CN211404376U

CN211404376U - Key structure

Info

Publication number: CN211404376U
Application number: CN202020094851.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈弘基
Original assignee: Acer Inc
Current assignee: Acer Inc
Priority date: 2020-01-16
Filing date: 2020-01-16
Publication date: 2020-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-16

Abstract

The utility model provides a key structure, it includes support plate, scissors foot mechanism and key cap. The scissor leg mechanism is arranged on the support plate. The scissor mechanism comprises a first end and a second end, and the first end is contacted with the carrier plate. The key cap is arranged above the support plate, and the scissor-foot mechanism is positioned between the key cap and the support plate. The keycap comprises a key body and a plurality of first shock absorption positioning parts, wherein the key body is provided with a bottom surface facing the carrier plate, and the first shock absorption positioning parts protrude out of the bottom surface. The second end portion contacts the plurality of first shock-absorbing and positioning portions. The utility model provides a button structure can reduce the operation sound by a wide margin.

Description

Key structure

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a button structure especially relates to a be applied to button structure of keyboard.

Background

Keyboards are commonly used as physical input interfaces and are widely used in various electronic devices, such as personal desktop computers, notebook computers, other consumer electronic devices, or other industrial electronic devices. In detail, the keyboard layout is used to input information to the electronic device and is used as an auxiliary tool for operating the electronic device.

Generally, a key structure of a keyboard includes a key cap, a scissor mechanism and a carrier plate, wherein the key cap is disposed above the carrier plate, and the scissor mechanism is disposed between the key cap and the carrier plate to support the key cap. When a user applies force to press the key cap, the impact between the key cap and the scissor-leg mechanism, the impact between the key cap and the carrier plate, or the impact between the scissor-leg mechanism and the carrier plate may cause excessive noise, thereby generating annoying noise. Therefore, how to reduce the sound generated during the operation of the key structure becomes an urgent issue to be solved by the relevant manufacturers.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model provides a button structure, it can reduce the operation sound by a wide margin.

The utility model discloses a key structure, it includes support plate, scissors foot mechanism and key cap. The scissor leg mechanism is arranged on the support plate. The scissor mechanism comprises a first end and a second end, and the first end of the scissor mechanism contacts the carrier plate. The key cap is arranged above the support plate, and the scissor-foot mechanism is positioned between the key cap and the support plate. The keycap comprises a key body and a plurality of first shock absorption positioning parts, wherein the key body is provided with a bottom surface facing the carrier plate, and the first shock absorption positioning parts protrude out of the bottom surface. The second end of the scissor-foot mechanism contacts the plurality of first shock-absorbing and positioning portions.

Based on the above, in the key structure of the utility model, the keycap is provided with the shock-absorbing positioning portion at the joint of the scissor-leg mechanism. When the user operates the key structure, the shock-absorbing positioning part can be used for absorbing the impact force between the keycap and the scissor-leg mechanism, so that the sound generated when the key structure is operated is greatly reduced, and the annoying noise is avoided.

In order to make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a key structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the key cap of FIG. 1 from another perspective;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views of the key structure of FIG. 1 in two different cross-sections;

FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the key structure of FIG. 3B after actuation.

Description of reference numerals:

100: a key structure;

110: a carrier plate;

111: a carrier plate body;

112: a second shock-absorbing positioning portion;

112 a: a positioning part;

112 b: a shock absorbing section;

120: a scissor-foot mechanism;

120 a: a movable support;

121: a first end portion;

122: a second end portion;

130: a keycap;

131: a key body;

131 a: a bottom surface;

131 b: a side wall;

131 c: recessing;

131 d: a buffer section;

131 e: an end face;

132: a first shock absorption positioning part;

140: a trigger;

150: a thin film circuit.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a key structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the key cap of FIG. 1 from another perspective. Fig. 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views of the key structure of fig. 1 in two different cross-sections. FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the key structure of FIG. 3B after actuation. In particular, the cross section of fig. 3A and the cross section of fig. 3B are parallel to each other in space.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 2 and fig. 3A, in the present embodiment, the key structure 100 belongs to a portion of a keyboard, and the keyboard may be an external keyboard or a keyboard integrated in a notebook computer. In detail, the key structure 100 includes a carrier 110, a scissor mechanism 120 and a key cap 130, and the carrier 110 is used for carrying the scissor mechanism 120 and the key cap 130. The scissor mechanism 120 is disposed on the carrier 110, and the key cap 130 is disposed above the carrier 110. The scissor mechanism 120 is used for supporting the key cap 130 and guiding the moving direction of the key cap 130.

Further, the scissor mechanism 120 includes a first end 121 and a second end 122, wherein the first end 121 contacts the carrier plate 110, and the first end 121 has a freedom of movement to rotate or slide relative to the carrier plate 110. On the other hand, the second end portion 122 contacts the key cap 130, and the second end portion 122 has a freedom of movement to rotate or slide with respect to the key cap 130.

As shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3A, the key cap 130 includes a key body 131 and a plurality of first vibration absorption positioning portions 132, wherein the key cap 130 is manufactured by a two-material injection molding technique, and the material of the key body 131 is different from the material of the first vibration absorption positioning portions 132. Still further, the key body 131 may be made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or Polycarbonate (PC), and the first shock absorption and positioning portions 132 may be made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

In the present embodiment, the key body 131 has a bottom surface 131a facing the carrier 110, wherein the first shock absorption positioning portions 132 are formed on the bottom surface 131a, and the first shock absorption positioning portions 132 protrude from the bottom surface 131 a. These first shock-absorbing and positioning portions 132 are used to position the second end 122 of the scissors mechanism 120, so as to ensure that the second end 122 rotates around a specific axis or slides within a specific range, and prevent the second end 122 from falling off the key cap 130. Furthermore, the second end 122 of the scissors mechanism 120 contacts the first shock absorption positioning portions 132, and when the user operates the key structure 100, the first shock absorption positioning portions 132 can absorb the impact force between the key cap 130 and the scissors mechanism 120, so as to greatly reduce the sound generated when the key structure 100 is operated and avoid generating annoying noise.

As shown in fig. 3B, the carrier plate 110 includes a carrier plate body 111 and a plurality of second shock-absorbing positioning portions 112 protruding from the carrier plate body 111, wherein the second shock-absorbing positioning portions 112 face the bottom surface 131a of the key body 131, and the first end 121 of the scissor-leg mechanism 120 contacts the second shock-absorbing positioning portions 112. These second shock-absorbing positioning portions 112 are used to position the first end portion 121 of the scissors foot mechanism 120, so as to ensure that the first end portion 121 rotates around a specific axis or slides within a specific range, and prevent the first end portion 121 from falling off the carrier plate 110.

In detail, each of the second shock-absorbing positioning portions 112 includes a positioning portion 112a and a shock-absorbing portion 112b, wherein the positioning portion 112a is integrally formed on the carrier plate body 111, and the shock-absorbing portion 112b covers the positioning portion 112 a. The carrier body 111 may be a metal plate or an alloy plate, and each positioning portion 112a may be a hook formed by stamping from the metal plate or the alloy plate. On the other hand, the material of the shock absorbing portions 112b may be thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and the shock absorbing portions are formed on the positioning portions 112a by an over-molding technique. Furthermore, the first end 121 of the scissors foot mechanism 120 contacts the shock absorbing portions 112b, so that when the user operates the key structure 100, the shock absorbing portions 112b can absorb the impact force between the scissors foot mechanism 120 and the carrier plate 110, thereby greatly reducing the noise generated when operating the key structure 100 and avoiding the generation of annoying noise.

Referring to fig. 3A and 3B, the scissors mechanism 120 includes two movable frames 120a pivotally connected to each other, wherein each movable frame 120a contacts at least one second shock-absorbing and positioning portion 112 through a first end 121, and each movable frame 120a contacts at least one first shock-absorbing and positioning portion 132 through a second end 122.

As shown in fig. 3C, during the process that the key cap 130 is pressed by the force and moves to the extreme position (i.e. the position where the key cap 130 cannot move further to the carrier 110) toward the carrier 110, the second end 122 of each movable support 120a also moves to the extreme position (i.e. the position where the second end 122 cannot move further to the carrier 110) along with the key cap 130 toward the carrier 110. After the key cap 130 and the second end 122 of each movable support 120a move to the limit position toward the carrier plate 110, the end of the second shock-absorbing positioning portion 112 facing the key cap 130 is higher than the side of each movable support 120a facing the key cap 130. That is, the second shock-absorbing positioning portion 112 can prevent the key cap 130 from hitting the respective movable supports 120a and prevent annoying noise from being generated.

Referring to fig. 2 and fig. 3A, in the present embodiment, the key body 131 includes a sidewall 131b surrounding the bottom surface 131a, and the sidewall 131b protrudes from the bottom surface 131a to form a recess 131c for accommodating the first shock absorption positioning portions 132 and the second end 122 of the scissor mechanism 120. That is, the first shock-absorbing and positioning portions 132 and the second end 122 of the scissor mechanism 120 are located in the recess 131 c.

Further, the key body 131 further includes a plurality of buffer portions 131d, wherein the buffer portions 131d may be made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and are formed on the end surface 131e of the sidewall 131b by using a two-material injection molding technique. Still further, there is a height difference between the end surface 131e and the bottom surface 131a, wherein the buffer portions 131d are located outside the recess 131c, and the buffer portions 131d face the carrier 110. For example, the buffering portions 131d are distributed at the corners of the sidewall 131b, but not limited thereto, and the positions of the buffering portions 131d may be adjusted according to actual requirements.

As shown in fig. 3C, when the key cap 130 is pressed by a force and moves to the carrier 110 to a limit position (i.e. a position where the key cap 130 cannot move to the carrier 110), the key cap 130 contacts the carrier 110 through the buffer portions 131d, and the buffer portions 131d can absorb the impact force between the key cap 130 and the carrier 110 to avoid generating an excessive sound.

Referring to fig. 3A and 3B, in the present embodiment, the key structure 100 further includes a trigger 140 and a thin film circuit 150, and the trigger 140 is disposed between the key cap 130 and the carrier 110. The trigger 140 may be a rubber dome (rubber dome) and is configured to support the key cap 130, provide the force required to reset the key cap 130, and conduct the circuit on the thin film circuit 150. On the other hand, the thin film circuit 150 is disposed on the carrier 110 and located between the trigger 140 and the carrier 110. One end of the trigger 140 contacts the bottom surface 131a of the key body 131, and the other end of the trigger 140 contacts the thin film circuit 150. The thin film circuit 150 substantially overlaps the carrier 110, but the thin film circuit 150 has a through groove or a through hole to avoid covering the second shock-absorbing positioning portion 112.

In summary, in the key structure of the present invention, the joint between the key cap and the scissors mechanism is provided with the first shock-absorbing positioning portion, and the joint between the support plate and the scissors mechanism is provided with the second shock-absorbing positioning portion. When the user operates the button structure, the first shock absorption positioning part can be used for absorbing the impact force between the keycap and the scissor-leg mechanism, and the second shock absorption positioning part can be used for absorbing the impact force between the scissor-leg mechanism and the support plate, so that the noise generated when the button structure is operated is greatly reduced, and the annoying noise is avoided. On the other hand, a buffer part is arranged on one side of the keycap facing the carrier plate, and the buffer part is configured to absorb the impact force between the keycap and the carrier plate and avoid generating annoying noise.

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

Claims

1. A key structure, comprising:

a carrier plate;

the scissor mechanism is arranged on the carrier plate and comprises a first end part and a second end part, and the first end part of the scissor mechanism is contacted with the carrier plate; and

the key cap is arranged above the carrier plate, the scissor-foot mechanism is positioned between the key cap and the carrier plate, the key cap comprises a key body and a plurality of first shock absorption positioning parts, the key body is provided with a bottom surface facing the carrier plate, the first shock absorption positioning parts protrude out of the bottom surface, and the second end part of the scissor-foot mechanism is in contact with the first shock absorption positioning parts.

2. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the key body includes a sidewall surrounding the bottom surface, the sidewall protruding from the bottom surface to form a recess, and the first shock absorption positioning portions are located in the recess.

3. The key structure according to claim 2, wherein the key body further includes a plurality of buffer portions, the buffer portions are disposed on end surfaces of the side walls, and a height difference exists between the end surfaces and the bottom surface.

4. The key structure of claim 2, wherein the key cap further comprises a plurality of buffer portions, and the plurality of buffer portions are disposed at corners of the side walls.

5. The key structure according to claim 1, wherein the carrier plate includes a carrier plate body and a plurality of second shock-absorbing positioning portions protruding from the carrier plate body, and the plurality of second shock-absorbing positioning portions face a bottom surface of the key body, and the first end of the scissor-leg mechanism contacts the plurality of second shock-absorbing positioning portions.

6. The key structure according to claim 5, wherein each of the second shock-absorbing positioning portions includes a positioning portion and a shock-absorbing portion, the positioning portions are integrally formed on the carrier plate body, the shock-absorbing portions cover the positioning portions, and the first end portions of the scissor-leg mechanisms contact the positioning portions.

7. The key structure of claim 1, further comprising:

the trigger piece is arranged between the keycap and the carrier plate.

8. The key structure of claim 7, wherein the trigger is a rubber dome.

9. The key structure of claim 7, further comprising:

and the thin film circuit is arranged on the carrier plate and is positioned between the trigger piece and the carrier plate.