CN110581038A

CN110581038A - Keyboard device

Info

Publication number: CN110581038A
Application number: CN201810591668.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王逸尘
Original assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd
Current assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-08
Filing date: 2018-06-08
Publication date: 2019-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-08
Also published as: CN110581038B

Abstract

The invention provides a keyboard device, which comprises a key bottom plate, a film circuit board and keys, wherein each key comprises a keycap, a connecting element and a balance rod, the connecting element is connected between the keycap and the key bottom plate, the balance rod is connected between the keycap and the connecting element, and when the keycap moves up and down relative to the key bottom plate, the balance rod swings to balance the keys. Because the balance rod is connected between the keycap and the connecting element, the situation that the balance rod impacts or strikes the key bottom plate is reduced, thereby reducing the sound generated in the key actuation process and improving the comfortable feeling of a user for operating the keyboard device.

Description

Keyboard device

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of input devices, in particular to a keyboard device.

Background

common input devices for computer peripherals include mouse devices, keyboard devices 1 and trackball devices, among which keyboard devices are very important for users to input characters and symbols directly into computers.

First, the structure and function of a conventional keyboard device are described, please refer to fig. 1 to 3, fig. 1 is an external structural diagram of the conventional keyboard device, fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the keyboard device shown in fig. 1 at one viewing angle, and fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the keyboard device shown in fig. 1 at another viewing angle. For clarity, only a single key 10' and related components are shown in fig. 2 and 3. The conventional keyboard apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of keys 10, 10 ', a key base 11 and a membrane circuit board 12, wherein the membrane circuit board 12 has a plurality of membrane switches 121 corresponding to the plurality of keys 10, 10 ', and the keys 10, 10 ' comprise keycaps 101, scissors-type connecting elements 102 and elastic bodies 103; the scissors-type connecting element 102 is connected between the key cap 101 and the key bottom plate 11, and includes a first frame 1021 and a second frame 1022 pivotally connected to the first frame 1021, so that the first frame 1021 and the second frame 1022 can swing relative to each other, and the elastic body 103 is disposed between the key cap 101 and the key bottom plate 11 and has a top part 1031.

When the key cap 101 of any key 10, 10' is pressed and moves downward relative to the key bottom plate 11, the first frame 1021 and the second frame 1022 of the scissors-type connecting element 102 change from the open-close state to the folded state, and the downward moving key cap 101 presses the elastic body 103, so that the abutting portion 1031 of the elastic body 103 abuts against and triggers the corresponding membrane switch 121, and the keyboard device 1 generates the corresponding key signal. When the keys 10 and 10' are no longer pressed, the key cap 101 moves upward relative to the key base 11 according to the elastic force of the elastic body 103, and the first frame 1021 and the second frame 1022 change from the folded state to the open-closed state, and the key cap 101 returns to the original position.

Furthermore, some keys 10', such as keys having a length L1 greater than a width W1, further include two balance bars 104, and each balance bar 104 includes a cross bar portion 1041 and two hook portions 1042 respectively located at two ends of the cross bar portion 1041. In addition, the key base 11 includes a first base connecting portion 111 and a second base connecting portion 112 extending upward and passing through the film circuit board 12, and the first base connecting portion 111 has two first hook holes 1111, and the second base connecting portion 112 has two second hook holes 1121 corresponding to the two first hook holes 1111 respectively. The cross bar portion 1041 of each balance bar 104 is pivotally connected to the key cap 101 of the key 10', and the two hook portions 1042 of each balance bar 104 respectively pass through the first hook hole 1111 of the first base plate connecting portion 111 and the second hook hole 1121 of the second base plate connecting portion 112.

Please refer to fig. 4, which is an operation diagram of the balance bar of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 1. When the key cap 101 of the key 10 'moves upward or downward relative to the key base 11, the balance bar 104 will move toward the direction D11 or the direction D12 and turn toward the direction D13 or the direction D14, so as to balance the key 10' when moving upward or downward relative to the key base 11 without tilting, and to increase the strength of the key cap 101.

However, the conventional keyboard apparatus 1 has a disadvantage that when the key cap 101 of any key 10' is pressed and moves downward relative to the key base 11, the hook 1042 of the balance bar 104 is also liable to strike or strike the key base 11 and the first base connecting portion 111 and the second base connecting portion 112, and since the balance bar 104, the key base 11 and the first base connecting portion 111 or the second base connecting portion 112 are made of metal, the above-mentioned operation is liable to generate a sound of striking or striking between metals, which is unpleasant for the user.

As can be seen from the above description, the known keyboard apparatus 1 still has room for improvement.

Disclosure of Invention

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a keyboard device with noise reduction function, wherein the balance bar of the key is connected between the key cap and the connecting element of the key, so as to reduce the situation that the balance bar impacts or strikes the plate body of the key bottom plate and the bottom plate connecting structure, and further reduce the sound generated during the key actuation process, so as to improve the comfort of the user operating the keyboard device.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a keyboard device, which includes a thin film circuit board, a key bottom board and a key. The film circuit board comprises a film switch; the key bottom plate comprises a plate body and a bottom plate connecting structure, the plate body is arranged below the thin film circuit board, and the bottom plate connecting structure extends upwards from the plate body and penetrates through the thin film circuit board; the key comprises a key cap, a connecting element and a balance rod. The keycap is positioned above the film circuit board and is used for moving downwards relative to the film circuit board so as to enable the film switch to be conducted; the connecting element is connected between the keycap and the key bottom plate; a balance bar connected between the keycap and the connecting element; when the keycap moves up and down relative to the key bottom plate, the balance rod swings to balance the key.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention also provides a keyboard apparatus, comprising: a film circuit board, a key bottom board and a key. The film circuit board comprises a film switch; the key bottom plate comprises a plate body and a bottom plate connecting structure, the plate body is arranged below the thin film circuit board, and the bottom plate connecting structure extends upwards from the plate body and penetrates through the thin film circuit board; a key includes a key cap, a first connecting element, a second connecting element and a balance bar. The keycap is positioned above the film circuit board and is used for moving downwards relative to the film circuit board so as to enable the film switch to be conducted; the first connecting element is connected between the keycap and the key bottom plate; a second connecting element connected between the keycap and the key bottom plate; the balancing rod comprises a cross rod part, a first hook part and a second hook part, and the first hook part and the second hook part are respectively positioned at two ends of the cross rod part; the cross rod part is connected with the keycap, the first hook part and the second hook part are respectively connected with the first connecting element and the second connecting element, and when the keycap moves up and down relative to the thin film circuit board, the balance rod swings to balance the key.

the keyboard device has the beneficial effects that the balance rod of the keys of the keyboard device is connected between the keycap and the connecting element, so that the situation that the balance rod impacts or strikes the plate body of the key bottom plate and the bottom plate connecting structure is reduced, the sound generated in the key actuation process can be reduced, and the comfort of a user for operating the keyboard device is improved.

Drawings

FIG. 1: is a schematic structural diagram of the appearance of a known keyboard device.

FIG. 2: is a schematic exploded perspective view of a portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 3: is a schematic exploded perspective view of a portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 1 from another viewing angle.

FIG. 4: the keyboard apparatus of fig. 1 is an operation diagram of the balance bar.

FIG. 5: an appearance structure diagram of the keyboard device in a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

FIG. 6: is a schematic structural diagram of the appearance of a part of the keyboard device shown in fig. 5.

FIG. 7: is a schematic exploded perspective view of a portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6.

FIG. 8: is a schematic exploded perspective view of a portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6 from another viewing angle.

FIG. 9A: is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6 when the key cap is not pressed.

FIG. 9B: fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the keyboard apparatus, in which the key caps are pressed to generate partial displacement.

FIG. 9C: fig. 6 is a partial sectional view of the keyboard apparatus when the key cap is pressed to generate the maximum displacement.

FIG. 10: a schematic three-dimensional exploded view of a portion of the keyboard apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention at a viewing angle is shown.

FIG. 11: is a schematic exploded perspective view of a portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 10 from another viewing angle.

FIG. 12A: is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 10 when the key cap is not pressed.

FIG. 12B: fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the keyboard apparatus, in which the key caps are pressed to generate partial displacement.

FIG. 12C: fig. 10 is a partial sectional view of the keyboard apparatus when the key cap is pressed to generate the maximum displacement.

FIG. 13: is an appearance structure diagram of a part of the keyboard device in a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14: is a schematic connection relationship diagram of a part of the structure of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 13.

FIG. 15: is a schematic exploded perspective view of a portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 13.

FIG. 16: is a schematic exploded perspective view of a portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 13 from another viewing angle.

The reference numbers are as follows:

1 keyboard device

2A keyboard device

2B keyboard device

2C keyboard device

10 push-button

10' push button

11 key bottom board

12 film circuit board

20 push-button

20' key

20' ″ key

21 push-button bottom board

22 thin film circuit board

101 key cap

102 scissor type connecting element

103 elastomer

104 balance bar

111 first base plate connection part

112 second base plate connection part

121 thin film switch

201A key cap

201B key cap

201C key cap

202A connecting element

202B connecting element

203 elastomer

204 balance bar

205 first connecting element

206 second connecting element

212 plate body

213A bottom plate connection structure

213C bottom plate connection structure

221 thin film switch

1021 first frame

1022 second frame

1031 abutting part

1041 Cross bar part

1042 hook part

1111 first hook hole

1121 second hook hole

2011 first key cap connection part

2012 second keycap connecting part

2013 Key cap pivot joint part

2014 keycap sliding groove part

2015 third keycap connection

2016 fourth keycap connection

2021 first frame

2022A second frame

2022B second frame

2022C second frame

2031 resisting part

2041 Cross Bar part

2042 first hook part

2043 second hook part

2061 third frame

2062 fourth frame

2131 first base plate connecting part

2132 second baseboard connecting part

2133 third bottom plate connecting part

2134 fourth bottom plate connecting part

20211 first end of first frame

20212 second end of first frame

20221 first end of second frame

20222 second end of second frame

20611 first end of third frame

20612 second end of third frame

20621 first end of fourth frame

20622 second end of fourth frame

20223A frame slide groove part

20223C first frame slide groove portion

20224 frame pivot joint part

20623 second frame slide groove part

Direction D11

Direction D12

Direction D13

Direction D14

L1 length

L2 length

Width of W1

Width of W2

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 5 to 8, fig. 5 is an external structural view of a keyboard apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, fig. 6 is an external structural view of a portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 5, fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6 at one viewing angle, and fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6 at another viewing angle. For clarity, only a single key 20' and related components are shown in FIGS. 6-8. The keyboard device 2A includes a plurality of keys 20, 20 ', a key base 21 and a film circuit board 22 disposed between the keys 20, 20 ' and the key base 21, the keys 20, 20 ' can be classified into general keys, numeric keys and function keys, which are respectively pressed by fingers of a user to enable the keyboard device 2A to generate corresponding key signals to the computer, so that the computer executes corresponding functions, for example, the general keys are used for inputting symbols such as english letters, the numeric keys are used for inputting numbers, and the function keys are used for providing various shortcut functions, for example, F1-F12.

Furthermore, the key bottom plate 21 includes a plate body 212 disposed below the thin film circuit board 22 and a bottom plate connection structure 213A extending upward from the plate body 212 and passing through the thin film circuit board 22, and the thin film circuit board 22 includes a plurality of thin film switches 221 corresponding to the plurality of keys 20 and 20', respectively; each of the keys 20 and 20' includes a key cap 201A, a connecting element 202A and an elastic body 203, wherein the connecting element 202A is connected between the key cap 201A and the bottom plate connecting structure 213A, so that the key cap 201A can move up and down relative to the key bottom plate 21, and the elastic body 203 is disposed between the key cap 201A and the film circuit board 22 and has a top contact portion 2031.

In the preferred embodiment, the lower surface of the key cap 201A has a first key cap connection 2011 and a second key cap connection 2012, the first key cap connection 2011 and the second key cap connection 2012 can be respectively a fixed hook and a movable hook, the connection element 202A is a scissors-type connection element and includes a first frame 2021 and a second frame 2022A pivotally connected to the first frame 2021, and the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022A are respectively an inner frame and an outer frame.

In addition, the bottom plate connecting structure 213A includes a first bottom plate connecting portion 2131 and a second bottom plate connecting portion 2132, and the first bottom plate connecting portion 2131 and the second bottom plate connecting portion 2132 can be a first bottom plate hook and a second bottom plate hook, respectively. Based on the above structural design, the first end 20211 and the second end 20212 of the first frame 2021 are respectively connected to the first key cap connecting part 2011 of the key cap 201A and the second bottom plate connecting part 2132 of the key bottom plate 21, and the first end 20221 and the second end 20222 of the second frame 2022A are respectively connected to the first bottom plate connecting part 2131 of the key bottom plate 21 and the second key cap connecting part 2012 of the key cap 201A, and the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022A can swing relative to each other to be switched from an overlapped state to an open/closed state or from the open/closed state to the overlapped state. However, the above is only an embodiment, and the connection relationship among the connection element 202A, the key base 21 and the key cap 201A is not limited thereto.

When the key cap 201A of any one of the keys 20, 20' is pressed and moves downward relative to the key bottom 21, the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022A of the connecting element 202A change from the open-close state to the folded state, and the downward moving key cap 201A presses the elastic body 203, so that the abutting portion 2031 of the elastic body 203 abuts against and triggers the corresponding membrane switch 221, and the keyboard apparatus 2 generates a corresponding key signal. When the key caps 201A of the keys 20 and 20' are no longer pressed, the key caps 201A move upward relative to the key base 21 according to the elastic force of the elastic body 203, and the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022A change from the folded state to the open-closed state, and the key caps 201A recover to the original positions.

Referring again to fig. 5-8, some of the keys 20' (e.g., keys having a length L2 greater than a width W2) further include a stabilizer bar 204, and the stabilizer bar 204 is coupled between the key cap 201A and the connecting element 202A. Preferably, but not limited thereto, the balance bar 204 is made of a metal material. In the preferred embodiment, the lower surface of the key cap 201A further has a key cap pivot portion 2013, and two outer sides of the first end 20221 of the second frame 2022A have frame sliding groove portions 20223A respectively, and the balance bar 204 includes a cross bar portion 2041 and a first hook portion 2042 and a second hook portion 2043 respectively located at two ends of the cross bar portion 2041; the cross bar portion 2041 of the balance bar 204 is pivotally connected to the key cap pivot joint portion 2013 of the key cap 201A, and the first hook portion 2042 and the second hook portion 2043 of the balance bar 204 extend into the two frame sliding groove portions 20223A of the second frame 2022A, respectively.

Referring to fig. 9A to 9C, fig. 9A is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6 when the key caps are not pressed, fig. 9B is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6 when the key caps are pressed to generate partial displacement, fig. 9C is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6 when the key caps are pressed to generate maximum displacement, and for better illustration, elements such as the thin film circuit board 22 and the elastic body 203 are not shown in fig. 9A to 9C. When the key cap 201A of the key 20 'moves up and down relative to the key base 21, the connecting element 202A operates as described above, the cross bar 2041 of the balance bar 204 pivots relative to the key cap pivot 2013 of the key cap 201A, and the first hook 2042 and the second hook 2043 of the balance bar 204 slide in the two first frame slide grooves 20223A of the second frame 2022A, respectively, so that the balance bar 204 swings, and the design is designed to keep the key 20' balanced against tilting when moving up or down relative to the key base 21, and to increase the strength of the key cap 201A.

Referring to fig. 10 and 11, fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a keyboard apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the portion being at a first viewing angle, and fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 10, the portion being at a second viewing angle. For clarity, only a single key 20 "and related component structures are shown in fig. 10 and 11. The keyboard device 2B of the preferred embodiment is substantially similar to that of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and will not be described herein again. The difference between the present preferred embodiment and the aforementioned first preferred embodiment is that the lower surface of the key cap 201B has a key cap slot 2014 instead of the key cap pivot part 2013 in the first preferred embodiment, and two outer sides of the first end 20221 of the second frame 2022B have frame pivot parts 20224 instead of the frame slot parts 20223 in the first preferred embodiment; the cross bar portion 2041 of the balance bar 204 is connected to the key cap sliding groove portion 2014 of the key cap 201B, and the first hook portion 2042 and the second hook portion 2043 of the balance bar 204 extend into the two frame pivoting portions 20224 of the second frame 2022B respectively to be pivoted with the frame pivoting portions 20224.

Referring to fig. 12A to 12C, fig. 12A is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 10 when the key caps are not pressed, fig. 12B is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 10 when the key caps are pressed to generate partial displacement, fig. 12C is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 10 when the key caps are pressed to generate maximum displacement, and for better illustration, elements such as the thin film circuit board 22 and the elastic body 203 are not shown in fig. 12A to 12C. When the key cap 201B of the key 20 "moves up and down relative to the key base 21, the connecting element 202B operates as described in the first preferred embodiment, the first hook 2042 and the second hook 2043 of the balance bar 204 pivot relative to the two frame pivot joints 20224 of the second frame 2022B, respectively, and the cross bar 2041 of the balance bar 204 slides in the key cap slide groove 2014 of the key cap 201B, so that the balance bar 204 swings, and this design also enables the key 20" to keep balance without tilting when moving up or down relative to the key base 21, and also increases the strength of the key cap 201B.

Referring to fig. 13 to 16, fig. 13 is an external structural view of a portion of a keyboard apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, fig. 14 is a connection relationship diagram of the portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 13, fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 13 at one viewing angle, and fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 13 at another viewing angle. For clarity, only a single key 20' "and its related components are shown in fig. 13-16. The keyboard device 2C of the preferred embodiment is substantially similar to that of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and will not be described herein again. The difference between the present preferred embodiment and the aforementioned first preferred embodiment is that the key 20' ″ includes two connecting elements, i.e., a first connecting element 205 and a second connecting element 206, and the first hook portion 2042 and the second hook portion 2043 of the balance bar 204 are respectively connected to the first connecting element 205 and the second connecting element 206.

in detail, in the preferred embodiment, the lower surface of the key cap 201C further has a third key cap connection portion 2015 and a fourth key cap connection portion 2016, and the third key cap connection portion 2015 and the fourth key cap connection portion 2016 are respectively a fixed hook and a movable hook, and the first connection element 205 is the same as the connection element 202A in the first preferred embodiment, that is, the first connection element 205 is a scissors-type connection element and includes a first frame 2021 and a second frame 2022C pivotally connected to the first frame 2021, and the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022C are respectively an inner frame and an outer frame. In addition, the second connecting element 206 is also a scissors-type connecting element, and includes a third frame 2061 and a fourth frame 2062 pivoted to the third frame 2061, wherein the third frame 2061 and the fourth frame 2062 are an inner frame and an outer frame, respectively.

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the bottom plate connecting structure 213C further includes a third bottom plate connecting portion 2133 and a fourth bottom plate connecting portion 2134, and the third bottom plate connecting portion 2133 and the fourth bottom plate connecting portion 2134 can be a third bottom plate hook and a fourth bottom plate hook, respectively. Wherein, the first end 20211 and the second end 20212 of the first frame 2021 are respectively connected to the first key cap connecting part 2011 of the key cap 201C and the second bottom plate connecting part 2132 of the key bottom plate 21, the first end 20221 and the second end 20222 of the second frame 2022C are respectively connected to the first bottom plate connecting part 2131 of the key bottom plate 21 and the second key cap connecting part 2012 of the key cap 201C, the first end 20611 and the second end 20612 of the third frame 2061 are respectively connected to the third key cap connecting part 2015 of the key cap 201C and the fourth bottom plate connecting part 2016 of the key bottom plate 21, the first end 20621 and the second end 20622 of the fourth frame 2062 are respectively connected to the third bottom plate connecting part 2133 of the key bottom plate 21 and the fourth key cap connecting part 2016 of the key bottom plate 21, based on the above structural design, the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022C can swing relative to each other to convert the overlapped state from the overlapped state to the open-closed state or the overlapped state, and the third frame 2061 and the fourth frame 2062 can swing relative to the overlapped state from the overlapped The folding state is converted into the folding state. However, the above is only an embodiment, and the connection relationship among the first connecting element 205, the second connecting element 206 and the key cap 201C is not limited thereto.

When the key cap 201C of any key 20' ″ is pressed and moves downward relative to the key bottom plate 21, the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022C of the first connecting element 205 change from the open-close state to the folded state, the third frame 2061 and the fourth frame 2062 of the second connecting element 206 change from the open-close state to the folded state, and the downward moving key cap 201C presses the elastic body 203, so that the abutting portion 2031 of the elastic body 203 abuts against and triggers the corresponding membrane switch 221, and the keyboard apparatus 2C generates a corresponding key signal. When the key cap 201C of the key 20' ″ is no longer pressed, the key cap 201C moves upward relative to the key bottom plate 21 according to the elastic force of the elastic body 203, at this time, the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022C change from the folded state to the open-close state, the third frame 2061 and the fourth frame 2062 also change from the folded state to the open-close state, and the key cap 201C returns to the original position.

Specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the first end 20221 of the second frame 2022C has a first frame sliding groove portion 20223C on the outer side, and the first end 20621 of the fourth frame 2062 has a second frame sliding groove portion 20623 on the outer side; the cross bar portion 2041 of the balance bar 204 is pivotally connected to the key cap pivot joint portion 2013 of the key cap 201C, and the first hook portion 2042 and the second hook portion 2043 of the balance bar 204 extend into the first frame sliding groove portion 20223C of the second frame 2022C and the second frame sliding groove portion 20623 of the fourth frame 2062, respectively.

When the key cap 201C of the key 20' ″ moves up and down relative to the key base plate 21, the first connecting element 205 and the second connecting element 206 operate as described above, the cross bar portion 2041 of the balance bar 204 pivots relative to the key cap pivot portion 2013 of the key cap 201C, and the first hook portion 2042 and the second hook portion 2043 of the balance bar 204 slide in the first frame slide groove portion 20223C of the second frame 2022C and the second frame slide groove portion 23 of the fourth frame 2062, respectively, so that the balance bar 204 swings.

It is to be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can make any equivalent design according to the actual application requirements. For example, the key cap pivot portion on the lower surface of the key cap in the third preferred embodiment may be modified to be a key cap slide groove portion, and the structure of the key cap slide groove portion is substantially the same as the key cap slide groove portion in the second preferred embodiment for the cross bar portion of the balance bar to slide therein, and the first frame slide groove portion outside the first end of the second frame and the second frame slide groove portion outside the first end of the fourth frame in the third preferred embodiment may be modified to be a first frame pivot portion and a second frame pivot portion, respectively, and the structure of the first frame pivot portion and the second frame pivot portion is substantially the same as the frame pivot portion in the second preferred embodiment for respectively pivoting with the first hook portion and the second hook portion of the balance bar. Therefore, when the key cap of the key moves up and down relative to the key bottom plate, the first hook part and the second hook part of the balance rod can respectively pivot relative to the first frame pivot part of the second frame and the second frame pivot part of the fourth frame, and the cross rod part of the balance rod slides in the key cap sliding groove part of the key cap, so that the design change can also ensure that the key can keep balance and cannot incline when moving up or down relative to the key bottom plate, and simultaneously can increase the strength of the key cap.

According to the above description, the balance bar of the key of the keyboard device is connected between the key cap and the connecting element, so that the situation that the balance bar impacts or strikes the plate body of the key bottom plate and the bottom plate connecting structure is reduced, the sound generated in the key actuation process can be reduced, and the comfort of a user operating the keyboard device is improved.

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 apparatus, comprising:

A film circuit board including a film switch;

The key bottom plate comprises a plate body and a bottom plate connecting structure, the plate body is arranged below the thin film circuit board, and the bottom plate connecting structure extends upwards from the plate body and penetrates through the thin film circuit board; and

a key, comprising:

The key cap is positioned above the thin film circuit board and used for moving downwards relative to the thin film circuit board so as to enable the thin film switch to be conducted; and

A connecting element connected between the keycap and the key bottom plate; and

A balance rod connected between the keycap and the connecting element; when the keycap moves up and down relative to the key bottom plate, the balance rod swings to balance the key.

2. The keyboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting element comprises a first frame and a second frame, the first frame and the second frame swing relative to each other when the keycap moves up and down relative to the membrane circuit board.

3. The keyboard apparatus of claim 2, wherein the balance bar comprises a cross bar portion and a hook portion, and the hook portion is located at one end of the cross bar portion; wherein, the cross rod part is connected with the keycap, and the hook part is connected with the second frame.

4. The keyboard apparatus of claim 3, wherein a first end of the second frame has a frame pivot portion for pivoting with the hook portion of the balance bar, and the key cap has a key cap sliding slot portion, such that the cross bar portion of the balance bar can slide in the key cap sliding slot portion.

5. The keyboard apparatus of claim 4, wherein the frame pivot is located outside the first end of the second frame.

6. The keyboard apparatus of claim 3, wherein a first end of the second frame has a frame sliding slot portion, such that the hook portion of the balance bar can slide in the frame sliding slot portion, and the key cap has a key cap pivoting portion for pivoting with the cross bar portion of the balance bar.

7. The keyboard device of claim 6, wherein the frame slide groove portion is located outside the first end of the second frame.

8. The keyboard apparatus of claim 2, wherein the key cap has a first key cap link and a second key cap link, and the first key cap link is configured to be connected to a first end of the first frame, and the second key cap link is configured to be connected to a second end of the second frame.

9. the keyboard apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bottom plate connecting structure comprises a first bottom plate connecting portion and a second bottom plate connecting portion, the second bottom plate connecting portion is configured to connect to a second end of the first frame, and the first bottom plate connecting portion is configured to connect to a first end of the second frame.

10. The keyboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the key further comprises an elastic member disposed between the key cap and the membrane circuit board and having a top portion, wherein when the key cap is pressed, the elastic member is compressed to make the top portion press against the membrane switch, and when the key cap is no longer pressed, the elastic member provides an elastic force to the key cap to restore the key cap.

11. A keyboard apparatus, comprising:

A film circuit board including a film switch;

A key, comprising:

The first connecting element is connected between the keycap and the key bottom plate;

The second connecting element is connected between the keycap and the key bottom plate; and

The balance bar comprises a cross bar part, a first hook part and a second hook part, and the first hook part and the second hook part are respectively positioned at two ends of the cross bar part; the cross rod part is connected with the keycap, the first hook part and the second hook part are respectively connected with the first connecting element and the second connecting element, and when the keycap moves up and down relative to the thin film circuit board, the balance rod swings to balance the key.

12. The keyboard apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first connecting member comprises a first frame and a second frame, and the second connecting member comprises a third frame and a fourth frame; when the keycap moves up and down relative to the thin film circuit board, the first frame and the second frame swing relatively, and the third frame and the fourth frame swing relatively.

13. The keyboard apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first hook of the balance bar is connected to the second frame, and the second hook of the balance bar is connected to the fourth frame.

14. The keyboard apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first end of the second frame has a first frame pivot portion for pivoting with the first hook portion of the balance bar, and a first end of the fourth frame has a second frame pivot portion for pivoting with the second hook portion of the balance bar, and the key cap has a key cap slot portion such that the cross bar portion of the balance bar can slide in the key cap slot portion.

15. The keyboard apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first frame pivot is located outside the first end of the second frame, and the second frame pivot is located outside the first end of the fourth frame.

16. The keyboard apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first end of the second frame has a first frame sliding slot portion for allowing the first hook portion of the balance bar to slide in the first frame sliding slot portion, and a first end of the fourth frame has a second frame sliding slot portion for allowing the second hook portion of the balance bar to slide in the second frame sliding slot portion, and the key cap has a key cap pivoting portion for pivoting with the cross bar portion of the balance bar.

17. The keyboard device of claim 16, wherein the first frame slide groove portion is located outside the first end of the second frame, and the second frame slide groove portion is located outside the first end of the fourth frame.

18. The keyboard apparatus of claim 12, wherein the key cap has a first key cap link for coupling with a first end of the first frame, a second key cap link for coupling with a second end of the second frame, a third key cap link for coupling with a first end of the third frame, and a fourth key cap link for coupling with a second end of the fourth frame.

19. The keyboard apparatus of claim 12, wherein the bottom plate connecting structure comprises a first bottom plate connecting portion, a second bottom plate connecting portion, a third bottom plate connecting portion and a fourth bottom plate connecting portion, the second bottom plate connecting portion is configured to connect with a second end of the first frame, the first bottom plate connecting portion is configured to connect with a first end of the second frame, the fourth bottom plate connecting portion is configured to connect with a second end of the third frame, the third bottom plate connecting portion is configured to connect with a first end of the fourth frame.

20. The keyboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the key further comprises an elastic member disposed between the key cap and the membrane circuit board and having a top portion, wherein when the key cap is pressed, the elastic member is compressed to make the top portion press against the membrane switch, and when the key cap is no longer pressed, the elastic member provides an elastic force to the key cap to restore the key cap.