CN113471005A

CN113471005A - Key support connecting structure and key structure

Info

Publication number: CN113471005A
Application number: CN202110341438.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 侯柏均; 林钦宏
Original assignee: Chongqing Dafang Electronics Co ltd; Darfon Electronics Corp
Current assignee: Chongqing Dafang Electronics Co ltd; Darfon Electronics Corp
Priority date: 2020-03-31
Filing date: 2021-03-30
Publication date: 2021-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-30
Also published as: CN113471003B; TWI759945B; CN113471003A; CN113471004B; CN116913716A; TW202139227A; CN113471004A; TW202217884A; TWI777446B; CN113471005B; TWI781045B; TW202139228A; TW202139225A; TWI777445B

Abstract

The invention discloses a key support connecting structure and a key structure. The combination portion and the structural plate are fixedly engaged with each other via a combination structure of the structural plate. The combination structure may include at least one of a protrusion, a through hole, a side hole, a combination hole, a cantilever plate and a convex bridge. The combining part comprises at least one hook arm for forming a bracket connecting part. The key structure comprises a base, a keycap and two key supports connected between the base and the keycap. The keycap is arranged on the base and can vertically move relative to the base through the two key supports. The key structure comprises the key support connecting structure, and the structure is integrated to the base or the keycap. One of the key supports is connected with the support connecting part. The key support connecting structure and the key structure of the invention utilize the combined structure to increase the elasticity of the structural design so as to obtain the required structural rigidity and stability.

Description

Key support connecting structure and key structure

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a key structure, and more particularly, to a key structure and a bracket connecting structure thereof.

Background

The key structure used in a typical notebook computer often uses a scissor-foot support to provide a key cap support and lifting mechanism. The keycaps and the bottom plate are provided with structures connected with the bracket. The key cap is usually a single structure, such as a plastic injection molding, and has a thickness in a vertical direction to maintain sufficient rigidity to withstand the pressing of the user and maintain the stability of the connection with the support via the connection portion. When the key size is reduced, the rigidity of the entire key cap is difficult to maintain. The structural characteristics of the keycaps are not beneficial to the thinning design of the key structure. In the design of the bottom plate structure, in order to save space, the structural bottom plate is usually directly used to form a structure connected with the bracket, so that the bracket can be rotatably connected to the bottom plate. The bottom plate is generally formed by pressing a metal plate, but the size precision of the bent structure is not easy to control, and the strength of the formed connecting structure and the contact area of the formed connecting structure and the bracket are limited by the thickness of the metal plate, so that the stability of the key actuation is influenced. If the connection structure connected to the support is formed on the base plate in an insert-injection manner, the connection strength between the connection structure and the base plate is achieved in principle by mutual engagement in the structure. When the size of the key is reduced, the size of the connecting structure is reduced, so that the connecting strength between the connecting structure and the bottom plate is not easy to maintain. When the keycap and the support need to be replaced, the connecting structure is pulled by the support and the bottom plate, and the connecting structure is easy to deform and even destroy, so that the connecting structure cannot be used any more.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the problems in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a key frame connecting structure, which can be structurally integrated with a key cap or a base of a key structure for connecting the key frame. The key support connecting structure utilizes the combined structure to increase the elasticity of the structural design so as to obtain the required structural rigidity and stability.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a key holder connecting structure, which includes:

the structure plate comprises a convex part, a through hole and at least one edge hole, wherein the convex part protrudes out of one side of the structure plate and forms a groove on the other side of the structure plate, the through hole penetrates through the top surface of the convex part, and the at least one edge hole penetrates through the side wall of the convex part; and

the combination part is filled with the groove, the through hole and the at least one side hole, the combination part comprises a first hook arm and is formed on the convex part, the first hook arm is used for forming a support connecting part, and the vertical projection of the first hook arm falls within the range of the top surface of the convex part.

As an alternative solution, the at least one side hole includes two side holes, the two side holes penetrate through the side walls of the two opposite sides of the protruding portion, and the through hole is located between the two side holes.

The invention also provides a key support connecting structure, which comprises:

the structure plate comprises a convex part, a combination hole and a cantilever plate, wherein the convex part protrudes out of one side of the structure plate and forms a groove on the other side of the structure plate, and the combination hole is positioned between the convex part and the cantilever plate; and

the combination part is filled in the combination hole and the groove and comprises a first hook arm and a second hook arm, the first hook arm is formed on the convex part, the second hook arm covers the cantilever plate, and the first hook arm and the second hook arm are used for forming a support connecting part.

Alternatively, the structural plate comprises a perforation that extends through the top surface of the protrusion.

As an alternative solution, the structural plate comprises a side hole, which penetrates through the side wall of the protrusion.

As an optional technical scheme, the cantilever plate is bent and extended from the edge of the combination hole and is provided with a clamping structure.

As an optional technical solution, the protruding portion, the coupling hole and the cantilever plate are arranged along a first direction, a width of the coupling hole along a second direction is greater than a width of the protruding portion along the second direction and is greater than a width of the cantilever plate along the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

the structure plate comprises a convex part, a through hole, a convex bridge part and a cantilever plate, wherein the convex part protrudes out of one side of the structure plate and forms a groove on the other side of the structure plate; and

the combination part is filled in the through hole and the groove and comprises a first hook arm and a second hook arm, the first hook arm covers the convex bridge part, the second hook arm covers the cantilever plate, and the first hook arm and the second hook arm are used for forming a support connecting part.

As an optional technical solution, the convex bridge portion spans and is connected to two sides of the combination hole, and a connection interface of the convex bridge portion and the combination hole is arc-shaped.

As an alternative solution, the structural panel comprises a panel body and a sidewall panel extending perpendicularly from a long-sided medial section of the panel body.

As an optional technical solution, the joint forms a gimbal connecting portion, and the gimbal connecting portion is located between the bracket connecting portion and the side edge of the structural panel.

The present invention also provides a key structure, which comprises:

a base;

a keycap disposed on the base;

as mentioned above, the key frame connecting structure is integrated with the base or the key cap;

the first key support is connected between the keycap and the base and is connected with the support connecting part; and

and the second key support is connected between the keycap and the base, and the keycap can vertically move relative to the base through the first key support and the second key support.

Compared with the prior art, in the key support connecting structure and the key structure, the key support connecting structure is a combined structure, and the structural plate and the combining part which are made of different materials can be used, so that enough rigidity can be easily obtained, and the structural design elasticity of the key support connecting structure and the key structure can be further improved. Furthermore, the convex part, the through hole, the side hole, the combination hole, the cantilever plate and the convex bridge part on the structural plate can improve the combination strength between the combination part and the structural plate and ensure that the bracket connecting part can obtain good structural strength. Therefore, the key support connecting structure and the key structure can solve or improve the design problem of the structure connected with the support in the prior art, and can be more suitable for the thin design.

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 a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a partially exploded view of the key structure of fig. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the key cap of the key structure of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a portion of the key cap of FIG. 2 at circle A, wherein the balancing stand is not shown.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the structural plate and bonding portion of the key cap of FIG. 4.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the structural panel of fig. 5 from another perspective.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the key cap of FIG. 4 taken along line X-X.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the key cap of FIG. 4 taken along line Y-Y.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a variation of the cantilever plate of fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating another variation of the cantilever plate of fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view illustrating another variation of the cantilever plate of fig. 5.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view illustrating another variation of the cantilever plate of fig. 5.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a portion of the key cap of FIG. 2 at circle B, wherein the gimbal is not shown.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the structural plate and bonding portion of the key cap of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the key cap of FIG. 13 taken along line Z-Z.

Fig. 16 is an exploded view of a structural panel and joint according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 17 is an exploded view of the structural plate and the pressing part of the keycap of fig. 2 at circle C.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the key cap of FIG. 2 taken along line Z-Z.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the structural plate and bonding portion of the keycap of FIG. 2 at circle D.

Fig. 20 is a partial exploded view of a key structure according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the structural plate and bonding portion of the key cap of FIG. 20.

Fig. 22 is a partially exploded view of a key structure according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 23 is an exploded view of the structural panels and joints of the base of fig. 22.

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 and 2, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a key structure according to a first embodiment; fig. 2 is a partially exploded view of the key structure of fig. 1. The key structure 1 according to the first embodiment comprises a base 12, a key cap 14, a first lifting mechanism 16, a second lifting mechanism 18, a switch 20 and an elastic reset element 22. The key cap 14 is disposed on the base 12, and has four sides to form an elongated rectangle having two long sides 140a and two short sides 140 b. The first and

second lifting mechanisms

16, 18 are both connected between the keycap 14 and the base 12 such that the keycap 14 is vertically movable (or up and down) relative to the base 12 via the first and

second lifting mechanisms

16, 18. A switch 20 (shown in phantom circles; such as but not limited to being fabricated from a thin film circuit board having a switch circuit formed thereon) is disposed beneath the key cap 14. An elastic restoring member 22 (for example, but not limited to, formed by a rubber dome) is disposed between the base 12 and the key cap 14, and between the key cap 14 and the switch 20. The key cap 14 can be depressed to press the resilient return 22 downwardly to trigger the switch 20.

In the first embodiment, the first lifting mechanism 16 includes a first key support 162 and a second key support 164, both connected between the key cap 14 and the base 12, and the first lifting mechanism 16 is pivotally connected to each other along a rotation axis 16a (shown in fig. 2 by a chain line). The first lifting mechanism 16 itself is left-right symmetrical (in the view of fig. 2), and for the sake of simplifying the description, the structure of the first lifting mechanism 16 side will be described as an example. In the first lifting mechanism 16, the first key holder 162 has a first key cap connecting portion 1622 and a first key base connecting portion 1624, and the second key holder 164 has a second key cap connecting portion 1642 and a second key base connecting portion 1644; correspondingly, the base 12 has two

support connections

12a, 12b and the key cap 14 has two

support connections

14a, 14 b. The first key holder 162 is connected to the holder connecting portion 14a of the key cap 14 and the holder connecting portion 12a of the base 12 via the first key cap connecting portion 1622 and the first key base connecting portion 1624, respectively, and the second key holder 164 is connected to the holder connecting portion 14b of the key cap 14 and the holder connecting portion 12b of the base 12 via the second key cap connecting portion 1642 and the second key base connecting portion 1644, respectively. In addition, in the first embodiment, the second lifting mechanism 18 has the same structure as the first lifting mechanism 16, so that for the related description of the second lifting mechanism 18 (including the related description of the corresponding structures of the base 12 and the keycap 14), please refer to the related description of the first lifting mechanism 16, which is not repeated. In addition, in the first embodiment, the key cap 14 further includes a plurality of balance frame connecting portions 14c, and the two balance frames 15 are connected to the key cap 14 through the plurality of balance frame connecting portions 14c and connected to the base 12 through the plurality of balance frame connecting portions 12c of the base 12. The portion of the balance frame 15 held by the plurality of balance frame connecting portions 14c extends along the length direction of the key cap 14, and this structural configuration can improve the smoothness of the operation of the key cap 14 and is also beneficial to the rigidity of the whole structure of the key cap 14.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a partial exploded view of the key cap of the key structure of fig. 2. The key cap 14 includes a structural plate 142, two connecting

portions

144a and 144b (defining the connecting portion 144a as a first connecting portion 144a and the connecting portion 144b as a second connecting portion 144b), and a key cap cover 146. The

joints

144a, 144b are respectively bonded to the structural panel 142 such that the structural panel 142 and the

joints

144a, 144b together form the

brace connections

14a, 14b or the

joints

144a, 144b independently form the

brace connections

14a, 14b, respectively. A key cap 146 is secured to the structural plate 142. The key caps 146 and the

bracket connection portions

14a, 14b are located on the upper and lower sides of the structural plate 142. The user presses the key cap 14 by contacting the key cap cover 146. In practical applications, the structural plate 142 and the key cap cover 146 can be made of different materials, which can increase the overall structural design flexibility of the key cap 14 and contribute to the design of the overall structure rigidity and thinness of the key cap 14. For example, but not limiting of, structural plate 142 is a metal stamping, and key cap 146 is a plastic injection molded part; the latter facilitates the design of the appearance, feel, etc. of the key cap 14. In practical applications, the connecting

portions

144a, 144b may comprise plastic, resin or other polymer materials, but the molding method is not limited to injection molding, and the connecting portions are combined with the structural plate 142 by insert injection, for example. In addition, in the structural logic, the combination of the structural plate 142 and the first combining portion 144a is equivalent to one key frame connecting structure (the structure is integrated with the key cap 14, for the first key frame 162 to be connected to the key cap 14), and the combination of the structural plate 142 and the second combining portion 144b is equivalent to another key frame connecting structure (the structure is integrated with the key cap 14, for the second key frame 164 to be connected to the key cap 14).

Referring to fig. 4 to 8, fig. 4 is a schematic view of a portion of the keycap of fig. 2 at circle a, where the balancing stand is not shown; FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the structural plate and bonding portion of the key cap of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the structural panel of FIG. 5 from another perspective; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the key cap of FIG. 4 taken along line X-X; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the key cap of FIG. 4 taken along line Y-Y. In the first embodiment, the structural plate 142 has a combination structure 1422. The first coupling portion 144a is fixedly fitted to the coupling structure 1422 to be coupled to the structure plate 142. The connecting structure 1422 includes a protrusion 1422a, a through hole 1422b, a through hole 1422c, a side hole 1422d, a connecting hole 1422e, and a cantilever 1422 f. The protrusion 1422a is formed on one side (upward side in fig. 4, 5, 7, and 8) of the structural plate 142 and the groove 1422g is formed on the other side (downward side in fig. 4, 5, 7, and 8) of the structural plate 142; that is, in fig. 4, 5, 7, and 8, the protrusion 1422a protrudes above the structural plate 142, and the recess 1422g opens below the structural plate 142. The through hole 1422b, the through hole 1422c, and the side hole 1422d all penetrate the protrusion 1422 a; the through

holes

1422b and 1422c penetrate the top surface of the protrusion 1422a (i.e., where the lead indicated by the reference numeral "1422 a" in fig. 5 is located) (i.e., the through

holes

1422b and 1422c are formed on the top surface of the protrusion 1422), and the edge hole 1422d penetrates the sidewall 1422a 'of the protrusion 1422a, a portion of the top surface of the protrusion 1422a, and a portion of the structural plate 142 (i.e., the edge hole 1422d is partially formed on the top surface of the protrusion 1422a, partially formed on the sidewall 1422a', and partially formed on the body of the structural plate 142). The combining hole 1422e is disposed adjacent to the protrusion 1422a and is communicated with the recess 1422g, the cantilever 1422f is bent and extended from the edge of the combining hole 1422e (i.e., bent and extended upward in fig. 4, 5 and 8), and the combining hole 1422e is disposed between the protrusion 1422a and the cantilever 1422 f. The first coupling portion 144a fills the through hole 1422b, the through hole 1422c, the edge hole 1422d, the coupling hole 1422e, and the recess 1422g, and covers the protrusion 1422a and the cantilever 1422 f. In the view points of fig. 4, 5, 7, and 8, the first coupling portions 144a are simultaneously formed on both upper and lower sides of the protrusion 1422a (or are logically formed on both upper and lower sides of the structure plate 142). The through hole 1422b, the through hole 1422c, the side hole 1422d, and the combining hole 1422e all contribute to the molding of the first combining portion 144a (for example, increase the efficiency of mold filling during plastic injection, avoid the situation of mold unsaturation), and also contribute to the covering of the protrusion 1422a by the first combining portion 144a (thereby increasing the combining strength therebetween). Wherein, the cross-sectional area of the first combining portion 144a passing through the protrusion 1422a can be increased by the through hole 1422b, the through hole 1422c and the side hole 1422d, the upper tab 1442 (the portion above the protrusion 1422a) and the lower tab 1444 (the portion below the protrusion 1422a, or the portion in the groove 1422 g) of the first combining portion 144a can pass through the through hole 1422b, the through hole 1422c, the edge hole 1422d, and the connecting hole 1422e increase the connecting area (the edge hole 1422d penetrating the sidewall 1422a' can provide a larger structural connecting section for the upper tab 1442 and the lower tab 1444 than the through hole 1422c penetrating the top surface of the protrusion 1422a in principle), improve the clamping effect of the upper tab 1442 and the lower tab 1444 on the protrusion 1422a, contribute to the connecting strength between the first connecting portion 144a and the structural plate 142 (or the protrusion 1422a), and also improve the structural stability and the tensile strength of the bracket connecting portion 14 a.

In the first embodiment, the first coupling portion 144a independently forms the bracket coupling portion 14a and one balance frame coupling portion 14 c. The first coupling portion 144a includes a first hook arm 14d corresponding to the bracket connecting portion 14 a. The first hook arm 14d is formed on the protrusion 1422a to form the bracket connection portion 14 a. The first hook arm 14d is L-shaped to form a sliding slot 14e, and the first key holder 162 is slidably disposed in the sliding slot 14e through a first key cap connecting portion 1622 (a portion of the outline of which is shown in dashed lines in fig. 4) to be slidably connected with the holder connecting portion 14 a. The perforations 1422b align with the bracket connection 14 a; or, the penetration hole 1422b overlaps with a projection of the bracket connection portion 14a in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the vertical projection of the first hook arm 14d falls within the top surface of the protrusion 1422a (the outline of the first hook arm 14d on the protrusion 1422a is shown by a dotted line in fig. 5). This structural configuration helps to improve the structural bonding strength between the first bonding portion 144a (especially the bracket connecting portion 14a) and the protrusion 1422a, thereby improving the structural stability and tensile strength of the bracket connecting portion 14a (e.g., resisting the first hook arm 14d being pulled upward by the first key bracket 162 in the view of fig. 4 and 5). The projections of the first hook arm 14d and the through hole 1422b in the vertical direction are overlapped, and the through hole 1422c and the side hole 1422d are located at the front and rear sides of the bracket connection portion 14a, so that the tensile strength of the bracket connection portion 14a (or the first hook arm 14d) can be effectively improved. In addition, in the first embodiment, although the first combining portion 144a forms the bracket connecting portion 14a independently, in practical applications, the bracket connecting portion 14a may be formed by the first combining portion 144a and the protrusion 1422a together, for example, the top surface of the protrusion 1422a is used as the bottom of the sliding slot 14 e.

The first coupling portion 144a further includes a first clamp arm 14f and a second clamp arm 14g corresponding to the gimbal connecting portion 14 c. The first clamping arm 14f is formed on the protrusion 1422a, the second clamping arm 14g covers the cantilever plate 1422f, and the first clamping arm 14f and the second clamping arm 14g form a gimbal connecting portion 14 c. The two opposite concave walls of the first clamping arm 14f and the second clamping arm 14g define a shaft groove 14h for the balance bracket 15 to pass through. The projections of the first clamping arm 14f and the second clamping arm 14g (of the gimbal connecting portion 14c) in the vertical direction are respectively overlapped with the through hole 1422c and the cantilever plate 1422g (the dotted lines in fig. 5 show the outlines of the first clamping arm 14f and the second clamping arm 14g on the protrusion 1422a and the cantilever plate 1422f), so that the tensile strength of the gimbal connecting portion 14c (or the first clamping arm 14f and the second clamping arm 14g) can be effectively increased (for example, the capability of resisting the gimbal pulling the first clamping arm 14f and the second clamping arm 14g upwards in the viewing angles of fig. 4 and 5). This configuration helps to improve the bonding strength between the gimbal connecting portion 14c and the bonding structure 1422, thereby improving the structural stability and tensile strength of the gimbal connecting portion 14 c. In addition, in the view shown in fig. 4 and 5, the bottom of the holding space (i.e., the shaft slot 14h) of the balance frame connecting portion 14c to the balance frame 15 is slightly higher than the structural plate 142, and the structural plate 142 leaves the space through the combining hole 1422e to increase the structural strength of the balance frame connecting portion 14 c. The coupling hole 1422e communicates with the recess 1422g, and contributes to the coupling strength between the gimbal connecting portion 14c and the projection 1422 a. As shown in fig. 4, the protrusions 1422a, the coupling holes 1422e, and the cantilever 1422f are arranged along a first direction D1 (shown by a double-headed arrow), and a width 1422e '(or aperture) of the coupling holes 1422e along a second direction D2 (shown by a double-headed arrow perpendicular to the first direction D1) is greater than a width 1422a ″ of the protrusion 1422a (adjacent to the coupling hole 1422 e) along the second direction D2 and greater than a width 1422f' of the cantilever 1422f along the second direction D2. The portion of the combining hole 1422e adjacent to the protrusion 1422a has a larger size, which is advantageous for applying millimeter-scale precision machining and precision plastic machining. When machining the structural board 142, the larger combination hole 1422e facilitates cutting out the cantilever board 1422f and the through hole 1422c in a specific shape, and the larger combination hole 1422e also facilitates molding the protrusion 1422a in a specific size/shape at a position corresponding to the cantilever board 1422 f. During injection molding, the plastic material can completely fill the space of the recess 1422g under the protrusion 1422a, thereby avoiding mold unsaturation. In practical applications, although the wider the cantilever plate 1422f, the greater the pulling resistance, the less the plastic is able to penetrate the gimbal connecting portion 14c covering the cantilever plate 1422f, and the more the gimbal connecting portion 14c is too bulky to occupy unnecessary space.

Referring to fig. 9 to 12, fig. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a variation of the cantilever plate of fig. 5; FIG. 10 is a schematic view of another variation of the cantilever plate of FIG. 5; FIG. 11 is a schematic view of another variation of the cantilever plate of FIG. 5; fig. 12 is a schematic view illustrating another variation of the cantilever plate of fig. 5. In the first embodiment, the cantilever plate 1422f has a holding structure 1422h, which can increase the bonding strength between the first bonding portion 144a (or the balance frame connecting portion 14c) and the cantilever plate 1422f (or increase the ability to resist the separation of the first bonding portion 144a and the cantilever plate 1422 f). In the first embodiment, the holding structure 1422h is a necked-down portion of the cantilever 1422f, and is located between the fixed end and the free end of the cantilever 1422 f. The necking portion can increase the contact area of the first coupling portion 144a with the cantilever plate 1422f and the degree of structural interference with the first coupling portion 144 a. The cantilever plate 1422f is generally T-shaped, and the difference in width between the head and body serves as a structural basis for the constriction, but the actual application is not limited thereto. For example, the cantilever plate 1422f can be made of a cantilever plate 1423a with a substantially constant width, as shown in fig. 9; a notch is formed between the fixed end and the free end of the cantilever 1423a, which is also used as a necking part 1423b (shown in the figure by a dashed line). For another example, the cantilever plate 1422f may be formed by a cantilever plate 1423c with gradually changed width, as shown in fig. 10; the width of the cantilever 1423a increases from the fixed end to the free end, and the two sides of the cantilever 1423c can be logically used as a necking part 1423d (shown by a dashed line frame). In addition, the holding structure 1422h can also be realized by other structures in practical applications, such as a through hole 1423f (or a blind hole, or a saw-tooth structure formed on two sides of the cantilever 1423 e) formed on the cantilever 1423e as shown in fig. 11. For another example, the holding structure 1422h can also be implemented by a combination of the aforementioned structures, such as the cantilever plate 1423g shown in fig. 12, in which the holding structure (shown in the figure by the dashed line) includes a necking portion located on one side of the cantilever plate 1423g and a bevel edge (or a side edge with gradually changed width) located on the other side of the cantilever plate 1423g, so as to serve as the holding structure. The

cantilever plates

1423a, 1423c, 1423e, and 1423g according to the above-described modifications can increase the bonding strength with the first bonding portion 144a by the degree of structural interference with the first bonding portion 144 a.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the cantilever plate 1422f itself is a flat plate structure, i.e., the plate body 1420 of the structural plate 142 is bent only once and extends upward. When the second clamping arm 14g pulls the cantilever plate 1422f upward, the cantilever plate 1422f itself will bear only axial stress (i.e. parallel to the extending direction) and no bending stress, and the moment generated by the upward pulling force of the second clamping arm 14g on the cantilever plate 1422f on the fixed end of the cantilever plate 1422f (i.e. at the bent position from the plate body 1420) is also small, so the bending stress borne by the fixed end of the cantilever plate 1422f is also small. This structural characteristic allows the cantilever 1422f to deform slightly when subjected to an upward pulling force, which helps to maintain the structural stability of the cantilever 1422f itself and the first connecting portion 144a (or the gimbal connecting portion 14 c).

In addition, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, in the first embodiment, the balance frame connecting portion 14c is close to the bracket connecting portion 14a, so that both structures are integrated and made of a single first combining portion 144 a. The structural plate 142 (or the plate body 1420 thereof) has a side edge 142a, and the balance frame connecting portion 14c is located between the support connecting portion 14a and the side edge 142 a. The combining structure 1422 is close to the side edge 142a, and the space for the combining structure 1422 to be arranged on the structural plate 142 is limited. The cantilever 1422f is disposed between the protrusion 1422a and the side 142a, which can be used for structural integration and space utilization. In practical applications, the balance frame connecting portion 14c and the support frame connecting portion 14a may be formed separately and individually if space permits. In addition, the structure of the combining structure 1422 corresponding to the gimbal connecting portion 14c (including part of the protrusion 1422a, the through hole 1422c, the combining hole 1422e, and the cantilever plate 1422f) can also be applied to the structure of the combining structure 1422 corresponding to the bracket connecting portion 14a, as the structure space allows; and vice versa.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 3, and fig. 13 to fig. 15, fig. 13 is a schematic view of a portion of the key cap of fig. 2 at circle B, wherein the balance frame is not shown; FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the structural plate and bonding portion of the key cap of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the key cap of FIG. 13 taken along line Z-Z. In the first embodiment, the structural plate 142 has another combining structure 1424 corresponding to the bracket connecting portion 14 b. The connecting structure 1424 includes a protrusion 1424a, a through hole 1424b, a side hole 1424c, and a side hole 1424 d. The protrusion 1424a is formed on one side (e.g., the upward side in fig. 13-15) of the structural plate 142 and the recess 1424e is formed on the other side (e.g., the downward side in fig. 13-15) of the structural plate 142; that is, in fig. 13 to 15, the protrusion 1424a protrudes toward the upper side of the structural plate 142, and the recess 1424e opens toward the lower side of the structural plate 142. The through hole 1424b, the side hole 1424c, and the side hole 1424d all penetrate the protrusion 1424 a; the through hole 1424b penetrates through a top surface of the protrusion 1424a (i.e., where a lead indicated by a reference numeral "1424a" in fig. 14 is located) (i.e., the through hole 1424b is formed on the top surface of the protrusion 1422), the

side holes

1424c and 1424d penetrate through the side walls 1424a 'on two opposite sides of the protrusion 1424a, a portion of the top surface of the protrusion 1424a, and a portion of the structural plate 142 (i.e., the

side holes

1424c and 1424d are partially formed on the top surface of the protrusion 1424a, and a portion of the side walls 1424a' and a portion of the body of the structural plate 142), and the through hole 1424b is located between the

side holes

1424c and 1424 d. The second combining portion 144b fills the through hole 1424b, the edge hole 1424c, the edge hole 1424d, and the recess 1424e, and covers the protrusion 1424 a. In the view points of fig. 13 to 15, the second combining portions 144b are simultaneously formed on both upper and lower sides of the protrusion 1424a (or are logically formed on both upper and lower sides of the structure plate 142). The through hole 1424b, the side hole 1424c, and the side hole 1424d both contribute to the molding of the second connecting portion 144b (for example, increase the mold filling efficiency during plastic injection, avoid mold unsaturation), and also contribute to the covering of the protrusion 1424a by the second connecting portion 144b (thereby increasing the bonding strength therebetween). Through the through hole 1424b, the side hole 1424c, and the side hole 1424d, the cross-sectional area of the second connecting portion 144b passing through the protrusion 1424a can be increased, the upper tab 1446 (the portion above the protrusion 1424a) and the lower tab 1448 (the portion below the protrusion 1424a, or the portion inside the groove 1424 e) of the second connecting portion 144b can increase the connecting area through the through hole 1424b, the side hole 1424c, and the side hole 1424d, so as to improve the clamping effect of the upper tab 1446 and the lower tab 1448 on the protrusion 1424a, facilitate the connecting strength between the second connecting portion 144b and the structural plate 142 (or the protrusion 1424a), and also improve the structural stability and tensile strength of the bracket connecting portion 14 b.

In the first embodiment, the second coupling portion 144b independently forms the bracket connection portion 14 b. The second combining portion 144b includes a first hook arm 14i and a second hook arm 14j, and the first hook arm 14i and the second hook arm 14j are oppositely formed on the top surface of the protrusion 1424a for forming the bracket connecting portion 14 b. The two opposite concave walls of the first hook arm 14i and the second hook arm 14j together define a shaft groove 14k, and the second key holder 164 is rotatably disposed in the shaft groove 14k through a second key cap connection portion 1642 (a part of the outline of which is shown by a dotted line in fig. 13) to be rotatably connected with the holder connection portion 14 b. The perforations 1424b align with the bracket connection 14 b; or, the penetration hole 1424b overlaps with a projection of the bracket connection portion 14b in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the vertical projections of the first hook arm 14i and the second hook arm 14j are within the top surface of the protrusion 1424a (the outlines of the first hook arm 14i and the second hook arm 14j on the protrusion 1424a are shown by dashed lines in fig. 14). This structural configuration helps to improve the bonding strength between the second bonding portion 144b (especially the bracket connecting portion 14b) and the protrusion 1424a, thereby improving the structural stability and tensile strength of the bracket connecting portion 14b (e.g., resisting the ability of the second key bracket 164 to pull the first hook arm 14i and the second hook arm 14j upward in the viewing angles of fig. 13 and 14). The first hook arm 14i and the second hook arm 14j are respectively overlapped with the

side holes

1424c and 1424d in vertical projection, so as to effectively increase the tensile strength of the bracket connecting portion 14b (or the first hook arm 14i and the second hook arm 14 j). In addition, in the first embodiment, although the second combining portion 144b forms the axial slot 14k of the bracket connecting portion 14b independently, in practical applications, the bracket connecting portion 14b may be formed by the second combining portion 144b and the protrusion 1424a together, for example, the top surface of the protrusion 1424a is used as the bottom of the axial slot 14 k.

In the first embodiment, the combination structure 1422 is used to combine the corresponding bracket connection portion 14a (including the first hook arm 14d) and the local structure of the gimbal connection portion 14c, and the combination structure 1424 is used to combine the corresponding bracket connection portion 14b, but the invention is not limited thereto. The coupling structure between the structure plate 142 and the

bracket coupling parts

14a and 14b and the balance bar coupling part 14c is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, as shown in fig. 16, in the second embodiment, the combination structure 1424' corresponding to the bracket connection portion 14b includes a through hole 1424f, a cantilever plate 1424g, and a convex bridge portion 1424h in addition to the convex portion 1424 a. The through hole 1424f, the protruding bridge 1424h, and the cantilever 1424g are all located on the top surface of the protrusion 1424 a. The cantilever 1424g is bent and extended from the edge of the through hole 1424f, and the protruding bridge 1424h crosses and connects to two sides of the through hole 1424f relative to the cantilever 1424g (i.e. the projection of the through hole 1424f in the vertical direction is divided into two parts, or the protruding bridge 1424h divides the through hole 1424f into side hole parts 1424i, which are located on two sides of the protruding bridge 1424h with the cantilever 1424 g; on the other hand, the through hole 1424f can also be regarded as located between the protruding bridge 1424h and the cantilever 1424g in the structural logic). The second combining portion 144b fills the through hole 1424f and the groove 1424e and covers the cantilever plate 1424g and the protruding bridge 1424h (wherein the first hook arm 14i and the second hook arm 14j respectively cover the cantilever plate 1424g and the protruding bridge 1424h to form the bracket connecting portion 14 b. this structural configuration helps to improve the combining strength between the first hook arm 14i and the second hook arm 14j and the combining structure 1424', and further improves the structural stability of the bracket connecting portion 14 b.

Referring to fig. 16, fig. 16 is an exploded view of a structural panel and a joint according to a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the cantilever 1424g has a structure similar to the cantilever 1422f of the combination structure 1422 in the first embodiment, and also has a holding structure 1424j, which can increase the combination strength between the corresponding first hook arm 14i and the cantilever 1424 g. For other descriptions of the holding structure 1424j, please refer to the above-mentioned cantilever plate 1422f and related descriptions of variations thereof, which are not repeated herein. In addition, in the second embodiment, the connecting interface (shown in fig. 16 by dotted lines) between the protruding bridge 1424h and the combining hole 1424f is curved, which increases the moment of inertia of the protruding bridge 1424h and increases the resistance of the protruding bridge 1424h to being pulled by the bracket connecting portion 14 b. In addition, in the second embodiment, the combination structure 1424' is not limited to simultaneously disposing the cantilever plate 1424g and the protruding bridge portion 1424 h. For example, in the combined structure 1424', the cantilever plate 1424g is changed to a bridge portion, or the bridge portion 1424h is changed to a cantilever plate. For another example, in the combining structure 1424', the cantilever plate 1424g and the protruding bridge portion 1424h are alternatively retained, and structures like the through hole 1424b and the side hole 1424d in the combining structure 1424 may be further added.

In addition, based on the above description of the combination structures 1422, 1424' for combining the partial structures of the corresponding bracket connection portion 14a (including the first hook arm 14d), the bracket connection portion 14b (including the first hook arm 14i and the second hook arm 14j), and the gimbal connection portion 14c (including the first clamping arm 14f and the second clamping arm 14g), in practical applications, the combination of the

bracket connection portions

14a, 14b and the gimbal connection portion 14c with the structural plate 142 can be achieved by using structural features such as protrusions, cantilever plates, combination holes, and through holes, or a combination thereof, which will not be described in detail herein. For example, in the first embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, the combining structure 1422 may be provided with a cantilever plate at the edge of the through hole 1422b, and the bracket connecting portion 14a covers the cantilever plate, which may improve the structural stability of the bracket connecting portion 14 a.

Referring to fig. 2, 3, 17 and 18, fig. 17 is an exploded view of the structural plate and the pressing portion of the key cap of fig. 2 at circle C; FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the key cap of FIG. 2 taken along line Z-Z. In the first embodiment, the key cap 14 includes a pressing portion 148 corresponding to the elastic restoring member 22 (a portion of the outline is shown in dashed lines in fig. 18). The structural plate 142 includes a second combining hole 1426 and two second protrusions 1428, wherein the two second protrusions 1428 protrude from two opposite sides of the second combining hole 1426. The pressing portion 148 fills the second combining hole 1426 and covers the second protrusion 1428, so as to be fixed on the structural plate 142; in practical applications, the pressing portion 148 can also be fixed to the structural plate 142 through other combining structures, which is not described herein. The pressing portion 148 has a pre-stressed area 1482 facing the elastic restoring member 22 and capable of providing the elastic restoring member 22 with a predetermined pressure (i.e. by the pre-stressed area 1482 abutting against the top 22a of the elastic restoring member 22). When the key cap 14 is pressed, the elastic restoring member 22 is pressed by the pre-pressing region 1482. In the first embodiment, the pre-stress region 1482 is the bottom of the groove. The depth 1482a of the pre-stressed region 1482 (i.e., the depth of the groove) may be determined according to product specifications (e.g., requirements for press feedback force) or product manufacturing requirements (e.g., differences in mechanical properties of different batches of the elastic restoring member 22), for example, to control the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic restoring member 22 to provide a desired pressing feel to the user. In practical applications, the pressing portion 148 can be fixed on the structural plate 142 by, but not limited to, insert-injection, which is beneficial to adjust the depth 1482a of the pre-pressing region 1482 with low modification cost, without modifying the structure of the whole key cap 14. In addition, the projection of the top 22a of the elastic restoring member 22 in the vertical direction is located in the projection of the second combining hole 1426 in the vertical direction, so that the second combining hole 1426 has a structure avoiding function, so that the pre-pressing region 1482 is located in the second combining hole 1426, and the adjustment range of the depth 1482a of the pre-pressing region 1482 can be increased. In practical applications, the pre-stressed region 1482 may also be implemented with a rib structure 1482b (shown in fig. 2, 17, and 18 by dashed lines), and the rib structure 1482b may be, but is not limited to, radial. At this time, the rib structure 1482b pushes with its top against the top 22a of the resilient restoring member 22. Similarly, modifying the protruding height of the rib structure 1482b (or the thickness of the rib structure 1482 b) can produce the effects (e.g., adjusting the pressing feeling) produced by the modified depth 1482a, which are not described in detail herein.

In the first embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, the structural plate 142 includes a plate body 1420, two side wall plates 1430 extending parallel to each other and a reinforcing rib structure 1432 formed protruding from the plate body 1420, which all contribute to enhancing the rigidity of the structural plate 142. The plate body 1420 is in a long and narrow rectangular shape, and the sidewall plate 1430 is located at a long side of the plate body 1420 (e.g., the side 142a, corresponding to the long side 140a of the key cap 14). The side wall panels 1430 provided on the long sides of the panel body 1420 have a greater effect on the rigidity of the structural panel 142 than on the short sides of the panel body 1420 in principle. Furthermore, the first elevating mechanism 16 and the second elevating mechanism 18 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the key cap 14 (i.e., in the direction parallel to the side 140a), the two side wall panels 1430 extend corresponding to the long sides 140a of the key cap 14 (also corresponding to the two long sides of the key cap 146 and the two long sides of the plate body 1420 of the structural plate 142), the two side wall panels 1430 cover the middle sections of the key cap cover 146 and the structural plate 142 that are less rigid in the longitudinal direction, therefore, the rigidity of the key cap 146 and the structural plate 142 can be effectively enhanced, so as to suppress or eliminate the deformation generated by the local forces driven by the first lifting mechanism 16, the second lifting mechanism 18 and the balance bracket 15, therefore, the first lifting mechanism 16, the second lifting mechanism 18 and the balance bracket 15 can locally and balancedly transmit driving force through the cap 146 and the structural plate 142, so that the key cap 146 and the structural plate 142 are kept horizontal when moving up and down integrally. In addition, in practical applications, if the structural plate 142 can provide enough rigidity, the cap 146 can be omitted; the appearance of the keycaps can also be achieved by other methods, such as forming a coating on the structural plate 142.

Referring to fig. 2 and 19, fig. 19 is an exploded view of the structural plate and the bonding portion of the key cap shown in circle D in fig. 2. In the first embodiment, the key cap 14 further includes a reinforcing plate 141 attached to the structural plate 142, which also helps to increase the rigidity of the structural plate 142. In practical applications, the reinforcing plate 141 can be omitted if the rigidity of the structural plate 142 is sufficient. As shown in fig. 2 and 19, the key cap 14 further includes a third coupling portion 144c, the structure plate 142 correspondingly includes a coupling structure 1434, and the third coupling portion 144c and the coupling structure 1434 are fixedly engaged with each other to form a gimbal connecting portion 14 c. Similarly, the combination of the structural plate 142 and the third combining portion 144c also corresponds to a key frame connecting structure (the structure is integrated with the key cap 14 for connecting the balance frame 15 to the key cap 14) in structural logic. In the first embodiment, the combining structure 1434 includes a combining hole 1434a, a protrusion 1434b and a cantilever plate 1434 c. The protrusion protrudes from one side of the structural plate (e.g., the upward side in fig. 19) and forms a groove 1434d on the other side of the structural plate 142 (e.g., the downward side in fig. 19). The engagement aperture 1434a is disposed adjacent to the projection 1434b and communicates with the recess 1434d, and the engagement aperture 1434a is located between the projection 1434b and the cantilevered plate 1434 c. The third combining part 144c fills the combining hole 1434a and the groove 1434d, and includes a protrusion 1434b and a cantilever plate 1434 c; the third connecting portion 144c includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm (similar to the first clamping arm 14f and the second clamping arm 14g in the first connecting portion 144b, and not numbered in the drawings) for forming a gimbal connecting portion 14c, which are respectively formed on the protrusion 1434b and cover the cantilever plate 1434 c. The protruding portion 1434b, the coupling hole 1434a, and the cantilever plate 1434c are arranged along the first direction D1, and the coupling hole 1434a is located between the protruding portion 1434b and the cantilever plate 1434 c. A width 1434a ' (or aperture) of the coupling hole 1434a in the second direction D2 is greater than a width 1434b ' of the protrusion 1434b in the second direction D2 and greater than a width 1434c ' of the cantilever plate 1434c in the second direction D2. Logically, the structure of the connection structure 1434 is similar to a partial structure of the connection structure 1422 (i.e., the structure corresponding to the gimbal connecting portion 14c in fig. 4 and 5). For other descriptions of the combining structure 1434 and the third combining portion 144c, please refer to the related descriptions of the combining structure 142, the first combining portion 144a and the variations thereof, which are not repeated herein. For the combination of the other balance frame connecting portions 14c of the key cap 14 and the structure plate 142, please refer to the combination description of the first combining portion 144a, the third combining portion 144c and the structure plate 142, which is not repeated herein. In addition, the connection relationship between the third connection portion 144c and the structure plate 142 (via the connection structure 1434) can also be applied to the connection relationship between the first connection portion 144a (corresponding to the bracket connection portion 14a) and the second connection portion 144b and the structure plate 142. For example, from a structural logical point of view, the first and second gripping arms in the third joint portion 144c (or after suitable modification) can be considered as the first and

second hook arms

14i and 14j of the second joint portion 144b (for forming the bracket connecting portion 14 b); in other words, the combining structure 1434 can replace the combining structure 1424 for the second combining portion 144b to be combined to the structural plate 142.

In addition, in the first embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the combining

portions

144a, 144b, 144c are coplanar with the top surface 142b of the structural plate 142, so as to increase the attaching area between the keycap cover 146 and the structural plate 142; but the practical application is not limited to this. In practical applications, the connecting

portions

144a, 144b, 144c can protrude from the top surface 142b of the structural plate 142 and extend on the top surface 142b, so as to increase the structural strength between the connecting

portions

144a, 144b, 144c and the structural plate 142 (for example, in fig. 7 and 8, the dashed line indicates that the lower wing portion 1444 is modified to protrude from the top surface 142b and cover a portion of the top surface 142 b). At this time, the keycap cover 146 may form an escape space on the bottom surface 146a thereof, corresponding to the

joint portions

144a, 144b, 144c (or the portion thereof protruding from the top surface 142 b), so that the keycap cover 146 can still be effectively attached to the top surface 142b of the structure plate 142 without generating structural interference with the

joint portions

144a, 144b, 144 c. Alternatively, the avoidance space matches the protruding contour of the

joint portions

144a, 144b, and 144c, so that the inner wall surface of the avoidance space is also attached to the

joint portions

144a, 144b, and 144 c.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the first lifting mechanism 16 is made of a scissors foot bracket, but the practical application is not limited thereto. For example, the first lifting mechanism 16 is formed by a V-shaped butterfly foot support or an inverted V-shaped bat support, and the

support connection portions

14a and 14b are correspondingly formed by suitable structures, which are not described in detail. In addition, in the first embodiment, the key structure 1 is a blank key and two lifting

mechanisms

16 and 18 are used to support the key cap 14, and in practical applications, more lifting mechanisms may be used according to the actual structural requirements, and the arrangement is not limited to a single row. In addition, in practical applications, the key structure 1 can also be applied to a single-key (or square key), multiple-key (or long key) or other geometric-contour key structures through appropriate structural modifications. For example, referring to fig. 20 and 21, fig. 20 is a partial exploded view of a key structure according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the structural plate and bonding portion of the key cap of FIG. 20. The key structure 3 according to the third embodiment is a single-key, and includes a base 32, a key cap 34, a lifting mechanism 36, a switch 38 and an elastic restoring member 40. The key cap 34 is disposed on the base 32, and the lifting mechanism 36 is connected between the key cap 34 and the base 32, such that the key cap 34 can move vertically (or move up and down) relative to the base 32 via the lifting mechanism 36. A switch 38 (shown in phantom circles; such as but not limited to being formed from a thin film circuit board) is disposed beneath keycap 34. The elastic reset piece 40 is disposed between the base 32 and the key cap 34 corresponding to the switch 38, and between the key cap 34 and the switch 38. Keycap 34 may be depressed to press down on resilient return 40 to trigger switch 38. The key structure 3 is similar to the key structure 1 in structural logic, and other descriptions of the components of the key structure 3 are not repeated except for the following descriptions, please refer to the key structure 1 and the related descriptions of the variations thereof.

In the third embodiment, the key cap 34 includes a structural plate 342, two

bonding portions

344a and 344b, and a key cap 346. The structural plate 342 has two

coupling structures

3422, 3424. The

coupling portions

344a, 344b are fixedly engaged with each other by coupling

structures

3422, 3424, respectively, to couple with the structural plate 142. A key cap 346 is secured to the structural plate 342 for contact depression by a user. The

coupling portions

344a, 344b independently form the

bracket coupling portions

34a, 34b, respectively. The lifting mechanism 36 includes a first key support 362 and a second key support 364 pivotally connected to each other and connected between the key cap 34 and the base 32. The first key holder 362 is connected to the holder connector 34a of the key cap 34, and the second key holder 364 is connected to the holder connector 34b of the key cap 34. The combining structure 3422 includes a combining hole 3422a and two protrusions 3422b disposed on two opposite sides of the combining hole 3422a, and the combining portion 344a fills the combining hole 3422a and covers the two protrusions 3422b (and fills the grooves formed therein) to be fixed to the structural plate 342. The connecting structure 3424 includes a protrusion 3424a, a through hole 3424b, and

side holes

3424c and 3424 d. The protrusion 3424a is on one side (upward side in fig. 21) of the structural plate 342 and the groove 3424e is formed on the other side (downward side in fig. 21) of the structural plate 342; that is, in fig. 21, the protrusion 3424a protrudes above the structural plate 342, and the groove 3424e opens below the structural plate 342. The through hole 3424b and the

side holes

3424c and 3424d penetrate the protrusion 3424 a. The coupling portion 344b fills the coupling hole 3422a, the through hole 3424b, the

side holes

3424c, 3424d and the groove 3424e and covers the protrusion 3424a to be fixed to the structural plate 342. In terms of structural logic, the combination of the combining portion 344b and the combining structure 3424 is equivalent to the combination of the second combining portion 144b and the combining structure 1424, so as to refer to the combination of the second combining portion 144b and the combining structure 1424 and the related descriptions of the variation thereof in relation to other descriptions of the combination of the combining portion 344b and the combining structure 3424, which are not further described. In practical applications, the combination of the combining

portions

344a, 344b and the structure plate 342 can also be implemented by referring to the combination of the combining

portions

144a, 144b, 144c and the structure plate 142 in the key structure 1 and the variation thereof, which is not described in detail herein. Similarly, the combination of the combining

portions

344a, 344b and the structure plate 342 can also be applied to the combination of the combining

portions

144a, 144b, 144c and the structure plate 142, which is not described in detail herein. In addition, logically, the combination of the structure plate 342 and the combining portion 344a is equivalent to a key frame connecting structure (the structure is integrated with the key cap 34 for the first key frame 362 to be connected to the key cap 34), and the combination of the structure plate 342 and the combining portion 344b is equivalent to another key frame connecting structure (the structure is integrated with the key cap 34 for the second key frame 364 to be connected to the key cap 34).

In addition, in the third embodiment, the first key holder 362 and the second key holder 364 are both annular, so that the elastic restoring element 40 can be disposed through the first key holder 362 and the second key holder 364 without generating structural interference to the operation of the lifting mechanism 36. Keycap 34 includes a pressing portion 348 corresponding to elastic restoring member 40. The structural plate 342 includes a second coupling hole 3426 and two second protrusions 3428, wherein the two protrusions 3428 protrude from two opposite sides of the second coupling hole 3426. The pressing portion 348 fills the second coupling hole 3426 and covers the two second protrusions 3428, so as to be fixed to the structural plate 342. Pressing portion 348 has a pre-stressed area 3482 facing elastic restoring member 40 and capable of providing a pre-set pressure of elastic restoring member 40 (i.e. by pre-stressed area 3482 against top 40a of elastic restoring member 40). When the key cap 34 is pressed, the elastic restoring member 40 is pressed by the pre-pressing area 3482. For other descriptions of the pressing portion 348 and the opening 3426, refer to the above descriptions of the pressing portion 148, the opening 1426 and their variations, which are not repeated herein.

As described above, in the

key structures

1 and 3, the

key caps

12 and 32 and the key frame connecting structure structurally integrated with the

key caps

12 and 32 are all combined structures, and the

structure plates

142 and 342 and the connecting

portions

144a, 144b, 144c, 344a and 344b made of different materials can be used, so that sufficient rigidity can be easily obtained, the structural design flexibility of the

key caps

12 and 32 and the

key structures

1 and 3 can be improved, the design limitation of the key caps with a single structure in the prior art can be solved or at least improved, and the key structures can be favorably thinned. The connecting

portions

144a, 144b, 144c, 344a, 344b and the

pressing portions

148, 348 are directly fixed on the

structural plates

142, 342, so that the

structural plates

142, 342 can directly bear the force transmission when the

key structure

1, 3 is actuated. The structural configuration can effectively maintain the stability of the

keycaps

14 and 34, and can also stabilize the

key structures

1 and 3. In addition, the portions of

keycaps

14 and 34 contacting elastic restoring

members

22 and 40 are formed by pressing

portions

148 and 348, and the structural configuration facilitates adjustment of the structural dimensions (i.e., the structural dimensions of pre-stressed regions 1482 and 3482) to meet product specifications or product manufacturing requirements in a simple manner at a low modification cost.

In addition, the above embodiments and the variations thereof are described by taking the key frame connecting structure integrated with the

key caps

12, 32 as an example; but the practical application is not limited to this. For example, please refer to fig. 22 and 23, fig. 22 is a partial exploded view of a key structure according to a fourth embodiment; fig. 23 is an exploded view of the structural panels and joints of the base of fig. 22. A key structure 4 according to a fourth embodiment comprises a base 42, a key cap 44, a lifting mechanism 46, a switch 48 and an elastic restoring member 50. The keycap 44 is disposed over the base 42. The lifting mechanism 46 (including the first key support 462 and the second key support 464 pivotally connected to each other) is connected between the key cap 44 and the base 42, so that the key cap 44 can move vertically (or move up and down) relative to the base 42 via the lifting mechanism 46. A switch 48 (shown in phantom circles; such as but not limited to being formed from a thin film circuit board) is disposed beneath keycap 44. The elastic reset piece 50 is disposed between the base 42 and the key cap 44 corresponding to the switch 48, and is located between the key cap 44 and the switch 48. Keycap 44 can be depressed to press down on resilient return 50 to trigger switch 48. The key structure 4 is similar to the key structure 3 in structural logic, and other descriptions of the components of the key structure 4 are not repeated except for the following descriptions, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the key structure 3.

In the fourth embodiment, the base 42 includes a structural plate 422 and two connecting

portions

424a and 424 b. The structural plate 422 has two

coupling structures

4222, 4224. The

coupling portions

424a, 424b are fixedly fitted to each other by coupling

structures

4222, 4224, respectively, to couple with the structural plate 422. The

coupling portions

424a, 424b independently form the

bracket coupling portions

42a, 42b, respectively. The first key holder 462 is connected to the holder connecting portion 42a of the base 42, and the second key holder 464 is connected to the holder connecting portion 42b of the base 42. The structures of the

combination structures

4222 and 4224 are equivalent to the structure of the combination structure 3424 in the key structure 3, so as to simplify the description; the combination of the connecting

portions

424a and 424b and the

combination structures

4222 and 4224 is also equivalent to the combination of the connecting portion 344b and the combination structure 3424. For the combination of the combining

portions

424a and 424b and the combining

structures

4222 and 4224, please refer to the related description of the combination of the combining portion 344b and the combining structure 3424, which is not repeated herein. However, the practical application is not limited to this. In addition, in practical applications, the structural plate 422 may have side wall plates (in fig. 23, one of the side walls is shown by a dotted line) extending from each side edge of the structural plate 422, so as to enhance the structural strength of the structural plate 422.

In addition, in structural logic, the combination of the structural plate 422 and the combining portion 424a is equivalent to one key holder connecting structure (the structure is integrated in the base 42 for the first key holder 462 to be connected to the base 42), and the combination of the structural plate 442 and the combining portion 424b is equivalent to another key holder connecting structure (the structure is integrated in the base 42 for the second key holder 464 to be connected to the base 42). Therefore, the fourth embodiment is exemplified by the key frame connecting structure integrated to the base 42. The key support connecting structure structurally integrated to the base 42 is a combined structure, and the structure plate 422 and the connecting

portions

424a and 424b made of different materials can be used, so that sufficient rigidity can be easily obtained, the structural design flexibility of the base 42 and the key structure 4 can be improved, and the key structure can be designed in a thin manner. In practical applications, the connection structure between the lifting mechanism 46 and the key cap 44 in the key structure 4 can also be a connection structure between the lifting mechanism 36 and the key cap 34 in the key structure 3 (for example, a key frame connection structure structurally integrated with the key cap 32), which is not described in detail herein. Similarly, the connection structure between the lifting mechanism 46 and the base 42 in the key structure 4 (e.g., the key support connection structure structurally integrated with the base 42) can also be applied to the connection structure between the lifting mechanism 36 and the base 32 in the key structure 3, and the connection structure between the first lifting mechanism 16 and the base 12 in the key structure 1, which are not described in detail herein.

In summary, in the key holder connecting structure and the key structure of the present invention, the key holder connecting structure is a combined structure, and the structural plate and the connecting portion made of different materials can be used, so that sufficient rigidity can be easily obtained, and the structural design flexibility of the key holder connecting structure and the key structure can be further improved. In addition, the convex part, the through hole, the side hole, the combination hole, the cantilever plate and the convex bridge part on the structural plate can improve the combination strength between the combination part and the structural plate and ensure that the bracket connecting part can obtain good structural strength. Therefore, the key support connecting structure and the key structure can solve or improve the design problem of the structure connected with the support in the prior art, and can be more suitable for the thin design.

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

1. A key-holder connection structure, comprising:

2. The key-holder connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one side hole comprises two side holes, the two side holes penetrate through the side walls of the opposite sides of the protrusion, and the through hole is located between the two side holes.

3. A key-holder connection structure, comprising:

4. The key frame connecting structure according to claim 3, wherein the structural plate includes a through hole penetrating a top surface of the protrusion.

5. The key holder connecting structure according to claim 3, wherein the structure plate includes a side hole penetrating through a side wall of the protrusion.

6. The key holder connecting structure according to claim 3, wherein the cantilever plate is bent and extended from the edge of the coupling hole and has a retaining structure.

7. The key holder connection structure according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion, the coupling hole and the cantilever plate are arranged in a first direction, a width of the coupling hole in a second direction is larger than a width of the protrusion in the second direction and larger than a width of the cantilever plate in the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

8. A key-holder connection structure, comprising:

9. The key holder connecting structure according to claim 8, wherein the convex bridge portion is connected to both sides of the coupling hole in a crossing manner, and a connection interface between the convex bridge portion and the coupling hole is curved.

10. The key holder attachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the structure plate comprises a plate body and a side wall plate extending perpendicularly from a long-side middle section of the plate body.

11. The key-holder connecting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the combining portion forms a gimbal connecting portion between the holder connecting portion and the side edge of the structural plate.

12. A key structure, comprising:

a base;

a keycap disposed on the base;

the key-holder attachment structure of any one of claims 1-9 integrated into the base or the keycap;