TWI607468B - Key switch - Google Patents

Description

button

The present invention relates to a button, and more particularly to a button having a noise reduction effect.

In terms of the current personal computer usage habits, the keyboard can be regarded as one of the indispensable information input devices, and the keyboard can be used to input text, symbols or numbers. On the other hand, the application of the keyboard is not only the case, the consumer electronics products touched by daily life or the large-scale processing equipment used in the industry need to have a button structure as an input device, thereby operating the above-mentioned electronic products and processing. device.

Generally speaking, most of the keys on the keyboard device are keys of a square key cap, and a small number of keys such as a blank key (SPACE), an input key (Enter), a large key (Caps Lock), a shift key ( Shift), etc., the length of its keycap is greater than the width, this type of button is called the multiple key.

Most of the mechanism design of the conventional button includes at least one balance bar and a plurality of other components, wherein the balance bar can increase the structural strength of the key cap, so that even if the user presses the non-central position of the key cap, the multiple keys are also It does not cause tilting during pressing. However, the balance bar is directly in contact with the bottom plate. Due to the large contact area between the two, when the key cap moves up and down, the balance bar and the bottom plate may generate significant noise due to collision with each other. Therefore, how to design a button with noise reduction effect, and Achieving sufficient structural strength to apply to keyboards for frequently operating consumer electronics has become an important issue.

The present invention provides a button to solve the phenomenon of significant noise when the button is pressed.

In an embodiment of the invention, a button includes a bottom plate, a circuit layer, a key cap, and a balance bar. The bottom plate has a hook portion and a first through hole, wherein the hook portion is adjacent to the first through hole. The circuit layer has a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer. The first sub-layer is disposed above the bottom plate. The first sub-layer has a second through hole, a buffer portion, a connecting portion, and an extending portion. The second through hole has a first side and a second side. The hook portion passes through the second through hole, and the first side and the second side are connected to each other and adjacent to the hook portion. The buffer portion is connected to the first side and is connected to one end of the connecting portion. The opposite end of the connecting portion is connected to the second side, wherein the extending portion connects at least one of the first side and the second side. The second sub-layer is disposed between the bottom plate and the first sub-layer, the second sub-layer has a third through hole and a support portion, the third through hole has a third side and a fourth side, and the hook portion passes through the third through hole And the third side and the fourth side are connected to each other and adjacent to the hook portion, wherein the support portion at least partially overlaps the lower portion of the extension portion and correspondingly connects at least one of the third side and the fourth side. The key cap is disposed above the bottom plate. The balance bar has a first rod portion and a second rod portion connected to each other, the first rod portion is movably connected to the key cap, and the second rod portion is disposed at the hook portion, so that the lower end of the second rod portion passes through the second through hole And extending into the first through hole with the third through hole, and the lower surface of the second rod portion abuts against the buffer portion.

The button in the embodiment of the present invention can support the second rod portion of the balance bar by the buffer portion when the key cap is pressed and moved up and down relative to the bottom plate, and is deformed by the second sub-layer of the circuit layer while being deformed by the second The support portion of the sub-layer abuts the extension of the first sub-layer, and The collision between the second pole portion and the bottom plate is collectively slowed down, so that the button can reduce the volume generated when pressed to achieve the effect of noise reduction.

100, 200‧‧‧ button

110‧‧‧floor

110a‧‧‧Top

112‧‧‧K hook section

112a‧‧‧Chute

114‧‧‧First through hole

120‧‧‧ circuit layer

120a‧‧‧ top

122‧‧‧First sub-layer

122a‧‧‧Second through hole

122b‧‧‧ first side

122c‧‧‧ second side

123a‧‧‧ buffer

123b‧‧‧Connecting Department

123c‧‧‧Extension

124‧‧‧Second sub-layer

124a‧‧‧ third through hole

124b‧‧‧ third side

124c‧‧‧ fourth side

180‧‧‧ diaphragm

182‧‧‧5th through hole

3-3’‧‧‧ hatching

4-4’‧‧‧ hatching

125‧‧‧Support

126‧‧‧ third sub-layer

126a‧‧‧4th through hole

126b‧‧‧ fifth side

126c‧‧‧ sixth side

127‧‧‧ strip structure

127a‧‧‧ accommodating perforation

128‧‧‧Upper electrode

129‧‧‧ lower electrode

130‧‧‧Key Cap

140‧‧‧Balance rod

142‧‧‧First pole

144‧‧‧Second pole

144a‧‧‧ lower surface

150‧‧‧Resiliency unit

The description of the present invention and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments will be more apparent and understood. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a button in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the button in accordance with Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the button of Figure 1 taken along section line 3-3'.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the button of Figure 1 taken along section line 4-4'.

Figure 5A is a top plan view of an embodiment of a first sub-layer of the button of Figure 1.

Figure 5B is a top plan view of an embodiment of a second sub-layer of the button of Figure 1.

6A is a top view of another embodiment of a first sub-layer in accordance with the button of FIG. 1.

6B is a top view of another embodiment of a second sub-layer of the button in accordance with FIG. 1.

Figure 7A is a top plan view of still another embodiment of the first sub-layer of the button of Figure 1.

Figure 7B is a top plan view of still another embodiment of the second sub-layer of the button of Figure 1.

Figure 8A is a top plan view of another embodiment of a third sub-layer of the button of Figure 1.

Figure 8B is a top plan view showing still another embodiment of the third sub-layer of the button of Figure 1.

9 is an exploded view of a button in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . 1 is a perspective view of a button according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the button according to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the button 100 of the embodiment can be applied to a keyboard device, and further, by changing In the size of the button 100 of the embodiment, the button 100 of the embodiment can be used as a square button or a multiple button of the keyboard device, but is not limited thereto.

The button 100 of this embodiment may be composed of a bottom plate 110, a circuit layer 120, a key cap 130 and a balance bar 140. The bottom plate 110 may have two hook portions 112 and two opposite to each other opposite to the opposite sides of the key cap 130. A through hole 114, wherein each of the hook portions 112 protrudes from the top surface 110a of the bottom plate 110 and is adjacent to the corresponding first through hole 114. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 110 can be a metal plate body, but is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, the key cap 130 may be disposed above the bottom plate 110 and movable up and down relative to the bottom plate 110. At the same time, the balance bar 140 has a first rod portion 142 and two second rod portions 144, wherein the second rod portion 144 is respectively connected to opposite ends of the first rod portion 142, in other words, the second rod portion 144 is self-contained The opposite ends of one of the rod portions 142 are formed by bending and extending in the same direction. At the same time, the first stem portion 142 is movably coupled to the keycap 130, that is, the first stem portion 142 can be positioned on the keycap 130 and can be pivotally movably in this position. For example, the first rod portion 142 can be pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the key cap 130 , and each of the second rod portions 144 can be movably disposed in the sliding groove 112 a of the corresponding hook portion 112 .

In addition, the button 100 of the embodiment may further include a restoring force unit 150 disposed on the top surface 120a of the circuit layer 120. The material of the restoring force unit 150 may be elastic silicone or rubber. In addition, in other embodiments, The button 100 can also include a scissor structure, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, when an external force acts on the keycap 130 of the button 100 to move the keycap 130 downward to the lower position, the first rod portion 142 of the balance bar 140 can pivot on the bottom surface of the keycap 130 and balance The second rod portion 144 of the rod 140 can abut against the bottom plate 110 to slide downward. On the other hand, when the external force disappears, the restoring force unit 150 elastically returns to move the key cap 130 upward, thereby driving the first rod portion 142 of the balance bar 140 to pivot in the opposite direction on the bottom surface of the key cap 130, and the balance bar 140 The second rod portion 144 can Abutting against the bottom plate 110 and sliding upward, the keycap 130 is returned upward to the original upper position.

On the other hand, the circuit layer 120 can have a first sub-layer 122 and a second sub-layer 124. The first sub-layer 122 and the second sub-layer 124 are both disposed above the bottom plate 110 , and the second sub-layer 124 is located between the first sub-layer 122 and the bottom plate 110 . In this embodiment, the circuit layer 120 can be a thin film circuit board, but is not limited thereto. In detail, when the keycap 130 is pressed, the circuit layer 120 can electrically conduct a conduction number.

In detail, please refer to FIG. 5A at the same time, as shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 5A , the first sub-layer 122 has a second through hole 122 a (indicated by a broken line), a buffer portion 123 a , a connecting portion 123 b and an extending portion 123 c . The buffer portion 123a, the connecting portion 123b, and the extending portion 123c are all disposed in the second through hole 122a. The second through hole 122a has a first side 122b and a second side 122c which are adjacent to each other. The hook portion 112 of the bottom plate 110 passes through the second through hole 122a and is adjacent to the first side 122b and the second side 122c. . In more detail, the buffer portion 123a is connected to the first side 122b and simultaneously connects one end of the connecting portion 123b. On the other hand, the opposite end of the connecting portion 123b of the present embodiment is connected to the second side 122c, that is, the connecting portion 123b, the buffer portion 123a, the first side 122b and the second side 122c can be connected to each other and widely surround. The hook portion 112 of the second through hole 122a. In this embodiment, the extending portion 123c is connected to the second side 122c, and the extending portion 123c is further connected to the side of the connecting portion 123b away from the hook portion 112, that is, the extending portion 123c can simultaneously connect the second side 122c and the connection. The portion 123b is formed by extending the connecting portion 123b away from the hook portion 112. In this embodiment, the buffer portion 123a and the connecting portion 123b may have a linear strip structure, but are not limited thereto. For example, the buffer portion 123a and the connecting portion 123b of the present embodiment can be connected to each other to form an angle of approximately 90 degrees. Further, the buffer portion 123a, the connecting portion 123b and the extending portion 123c of the present embodiment can be connected to each other to form an L. Strip-shaped structure, but not limited to this.

In detail, the buffer portion 123a and the connecting portion 123b may be two-shaped structures that are connected to each other, and are connected to the first side 122b and the second side 122c, respectively. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the strip structure which is deformed by the second rod portion 144 and is connected to the first side 122b can be defined as the buffer portion 123a, and on the other hand, the buffer portion 123a is deformed to be driven downward. The strip structure that moves and connects the second side 122c can be defined as the connecting portion 123b, but is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, referring to FIG. 5B, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 5B, the second sub-layer 124 has a third through hole 124a (indicated by a broken line) and a support portion 125, and the third through hole 124a has a connection. The third side 124b and the fourth side 124c. When the first sub-layer 122, the second sub-layer 124, and the third sub-layer 126 of the embodiment overlap each other, the third side 124b corresponds to the first side 122b and the fourth side 124c corresponds to the second side 122c. In the present embodiment, the hook portion 112 passes through the third through hole 124a and is adjacent to the third side 124b and the fourth side 124c that are connected to each other, wherein the support portion 125 is at least partially overlapped below the extending portion 123c. On the other hand, the extension portion 123c of the present embodiment is connected to the second side 122c. Therefore, the support portion 125 of the present embodiment is correspondingly connected to the fourth side 124c, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, when the buffer portion 123a is deformed to cause the connection portion 123b and the extension portion 123c to be deformed, the support portion 125 can abut against the extension portion 123c to buffer the deformation of the extension portion 123c and the connection portion 123b, thereby assisting the buffer portion 123c to be collectively lowered. The volume produced when the button 100 is pressed. In this embodiment, the third side 124b can be substantially parallel to the first side 122b, and the fourth side 124c can be substantially parallel to the second side 122c, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , in the embodiment, the circuit layer 120 may further include a third sub-layer 126 between the first sub-layer 122 and the second sub-layer 124 , but not This is limited. For example, the third sub-layer 126 can be an insulating plastic sheet, but is not limited thereto. In detail, the third sub-layer 126 may have a fourth through hole 126a (with a dotted line) The fourth through hole 126a has a fifth side 126b and a sixth side 126c. The hook portion 112 passes through the fourth through hole 126a and is adjacent to the fifth side 126b and the sixth side 126c connected to each other, wherein the first side When the sub-layer 122 overlaps with the third sub-layer 126, the fifth side 126b corresponds to the first side 122b and the sixth side 126c corresponds to the second side 122c. In detail, the fifth side 126b is on the same side as the first side 122b, and the sixth side 126c is on the same side as the second side 122c, that is, the fifth side 126b is substantially parallel to the first side 122b, and the sixth side 126c It may be substantially parallel to the second side 122c, but is not limited thereto.

Next, please refer to FIG. 3 at the same time, which shows a cross-sectional view of the button according to FIG. 1 along section line 3-3'. As shown in FIG. 3, the third sub-layer 126 has a receiving through hole 127a corresponding to the position of the restoring force unit 150, so that the first sub-layer 122 and the second sub-layer 126 have a spacing without electrical connection. When the user presses the keycap 130, the keycap 130 can move downward so that the restoring force unit 150 receives a downward pressing force, and further presses the first sub-layer 122 to deform to pass through the receiving perforation 127a directly. The corresponding regions of the two sub-layers 124 are in electrical contact with each other. In detail, a region of the first sub-layer 122 under the restoring force unit 150 may be provided with an upper electrode 128, and a region of the second sub-layer 124 corresponding to the upper electrode 128 may be provided with a lower electrode 129, that is, an upper electrode 128 and the lower electrode 129 can be disposed on the opposite sides of the receiving through hole 127a and on the opposite sides of the receiving through hole 127a. The contact between the upper electrode 128 and the lower electrode 129 can trigger the circuit layer 120 to generate a conduction number, but not limit. On the contrary, when the external force disappears, the first sub-layer 122 and the second sub-layer 124 may return to the original position such that the upper electrode 128 and the lower electrode 129 are separated from each other.

Further, please refer to FIG. 4 at the same time, which shows a cross-sectional view of the button according to FIG. 1 along section line 4-4'. As shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 , when the first sub-layer 122 overlaps with the second sub-layer 124 , the buffer portion 123 a can be adjacent to the hook portion 112 through which the second through hole 122 a is disposed. . Therefore, when the second rod portion 144 is inserted through the hook portion 112, The lower end of the second rod portion 144 is located in the first through hole 114, and the second through hole 122a and the third through hole 124a are formed in the through hole. Meanwhile, the lower surface 144a of the second rod portion 144 can abut The buffer portion 123a, such that when the key cap 130 moves up and down relative to the bottom plate 110, the buffer portion 123a can be used to slow the collision between the second rod portion 144 and the bottom plate 110 by deformation, and at the same time, the support portion 125 of the second sub-layer 124 Abutting on the extending portion 123c of the connection buffer portion 123a, the collision between the second rod portion 144 and the bottom plate 110 can be collectively slowed down to reduce the volume generated when the button 100 of the present embodiment is pressed.

In addition, in some embodiments, the extending portion 123a of the first sub-layer 122 may also connect only the first side 122b and connect the side of the connecting portion 123b away from the hook portion 112 (as shown in FIG. 6A), or In other embodiments, the extending portion 123a of the first sub-layer 122 may also connect the first side 122b and the second side 122c at the same time and connect the side of the connecting portion 123b away from the hook portion 112 (as shown in FIG. 7A). Therefore, it can be easily understood that when the extending portion 123c of the first sub-layer 122 is connected only to the first side 122b and connects the side of the connecting portion 123b away from the hook portion 112 (as shown in FIG. 6A), the supporting portion 125 At least partially overlapping the extension portion 123c and correspondingly connecting the third side 124b (as shown in FIG. 6B); the extension portion 123c of the first sub-layer 122 simultaneously connects the first side 122b and the second side 122c and connects the connection portion When the side of the 123b is away from the side of the hook portion 112 (as shown in FIG. 7A), the supporting portion 125 is at least partially overlapped below the extending portion 123c and correspondingly connects the third side 124b and the fourth side 124c (as shown in FIG. 7B). Show).

In some embodiments, the third sub-layer 126 can also have other different configurations and can be easily replaced with the third sub-layer 126 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2. As shown in FIG. 8A, the third sub-layer 126 may have a strip structure 127 connecting the fifth side 126b and the sixth side 126c, respectively, and at least partially overlapping the buffer portion 123a and the connecting portion 123b of the first sub-layer 122. Below the extension 123c. For example, the configuration of the third sub-layer 126 can be The configuration is substantially the same as that of the first sub-layer 122. On the other hand, in other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8B, the strip structure 127 of the third sub-layer 126 may at least partially overlap the support portion 125 and correspondingly connect at least the fifth side 126b and the One of the six sides 126c. For example, the configuration of the third sub-layer 126 can also be substantially the same as the second sub-layer 124. It is to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the implementation of the invention.

Please refer to FIG. 9, which illustrates an exploded view of a button in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9 , the button 200 of the embodiment is substantially the same as the button 100 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , and the main difference is that the button 200 of the embodiment may further include a diaphragm 180 disposed on the circuit. Above the layer 120, the diaphragm 180 has a fifth through hole 182, and the hook portion 112 passes through the fifth through hole 182. At the same time, the restoring force unit 150 may be disposed on the diaphragm 180. In this embodiment, the diaphragm 180 may be a sheet of elastic material, for example, a mylar or a rubber sheet, but not limited thereto. On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, it can be easily seen that in other embodiments, the configuration of the diaphragm 180 can be substantially the same as the configuration of the first sub-layer 122, such that the film The sheet 180 can collectively generate a suitable deformation with the pressing force of the first sub-layer 122 corresponding to the key cap 130, thereby effectively slowing the collision between the second rod portion 144 of the balance bar 140 and the bottom plate 110, thereby reducing the button 200. The volume produced when pressed. But not limited to this.

It will be apparent from the above-described embodiments of the present invention that the application of the present invention has the following advantages. The button in the embodiment of the present invention can support the second rod portion of the balance bar by the buffer portion when the key cap is pressed and moved up and down relative to the bottom plate, and is deformed by the second sub-layer of the circuit layer while being deformed by the second The support portion of the sub-layer abuts the extension portion of the first sub-layer, and collectively slows the collision between the second rod portion and the bottom plate, so that the button can reduce the volume generated at the time of pressing to achieve the effect of noise reduction.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention can be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached.

100‧‧‧ button

110‧‧‧floor

120‧‧‧ circuit layer

120a‧‧‧ top

130‧‧‧Key Cap

140‧‧‧Balance rod

150‧‧‧Resiliency unit

3-3’‧‧‧ hatching

4-4’‧‧‧ hatching

Claims (11)

A button includes: a bottom plate having a hook portion and a first through hole, wherein the hook portion is adjacent to the first through hole; and a circuit layer, the circuit layer has: a first sub-layer disposed on The first sub-layer has a second through hole, a buffer portion, a connecting portion and an extending portion. The second through hole has a first side and a second side, and the hook portion passes through the bottom plate. a second through hole, wherein the first side and the second side are connected to each other and adjacent to the hook portion, the buffer portion is connected to the first side and is connected to one end of the connecting portion, and the opposite end of the connecting portion is connected to the first side a second side, wherein the extension portion connects at least one of the first side and the second side; and a second sub-layer disposed between the bottom plate and the first sub-layer, the second sub-layer having a first a third through hole and a support portion, the third through hole has a third side and a fourth side, the hook portion passes through the third through hole, and the third side and the fourth side are connected to each other and adjacent to each other The hook portion, wherein the support portion is at least partially overlapped below the extension portion and correspondingly connected to at least the third side and One of the fourth sides; a keycap disposed above the bottom plate; and a balance bar having a first stem portion and a second stem portion coupled to each other, the first stem portion movably connecting the key cap The second rod portion is disposed in the hook portion, and the lower end of the second rod portion extends through the second through hole and the third through hole into the first through hole, and the second portion is under the second portion The surface abuts against the buffer portion. The button of claim 1, wherein the buffer portion and the connecting portion collectively surround the hook portion. The button of claim 1, wherein the third side is on the same side as the first side, and the fourth side is on the same side as the second side. The button of claim 1, wherein the extension portion connects the first side and the buffer portion is away from a side of the hook portion, the support portion is at least partially overlapped below the extension portion and correspondingly Connecting the third side and the fourth side. The button of claim 1, wherein the circuit layer comprises: a third sub-layer between the first sub-layer and the second sub-layer, the third sub-layer having a fourth through-hole The fourth through hole has a fifth side and a sixth side. The hook portion passes through the fourth through hole, and the fifth side and the sixth side are connected to each other and adjacent to the hook portion. The button of claim 5, wherein the third sub-layer has a strip-shaped structure connecting the fifth side and the sixth side, respectively, at least partially overlapping the buffer portion, the connecting portion and the extension Below the ministry. The button of claim 5, wherein the third sub-layer has a strip-shaped structure at least partially superposed over the support portion and correspondingly connected to at least one of the fifth side and the sixth side. The button of claim 5, wherein the fifth side is on the same side as the first side, and the sixth side is on the same side as the second side. The button of claim 1, further comprising a diaphragm disposed above the circuit layer, the diaphragm having a fifth through hole, the hook portion passing through the fifth through hole. The button of claim 1, wherein the buffer portion, the connecting portion and the extending portion are connected to each other to form an L-shaped strip structure. The button of claim 1, wherein the extension connects the side of the connecting portion away from the hook portion.