CN109961977B - Push-button - Google Patents
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- Publication number
- CN109961977B CN109961977B CN201910169161.6A CN201910169161A CN109961977B CN 109961977 B CN109961977 B CN 109961977B CN 201910169161 A CN201910169161 A CN 201910169161A CN 109961977 B CN109961977 B CN 109961977B
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- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- key
- lower connecting
- base
- bracket
- limiting
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
- H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
- H01H13/7065—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2233/00—Key modules
- H01H2233/03—Key modules mounted on support plate or frame
Abstract
The invention discloses a key, which comprises a keycap, a base, a bracket and a strengthening piece. The base is arranged below the keycap and comprises a lower connecting structure and a limiting structure. The lower connecting structure has an opening facing in a first direction. The bracket is connected between the keycap and the base and comprises a lower connecting part. The lower connecting part is rotatably connected to the lower connecting structure through the opening. The bracket can rotate relative to the base around a second direction through the lower connecting part. The bracket is provided with a limiting surface facing the limiting structure in the first direction. The reinforcing piece is fixed between the limiting surface and the limiting structure adjacent to the limiting surface. Therefore, the reinforcing piece reinforces the structural strength of the bracket on the limiting surface, the service life of the bracket can be prolonged, and the damage of the bracket during assembly can be inhibited.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a key structure, and more particularly, to a mechanical key structure.
Background
Many key structures used in notebook computers use a support mechanism to support the keycap and provide up and down movement of the keycap. The support mechanism typically comprises a plurality of supports connected between the keycap and the base. The motion stability of the support relative to the base and the keycap is realized through the structural constraint among the support, the base and the keycap, so that the support, the base and the keycap can collide in principle during the up-and-down motion of the keycap. After the key structure is used for a long time, the mutual structure of the bracket, the base or the keycap may be constrained by some deformation or damage. When the key structure is operated roughly, the deformation or damage is more serious. Moreover, as the size of the key structure becomes smaller and smaller, the structural strength of the frame, the base or the key cap is weaker, and the influence of the deformation or damage on the operation stability of the key structure is also larger. In addition, when the size of the key structure is small, the support is usually assembled to the key cap or the base by pressing, which may cause some deformation or damage to the support, the base or the constrained portion of the key cap, and is not favorable for the stability of the key structure.
Disclosure of Invention
In view of the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a key to solve the above problems.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a key, which includes:
a keycap;
the base is arranged below the keycap and comprises a lower connecting structure and a limiting structure, and the lower connecting structure is provided with an opening facing to a first direction;
the first support is connected between the keycap and the base and comprises a lower connecting part, the lower connecting part is rotatably connected to the lower connecting structure through the opening, the first support can rotate relative to the base in a second direction through the lower connecting part, and the first support is provided with a limiting surface facing the limiting structure in the first direction; and
the reinforcing piece is fixed between the limiting surface and the limiting structure adjacent to the limiting surface.
As an optional technical scheme, the reinforcing piece is tightly attached to the limiting surface.
As an alternative solution, the first bracket has a lower surface facing the base and adjacent to the limiting surface, and the reinforcing member is adjacent to the lower surface.
As an optional technical solution, the key structure further includes a second bracket, a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member, wherein the second bracket is disposed opposite to the first bracket and connected between the keycap and the base, the first magnetic member is disposed on the base, and the second magnetic member is disposed opposite to the first magnetic member on the first bracket and abuts against the second bracket.
As an optional technical solution, the second magnetic member and the reinforcing member are integrally formed.
As an optional technical solution, the first magnetic member is a magnet, and the second magnetic member is a metal member.
As an alternative solution, the first bracket has a slot, and the second magnetic member includes an insertion portion, and the insertion portion is inserted into the slot.
As an optional technical solution, the second magnetic member has a through hole, the reinforcing member is bent and extended from an edge of the through hole toward the base, and the limiting structure extends into the through hole.
As an optional technical solution, the limiting structure includes a rib protruding toward the key cap and extending along the first direction.
As an optional technical solution, the opening faces the limiting structure in the first direction.
Compared with the prior art, the part of the bracket, which faces the limiting structure, is reinforced by the reinforcing piece, so that structural deformation or damage possibly suffered by the bracket can be effectively inhibited when the bracket is assembled to the base or the keycap moves up and down relative to the base, and the problems in the prior art are effectively solved.
The invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific examples, but the invention is not limited thereto.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a key structure according to an embodiment.
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the key structure of fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the key structure of fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure of fig. 1 taken along line X-X.
Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a first bracket assembly of the key structure in fig. 4.
Detailed Description
In order to further understand the objects, structures, features and functions of the present invention, the following embodiments are described in detail.
Referring to fig. 1 to 4, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a key structure according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the key structure of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the key structure of FIG. 1; fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure of fig. 1 taken along line X-X. The key structure 1 according to the embodiment of the invention includes a key cap 10, a base 12, a first support 14, a second support 16, a first magnetic element 18 and a second magnetic element 20. The base 12 is disposed under the key cap 10 and includes a bottom plate 122 and a thin-film circuit board 124, and the thin-film circuit board 124 is disposed on the bottom plate 122 and includes a switch 1242 (illustrated by a circle with hatching in fig. 2 and 3 and illustrated by a rectangle in fig. 4). The first and second supports 14 and 16 are disposed opposite to each other and connected between the key cap 10 and the base 12, and the key cap 10 is supported by the first and second supports 14 and 16 so as to be movable up and down relative to the base 12. The first magnetic element 18 is disposed on the base 12, and the second magnetic element 20 is disposed on the first bracket 14 opposite to the first magnetic element 18 and abuts against the second bracket 16; thereby, the first bracket 14 and the second bracket 16 can be linked by the second magnetic member 20. In addition, a magnetic attraction force F (a double arrow is shown in fig. 4) is generated between the first magnetic element 18 and the second magnetic element 20, for example, one of the first magnetic element 18 and the second magnetic element 20 is a magnet, and the other is a paramagnetic material (e.g., a paramagnetic metal member). The magnetic attraction force F drives the first and second supports 14 and 16 to move the key cap 10 to the non-pressed position (as shown in fig. 4). The user can press the key cap 10 to move it towards the base 12 to a pressed position to trigger the switch 1242 (e.g. by means of the first support 14 towards a protrusion 14a of the switch projection). After the user releases the key cap 10, the magnetic attraction force F drives the key cap 10 to reset (i.e. move to the non-pressed position).
Further, in the present embodiment, the key cap 10 includes a first upper connecting structure 102 and a second upper connecting structure 104. The base 12 includes a first lower connecting structure 126, a second lower connecting structure 128, a first position-limiting structure 130 corresponding to the first lower connecting structure 126, and a second position-limiting structure 132 corresponding to the second lower connecting structure 128; in practical applications, the bottom plate 122, the first lower connecting structure 126, the second lower connecting structure 128, the first limiting structure 130 and the second limiting structure 132 may be integrally formed (for example, stamped and formed from a metal plate), but not limited thereto. The first frame 14 includes a first upper connecting portion 142 and a first lower connecting portion 144, which are rotatably connected to the first upper connecting structure 102 and the first lower connecting structure 126, respectively. The second bracket 16 includes a second upper connecting portion 162 and a second lower connecting portion 164, which are rotatably connected to the second upper connecting structure 104 and the second lower connecting structure 128, respectively.
The first lower connecting structure 126 is substantially L-shaped and has an opening 126a, and the opening 126a faces a first direction D1 (shown by an arrow in fig. 2 and 4). The first lower connecting portion 144 is rotatably connected to the first lower connecting structure 126 via the opening 126a, such that the first bracket 14 can rotate relative to the base 12 about a second direction D2 (shown by an arrow in fig. 2 and 4) via the first lower connecting portion 144; in the embodiment, the first direction D1 is perpendicular to the second direction D2, but the invention is not limited thereto in practical applications. In the present embodiment, the first position-limiting structure 130 also limits the movement of the first frame 14 relative to the base 12 in the first direction D1. The first bracket 14 has a first limiting surface 14b facing the first limiting structure 130 in the first direction D1. The key structure 1 further includes a reinforcing member 22, and the adjacent limiting surface 14b is fixed between the limiting surface 14b and the first limiting structure 130, so that the limiting surface 14b does not directly impact the first limiting structure 130, thereby protecting the first bracket 14. In principle, the hardness of the reinforcing member 22 is greater than that of the first bracket 14 at the position of the limiting surface 14b, so as to realize the reinforcement of the first bracket 14. Generally, the first bracket 14 is made of plastic, the bottom plate 122 is made of metal, and the reinforcing member 22 is also made of metal. In addition, the reinforcing member 22 is closely attached to the stopper surface 14b, so that the reinforcing effect can be increased.
In addition, in the embodiment, the first position-limiting structure 130 and the first lower connecting structure 126 together form a structural constraint to prevent the first bracket 14 from being detached from the base 12, and in principle, a force is required to separate the first bracket 14 from the base 12. Referring to fig. 5, the outline of the first bracket 14 (together with the second magnetic member 20 and the reinforcing member 22) before entering the first lower connecting structure 126 is shown by a dotted line. On the other hand, the first bracket 14 is also pressed by the force to make the first lower connection portion 144 enter the first lower connection structure 126. Wherein, the first bracket 14 has a lower surface 14c facing the base 12 and adjacent to the limiting surface 14 b; in other words, the limiting surface 14b and the lower surface 14c correspond to two side surfaces of a corner structure. The reinforcing member 22 abuts the stopper surface 14b and abuts the lower surface 14 c. The thickness of the reinforcing member 22 in the first direction D1 can be designed to be the force generated by the reinforcing member 22 pressing against the first lower connecting structure 126 during the assembly process of the first lower connecting portion 142 entering the first lower connecting structure 126 through the opening 126a, so that the corner structure of the first bracket 14 basically does not need to contact or reduce the area contacting the first limiting structure 130, and the corner structure is not damaged or protected by the reinforcing member 22 and can be prevented or reduced from being damaged.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the second magnetic element 20 and the reinforcing element 22 are integrally formed, for example, by stamping a metal plate. The first bracket 14 has at least one slot 146, the second magnetic member 20 correspondingly includes at least one insertion portion 202, and the insertion portion 202 is inserted into the corresponding slot 146 so that the second magnetic member 20 is fixedly disposed on the first bracket 14. In practical operation, the second magnetic element 20 may be fixed on the first bracket 14 by insert-injection, and the slot 146 is not limited to the structure extending toward the inside of the first bracket 14. In the present embodiment, the second magnetic element 20 has a through hole 204, and the reinforcing element 22 is bent and extended from an edge 204a (indicated by a dotted line in fig. 3) of the through hole 204 toward the base 12. The first position-limiting structure 130 comprises two ribs protruding toward the key cap 10 and extending along the first direction D1, and extending into the through hole 204. In addition, in the embodiment, the opening 126a of the first lower connecting structure 126 faces the first position-limiting structure 130 in the first direction D1, i.e., in the first direction D1, the first position-limiting structure 130 is located at the right side of the first lower connecting structure 126; however, in practice, this is not a limitation, and for example, the first limiting structure 130 is located at the left side of the first lower connecting structure 126. In addition, in the embodiment, the first lower connecting portion 144 can also slide relative to the base 12 in the first lower connecting structure 126, but the invention is not limited thereto in practical operation. For example, the first lower connecting portion 144 and the first lower connecting structure 126 are only connected in a rotating manner, and the reinforcing member 22 still has a protection effect on the limiting surface, which is not described in detail herein.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the first bracket 14 is disposed opposite to the second bracket 16. The second position-limiting structure 132 comprises two ribs protruding toward the key cap 10 and extending along the first direction D1, and extending into the recess 166 (such as but not limited to a through hole) of the second frame 16, so that the second position-limiting structure 132 also has a position-limiting effect on the second frame 16, which is logically the same as the position-limiting effect of the first position-limiting structure 130 on the first frame 14. In practice, a structural member similar to the reinforcing member 22 may be disposed on the surface of the relief groove 166 facing the second limiting structure 132 to reinforce the rigidity of the second bracket 16. The description of the reinforcing member 22 can be applied here and will not be repeated. The above description of the relative positions of the first position-limiting structure 130 and the first lower connecting structure 126 is also applicable here, and is not repeated herein.
In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, the key structure 1 is described by taking a magnetic attraction key as an example, but the above description related to the reinforcing member 22 can also be applied to other types of key structures, such as a butterfly key structure, and is not repeated herein.
In summary, the key of the present invention includes a key cap, a base, a support and a reinforcement. The base is arranged below the keycap and comprises a lower connecting structure and a limiting structure. The lower connecting structure has an opening facing in a first direction. The bracket is connected between the keycap and the base and comprises a lower connecting part. The lower connecting part is rotatably connected to the lower connecting structure through the opening. The bracket can rotate relative to the base around a second direction through the lower connecting part. The bracket is provided with a limiting surface facing the limiting structure in the first direction. The reinforcing piece is fixed between the limiting surface and the limiting structure adjacent to the limiting surface. Therefore, the part of the bracket, which faces the limiting structure, is reinforced by the reinforcing piece, so that when the bracket is assembled to the base or the keycap moves up and down relative to the base, the structural deformation or damage possibly suffered by the bracket can be effectively inhibited, and the problems in the prior art are effectively solved.
The present invention is capable of other embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (9)
1. A key, comprising:
a keycap;
the base is arranged below the keycap and comprises a lower connecting structure and a limiting structure, and the lower connecting structure is provided with an opening facing to a first direction;
the first support is connected between the keycap and the base and comprises a lower connecting part, the lower connecting part is rotatably connected to the lower connecting structure through the opening, the first support can rotate relative to the base in a second direction through the lower connecting part, and the first support is provided with a limiting surface facing the limiting structure in the first direction; and
the key further comprises a second support, a first magnetic piece and a second magnetic piece, and the second magnetic piece and the reinforcing piece are integrally formed.
2. The key of claim 1, wherein the stiffener is tightly attached to the limiting surface.
3. The key of claim 1, wherein the first support has a lower surface facing the base and adjacent to the limiting surface, and the reinforcing member is adjacent to the lower surface.
4. The key of claim 1, wherein the second frame is disposed opposite to the first frame and connected between the key cap and the base, the first magnetic member is disposed on the base, and the second magnetic member is disposed opposite to the first magnetic member on the first frame and abuts against the second frame.
5. The key of claim 4, wherein the first magnetic member is a magnet and the second magnetic member is a metal member.
6. The key of claim 4, wherein the first bracket has a slot, and the second magnetic member includes an insertion portion inserted into the slot.
7. The key of claim 4, wherein the second magnetic member has a through hole, the reinforcing member is bent and extended from an edge of the through hole toward the base, and the position-limiting structure extends into the through hole.
8. The key of claim 1, wherein the limiting structure comprises a rib protruding toward the key cap and extending along the first direction.
9. The key of claim 1, wherein the opening faces the retention structure in the first direction.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201910169161.6A CN109961977B (en) | 2019-03-06 | 2019-03-06 | Push-button |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201910169161.6A CN109961977B (en) | 2019-03-06 | 2019-03-06 | Push-button |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN109961977A CN109961977A (en) | 2019-07-02 |
| CN109961977B true CN109961977B (en) | 2020-11-27 |
Family
ID=67023962
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201910169161.6A Active CN109961977B (en) | 2019-03-06 | 2019-03-06 | Push-button |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN109961977B (en) |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107516609A (en) * | 2017-08-16 | 2017-12-26 | 苏州达方电子有限公司 | Magnetic attractive button and its magnetic-type keyboard |
| CN107946114A (en) * | 2017-10-27 | 2018-04-20 | 苏州达方电子有限公司 | Press-key structure |
| CN108933054A (en) * | 2017-06-13 | 2018-12-04 | 苏州达方电子有限公司 | Key and its assemble method |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TWI476801B (en) * | 2013-02-21 | 2015-03-11 | Darfon Electronics Corp | Keyswitch and keyboard thereof |
| TWI633566B (en) * | 2016-07-20 | 2018-08-21 | 達方電子股份有限公司 | Keyswitch and keyboard thereof |
-
2019
- 2019-03-06 CN CN201910169161.6A patent/CN109961977B/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN108933054A (en) * | 2017-06-13 | 2018-12-04 | 苏州达方电子有限公司 | Key and its assemble method |
| CN107516609A (en) * | 2017-08-16 | 2017-12-26 | 苏州达方电子有限公司 | Magnetic attractive button and its magnetic-type keyboard |
| CN107946114A (en) * | 2017-10-27 | 2018-04-20 | 苏州达方电子有限公司 | Press-key structure |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN109961977A (en) | 2019-07-02 |
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