CN212648099U - Key structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a key structure. The key structure comprises a bottom plate, a keycap, an elastomer layer, a lifting mechanism and an electronic element. The elastic body layer comprises at least one elastic body, and the elastic body is arranged between the keycap and the bottom plate. The lifting mechanism is pivoted with the bottom plate and the keycap. The electronic component is disposed on the chassis. The elastic body is provided with an accommodating space, and the electronic element is isolated from the solid material of the elastic body through the accommodating space.

Description

Key structure

Technical Field

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

Background

The conventional key structure includes an elastic body and an electronic component, wherein the elastic body is disposed adjacent to the electronic component. When the key structure is in a pressed state, the elastic body deforms and stores elastic potential energy. When the key structure is released, the elastic potential energy is released to return the key structure to the free state. However, the elastic body may interfere with the electronic component after deformation, thereby changing the pressing feeling felt by the user. Therefore, the present inventors have considered that a new key structure is needed to improve the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model aims to solve the technical problem that a button structure is provided, can improve aforementioned existing problem.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a key structure. The key structure comprises a bottom plate, a keycap, an elastomer layer, a lifting mechanism and an electronic element. The elastic body layer comprises at least one elastic body, and the elastic body is arranged between the keycap and the bottom plate. The lifting mechanism is pivoted with the bottom plate and the keycap. The electronic component is disposed on the chassis. The elastic body is provided with an accommodating space, and the electronic element is isolated from the solid material of the elastic body through the accommodating space.

The utility model has the beneficial effects that: the utility model discloses an electronic component is kept apart to the entity material of the accommodation space of elastomer and elastomer to avoid at the button in-process, because the deformation of elastomer, probably interfere the condition of electronic component and take place. The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Drawings

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

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

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure of fig. 1 (in an un-depressed state) taken along direction 3-3'.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure of fig. 3 in a pressed state.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a key structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a key structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a key structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8A is an exploded view of a key structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view of the key structure of FIG. 8A after assembly.

Fig. 8C is a top view of the thin film switching layer and the electronic device of fig. 8A.

Fig. 9A to 9E are schematic views of a first conductive pad and a second conductive pad according to several embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a key structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a key structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a key structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a key structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The following describes the structural and operational principles of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

referring to fig. 1 to 4, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a key structure 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, fig. 2 is an exploded view of the key structure 100 of fig. 1, fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure 100 of fig. 1 (in an un-pressed state) along a direction 3-3', and fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the key structure 100 of fig. 3 in a pressed state.

The key structure 100 includes a bottom plate 110, a key cap 120, an elastomer layer 130, a lifting mechanism 140, at least one electronic component 150, at least one light emitter 160, and at least one light receiver 170. The elastomer layer 130 includes at least one elastomer 131. The Z direction of the drawing is, for example, the lifting direction of the lifting mechanism 140, and the XY plane is, for example, perpendicular to the Z direction. The key structure 100 may be configured in or integrated with an electronic device, such as a notebook computer, a keyboard, a home appliance, a vehicle, a door access device, and other electronic devices requiring information input.

The elastic body 131 is disposed between the key cap 120 and the base plate 110. The electronic component 150 is disposed on the base plate 110. The elastic body 131 has a receiving space 131r, and the electronic element 150 is isolated from the solid material of the elastic body 131 by the receiving space 131 r. As such, when the key structure 100 is in a pressed state (as shown in fig. 4), even if the elastic body 131 deforms, the electronic element 150 will not be interfered, i.e., there is a gap between the elastic body 131 and the electronic element 150, and therefore, the pressing feel is not affected. In an embodiment, the electronic component 150 is constantly isolated from the solid material of the elastic body 131 by the accommodating space 131r, that is, the electronic component 150 is isolated from the solid material of the elastic body 131 by the accommodating space 131r no matter the key structure 100 is in the pressed state or the key structure 100 is in the non-pressed state, or no matter the key structure 100 is changed between the pressed state and the non-pressed state.

In the present embodiment, the key structure 100 is illustrated by taking one key unit as an example, but in another embodiment, the key structure 100 may include a plurality of key units. In a key unit, a lifting mechanism 140 pivotally connects a key cap 120 and a base 110, and an elastomer layer 130 is located between a key cap 120 and the base 110, and the number of light emitters 160 is, for example, one, and the number of light receivers 170 is, for example, one.

As shown in fig. 3, the elastic body 131 of the present embodiment can omit a conventional conductive via. For example, the accommodating space 131r of the elastic body 131 has an inner sidewall 131w extending continuously, and the inner sidewall 131w has an inner diameter D1. The inner diameter D1 does not include any physical elements belonging to the elastic body 131, such as conventional conductive vias. Thus, when the key structure 100 is in a pressed state (as shown in fig. 4), the elastic body 131 does not have a conductive column to interfere with the electronic element 150, so that the electronic element 150 is frequently isolated from the solid material of the elastic body 131 by the accommodating space 131 r.

As shown in fig. 3, the accommodating space 131r of the elastic body 131 has an inner top surface 131b1 and an inner side wall 131w, the inner top surface 131b1 is opposite to the electronic component 150, for example, the inner top surface 131b1 is opposite to the electronic component 150, such as opposite to the Z direction. The interior top surface 131b1 extends to connect with the interior side wall 131w, e.g., the interior top surface 131b1 extends continuously to connect with the interior side wall 131 w. In an embodiment, the interior top surface 131b1 is, for example, a plane that may extend continuously (e.g., in the XY plane) to the interior sidewall 131 w. In addition, as shown in fig. 3, the elastic body 131 has a bottom surface 131b2, wherein the inner diameter D1 of the inner sidewall 131w is tapered along the bottom surface 131b2 toward the inner top surface 131b 1.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the bottom plate 110 includes a circuit board 111 and at least one pivot portion 112. The Circuit Board 111 is, for example, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The pivot portion 112 is coupled to the circuit board 111. For manufacturing, the pivot portion 112 and the circuit board 111 can be combined together by using an in-mold injection molding technique. The pivot portion 112 is formed of an insulating material, such as plastic, for example.

As shown in fig. 3, the pivoting portion 112 of the base plate 110 is movably connected to one end of the lifting mechanism 140, and the key cap 120 is pivotally connected to the other end of the lifting mechanism 140, so that the key cap 120 can be lifted relative to the base plate 110 along with the lifting mechanism 140.

The elastic body 131 is located between the keycap 120 and the base plate 110. When the key structure 100 is changed from the free state (as shown in fig. 3) to the pressed state (as shown in fig. 4), the elastic body 131 is deformed to store elastic potential energy. When the key structure 100 in the pressed state is released, the elastic body 131 releases the elastic potential energy to drive the key structure 100 to return to the free state. In one embodiment, the material of the elastic body 131 is rubber, for example.

The elastomer layer 130 further includes an insulating layer 132, wherein the elastomer 131 is disposed on the insulating layer 132. In one embodiment, the elastic body 131 may be disposed on the insulating layer 132 in advance, and then the elastic body 131 and the insulating layer 132 are disposed on the base plate 110 together. In another embodiment, when the number of the elastic bodies 131 is plural, all the elastic bodies 131 may be disposed on the same insulating layer 132 in advance, and then all the elastic bodies 131 may be disposed on the base plate 110 along with the insulating layer 132 at one time, which may greatly save assembly time.

As shown in fig. 3, the insulating layer 132 includes, for example, a light-transmitting layer 1321 and a light-shielding layer 1322, in which the light-transmitting layer 1321 is made of, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Cyclic Olefin Polymer (COP), Polycarbonate (PC), Polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate-styrene (MS), or other suitable materials. The light-shielding layer 1322 is formed over the light-transmitting layer 1321. The light-shielding layer 1322 is, for example, black ink.

The lifting mechanism 140 is, for example, a scissor-foot mechanism, but the embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto. As shown in fig. 2, the electronic component 150 is disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit board 111 of the base plate 110. The electronic element 150 is, for example, a light-emitting element, which can emit polychromatic light (such as red light, green light, and blue light) or white light. However, the electronic component 150 is not limited to a light-emitting component, and may be a passive component (such as a resistor, a capacitor, and/or an inductor) or a circuit structure capable of providing a specific function.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the light emitter 160 and the light receiver 170 are disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit board 111 of the base plate 110. The light emitter 160 is disposed opposite to the light receiver 170, and the light emitter 160 continuously emits light to the light receiver 170. As shown in fig. 3, the lifting mechanism 140 includes at least one blocking portion 141, and a moving path of the blocking portion 141 passes through a region between the light emitter 160 and the light receiver 170. When the key structure 100 is in the non-pressed state (as shown in fig. 3), the blocking portion 141 is located outside the region between the optical transmitter 160 and the optical receiver 170; when the key structure 100 is in a pressed state (as shown in fig. 4), the blocking portion 141 is located in an area between the optical transmitter 160 and the optical receiver 170 to block an optical signal between the optical transmitter 160 and the optical receiver 170. When the optical signal between the optical transmitter 160 and the optical receiver 170 is interrupted (indicating that the key is triggered), a processor (not shown) electrically connected to the circuit board 111 performs a corresponding function, such as controlling a display (not shown) to display a symbol corresponding to the key unit, or enabling or disabling the electronic component 150.

Referring to fig. 5, a cross-sectional view of a key structure 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The key structure 200 includes a bottom plate 110, a key cap 120, an elastomer layer 230, a lifting mechanism 140, at least one electronic component 150, at least one light emitter 160, and at least one light receiver 170. The elastomer layer 230 includes at least one elastomer 231. The key structure 200 of the present embodiment has similar or identical technical features to the key structure 100, except that the elastic body 231 of the key structure 200 has a different structure from the elastic body 131 of the key structure 100.

As shown in fig. 5, the elastic body 231 has a bottom surface 231b and an outer top surface 231u opposite to each other, wherein the bottom surface 231b abuts against the base 110, and the outer top surface 231u abuts against the key cap 120. The elastic body 231 has a receiving space 231 r. The receiving space 231r continuously extends from the bottom surface 231b to the outer top surface 231u, i.e., the receiving space 231r penetrates through the solid portion of the elastic body 231 along the Z direction. Similar to the key structure 100, the electronic element 150 of the key structure 200 according to the embodiment of the invention is frequently isolated from the solid material of the elastic body 231 by the accommodating space 231 r.

Referring to fig. 6, a cross-sectional view of a key structure 300 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. The key structure 300 includes a bottom plate 110, a key cap 120, an elastomer layer 330, a lifting mechanism 140, at least one electronic component 150, at least one light emitter 160 and at least one light receiver 170 (not shown). Elastomer layer 330 includes at least one elastomer 331. The key structure 300 of the present embodiment has similar or identical technical features to the key structure 100, except that the elastic body 331 of the key structure 300 has a different structure from the elastic body 131 of the key structure 100.

As shown in fig. 6, the elastic body 331 includes a receiving space 331r, an inner top surface 331b1, a bottom surface 331b2, an outer top surface 331u, an inner sidewall 331w and a protrusion post 3311. The outer top surface 331u abuts the key cap 120, and the bottom surface 331b2 abuts the base plate 110. The inner top surface 331b1 is opposite to the electronic component 150, and the inner top surface 331b1 extends to the inner sidewall 331 w. The protruded column 3311 protrudes toward the electronic component 150 relative to the inner top surface 331b1, and has a bottom 3311b, and the accommodation space 331r is recessed relative to the bottom 3311 b. For example, the accommodating space 331r extends from the bottom portion 3311b toward the outer top surface 331u but does not extend to the outer top surface 331 u. As shown in fig. 6, the position of the electronic component 150 corresponds to the accommodating space 331r along the Z direction, so that the electronic component 150 is isolated from the solid material of the elastic body 331 by the accommodating space 331r in the process of transforming the key structure 300 from the non-pressed state to the pressed state.

In another embodiment, the accommodating space 331r may extend from the bottom portion 3311b to the outer top surface 331u, i.e., the accommodating space 331r penetrates through a solid portion of the elastic body 331 along the Z direction. In one embodiment, the receiving space 331r has an inner diameter D2, and the inner diameter D2 is equal (constant) along the bottom 3311b of the protrusion 3311 toward the outer top surface 331 u. In the present embodiment, the accommodating space 331r is, for example, cylindrical. In addition, similar to the key structure 100, the electronic element 150 of the key structure 300 according to the embodiment of the invention is frequently isolated from the solid material of the elastic body 231 by the accommodating space 331 r.

Referring to fig. 7, a cross-sectional view of a key structure 400 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. The key structure 300 includes a base plate 110, a key cap 120, an elastomer layer 430, a lifting mechanism 140, at least one electronic component 150, at least one light emitter 160 and at least one light receiver 170 (not shown). The elastomer layer 430 includes at least one elastomer 431. The key structure 400 of the present embodiment has similar or identical technical features to the key structure 300, except that the elastic body 431 of the key structure 400 has a different structure from the elastic body 331 of the key structure 300.

As shown in fig. 7, the elastic body 431 includes a receiving space 431r, an inner top surface 331b1, a bottom surface 331b2, an outer top surface 331u, an inner sidewall 331w and a protruding column 4311. The outer top surface 331u abuts the key cap 120, and the bottom surface 331b2 abuts the base plate 110. The inner top surface 331b1 is opposite to the electronic component 150, and the inner top surface 331b1 extends to the inner sidewall 331 w. The protruding pillar 4311 protrudes toward the electronic component 150 relative to the inner top surface 331b1, and has a bottom 4311b, and the receiving space 431r is recessed relative to the bottom 4311 b. For example, the accommodating space 431r extends from the bottom portion 3311b to the outer top surface 331u but does not extend to the outer top surface 331 u. In another embodiment, the accommodating space 431r may extend from the bottom portion 3311b to the outer top surface 331u, i.e., the accommodating space 431r penetrates through a solid portion of the elastic body 431 along the Z direction. In one embodiment, the receiving space 431r has an inner diameter D3, the inner diameter D3 is tapered along the bottom 3311b of the protrusion 3311 toward the outer top surface 331 u. In the present embodiment, the accommodating space 431r has a conical shape, for example.

Referring to fig. 8A to 8C, fig. 8A is an exploded view of a key structure 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention, fig. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view of the key structure 500 of fig. 8A after being assembled, and fig. 8C is a top view of the thin film switch layer 532 and the electronic element 150 of fig. 8A.

The key structure 500 includes a bottom plate 510, a key cap 120, an elastomer layer 530, a lifting mechanism 240, and at least one electronic element 150. The key structure 500 of the present embodiment has similar or identical technical features to the key structure 100, except that the bottom plate 510 and the elastomer layer 530 of the key structure 500 have different structures from the bottom plate 110 and the elastomer layer 130 of the key structure 100.

As shown in fig. 8A and 8B, the bottom plate 510 includes a circuit board 511 and a substrate 512. In an embodiment, the circuit board 511 is a printed circuit board, for example, and the substrate 512 is a metal plate, a carbon fiber plate, or a glass fiber plate, for example, which can increase the overall strength of the key structure 500. The substrate 512 has at least a first through hole 512a 1. The electronic component 150 is disposed on the circuit board 511 and located in the first through hole 512a1, so as to avoid the interference between the electronic component 150 and the physical material of the substrate 512. In one embodiment, the substrate 512 includes at least one pivot portion 5121, and the lifting mechanism 240 pivots the pivot portion 5121 and the key cap 120 to drive the key cap 120 to move up and down relative to the pivot portion 5121. For example, the substrate 512 is a one-piece substrate formed by a plate by bending or stamping. In addition, the lifting mechanism 240 according to the embodiment of the present invention is similar to the lifting mechanism 140, for example, the blocking portion 141 can be omitted from the lifting mechanism 240.

In the present embodiment, the elastomer layer 530 includes at least one elastomer 531 and a membrane switch layer 532, wherein the elastomer 531 is disposed on the membrane switch layer 532. The membrane switch layer 532 has at least one second through hole 532a, and the electronic element 150 is located in the second through hole 532a, so that the interference between the electronic element 150 and the solid material of the membrane switch layer 532 can be avoided. In addition, the elastic body 531 may have a structure similar to or the same as the elastic body 431, and thus, the description thereof is omitted. In another embodiment, the elastic body 531 of fig. 8A may be replaced with the elastic body 331 of fig. 6.

As shown in the enlarged view of fig. 8B, the thin film switch layer 532 includes a first layer 5321, a spacer layer 5322, a second layer 5323, a light-shielding layer 5324, a first conductive pad 5325 and a second conductive pad 5326. The spacer layer 5322 is disposed between the first layer 5321 and the second layer 5323, the first conductive pad 5325 is formed on the first layer 5321, and the second conductive pad 5326 is formed on the second layer 5323. The light-shielding layer 5324 is formed on the second layer 5323, and is located on the opposite side of the second layer 5323 from the side where the second conductive pad 5326 is located, for example. In one embodiment, the light-shielding layer 5324 is black ink, for example.

As shown in the enlarged view of fig. 8B, the positions of the first conductive pad 5325 and the second conductive pad 5326 correspond to the protruding pillars 5311 of the elastic body 531 along the Z direction. Thus, when the key structure 500 is in the pressed state, the protruding pillar 5311 can press the membrane switch layer 532 along the Z direction. In addition, the shapes of the first conductive pad 5325 and the second conductive pad 5326 (as viewed in the-Z direction) may correspond to the shape of the bottom 5311b of the protruding pillar 5311 (as viewed in the-Z direction). For example, when the bottom 5311b of the protruding pillar 5311 is annular in shape, the first conductive pad 5325 and the second conductive pad 5326 may be annular in shape. However, the shape of the first conductive pad 5325 and/or the second conductive pad 5326 is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention as long as the protruding pillar 5311 can be pressed. In addition, the annular first conductive pad 5325 and the annular second conductive pad 5326 surround the electronic device 150.

As shown in the enlarged view of fig. 8B, the first conductive pad 5325 is opposite to the second conductive pad 5326. Thus, when the key structure 500 is in a pressed state, the first conductive pad 5325 is in contact with the second conductive pad 5326 to be electrically connected. When a processor (not shown) electrically connected to the first conductive pad 5325 and the second conductive pad 5326 detects conduction with the first conductive pad 5325 and the second conductive pad 5326, a corresponding function can be executed, such as controlling a display (not shown) to display a symbol corresponding to the key unit, or enabling or disabling the electronic device 150. Although not shown, the thin film switch layer 532 further includes a first routing layer and a second routing layer formed on the first layer 5321 and the second layer 5323, respectively. The first conductive pad 5325 and the second conductive pad 5326 are electrically connected to the first routing layer and the second routing layer, respectively, so that the conduction signal can be transmitted to the processor through the first routing layer and the second routing layer.

Fig. 9A to 9E are schematic diagrams illustrating a first conductive pad 5325 and a second conductive pad 5326 according to various embodiments of the present invention. In another embodiment, the first conductive pad 5325 and/or the second conductive pad 5326 may comprise a plurality of sub-conductive pads arranged in an open ring shape, as shown in fig. 9A-9C. In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 9D and 9E, the first conductive pad 5325 and/or the second conductive pad 5326 are closed rings, such as polygonal closed rings. The orientation of the first conductive pad 5325 and/or the second conductive pad 5326 of fig. 9D is different from the orientation of the first conductive pad 5325 and/or the second conductive pad 5326 of fig. 9E.

In summary, the first conductive pad 5325 and/or the second conductive pad 5326 of the embodiment of the invention may have a closed ring shape or an open ring shape, and the shape (viewed in the-Z direction) of the first conductive pad 5325 and/or the second conductive pad 5326 may be a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or the like. As long as the first conductive pad 5325 and the second conductive pad 5326 can be electrically connected, the geometric shape of the first conductive pad 5325 and/or the second conductive pad 5326 is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention, and the geometric shape of the first conductive pad 5325 and the geometric shape of the second conductive pad 5326 that are disposed opposite to each other may be the same or different.

Referring to fig. 10, a cross-sectional view of a key structure 600 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. The key structure 600 includes a bottom plate 510, a key cap 120, an elastomer layer 330, a lifting mechanism 140, at least one electronic component 150, at least one light emitter 160 and at least one light receiver 170 (not shown). The key structure 600 of the present embodiment has similar or identical technical features to the key structure 500 of fig. 8B, except that the elastomer layer 530 of the key structure 600 replaces the thin film switch layer 532 with the insulating layer 132, and the key structure 600 further includes the optical transmitter 160 and the optical receiver 170 (not shown in fig. 10, but described in the key structure 100 of fig. 1-4).

As shown in fig. 10, the light emitter 160 and the light receiver 170 are disposed and electrically connected to the circuit board 511 of the bottom plate 510. The substrate 512 of the bottom plate 510 has two third vias 512a2, and the insulating layer 132 of the elastomer layer 530 has two fourth vias 132a, the light emitter 160 is located in one of the two third vias 512a2 and one of the two fourth vias 132a, and the light receiver 170 is located in the other of the two third vias 512a2 and the other of the two fourth vias 132 a. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the elastic body 331 of the elastic body layer 330 of fig. 10 may be replaced with the elastic body 131 of fig. 3, the elastic body 231 of fig. 5, or the elastic body 431 of fig. 7.

Referring to fig. 11, a partial cross-sectional view of a key structure 700 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. The key structure 700 includes a bottom plate 510, a key cap 120, an elastomer layer 730, a lifting mechanism 240, and at least one electronic element 150. The key structure 700 of the present embodiment has similar or identical technical features to the key structure 500 of fig. 8B, except that the electronic element 150 of the key structure 700 is disposed on the elastomer layer 730, for example, on the membrane switch layer 732 of the elastomer layer 530.

As shown in fig. 11, the thin film switch layer 732 has a structure similar to or the same as that of the thin film switch layer 532, except that the thin film switch layer 732 further includes a first wire 7321 and a second wire 7322, which are electrically connected to the first electrode 151 and the second electrode 152 of the light source 150, respectively. The first wire 7321 and the second wire 7322 are formed on the first layer 5321. The first trace 7321 and the second trace 7322 are part of the first trace layer. In addition, the second layer 5323 and the spacer layer 5322 of the thin film switch layer 732 have openings respectively to expose the first wire 7321 and the second wire 7322, so that the first electrode 151 and the second electrode 152 of the light source 150 can be respectively connected to and electrically connected to the exposed first wire 7321 and the exposed second wire 7322. However, in the embodiment, the spacing layer 5322 can cover the first routing wire 7321 and the second routing wire 7322 that are not covered by the electronic element 150 to protect the first routing wire 7321 and the second routing wire 7322. In another embodiment, at least one of the spacer layer 5322, the second layer 5323 and the light-shielding layer 5324 may cover the first traces 7321 and the second traces 7322 that are not covered by the electronic device 150. In addition, since the electronic component 150 is disposed on and electrically connected to the elastomer layer 730, in another embodiment, the circuit board 511 can be omitted from the key structure 700 of fig. 11, and only the substrate 512 is used as a support.

Referring to fig. 12, a cross-sectional view of a key structure 800 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. The key structure 800 includes a bottom plate 110, a key cap 120, an elastomer layer 530, a lifting mechanism 140, and at least one electronic element 150. The key structure 800 of the present embodiment has similar or identical technical features to the key structure 300, except that the key structure 800 includes the membrane switch layer 532 and the optical transmitter 160 and the optical receiver 170 may be omitted, that is, the key structure 800 uses the elastic body 531 to trigger the switch of the membrane switch layer 532 instead of interrupting the optical signal to trigger the switch, and the rest of the same or similar parts are not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 13, a cross-sectional view of a key structure 900 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The key structure 900 includes a bottom plate 910, a key cap 120, an elastomer layer 530, a lifting mechanism 140, and at least one electronic element 150. The key structure 900 of the present embodiment has similar or identical technical features to the key structure 800, except that the electronic element 150 of the key structure 900 is disposed on the thin film switch layer 532, and the bottom plate 910 may be a printed circuit board or a substrate without circuit patterns, and the rest of the same or similar parts are not described herein again.

In summary, the key structure of the embodiment of the invention includes a bottom plate, a key cap, an elastomer layer, a lifting mechanism, at least one electronic component, and at least one switch. The elastomer layer comprises at least one elastomer. The elastic body is provided with an accommodating space, and the electronic element can be isolated from the solid material of the elastic body through the accommodating space, for example, the electronic element can be kept isolated frequently, so that the pressing hand feeling of the key structure is not influenced. The switch may be triggered (e.g., tripped or pressed) by an elastomer or a lift mechanism. In one embodiment, the switch is composed of an optical transmitter and an optical receiver, and the elastic body can omit the conventional conducting post. In another embodiment, the switch may be integrated in a membrane switch layer of the elastomer layer, and the elastomer may include a protruding pillar, wherein the protruding pillar has a receiving space; when the key structure is pressed, the protruding columns can trigger the switch of the membrane switch layer, and the electronic element is frequently kept isolated from the solid material of the elastic body through the accommodating space in the deformation process of the elastic body. Because the electronic element is kept isolated from the solid material of the elastic body through the accommodating space, the button structure does not influence the pressing hand feeling received by a user when pressing. In addition, the electronic element is a light-emitting element, so that the key structure does not affect the pressing hand feeling when being pressed, and the key structure can provide a light-emitting function. In addition, although the elastic body has a containing space, the expected pressing curve (characteristic curve of the pressing force and the pressing stroke, also called as F-S curve) is not affected (or not changed) or meets the design specification.

Naturally, the present invention can be embodied in many other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is intended that all such changes and modifications be considered as within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. A key structure, comprising:

a base plate;

a key cap;

an elastomer layer including at least one elastomer, the elastomer being disposed between the keycap and the base plate;

the lifting mechanism is pivoted with the bottom plate and the keycap;

an electronic component disposed on the base plate;

the elastic body is provided with an accommodating space, and the electronic element is isolated from the solid material of the elastic body through the accommodating space.

2. The key structure of claim 1, wherein when the key structure is in a pressed state, a gap is formed between the elastic body and the electronic element.

3. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the base plate includes a circuit board, the electronic component being disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit board; the elastomeric layer further includes:

an insulating layer, the elastomer disposed on the insulating layer.

4. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the base plate comprises:

a substrate having a first through hole;

and the electronic element is arranged on the circuit board and is positioned in the first through hole.

5. The key structure of claim 4, wherein the elastomer layer further comprises:

a membrane switch layer, the elastomer is arranged on the membrane switch layer, the membrane switch layer is further provided with a second through hole, and the electronic element is positioned in the second through hole.

6. The key structure of claim 5, wherein the membrane switch layer comprises a first conductive pad and a second conductive pad disposed opposite to each other, the first conductive pad and the second conductive pad surrounding the electronic device, and the elastomer comprises a protruded pillar corresponding to the first conductive pad and the second conductive pad.

7. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the elastomer layer further comprises:

the elastic body is arranged on the membrane switch layer, and the electronic element is arranged and electrically connected with the membrane switch layer.

8. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the bottom plate has at least one pivot portion, the pivot portion and the bottom plate are integrated by in-mold injection molding, and the pivot portion is movably connected to the lifting mechanism.

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

a light emitter configured on the bottom plate; and

a light receiver configured on the bottom plate and opposite to the light emitter;

the lifting mechanism comprises a blocking part, and a moving path of the blocking part passes through the area between the light emitter and the light receiver.

10. The key structure of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the elastic body has a bottom surface and an outer top surface opposite to each other, and the accommodating space extends continuously from the bottom surface to the outer top surface.

11. The key structure of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the receiving space of the elastic body has an inner top surface and an inner side wall, the inner top surface is opposite to the electronic component, and the inner top surface is a plane and extends continuously to the inner side wall.

12. The key structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the elastic body includes an inner top surface and a protruding pillar, the protruding pillar protrudes toward the electronic component relative to the inner top surface and has a bottom, and the receiving space is recessed relative to the bottom;

wherein, the position of the electronic element corresponds to the accommodating space.

13. The key structure of claim 12, wherein the resilient body has an outer top surface, the receiving space has an inner diameter, the inner diameter is tapered in a direction from the bottom portion to the outer top surface, and the receiving space is conical.

14. The key structure of claim 12, wherein the resilient body has an outer top surface, the receiving space has an inner diameter that is constant along a direction from the bottom portion to the outer top surface, and the receiving space has a cylindrical shape.

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