CN110716649A - Keyboard device and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a keyboard device and a manufacturing method thereof, the keyboard device comprises a film circuit board, a key frame arranged above the film circuit board, a limit frame arranged above the key frame and a key structure, the key frame comprises a first frame body and a first containing hole longitudinally penetrating through the first frame body, the limit frame comprises a second frame body and a second containing hole longitudinally penetrating through the second frame body, the second containing hole is communicated with the first containing hole, the opening of the second containing hole is smaller than that of the first containing hole, the key structure comprises a keycap and a convex part connected with the keycap, the keycap moves in the first containing hole and the second containing hole, and at least part of the convex part is positioned below the second frame body.

Description

Keyboard device and manufacturing method thereof

Technical Field

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

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 will be described, please refer to fig. 1 to 4, fig. 1 is an external structural diagram of the conventional keyboard device, fig. 2 is a perspective diagram of a partial structure of the keyboard device shown in fig. 1, fig. 3 is an exploded perspective diagram of the partial structure of the keyboard device shown in fig. 2, and fig. 4 is a conceptual sectional diagram of the partial structure of the keyboard device shown in fig. 2. For clarity, only a portion of the key frame, a single key structure and related component structures are illustrated in fig. 2 to 4.

The conventional keyboard apparatus 1 includes a plurality of key structures 10, a key base 11, a film circuit board 12 and a key frame 13, wherein the film circuit board 12 has a plurality of film switches 121 corresponding to the plurality of key structures 10, each key structure 10 includes a key cap 101, a scissors-type connecting element 102 and an elastic body 103, the scissors-type connecting element 102 is connected between the key cap 101 and the key base 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. In addition, the elastic body 103 is disposed between the key cap 101 and the key base 11, and has an abutting portion (not shown).

When the key cap 101 of any key structure 10 is pressed and moves downward relative to the key base 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 of the elastic body 103 abuts against and triggers the corresponding membrane switch 121, and the keyboard apparatus 1 generates the corresponding key signal. When the key cap 101 of the key structure 10 is 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, the key frame 13 is disposed above the thin film circuit board 12, and has a frame 132 and a plurality of accommodating holes 131 respectively corresponding to the plurality of key structures 10, and each accommodating hole 131 is used for allowing the keycap 101 of the corresponding key structure 10 to move therein. However, since the key caps 101 of the keyboard apparatus 1 are fixed on the key base 11 only against the scissors linkage 102, the key caps 101 are easily detached from the keyboard apparatus 1 when the key caps 101 are subjected to a large external striking force or are scratched. Therefore, the known keyboard apparatus 1 still has room for improvement.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a keyboard device with a limiting frame, which provides a limiting effect on a keycap of a key structure through the limiting frame, so that the keycap is not easy to fall off from the keyboard device when the keycap is subjected to a larger external knocking force or is scratched.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing the keyboard apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a keyboard device, which includes a thin film circuit board, a key frame, a position-limiting frame and a key structure. The film circuit board comprises a film switch; the key frame is arranged above the thin film circuit board and comprises a first frame body and a first containing hole, and the first containing hole longitudinally penetrates through the first frame body; the limiting frame is arranged above the key frame and comprises a second frame body and a second containing hole, and the second containing hole longitudinally penetrates through the second frame body; the second containing hole is communicated with the first containing hole, and the opening of the second containing hole is smaller than that of the first containing hole; the key structure corresponds to the membrane switch and comprises a key cap and a convex part, and the key cap is used for being touched and pressed to move in the first containing hole and the second containing hole; one end of the convex part is connected with the side edge of the keycap, and the other end of the convex part extends outwards from the side edge of the keycap to the lower part of the second frame body.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a keyboard device, comprising:

(P1) disposing the key structure on a key substrate; wherein, the key bottom plate is positioned below the film circuit board;

(P2) disposing the key frame on the film wiring board; when the key frame is arranged on the film circuit board, the first accommodating hole corresponds to the keycap; and

(P3) disposing the position limiting frame on the key frame; when the limiting frame is arranged on the key frame, the second accommodating hole corresponds to the keycap, and the convex part is positioned below the second frame body.

The keyboard device has the beneficial effects that the limiting frame provides a limiting effect on the keycap of the key structure, so that the keycap is not easy to fall off from the keyboard device when the keycap is subjected to a larger external knocking force or is scratched.

Drawings

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

FIG. 2: is a perspective view of a part of the structure of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 3: is a perspective exploded view of a portion of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 2.

FIG. 4: a conceptual cross-sectional view of a part of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 2 is shown.

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

FIG. 6: is a perspective view of a part of the structure of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 5.

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

FIG. 8: a conceptual cross-sectional view of a part of the structure of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6 is shown.

FIG. 9: is a three-dimensional exploded view of the thin film circuit board of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 5.

FIG. 10: a schematic cross-sectional conceptual view of a part of the structure of a keyboard apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

FIG. 11: a schematic cross-sectional conceptual view of a part of the keyboard apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

FIG. 12: a schematic cross-sectional conceptual view of a part of the keyboard apparatus according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

FIG. 13: a preferred method flowchart of the manufacturing method of the keyboard device of the present invention is shown.

FIG. 14A: is a conceptual illustration of step P1 of the method shown in fig. 13.

FIG. 14B: is a conceptual illustration of step P2 of the method shown in fig. 13.

FIG. 14C: is a conceptual illustration of step P3 of the method shown in fig. 13.

The reference numbers are as follows:

1 keyboard device

2A keyboard device

2B keyboard device

2C keyboard device

2D keyboard device

10 push-button structure

11 key bottom board

12 film circuit board

13 key frame

20 key structure

21 push-button bottom board

22 thin film circuit board

23 key frame

24 limiting frame

25 buffer body

26 first magnetic body

27 second magnetic body

101 key cap

102 scissor type connecting element

103 elastomer

121 thin film switch

131 accommodating hole

132 frame body

201 keycap

202 connecting element

203 elastomer

204 convex part

221 thin film switch

222 upper film

223 lower film

224 middle layer film

231 first accommodation hole

232 first frame body

241 second containing hole

242 second frame body

261 one end of the first magnetic body

271 one end of the second magnetic body

1021 first frame

1022 second frame

2021 first frame

2022 second frame

2221 first circuit pattern

2231 second circuit pattern

2222 upper contact

2232 lower contact point

2241 contact opening

P1 step

P2 step

P3 step

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 a perspective view of a partial structure of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 5, fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the partial structure of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6, and fig. 8 is a conceptual sectional view of the partial structure of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 6. For the sake of clarity, only a portion of the key frame, a portion of the limiting frame, a single key structure and related component structures are illustrated in fig. 6 to 8. The keyboard device 2A includes a plurality of key structures 20, a key base 21, a film circuit board 22, a key frame 23 and a limiting frame 24, wherein the plurality of key structures 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 a 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.

Please refer to fig. 9, which is a schematic exploded view of the thin film circuit board of the keyboard apparatus shown in fig. 5. The thin film wiring board 22 includes a plurality of thin films stacked on one another. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of films includes an upper film 222 and a lower film 223, the lower surface of the upper film 222 has a first circuit pattern 2221, the first circuit pattern 2221 has a plurality of upper contacts 2222 corresponding to the plurality of key structures 20, respectively, the upper surface of the lower film 223 has a second circuit pattern 2231, and the second circuit pattern 2231 has a plurality of lower contacts 2232 corresponding to the plurality of upper contacts 2222, respectively; each upper contact 2222 is spaced apart from its corresponding lower contact 2232, and forms a membrane switch 221 together with the corresponding lower contact 2232. In order to provide a distance between each upper contact 2222 and its corresponding lower contact 2232, the film circuit board 22 further includes an intermediate film 224 disposed between the upper film 222 and the lower film 223, and the intermediate film 224 has a plurality of contact openings 2241 corresponding to the plurality of upper contacts 2222 and the plurality of lower contacts 2232, respectively. Preferably, but not limited thereto, any one of the upper film 222, the lower film 223 and the middle film 224 may be made of a Polycarbonate (PC) material, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material, a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) material, a Polyurethane (PU) material or a Polyimide (PI) material.

In addition, each of the key structures 20 includes a key cap 201, a connecting element 202 and an elastic body 203, wherein the connecting element 202 is connected between the key cap 201 and the key base 21 for moving the key cap 201 up and down relative to the key base 21, and the elastic body 203 is disposed between the key cap 201 and the key base 21 and has a top portion (not shown). In the preferred embodiment, the connecting element 202 is a scissors-type connecting element and includes a first frame 2021 and a second frame 2022 pivotally connected to the first frame 2021, so that the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022 can swing relative to each other.

When the key cap 201 of any key structure 20 is pressed and moves downward relative to the key base 21, the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022 of the connecting element 202 change from the open-close state to the folded state, and the downward moving key cap 201 presses the elastic body 203, so that the abutting portion of the elastic body 203 abuts against and triggers the corresponding upper contact 2222, and further the corresponding upper contact 2222 contacts the corresponding lower contact 2232 through the corresponding contact opening 2241, thereby electrically connecting the corresponding membrane switch 221, so that the keyboard device 2A generates the corresponding key signal. When the key cap 201 of the key structure 20 is no longer pressed, the key cap 201 moves upward relative to the key base 21 according to the elastic force of the elastic body 203, and at this time, the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022 change from the folded state to the open-closed state, and the key cap 201 returns to the original position. However, the above is only an embodiment, and the connection relationship among the connection element 202, the key base 21 and the key top 201 is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, the key frame 23 is disposed above the thin film circuit board 22, and has a first frame body 232 and a plurality of first accommodating holes 231 respectively corresponding to the plurality of key structures 20 and longitudinally penetrating through the first frame body 232, and the limiting frame 24 is disposed above the key frame 23, and includes a second frame body 242 and a plurality of second accommodating holes 241 respectively corresponding to the plurality of key structures 20 and longitudinally penetrating through the second frame body 242, and each second accommodating hole 241 is communicated with the corresponding first accommodating hole 231, so that the keycap 201 of the corresponding key structure 20 can move therein; wherein, the opening of each second containing hole 241 is smaller than the opening of the corresponding first containing hole 231.

In addition, in the present invention, each key structure 20 further includes a protrusion 204, one end of the protrusion 204 is connected to the side edge of the key cap 201, and the other end of the protrusion 204 extends outward from the side edge of the key cap 201 to the lower side of the second frame 242, so that the protrusion 204 and the second frame 242 form an interference relationship. In the preferred embodiment, when the key cap 201 is not pressed, the protrusion 204 is in contact with the lower surface of the second frame 242. When the key cap 201 is subjected to a large external knocking force or is scratched, the second frame 242 of the limiting frame 24 provides a limiting effect on the convex portion 204 of the key structure 20, so that the key cap 201 is not easily separated from the keyboard apparatus 2A.

Please refer to fig. 10, which is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a keyboard apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, only a portion of the key frame, a portion of the limiting frame, a single key structure and related component structures are illustrated in fig. 10. The keyboard apparatus 2B of the preferred embodiment is substantially similar to that described in the first embodiment of the present invention, and will not be described herein again. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that when the key cap 201 is not pressed, the position of the protrusion 204 is at a distance from the lower surface of the second frame 242, which is advantageous in that when the key cap 201 moves upward relative to the key base 21 according to the elastic force of the elastic body 203, the protrusion 204 will not impact the second frame 242 upward and generate unpleasant noise.

Please refer to fig. 11, which is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a keyboard apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, only a portion of the key frame, a portion of the limiting frame, a single key structure and related component structures are illustrated in fig. 11. The keyboard apparatus 2C of the preferred embodiment is substantially similar to that described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, and will not be described herein again. The present embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the keyboard apparatus 2C further includes a buffer 25, which can be made of an elastic material, such as a silicone rubber (silicone rubber) material or a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) material, and the buffer 25 is disposed between the protrusion 204 and the second frame 242 to buffer the impact between the protrusion 204 and the second frame 242 when the key cap 201 moves upward relative to the key base 21 according to the elastic force of the elastic body 203.

Please refer to fig. 12, which is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a keyboard apparatus according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, only a portion of the key frame, a portion of the limiting frame, a single key structure and related component structures are illustrated in fig. 11. The keyboard device 2D of the preferred embodiment is substantially similar to that described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, and will not be described herein again. The present embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the keyboard device 2D further includes a first magnetic member 26 and a second magnetic member 27, the first magnetic member 26 is connected to the protrusion 206 and at least partially exposed from the protrusion 206 or embedded in the protrusion 206, and the second magnetic member 27 is connected to the second frame 242 and at least partially exposed from the second frame 242 or embedded in the second frame 242; the end 261 of the first magnetic body 26 corresponds to the end 271 of the second magnetic body 27, that is, the end 261 of the first magnetic body 26 is adjacent to the end 271 of the second magnetic body 27, and the end 261 of the first magnetic body 26 magnetically repels the end 271 of the second magnetic body 27, so as to prevent the bump 204 from colliding with the second frame 242 when the key cap 201 moves upward relative to the key base 21 according to the elastic force of the elastic body 203.

Next, a method for manufacturing the keyboard device of the present invention will be described. Referring to fig. 13 and fig. 14A to 14B, fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a keyboard apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, fig. 14A is a conceptual diagram illustrating step P1 of the method illustrated in fig. 13, fig. 14B is a conceptual diagram illustrating step P2 of the method illustrated in fig. 13, and fig. 14C is a conceptual diagram illustrating step P3 of the method illustrated in fig. 13. For clarity, only a portion of the key frame, a portion of the limiting frame, a single key structure and related component structures are illustrated in fig. 14A to 14B.

The manufacturing method of the keyboard device comprises the following steps: step P1, disposing the key structure 20 on the key base 21, as shown in fig. 14A; step P2, disposing the key frame 23 on the film circuit board 22, wherein when the key frame 23 is disposed on the film circuit board 22, each first accommodating hole 231 is aligned with the corresponding key cap 201, as shown in fig. 14B; and a step P3 of disposing the position-limiting frame 24 on the key frame 23, wherein when the position-limiting frame 24 is disposed on the key frame 23, each second accommodating hole 241 is aligned with the corresponding key cap 201, and each protrusion 204 is at least partially located below the second frame 242.

Preferably, but not limited thereto, the key frame 23 and the position limiting frame 24 are made of different first and second materials, respectively. In one embodiment, the first material is a plastic material, and the second material is a metal material, such as aluminum, so as to increase the overall structural strength of the keyboard device and improve the appearance quality of the keyboard device.

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 (12)

1. A keyboard apparatus, comprising:

a film circuit board including a film switch;

the key frame is arranged above the thin film circuit board and comprises a first frame body and a first containing hole, and the first containing hole longitudinally penetrates through the first frame body;

the limiting frame is arranged above the key frame and comprises a second frame body and a second containing hole, and the second containing hole longitudinally penetrates through the second frame body; the second containing hole is communicated with the first containing hole, and the opening of the second containing hole is smaller than that of the first containing hole; and

the key structure corresponds to the membrane switch and comprises a key cap and a convex part, and the key cap is used for being touched and pressed to move in the first containing hole and the second containing hole; one end of the convex part is connected with the side edge of the keycap, and the other end of the convex part extends outwards from the side edge of the keycap to the lower part of the second frame body.

2. The keyboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the key frame is made of a first material and the position-limiting frame is made of a second material.

3. The keyboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first material is a plastic material and the second material is a metal material.

4. The keyboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusion contacts the second frame when the keycap is not pressed.

5. The keyboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is spaced apart from the second frame when the key cap is not pressed.

6. The keyboard apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a buffer disposed between the protrusion and the second frame.

7. The keyboard device of claim 1, further comprising a first magnetic body connected to or disposed in the protrusion and a second magnetic body connected to or disposed in the second frame; one end of the first magnetic body corresponds to one end of the second magnetic body, and the end of the first magnetic body and the end of the second magnetic body are magnetically repelled.

8. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein the thin film circuit board comprises an upper film and a lower film, and the upper film is provided with a first circuit pattern and the lower film is provided with a second circuit pattern; the first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern are respectively provided with an upper contact and a lower contact, and a spacing distance is formed between the upper contact and the lower contact to jointly form the membrane switch.

9. The keyboard apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a key base, and the key structure further comprises a linking member coupled between the key base and the keycap to move the keycap up and down relative to the key base.

10. The keyboard apparatus of claim 9, wherein the connecting element is a scissor-type connecting element and comprises a first frame and a second frame pivotally connected to the first frame.

11. The keyboard apparatus of claim 1, wherein the key structure further comprises an elastic body disposed between the key cap and the thin film circuit board and having a top portion, wherein when the key cap is pressed, the elastic body is compressed to make the top portion press against the thin film switch, and when the key cap is no longer pressed, the elastic body provides an elastic force to the key cap to restore the key cap to its original position.

12. A method of manufacturing the keyboard apparatus of claim 1, comprising:

(P1) disposing the key structure on a key substrate; wherein, the key bottom plate is positioned below the film circuit board;

(P2) disposing the key frame on the film wiring board; when the key frame is arranged on the film circuit board, the first accommodating hole corresponds to the keycap; and

(P3) disposing the position limiting frame on the key frame; when the limiting frame is arranged on the key frame, the second accommodating hole corresponds to the keycap, and the convex part is positioned below the second frame body.

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