CN117954256A

CN117954256A - Keyboard and electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN117954256A
Application number: CN202211281942.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 田村文雄; 林辉; 大塚亮; 王松
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-10-19
Filing date: 2022-10-19
Publication date: 2024-04-30

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of terminals and discloses a keyboard and electronic equipment. Wherein the keyboard comprises a support structure, a keycap assembly and an actuation structure; the keycap assembly is overlapped on the supporting structure along a first direction, and comprises a keycap, wherein the first direction is the thickness direction of the keyboard; the front projection of the actuating structure in the first projection plane is positioned outside the front projection of the key cap assembly in the first projection plane, wherein the first projection plane is vertical to the first direction, the front projection of the actuating structure in the second projection plane is at least partially overlapped with the front projection of the key cap assembly in the second projection plane, and the second projection plane is vertical to the first projection plane; the actuating structure drives the key cap assembly to move a second distance along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction under the condition that the key cap moves along the first direction by the first distance. The application realizes the light and thin design of the keys and the corresponding keyboards, improves portability and improves the keystroke effect when the user keystrokes the keys.

Description

Keyboard and electronic equipment

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of terminals, in particular to a keyboard and electronic equipment.

Background

With the abundance of people's daily lives and the increase of economic and commercial activities, notebook computers become indispensable terminal products for daily life. The keyboard is an important component of the notebook computer, and besides the elegant appearance can bring good visual experience to consumers, the keystroke hand feeling felt by the fingers of the user when the keys are tapped is also an important user experience (User Experience, UE). Because the key stroke can directly influence the key touch feeling, the key stroke structural design becomes an important link in the keyboard design.

In recent years, as notebook computers are miniaturized and thinned, the volume of the keyboard is smaller and smaller, and the thickness of the keyboard is thinner and thinner, which presents a higher challenge for maintaining and improving the touch feeling of the keystroke felt by the fingers of the user. At present, the light and thin keyboard is mainly realized by reducing the stroke of keys, but the method can lead to weakened touch feeling of the key stroke felt by a user and poor feedback effect, and the user can not even recognize whether the keys are accurately pressed, so that the use requirement of the user can not be met.

Based on this, it is important to ensure a good enough touch feeling in the trend of miniaturization of the terminal products to provide a keyboard comfortable to operate for consumers.

Disclosure of Invention

A first aspect of the present application provides a keyboard, comprising: a support structure; the key cap assembly is overlapped on the supporting structure along a first direction, and the key cap assembly comprises a key cap, wherein the first direction of the key cap is the thickness direction of the keyboard; the front projection of the actuating structure in the first projection plane is positioned outside the front projection of the key cap assembly in the first projection plane, the first projection plane is vertical to the first direction, and along the second direction, the front projection of the actuating structure in the second projection plane and the front projection of the key cap assembly in the second projection plane are at least partially overlapped, and the second projection plane is vertical to the first projection plane; the actuating structure drives the key cap assembly to move a second distance along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction under the condition that the key cap moves along the first direction by the first distance.

In one aspect, since the front projection of the actuating structure in the first projection plane is located outside the front projection of the key cap assembly in the first projection plane, the actuating structure is arranged around the key cap assembly, and the actuating structure is installed with the minimum additional thickness except for the key cap assembly by reasonably arranging the positions of the actuating structure. Therefore, the design of lightening and thinning of the keys and the corresponding keyboards is convenient to realize, and the portability of the electronic equipment is improved.

Simultaneously, the orthographic projection of the actuating structure on the second projection surface and the orthographic projection of the keycap assembly on the second projection surface are at least partially overlapped, so that the actuating structure is prevented from occupying excessive thickness dimension, and the thickness dimension of the key is reduced. Therefore, the space layout of the keys can be optimized, and the light and thin design of the keyboard and the electronic equipment can be realized conveniently.

In addition, under the condition that the key cap moves by a first distance, the actuating structure drives the key cap assembly to move by a second distance, the key cap can be simulated to move by a third distance along the first direction through the second distance, and the third distance is used for amplifying the first distance, so that the key-clicking effect of a user in key-clicking is improved. So that the combined distance of the key cap movement is the superimposed distance of the first distance and the third distance.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect described above, the first direction includes a first positive direction and a first negative direction. That is, the key cap can be moved upward or downward in the thickness direction of the keyboard.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect described above, the key cap assembly comprises a key cap of a plurality of keys, and the actuation structure drives the key cap assembly of at least some of the plurality of keys including at least one key to move a second distance in case the key cap of at least one of the plurality of keys moves a first distance.

In one possible implementation of the first aspect described above, the actuation structure includes a stator structure, a mover structure, and a drive element:

The stator structure is connected with the supporting structure, and the rotor structure is connected with the keycap assembly;

the stator structure and the rotor structure are arranged oppositely and form an actuating space between the stator structure and the rotor structure;

The driving element is a strip-shaped elastic piece with peak-valley structures, two ends of the driving element are arranged on the stator structure or the rotor structure, the peak-valley structures are positioned in the actuating space, and the driving element stretches and contracts in the actuating space through elastic deformation of the peak-valley structures so as to drive the rotor structure to move in a direction away from the stator structure.

For example, when the power of the actuating structure is turned on, the driving element shortens, the peak Gu Jiegou straightens, and the mover structure in the actuating structure is pushed away from the stator structure by the expansion and contraction of the peak valley structure of the driving element, so as to drive the keycap assembly and the supporting structure to generate slight sliding. Furthermore, the application can transmit the vibration generated by the tiny sliding to the key cap assembly, thereby improving the keystroke feeling felt by the user.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect described above,

The stator structure comprises a first wavy tooth structure which is in a strip shape, and the first wavy tooth structure comprises first outer convex parts and first inner concave parts which are arranged at intervals along the length direction;

The rotor structure comprises a second wavy tooth structure which is in a strip shape, and the second wavy tooth structure comprises second concave parts and second convex parts which are arranged at intervals along the length direction;

The first outer convex part and the second inner concave part are matched in shape and opposite in position, the first inner concave part and the second outer convex part are matched in shape and opposite in position, and the first outer convex part, the first inner concave part, the second inner concave part and the second outer convex part jointly form an actuating space.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes, in a natural state:

the first outer convex part is abutted against the second inner concave part, and a first groove facing the second inner concave part is formed in the first outer convex part;

The first concave part is abutted against the second outer convex part, and a second groove facing the first concave part is formed in the second outer convex part;

the first groove and the second groove are connected end to end, and the first groove, the second concave part, the second groove and the first concave part jointly form an actuating space.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the keyboard further includes a frame, the frame including:

The first side plate is arranged around the supporting structure in a surrounding mode;

The second side plate is arranged in parallel with the supporting structure and is connected with the first side plate, and the first side plate, the second side plate and the supporting structure form a containing space for containing the actuating structure together;

And a third side plate arranged on the same side of the second side plate in parallel with the first side plate, wherein the third side plate is used for limiting the limit position of the actuating structure so as to limit the limit distance for the key cap assembly to move.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the front projection of the actuation structure on the second projection surface is located within the front projection of the key cap assembly on the second projection surface, or the front projection of the key cap assembly on the second projection surface is located within the front projection of the actuation structure on the second projection surface.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the actuation structure specifically includes two actuation structures, and the two actuation structures are distributed in any one of the following distribution manners:

the orthographic projections of the two actuating structures on the first projection surface are positioned on the same side of the orthographic projection of the keycap assembly on the first projection surface; or alternatively

The orthographic projections of the two actuating structures on the first projection surface are distributed on two opposite sides of the orthographic projection of the keycap assembly on the first projection surface; or alternatively

The orthographic projections of the two actuating structures on the first projection surface are distributed on two adjacent sides of the orthographic projection of the keycap assembly on the first projection surface.

In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the key cap assembly includes:

a substrate superimposed on the support structure along a first direction;

an elastic member superimposed on the substrate along a first direction, the elastic member and the substrate together forming a pressing space;

the plurality of key caps are arranged on one side of the elastic member, which is opposite to the pressing space, along the first direction.

For example, the thickness and shape (such as R angle) of the rubber member can be freely designed to obtain a required mechanical curve, thereby satisfying the product effect and reducing the difficulty of research and development. In one possible implementation of the first aspect described above, the elastic member includes:

the first installation part is arranged on one side of the first installation part, which is away from the substrate;

The deformable part is annularly arranged around the first mounting part, and one end of the deformable part is connected with the first mounting part;

the second installation part is arranged around the deformable part in a surrounding way and is arranged on one side of the substrate, which is opposite to the supporting structure, and the second installation part is connected with the other end of the deformable part.

Illustratively, the deformable portion is a hollow boss, and a ring of annular wall is formed around the bottom of the key cap to support the key cap and the first mounting portion and provide a rebound force when the key cap is pressed.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, a size of an orthographic projection of one end of the deformable portion on the first projection surface is smaller than a size of an orthographic projection of the other end of the deformable portion on the first projection surface.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the elastic member further includes a reinforcing portion, the orthographic projection of the reinforcing portion on the first projection surface is disposed around the orthographic projection of the second mounting portion on the first projection surface, and the reinforcing portion is disposed on a side of the second mounting portion facing away from the substrate.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the substrate includes:

the bearing part is overlapped on the supporting structure and used for supporting the elastic member;

the contact part is connected with the bearing part and is connected with the actuating installation end or the actuating driving end of the actuating structure.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the keyboard further includes:

A conductive contact positioned in the pressing space and mounted on one side of the elastic member facing the substrate;

a conductive film located in the pressing space and mounted on one side of the substrate facing the elastic member;

In a natural state, the conductive contacts are spaced apart from the conductive film, and when the key cap is moved a first distance, the conductive contacts are moved into contact with the conductive film.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, a key in the keyboard includes at least two conductive contacts, where the two conductive contacts are located in the pressing spaces corresponding to the keys, and are mounted on a side of the elastic member facing the substrate in the keys.

In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the keyboard further includes a rolling wheel disposed on the keycap assembly and a rolling groove formed on the support structure, or the keyboard further includes a rolling wheel disposed on the support structure and a rolling groove formed on the keycap assembly;

when the actuating structure drives the key cap assembly to move a second distance, the rolling wheel is positioned in the rolling groove and rolls along the extending direction of the rolling groove.

The implementation mode can reduce the friction force of the relative motion between the supporting structure and the keycap assembly, can limit the direction of the relative motion between the supporting structure and the keycap assembly, and improves the stability of the keyboard structure.

In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the keyboard further comprises a reset element,

One end of the reset component is connected with the supporting structure, and the other end of the reset component is connected with the keycap component and is used for driving the keycap component to reset relative to the supporting structure after the actuating structure drives the keycap component to move a second distance.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a keyboard, comprising:

A support structure;

The key cap assembly is overlapped on the supporting structure along a first direction, and comprises a key cap, wherein the first direction is the thickness direction of the keyboard;

The front projection of the actuating structure in the first projection plane is positioned outside the front projection of the supporting structure and the keycap assembly in the first projection plane, the first projection plane is vertical to the first direction, the front projection of the actuating structure in the second projection plane is at least partially overlapped with the front projection of the keycap assembly in the second projection plane, and the second projection plane is vertical to the first projection plane;

the actuating structure drives the key cap assembly to move a second distance along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction under the condition that the key cap moves along the first direction by the first distance.

In a third aspect, the present application provides an electronic device, including a keyboard according to any one of the first aspect and the second aspect.

Drawings

FIG. 1 (a) is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a notebook computer 1a according to some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 1 (b) is a schematic view showing the structure of a tablet 1b with a keyboard according to some embodiments of the application;

Fig. 1 (c) shows a schematic structural diagram of a remote control 1c in some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 2 (a) illustrates a perspective view of keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 2 (b) shows a perspective view of key 11 in some embodiments of the application;

fig. 3 shows a schematic structural diagram of a key 11' according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a key 11 according to some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application, wherein the location of the actuation structure 300 is also illustrated in the keyboard 10;

FIG. 6 (a) illustrates a distribution of actuation structures 300 in keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 6 (b) shows a distribution of actuation structures 300 in keyboard 10 in other embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 6 (c) shows a distribution of actuation structures 300 in keyboard 10 in further embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 7 (a) illustrates an application scenario in which a user presses keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 7 (b) shows an application scenario in which a user presses the keyboard 10 in some other embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 7 (c) shows an application scenario in which a user presses the keyboard 10 in other embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the present application, further illustrating a partial cross-sectional view of actuation structure 300 at region S ₁;

FIG. 11 shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₁ in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an actuation structure 300 in some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of an actuation structure 300 in some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the actuation structure 300 taken along section B-B of FIG. 12 in accordance with some embodiments of the present application, wherein the various components of the actuation structure 300 are in an unassembled state;

FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the actuation structure 300 along section B-B of FIG. 12, without the drive element 330, in accordance with some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the actuation structure 300 along section B-B of FIG. 12 in some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 17 (a) shows an enlarged partial view of the region S ₂ of FIG. 15, with the components shown in an unassembled state;

FIG. 17 (b) is an enlarged view of a portion of the region S ₂ of FIG. 15, wherein the components are shown in an assembled state;

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of keyboard 10 along section C-C of FIG. 8 in accordance with some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 19 (a) shows an enlarged partial view of the region S ₃ of FIG. 18, with the components shown in an unassembled state;

FIG. 19 (b) is an enlarged view of a portion of the region S ₃ of FIG. 18, wherein the components are shown in an assembled state;

FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of keyboard 10 taken along section D-D of FIG. 8 in accordance with some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 21 (a) shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₄ in FIG. 20;

FIG. 21 (b) shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₅ in FIG. 21 (a);

FIG. 22 shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₆ in FIG. 21 (b);

Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing the elastic member 220, the key cap 230, the conductive contact 400, and the conductive film 500 in the region S ₇ in fig. 10;

fig. 24 (a) shows a cross-sectional view of the elastic member 220, the key cap 230, the conductive contacts 400, and the conductive film 500 of fig. 23 along the section E-E of fig. 23;

FIG. 24 (b) shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₈ in FIG. 24 (a);

FIG. 25 illustrates a graph of the relationship between key stroke and load on key cap assembly 200 in some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 26 (a) shows a key shape in a first state according to some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 26 (b) shows a key shape in a second state according to some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 26 (c) shows a key shape in a third state according to some embodiments of the present application;

fig. 26 (d) shows a key shape in a fourth state according to some embodiments of the present application.

Description of the reference numerals

1 A-a notebook computer; 10 a-a keyboard; 20 a-a display screen;

1 b-a tablet with a keyboard; 10 b-keyboard;

1 c-a remote controller; 10 c-a keyboard;

10-a keyboard; 11-key;

11' -key;

A 100' -support structure;

200' -key cap assembly;

220' -elastic member; 221' -scissor foot structure; 222' -return structure;

230' -keycap;

300' -actuating structure;

100-supporting structure;

200-a key cap assembly;

220-an elastic member; 221-scissor foot structure; 222-a return structure;

230-a key cap;

300-actuation structure; 301-actuating the mounting end; 302-actuating the drive end;

10-a keyboard;

100-supporting structure;

110-a support;

120-mounting part;

200-a key cap assembly; 201—a keycap mounting surface;

210-a substrate; 211-a carrier; 212-contact;

220-an elastic member; 221-a first mounting portion; 222-deformable portion; 223-a second mounting portion; 224-reinforcements;

230-a key cap;

300-1 a-actuation structure; 300-2 a-actuation structure; 300-1 b-actuation structure; 300-2 b-actuation structure; 300-1 c-actuation structure; 300-2 c-actuation structure; 300-3 c-actuation structure;

310-stator structure; 311-a first wave-shaped tooth structure; 3111-first outer flange; 3112-first recess; 312-a first mounting end; 313-first groove;

320-mover structure; 321-a second wave-shaped tooth structure; 3111-second concave portions; 3112-second outer protrusions; 322-actuating the mounting surface; 323-a second groove;

330-a drive element; 331-peak valley structure; 3311-peak structure; 3312-peak structure; 332-drive mounting end;

340-actuation space;

350-a first fastening member;

360-limiting part;

370-a limit groove;

380-a second fastening member;

400-conductive contacts;

500-conductive film;

600-a rolling assembly;

610-rolling wheel;

620-rolling grooves;

700-backlight module;

800-reset means;

810-an elastic member; 811-a first resilient end; 812-a second elastic end;

900-positioning assembly;

910-a first positioning hole;

920-second positioning holes;

1000-frame;

1010-a first side panel;

1020-a second side plate;

1030-a third side panel;

1100-an adhesive layer;

S _a -right subarea;

s _b, left subarea;

S _c -post-segmentation;

S _d -front split region; s _d1, a first sub-front sub-area; s _d2 -a second sub-front sub-region;

s _m -touch area.

Detailed Description

For the purpose of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent, embodiments of the present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The technical scheme provided by the application can be applied to the electronic equipment with the keyboard or the keys.

Fig. 1 (a) shows a schematic structure of a notebook computer 1a according to some embodiments of the present application. Fig. 1 (b) shows a schematic structural view of a tablet 1b with a keyboard according to some embodiments of the present application. Fig. 1 (c) shows a schematic structural diagram of a remote control 1c in some embodiments of the present application.

For example, the electronic device in the present application may be any one of the notebook computer 1a shown in fig. 1 (a), the tablet with keyboard 1b shown in fig. 1 (b), the remote controller 1c shown in fig. 1 (c), a television, a smart screen, a mobile phone, a wristwatch, a wireless keyboard, and the like. For easy understanding, the basic structure of the electronic device in the present application will be described with reference to fig. 1 (a) by taking a notebook computer 1a as an example.

As shown in fig. 1 (a), the notebook computer 1a may include a keyboard 10a, a display 20a, and a rotation shaft (not shown). The keyboard 10a is rotatably connected with the display screen 20a through a rotating shaft, so that the display screen 20a can rotate relative to the side edge of the keyboard 10a, and folding and unfolding of the notebook computer 1a are achieved.

When the notebook computer 1a is folded, the angle between the distribution plane of the keyboard 10a and the distribution plane of the display screen 20a may tend to be 0 °, i.e., the keyboard 10a and the display screen 20a are close to each other. When the notebook computer 1a is opened, the included angle between the distribution plane of the keyboard 10a and the distribution plane of the display screen 20a may tend to be 90 ° to 180 °, that is, the keyboard 10a and the display screen 20a are far away from each other, so that the keyboard 10a and the display screen 20a may face the user at the same time for the user to use.

The keyboard in the electronic device of the present application will be described further below. Fig. 2 (a) shows a perspective view of keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application. Fig. 2 (b) shows a perspective view of the key 11 in some embodiments of the application.

The keyboard 10 may be the keyboard 10a shown in fig. 1 (a), the keyboard 10b shown in fig. 1 (b), or the keyboard 10c shown in fig. 1 (c), which is not particularly limited in the present application. For ease of description, the keypad 10 will be described below as an example of the keypad 10a of fig. 1 (a).

As can be seen from fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the keyboard 10 includes a plurality of keys 11 arranged in rows and columns, and the structures of the different keys 11 are substantially the same. In some implementations, the key 11 may be a butterfly key, a scissors key, or other types of keys, which are not particularly limited by the present application. To enable characterization of the various components of keyboard 10, the specific structure of keyboard 10 will be described below using a single key 11 as a cut-in point and key 11 as a scissors key.

For convenience of the following description, before describing the specific structure of the keyboard 10, the present application defines the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction in conjunction with fig. 2 (a). Wherein, the X direction is the length direction of the keyboard 10 when the electronic device is normally placed, for example, the X direction is parallel to the rotation direction of the notebook computer 1a, and the X positive direction is from left to right; the Y direction is the width direction of the keyboard 10 when the electronic device is normally placed, for example, the Y direction is distributed in the plane where the keyboard 10 is located, and is perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis in the notebook computer, and the Y positive direction is from front to back; the Z direction is the height direction of the keyboard 10 when the electronic device is normally placed, and may also be referred to as the thickness direction of the keyboard 10, for example, the positive Z direction is directed from bottom to top. In the present application, the height dimension or the thickness dimension is a dimension along the Z-axis direction, the first direction is the Z-negative direction, the second direction is the X-negative direction, and the first projection plane is a plane perpendicular to the first direction, which will not be described in detail below. It is understood that the parallelism of the present application is not absolute, and that approximate parallelism (e.g., an angle of 0.1 ° between two structural features) due to machining errors and assembly errors is also within the scope of the parallelism of the present application. The mutual perpendicularity in the present application is not absolute perpendicularity, and approximate perpendicularity due to machining errors and assembly errors (e.g., an angle of 89.9 ° between two structural features) is also within the scope of the mutual perpendicularity in the present application. Hereinafter, the definition of mutually parallel and mutually perpendicular will not be repeated.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic structural diagram of a key 11' according to some embodiments. Wherein fig. 3 may be a cross-sectional view of the key 11' along the section A-A in fig. 2 (b). As can be seen from fig. 3, the key 11 'includes a support structure 100', a key cap assembly 200 'and an actuating structure 300'. Wherein the key cap assembly 200 'includes an elastic member 220' and a key cap 230', the elastic member 220' includes a scissors foot structure 221 'and a return structure 222'. The keycap 230', the scissors foot structure 221' and the supporting structure 100 'are sequentially overlapped along the first direction, and one end of the scissors foot structure 221' is connected with the keycap 230', and the other end is connected with the supporting structure 100'. The actuating structure 300 'is mounted to the side of the support structure 100' facing the key cap 230', and one end of the restoring structure 222' is connected to the key cap 230', and the other end is connected to the actuating structure 300'.

In some of these implementations, the return structure 222' may be a rubber cushion. In alternative other implementations, the return structure 222' may be a spring. The present application is not particularly limited thereto.

When the key 11' is pressed along the first direction, the scissors structure 221' shortens the distance between the two ends along the first direction, and the return structure 222' is compressed along the first direction, so that the key 11' gives the user a key touch, and the actuating structure 300' vibrates to enhance the key touch feeling and improve the user experience.

It should be noted that, although the above-mentioned technical solution improves the keystroke feeling through the actuating structure 300', since the actuating structure 300' is disposed below the restoring structure 222', a sufficient height space is required to accommodate the actuating structure 300', which makes it difficult to maintain the overall thickness of the key 11' at a thin level. Based on this, the overall thickness of the key 11' in the above technical scheme is thicker, which eventually makes it difficult for the keyboard and the notebook computer to meet the requirement of thinning.

In order to solve the problem that the whole thickness of the key 11' is thicker, which finally leads to the problem that the keyboard and the notebook computer are difficult to meet the requirement of thinning, the application provides the key 11.

The key 11 in the present application will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the key 11 according to some embodiments of the present application. Wherein fig. 4 may be a cross-sectional view of the key 11 along the section A-A in fig. 2 (b). As shown in fig. 4, the present application provides a key 11, the key 11 including a support structure 100, a key cap assembly 200, and an actuating structure 300. Wherein the key cap assembly 200 is superimposed on the support structure 100 along a first direction, the key cap assembly 200 includes a key cap 230. The actuating structure 300 is disposed around the key cap assembly 200. It is understood that the placement of the actuating structure 300 around the key cap assembly 200 means that the first projection plane is perpendicular to the first direction, the orthographic projection of the actuating structure 300 on the first projection plane (e.g. the plane on which the supporting structure 100 is located) is located outside the orthographic projection of the key cap assembly 200 on the first projection plane, and the orthographic projection of the actuating structure 300 on the second projection plane is at least partially overlapped with the orthographic projection of the key cap assembly 200 on the second projection plane, wherein the second projection plane is perpendicular to the first projection plane.

In the case that the key cap 230 moves a first distance along the first direction, the actuating structure 300 drives the key cap assembly 200 to move a second distance, and the second distance can simulate the key cap 230 to move a third distance along the first direction, and the third distance is used for amplifying the first distance, so as to further improve the keystroke effect when the user keystrokes the key. The combined distance the key cap 230 moves is the sum of the first distance and the third distance.

It is understood that the first distance, the second distance and the third distance are not particularly limited in the present application, and any first distance, second distance and third distance capable of amplifying the keystroke effect of the first distance by the third distance are all within the protection scope of the present application.

The above-mentioned key 11, the actuating structure 300 is arranged around the key cap assembly 200, and the actuating structure 300 is installed with the additional thickness except for the key cap assembly 200 being occupied as little as possible by reasonably arranging the positions of the actuating structure 300. Therefore, the light and thin design of the keys 11 and the corresponding keyboards is facilitated, and portability of the electronic device is improved.

In some embodiments of the application, the direction of movement of the first distance is the same as the direction of movement of the third distance. The state when the key cap 230 will start moving a first distance is defined as a first initial state, and the state when the key cap 230 just ends moving a first distance is defined as a first termination state: the first distance refers to a moving distance of the key cap 230 from the first initial state to the first end state, and a moving direction of the first distance points from a position of the key cap 230 in the first initial state to a position of the key cap 230 in the first end state.

In some embodiments of the application, the direction of movement of the first distance is the same as or opposite to the first direction, and the direction of movement of the first distance is the same as the direction of movement of the third distance. That is, the first direction includes a first positive direction and a first negative direction. It will be appreciated that the process of the user's key pressing the key in the present application specifically includes the process of pressing the key and the process of lifting the key. During key depression, the key cap 230 moves a first distance in a first negative direction, i.e., the direction of movement of the first distance is negative Z. During the key lifting process, the key cap 230 moves a first distance in a first positive direction, i.e., the moving direction of the first distance is Z positive.

In some embodiments of the application, the direction of movement of the second distance is perpendicular to the first direction. That is, the moving direction of the second distance is an arbitrary direction in the XOY plane. Wherein, a state when the key cap assembly 200 will start moving a second distance is defined as a second initial state, and a state when the key cap assembly 200 just ends moving a second distance is defined as a second termination state: the direction of movement of the second distance is directed from the position of the key cap assembly 200 in the second initial state to the position of the key cap assembly 200 in the second end state.

It is to be understood that the present application is not particularly limited to the moving direction of the first distance, the moving direction of the second distance, and the moving direction of the third distance. However, for convenience of description and understanding, the following will take an example in which the moving direction of the first distance is the negative Z direction, the moving direction of the second distance is the negative X direction, and the moving direction of the third distance is the negative Z direction.

As can be seen from fig. 4, in some embodiments of the present application, the key 11 includes a support structure 100, a key cap assembly 200 and an actuating structure 300, and the front projection of the key cap assembly 200 in the first projection plane is located within the front projection of the support structure 100 in the first projection plane. The key cap assembly 200 includes an elastic member 220 and a key cap 230, wherein the elastic member 220 includes a scissors pin structure 221 and a restoring structure 222. The keycap 230, the scissors foot structure 221 and the supporting structure 100 are sequentially overlapped along the first direction, one end of the scissors foot structure 221 is connected with the keycap 230, and the other end of the scissors foot structure 221 is connected with the supporting structure 100. One end of the restoring structure 222 is connected with the key cap 230, and the other end of the restoring structure 222 is connected with the supporting structure 100.

The difference from the key 11' in fig. 3 is that in the key 11 in fig. 4, the actuating structure 300 is arranged around the key cap assembly 200. That is, the front projection of the actuation structure 300 in the first projection plane is distributed outside the front projection of the key cap assembly 200 in the first projection plane, and the front projection of the actuation structure 300 in the second projection plane and the front projection of the key cap assembly 200 in the second projection plane are at least partially overlapped. The actuation mounting end 301 of the actuation structure 300 interfaces with the support structure 100 and the actuation driving end 302 of the actuation structure 300 interfaces with the key cap assembly 200, or the actuation mounting end 301 of the actuation structure 300 interfaces with the key cap assembly 200 and the actuation driving end 302 of the actuation structure 300 interfaces with the support structure 100. The present application is not particularly limited thereto.

When the key 11 is pressed along the first direction, the key cap 230 moves downward a predetermined distance (i.e. the first distance), the scissors structure 221 shortens the distance between the two ends along the first direction, and the restoring structure 222 is compressed along the first direction, so that the key 11 gives the user a key touch feeling, and the actuating structure 300 vibrates to enhance the key touch feeling and enhance the user experience.

The above-mentioned key 11, through rationally laying out the actuating structure 300, so that the orthographic projection of the actuating structure 300 in the first projection plane (for example, the plane where the supporting structure 100 is located) is distributed outside the orthographic projection of the key cap assembly 200 in the first projection plane, the actuating structure 300 is prevented from being overlapped and arranged below the key cap assembly 200, and simultaneously, through limiting the orthographic projection of the actuating structure 300 in the second projection plane and the orthographic projection of the key cap assembly 200 in the second projection plane to be at least partially overlapped, the actuating structure 300 is prevented from occupying excessive thickness dimension, and the thickness dimension of the key 11 is reduced. Based on this, the above technical solution can optimize the space layout of the keys 11, so as to facilitate the realization of the light and thin design of the keyboard and the electronic device.

In some embodiments of the present application, the front projection of the actuation structure 300 on the second projection plane is located within the front projection of the key cap assembly 200 on the second projection plane.

In other embodiments of the present application, the front projection of the key cap assembly 200 on the second projection plane is located within the front projection of the actuating structure 300 on the second projection plane.

Further, in some embodiments of the present application, the front projection of the support structure 100 and the key cap assembly 200 on the second projection plane is located within the front projection of the actuation structure 300 on the second projection plane.

In other embodiments of the present application, the actuation structure 300 is disposed around the support structure 100 and the key cap assembly 200. That is, the front projection of the actuating structure 300 on the first projection plane (e.g., the plane in which the supporting structure 100 is located) is distributed outside the front projection of the supporting structure 100 and the key cap assembly 200 on the first projection plane, and the front projection of the actuating structure 300 on the second projection plane is at least partially overlapped with the front projection of the supporting structure 100 and the key cap assembly 200 on the second projection plane.

In addition, in an application scenario where a keyboard includes a plurality of keys, the key 11 'in fig. 3 requires an actuation structure 300' to be disposed under the return structure 222 'in each key 11', which results in complex structure, high cost and heavy weight of the entire keyboard and electronic device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present application provides a keyboard 10, which comprises a plurality of keys 11, and the difference between the keys 11 in fig. 4 is that at least two keys 11 of the plurality of keys 11 can share one actuating structure 300 in the keyboard 10, so as to reduce the number of actuating structures 300 in the keyboard 10 as much as possible. The keypad 10 of the present application will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in order to ensure that the actuating structure 300 does not occupy an extra thickness dimension at any one key 11, the front projection of the actuating structure 300 in the first projection plane (e.g. the plane in which the supporting structure 100 is located) is distributed outside the front projection of the key cap assembly 200 in all keys 11 in the first projection plane. The keypad 10 of the present application will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application, wherein the location of the distribution of actuation structures 300 within keyboard 10 is also illustrated. As shown in FIG. 5, in some embodiments of the present application, the keyboard 10 includes a plurality of keys 11 arranged in rows and columns, and the structure of the different keys 11 is substantially the same. At least two keys 11 of the plurality of keys 11 share one actuation structure 300, and the actuation structure 300 is around the plurality of keys 11. That is, the front projection of the actuating structure 300 on the first projection plane (for example, the plane of the supporting structure 100) is distributed outside the front projection of the key cap assemblies 200 of all the keys 11 on the first projection plane (for example, the plane of the supporting structure 100), and the front projections of the key cap assemblies 200 of the plurality of keys 11 on the second projection plane are at least partially overlapped with the front projections of the actuating structure 300 on the second projection plane.

As shown in fig. 5, in some implementations, all keys 11 in the keyboard 10 may share one actuation structure 300, and the actuation structures 300 are distributed around the region S _k where the key cap assembly 200 of all keys 11 is located, e.g., the actuation structures 300 are distributed in the region S ₀ in fig. 5.

In alternative other implementations, some of the keys 11 in the keyboard 10 may share one actuation structure 300. The actuating structures 300 are distributed around the region S _k where the key cap assembly 200 is located in all the keys 11, for example, the actuating structures 300 are distributed in the region S ₀ in fig. 5. Or the actuating structures 300 are distributed around the area S _k where the key cap assembly 200 is located in part of the keys 11.

In other embodiments of the present application, the keyboard 10 includes a plurality of keys 11 arranged in rows and columns, and the structure of the different keys 11 is substantially the same. At least two keys 11 of the plurality of keys 11 may share one actuation structure 300. Each actuating structure 300 is distributed around the keycap assembly 200 of at least two keys 11 of the plurality of keys 11 and the area where the support structure 100 is located.

According to the keyboard 10, at least two keys 11 of the plurality of keys 11 share one actuating structure 300, so that the number of actuating structures 300 in the keyboard 10 is reduced, the number of parts in the keyboard 10 is further reduced, the material cost and the assembly difficulty are reduced, the assembly efficiency is improved, and the economic benefits of the keyboard and the electronic equipment are further improved.

In addition, in other embodiments of the present application, each key 11 of the plurality of keys 11 may use one actuating structure 300 alone, and each actuating structure 300 is distributed around the area where the key cap assembly 200 of the plurality of keys 11 is located, which will not be described herein.

In some embodiments of the present application, the support structure 100 is slidably coupled to the key cap assembly 200 along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. In the case where the key cap 230 is moved a first distance along the first direction, the actuation driving end 302 of the actuation structure 300 drives the key cap assembly 200 to move a second distance along the second direction to simulate a third distance of the movement of the key cap 230 along the first direction by the second distance, and the combined distance of the movement of the key cap 230 is the superimposed distance of the first distance and the third distance.

In the above-mentioned keyboard 10, when the key cap 230 receives the pressing operation in the vertical direction, the actuating structure 300 drives the key cap assembly 200 to slide relatively in the horizontal direction with respect to the supporting structure 100, and transmits the vibration generated by the sliding to the key cap assembly 200, so as to simulate the additional distance in the vertical direction, further reduce the size of the keyboard 10 in the thickness direction, and improve the touch feeling of the key hit felt by the user, thereby improving the user experience.

In other embodiments of the present application, the support structure 100 is slidably coupled to the key cap assembly 200 along a first direction. In the case that the key cap 230 is moved a first distance along the first direction, the actuation driving end 302 of the actuation structure 300 drives the key cap assembly 200 to move a fourth distance along the first direction to simulate a fifth distance of the movement of the key cap assembly 200 along the first direction by the fourth distance, and the combined distance of the movement of the key cap assembly 200 is the superimposed distance of the first distance and the fifth distance. In some implementations, the fourth distance may be the same size as the fifth distance in the present application. In alternative other implementations, the fourth distance may be a different size than the fifth distance in the present application.

In some embodiments of the present application, the key cap assembly 200 specifically includes a key cap assembly 200 of at least two keys, where the key cap 230 of at least one key of the key caps 230 of at least two keys moves a first distance along a first direction, the actuation driving end 302 of the actuation structure 300 drives the key cap assembly 200 of at least two keys to move a second distance along a second direction to simulate a third distance by which the key cap 230 of at least one key moves along the first direction, and the combined distance by which the key cap 230 of at least one key moves is a superposition of the first distance and the third distance.

In connection with the above, it is readily found that the number of actuating structures 300 in keyboard 10 may be several, e.g., the number of actuating structures 300 in keyboard 10 may be one, two, three, etc. The following will take the example of a keyboard 10 including two actuating structures 300, and describe in detail the distribution of the actuating structures 300 in the keyboard 10 in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 6 (a) illustrates a distribution of actuation structures 300 in keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application. As shown in fig. 6 (a), in the keyboard 10, the surrounding area of the key cap assembly 200 may include a right sub-area S _a located on the right side of the key cap assembly 200, a left sub-area S _b located on the left side of the key cap assembly 200, a rear sub-area S _c located on the rear side of the key cap assembly 200, and a front sub-area S _d located on the front side of the key cap assembly 200. However, it should be noted that other components in keyboard 10 need to be laid out around key cap assembly 200, subject to the influence of the structure of keyboard 10 itself, resulting in some sub-regions around key cap assembly 200 that may be divided into at least two sub-regions. For example, since the touch component (not shown) is also required to be disposed on the front side of the key cap assembly 200, the touch area S _m needs to be reserved, and thus the front sub-area S _d on the front side of the key cap assembly 200 includes a first sub-front sub-area S _d1 on the left side of the touch area S _m and a second sub-front sub-area S _d2 on the right side of the touch area S _m.

With continued reference to FIG. 6 (a), in some embodiments of the present application, the actuation structure 300 specifically includes an actuation structure 300-1a and an actuation structure 300-2a, with the actuation structure 300-1a and the actuation structure 300-2a being located on the same side of the key cap assembly 200. That is, the orthographic projection of the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a on the first projection plane is located on the same side of the orthographic projection of the key cap assembly 200 on the first projection plane. For example, actuation structures 300-1a and actuation structures 300-2a may be distributed within right subzone S _a. As another example, actuation structures 300-1a and actuation structure 300-2a may also be equally distributed within left subzone S _b. As another example, actuation structures 300-1a and actuation structures 300-2a may also be distributed within rear sub-area S _c. As another example, actuation structures 300-1a and actuation structures 300-2a may also be distributed within front sub-area S _d. Wherein, when the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a are both distributed in the front sub-area S _d, the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a are both distributed in the first sub-front sub-area S _d1 and/or the second sub-front sub-area S _d2. That is, the actuation structures 300-1a and 300-2a are each distributed within the first sub-front sub-area S _d1, or the actuation structures 300-1a and 300-2a are each distributed within the second sub-front sub-area S _d2, or one of the actuation structures 300-1a and 300-2a is distributed within the first sub-front sub-area S _d1 and the other is distributed within the second sub-front sub-area S _d2.

In some embodiments of the present application, when the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a are located on the same side of the key cap assembly 200, the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a are merely different in distribution positions with respect to the key cap assembly 200 in the keyboard 10, and the structures of the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a and the connection manners of the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a with other components are the same, which will not be described herein.

In other embodiments of the present application, when the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a are located on the same side of the key cap assembly 200, the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a are not only located differently in the keyboard 10 relative to the distribution position of the key cap assembly 200, but also the structures of the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a and/or the manner in which the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a are connected to other components are not described herein.

It will be appreciated that actuation structures 300-1a and 300-2a are now driven in the same manner. When the key 11 receives a pressing operation, the actuating structure 300-1a receives a first working signal and drives the key cap assembly 200 to vibrate in a certain direction through the driving end according to the first working signal, and the actuating structure 300-2a receives a second working signal and drives the key cap assembly 200 to vibrate in the same direction through the driving end according to the second working signal.

Fig. 6 (b) shows a distribution of the actuating structures 300 in the keyboard 10 in some other embodiments of the present application. As shown in fig. 6 (b), in the same manner as in fig. 6 (a), the surrounding area of the key cap assembly 200 may include a right sub-area S _a located on the right side of the key cap assembly 200, a left sub-area S _b located on the left side of the key cap assembly 200, a rear sub-area S _c located on the rear side of the key cap assembly 200, and a front sub-area S _d located on the front side of the key cap assembly 200, and the front sub-area S _d includes a first sub-front sub-area S _d1 and a second sub-front sub-area S _d2.

With continued reference to FIG. 6 (b), in some embodiments of the application, the actuation structure 300 specifically includes an actuation structure 300-1b and an actuation structure 300-2b, with the actuation structure 300-1b and the actuation structure 300-2b being distributed on opposite sides of the key cap assembly 200. That is, the orthographic projections of the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a on the first projection plane are located on opposite sides of the orthographic projection of the key cap assembly 200 on the first projection plane. For example, actuating structure 300-1b is distributed within right sub-region S _a and actuating structure 300-2b is distributed within left sub-region S _b. As another example, actuation structure 300-1b is distributed within posterior segment S _c and actuation structure 300-2b is distributed within anterior segment S _d.

It will be appreciated that the actuation structures 300-1b and 300-2b are now driven in opposite fashion. When the key 11 receives a pressing operation, the actuating structure 300-1b receives a first working signal and drives the key cap assembly 200 to vibrate in a certain direction through the driving end according to the first working signal, and the actuating structure 300-2b receives a second working signal and drives the key cap assembly 200 to vibrate in an opposite direction through the driving end according to the second working signal.

In some embodiments of the present application, in keyboard 10, two actuating structures 300 distributed on both sides of key cap assembly 200 are symmetrically distributed with respect to key cap assembly 200. With continued reference to FIG. 6 (b), the actuation structure 300 specifically includes an actuation structure 300-1b and an actuation structure 300-2b. Wherein the actuating structures 300-1b and the actuating structures 300-2b are distributed on opposite sides of the key cap assembly 200, and the actuating structures 300-1b and the actuating structures 300-2b are symmetrically distributed with respect to the key cap assembly 200 in the keyboard 10.

The above-mentioned keyboard 10, the actuating structures 300-1b and 300-2b are symmetrically distributed with respect to the keycap assembly 200 in the keyboard 10, so that the stress of the keyboard 10 is more balanced, and the service life of the keyboard 10 can be further prolonged.

In other embodiments of the present application, in keyboard 10, two actuating structures 300 distributed on both sides of key cap assembly 200 are asymmetrically distributed with respect to key cap assembly 200. With continued reference to FIG. 6 (b), the actuation structure 300 specifically includes an actuation structure 300-1b and an actuation structure 300-3b. Wherein the actuating structures 300-1b and the actuating structures 300-3b are distributed on opposite sides of the key cap assembly 200, and the actuating structures 300-1b and the actuating structures 300-3b are asymmetrically distributed with respect to the key cap assembly 200 in the keyboard 10.

Fig. 6 (c) shows a distribution of the actuating structures 300 in the keyboard 10 in further embodiments of the present application. As shown in fig. 6 (c), in the same manner as in fig. 6 (a), the surrounding area of the key cap assembly 200 may include a right sub-area S _a located on the right side of the key cap assembly 200, a left sub-area S _b located on the left side of the key cap assembly 200, a rear sub-area S _c located on the rear side of the key cap assembly 200, and a front sub-area S _d located on the front side of the key cap assembly 200, and the front sub-area S _d includes a first sub-front sub-area S _d1 and a second sub-front sub-area S _d2.

With continued reference to FIG. 6 (c), in some embodiments of the application, the actuation structure 300 specifically includes actuation structures 300-1c and actuation structures 300-2c, with the actuation structures 300-1c and actuation structures 300-2c being disposed on adjacent sides of the key cap assembly 200. That is, the orthographic projections of the actuating structures 300-1a and 300-2a on the first projection plane are located on opposite sides of the keycap assembly 200 adjacent to the orthographic projection on the first projection plane. For example, actuation structure 300-1c is distributed within right sub-region S _a, actuation structure 300-2c is distributed within rear sub-region S _c, or actuation structure 300-2c is distributed within front sub-region S _d. As another example, actuation structure 300-1c is distributed within left sub-region S _b, actuation structure 300-2c is distributed within rear sub-region S _c, or actuation structure 300-2c is distributed within front sub-region S _d.

It will be appreciated that actuation structures 300-1c and 300-2c are now driven in the same manner. When the key 11 receives a pressing operation, the actuating structure 300-1c receives a first working signal and drives the key cap assembly 200 to vibrate in a certain direction through the driving end according to the first working signal, and the actuating structure 300-2c receives a second working signal and drives the key cap assembly 200 to vibrate in another direction through the driving end according to the second working signal. Wherein the vibration direction of the actuating structure 300-1c may intersect with the vibration direction of the actuating structure 300-1 c. For example, the vibration direction of the actuation structure 300-1c and the vibration direction of the actuation structure 300-1c may be perpendicular to each other.

It will be appreciated that the layout positions of the actuation structure 300 in the keyboard 10 in the above-described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application. In other application scenarios, when the number of the actuating structures 300 in the keyboard 10 is 3 or more than 3, the distribution scheme of the actuating structures 300 in the above embodiment may be arbitrarily split or recombined, and the present application is not limited in particular, and any layout form capable of implementing the actuating structures 300 in the present application is within the scope of the present application.

Having described the manner in which the actuation structures 300 are distributed in several of the keyboards 10 described above, several triggering schemes for the keyboards 10 will be described below. As can be seen from the above, the process of the user clicking the key includes the process of pressing the key and the process of lifting the key, and the following will be described by taking the press triggering scheme of the keyboard 10 as an example.

In some embodiments of the present application, keyboard 10 includes a plurality of keys 11. When the user presses at least one key 11 of the plurality of keys 11, the actuation structure 300 drives the plurality of keys 11 to vibrate, so as to simulate the additional distance of the key 11 pressed by the user and improve the keystroke experience of the user.

In other embodiments of the present application, keyboard 10 includes a plurality of keys 11. When the user presses at least one key 11 of the plurality of keys 11, the actuation structure 300 drives at least part of the keys 11 including the at least one key 11 of the plurality of keys 11 to vibrate, so as to simulate the additional distance of the at least one key 11 pressed by the user, and improve the keystroke experience of the user.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiments are only some of the implementation manners of the present application, and other forms of pressing triggering schemes are also within the scope of the present application, which is not limited thereto. The foregoing embodiments are exemplified below, and several possible press-triggered pressing schemes of the keyboard 10 are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 7 (a) illustrates an application scenario in which a user presses the keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application. As shown in FIG. 7 (a), in some embodiments of the application, keyboard 10 includes a plurality of keys 11, including an I key. When the user presses the i key, the actuating structure 300 drives at least part of the keys 11 including the i key to vibrate, so as to simulate the additional distance of the i key and improve the user keystroke experience.

In some implementations, when the user presses the i key, the actuation structure 300 drives the plurality of keys 11 to vibrate, so as to simulate the additional distance of the i key, and improve the user keystroke experience. In alternative implementations, when the user presses the i key, the actuation structure 300 vibrates a portion of the keys 11 including the i key, thereby simulating the additional distance of the i key and improving the user's keystroke experience.

Fig. 7 (b) shows an application scenario in which a user presses the keyboard 10 in some other embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), in some embodiments of the application, keyboard 10 includes a plurality of keys 11, including an I key and an II key. When the user presses the i key, the actuating structure 300 drives at least part of the keys 11 including the i key to vibrate, so as to simulate the additional distance of the i key, and improve the key-clicking experience when the user clicks the i key. Subsequently, when the user presses the ii key while pressing the i key, the actuation structure 300 drives at least part of the keys 11 including the ii key to vibrate, so as to simulate the additional distance of the ii key, and improve the keystroke experience when the user presses the ii key.

Fig. 7 (c) shows an application scenario in which a user presses the keyboard 10 in other embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7 (c), in some embodiments of the application, keyboard 10 includes a plurality of keys 11, including an I key and an II key. When the user presses the i key and the ii key simultaneously, the actuating structure 300 drives at least part of the keys 11 including the i key and the ii key to vibrate, so as to simulate the additional distance between the i key and the ii key, and improve the keystroke experience when the user keystrokes the i key and the keystroke experience when the user keystrokes the ii key.

It can be understood that the application scenario mentioned above is only a part of application scenarios to which the press triggering scheme is applied in the present application, and other forms of application scenarios suitable for the press triggering scheme are also within the scope of the present application, which is not limited in detail. The lift trigger scheme of the keyboard is similar to the lift trigger scheme of the keyboard described above and will not be described here.

Having described the distribution scheme of the actuation structure 300 and the triggering scheme of the keyboard 10, the specific structure of the keyboard 10 of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application. Fig. 9 illustrates an exploded view of keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application. FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of keyboard 10 in some embodiments of the application, and also illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of actuation structure 300 at region S ₁. Fig. 11 shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₁ in fig. 10.

As can be seen in conjunction with fig. 8 and 9, keyboard 10 includes a support structure 100, a key cap assembly 200, and an actuation structure 300. Wherein the keycap assembly 200 is superimposed on the support structure 100 along a first direction. The front projection of the actuating structure 300 in the first projection plane is located outside the front projection of the key cap assembly 200 in the first projection plane, and the front projection of the actuating structure 300 in the second projection plane and the front projection of the key cap assembly 200 in the second projection plane are at least partially coincident. The first projection surface is perpendicular to the first direction. The actuation structure 300 includes an actuation mounting end 301 and an actuation driving end 302.

As shown in fig. 10, in some of these implementations, the actuation mounting end 301 of the actuation structure 300 interfaces with the support structure 100 and the actuation driving end 302 of the actuation structure 300 interfaces with the key cap assembly 200. The connection manner between the actuation mounting end 301 and the support structure 100 may be any one of a threaded connection, an adhesive connection, a welding connection, a clamping connection, etc., and the connection manner between the actuation driving end 302 and the key cap assembly 200 may be any one of a threaded connection, an adhesive connection, a welding connection, a clamping connection, etc., which is not particularly limited in the present application.

In addition, in alternative other implementations, the actuation mounting end 301 of the actuation structure 300 interfaces with the keycap assembly 200 and the actuation driving end 302 of the actuation structure 300 interfaces with the support structure 100. It will be appreciated that the connection between the actuating mounting end 301 and the key cap assembly 200, and the connection between the actuating driving end 302 and the supporting structure 100 can be referred to in the foregoing implementation, and will not be described herein.

After describing the specific structure of the keyboard 10, the specific structure of the support structure 100, the key cap assembly 200, and the actuating structure 300 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the specific structure of the support structure 100 in some embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

With continued reference to fig. 9, in some embodiments of the application, the support structure 100 includes a contiguous support portion 110 and a mounting portion 120. The key cap assembly 200 is overlapped on the supporting portion 110 in the first direction. The mounting portion 120 interfaces with either the actuation mounting end 301 (i.e., stator structure 310, hereinafter) or the actuation driving end 302 (i.e., mover structure 320, hereinafter).

The supporting portion 110 is a plate structure for supporting the key cap assembly 200 and the actuating structure 300. The mounting portion 120 is provided on a surface of the supporting portion 110, and limits layout positions of the key cap assembly 200 and the actuating structure 300 together with the supporting portion 110.

When the key cap assembly 200 and the actuating structure 300 are mounted on the supporting structure 100, the mounting portion 120 is surrounded on the outer edges of the key cap assembly 200 and the actuating structure 300 to align the key cap assembly 200 and the actuating structure 300 relatively. It will be appreciated that the height of the mounting portion 120 should ensure that the key cap assembly 200 and the actuating structure 300 do not become dislodged from the support structure 100 under normal conditions. The height of the mounting portion 120 refers to a dimension of the mounting portion 120 along the Z-axis direction.

In addition, the support structure 100 can be formed in a variety of ways. In some of these implementations, the support portion 110 and the mounting portion 120 are integrally formed. In alternative other implementations, the support portion 110 and the mounting portion 120 are assembled together by any one of bonding, welding, clamping, and screwing after being formed separately, which is not particularly limited in the present application.

Having described the specific structure of the support structure 100, the specific structure of the key cap assembly 200 according to some embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

With continued reference to fig. 9, in some embodiments of the present application, the key cap assembly 200 includes a base plate 210, a resilient member 220, and a key cap 230. Wherein the substrate 210, the elastic member 220, and the key cap 230 are sequentially stacked along a direction opposite to the first direction (i.e., a positive Z-axis direction). The elastic member 220 forms a pressing space 250 together with the substrate 210. The key cap 230 is disposed on a side of the elastic member 220 facing away from the pressing space 250 along the first direction. The keycap assembly 200 is stacked on the support structure 100 along a first direction, that is, the substrate 210 is stacked on the support structure 100 along the first direction.

When the key cap 230 in the key cap assembly 200 receives a pressing operation applied by a user along a first direction, the key cap 230 drives the elastic member 220 to translate toward the substrate 210, and when the key cap 230 translates toward the substrate 210 to a predetermined position (for example, when a conductive contact 400 mentioned later is in contact with a conductive contact 510 on the conductive film 500), a circuit board in the keyboard 10 receives an electrical signal corresponding to the pressing operation by the user. The electrical signal is used for input operations of the keyboard 10 and may also be used for triggering operations of the actuation structure 300.

Having described the specific structure of key cap assembly 200, the specific structure of actuation structure 300 will be described in detail later in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an actuation structure 300 in some embodiments of the application. Fig. 13 illustrates an exploded view of an actuation structure 300 in some embodiments of the application. Fig. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the actuation structure 300 along section B-B of fig. 12 in some embodiments of the application, wherein the various components of the actuation structure 300 are in an unassembled state.

As can be seen in connection with fig. 12 to 14, the actuation structure 300 comprises a stator structure 310, a mover structure 320 and a driving element 330. The driving element 330 is a strip-shaped elastic member having a peak-valley structure, for example, the driving element 330 is an SMA shape memory alloy wire. Specifically, the drive element 330 includes a peak-to-valley structure 331 and two drive mounting ends 332 at opposite ends of the peak Gu Jiegou. The driving element 330 is mounted to the stator structure 310 or the mover structure 320 through two driving mounting ends 332, and drives the mover structure 320 to move away from the stator structure 310 through elastic deformation of the peak-to-valley structure 331.

As shown in fig. 14, the peak valley structure 331 includes peak structures 3311 and valley structures 3312 that are spaced apart and connected end to end in sequence. The elastic deformation of the peak valley structure 331 may be a deformation of the peak structure 3311 and the valley structure 3312. For example, the elastic deformation of the peak-to-valley structure 331 is an amplitude adjustment of the peak structure 3311 and the valley structure 3312. As another example, the elastic deformation of the peak-to-valley structure 331 is a width adjustment of the peak structure 3311 and the valley structure 3312.

For example, when the power of the actuating structure 300 is turned on, the driving element 330 shortens, the peak Gu Jiegou straightens, and the mover structure 320 in the actuating structure 300 is pushed away from the stator structure 310 by the extension and contraction of the peak valley structure 331 of the driving element 330, thereby driving the key cap assembly 200 and the supporting structure 100 to generate a slight sliding motion. Further, the present application transmits the vibration generated by the minute sliding to the key cap assembly 200, thereby improving the feeling of the key stroke felt by the user.

Fig. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the actuation structure 300 along section B-B of fig. 12, without the drive element 330 illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present application. Fig. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the actuation structure 300 along section B-B of fig. 12 in some embodiments of the application. As can be seen from fig. 15 and 16, an actuation space 340 is formed between the stator structure 310 and the mover structure 320. The peak-to-valley structure 331 of the drive element 330 is located within the actuation space 340.

In some of these implementations, the actuation space 340 may be a peak valley-like space similar to the peak valley structure 331.

In alternative other implementations, the actuation space 340 may also be other shapes, such as rectangular, oval, etc., capable of accommodating the peak to valley structure 331.

It is understood that any shape capable of accommodating the peak-valley structure 331 and applying a driving force to the stator structure 310 and the mover structure 320 is within the scope of the present application, which is not limited thereto.

In some implementations, the driving element 330 is mounted to the stator structure 310 via two driving mounting ends 332, respectively, and the peak-to-valley structure 331 of the driving element 330 is located in the actuation space 340, and during driving, the peaks or valleys of the peak-to-valley structure 331 abut against the surface of the mover structure 320 to form the actuation space 340. The driving element 330 drives the mover structure 320 to move away from the stator structure 310 by elastic deformation of the peak-to-valley structure 331.

In alternative other implementations, the drive element 330 is mounted to the mover structure 320 via two drive mounting ends 332, respectively, with the peak-to-valley structure 331 of the drive element 330 being located within the actuation space 340, and during driving, the peaks or valleys of the peak-to-valley structure 331 abut against the surface of the stator structure 310 forming the actuation space 340. The driving element 330 drives the mover structure 320 to move away from the stator structure 310 by elastic deformation of the peak-to-valley structure 331.

In some embodiments of the present application, the connection manner between the driving element 330 and the stator structure 310 (or the mover structure 320) may be any one of a threaded connection, an adhesive connection, a welding connection, and a clamping connection, which is not particularly limited in the present application.

The specific structures of the stator structure 310, the mover structure 320 and the driving element 330 in some embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As can be seen in conjunction with fig. 13 and 14, in some embodiments of the present application, the stator structure 310 includes a first wave-shaped tooth structure 311. The first wave-shaped tooth structure 311 has a long strip shape and includes first outer protrusions 3111 and first inner recesses 3112 arranged at intervals along the length direction. The mover structure 320 includes a second wave-shaped tooth structure 321, and the second wave-shaped tooth structure 321 includes second concave portions 3211 and second convex portions 3212 arranged at intervals. The first outer protrusion 3111 is adapted and positioned opposite to the second inner recess 3211, the first inner recess 3112 is adapted and positioned opposite to the second outer recess 3212, and the first outer protrusion 3111, the first inner recess 3112, the second inner recess 3211 and the second outer recess 3212 together form an actuation space 340.

In some embodiments of the present application, the stator structure 310 further includes two first mounting ends 312 disposed at two ends of the first wave-shaped tooth structure 311. The stator structure 310 is mounted to the support structure 100 by two first mounting ends 312.

Fig. 17 (a) shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₂ in fig. 15, in which the components are in an unassembled state. Fig. 17 (b) shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₂ in fig. 15, in which the components are in an assembled state. As shown in fig. 17 (a), the first outer protruding portion 3111 is provided with a first groove 313 facing the second inner recessed portion 3211, and the second outer protruding portion 3212 is provided with a second groove 323 facing the first inner recessed portion 3112. As shown in fig. 17 (b), in the assembled state, the first groove 313 and the second groove 323 are connected end to end, the first outer protrusion 3111 is fitted to the second inner recess 3211, and the first inner recess 3112 is fitted to the second outer protrusion 3212. The first recess 313 cooperates with the concave surface of the first concave recess 3112 and the second recess 323 cooperates with the concave surface of the second concave recess 3211 to form the actuation space 340.

With continued reference to fig. 13, 14, and 16, in some embodiments of the application, the actuation structure 300 may further include a first fastening member 350. The stator structure 310 is mounted to the support structure 100 by a first fastening member 350. In some of these implementations, the first fastening member 350 is a fastening screw by which the two first mounting ends 312 of the stator structure 310 are threadably connected to the support structure 100.

In other embodiments of the present application, the stator structure 310 is mounted to the support structure 100 by any one of adhesive, welding, or snap-fit connection.

With continued reference to fig. 13, 14 and 16, it will be readily appreciated that in some embodiments of the present application, the actuation structure 300 may further include a stop member 360, with the stop member 360 being mounted to the stator structure 310. The mover structure 320 is further provided with a limiting groove 370 corresponding to the limiting member 360. In a natural state, the limiting member 360 is received in the limiting groove 370. In the working state, the limiting component 360 slides out of the limiting groove 370 and is buckled on the groove wall of the limiting groove 370, so that the resistance of the rotor structure 320 to move relative to the stator structure 310 is increased, and the rotor structure 320 is further limited to move relative to the stator structure 310.

In some of these implementations, as shown in fig. 13, 14 and 16, the number of the limiting members 360 is two, and the two limiting members 360 are respectively connected to the two first mounting ends 312 of the stator structure 310. The mover structure 320 is further provided with a limiting groove 370 corresponding to the limiting member 360. In a natural state, the limiting member 360 is clamped in the limiting groove 370.

With continued reference to fig. 13, 14, and 16, in some embodiments of the application, the actuation structure 300 may further include a second fastening component 380. The spacing member 360 is mounted to the stator structure 310 by a second fastening member 380. In some implementations, the second fastening member 380 is a fastening screw, and the two limiting members 360 are respectively screwed to the two first mounting ends 312 of the stator structure 310 by the fastening screw.

In other embodiments of the present application, the stop member 360 is attached to the stator structure 310 by any one of adhesive, welding, or snap-fit connection.

Having described the specific structure of the support structure 100, the key cap assembly 200, and the actuating structure 300, the connection relationship between the support structure 100, the key cap assembly 200, and the actuating structure 300 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of keyboard 10 along section C-C of FIG. 8 in accordance with some embodiments of the application. Fig. 19 (a) shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₃ in fig. 18, in which the components are in an unassembled state. Fig. 19 (b) shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₃ in fig. 18, in which the components are in an assembled state.

In some embodiments of the present application, the stator structure 310 in the actuation structure 300 acts as the actuation mounting end 301 of the actuation structure 300 and interfaces with the support structure 100. The mover structure 320 in the actuation structure 300 acts as the actuation drive end 302 of the actuation structure 300 and interfaces with the key cap assembly 200. For example, the first contact surface 201 of the key cap assembly 200 interfaces with the second contact surface of the mover structure 320.

In some implementations, the stator structure 310 may be connected to the support structure 100 by at least one of bonding, welding, clamping, and screwing, and the mover structure 320 may be connected to the key cap assembly 200 by at least one of bonding, welding, clamping, and screwing, which is not particularly limited in the present application.

FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of keyboard 10 along section D-D of FIG. 8 in accordance with some embodiments of the application. Fig. 21 (a) shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₄ in fig. 20. Fig. 21 (b) shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₅ in fig. 21 (a).

In some of these implementations, as can be seen in conjunction with fig. 9, 21 (a) and 21 (b), the keyboard 10 further includes conductive contacts 400 and conductive films 500. Wherein the conductive contact 400 is positioned in the pressing space and mounted on a side of the elastic member 220 facing the substrate 210. The conductive film 500 is positioned in the pressing space and mounted on a side of the substrate 210 facing the elastic member 220. The conductive film 500 is a conductive member electrically connected to an arithmetic circuit inside the keyboard. In the keyboard 10, the conductive contacts 400 are spaced apart from the conductive film 500 in a natural state, and in an operating state, the conductive contacts 400 are moved into contact with the conductive film 500 when the key cap 230 is moved a first distance. At this time, the circuit board in the keyboard 10 receives an electric signal corresponding to the pressing operation by the user. The electrical signal is used for input operation of the keyboard 10 and may also be used for triggering operation of the actuation structure 300 to enable the actuation structure 300 to drive the key cap assembly 200to move a second distance.

In some embodiments of the present application, keyboard 10 further includes a sensing assembly, and the sensing assembly is configured to sense whether key cap 230 has moved a first distance and to trigger actuation structure 300 in the event that key cap 230 has moved the first distance, such that actuation structure 300 is capable of driving key cap assembly 200 to move a second distance.

As shown in fig. 21 (a), in some embodiments of the present application, at least two conductive contacts 400 are mounted on the key cap assembly 200 in each key 11.

In the above keyboard 10, each key 11 is provided with a plurality of trigger switches, so that it is possible to effectively prevent the user from being unable to trigger the trigger switch located at the central portion when the user presses the edge of the key 11. In addition, since the key cap 230 of the key 11 having a large size is large and thin, the sinking trigger switch of the pressed portion can be realized by only partial pressing, and the trigger effect is not affected even if the distal end far from the pressed portion is not sinking. That is, the trigger effect can be realized by pressing the part with a small force without pressing all keys, and the user experience is improved.

In some embodiments of the present application, the substrate 210 includes a carrier portion 211 and a contact portion 212. The bearing portion 211 is overlapped on the support structure 100 and is used for supporting the elastic member 220. The contact portion 212 interfaces with the carrier portion 211 and interfaces with an actuation mounting or actuation drive end of the actuation structure 300.

In some embodiments of the present application, a space avoidance groove (not shown) is formed at a position of the substrate 210 opposite to the conductive contact 400, so that the keycap 230 is further translated toward the conductive film 500, and the conductive film 500 is pressed into the space avoidance groove, so as to increase the key stroke of the key.

Fig. 22 shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₆ in fig. 21 (b). As can be seen in conjunction with fig. 21 (b) and 22, in some embodiments of the present application, keyboard 10 further includes a scrolling assembly 600. The rolling assembly 600 is disposed between the support portion 110 and the substrate 210, and is configured to convert sliding friction between the support portion 110 and the substrate 210 into rolling friction, so as to reduce friction between the support portion 110 and the substrate 210, and further reduce difficulty in sliding the substrate 210 relative to the support portion 110.

In some of these implementations, the rolling assembly 600 includes a rolling member 610 and a rolling groove 620. The rolling member 610 is mounted on the substrate 210, and the rolling groove 620 is formed on the supporting portion 110 of the supporting structure 100. Or the rolling member 610 is mounted on the supporting portion 110, and the rolling groove 620 is opened on the base plate 210 of the supporting structure 100. When the actuating structure 300 drives the key cap assembly 200 to move a second distance, the rolling member 610 is positioned in the rolling groove 620 and rolls along the extending direction of the rolling groove 620. The above-described implementation not only reduces the frictional force of the relative movement between the support structure 100 and the key cap assembly 200, but also limits the direction of the relative movement between the support structure 100 and the key cap assembly 200, improving the stability of the structure of the keyboard 10.

In alternative other implementations, the rolling assembly 600 includes a rolling member 610. For example, the rolling member 610 may be a ball or a roller. The rolling member 610 is mounted on the supporting portion 110, or the rolling member 610 is mounted on the substrate 210, which is not particularly limited in the present application.

With continued reference to fig. 9 and 21 (b), in some embodiments of the present application, the keyboard 10 further includes a backlight module (Blacklight Module, BM) 700, and the backlight module 700 is mounted on the substrate 210 or the supporting portion 110. The backlight module 700 includes a reflective sheet, a light guide plate, a lower diffusion sheet, a lower prism sheet, an upper prism sheet, and an upper diffusion sheet. The backlight module 700 in the keyboard 10 is a light source combination for emitting light of letters, characters and logos on the keyboard, and the power end and the control end of the backlight module 700 are in butt joint with the main board of the computer, so that the backlight module 700 can be controlled to be opened and closed and the whole brightness can be adjusted.

With continued reference to fig. 9, in some embodiments of the present application, keyboard 10 further includes a reset element 800, and reset element 800 is coupled to stator structure 310 and mover structure 320, respectively. The reset component 800 is configured to drive the mover structure 320 to reset relative to the stator structure 310 after the mover structure 320 moves relative to the stator structure 310.

In some of these implementations, the reset device 800 is a spring that is connected to the support structure 100 (i.e., the stator structure 310) at one end and the key cap assembly 200 (i.e., the mover structure 320) at the other end. During the movement of the mover structure 320 relative to the stator structure 310, the springs are elastically deformed; when the movement of the mover structure 320 relative to the stator structure 310 is completed, the spring elastically returns and drives the mover structure 320 to reset relative to the stator structure 310.

In some implementations, reset device 800 and actuation structure 300 may also be disposed on the same side of key cap assembly 200, or reset device 800 and actuation structure 300 may be disposed on opposite sides of key cap assembly 200. It will be appreciated that the present application may properly adjust the layout position of reset device 800 on keyboard 10 according to the layout space of keyboard 10, which is not particularly limited by the present application.

With continued reference to FIG. 19 (a), in some embodiments of the present application, keyboard 10 further includes a positioning assembly 900. The positioning assembly 900 is used to define the relative positional relationship between the stator structure 310 and the support structure 100.

In some implementations, the positioning assembly 900 includes a first positioning hole 910 formed in the first mounting end 310 of the stator structure 300, a second positioning hole 920 formed in the mounting portion 120 of the support structure 100, and a positioning pin (not shown). The locating pins define the relative positional relationship between the stator structure 310 and the support structure 100 by cooperating with the first locating holes 910 and the second locating holes 920.

With continued reference to FIG. 21 (b), in some embodiments of the application, the keyboard 10 further includes an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is used to bond the two components of the keyboard 10. For example, an adhesive layer is used to adhere the mover structure 320 to the substrate 210 in the key cap assembly 200. For another example, an adhesive layer is used to adhere the elastic member 220 to the conductive film 500. For another example, an adhesive layer is used to adhere the conductive film 500 to the substrate 210. For another example, an adhesive layer is used to adhere the conductive contact 400 to the elastic member 220. For another example, the adhesive layer is used to adhere the backlight module 700 to the support portion 110 of the support structure 100.

With continued reference to fig. 9 and 21 (b), in some embodiments of the application, keyboard 10 further includes a frame 1000. The frame 1000 and support structure 100 provide protection and support for the keyboard. The frame 1000 and the supporting structure 100 together constitute an outer frame of the keyboard, and the key cap assembly 200, the actuating structure 300, the conductive contacts 400, the conductive film 500, the rolling assembly 600, the backlight module 700, and the reset device 800 are disposed inside the outer frame.

In some embodiments of the present application, the frame 1000 is disposed around the support structure 100, and forms a receiving space with the support structure 100 for receiving the actuating structure 300.

In some embodiments of the application, the frame 1000 includes a first side panel 1010 and a second side panel 1020. Wherein the first side board 1010 is disposed around the support structure 100. The second side plate 1020 is disposed parallel to the support portion 110 and is connected to the first side plate 1010. The first side panel 1010, the second side panel 1020 and the support structure 100 together form a receiving space for receiving the actuation structure 300.

In some embodiments of the present application, the frame 1000 further includes a third side plate 1030, the third side plate 1030 being disposed on the same side of the second side plate 1020 as the first side plate 1010, the third side plate 1030 being configured to define a limit position of the actuating structure 300 to define a limit distance over which the key cap assembly 200 can move.

One of the elastic members 220, and the key cap assembly 200 including the elastic member 220 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In some embodiments of the present application, the key cap assembly 200 includes a key cap 230, an elastic member 220, and a base plate 210, which are sequentially stacked along a first direction. Wherein the elastic member 220 may be a rubber member for supporting the key cap 230 while providing a proper mechanical curve to the key cap 230.

The thickness and shape (e.g., R angle) of the rubber member can be freely designed to obtain a desired mechanical curve, thereby satisfying the product effect and reducing the difficulty of development. Besides, the key 11 does not need to be provided with a scissor structure and a restoring structure, so that the thinning of products is facilitated, the simplification of the whole structure is facilitated, and the economic benefit of the products is improved.

In some embodiments of the present application, the elastic member 220 is integrally formed with the key cap 230, or the elastic member 220 is adhered to the key cap 230 after the elastic member 220 is separately formed with the key cap 230.

Fig. 23 shows a perspective view of the elastic member 220, the key cap 230, the conductive contact 400, and the conductive film 500 in the region S ₇ in fig. 10. Fig. 24 (a) shows a cross-sectional view of the elastic member 220, the key cap 230, the conductive contacts 400, and the conductive film 500 of fig. 23 along the section E-E of fig. 23. Fig. 24 (b) shows a partial enlarged view of the region S ₈ in fig. 24 (a).

As shown in fig. 24 (b), in some embodiments of the present application, the elastic member 220 includes a first mounting portion 221, a deformable portion 222, and a second mounting portion 223. The key cap 230 is mounted on a side of the first mounting portion 221 facing away from the substrate 210. The deformable portion 222 is disposed around the first mounting portion 221, and one end of the deformable portion 222 is connected to the first mounting portion 221. The second mounting portion 223 is disposed around the deformable portion 222, and is mounted on a side of the substrate 210 facing the elastic member 220, and the other end of the deformable portion 222 is in contact with the second mounting portion 223. Wherein the deformable portion 222 is a hollow boss, a ring of annular wall is formed around the bottom of the key cap 230 to support the key cap 230 and the first mounting portion 221, and to provide a rebound force when the key cap 230 is pressed.

As shown in fig. 24 (b), in some embodiments of the present application, one end of the deformable portion 222 has a smaller size than the other end of the deformable portion 222. That is, the dimension of the orthographic projection of one end of the deformable portion 222 on the first projection surface is smaller than the dimension of the orthographic projection of the other end of the deformable portion 222 on the first projection surface.

As shown in fig. 24 (b), in some embodiments of the present application, the elastic member 220 further includes a reinforcing portion 224. The front projection of the reinforcement portion 224 on the first projection surface is looped around the front projection of the second mounting portion 223 on the first projection surface, and the reinforcement portion 224 is disposed on a side of the second mounting portion 223 facing away from the substrate 210. That is, the reinforcement portion 224 is located around the second mounting portion 223.

In other embodiments of the present application, the elastic member 220 may also be an elastic wire. The elastic wire includes, but is not limited to, any one of a carbon steel spring wire, a low manganese spring wire, a silicon manganese spring wire, a chromium vanadium spring wire, a stainless steel wire for springs, a tin bronze wire, or a beryllium bronze wire, which is not particularly limited in the present application.

Having described the elastic member 220, and the key cap assembly 200 including the elastic member 220, the operation principle of the key cap assembly 200 of this type will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 25 illustrates a graph of load on key cap 230 versus key stroke in key cap assembly 200 in some embodiments of the application. In fig. 25, the horizontal axis represents the key stroke in mm; the vertical axis represents load in gf. The key stroke refers to the distance the key cap 230 moves. The load refers to the load borne by the key cap 230, and may be understood as the supporting force exerted by the elastic member 220 borne by the key cap 230, and may be understood as the force exerted by the user borne by the key cap 230. Fig. 26 (a) shows a key shape in a first state according to some embodiments of the present application. Fig. 26 (b) shows a key shape in the second state in some embodiments of the present application. Fig. 26 (c) shows a key shape in a third state according to some embodiments of the present application. Fig. 26 (d) shows a key shape in a fourth state according to some embodiments of the present application. The load variation law of the key caps 230 in the key cap assembly 200 will be described with reference to fig. 25 to 26 (d).

At point a, for example, as shown in fig. 26 (a), the key cap 230 is in a natural state, no external operation is received, and the load carried by the key cap 230 is 0.

In the a-B process, the key cap 230 receives a pressing operation of a user and drives the elastic member 220 to be compressively deformed. For example, as shown in fig. 26 (B), in the a-B process, the first mounting portion 221 is translated along with the key cap 230 in a direction approaching the conductive film 500, and the deformable portion 222 in the elastic member 220 is compressively deformed, and the compressive deformation direction may be the extending direction of the deformable portion 222. During the compression deformation of the elastic member 220, the resistance of the user to further press the key cap 230 increases, and the load carried by the key cap 230 gradually increases, for example, the load carried by the key cap 230 increases from 0 to 60gf.

At point B, the compressive deformation of the deformable portion 222 in the elastic member 220 reaches the maximum deformation amount, and at this time, the load carried by the key cap 230 is 60gf.

In the B-C process, the key cap 230 receives a continuous downward pressing operation of the user and drives the elastic member 220 to be bent and deformed. For example, as shown in fig. 26 (C), in the B-C process, the first mounting portion 221 continues to translate along with the key cap 230 in a direction approaching the conductive film 500, and the deformable portion 222 in the elastic member 220 is bent and deformed, and the bending and deforming direction may be a direction intersecting the extending direction of the deformable portion 222. It will be appreciated that since the compression deformation in the deformable portion 222 is released and the bending deformation of the deformable portion 222 is completed without a large load, the resistance of the user to further press the key cap 230 is reduced during the bending deformation of the elastic member 220, and the load carried by the key cap 230 is gradually reduced, for example, the load carried by the key cap 230 is reduced from 60gf to 30gf, resulting in a knocking sensation.

At point C, as shown in fig. 26 (d), contact is started between the conductive contact 400 and the conductive film 500.

The C-D process, the conductive contact 400 and the contact 510 on the conductive film 500 are gradually brought into close contact.

The key cap 230 receives a continuous downward pressing operation by a user and drives the elastic member 220 to continue bending deformation. After the contact between the conductive contact 400 and the conductive film 500 is started, the contact 510 on the conductive contact 400 and the conductive film 500 gradually and closely contact. For example, as shown in fig. 26 (D), in the C-D process, the first mounting portion 221 continues to translate along with the key cap 230 in a direction approaching the conductive film 500 until the conductive contact 400 translated to the key cap 230 is in close contact with the conductive contact 510 on the conductive film 500, and the deformable portion 222 in the elastic member 220 continues to be bent and deformed, and the bending and deforming direction may be a direction intersecting the extending direction of the deformable portion 222. It will be appreciated that as the deformable portion 222 continues to bend and deform, the resistance of the user to further press the key cap 230 increases slightly, and the load carried by the key cap 230 increases gradually, but as can be readily seen in fig. 25, the load carried by the C-D process key cap 230 increases slightly.

At point D, the first mounting portion 221 translates along with the key cap 230 in a direction approaching the conductive film 500 until the conductive contact 400 on the key cap 230 is in close contact with the conductive contact 510 on the conductive film 500, triggering the actuation structure 300. The actuation structure 300 is turned on to simulate the additional distance of the key cap 230 by vibration, enhancing the keystroke feel.

In some of these implementations, whether the actuation structure 300 is open may be controlled by the conductive contact 400 contacting the conductive film 500. In alternative other implementations, the actuation structure 300 may be controlled to be opened in other ways, which the present application is not limited in detail.

In the D-E process, since the position of the substrate 210 opposite to the conductive contact 400 is provided with the avoidance groove 213, the first mounting portion 221 continues to translate along with the key cap 230 in a direction approaching the conductive film 500, and presses the conductive film 500 into the avoidance groove 213.

At point E, the first mounting portion 221 moves to a limit position along with the key cap 230 in a direction approaching the conductive film 500.

In the E-F process, the key cap 230 receives the upward lifting operation of the user, and the key cap 230 moves with the first mounting part 221 in a direction away from the conductive film 500 until the conductive film 500 is ejected from the escape groove 213, as shown in fig. 26 (d). The deformation of the conductive film 500 is gradually reduced, and the load carried by the key cap 230 is gradually reduced.

At point F, the key cap 230 receives a continuous upward lifting operation from the user, and the conductive contact 400 starts to disengage from the conductive contact 510 on the conductive film 500, and the actuation structure 300 is triggered again. The actuating structure 300 is turned on again to enhance the feedback feel by vibrating the additional distance of the simulated key cap 230.

F-G process, a process in which the conductive contact 400 is gradually separated from the conductive contact 510 on the conductive film 500. The key cap 230 receives a continuous upward lifting operation by the user, the conductive contact 400 is gradually separated from the conductive contact 510 on the conductive film 500, and the load carried by the key cap 230 is gradually reduced. For example, as shown in fig. 26 (d), in the F-G process, the first mounting portion 221 translates along with the keycap 230 in a direction away from the conductive film 500, the deformable portion 222 in the elastic member 220 is bent and deformed back, the bending deformation of the deformable portion 222 is weakened, and at the same time, the supporting force of the conductive contact 510 on the conductive film 500 on the conductive contact 400 is gradually reduced, that is, the load carried by the keycap 230 in the F-G process is gradually reduced. It will be appreciated that the load carried by the key cap 230 is gradually reduced because the bending deformation of the deformable portion 222 is reduced and the supporting force of the conductive contact 510 on the electrical membrane 500 to the conductive contact 400 is smaller, but it is apparent from fig. 25 that the load carried by the F-G process key cap 230 is reduced to a smaller extent.

At point G, conductive contact 400 is completely separated from conductive contact 510 on conductive film 500.

The G-H process, the key cap 230 receives a continued upward lifting operation by the user, the bending deformation of the deformable portion 222 in the elastic member 220 returns, and the deformable portion 222 is elastically deformed, as shown in fig. 26 (c), for example. The load carried by the keycap 230 gradually increases, reflecting a feedback feel.

At point H, the bending deformation of the deformable portion 222 in the elastic member 220 is completely recovered, and the deformable portion 222 exhibits the maximum deformation amount of elastic deformation, such as compression deformation shown in fig. 26 (b).

H-a process, the key cap 230 receives a continued upward lifting operation by the user, and the compression deformation of the deformable portion 222 in the elastic member 220 returns, as shown in fig. 26 (a) and 26 (b), for example. The load carried by the key cap 230 gradually decreases.

The present application also provides an electronic device comprising any of the keyboards 10 described above.

The foregoing describes embodiments of the present application in terms of specific examples, and other advantages and effects of the present application will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein. While the description of the application will be presented in connection with certain embodiments, it is not intended to limit the features of this application to only this embodiment. Rather, the purpose of the present application is to cover other alternatives or modifications, which may be extended by the claims based on the application. The above description contains many specifics in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. The application may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, some specific details are omitted from the description in order to avoid obscuring the application. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments of the present application and features of the embodiments may be combined with each other.

It should be noted that in this specification, like reference numerals and letters refer to like items in the above figures, and thus once an item is defined in one figure, no further definition or explanation thereof is necessary in the following figures. In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the directions or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, are merely for convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, and may be either fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, for example; can be mechanically or electrically connected; can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can be communication between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application will be understood in specific cases by those of ordinary skill in the art.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present application without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Thus, it is intended that the present application also include such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A keyboard (10), characterized in that the keyboard (10) comprises:

A support structure (100);

A key cap assembly (200), the key cap assembly (200) being superimposed on the support structure (100) along a first direction, the key cap assembly (200) comprising a key cap (230), the first direction being a thickness direction of the keyboard;

-an actuation structure (300), the front projection of the actuation structure (300) in a first projection plane being located outside the front projection of the key cap assembly (200) in the first projection plane, wherein the first projection plane is perpendicular to the first direction, and the front projection of the actuation structure (300) in a second projection plane, which is perpendicular to the first projection plane, and the front projection of the key cap assembly (200) in the second projection plane are at least partially coincident;

The actuation structure (300) drives the key cap assembly (200) to move a second distance in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with the key cap (230) moving a first distance in the first direction.

2. The keyboard (10) of claim 1, wherein the first direction comprises a first positive direction and a first negative direction.

3. The keyboard (10) of any of claims 1-2, wherein the key cap assembly (200) comprises a plurality of key caps (230), and wherein the actuation structure (300) drives the key cap assembly (200) of at least some of the plurality of keys including at least one key to move a second distance when the key cap (230) of at least one key of the plurality of key caps (230) moves a first distance.

4. A keyboard (10) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the actuation structure (300) comprises a stator structure (310), a mover structure (320) and a drive element (330);

The stator structure (310) is connected with the supporting structure (100), and the rotor structure (320) is connected with the keycap assembly (200);

The stator structure (310) is arranged opposite to the mover structure (320) and forms an actuation space (340) therebetween;

The driving element (330) is a strip-shaped elastic piece with a peak-valley structure, two ends of the driving element (330) are mounted on the stator structure (310) or the rotor structure (320), the peak-valley structure is located in the actuating space (340), and the driving element (330) stretches and contracts in the actuating space through elastic deformation of the peak-valley structure so as to drive the rotor structure (320) to move in a direction away from the stator structure (310).

5. The keyboard (10) of claim 4, wherein,

The stator structure (310), the stator structure (310) comprises a first wavy tooth structure (311) in a strip shape, and the first wavy tooth structure (311) comprises a first outer convex part (3111) and a first concave part (3112) which are arranged at intervals along the length direction;

the rotor structure (320), the rotor structure (320) comprises a second wavy tooth structure (321) which is in a strip shape, and the second wavy tooth structure (321) comprises second concave parts (3211) and second convex parts (3212) which are arranged at intervals along the length direction;

The first outer protruding portion (3111) is in shape fit and opposite to the second inner protruding portion (3211), the first inner protruding portion (3112) is in shape fit and opposite to the second outer protruding portion (3212), and the first outer protruding portion (3111), the first inner protruding portion (3112), the second inner protruding portion (3211) and the second outer protruding portion (3212) jointly form the actuation space (340).

6. The keyboard (10) of claim 5, wherein in a natural state:

the first outer protruding part (3111) is abutted against the second inner concave part (3211), and a first groove (313) facing the second inner concave part (3211) is formed in the first outer protruding part (3111);

the first concave part (3112) is abutted against the second outer convex part (3212), and a second groove (323) facing the first concave part (3112) is formed in the second outer convex part (3212);

The first groove (313) and the second groove (323) are connected end to end, and the first groove (313), the second inner recess (3211), the second groove (323) and the first inner recess (3112) jointly form the actuation space (340).

7. The keyboard (10) of claim 6, wherein the keyboard (10) further comprises a frame (1000), the frame (1000) comprising:

a first side panel (1010), the first side panel (1010) surrounding the support structure (100);

A second side plate (1020), wherein the second side plate (1020) is arranged in parallel with the supporting structure (100) and is connected with the first side plate (1010), and the first side plate (1010), the second side plate (1020) and the supporting structure (100) together form a containing space for containing the actuating structure (300);

-a third side plate (1030), the third side plate (1030) being arranged in parallel with the first side plate (1010) on the same side of the second side plate (1020), the third side plate (1030) being adapted to define an extreme position of the actuation structure (300) to define an extreme distance over which the key cap assembly (200) is movable.

8. The keyboard (10) of any of claims 1-7, wherein an orthographic projection of the actuation structure (300) on the second projection plane is within an orthographic projection of the key cap assembly (200) on the second projection plane or an orthographic projection of the key cap assembly (200) on the second projection plane is within an orthographic projection of the actuation structure (300) on the second projection plane.

9. The keyboard (10) of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the actuation structure (300) comprises in particular two actuation structures (300), the two actuation structures (300) being distributed in any one of the following distribution patterns:

The orthographic projection of the two actuating structures (300) on the first projection surface is positioned on the same side of the orthographic projection of the keycap assembly (200) on the first projection surface; or alternatively

The orthographic projections of the two actuating structures (300) on the first projection surface are distributed on two opposite sides of the orthographic projection of the keycap assembly (200) on the first projection surface; or alternatively

The front projections of the two actuating structures (300) on the first projection surface are distributed on two adjacent sides of the front projection of the keycap assembly (200) on the first projection surface.

10. The keyboard (10) of any of claims 1-9, wherein the keycap assembly (200) comprises:

-a substrate (210), said substrate (210) being superimposed on said support structure (100) along said first direction;

An elastic member (220), the elastic member (220) being superimposed on the substrate (210) along the first direction, and the elastic member (220) and the substrate (210) together forming a pressing space (250);

the plurality of key caps (230) are arranged on one side of the elastic member (220) facing away from the pressing space (250) along the first direction.

11. The keyboard (10) of claim 10, wherein the resilient member (220) comprises:

a first mounting portion (221), wherein the key cap (230) is mounted on one side of the first mounting portion (221) facing away from the substrate (210);

A deformable portion (222), wherein the deformable portion (222) is disposed around the first mounting portion (221), and one end of the deformable portion (222) is in contact with the first mounting portion (221);

And a second mounting portion (223), wherein the second mounting portion (223) is annularly arranged around the deformable portion (222) and is mounted on one side of the substrate (210) facing away from the supporting structure (100), and the second mounting portion (223) is in contact with the other end of the deformable portion (222).

12. The keyboard (10) of claim 11, wherein a size of an orthographic projection of one end of the deformable portion (222) on the first projection surface is smaller than a size of an orthographic projection of the other end of the deformable portion (222) on the first projection surface.

13. The keyboard (10) of claim 11 or 12, wherein the elastic member (220) further comprises a reinforcement portion (224), a front projection of the reinforcement portion (224) on the first projection surface is looped around a front projection of the second mounting portion (223) on the first projection surface, and the reinforcement portion (224) is provided on a side of the second mounting portion (223) facing away from the substrate (210).

14. The keyboard (10) of any of claims 10-13, wherein the substrate (210) comprises:

a carrying portion (211), the carrying portion (211) being superimposed on the support structure (100) and being adapted to support the elastic member (220);

And the contact part (212), the contact part (212) is connected with the bearing part (211) and is connected with the actuating installation end or the actuating driving end of the actuating structure (300).

15. The keyboard (10) of any one of claims 10-14, wherein the keyboard (10) further comprises:

A conductive contact (400), the conductive contact (400) being located in the pressing space and being mounted on a side of the elastic member (220) facing the substrate (210);

a conductive film (500), wherein the conductive film (500) is positioned in the pressing space and is mounted on one side of the substrate (210) facing the elastic member (220);

in a natural state, the conductive contacts (400) are spaced apart from the conductive film (500), and when the key cap (230) moves the first distance, the conductive contacts (400) move into contact with the conductive film (500).

16. The keyboard (10) of claim 15, wherein one key of the keyboard (10) includes at least two of the conductive contacts (400), the two conductive contacts (400) being located in the pressing spaces corresponding to the keys and mounted on a side of the elastic member (220) of the keys facing the substrate (210).

17. The keyboard (10) of any of claims 1-16, wherein the keyboard (10) further comprises a scroll wheel (610) disposed on the keycap assembly (200) and a scroll slot (620) open on the support structure (100), or wherein the keyboard (10) further comprises a scroll wheel (610) disposed on the support structure (100) and a scroll slot (620) open on the keycap assembly (200);

The scroll wheel (610) is positioned within the scroll slot (620) and scrolls along an extension direction of the scroll slot (620) when the actuation structure (300) drives the key cap assembly (200) to move the second distance.

18. The keyboard (10) of any of claims 1-17, wherein the keyboard (10) further comprises a reset feature (800),

One end of the reset component (800) is connected with the supporting structure (100), and the other end of the reset component is connected with the keycap assembly (200) and is used for driving the keycap assembly (200) to reset relative to the supporting structure (100) after the actuating structure (300) drives the keycap assembly (200) to move for the second distance.

19. A keyboard (10), characterized in that the keyboard (10) comprises:

A support structure (100);

-an actuation structure (300), the front projection of the actuation structure (300) in a first projection plane being outside the front projection of the support structure (100) and the key cap assembly (200) in the first projection plane, wherein the first projection plane is perpendicular to the first direction, and the front projection of the actuation structure (300) in a second projection plane and the front projection of the key cap assembly (200) in the second projection plane are at least partially coincident, the second projection plane being perpendicular to the first projection plane;

20. An electronic device (1) comprising a keyboard (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1-19.