TWM481480U - Button key structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A button key structure includes a base, a key cap and at least a flat spring element. The flat spring element is disposed between the base and the key cap. Each flat spring element has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of each flat spring element is connected to the base, and the second terminal of each flat spring element is connected to the key cap for supporting the key cap.

Description

Button structure

This creation is about a button structure.

Most of the current button structures are composed of a key cap, a scissor foot structure, and a bottom plate. The scissor foot structure is disposed between the bottom plate and the key cap such that the key cap can move vertically up and down with respect to the bottom plate. The scissor foot structure includes a first bracket and a second bracket that intersect each other. The first bracket and the second bracket are pivotally connected under the keycap, so the space under the keycap is limited. In addition, the structure of the scissor foot is complicated. Therefore, when the assembler assembles the key cap on the bottom plate, it is often necessary to first determine whether the assembly direction of the two brackets is correct, and often encounters an assembly direction error and must be disassembled, which is not conducive to assembly and causes The assembly time is high and the rework rate is high.

This creation is about a button structure with a flat elastic member for supporting the keycap.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a button structure is proposed, including a bottom plate, a keycap, and at least one planar elastic member. The planar elastic member is disposed between the bottom plate and the keycap, and each of the planar elastic members has a lower end and an upper end. The lower end of each plane elastic member is connected to the bottom plate, and the upper end of each plane elastic member is connected with a key cap for supporting the key cap.

In order to better understand the above and other aspects of the present invention, the preferred embodiments are described below, and in conjunction with the drawings, the detailed description is as follows:

100, 100', 101, 102, 102'‧‧‧ button structure

110‧‧‧floor

120‧‧‧Key Cap

121‧‧‧ east side

122‧‧‧ west side

123‧‧‧South side

124‧‧‧North side

131, 131'‧‧‧ first plane elastic parts

132, 132’‧‧‧Second plane elastic parts

133, 133’‧‧‧ third plane elastic parts

134, 134'‧‧‧ fourth plane elastic parts

A, A’‧‧‧ lower end

B, B’‧‧‧ upper end

C, D‧‧‧ pivotal department

130‧‧‧ strip elastic material

131c‧‧‧first opening

131d‧‧‧First protrusion

132c‧‧‧second opening

132d‧‧‧second protrusion

110E‧‧‧ East half board

110W‧‧‧West half board

110S‧‧‧South half board

110N‧‧‧North half board

O‧‧‧ Central District

W‧‧‧Width

W1‧‧‧ near the lower end width

W2‧‧‧ near the upper end width

S‧‧‧ thickness

X, Y, Z‧‧‧X, Y, Z

X-Y‧‧‧X-Y plane

1A, 1B, and 1C are respectively a perspective view, a side view, and an actuation diagram of a button structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1D is a perspective view showing a plane elastic member.

FIG. 1E is a schematic view showing the key structure of a key structure in a key structure of another embodiment.

2A and 2B are schematic side and top plan views of a button structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B are schematic side and top plan views of a button structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A and 4B are schematic side and top plan views of a button structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a button structure is provided that includes a bottom plate, a keycap, and at least one planar spring member. Compared with the traditional scissor-foot structure, the smaller-sized planar elastic member replaces the traditional scissor-foot structure, and does not occupy the compression space in the middle of the button, so as to achieve the requirement of miniaturization of the button. In addition, the installation of a flat spring member allows the overall height of the button to be relatively low to meet the low stroke button height requirements.

The following is a detailed description of the embodiments, and the examples are only used for For the purpose of illustration, it is not intended to limit the scope of this creation.

First embodiment

Please refer to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, which respectively illustrate a perspective view, a side view and an actuation diagram of a button structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The following embodiments take two planar elastic members as an example, but are not limited thereto. Referring to FIG. 1A , the button structure 100 includes a bottom plate 110 , a key cap 120 , a first planar elastic member 131 , and a second planar elastic member 132 . In FIG. 1B, the keycap 120 has an east side 121 and a west side 122, and the east side 121 and the west side 122 are opposite each other. In an embodiment, the east side 121 may include a region of the keycap 120 near the bottom, and the west side 122 may include an area of the keycap 120 near the bottom. In the drawings, the orientations of the east side 121 and the west side 122 are defined toward the orientation of the viewer of the drawing, with the east side 121 on the east side of the drawing and the west side side 122 on the east side of the figure. This type of push.

Each of the planar elastic members is disposed between the bottom plate 110 and the keycap 120 to provide an upward supporting force to the keycap 120. The first planar elastic member 131 and the second planar elastic member 132 have a lower end A and an upper end B. The lower end A of each planar elastic member is connected to the bottom plate 110, and the upper end B of each planar elastic member is connected to the keycap 120 for supporting the key. Cap 120. In FIG. 1C, when the keycap 120 is pressed, the upper end B is close to the lower end A so that the planar elastic members are in a compressed state, and when the external force applied to the keycap 120 is released, the upper end B is away from the lower end A. So that the plane elastic members are released (non-compressed).

Please refer to FIG. 1D, which shows a stereoscopic diagram of a plane elastic member. Figure. The first planar elastic member 131 and the second planar elastic member 132 are respectively formed by zigzag reciprocating bending of a strip of elastic material 130, and the strip-shaped elastic material 130 extends substantially parallel to an X-Y plane. Each of the planar elastic members has a Z-axis dimension in a direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane, and the Z-axis dimension is substantially close to the thickness S of the strip-shaped elastic material 130.

When the keycap 120 is pressed downward to move, the respective planar elastic members 131, 132 are compressed along the X-Y plane, as shown in Fig. 1C. When the keycap 120 is released, the planar elastic members 131, 132 extend along the X-Y plane, and the keycap 120 is moved upward to return to the state as shown in FIG. 1B.

In an embodiment, the upper end B of the first planar elastic member 131 is connected to the pivoting portion C of the east side 121, and the upper end B of the second planar elastic member 132 is connected to the pivoting portion C of the west side 122, and the upper end is connected. The moving direction of B is substantially along the plane between the lower end A and the upper end B.

The lower end A of each of the planar elastic members is connected to the pivotal portion D of the bottom plate 110. In addition, the first planar elastic member 131 and the second planar elastic member 132 are inclined with respect to the keycap 120 and are located on opposite sides of the keycap 120 such that the first planar elastic member 131 and the second planar elastic member 132 are opposite keys. The cap 120 is disposed to extend to the outer side of the keycap 120.

Each of the planar elastic members is preferably a wire spring which is bent along the expansion and contraction direction to form a plane so that the planar elastic members can maintain the planar motion without being bent when pressed.

When the keycap 120 is pressed, since the first planar elastic member 131 abuts The east side edge 121 and the second plane spring member 132 abut against the west side edge 122 prevent the key cap 120 from being pressed and inclined toward the east side 121 or the west side 122, so that the keycap 120 can be kept under pressure. Horizontal stability.

Compared with the traditional scissor-foot structure, the compression space in the middle of the button is occupied, so that the button cannot be miniaturized. This embodiment uses a small-sized planar elastic member to replace the traditional scissor-foot structure, and does not occupy the compression space in the middle of the button. In order to achieve the requirements of button miniaturization. In addition, the plane elastic member itself has an elastic force, so that no additional elastic support body is required under the key cap to reduce the cost.

Next, referring to FIG. 1E, a schematic diagram of supporting the keycap 120 with a single planar elastic member in the key structure 100' of another embodiment is shown. As shown in FIG. 1D, the west side 122 of the keycap 120 is coupled to the planar spring member 132, and the east side 121 of the keycap 120 is coupled to the pivot portion D of the bottom plate 110. At this time, the key cap 120 is inclined when it is not pressed, but not limited thereto, the key cap 120 can adjust the height through the setting of the size and the compression amount of the plane elastic member 132, so that the key cap 120 is not pressed. Horizontal status.

Second embodiment

Please refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B , which are schematic side and top plan views of a button structure 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The key structure 101 of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the button structure 101 further includes a third planar elastic member 133 and a fourth planar elastic member 134. Each of the plane elastic members has a lower end A and an upper end B. For the manner of operation, please refer to the drawings 1A to 1C, and details are not described herein again.

In an embodiment, the keycap 120 has an east side 121, a west side 122, a south side 123, and a north side 124. The south side 123 is located between the east side 121 and the west side 122, and the south side 123 is opposite the north side 124. The shape of the key cap 120 is not limited and may be square, rectangular, elongated, circular or triangular, and the number of the planar elastic members may be adjusted according to the shape of the key cap 120.

In FIG. 2B, the upper end of the third planar elastic member 133 is coupled to the south side 123, and the upper end of the fourth planar resilient member 134 is coupled to the north side 124. Further, the third planar elastic member 133 and the fourth planar elastic member 134 are inclined with respect to the keycap 120 and are disposed to extend to the outer side of the keycap 120.

When the keycap 120 is pressed, since the third planar elastic member 133 and the fourth planar elastic member 134 abut against the south side 123 and the north side 124, respectively, the key cap 120 can be prevented from being pressed toward the south side 123 or north. The side edges 124 are inclined so that the horizontal stability of the keycap 120 when pressed is maintained.

As shown in Fig. 1D, the third planar elastic member 133 and the fourth planar elastic member 134 are respectively formed by zigzag reciprocating bending of a strip of elastic material 130, and the strip elastic material 130 extends substantially parallel to an XY plane. . Each of the planar elastic members has a Z-axis dimension in a direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane, and the Z-axis dimension is substantially close to the thickness D of the strip-shaped elastic material 130.

Third embodiment

Please refer to FIGS. 3A and 3B , which are schematic side and top plan views of a button structure 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The key structure 102 of the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the third planar elastic member 133' and the fourth The planar elastic member 134' is disposed to extend inside the keycap 120 such that the third planar elastic member 133' and the fourth planar elastic member 134' cross each other. The configuration of the first planar elastic member 131 and the second planar elastic member 132 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

In FIG. 3B, the upper end B' of the third planar elastic member 133' is coupled to the south side 123 of the keycap 120, and the third planar elastic member 133 extends to the inner side of the keycap 120 to below the north side 124. The lower end A' is connected to the bottom plate 110. The upper end B' of the fourth planar resilient member 134' is coupled to the north side 124 of the keycap 120, and the fourth planar resilient member 134' extends to the inner side of the keycap 120 to below the south side 123 such that the lower end A' Connected to the bottom plate 110. In this embodiment, each of the planar elastic members independently supports the keycap 120 without interfering with each other, so that the keycap 120 can move up and down relative to the bottom plate 110 to press a switch layer (not shown) to generate a Press the signal.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the bottom plate 110 is divided from the central portion O into a south half plate 110S and a north half plate 110S, and the lower end A' of the third plane elastic member 133' is connected to the north half plate 110N, and the fourth plane elastic member 134 The lower end A' is connected to the south half plate 110S such that the third planar elastic member 133' and the fourth planar elastic member 134' cross each other.

As shown in Fig. 3B, W represents the change in the width of the plane elastic member 133'/134'. That is to say, the width of each of the plane elastic members 133'/134' is incrementally changed, the width W1 is the narrowest at the lower end, and the width W2 is the widest at the upper end B', and the planar elastic member 133'/ is viewed from the vertical XY plane direction. 134', the planar elastic member 133'/134' has a triangular shape. That is, the plane elastic member covered by the keycap 120 The width W of 133'/134' is increased from the lower end A' to the upper end B'.

In another embodiment (not shown), the width W of each of the planar elastic members 133'/134' is decreasing, the width is the widest at the lower end A', and the narrowest at the upper end B', from the vertical XY. The plane elastic member is viewed in the plane direction, and each of the plane elastic members 133'/134' has a triangular shape. That is, the width W of the plane elastic member 133'/134' covered by the keycap 120 is decreased from the lower end A' to the upper end B'.

Fourth embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a side view and a top plan view of a button structure 102' according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. The key structure 102' of the present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the first planar elastic member 131' and the second planar elastic member 132' are disposed to extend toward the inner side of the keycap 120 to make the first plane elastic force. The piece 131' and the second plane spring member 132' cross each other. The arrangement of the third planar elastic member 133' and the fourth planar elastic member 134' of the present embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

In FIG. 4B, the upper end B' of the first planar elastic member 131' is coupled to the east side 121 of the keycap 120, and the first planar elastic member 131 extends to the inner side of the keycap 120 to the lower side of the west side 122. The lower end A' is connected to the bottom plate 110. The upper end B' of the second planar resilient member 132' is coupled to the west side 122 of the keycap 120, and the second planar resilient member 132' extends toward the inner side of the keycap 120 to below the east side 121 such that the lower end A' Connected to the bottom plate 110. That is, the bottom plate 110 is divided into an east half plate 110E and a west half plate 110W from the central area O. The lower end A' of the first plane elastic member 131' is connected to the western half plate 110W, and the lower end of the second planar elastic member 132' A' connects east half board 110E, such that the first planar elastic member 131' and the second planar elastic member 132' cross each other.

In addition, the first planar elastic member 131' has a first opening 131c near the west side 122 end, a first protruding portion 131d near the east side 121 end, and the second planar elastic member 132' is near the west side 122 end. a second protrusion 132d has a second opening 132c near the east side 121. When the first plane spring 131' and the second plane spring 132' cross each other, the first opening 131c receives the second protrusion 132d. And the second opening 132c accommodates the first protruding portion 131d. Therefore, in this embodiment, each of the planar elastic members independently supports the keycap 120 without interfering with each other, so that the keycap 120 can move up and down relative to the bottom plate 110 to press a switch layer (not shown). A press signal is generated.

The button structure disclosed in the above embodiments is formed by using a simple and small-sized wire spring to be a flat elastic member, which can be applied in a miniaturized button structure to meet the requirement of a low stroke button height, and does not Affect the touch of the press. At the same time, the plane elastic members are not connected, and the assembly is easy, so as to improve the assembly efficiency.

In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed above in the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this new type is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application.

100‧‧‧Key structure

110‧‧‧floor

120‧‧‧Key Cap

121‧‧‧ east side

122‧‧‧ west side

131‧‧‧First plane elastic parts

132‧‧‧Second plane elastic parts

A‧‧‧Bottom

B‧‧‧Upper

C, D‧‧‧ pivotal department

X-Y‧‧‧X-Y plane

Z‧‧‧Z axis

Claims (17)

A button structure, comprising: a bottom plate; a key cap; and at least one planar elastic member disposed between the bottom plate and the key cap, each of the planar elastic members having a lower end and an upper end, wherein the planar elastic member The lower end is connected to the bottom plate, and the upper end of each of the planar elastic members is connected to the key cap for supporting the key cap; wherein the planar elastic member is formed by a zigzag reciprocating bending of a strip of elastic material, the strip elastic The material extends substantially parallel to an XY plane having a Z-axis dimension in a direction perpendicular to the XY plane, the Z-axis dimension being substantially close to the thickness of the strip of elastic material; wherein the keycap is pressed downwardly The planar spring member is compressed along the XY plane; wherein when the keycap is released, the planar spring member extends along the XY plane to move the keycap upward. The button structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width of the planar elastic member is decreasing, the width is the widest near the lower end, and the width is the narrowest near the upper end, and the first view is viewed from the vertical XY plane direction. A plane elastic member having a triangular shape. The button structure according to claim 1, wherein the width of the planar elastic member is incrementally changed, the width is the narrowest near the lower end, and the width is the widest near the upper end, and the first view is viewed from the vertical XY plane direction. a plane elastic member, the flat The surface elastic member has a triangular shape. The button structure of claim 1, wherein the planar elastic members comprise a first planar elastic member and a second planar elastic member, the keycap having an east side and a west side, the east The upper side and the west side are opposite to each other, and the upper end of the first planar elastic member is connected to the east side, and the upper end of the second planar elastic member is connected to the west side. The button structure of claim 4, wherein each of the first planar elastic member and the second planar elastic member is inclined with respect to the keycap. The button structure of claim 4, wherein each of the first planar elastic member and the second planar elastic member has a lower end extending toward the outer side of the keycap relative to the keycap, that is, away from the center of the keycap The direction of the point is extended. The button structure of claim 4, wherein the planar elastic members further comprise a third planar elastic member and a fourth planar elastic member, the keycap further having a south side and a north side. The south side is opposite to the north side, and the south side is located between the east side and the west side, and the upper end of the third plane elastic member is connected to the south side, the fourth The upper end of the planar spring member is coupled to the north side. The button structure of claim 7, wherein each of the third planar elastic member and the fourth planar elastic member are inclined with respect to the keycap. The button structure of claim 7, wherein each of the third and fourth planar elastic members is disposed to extend toward the outer side of the keycap relative to the keycap. The button structure of claim 7, wherein the third planar elastic member and the fourth planar elastic member are disposed to extend toward the inner side of the keycap, the third planar elastic member and the fourth planar elastic force. The pieces cross each other. The button structure of claim 1, wherein the planar elastic members comprise a third planar elastic member and a fourth planar elastic member, the keycap having a south side and a north side, the south The upper end of the third planar elastic member is connected to the north side, and the upper end of the fourth planar elastic member is connected to the south side. The button structure according to claim 11, wherein the third planar elastic member and the fourth planar elastic member are disposed to extend toward an inner side of the keycap, and the bottom plate is divided into a south half plate from the center and a north half plate, the lower end of the third planar elastic member is connected to the north half plate, and the lower end of the fourth planar elastic member is connected to the south half plate, so that the third planar elastic member and the fourth planar elastic member are mutually connected cross. The button structure of claim 12, wherein the first planar elastic member has a width near the east side end and a narrow width near the west side end, and the second planar elastic member is close to The width of the east side end is narrow, and the width is wider near the west side end, so that the width of the first plane elastic member is narrower and the width of the second plane elastic member is narrower. The button structure of claim 4, wherein the first planar elastic member has a first opening near the east side end, and a first protruding portion near the west side end, the second planar elastic force a second protruding portion near the east side end and a second opening near the west side end, when the first planar elastic member and When the second planar elastic members cross each other, the first opening receives the second protruding portion, and the second opening receives the first protruding portion. The button structure of claim 14, wherein the planar elastic members further comprise a third planar elastic member and a fourth planar elastic member, the keycap further having a south side and a north side. The south side is opposite to the north side, and the south side is located between the east side and the west side, and the upper end of the third plane elastic member is connected to the south side, the fourth The upper end of the planar spring member is coupled to the north side. The button structure of claim 15, wherein each of the third planar elastic member and the fourth planar elastic member are inclined with respect to the keycap. The button structure of claim 15, wherein the third planar elastic member and the fourth planar elastic member are disposed to extend toward the inner side of the keycap, the third planar elastic member and the fourth planar elastic force. The pieces cross each other.