CN219418841U - Key, keyboard and terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a key, which comprises a key cap, a buffer piece and an elastic element. The buffer piece is arranged on one side of the keycap; the elastic element is positioned at one side of the buffer piece, which is away from the keycap, and comprises a first part, a second part and a third part, wherein the second part is connected with the first part and the third part, the first part is positioned at one side of the second part, which is close to the keycap, and the third part is positioned at one side of the second part, which is away from the keycap; wherein the projection of the second portion onto the key cap at least partially coincides with the projection of the buffer member onto the key cap. Through setting up the bolster on the key cap, the bolster is located the projection region of the second portion of elastic element on the key cap, prevents elastic element and key cap direct impact and friction, reduces the possibility of elastic element's wearing and tearing to promote elastic element's life, and then can promote the life of button. The application also provides a keyboard and a terminal device.

Description

Key, keyboard and terminal device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic devices, and particularly to a key, a keyboard, and a terminal device.

Background

The keypad is a frequently used component of the terminal device, and a long service life of the key is one of important performances of the keypad. The service life of the existing keys is low, so that the service life of the keyboard is reduced.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, the present application provides a key, including a key cap, a buffer member, and an elastic element. The buffer piece is arranged on one side of the keycap; the elastic element is positioned at one side of the buffer piece, which is away from the keycap, and comprises a first part, a second part and a third part, wherein the second part is connected with the first part and the third part, the first part is positioned at one side of the second part, which is close to the keycap, and the third part is positioned at one side of the second part, which is away from the keycap; wherein the projection of the second portion onto the key cap at least partially coincides with the projection of the buffer member onto the key cap.

In the above-mentioned design, through setting up the bolster on the key cap, the bolster is located the projection region of the second portion of elastic component on the key cap, prevents that elastic component and key cap from directly striking and friction, reduces the possibility of elastic component's wearing and tearing to promote elastic component's life, and then can promote the life of button.

In one possible embodiment, the surface of the key cap facing the elastic element is provided with a receiving groove, and the buffer member is received in the receiving groove.

In the above design, the buffer piece is accommodated in the accommodating groove, and the thickness of the whole key can not be increased due to the arrangement of the buffer piece.

In one possible embodiment, the buffer is annular; the holding groove is annular, and the key cap has the arch towards the holding groove, and the buffer member encloses and locates the arch.

In the above-mentioned design, the bolster is cyclic annular, and the first portion of being convenient for can direct contact with the arch, and the quick transmission of effort of being convenient for can promote the feel when the user presses.

In one possible embodiment, the projection of the first portion on the key cap coincides with the protrusion.

In the above-mentioned design, when exerting effort in the key cap, effort is direct to first portion through protruding transmission, and the quick transmission of effort of being convenient for can promote the feel when the user presses.

In one possible embodiment, the surface of the projection facing the elastic element is provided with a vent groove, which communicates with the receiving groove.

In the above design, the ventilation groove is used for balancing the air pressure between the first part and the bulge and the air pressure of the outside in the process of using the keyboard, so as to prevent abnormal sound caused by the difference of the air pressure.

In a possible embodiment, the elastic element is provided with a groove, and the groove is formed by recessing the side where the third portion is located towards the side where the first portion is located; the elastic element further comprises ribs which extend from the first part towards the third part and are arranged on the surface of the second part, which is away from the groove.

In the above design, when the key cap is pressed to deform the elastic element, the rib can be preferentially contacted with the buffer piece, so that the possibility that the second part collides with other elements and rubs is further avoided, and the abrasion degree of the elastic element in the use process is further reduced.

In one possible embodiment, the rib includes a contact surface, which is a surface of the rib facing the key cap, the contact surface being inclined with respect to the key cap when the elastic member is not deformed.

In the above design, when pressing the key cap, the elastic element produces deformation, and the rib also can produce corresponding deformation to for initial state has certain bending, and the contact surface can be gradually towards the direction that is on a parallel with the key cap crooked, until with the bolster that is fixed in on the key cap contact, the contact area of rib and bolster can be increased to the contact surface that inclines, can promote the life of elastic element.

In a possible embodiment, the elastic element is provided with a groove, and the groove is formed by recessing the side where the third portion is located towards the side where the first portion is located; the elastic element further comprises a contact extending from the surface of the first portion towards the recess and being accommodated in the recess; the key also comprises a flexible circuit board and a bottom plate, wherein the flexible circuit board is positioned on the surface of the bottom plate facing the elastic element, and the contact can be connected with the flexible circuit board to realize electric conduction inside the flexible circuit board.

In the design, the elastic element can deform, and the flexible circuit board is contacted by the contact, so that signals of the flexible circuit board are conducted; the elastic element can recover deformation, and the contact is separated from the flexible circuit board, so that the inside of the flexible circuit board is disconnected.

In one possible embodiment, the surface of the first portion facing away from the second portion is further provided with a first vent hole, which is formed by a recess in the surface of the first portion facing away from the first portion and extends through the side of the first portion.

In the above design, the first vent hole is used for balancing the air pressure between the first part and the bulge and the air pressure of the outside in the process of using the keyboard, so as to prevent abnormal sound caused by the difference of the air pressures.

In one possible embodiment, the surface of the third portion facing away from the second portion is provided with second ventilation holes, which extend through the inner surface as well as through the outer surface of the third portion.

In the above design, the second vent is used for balancing the air pressure between the groove and the outside in the process of using the keyboard, so as to prevent abnormal sound caused by the difference of the air pressure.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a keyboard comprising keys.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a terminal device comprising a keypad.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a key according to the related art of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the key of fig. 1 after a force is applied to deform the rubber pad.

Fig. 3 is a schematic overall structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of a key in the terminal device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the key shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the key shown in fig. 4 in another orientation.

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the key shown in fig. 4 along A-A.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural view of an elastic element in the key shown in fig. 5.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the key of FIG. 7 after applying a force to deform the elastic element.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the structure of the elastic element in the key shown in fig. 5 in another direction.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural view of an elastic element according to another embodiment of the present application.

Description of the main reference signs

Terminal device	200
		Host machine	210
Keyboard with keyboard body	220
		Key-press	100、100’
Key cap	10、10’
		Body part	11
Accommodating groove	112
		Protrusions	114
Ventilating slot	116
		First clamping part	13
Buffer member	20
		Through hole	21
Elastic element	30、30a
		Rubber pad	30’
First part	31
		First vent hole	312
Second part	33
		Third part	35
Second vent hole	352
		Groove	354
Rib rib	37、37a
		Contact surface	372、372a
Contact point	39
		Supporting frame	40
First support	41
		Second support	43
Flexible circuit board	50
		Bottom plate	60
Second clamping part	61
		Acting force	F、F’

The following detailed description will further illustrate the application in conjunction with the above-described figures.

Detailed Description

In order that the above-recited objects, features and advantages of the present application will be more clearly understood, a more particular description of the application will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings and appended detailed description. In addition, embodiments of the present application and features of the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application, and the described embodiments are merely some, rather than all, of the embodiments of the present application.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and/or" as used herein includes all and any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

In various embodiments of the present application, for ease of description and not limitation, the term "coupled" as used in the specification and claims of the present application is not limited to physical or mechanical coupling, whether direct or indirect. "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are used merely to indicate relative positional relationships, which change accordingly when the absolute position of the object to be described changes.

Referring to fig. 1, the related art provides a key 100', wherein the key 100' includes a key cap 10' and a rubber pad 30', and the rubber pad 30' is capable of providing deformation and elastic restoring force. Referring to fig. 2, when the key 100' is pressed by the acting force F ', the rubber pad 30' deforms, and the deformed area can continuously impact and rub the key cap 10', so that the rubber pad 30' is easily damaged, resulting in failure of the key 100', and reduced service life of the key 100 '.

Referring to fig. 3, an embodiment of a terminal device 200 is provided, where the terminal device 200 includes a host 210 and a keyboard 220 connected to the host 210. The terminal device 200 may be a notebook computer, a desktop computer, or the like. The terminal device 200 of fig. 3 is a notebook computer.

The keyboard 220 includes a plurality of keys 100, and when the keys 100 are pressed by an applied force, a signal can be turned on, and when the applied force applied to the keys 100 is removed, the keys 100 can be restored to an initial state.

Referring to fig. 4, each key 100 includes a key cap 10, a buffer member 20, an elastic member 30, a supporting frame 40, a flexible circuit board 50 and a bottom plate 60. The flexible circuit board 50 is located on the surface of the bottom plate 60, the supporting frame 40 is located between the bottom plate 60 and the keycap 10, and is used for supporting the keycap 10, and the buffer member 20 is disposed between the keycap 10 and the elastic element 30. When a user uses the keyboard 220, a force is applied to the key cap 10, and the support frame 40 is used for balancing the force applied to the key cap 10, so that the key cap 10 can move along a direction perpendicular to the flexible circuit board 50; when the key cap 10 receives a force and transmits the force to the elastic element 30, the elastic element 30 can deform and be connected with the flexible circuit board 50 so as to trigger a signal switch in the flexible circuit board 50, thereby realizing signal input. The buffer member 20 is disposed between the key cap 10 and the elastic element 30, and can play a role of buffering, and reduce abrasion of the elastic element 30, thereby improving service life of the key 100.

When the key 100 is applied to the keyboard 220, the key cap 10 is located on the outer surface of the keyboard 220. When the user uses the keyboard 220, a force is applied to the key cap 10, and input of a signal can be achieved.

Referring to fig. 5, 6 and 7, the key cap 10 includes a main body 11 and a plurality of first clamping portions 13, and the main body 11 and the first clamping portions 13 may be relatively fixed and integrally formed. The bottom plate 60 is provided with a plurality of second catching portions 61. The first clamping portion 13 is located on a side of the main body portion 11 close to the bottom plate 60, and the second clamping portion 61 is located on a side of the bottom plate 60 close to the main body portion 11. The support 40 is disposed between the main body 11 and the bottom plate 60, and is hinged to the first clamping portion 13 and the second clamping portion 61.

Specifically, the support 40 includes a first bracket 41 and a second bracket 43, where the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 43 are hinged to each other and have an X-shape. One end of the first bracket 41 is hinged with the first clamping part 13, and the other end is hinged with the second clamping part 61; one end of the second bracket 43 is hinged to the first holding portion 13, and the other end is hinged to the second holding portion 61. When the key cap 10 is pressed, the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 43 are rotated relatively, and the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 43 are hinged to the key cap 10 and the bottom plate 60, respectively, so that the relative distance between the key cap 10 and the bottom plate 60 can be changed.

The surface of the body 11 facing the supporting frame 40 is provided with a receiving groove 112, and the receiving groove 112 is used for receiving the buffer member 20.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7 together, in the present embodiment, the buffer member 20 is annular, i.e. a through hole 21 is formed in the middle of the buffer member 20, the shape of the accommodating groove 112 is adapted to the shape of the buffer member 20, i.e. the body 11 has a protrusion 114 protruding toward the accommodating groove 112, the buffer member 20 is accommodated in the accommodating groove 112, the protrusion 114 passes through the through hole 21, and the buffer member 20 is surrounded by the protrusion 114. The buffer 20 may be secured, e.g., glued, in the receiving groove 112. The buffer member 20 is accommodated in the accommodating groove 112, and the thickness of the key 100 is not increased by the buffer member 20.

The material of the buffer member 20 can be a flexible coating or an adhesive layer, etc., and the buffer member 20 has certain elasticity and can play a role in buffering; the surface roughness of the buffer member 20 is smaller than that of the key cap 10 or the elastic element 30, i.e., the surface of the buffer member 20 is smooth, which can perform a lubrication function.

The elastic element 30 may be made of rubber, metal, or the like, and may be deformed and restored to its original shape after being deformed, so as to provide a good touch feeling in the use process of the keyboard 220.

The elastic element 30 is a hollow bowl-shaped structure, the elastic element 30 includes a first portion 31, a second portion 33 and a third portion 35, the second portion 33 connects the first portion 31 and the third portion 35, the first portion 31 is located on a side of the second portion 33 close to the body portion 11, the third portion 35 is located on a side of the second portion 33 away from the body portion 11, that is, an outer diameter of the first portion 31 is smaller than an outer diameter of the second portion 33, an outer diameter of the second portion 33 is smaller than an outer diameter of the third portion 35, and the second portion 33 is inclined outwards. The elastic element 30 is disposed through the supporting frame 40, the first portion 31 is disposed at an interval from the body portion 11, and the third portion 35 is connected to the flexible circuit board 50. In other embodiments, the first portion 31 may also contact the body portion 11, and the third portion 35 may be disposed through the flexible circuit board 50 and connected to the bottom plate 60.

Referring to fig. 8, the elastic element 30 is provided with a groove 354, and the groove 354 is formed by recessing the side of the third portion 35 toward the side of the first portion 31. The first portion 31 corresponds to the bowl bottom of the bowl-like structure, i.e. the first portion 31 is exposed to the recess 354; the second portion 33 corresponds to a side wall of the bowl-like structure; the third portion 35 corresponds to the side of the bowl-like structure where the bowl opening is located. The spring element 30 further comprises a contact 39, the contact 39 extending from the surface of the first portion 31 towards the recess 354 and being accommodated in the recess 354.

Referring to fig. 9, the flexible circuit board 50 is disposed on a surface of the base plate 60 facing the elastic element 30, and the base plate 60 is used for carrying the flexible circuit board 50. The third portion 35 is secured to the flexible circuit board 50. When the elastic element 30 is not deformed, the contact 39 is spaced from the flexible circuit board 50; when a force F is applied to the keycap 10, the elastic element 30 deforms, the contact 39 contacts the flexible circuit board 50, and the flexible circuit board 50 is electrically conducted, so that a pressing signal is generated; when the force F applied to the key cap 10 is removed, the elastic member 30 is restored to its shape by its own force, the contact 39 is separated from the flexible circuit board 50, and the inside of the flexible circuit board 50 is disconnected.

Wherein the projection of the second portion 33 onto the key cap 10 at least partially coincides with the projection of the buffer 20 onto the key cap 10. In the present embodiment, the projection of the first portion 31 on the key cap 10 coincides with the protrusion 114, and the projection of the second portion 33 and the third portion 35 on the key cap 10 completely coincides with the projection of the buffer member 20 on the key cap 10.

When the force F is applied to the key cap 10, the force F is transmitted to the first portion 31 through the protrusion 114, so that the elastic element 30 deforms, the first portion 31 moves toward the recess 354, the distance between the first portion 31 and the flexible circuit board 50 decreases until the contact 39 disposed on the first portion 31 contacts the flexible circuit board 50, and the flexible circuit board 50 deforms, so as to conduct the switch inside the flexible circuit board 50, and input signals is achieved. Therefore, when the force F applied to the key 100 is large, the projections of the second portion 33 and the third portion 35 on the key cap 10 are completely overlapped with the projection of the buffer member 20 on the key cap 10, so that the second portion 33 and the third portion 35 can contact with the buffer member 20, the buffer member 20 can play a role of buffering and lubrication, the possibility of abrasion of the elastic element 30 is reduced, the service life of the elastic element 30 is prolonged, the service life of the key 100 is prolonged, and the problem of serious impact and abrasion caused by direct contact of the rubber pad 30' with the key cap 10 in the pressing process of the related art is avoided. The force F is directly transferred to the first portion 31 by the protrusion 114, so that the force F can be quickly transferred, and the hand feeling of the user during pressing can be improved.

It is to be understood that, in other embodiments, the buffer member 20 is not limited to be annular, may be in a complete sheet shape, may be in other regular or irregular shapes, for example, may be in a hollow shape, and the like, so that the second portion 33 can directly collide and rub with the key cap 10 on the premise that the projection of the second portion 33 on the key cap 10 at least partially coincides with the projection of the buffer member 20 on the key cap 10, thereby reducing the wear degree of the elastic element 30 during use.

Referring to fig. 10, the elastic element 30 further includes ribs 37, and the ribs 37 are disposed on a surface of the second portion 33 facing away from the recess 354. The rib 37 is elongated, extends from the first portion 31 toward the third portion 35, and is provided on the surface of the second portion 33, and one end of the rib 37 is connected to a junction between the first portion 31 and the second portion 33. The number of ribs 37 may be one or more, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc., and in the present embodiment, the number of ribs 37 is 4, and 4 ribs 37 are uniformly disposed on the second portion 33. The rib 37 is provided only on the surface of a partial region of the second portion 33, and has a negligible influence on the pressing curve and feel of the key 100.

When the key cap 10 is pressed to deform the elastic element 30, the rib 37 can be preferentially contacted with the buffer piece 20, so that the possibility that the second part 33 collides with other elements and rubs is further avoided, and the abrasion degree of the elastic element 30 in the use process is further improved; the provision of the rib 37 also increases the toughness of the second portion 33 to some extent, improves the elastic restoring force of the second portion 33, and accelerates the elastic restoring speed of the elastic member 30.

The rib 37 includes a contact surface 372, the contact surface 372 is a surface of the rib 37 facing the key cap 10, and the contact surface 372 is connected to the first portion 31. When the elastic member 30 is not deformed, the contact surface 372 is inclined with respect to the key cap 10. The direction in which the contact surface 372 is inclined coincides with the direction in which the second portion 33 is inclined, that is, in the direction from the first portion 31 to the third portion 35, the contact surface 372 expands from inside to outside. When the key cap 10 is pressed, the elastic element 30 deforms, the rib 37 deforms correspondingly, and the contact surface 372 bends gradually in a direction parallel to the key cap 10 relative to the initial state until contacting the buffer member 20 fixed on the key cap 10, so that the contact area between the rib 37 and the buffer member 20 can be increased by the inclined contact surface 372, and the service life of the elastic element 30 can be prolonged.

Referring to fig. 11, other embodiments further provide an elastic element 30a, unlike the previous embodiment, one end of the rib 37a in the present embodiment is spaced from the first portion 31, i.e. the contact surface 372 is not directly connected to the first portion 31.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7 again, the surface of the protrusion 114 facing the elastic element 30 is provided with an air vent groove 116, the air vent groove 116 is communicated with the accommodating groove 112 and divides the protrusion 114 into two parts, and the air vent groove 116 is used for balancing the air pressure between the first portion 31 and the protrusion 114 and the air pressure of the outside during the use of the keyboard 220, so as to prevent abnormal sound caused by the difference of the air pressures.

The surface of the first portion 31 facing away from the second portion 33 is further provided with a first vent hole 312, the first vent hole 312 being formed by a depression in the surface of the first portion 31 facing away from the second portion 33 and penetrating the side surface of the first portion 31. The first vent hole 312 is used for balancing the air pressure between the first portion 31 and the protrusion 114 with the air pressure of the outside during the use of the keyboard 220, so as to prevent abnormal sound caused by the difference of the air pressures. The first vent 312 may also communicate with the vent slot 116, both of which act to equalize air pressure.

The surface of the third portion 35 facing away from the second portion 33 is provided with a second vent 352, the second vent 352 penetrates through the inner surface and the outer surface of the third portion 35, and the second vent 352 is used for balancing the air pressure between the groove 354 and the outside in the process of using the keyboard 220, so as to prevent abnormal sound caused by the difference of the air pressure.

According to the key 100 provided by the embodiment of the application, the buffer piece 20 is arranged on the key cap 10, the buffer piece 20 is located in the projection area of the second part 33 of the elastic element 30 on the key cap 10, the elastic element 30 is prevented from directly colliding and rubbing with the key cap 10, the abrasion possibility of the elastic element 30 is reduced, the service life of the elastic element 30 is prolonged, and the service life of the key 100 is prolonged.

The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical solution of the present application and not for limiting, and although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the technical solution of the present application may be modified or substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims (12)

1. A key, comprising:

a key cap;

the buffer piece is arranged on one side of the key cap; and

the elastic element is positioned at one side of the buffer piece, which is away from the keycap, and comprises a first part, a second part and a third part, wherein the second part is connected with the first part and the third part, the first part is positioned at one side of the second part, which is close to the keycap, and the third part is positioned at one side of the second part, which is away from the keycap;

wherein the projection of the second portion onto the key cap at least partially coincides with the projection of the cushioning member onto the key cap.

2. The key according to claim 1, wherein a receiving groove is formed in a surface of the key cap facing the elastic member, and the buffer member is received in the receiving groove.

3. The key according to claim 2, wherein the buffer member is ring-shaped; the holding groove is annular, the key cap is provided with a protrusion facing the holding groove, and the buffer piece is arranged around the protrusion.

4. A key according to claim 3, wherein the projection of the first portion onto the key cap coincides with the protrusion.

5. A key according to claim 3, wherein the surface of the protrusion facing the elastic element is provided with a vent groove, which vent groove communicates with the receiving groove.

6. The key according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is provided with a groove, and the groove is formed by recessing a side of the third portion toward a side of the first portion; the elastic element further comprises ribs extending from the first portion towards the third portion and being provided on a surface of the second portion facing away from the groove.

7. The key of claim 6, wherein the rib includes a contact surface, the contact surface being a surface of the rib facing the key cap, the contact surface being inclined with respect to the key cap when the elastic member is not deformed.

8. The key according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is provided with a groove, and the groove is formed by recessing a side of the third portion toward a side of the first portion; the resilient element further comprises a contact extending from a surface of the first portion towards the recess and being received in the recess; the key also comprises a flexible circuit board and a bottom plate, wherein the flexible circuit board is positioned on the surface of the bottom plate facing the elastic element, and the contact can be connected with the flexible circuit board to realize electric conduction inside the flexible circuit board.

9. The key of claim 1, wherein a surface of the first portion facing away from the second portion is further provided with a first vent hole formed by a depression in the surface of the first portion facing away from the first portion and extending through a side of the first portion.

10. The key according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the third portion facing away from the second portion is provided with second ventilation holes penetrating through an inner surface and an outer surface of the third portion.

11. A keyboard comprising a key as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A terminal device, characterized in that it comprises a keyboard according to claim 11.