TWI523056B - Keyswitch - Google Patents

Description

button

The present invention relates to a button, and more particularly to a button that utilizes magnetic attraction to move a keycap between a non-pressed position and a depressed position with a support device.

In terms of current personal computer usage habits, the keyboard is one of the indispensable input devices for entering text, symbols or numbers. Moreover, the consumer electronics products that are in contact with everyday life or the large-scale processing equipment used in the industry need to have a button structure as an input device to operate the above-mentioned electronic products and processing equipment.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a cross-sectional view of the prior art button 1 . As shown in FIG. 1, the button 1 includes a bottom plate 10, a keycap 12, a circuit board 14, a support device 16, and an elastic member 18. The circuit board 14 is disposed on the bottom plate 10. The support device 16 is disposed between the keycap 12 and the bottom plate 10 for supporting the keycap 12. The elastic member 18 is also disposed between the keycap 12 and the bottom plate 10. When the keycap 12 is pressed by the user, the elastic member 18 provides an elastic restoring force of the keycap 12 to return the keycap 12 to the position before pressing. Since the elastic member 18 is often made of rubber, the rubber may be fatigued under long-term use, thereby shortening the service life of the button 1.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a push button that utilizes magnetic attraction to move a keycap between a non-pressed position and a pressed position with a support device.

According to an embodiment, the button of the present invention includes a bottom plate, a keycap, a cover, and a support device. The keycap has a first magnetic zone. The cover plate is disposed on the keycap, and the cover plate is made of a magnetically conductive material. The supporting device is disposed between the bottom plate and the keycap, and respectively and the key cap And the bottom plate is rotatably connected. The keycap moves with the support device between an unpressed position and a depressed position. The support device has a second magnetic region, wherein the position of the second magnetic region corresponds to the position of the first magnetic region. When the keycap is not pressed, a magnetic attraction between the second magnetic zone and the first magnetic zone maintains the keycap in the undepressed position. When the keycap is pressed by an external force to cause the second magnetic region to be apart from the first magnetic region, the keycap is moved from the unpressed position to the pressed position with the support device. When the external force is released, the magnetic attraction causes the first magnetic zone to approach the second magnetic zone such that the keycap moves back from the pressed position back to the undepressed position with the support means.

According to another embodiment, the button of the present invention comprises a bottom plate, a keycap, a supporting device and a backlight module. The bottom plate has a first light transmissive area. The keycap has a first magnetic region and a second light transmissive region, wherein the second light transmissive region forms a character, a symbol, a numeral, or a combination thereof. The supporting device is disposed between the bottom plate and the key cap, and is rotatably connected to the key cap and the bottom plate respectively. The keycap moves with the support device between an unpressed position and a depressed position. The supporting device has a second magnetic region and a third transparent region, wherein the position of the second magnetic region corresponds to the position of the first magnetic region, and the positions of the first to third light transmitting regions correspond to each other. The backlight module is disposed under the bottom plate, and the light emitted by the backlight module is projected through the first light transmitting region to the third light transmitting region. When the keycap is not pressed, a magnetic attraction between the second magnetic zone and the first magnetic zone maintains the keycap in the undepressed position. When the keycap is pressed by an external force to cause the second magnetic region to be apart from the first magnetic region, the keycap is moved from the unpressed position to the pressed position with the support device. When the external force is released, the magnetic attraction causes the first magnetic zone to approach the second magnetic zone such that the keycap moves back from the pressed position back to the undepressed position with the support means.

In summary, the keycap of the present invention has a first magnetic zone, the support device has a second magnetic zone, and the position of the first magnetic zone corresponds to the location of the second magnetic zone. When the keycap is not pressed, the magnetic attraction between the second magnetic zone and the first magnetic zone maintains the keycap in the undepressed position. When the keycap is pressed by an external force to cause the first magnetic region to be apart from the second magnetic region, the keycap can be moved from the unpressed position to the pressed position with the support device. When the external force is released, the magnetic attraction causes the first magnetic region to be close to the second magnetic region, so that the key cap is accompanied by the supporting device by the pressing position. Move back to the unpressed position. In other words, the present invention utilizes magnetic attraction to move the keycap between the unpressed position and the depressed position with the support means. Since the invention does not need to install the elastic member in the conventional button, the service life of the button can be effectively extended.

In addition, the present invention can provide a cover plate made of a magnetic conductive material (for example, stainless steel, iron, etc.) on the key cap, and the magnetic field generated between the cover plate, the first magnetic region and the second magnetic region. The interaction effect can effectively enhance the magnetic attraction between the second magnetic region and the first magnetic region. Furthermore, the present invention can provide a backlight module under the bottom plate, and provide light-transmissive areas corresponding to each other on the bottom plate, the key cap and the supporting device, so that the light emitted by the backlight device can pass through the bottom plate, the key cap and the supporting device. The light zone is projected to cause the button to produce a luminous effect.

The advantages and spirit of the present invention will be further understood from the following detailed description of the invention.

1, 2, 2'‧‧‧ buttons

10, 20‧‧‧ bottom plate

12, 22‧‧‧ key cap

14, 28‧‧‧ circuit board

16, 24, 24'‧‧‧ support devices

18‧‧‧Flexible parts

23‧‧‧ Cover

26‧‧‧First magnetic zone

30‧‧‧Backlight module

200, 220‧‧‧ connection

230‧‧‧pattern layer

240‧‧‧First support

242‧‧‧second support

244‧‧‧Second magnetic zone

300‧‧‧Lighting unit

302‧‧‧Light guide plate

304‧‧‧reflector

2400‧‧‧First connection

2420‧‧‧Second connection

2404‧‧‧First Linkage

2424‧‧‧Second Linkage

A1‧‧‧First light transmission area

A2‧‧‧second light transmission area

A3‧‧‧ third light transmission area

A4‧‧‧fourth light transmission area

X-X‧‧‧ hatching

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a prior art button.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a button in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the button in Figure 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the button in Fig. 2 taken along the line X-X.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the key cap in Fig. 3 pressed.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a button in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the button in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a support device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 , FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the button 2 according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the button 2 in FIG. 2 , and FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. A cross-sectional view of the button 2 along the line XX, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the key cap 22 of Fig. 3 when it is pressed. As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the button 2 includes a bottom plate 20 and a key cap 22, A cover plate 23, a support device 24 and a circuit board 28. In practical applications, the circuit board 28 can be a thin film circuit board, but is not limited thereto.

The supporting device 24 is disposed between the bottom plate 20 and the keycap 22, and is rotatably connected to the keycap 22 and the bottom plate 20, respectively. In this embodiment, the support device 24 can include a first support member 240 and a second support member 242. The first support member 240 and the second support member 242 respectively include a first connecting portion (first end portion) 2400 and a second connecting portion (middle end apex portion) 2420, wherein the first connecting portion 2400 is rotatably connected to the bottom plate 20, and the second connecting portion 2420 is rotatably coupled to the keycap 22. In the present embodiment, the first connecting portion 2400 is rotatably connected to the connecting base 200 of the bottom plate 20, and the second connecting portion 2420 is rotatably connected to the connecting base 220 of the keycap 22, but not limited thereto. Thereby, the keycap 22 can be moved between the unpressed position (as shown in FIG. 4) and a pressed position (as shown in FIG. 5) with the support device 24. In addition, the first support member 240 has a first linkage portion 2404, and the second support member 242 has a second linkage portion 2424. The first linking portion 2404 abuts against the second supporting member 242, and the second linking portion 2424 abuts against the first supporting member 240 to make the first supporting member 240 and the first when the keycap 22 is pressed or the external force is released. The two support members 242 are interlocked.

The keycap 22 has a first magnetic region 26, and the support device 24 has a second magnetic region (second end portion) 244, and the position of the first magnetic region 26 corresponds to the position of the second magnetic region 244. One of the first magnetic region 26 and the second magnetic region 244 may be a magnetic member (eg, a magnet), and the other of the first magnetic region 26 and the second magnetic region 244 may be a magnetic member (eg, a magnet) Or a magnetic material (for example, iron or other metal). In this embodiment, the first magnetic region 26 can be a magnetic member and the second magnetic region 244 can be a magnetically permeable material. In practical applications, the support device 24 can be made entirely of a magnetically permeable material. In addition, in another embodiment, both the first magnetic region 26 and the second magnetic region 244 can be magnets.

Further, the cover plate 23 is provided on the keycap 22, and the cover plate 23 is made of a magnetic conductive material (for example, stainless steel, iron, or the like). The present invention provides a cover plate 23 made of a magnetically permeable material on the keycap 22, between the cover plate 23, the first magnetic region 26 and the second magnetic region 244. The interaction of the generated magnetic fields effectively enhances the magnetic attraction between the second magnetic region 244 and the first magnetic region 26. In addition, the area of the cover 23 can be reduced as long as the first magnetic region 26 can be covered.

When the keycap 22 is not pressed, a magnetic attraction between the second magnetic zone 244 and the first magnetic zone 26 maintains the keycap 22 in the undepressed position (as shown in FIG. 4). When the keycap 22 is pressed by an external force and the force is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction to cause the second magnetic region 244 to move away from the first magnetic region 26 (ie, the distance between the first magnetic region 26 and the second magnetic region 244 is increased) The second magnetic region 244 is pivoted with the second connecting portion (middle apex portion) 2420 as a fulcrum to move the keycap 22 from the unpressed position to the pressed position with the support device 24 (as shown in Fig. 5). When the external force is released, the magnetic attraction causes the first magnetic region 26 to be close to the second magnetic region 244 (ie, the magnetic attraction reduces the distance between the first magnetic region 26 and the second magnetic region 244), and the second magnetic region 244 drives The first support member 240 and the second support member 242 of the supporting device 24 are respectively pivoted with the second connecting portion (middle end apex portion) 2420 as a fulcrum, so that the key cap 22 is moved back from the pressing position to the unpressed position with the supporting device 24. As shown in FIG. 5, when the keycap 22 is pressed to be in the pressing position, the first linking portion 2404 of the first supporting member 240 and/or the second linking portion 2424 of the second supporting member 242 can be used to trigger the circuit board 28 The upper switch to perform the corresponding input function.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the first support member 240 and the second support member 242 respectively have a V-shaped structure, and the first support member 240 and the second support member 242 respectively have a first end portion 2400 and a second end point. The portion 244 has an angle between the first end portion 2400 and the second end portion 244 that is greater than 90 degrees.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a pattern layer 230 may be formed on the cover 23 for displaying characters, symbols, numbers or a combination thereof (depending on the actual application) for the user to recognize the button 2 Is it the button you want to press? In this embodiment, the pattern layer 230 may be formed on the cover 23 via ink printing, laser engraving or other processes.

Please refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , and FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of the button 2', and Fig. 7 is the exploded view of the button 2' in Fig. 6. The main difference between the button 2' and the button 2 described above is that the button 2' further includes a backlight module 30 disposed under the bottom plate 20. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , the backlight module 30 can be composed of a light emitting unit (for example, a light emitting diode) 300 , a light guide plate 302 , a reflective sheet 304 , and the like. The backlight module 30 is well known to those skilled in the art. , will not repeat them here. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 20 has a first light transmissive area A1, the key cap 22 has a second light transmissive area A2, the support device 24 has a third light transmissive area A3, and the cover plate 23 has a fourth translucent area. The light area A4, wherein the positions of the first light transmitting area A1 to the fourth light transmitting area A4 correspond to each other, and the second light transmitting area A2 and the fourth light transmitting area A4 form characters, symbols, numerals or a combination thereof. Thereby, the light emitted by the backlight module 30 can be projected through the first to fourth light-transmissive areas A1 to A4, so that the button 2' produces a light-emitting effect. The light emitted by the backlight module 30 forms a character, a symbol, a numeral or a combination thereof through the second transparent area A2 and the fourth transparent area A4, so that the user can recognize whether the button 2' is the button to be pressed. It should be noted that the first to fourth light-transmissive areas A1 to A4 may be holes or made of a light-transmitting material, depending on the practical application. In addition, elements of the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and FIGS. 2 to 5 have substantially the same operational principle and will not be described again.

Please refer to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a supporting device 24' according to another embodiment of the present invention. The main difference between the support device 24' and the support device 24 described above is that the second magnetic zone 244 of the support device 24 is in the middle and the second magnetic zone 244 of the support device 24' is on one side. Therefore, after the support device 24 in FIG. 3 is replaced by the support device 24' in FIG. 8, the first magnetic region 26 also needs to be disposed on one of the key caps 22 corresponding to the second magnetic region 244 of the support device 24'. side. In addition, after the supporting device 24 in FIG. 7 is replaced by the supporting device 24' in FIG. 8, the first light transmitting area A1, the second light transmitting area A2 and the fourth light transmitting area A4 are also formed on the corresponding support. The position of the third light transmitting area A3 of the device 24' is such that the light emitted by the backlight module 30 can be projected through the first light transmitting area A1 to the fourth light transmitting area A4. It should be noted that the components of the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 3 are substantially the same, and will not be described again.

In summary, the keycap of the present invention has a first magnetic zone, the support device has a second magnetic zone, and the position of the first magnetic zone corresponds to the location of the second magnetic zone. When the keycap is not pressed, the magnetic attraction between the second magnetic zone and the first magnetic zone maintains the keycap in the undepressed position. When the keycap is pressed by an external force to cause the first magnetic region to be apart from the second magnetic region, the keycap can be moved from the unpressed position to the pressed position with the support device. When the external force is released, the magnetic attraction causes the first magnetic zone to be close to the second magnetic zone, so that the keycap is moved from the pressed position back to the unpressed position with the support means. In other words, the present invention utilizes magnetic attraction to move the keycap between the unpressed position and the depressed position with the support means. Since the invention does not need to install the elastic member in the conventional button, the service life of the button can be effectively extended.

In addition, the present invention can provide a cover plate made of a magnetic conductive material (for example, stainless steel, iron, etc.) on the key cap, and the magnetic field generated between the cover plate, the first magnetic region and the second magnetic region. The interaction effect can effectively enhance the magnetic attraction between the second magnetic region and the first magnetic region. Furthermore, the present invention can provide a backlight module under the bottom plate, and provide light-transmissive areas corresponding to each other on the bottom plate, the key cap and the supporting device, so that the light emitted by the backlight device can pass through the bottom plate, the key cap and the supporting device. The light zone is projected to cause the button to produce a luminous effect.

The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all changes and modifications made to the scope of the present invention should be within the scope of the present invention.

2‧‧‧ buttons

20‧‧‧floor

22‧‧‧Key Cap

23‧‧‧ Cover

24‧‧‧Support device

26‧‧‧First magnetic zone

28‧‧‧ boards

200, 220‧‧‧ connection

240‧‧‧First support

242‧‧‧second support

244‧‧‧Second magnetic zone

2400‧‧‧First connection

2420‧‧‧Second connection

2404‧‧‧First Linkage

2424‧‧‧Second Linkage

Claims (14)

a button comprising: a bottom plate; a key cap having a first magnetic region; a cover plate disposed on the key cap, the cover plate being made of a magnetically conductive material; and a supporting device disposed Between the bottom plate and the key cap, and rotatably connected to the key cap and the bottom plate respectively, the key cap moves with the supporting device between an unpressed position and a pressing position, and the supporting device has a first a magnetic region, wherein the position of the second magnetic region corresponds to a position of the first magnetic region; wherein, when the key cap is not pressed, a magnetic attraction between the second magnetic region and the first magnetic region causes The keycap is maintained in the unpressed position; when the keycap is pressed by an external force to cause the second magnetic zone to be away from the first magnetic zone, the keycap is moved to the pressing position by the supporting device from the unpressed position When the external force is released, the magnetic attraction causes the first magnetic zone to be close to the second magnetic zone such that the keycap moves from the pressing position back to the undepressed position with the support device. The button of claim 1, wherein one of the first magnetic region and the second magnetic region is a magnetic member, and the other of the first magnetic region and the second magnetic region is a magnetic member or A magnetic material. The button of claim 1, wherein the supporting device comprises a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion is connected to the bottom plate, and the second connecting portion is connected to the key cap, when the key cap is When the external force is pressed, and the external force is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction force, the second magnetic region is rotated with the second connecting portion as a fulcrum, so that the second magnetic region is away from the first magnetic region, and the key cap is accompanied by the supporting device Moving from the unpressed position to the pressing position; when the external force is released, the first magnetic region and the second magnetic region are magnetically attracted, and the second magnetic region drives the supporting device to rotate with the second connecting portion as a fulcrum, Adjacent the second magnetic region to the first magnetic region, and the keycap is accompanied The support device is moved back to the undepressed position by the pressing position. The button of claim 1, wherein the supporting device comprises a first supporting member and a second supporting member, the first supporting member has a first linking portion, and the second supporting member has a second linking portion. The first linking portion abuts the second supporting member, and the second linking portion abuts the first supporting member to make the first supporting member and the first supporting member when the key cap is pressed or the external force is released The second support member is interlocked. The button of claim 4, wherein one of the first support member and the second support member is provided with the second magnetic region, the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic region and the second magnetic region Maintaining the keycap in the unpressed position; when the keycap is pressed by the external force, and the external force is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction, the distance between the first magnetic zone and the second magnetic zone is increased, and the magnetic attraction is weakened The keycap can be moved to the pressing position along with the supporting device; when the external force is released, the magnetic attraction reduces the distance between the first magnetic zone and the second magnetic section, and the keycap is accompanied by the supporting device Move back to the unpressed position. The button of claim 1, wherein the supporting device comprises a first supporting member, the first supporting member having a V-shaped structure, the V-shaped structure having a first end portion and a second end portion and a middle end apex portion, the first end portion is movably coupled to the bottom plate, the middle end apex portion is movably coupled to the key cap, and the second end portion is the second magnetic region, when the key cap is externally When the external force is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction force, the supporting device rotates with the apex portion of the middle portion as a fulcrum, so that the second magnetic region is away from the first magnetic region, and the key cap is accompanied by the unpressed position of the supporting device Moving to the pressing position; when the external force is released, the first magnetic region and the second magnetic region are magnetically attracted to bring the second magnetic region close to the first magnetic region, and the key cap is accompanied by the supporting device by the pressing The position moves back to the unpressed position. The button of claim 1, wherein the cover layer is formed with a pattern layer for displaying characters, symbols, numerals or a combination thereof. The button of claim 1 further includes a backlight module disposed under the bottom plate, the bottom plate having a first light transmissive region, the key cap having a second light transmissive region, the support device having a first a light-transmissive area, the cover plate has a fourth light-transmissive area, and the positions of the first light-transmissive area to the fourth light-transmissive area correspond to each other, and the second light-transmissive area and the fourth light-transmissive area form a character, The light emitted by the backlight module is projected through the first light transmitting region to the fourth light transmitting region. A button includes: a bottom plate having a first light transmissive area; and a key cap having a first magnetic region and a second light transmissive region, the second light transmissive region forming characters, symbols, numbers or a cover plate is disposed on the key cap, the cover plate is made of a magnetic conductive material; a supporting device is disposed between the bottom plate and the key cap, and the key cap and the bottom plate respectively Rotatingly connected, the key cap moves with the supporting device between an unpressed position and a pressing position, the supporting device has a second magnetic region and a third transparent region, and the position of the second magnetic region corresponds to a position of the first magnetic region, the position of the first light transmitting region to the third light transmitting region corresponding to each other; and a backlight module disposed under the bottom plate, the light emitted by the backlight module is transmitted through the first light Projecting to the third light transmissive region; wherein, when the key cap is not pressed, a magnetic attraction between the second magnetic region and the first magnetic region maintains the key cap at the unpressed Position; when the keycap is pressed by an external force, the second magnetic zone is caused When the first magnetic region is away, the key cap is moved to the pressing position by the supporting device from the unpressed position; when the external force is released, the magnetic attraction causes the first magnetic region to be close to the second magnetic region, so that The keycap moves with the support device from the pressed position back to the undepressed position. The button of claim 9, wherein one of the first magnetic region and the second magnetic region is a magnetic member, and the other of the first magnetic region and the second magnetic region is a magnetic member or A magnetic material. The button of claim 9, wherein the supporting device comprises a first connecting portion and a second a connecting portion, the first connecting portion is connected to the bottom plate, the second connecting portion is connected to the key cap, and when the key cap is pressed by the external force, and the external force is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction force, the second magnetic region is the second The connecting portion is pivoted to move the second magnetic region away from the first magnetic region, and the key cap is moved to the pressing position by the supporting device from the unpressed position; when the external force is released, the first magnetic region and The second magnetic region is magnetically driven, and the second magnetic region drives the supporting device to rotate with the second connecting portion as a fulcrum, so that the second magnetic region is adjacent to the first magnetic region, and the key cap is accompanied by the supporting device The pressed position moves back to the unpressed position. The button of claim 9, wherein the supporting device comprises a first supporting member and a second supporting member, the first supporting member has a first linking portion, and the second supporting member has a second linking portion. The first linking portion abuts the second supporting member, and the second linking portion abuts the first supporting member to make the first supporting member and the first supporting member when the key cap is pressed or the external force is released The second support member is interlocked. The button of claim 12, wherein one of the first support member and the second support member is provided with the second magnetic region, the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic region and the second magnetic region Maintaining the keycap in the unpressed position; when the keycap is pressed by the external force, and the external force is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction, the distance between the first magnetic zone and the second magnetic zone is increased, and the magnetic attraction is weakened The keycap can be moved to the pressing position along with the supporting device; when the external force is released, the magnetic attraction reduces the distance between the first magnetic zone and the second magnetic section, and the keycap is accompanied by the supporting device Move back to the unpressed position. The button of claim 9, wherein the supporting device comprises a first supporting member, the first supporting member having a V-shaped structure, the V-shaped structure having a first end portion and a second end portion and a middle end apex portion, the first end portion is movably coupled to the bottom plate, the middle end apex portion is movably coupled to the key cap, and the second end portion is the second magnetic region, when the key cap is externally When the external force is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction force, the supporting device rotates with the apex portion of the middle portion as a fulcrum, so that the second magnetic region is away from the first magnetic region, and the key cap is accompanied by the unpressed position of the supporting device Moving to the pressing position; when the external force is released, the first magnetic region And magnetically attracting the second magnetic region to bring the second magnetic region closer to the first magnetic region, and the key cap is moved back to the unpressed position by the supporting device.