CN113268107A

CN113268107A - Electronic device

Info

Publication number: CN113268107A
Application number: CN202010096710.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈弘基; 陈顺彬; 庄惠婷; 邱彦杰; 林宇文; 阙延洲; 李柏毅
Original assignee: Acer Inc
Current assignee: Acer Inc
Priority date: 2020-02-17
Filing date: 2020-02-17
Publication date: 2021-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-17
Also published as: CN113268107B

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic device, which comprises a host, a display, a sliding plate and a keyboard. The host has an operation surface. The display is pivoted to the host. The sliding plate is slidably disposed in the host, wherein the display is mechanically coupled to the sliding plate and includes a platform portion and a recess portion disposed in parallel. The keyboard is integrated with the host. The keyboard comprises a key structure, wherein the key structure comprises a keycap and a reciprocating piece, and the keycap is exposed on the operating surface of the host. The reciprocating piece is arranged between the keycap and the sliding plate and is provided with a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the keycap and the second end contacts the slide plate. The second end is located on the sliding path of the platform part and the concave part.

Description

Electronic device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to electronic devices, and particularly to an electronic device including a keyboard.

Background

The keyboard is used as a common physical input interface for a user to input information to the electronic device or operate the electronic device. Taking a notebook computer as an example, the notebook computer comprises a host, a keyboard integrated with the host and a display, wherein the display is pivoted to the host and configured to be opened and closed relative to the host. In another aspect, the keyboard includes a key structure, and a key cap of the key structure is exposed to an operating surface of the host (i.e., a surface of the host facing the display).

Generally, the key cap of the key structure has a pressing surface for a user to press, and most of the key caps are designed to be flush with the operating surface of the host or slightly lower than the operating surface of the host, so as to prevent the key structure from being squeezed by the display covering the operating surface of the host. However, the above design can reduce the pressing stroke of the key structure, thereby causing a problem of poor operation feeling.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is directed to an electronic device, which can improve the operation experience of a user and prolong the service life of a product.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device comprises a host, a display, a sliding plate and a keyboard. The host has an operation surface. The display is pivoted to the host. The sliding plate is slidably disposed in the host, wherein the display is mechanically coupled to the sliding plate, and the sliding plate includes a platform portion and a recess portion disposed in parallel. The keyboard is integrated with the host. The keyboard comprises a key structure, wherein the key structure comprises a keycap and a reciprocating piece, and the keycap is exposed on the operating surface of the host. The reciprocating piece is arranged between the keycap and the sliding plate and is provided with a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the keycap and the second end contacts the slide plate. The second end is located on the sliding path of the platform part and the concave part.

In view of the above, in the electronic device of the present invention, the height of the key cap of the key structure changes with the opening and closing of the display relative to the host. Furthermore, when the display is unfolded relative to the host, the keycap of the key structure is higher than the operation surface of the host, so that a sufficient pressing stroke can be provided for a user, and the operation experience of the user is improved. On the contrary, when the display covers the operation surface of the host, the keycap of the key structure is lower than the operation surface of the host, so that the key structure can be prevented from being extruded by the display covering the operation surface of the host, and the service life of the product is prolonged.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIG. 1A;

fig. 2A is a schematic view illustrating an electronic device in a closed state according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2B is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device of fig. 2A.

Description of the reference numerals

100: an electronic device;

110: a host;

111: an operation surface;

120: a display;

130: a sliding plate;

131: a platform part;

132: a recessed portion;

132 a: a bevel;

132 b: a bottom surface;

133: a driven part;

140: a keyboard;

140 a: a key structure;

141: a keycap;

142: a reciprocating member;

142 a: a first end;

142 b: a second end;

143: a carrier;

143 a: perforating;

144: a scissor-foot mechanism;

150: a rotating shaft;

151: a drive section.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Fig. 1A is a schematic view of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1B is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device of fig. 1A. Fig. 2A is a schematic view of an electronic device in a closed state according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2B is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the electronic device of fig. 2A. Referring to fig. 1A and fig. 2A, in the present embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be a notebook computer, and includes a host 110 and a display 120. The display 120 is pivotally connected to the host 110, and is configured to be unfolded relative to the host 110, or to be covered on the host 110.

Referring to fig. 1A, fig. 1B and fig. 2B, the electronic device 100 further includes a sliding plate 130 and a keyboard 140, wherein the sliding plate 130 is slidably disposed in the host 110, and the display 120 is mechanically coupled to the sliding plate 130. In the process of opening and closing the display 120 relative to the main frame 110, the sliding plate 130 is driven by the display 120 to slide along a specific direction to and fro relative to the main frame 110. The keyboard 140 is integrated with the host 110, wherein the keyboard 140 includes a plurality of key structures 140 a.

Specifically, the key structure 140a includes a key cap 141 and a reciprocating member 142, wherein the main body 110 has an operation surface 111, and the key cap 141 is exposed on the operation surface 111 for a user to operate the key structure 140 a. The reciprocating member 142 is disposed between the key cap 141 and the sliding plate 130, and is used for supporting the key cap 141 and providing a restoring force to the key cap 141. Further, the reciprocating member 142 may include a first end 142a and a second end 142b, the first end 142a is connected to the key cap 141, and the second end 142b contacts the sliding plate 130.

For example, the reciprocating member 142 may comprise a spring and a telescopic cover, and the spring is disposed in the telescopic cover, wherein one end of the telescopic cover is connected to the key cap 141, and the other end of the telescopic cover contacts the sliding plate 130. On the other hand, one end of the spring contacts the key cap 141, and the other end of the spring contacts the bottom of the telescopic cover.

In the present embodiment, the sliding plate 130 includes a platform portion 131 and a plurality of recessed portions 132 arranged in parallel, wherein the number of the recessed portions 132 may be a plurality, and the number of the recessed portions 132 is equal to the number of the key structures 140 a. In detail, the reciprocating member 142 is located on the sliding path between the platform portion 131 and the recess portion 132, as shown in fig. 1B, when the display 120 is unfolded relative to the host 110, the reciprocating member 142 contacts the platform portion 131, and the key cap 141 is higher than the operating surface 111, so that a sufficient pressing stroke can be provided for a user to improve the operating experience of the user.

As shown in fig. 2B, when the display 120 covers the operation surface 111 of the host 110, the sliding plate 130 slides, so that the second end 142B of the reciprocating member 142 moves away from the platform 131 and moves into the recess 132. Meanwhile, the key cap 141 sinks along with the reciprocating member 142, so that the key cap 141 is lower than the operation surface 111, and the pressing of the key structure 140a by the display 120 covering the operation surface 111 of the main frame 110 can be avoided, thereby prolonging the service life of the product.

Specifically, the key cap 141 is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the sliding plate 130 along with the sinking direction of the reciprocating member 142.

Referring to fig. 1A and fig. 1B, in the present embodiment, the electronic device 100 further includes a rotating shaft 150, and the display 120 is pivotally connected to the host 110 through the rotating shaft 150. In detail, the hinge 150 includes a driving portion 151 located in the main unit 110, and the driving portion 151 is mechanically coupled to the sliding plate 130. On the other hand, the sliding plate 130 further includes a driven portion 133 adjacent to the rotation shaft 150, and the driving portion 151 is mechanically coupled to the driven portion 133. For example, the driving part 151 is a gear, and the driven part 133 is a rack that engages with the gear 151. In the process of opening and closing the display 120 relative to the main frame 110, the driving part 151 rotates relative to the main frame 110 and drives the rack, so that the sliding plate 130 slides.

Referring to fig. 1B and fig. 2B, the recessed portion 132 has a slope 132a and a bottom surface 132B connected to the slope 132a, and the slope 132a is connected to the platform portion 131. When the sliding plate 130 slides, the second end 142b of the reciprocating member 142 moves from the platform 131 through the inclined surface 132a and stops moving after contacting the bottom surface 132 b. Alternatively, when the sliding plate 130 slides, the second end 142b of the reciprocating member 142 moves from the bottom surface 132b through the inclined surface 132a and stops moving after contacting the platform 131.

Because there is a height difference between the terrace portion 131 and the bottom surface 132b of the recess 132, the height of the key cap 141 changes as the second end 142b of the reciprocating member 142 contacts the terrace portion 131 or the bottom surface 132b of the recess 132. On the other hand, the platform portion 131 is parallel to the bottom surface 132b of the recess portion 132, so as to avoid the situation that the keycap 141 and the reciprocating member 142 are deflected.

In this embodiment, the keyboard 140 further includes a carrier 143 fixed in the main body 110, and the carrier 143 is disposed on the sliding plate 130. That is, during the opening and closing process of the display 120 relative to the main unit 110, the carriage 143 is fixed, but the sliding plate 130 slides relative to the carriage 143. On the other hand, the key cap 141 is disposed above the carriage 143, wherein the carriage 143 has a through hole 143a, and the second end 142b of the reciprocating member 142 passes through the through hole 143a to contact the sliding plate 130. The number of the through holes 143a of the carrier 143 is equal to the number of the key structures 140 a.

The key structure 140a further includes a scissor mechanism 144, and the scissor mechanism 144 is disposed between the key cap 141 and the carrier 143 for stabilizing the moving direction of the key cap 141 when the key cap 141 is pressed by a force or the moving direction of the key cap 141 when the key cap 141 is reset. On the other hand, both ends of the scissor mechanism 144 contact the key cap 141 and the carriage 143, respectively, and the movement direction of the key cap 141 is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slide plate 130 based on the guidance of the scissor mechanism 144.

In summary, in the electronic device of the present invention, the height of the key cap of the key structure changes with the opening and closing of the display relative to the host. Furthermore, when the display is unfolded relative to the host, the keycap of the key structure is higher than the operation surface of the host, so that a sufficient pressing stroke can be provided for a user, and the operation experience of the user is improved. On the contrary, when the display covers the operation surface of the host, the keycap of the key structure is lower than the operation surface of the host, so that the key structure can be prevented from being extruded by the display covering the operation surface of the host, and the service life of the product is prolonged.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and not to limit the same; while the invention has been described in detail and with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced; and the modifications or the substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a host having an operation surface;

a display pivotally connected to the host;

a sliding plate slidably disposed within the host, wherein the display is mechanically coupled to the sliding plate, and the sliding plate includes a platform portion and a recess portion disposed side-by-side; and

the keyboard is integrated with the host and comprises a key structure, wherein the key structure comprises a keycap and a reciprocating member, the keycap is exposed on the operating surface of the host, the reciprocating member is arranged between the keycap and the sliding plate, the reciprocating member is provided with a first end and a second end, the first end is connected with the keycap, the second end is in contact with the sliding plate, and the second end is positioned on the sliding path of the platform part and the concave part.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a hinge, wherein the display is pivotally connected to the host via the hinge, and the hinge comprises a driving portion located in the host, and the driving portion is mechanically coupled to the sliding plate.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the sliding plate further comprises a driven portion adjacent to the rotating shaft, and the driving portion is mechanically coupled to the driven portion.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the driving portion is a gear and the driven portion is a rack engaging the gear.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the recess has a slope and a bottom surface connected to the slope, and the slope is connected to the platform.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein a height difference exists between the terrace portion and the bottom surface of the recess, and the terrace portion is parallel to the bottom surface of the recess.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises a carrier fixed within the host and disposed on the slide plate, the keycap being disposed above the carrier, wherein the carrier has a through hole, and the second end of the shuttle passes through the through hole to contact the slide plate.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the key structure further comprises a scissor mechanism, and wherein the scissor mechanism is disposed between the keycap and the carrier.