CN107768166B

CN107768166B - Keyboard with a keyboard body

Info

Publication number: CN107768166B
Application number: CN201610697013.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈柏安
Original assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd
Current assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd
Priority date: 2016-08-19
Filing date: 2016-08-19
Publication date: 2020-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-19
Also published as: CN107768166A

Abstract

The invention relates to a keyboard which comprises keys, a bottom plate and a switch circuit board with a flexible cover body, wherein the keys comprise key caps and balance rods. The balancing pole is connected to the key cap and the soft cover body. The flexible cover body is arranged on the switch circuit board and forms an accommodating space with the switch circuit board, so that the balance rod is connected with the switch circuit board by extending into the accommodating space. The keyboard of the present invention has less noise, and the balancing rod and the bottom board are separated by the switch circuit board.

Description

Keyboard with a keyboard body

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly, to a keyboard having a plurality of keys.

Background

Common peripheral input devices for computers include mice, keyboards, trackballs, etc., wherein the keyboard can directly input characters and symbols to the computer, and therefore, the users and manufacturers of the input devices pay attention to the input devices. The subject of the invention is a keyboard.

Please refer to fig. 1, which is a schematic diagram of an appearance structure of a conventional keyboard. The conventional keypad 1 has a plurality of

keys

10, 10 'on the surface thereof, and the key 10 is classified into a general-sized key, while the key 10' is classified into a long-sized key. The length of the key 10 is slightly larger than its width, and the length L1 of the key 10' is much larger than its width W1. The plurality of

keys

10, 10 'are provided for users to generate corresponding signals to the computer by touching with fingers, so that the computer executes the touched key functions, generally speaking, the

touched keys

10, 10' can input symbols such as English letters, numbers or execute various functions (e.g. F1-F12, Delete). The conventional keyboard 1 is a keyboard for a notebook computer.

Next, the internal structure of the conventional keyboard will be explained. Referring to fig. 1 to 3, fig. 2 is an exploded view of a conventional keyboard, and fig. 3 is an exploded view of another view angle of the conventional keyboard. The conventional keyboard 1 includes a plurality of

keys

10, 10', a bottom plate 11 and a membrane switch circuit 12, and the membrane switch circuit 12 has a plurality of key switches 121 corresponding to the plurality of

keys

10, 10'. The

key

10, 10' includes a key cap 101, a scissors-type connecting element 102 and an elastic rubber body 103, the scissors-type connecting element 102 is respectively connected to the key cap 101 and the metal base plate 11, and includes a first frame 1021 and a second frame 1022, the second frame 1022 is pivotally connected to the first frame 1021, so that the first frame 1021 and the second frame 1022 can swing relatively to each other. In addition, the elastic rubber body 103 is disposed between the key cap 101 and the metal base plate 11, and has a top part 1031.

When a user touches the key cap 101 of any one of the

keys

10, 10', the key cap 101 moves downward relative to the metal bottom plate 11, so that the first frame 1021 and the second frame 1022 of the scissors-type connecting element 102 change from the open-close state to the overlapped state, and the key cap 101 moving downward pushes against the elastic rubber body 103, so that the abutting portion 1031 of the elastic rubber body 103 abuts against and deforms to trigger the corresponding key switch 121, so that the membrane switch circuit 12 generates a corresponding key signal. When the user does not touch the

keys

10 and 10', the key cap 101 moves upward relative to the metal base plate 11 in response to the elastic force generated by the elastic rubber 103 from the deformed state, and the first frame 1021 and the second frame 1022 are changed from the folded state to the open-closed state, and the key cap 101 returns to the position before being touched.

In the conventional keyboard 1, the structure of some keys 10 'having a length L1 much greater than a width W1 is different from that of the keys 10, because the length L1 of the key cap 101 of the key 10' is long, the key cap 101 is easy to shake during the process of pressing the key 10', which affects the smoothness of the operation of the key 10' and even the touch feeling of the user. Therefore, the key 10' is also provided with a special mechanism to improve the smoothness of its operation. The key 10' further includes a first balance bar 104 and a second balance bar 105, and the first balance bar 104 includes a first link portion 1041 and two first hook portions 1042, the two first hook portions 1042 are respectively located at two ends of the first balance bar 104. The second balance bar 105 includes a second link 1051 and two second hook portions 1052, and the second hook portions 1052 are respectively located at two ends of the second balance bar 105. In addition, the metal base plate 11 includes a first connection structure 111 and a second connection structure 112, and the first connection structure 111 and the second connection structure 112 respectively extend upward and pass through the thin film switch circuit 12. The first connecting structure 111 includes a first hook hole 1111 and a third hook hole 1112, and the second connecting structure 112 includes a second hook hole 1121 and a fourth hook hole 1122 corresponding to the first hook hole 1111 and the third hook hole 1112, respectively.

The first link portion 1041 of the first balance bar 104 and the second link portion 1051 of the second balance bar 105 are respectively pivoted to the key cap 101 of the key 10', and the two first hook portions 1042 of the first balance bar 104 respectively pass through the first hook holes 1111 of the first connecting structure 111 and the second hook holes 1121 of the second connecting structure 112. On the other hand, the second hook portions 1052 of the second balance bar 105 respectively pass through the third hook holes 1112 of the first connecting structure 111 and the fourth hook holes 1122 of the second connecting structure 112.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a metal base plate and a membrane switch circuit assembly of a conventional keyboard, and fig. 5 is an operation diagram of a first balance bar and a second balance bar of the conventional keyboard. When the key cap 101 of the key 10' moves upward or downward relative to the metal base plate 11, the first balance bar 104 repeatedly moves in the first direction D11 or the second direction D12 and turns in the first rotating direction D13 or the second rotating direction D14. Similarly, the second balance bar 105 also repeatedly moves in the first direction D11 or the second direction D12 and turns in the first rotating direction D13 or the second rotating direction D14. The first and

second balance bars

104 and 105 are provided to balance the key 10' against tilting when moving up or down with respect to the metal base plate 11, and to increase the strength of the key cap 101.

However, the first balance bar 104, the second balance bar 105 and the metal bottom plate 11 are all made of metal material, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, when the key cap 101 of the key 10' moves upward or downward relative to the metal bottom plate 11 to make the first balance bar 104 and the second balance bar 105 operate, the two first hook portions 1042 of the first balance bar 104 and the two second hook portions 1052 of the second balance bar 105 often collide with and rub against the metal bottom plate, thereby generating sound. Particularly, the first hook portions 1042 and the second hook portions 1052 at the R-angle (indicated by oblique lines in fig. 5), but such sound is unpleasant noise for the user.

Therefore, a keyboard with reduced noise is desired.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a keyboard capable of reducing noise.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a keyboard, which includes a key, a bottom plate and a switch circuit board. The key comprises a key cap and a balance rod which are exposed outside the keyboard, the balance rod is connected with the key cap, the balance rod comprises a connecting rod part and a hook part, the connecting rod part is connected with the key cap, and the hook part is positioned at one end of the connecting rod part. The bottom plate is arranged below the key and used for being connected with the key. The switch circuit board is located between the key and the bottom plate and is used for being triggered by the key to output a key signal. The key switch corresponds to the key and is used for being triggered by the key to output the key signal. The flexible cover body is arranged on the switch circuit board and forms an accommodating space with the switch circuit board, so that the hook part extends into the accommodating space to limit the hook part to slide in the accommodating space.

In short, the keyboard of the invention is provided with an extension area on the lower circuit board of the switch circuit board to separate the hook part of the balancing pole from the bottom board, so as to avoid the collision between the hook part and the bottom board. In addition, a soft cover body made of soft material is arranged on the extension area to replace the traditional first connecting structure and the second connecting structure made of metal, so that the hook part made of metal material only contacts with the soft cover body but not with the metal material, and the chance of collision with the metal material is reduced. Therefore, the keyboard can reduce noise.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an appearance structure of a conventional keyboard.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a conventional keyboard.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of another view of the conventional keyboard.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the assembly of a metal base plate and a membrane switch circuit of a conventional keyboard.

Fig. 5 is an operation diagram of a first balance bar and a second balance bar of a conventional keyboard.

Fig. 6 is an appearance structure diagram of the keyboard in the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the keyboard according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the keyboard according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention from another perspective.

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the switch circuit board of the keyboard according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is an assembled structural diagram of the bottom plate and the switch circuit board of the keyboard in the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 11 is an operation diagram of the first balance bar and the second balance bar of the keyboard according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the keyboard according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is an exploded view of another perspective of the keyboard according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[ notation ] to show

1. 2, 3 keyboard

10. 10', 20 ', 30 ' key

11 Metal soleplate

12 thin film switch circuit

21. 31 bottom plate

22. 32 switch circuit board

33 adhesive

101. 201, 301 key cap

102. 202, 302 scissor type connecting element

103 elastic rubber body

104. 204, 304 first balance bar

105. 205, 305 second balance bar

111 first connecting structure

112 second connecting structure

121. 224, 324 push-button switch

211 bottom plate trip

203. 303 elastic element

221. 321 upper circuit board

222. 322 lower circuit board

223 isolating layer

225. 325 soft cover body

226. 326 accommodating space

1021 first frame

1022 second frame

1031 abutting part

1041. 2041, 3041 first connecting rod part

1042. 2042, 3042 first hook part

1051. 2051 second link part

1052. 2052 second hook part

1111 first hook hole

1112 third hook hole

1111 second hook hole

1122 fourth hook hole

2011 first connector

2012 second connecting part

2211 upper conductive line

2221 lower conductive line

2222. 3222 an extension area

2231 isolating layer openings

D11 and D21 first direction

D12 and D22 second direction

D13, D23 first rotation direction

D14 and D24 second rotation direction

Length of L1, L2 key cap

Width of W1, W2 key cap

Detailed Description

In view of the troubles caused by the prior art, the invention provides a keyboard capable of solving the problems of the prior art. First, a structure of the keyboard of the present invention is described, please refer to fig. 6, which is an appearance structure diagram of the keyboard in a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard 2 of the present invention includes a plurality of keys 20, 20 'exposed outside the keyboard 2, and the plurality of keys 20, 20' can be touched by a user with a finger to generate a corresponding signal to a computer (not shown in the figure) connected to the keyboard 2, so that the computer executes the function of the touched key. The length of the key 20 is slightly larger than its width, and the length L2 of the key 20' is much larger than its width W2.

The internal structure of the keyboard 2 of the present invention is explained next. Referring to fig. 7, fig. 8 and fig. 9, fig. 7 is an exploded view of the keyboard of the present invention in the first preferred embodiment, fig. 8 is an exploded view of the keyboard of the present invention in another perspective view in the first preferred embodiment, and fig. 9 is an exploded view of the switch circuit board of the keyboard of the present invention in the first preferred embodiment. The keyboard 2 of the present invention comprises a bottom plate 21 and a switch circuit board 22 in addition to the plurality of keys 20, 20 ', wherein the bottom plate 21 is disposed below the plurality of keys 20, 20 ' and can be connected to the plurality of keys 20, 20 '. The switch circuit board 22 is located between the plurality of keys 20, 20 'and the bottom plate 21, and functions to be triggered by the keys 20, 20' to output corresponding key signals, and the switch circuit board 22 includes an upper circuit board 221, a lower circuit board 222, an isolation layer 223, a key switch 224 and a flexible cover 225. In addition, each key 20' includes a key cap 201, at least one scissors-type connecting element 202, an elastic element 203, a first balance bar 204 and a second balance bar 205. The scissors-type connecting element 202 is connected to the key cap 201 and the bottom plate 21, and can fix the key cap 201 on the bottom plate 21 and move the key cap 201 relative to the bottom plate 21. The elastic element 203 is located between the corresponding key cap 201 and the switch circuit board 22 and corresponds to the key switch 224, and functions to be pushed by the corresponding key cap 201 to abut against the corresponding key switch 224. In the preferred embodiment, the base plate 21 is made of metal material, the elastic element 203 is an elastic rubber body, and the scissors-type connecting element 202 is made of plastic material.

In fig. 7 and 8, the first balance bar 204 and the second balance bar 205 are both connected to the key cap 201, the first balance bar 204 includes a first connecting bar portion 2041 and two first hook portions 2042, the first connecting bar portion 2041 can be connected to the key cap 201, and the two first hook portions 2042 are respectively located at one end and the other end of the first connecting bar portion 2041. Similar to the first balance bar 204, the second balance bar 205 includes a second link portion 2051 and two second hook portions 2052, the second link portion 2051 can be connected to the key cap 201, and the second hook portions 2052 are respectively located at one end and the other end of the second link portion 2052. The base plate 21 includes a plurality of base plate hooks 211, which are used to connect with the scissors connecting elements 202 and fix the scissors connecting elements 202 on the base plate 21. On the other hand, the key cap 201 includes a plurality of first connecting portions 2011 and a plurality of second connecting portions 2012, and the plurality of first connecting portions 2011 are disposed on an inner surface of the key cap 201 and can be connected to the scissors-type connecting element 202. The second connecting portions 2012 are also disposed on the inner surface of the key cap 201 and function to connect with the first connecting rod portions 2041 and the second connecting rod portions 2051.

In the switch circuit board 22, the upper circuit board 221 has an upper conductive trace 2211, and the upper conductive trace 2211 is disposed on the lower surface of the upper circuit board 221. The lower circuit board 222 is located below the upper circuit board 221, the lower circuit board 222 includes a lower conductive trace 2221 and an extension area 2222, and the lower conductive trace 2221 is disposed on an upper surface of the lower circuit board 222. The isolation layer 223 is located between the upper circuit board 221 and the lower circuit board 222, and the isolation layer 223 has an isolation layer opening 2231 corresponding to the key cap 201, and the isolation layer 223 functions to separate the upper conductive trace 2211 and the lower conductive trace 2221. The upper conductive traces 2211, the isolation layer openings 2231 and the lower conductive traces 2221 together form key switches 224, and each key switch 224 corresponds to one key 20, 20 ', which can be activated by the key 20, 20' to output a key signal.

Referring to fig. 7 and 10, fig. 10 is a structural diagram illustrating an assembly of a bottom plate and a switch circuit board of a keyboard according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The extension area 2222 extends from the lower circuit board 222 to the outside of the upper circuit board 221 and the isolation layer 223, and the flexible cover 225 is disposed on the extension area 2222 of the switch circuit board 22 and forms a plurality of accommodating spaces 226 with the switch circuit board 22, so that the first hook portions 2042 and the second hook portions 2052 respectively extend into the plurality of accommodating spaces 226 to limit the first hook portions 2042 and the second hook portions 2052 to respectively slide in the plurality of accommodating spaces 226. The flexible cover 225 is disposed on the upper surface of the extending area 2222 in an adhesive manner. In the preferred embodiment, the accommodating spaces 226 are through holes, so that the first hook portions 2042 and the second hook portions 2052 respectively pass through the corresponding through holes, and the flexible cover is made of silicone material (commonly referred to as silicon) or flexible plastic material.

The operation of the key 20' when pressed will be described next. When a user touches the key cap 201 of any key 20', the key cap 201 moves downward relative to the bottom plate 21, so that the scissors-type connecting element 202 is pushed to swing, and the key cap 201 moving downward pushes the elastic element 203, so that the elastic element 203 is pushed to deform and trigger the corresponding key switch 224, so as to generate a corresponding key signal. When the user no longer touches the button 20', the button cap 201 moves upward relative to the bottom plate 21 in response to the elastic force generated by the elastic element 203 from the deformed state to push the button cap 201 to move upward, and at the same time, the scissors-type connecting element 202 is driven to swing to return to the open-close state from the folded state, and the button cap 201 returns to the position before being touched.

Please refer to fig. 11, which is an operation diagram of the first balance bar and the second balance bar of the keyboard according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. During the process that the key cap 201 of the key 20' moves upward or downward relative to the bottom plate 21, the first balance bar 204 repeatedly moves in the first direction D21 or the second direction D22, and turns over in the first rotating direction D23 or the second rotating direction D24. The first connecting portion 2041 is turned over relative to the second connecting portions 2012, and the first hook portions 2042 are turned over in the corresponding accommodating spaces 226 respectively, and are not in contact with the bottom plate 21. Similarly, the second balance bar 205 is also repeatedly moved in the first direction D21 or the second direction D22 and turned in the first rotating direction D23 or the second rotating direction D24. The second link portion 2051 is turned over relative to the second connecting portions 2012, and the second hook portions 2052 are turned over in the corresponding accommodating spaces 226 respectively without contacting the bottom plate 21.

As can be seen from the above description, the keyboard 2 of the present invention can separate the first hook portion 2042 and the second hook portion 2052 from the bottom plate 21 by the arrangement of the extension area 2222 and the flexible cover 225. Even though the first balance bar 204, the second balance bar 205 and the bottom plate 21 are made of metal materials, neither the first hook 2042 nor the second hook 2052 collides with the bottom plate 21 and does not generate sound, so the keyboard 2 of the present invention has the effect of reducing noise.

In addition, the present invention provides a second preferred embodiment different from the above. Referring to fig. 12 and fig. 13, fig. 12 is an exploded view of the keyboard according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 13 is an exploded view of another perspective of the keyboard according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard 3 of the present invention includes a plurality of keys 30 ', a bottom plate 31 and a switch circuit board 32, each key 30' includes a key cap 301, at least one scissor-type connecting element 302, an elastic element 303, a first balance bar 304 and a second balance bar 305, wherein the first balance bar 304 includes a first link 3041 and two first hooks 3042, and the second balance bar 305 includes a second link 3051 and two second hooks 3052. The switch circuit board 32 includes an upper circuit board 321, a lower circuit board 322, an isolation layer (not shown), a key switch 324 and a flexible cover 325, and the lower circuit board has an extending region 3222. The keyboard 3 of the present preferred embodiment has substantially the same structure as the keyboard 2 of the first preferred embodiment, and the description of the same parts is omitted. The difference between the two is two, namely, the structure of the flexible cover 325 in the preferred embodiment. Second, the keyboard 3 of the preferred embodiment further includes an adhesive 33.

As shown in fig. 12, the flexible cover 325 is disposed on the extending region 3222 of the switch circuit board 32 and forms a plurality of accommodating spaces 326 with the switch circuit board 32, so that the first hook 3042 and the second hook 3052 can respectively extend into the plurality of accommodating spaces 326. The flexible cover 325 is disposed on the upper surface of the extending region 3222 in an adhering manner, and one end of the accommodating spaces 326 is a closed structure, which is helpful for reducing noise.

Referring to fig. 13, it is shown that the keyboard 3 further includes an adhesive 33, the adhesive 33 is disposed on the lower surface of the corresponding extending region 3222 corresponding to the flexible cover 325, so as to fix the circuit board 322 on the bottom plate 31. This strengthens the connection between the lower wiring board 322 and the bottom plate 31. The reason for disposing the adhesive 33 is that the first balance bar 304 and the second balance bar 305 provide an upward force during the process of the first balance bar 304 and the second balance bar 305 turning over, if the connection between the lower circuit board 322 and the bottom plate 31 is not stable enough, the lower circuit board 322 may be pulled upward by the first balance bar 304 and the second balance bar 305, which affects the smoothness of the up-and-down movement of the key cap 301 and the touch feeling of the user.

According to the above, the keyboard of the invention is provided with the extension area on the lower circuit board of the switch circuit board to separate the first hook part (and the second hook part) from the bottom board, so as to avoid the first hook part and the second hook part from colliding with the bottom board. In addition, a soft cover body made of soft materials is arranged on the extension area to replace the traditional first connecting structure and second connecting structure made of metal, so that the first hook part and the second hook part made of metal materials only contact with the soft cover body but not contact with the metal materials, and the probability of collision with the metal materials is reduced. Therefore, the keyboard can reduce noise.

The above-mentioned embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and therefore, all equivalent changes and modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A keyboard, comprising:

a key, comprising:

a key cap exposed outside the keyboard; and

a balance bar connected to the key cap, the balance bar comprising:

a connecting rod part connected with the key cap; and

a hook part located at one end of the connecting rod part;

a bottom plate arranged below the key for connecting the key; and

a switch circuit board located between the key and the bottom board for being triggered by the key to output a key signal, the switch circuit board including:

a key switch corresponding to the key and used for being triggered by the key to output the key signal; and

the flexible cover body is arranged on the switch circuit board and forms an accommodating space with the switch circuit board, so that the hook part extends into the accommodating space to limit the hook part to slide in the accommodating space;

wherein this switch circuit board still includes:

the upper circuit board comprises an upper conductive circuit, and the upper conductive circuit is arranged on a lower surface of the upper circuit board;

the lower circuit board is positioned below the upper circuit board and comprises a lower conductive circuit, and the lower conductive circuit is arranged on the upper surface of the lower circuit board; and

the isolation layer is positioned between the upper circuit board and the lower circuit board and comprises an isolation layer opening for separating the upper conductive circuit and the lower conductive circuit; wherein the upper conductive circuit, the isolation layer opening and the lower conductive circuit together form the key switch;

the lower circuit board also comprises an extension area which extends out of the upper circuit board and the isolation layer, and the soft cover body is arranged on the upper surface of the extension area in an adhesion mode, so that the hook part is not contacted with the bottom plate.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein one end of the receiving space is a closed structure, such that the hook portion extends into the receiving space.

3. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive corresponding to the flexible cover and disposed on a lower surface of the extended region to fix the lower circuit board on the bottom plate.

4. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the receiving space is a through hole, and the hook portion is disposed through the through hole.

5. The keyboard of claim 4, further comprising an adhesive corresponding to the flexible cover and disposed on a lower surface of the extended region to fix the lower circuit board on the bottom plate.

6. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the keys further comprise:

a scissors type connecting element connected with the key cap and the bottom plate and used for fixing the key cap on the bottom plate and enabling the key cap to move relative to the bottom plate; and

an elastic element which is arranged between the key cap and the switch circuit board, corresponds to the key switch and is used for being pushed by the key cap to abut against the key switch; when the elastic element is not pushed by the key cap, the elastic element provides an elastic force to the key cap.

7. The keyboard of claim 6, wherein the keycap comprises:

a first connecting part arranged on an inner surface of the key cap and used for connecting with the scissors type connecting element; and

and the second connecting part is arranged on the inner surface of the key cap and is used for connecting with the connecting rod part.

8. The keyboard as in claim 6, wherein the base plate comprises a base plate hook for connecting with the scissors-type connecting element to fix the scissors-type connecting element on the base plate.

9. The keyboard of claim 6, wherein when the key cap is pressed, the key cap moves relative to the bottom plate to push against the elastic element, so that the elastic element deforms to trigger the switch circuit board, and the key switch outputs the key signal; when the key cap is not pressed, the elastic element is restored from deformation to provide the elastic force to push the key cap to move to the position before the key cap is pressed.

10. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the flexible cover is made of silicone material or flexible plastic material.