1; 2; 3) and the push-button switch actuating element (54).

10. A key frame (60) for a data input device having a circuit board (70) and a plurality of key switches which can be electrically connected to the circuit board (70) and which each have a key button (1; 2; 3) for actuating the key switch and a resiliently movable key switch actuating element (54) which is coupled to the key button (1; 2; 3), wherein the key frame (60) which can be arranged between the circuit board (70) and the key buttons (1; 2; 3) each has a passage (61) for coupling the key button (1; 2; 3) to the key switch actuating element (54), wherein the key button (1; 2; 3) has an actuating surface section (12) and an abutment section (20) which is coupled to the actuating surface section (12) and points in the actuating direction (A) of the key button (1; 2; 3) in order to abut against the latter A resiliently movable contact section (56) of a key switch operating element (54) of a key switch, characterized in that the key frame (60) comprises a further passage (62) for a latching hook (26) connected to the key button (1; 2; 3), which latching hook has at least one retaining section (30) for a lateral recess (64; 48) formed with the key frame (60) or with the key switch, against which the key switch operating element (54) can be resiliently moved relative to one another, in order to hold the key switch operating element (54) in a non-switch-activated resiliently biased manner, and in the non-activated non-contact state of the key switch operating element (54) the distance between the contact section (20) and the retaining section (30) is smaller than the distance between the corresponding contact section (56) and the lateral recess (48; 64) to the key switch operating element (56) 54) Wherein, in a switch-activated actuated state of the push-button switch actuating element (54), the distance between the contact portion (20) and the retaining portion (30) is greater than the distance between the corresponding contact portion (56) and the lateral recess (48; 64) with a spacing therebetween formed parallel to the direction of movement of the keyswitch operating member (54).

11. A circuit board (70) for a data input device comprising a plurality of pushbutton switches, wherein the circuit board (70) has a fastening element for fastening the pushbutton switches and an electrical contact element (71, 72) for electrically contacting the pushbutton switches, wherein at least one of the pushbutton switches has a pushbutton (1; 2; 3) and a resiliently movable pushbutton switch actuating element (54) which is coupled to the pushbutton (1; 2; 3), wherein the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) has an actuating surface section (12) and an abutment section (20) which is coupled to the actuating surface section (12) and points in the actuating direction (A) of the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) for abutment against a corresponding abutment section (56) of the resiliently movable pushbutton switch actuating element (54) of the pushbutton switch, the circuit board (70) comprises an additional through-opening (74) for a latching hook (26) connected to the pushbutton (1; 2; 3), which latching hook has at least one holding section (30) for a lateral recess (64) provided for a counter card together with the data input device or a lateral recess (48) formed together with the pushbutton for the purpose of holding the pushbutton actuating element (54) in a non-switch-activated, elastically pretensioned manner, relative to which the pushbutton actuating element (54) is respectively elastically movable, the distance between the contact section (20) and the holding section (30) being smaller than the distance between the corresponding contact section (56) and the lateral recess (48; 64) formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton actuating element (54) in the non-actuated, non-contact state of the pushbutton actuating element (54), wherein, in the activated state of the switch activation of the pushbutton switch actuating element (54), the distance between the contact section (20) and the retaining section (30) is greater than the distance between the corresponding contact section (56) and the lateral recess (48; 64) which is formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element (54).

12. A data input device comprising a plurality of pushbutton switches, which are electrically connected to a circuit board (70) and are arranged on the circuit board (70), wherein at least one pushbutton switch has a pushbutton (1; 2; 3), wherein the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) is coupled to a resiliently movable pushbutton switch actuating element (54) of the pushbutton switch, wherein the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) has an actuating surface section (12) and an abutment section (20), which is coupled to the actuating surface section (12) and points in the actuating direction (A) of the pushbutton (1; 2; 3), for abutment against a corresponding abutment section (56) of the resiliently movable pushbutton switch actuating element (54) of the pushbutton switch, characterized in that the pushbutton switch actuating element (54) is held in a resiliently prestressed manner for non-switch-triggered actuation, the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) has at least one latching hook (26) with at least one retaining section (30) for a counter-latching undercut (48; 64), relative to which the pushbutton actuating element (54) can be moved, the distance between the contact section (20) and the retaining section (30) being smaller in the non-actuated, non-contact state of the pushbutton actuating element (54) than the distance between the counter-contact section (56) and the undercut (48; 64) which is formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton actuating element (54), wherein the distance between the contact section (20) and the retaining section (30) is greater in the actuated, switch-activated state of the pushbutton actuating element (54) than the distance between the counter-contact section (56) and the undercut (48; 64) which is parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton actuating element (54) The formed pitch.

13. A method (100) for reducing a switching stroke of a pushbutton switch of a data input device, wherein the data input device or the pushbutton switch has a lateral recess (64; 48) and the pushbutton switch has a pushbutton switch actuating element (54) which is resiliently movable relative to the lateral recess (64; 48), which is at least movable with a resilient pretension between an initial position corresponding to an inoperative state of the pushbutton switch and a switching position corresponding to an actuated, switch-triggered state of the pushbutton switch and can be coupled to a pushbutton (1; 2; 3), wherein the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) has an actuating surface section (12) and an abutment section (20) which is coupled to the actuating surface section (12) and points in an actuating direction (A) of the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) for abutment against the resiliently movable pushbutton switch actuating element of the pushbutton switch A corresponding contact section (56) of an element (54), wherein the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) has at least one latching hook (26) which is connected to the contact section (20) and extends in the operating direction (A) and has a retaining section (30) for counter-latching the undercut (48; 64), wherein the method comprises a first step (110) of coupling the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) to the pushbutton actuating element (54) and a second step (120) of fixing the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) by counter-latching the undercut (64; 48) by means of the latching hook (26) connected to the pushbutton (1; 2; 3) for retaining the pushbutton actuating element (54) in an elastically prestressed intermediate position between the initial position and the switching position, in the non-actuated, non-actuated state of the pushbutton switch actuating element (54), the distance between the contact section (20) and the retaining section (30) is smaller than the distance between the counter contact section (56) and the lateral recess (48; 64) which is formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element (54), wherein in the actuated, actuated state of the pushbutton switch actuating element (54) switching, the distance between the contact section (20) and the retaining section (30) is larger than the distance between the counter contact section (56) and the lateral recess (48; 64) which is formed parallel to the direction of movement of the pushbutton switch actuating element (54).

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