CN217690905U - Key and keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a button and keyboard relates to keyboard technical field. The key includes: the key cap, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor; the first pressure sensor is arranged at the lower end of the keycap and is configured to output a first pressure signal when the keycap is pressed and contacts a first preset position; and the second pressure sensor is arranged at the lower end of the keycap and is configured to output a second pressure signal when the keycap is pressed and contacts a second preset position. The key provided by the embodiment of the application can solve the problem that no signal exists when the edge of the keycap is pressed in the existing keyboard.

Description

Key and keyboard

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of keyboards, in particular to a key and a keyboard.

Background

In the design and the manufacturing of current film forced induction keyboard structure, set up pressure sensor in the rubber pressure head below, press the key cap when the user, the key cap promotes the rubber pressure head, along with the decline of rubber pressure head, gives pressure sensor with pressure transmission. The structure of the scissor legs is used in the key structure of the notebook computer, when the edge position of the key cap is pressed, the key cap is inclined due to the action of torque, and pressure cannot be completely transmitted to the pressure sensor, so that the pressure sensor fails to sense.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

An object of the embodiment of the application is to provide a key and a keyboard, so as to solve the problem that no signal exists when the edge of a keycap is pressed in the existing keyboard.

Mainly comprises the following aspects:

in a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a key, where the key includes: the key cap, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor;

the first pressure sensor is arranged at the lower end of the keycap and is configured to output a first pressure signal when the keycap is pressed and contacts a first preset position; and

the second pressure sensor is arranged at the lower end of the keycap and is configured to output a second pressure signal when the keycap is pressed and contacts a second preset position.

The key provided by the embodiment of the application comprises a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor, wherein the first pressure sensor outputs a first pressure signal when pressing a first preset position of the keycap, the second pressure sensor outputs a second pressure signal when pressing a second preset position of the keycap, and therefore the pressure signal can be output by a user at any position of the keycap.

In an alternative implementation, the key further comprises a support; the support is positioned below the keycap, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor and supports the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor;

wherein the first preset position comprises a position of the support corresponding to the center of the keycap in the vertical direction, and the second preset position comprises a position of the support corresponding to the edge of the keycap in the vertical direction.

In the above implementation manner, the supporting element can support the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor when the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor receive pressure, the first preset position is the position of the center of the keycap, and the second preset position is the position of the edge of the keycap, that is, at any position of the keycap, the supporting element can both correspondingly output the pressure signal.

In an optional implementation manner, the support is arranged corresponding to the keycap in the vertical direction; the first pressure sensor is arranged at the center of the support; the second pressure sensor surrounds the first pressure sensor and is arranged at the edge position of the support.

In the above implementation mode, the first pressure sensor is arranged at the central position of the support piece, the second pressure sensor is arranged around the first pressure sensor, and therefore pressure signals can be output at any position of the press key cap.

In an alternative implementation, the first pressure sensor is electrically connected in parallel with the second pressure sensor.

In the above implementation mode, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are connected in parallel, and the control terminal connected with the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor can receive the first pressure signal or the second pressure signal, so that the problem that no signal exists when the keycap is pressed is avoided.

In an optional implementation manner, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are further configured to receive a pressure value applied to the keycap, and output different pressure signals according to a determination result of whether the pressure value exceeds a preset threshold.

In the implementation mode, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor output different pressure signals based on the judgment of the pressure value, the capital and small form of input can be switched, and the user experience is improved.

In an optional implementation manner, the first pressure sensor is further configured to output the first pressure signal when the key cap is pressed to the second preset position.

In the implementation mode, the first pressure sensor can output a first pressure signal when the first preset position and the second preset position of the keycap are pressed, and the problem that the edge of the keycap is not provided with a signal due to the fact that the second pressure sensor is damaged is avoided.

In an optional implementation mode, the keycap further comprises a rubber pressure head;

the rubber pressure head is connected with the keycap and arranged below the keycap, and is used for contacting with the first pressure sensor when the keycap is pressed and transmitting pressure to the first pressure sensor.

In above-mentioned implementation, the rubber pressure head contacts with first pressure sensor and produces deformation when the key cap is pressed, transmits the pressure that the key cap received to first pressure sensor, and when the pressure on the key cap was removed, the effective transmission of pressure value can be guaranteed through the rubber pressure head to the reconversion.

In an optional implementation manner, the key further comprises a scissor foot;

the scissor feet are connected with the keycap and configured to compress when the keycap is pressed to bring the rubber ram into contact with the first pressure sensor.

In the implementation mode, the scissor legs can reduce the average height of the keys, can also ensure the consistency of the key striking force, and improve the hand feeling and comfort of a user.

In an alternative implementation, the key further comprises a sensor circuit film;

the sensor circuit film is arranged on the lower surfaces of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor and is configured to output position information of the key when the key cap is pressed.

In the above implementation, the sensor circuit film is disposed in contact with the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, and when the key cap is pressed, the position information of the key can be output.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a keyboard, including: a control terminal and a plurality of keys according to the first aspect;

the control terminal is electrically connected with the plurality of keys and receives pressure signals and position information output by the plurality of keys.

The keyboard that this application embodiment provided includes control terminal and a plurality of button, wherein, because can export first pressure signal when pressing the first preset position of key cap through first pressure sensor in the button, second pressure signal is exported when pressing the second preset position of key cap to the second pressure sensor, and the keyboard can realize that the user presses the optional position homoenergetic output pressure signal of key cap from this.

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

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that are required to be used in the embodiments of the present application will be briefly described below, it should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate some embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope, and that those skilled in the art can also obtain other related drawings based on the drawings without inventive efforts.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a key provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a key according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is an exploded view of a key according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present application.

An icon: 100-keys; 110-a keycap; 120-a first pressure sensor; 130-a second pressure sensor; 140-a support; 150-rubber indenter; 160-scissor feet; 170-sensor circuit film; 200-a keyboard; 210-control terminal.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

It should be noted that: like reference numbers and letters refer to like items in the following figures, and thus, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Meanwhile, in the description of the present application, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used only for distinguishing the description, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings or orientations or positional relationships that the product of the application is usually called upon when using, and are only used for convenience of description and simplification of description, but do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed in a specific orientation, and operate, and therefore, should not be construed as limiting the present application.

In the description of the present application, it should also be noted that, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, the terms "disposed," "mounted," and "connected" are to be construed broadly and can include, for example, fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; can be mechanically or electrically connected; the connection may be direct or indirect through an intermediate medium, and may be a communication between the two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood in a specific case by those of ordinary skill in the art.

In the research process of the applicant, the pressure sensor is arranged below the rubber pressure head in the existing keyboard, and due to the fact that the scissors foot structure exists in the key structure, when the edge of the keycap is pressed, pressure cannot be completely transmitted to the sensor, and therefore the pressure sensor fails to sense.

Based on this, the embodiment of the application provides a key, including the key cap, first pressure sensor and second pressure sensor, wherein, first pressure sensor outputs first pressure signal when pressing the first preset position of key cap, and second pressure sensor outputs the second pressure signal when pressing the second preset position of key cap, can realize that the user can all output pressure signal when pressing the arbitrary position of key cap.

Please refer to fig. 1 and fig. 2, wherein fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a key according to an embodiment of the present application, and fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the key according to the embodiment of the present application. The key 100 comprises a key cap 110, a first pressure sensor 120 and a second pressure sensor 130.

Illustratively, key cap 110 may be a small plastic cap-shaped member that snaps onto the top of key 100. The keycap 110 is marked with the function or number, letter symbol corresponding to the key 100.

For example, the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 may be a capacitive pressure sensor, which uses a circular metal film or a metal-plated film as one electrode of a capacitor, and when the film deforms by sensing pressure, the capacitance formed between the film and the fixed electrode changes, and an electrical signal having a certain relationship with voltage is output through a measuring circuit. The capacitive pressure sensor may be divided into a single capacitive pressure sensor and a differential capacitive pressure sensor, and in this embodiment, the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 may be single capacitive pressure sensors.

The first pressure sensor 120 is disposed at a lower end of the key cap 110 and configured to output a first pressure signal when the key cap 110 is pressed and contacts a first preset position, and the second pressure sensor 130 is disposed at a lower end of the key cap 110 and configured to output a second pressure signal when the key cap 110 is pressed and contacts a second preset position.

Illustratively, the first pressure sensor 120 outputs a first pressure signal when pressing the first preset position of the key cap 110, and the second pressure sensor 130 outputs a second pressure signal when pressing the second preset position of the key cap 110, thereby enabling a user to output a pressure signal at any position of the key cap 110.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is an exploded structural view of a key according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Optionally, the key 100 may include a support 140, the support 140 being located under the key cap 110, the first pressure sensor 120, and the second pressure sensor 130, and supporting the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130.

Illustratively, the supporting member 140 may be a metal sheet such as a steel sheet, wherein the metal sheet has the characteristics of high precision, strong tension, good smoothness, toughness, and uneasy breaking.

Illustratively, the support 140 is configured to support the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 when the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor receive pressure.

For example, the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 may be disposed on the support 140.

Optionally, the first preset position comprises a position of the support 140 corresponding to the center of the key cap 110 in the vertical direction, and the second preset position comprises a position of the support 140 corresponding to the edge of the key cap 110 in the vertical direction.

Illustratively, the second preset position may also include positions of the support 140 in a vertical direction corresponding to four azimuthal angles of the key cap 110.

Alternatively, the support 140 is disposed corresponding to the key cap 110 in the vertical direction, the first pressure sensor 120 is disposed at the center of the support 140, and the second pressure sensor 130 surrounds the first pressure sensor 120 and is disposed at the edge of the support 140.

Illustratively, another arrangement of the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 is that the first pressure sensor 120 is disposed at a central position of the support 140, and the second pressure sensor 130 is disposed at four azimuth positions of the support 140.

Optionally, the first pressure sensor 120 is electrically connected in parallel with the second pressure sensor 130.

For example, when the user presses the key cap 110, the first pressure sensor 120 may output a first pressure signal, or the second pressure sensor 130 may output a second pressure signal, and since the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 are electrically connected in parallel, the control terminal commonly connected to the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 may receive the first pressure signal or the second pressure signal, thereby avoiding the problem of no signal when the key cap 110 is pressed.

For example, the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 may also be independently conductive, i.e., the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 are connected to different control terminals.

Optionally, the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 are further configured to receive pressure values received by the keycap 110, and output different pressure signals according to the determination result of whether the pressure values exceed the preset threshold value.

For example, the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 may include a sensing circuit and a processing circuit, wherein the sensing circuit may generate different voltages, the variation of the voltages may reflect information of the pressure values, and the processing circuit may obtain the information of the pressure values, perform a judgment with a preset threshold value, and generate corresponding instructions. In one example, if the key 100 is a key displaying a character "a", the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 receive the pressure values, and if the pressure values are greater than the preset threshold, output a first instruction, where the first instruction is displaying an upper case letter a; and if the pressure value is smaller than the preset threshold value, outputting a second instruction, wherein the second instruction is to display a lower case letter a. Therefore, different pressure signals are output through the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 based on the judgment of the pressure value, the case mode of input can be switched, and the user experience is improved.

It should be noted that the preset threshold may be set by the user before using the key 100, and the key 100 may record the usage habit of the user.

Optionally, the first pressure sensor 120 is further configured to output a first pressure signal when the key cap 110 is pressed to the second preset position.

Illustratively, the first pressure sensor 120 not only outputs the first pressure signal when pressing the first preset position of the key cap 110, but also outputs the second pressure signal when pressing the second preset position of the key cap 110, so as to avoid the problem that no signal is generated when the edge of the key cap 110 is pressed due to the damage of the second pressure sensor 130.

Optionally, the key 100 may further include a rubber ram 150, the rubber ram 150 is connected to the key cap 110 and disposed below the key cap 110, and is configured to contact the first pressure sensor 120 when the key cap 110 is pressed, and transmit pressure to the first pressure sensor 120.

Illustratively, the rubber ram 150 may be made of a rubber material, wherein the rubber material is a high-elasticity polymer material having reversible deformation, is elastic at normal temperature, can generate large deformation under a small external force, and can recover to the original shape after the external force is removed. Therefore, rubber pressure head 150 contacts with first pressure sensor 120 and produces deformation when key cap 110 is pressed, transmits the pressure that key cap 110 received to first pressure sensor 120, and when pressure on key cap 110 was withdrawn, the effective transmission of pressure value can be guaranteed through rubber pressure head 150 to the resilient.

Optionally, the key 100 may further comprise a scissor 160, the scissor 160 being coupled to the key cap 110, the scissor 160 being configured to compress upon pressing the key cap 110 to bring the rubber ram 150 into contact with the first pressure sensor 120.

Illustratively, the scissor feet 160 are in an "X" type structure, and include a movable end and a fixed end, when the key cap 110 is pressed, the movable end of the scissor feet 160 will act based on the fixed end, so as to reduce the height of the scissor feet 160, so that the rubber ram 150 and the first pressure sensor 120 can be in contact, and due to the presence of the scissor feet 160, the average height of the key 100 can be reduced, and the user's hand feeling can be improved.

In addition, the existence of the scissor feet 160 also ensures the consistency of the key striking force, so that the acting force is evenly distributed on each part of the keycap 110, the striking force is small and balanced, and the hand feeling and the comfort of a user are improved.

Optionally, the key 100 may further include a sensor circuit film 170, and the sensor circuit film 170 is disposed on lower surfaces of the first and second pressure sensors 120 and 130 and configured to output position information of the key 100 when the key cap 110 is pressed.

For example, the sensor circuit film 170 may be disposed on the lower surfaces of the first and second pressure sensors 120 and 130, or may be disposed on the upper surfaces of the first and second pressure sensors 120 and 130, which is not limited herein.

Illustratively, since the sensor circuit film 170 is in contact connection with the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130, when the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 receive the pressure values, the sensor circuit film 170 also receives the pressure values and outputs the position information of the key 100, wherein the position information may display the corresponding function of the key 100 or numbers, letter symbols, and the like.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a keyboard 200 according to an embodiment of the present application, where fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the keyboard according to the embodiment of the present application. The keypad 200 includes a control terminal 210 and a plurality of keys 100, and the control terminal 210 is electrically connected to the plurality of keys 100 and receives pressure signals and position information output by the plurality of keys 100.

Illustratively, the control terminal 210 may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. The control terminal 210 may be a general-purpose Processor, including a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Network Processor (NP), and the like; the Integrated Circuit may also be a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

For example, the signal output terminals of the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 in the key 100 may be provided with FPCs (Flexible Printed circuits) for connecting with the control terminal 210, and the control terminal 210 performs corresponding processing according to the pressure signals and the position information output by the plurality of keys 100. In addition, the power supply of the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 may be implemented by the power supply at the control terminal 210 being connected to the power supply interface of the first pressure sensor 120 and the second pressure sensor 130 through the flexible circuit board.

For example, according to the keyboard 200 provided in the embodiment of the present application, since the first pressure sensor 120 in the key 100 can output a first pressure signal when pressing the first preset position of the key cap 110, and the second pressure sensor 130 outputs a second pressure signal when pressing the second preset position of the key cap 110, the keyboard 200 can realize that a user can output a pressure signal at any position of the key cap 110.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Furthermore, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrases "comprising 8230 \8230;" 8230; "does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

It should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. indicate the directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, or the directions or positional relationships that the utility model is usually placed when in use, and are only for the convenience of describing and simplifying the description, but do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Furthermore, the terms "horizontal", "vertical" and the like do not imply that the components are absolutely horizontal or hanging, but may be slightly inclined. For example, "horizontal" merely means that the direction is more horizontal than "vertical" and does not mean that the structure must be perfectly horizontal, but may be slightly inclined.

In the description of the present invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "disposed," "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, e.g., as meaning either a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integral connection; can be mechanically or electrically connected; they may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.

The above description is intended only as an alternative example of the present application and not as a limitation on the present application, as various modifications and variations of the present application will occur to those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement and the like made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application. It should be noted that: like reference numbers and letters refer to like items in the following figures, and thus, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present disclosure, and all such changes or substitutions should be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims (10)

1. A key, wherein the key comprises: the key cap, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor;

the first pressure sensor is arranged at the lower end of the keycap and is configured to output a first pressure signal when the keycap is pressed and contacts a first preset position; and

the second pressure sensor is arranged at the lower end of the keycap and is configured to output a second pressure signal when the keycap is pressed and contacts a second preset position.

2. The key of claim 1, wherein the key further comprises a support; the support piece is positioned below the keycap, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor and supports the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor;

wherein the first preset position comprises a position of the support corresponding to the center of the keycap in the vertical direction, and the second preset position comprises a position of the support corresponding to the edge of the keycap in the vertical direction.

3. The key of claim 2, wherein the support is disposed in a vertical direction corresponding to the key cap; the first pressure sensor is arranged at the central position of the support; the second pressure sensor surrounds the first pressure sensor and is arranged at the edge position of the support.

4. The key of any of claims 1-3, wherein the first pressure sensor is electrically connected in parallel with the second pressure sensor.

5. The key of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are further configured to receive a pressure value applied to the key cap, and output different pressure signals according to a determination result of whether the pressure value exceeds a preset threshold.

6. The key of any of claims 1-3, wherein the first pressure sensor is further configured to output the first pressure signal when the key cap is depressed to a second predetermined position.

7. A key as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the key cap further comprises a rubber ram;

the rubber pressure head is connected with the keycap, arranged below the keycap and used for being in contact with the first pressure sensor when the keycap is pressed and transmitting pressure to the first pressure sensor.

8. The key of claim 7, wherein the key further comprises a scissor-foot;

the scissor feet are connected with the keycap and configured to compress when the keycap is pressed to bring the rubber ram into contact with the first pressure sensor.

9. A key as recited in any of claims 1-3, wherein said key further comprises a sensor circuit film;

the sensor circuit film is arranged on the lower surfaces of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor and is configured to output the position information of the key when the key cap is pressed.

10. A keyboard, comprising: a control terminal and a plurality of keys according to any of claims 1 to 9;

the control terminal is electrically connected with the plurality of keys and receives pressure signals and position information output by the plurality of keys.

Images