US20210020391A1 - Key assembly and keyboard including the same - Google Patents
Key assembly and keyboard including the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210020391A1 US20210020391A1 US16/923,063 US202016923063A US2021020391A1 US 20210020391 A1 US20210020391 A1 US 20210020391A1 US 202016923063 A US202016923063 A US 202016923063A US 2021020391 A1 US2021020391 A1 US 2021020391A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- key assembly
- end portion
- base plate
- keycap
- membrane
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/02—Details
- H01H13/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
- H01H13/20—Driving mechanisms
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
- H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
- H01H3/12—Push-buttons
- H01H3/122—Push-buttons with enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor
- H01H3/125—Push-buttons with enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/02—Details
- H01H13/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
- H01H13/14—Operating parts, e.g. push-button
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
- H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
- H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
- H01H13/7065—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards
- H01H13/7073—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards characterised by springs, e.g. Euler springs
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/83—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/02—Details
- H01H13/10—Bases; Stationary contacts mounted thereon
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
- H01H2215/03—Sound
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/054—Optical elements
- H01H2219/06—Reflector
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2221/00—Actuators
- H01H2221/062—Damping vibrations
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
- H01H2229/064—Eliminating tolerances
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2233/00—Key modules
- H01H2233/07—Cap or button on actuator part
Definitions
- the invention relates to a key assembly and a keyboard including the same.
- the invention relates to a key assembly capable of effectively reducing noise and a keyboard including the same.
- the key assembly includes a base plate, a keycap, an elastic member, and a link member.
- the base plate includes a body and a hook portion, wherein the hook portion includes a hole.
- the keycap is disposed on the base plate.
- the elastic member is disposed between the base plate and the keycap.
- the link member includes a connecting portion, a rod portion, and an end portion, the rod portion being assembled to the keycap, the connecting portion being connected between the rod portion and the end portion, and the end portion penetrating the hole, wherein an included angle between the end portion and the connecting portion is an obtuse angle.
- the obtuse angle is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 150 degrees.
- the key assembly according to the embodiment of the invention further includes a membrane disposed between the base plate and the keycap, wherein the elastic member is disposed on the membrane.
- the membrane is a membrane circuit board.
- the base plate includes a projection area corresponding to the end portion
- the membrane includes an opening
- the projection area and the opening at least partially overlap.
- a second end of the end portion relatively far away from the connecting portion abuts against the projection area, and a first end of the end portion connected to the connecting portion separated from the projection area by a distance in a vertical direction when the key assembly is not pressed.
- a size of the hole is 120% to 150% of a diameter of the end portion.
- the hook portion is a metal member integrally formed with the body.
- the hook portion is a plastic member and is formed on the body by insert molding.
- a keyboard including the foregoing key assembly is provided.
- FIG. 1 is a partial three-dimensional view of a key assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the key assembly in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 from another view.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the link member in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly when being pressed.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1 is a partial three-dimensional view of a key assembly according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the key assembly in FIG. 1
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 from another view.
- the key assembly 10 is applied to a keyboard (not shown).
- the key assembly 10 includes a base plate 11 , a keycap 12 , an elastic member 13 , and a link member 14 .
- the base plate 11 includes a body 111 and a hook portion 112 , the hook portion 112 having a hole 113 .
- the keycap 12 is disposed on the base plate 11 .
- the elastic member 13 is disposed between the base plate 11 and the keycap 12 , and the elastic member 13 and the hook portion 112 are both located within an orthographic projection range of the keycap 12 .
- the link member 14 includes a connecting portion 141 , a rod portion 142 , and an end portion 143 .
- the rod portion 142 is assembled to the keycap 12
- the connecting portion 141 is connected between the rod portion 142 and the end portion 143
- the end portion 143 penetrates the hole 113 .
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the link member 14 in FIG. 1 .
- an included angle ⁇ between an end portion 143 of the link member 14 and a connecting portion 141 in the present embodiment is an obtuse angle, and the obtuse angle is preferable greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 150 degrees.
- a body 111 of a base plate 11 in the present embodiment is made of a metal plate.
- the body 111 may be made of other materials such as glass fiber reinforced plates.
- the hook portion 112 is a plastic member and is formed on the body 111 by insert molding.
- the hook portion 112 may be integrally formed with the body 111 .
- the body 111 has a projection area P corresponding to the end portion 143 , and a size of the hole 113 is slightly greater than a diameter of the end portion 143 of the link member 14 , which is preferably 120% to 150% of the diameter of the end portion 143 .
- a key assembly 10 further includes a membrane 15 disposed between the base plate 11 and the keycap 12 , wherein the membrane 15 is placed on the base plate 11 , and the elastic member 13 is disposed on the membrane 15 .
- the membrane 15 has an opening 151 , wherein the hook portion 112 extends upward from the base plate 11 and passes through the opening 151 , and the projection area P and the opening 151 at least partially overlap.
- the membrane 15 may be a membrane circuit board. However, in other implementations, the membrane 15 may be a separate member from the membrane circuit board.
- the key assembly 10 may further include a membrane circuit board disposed under the base plate 11 , and the base plate 11 is disposed between the membrane circuit board and the membrane 15 .
- the end portion 143 of the link member 14 may abut against an upper surface of the membrane 15 after penetrating into the hole 113 , thereby reducing the sound during pressing.
- the invention is not limited thereto.
- the base plate 11 is made of a material with better sound absorption
- the end portion 143 of the link member 14 may abut against the base plate 11 after penetrating into the hole 113 .
- the key assembly 10 further includes a support member 16 disposed between the keycap 12 and the base plate 11 , where the support member 16 is also located within an orthographic projection range of the keycap 12 .
- the second end 1432 of the link member 14 is in contact with the projection area P of the base plate 11 with a point contact, and the first end 1431 of the end portion 143 of the link member 14 is in contact with the hook portion 112 in a manner of point contact.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly when being pressed.
- a user exerts a force on the keycap 12 , and the keycap 12 is forced to move downward, driving the elastic member 13 and the support member 16 to deform.
- the link member 14 rotates by using the second end 1432 of the end portion 143 as a rotation axis, wherein the second end 1432 abuts against the projection area P of the base plate 11 .
- the rod portion 142 moves toward the base plate 11 from a position relatively away from the base plate 11 , wherein the first end 1431 of the end portion 143 maintains contact with the hook portion 112 .
- the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 13 drives the keycap 12 and the support member 16 to move upward and return to original positions.
- the link member 14 assembled to the keycap 12 is driven by the keycap 12 to rotate by using the second end 1432 of the end portion 143 as the rotation axis, wherein the second end 1432 abuts against the projection area P of the base plate 11 , so that the rod portion 142 moves upward.
- the link member 14 rotates downward as the keycap 12 is pressed.
- the second end 1432 of the end portion 143 of the link member 14 maintains contact with the hook portion 112 . Since the second end 1432 of the end portion 143 of the link member 14 always maintains contact with the hook portion 112 , the link member 14 will not generate harsh sound due to vibration caused by disengagement from the hook portion 112 and springback of the link member 14 or collision with the hook portion 112 . In other words, the key assembly 10 may be actuated quietly.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention.
- the present embodiment and the foregoing first embodiments are substantially the same, and a difference is that: in the key assembly of the present embodiment, a connecting portion 241 and an end portion 243 of a link member 24 are disposed in pairs, and a rod portion 242 is connected between the pair of connecting portions 241 .
- a shape of the link member 24 is similar to a “C” shape.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention.
- a pair of link members 44 are used in a key assembly 40 of the present embodiment, and each of hook portions 412 of a base plate 41 has a pair of holes 413 for an end portion 443 of the link member 44 to correspondingly penetrate thereinto.
- the included angle between the end portion and the connecting portion of the link member is made obtuse, so that when the keycap of the key assembly is pressed or not pressed, the first end of the end portion of the link member always maintains contact with the hook portion, which may prevent the link member from generating harsh sound due to vibration caused by disengagement from the hook portion or springback of the link member or collision with the hook portion, effectively reducing noise that may be generated by the key assembly when being actuated.
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
- Planar Illumination Modules (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/875,007, filed on Jul. 17, 2019, and China application serial no. 202010440273.3, filed on May 22, 2020. The entirety of each of the above-mentioned patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.
- The invention relates to a key assembly and a keyboard including the same.
- In a general key assembly, an end of a link member will be inserted into a hook portion on a base plate. However, a gap is generated in a configuration of the key assembly because of an assembly tolerance between the hook portion and the link member. Therefore, when a keycap is pressed, the key assembly generates unpleasant sounds due to vibrations and collisions caused by actuation.
- The invention relates to a key assembly capable of effectively reducing noise and a keyboard including the same.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the key assembly includes a base plate, a keycap, an elastic member, and a link member. The base plate includes a body and a hook portion, wherein the hook portion includes a hole. The keycap is disposed on the base plate. The elastic member is disposed between the base plate and the keycap. The link member includes a connecting portion, a rod portion, and an end portion, the rod portion being assembled to the keycap, the connecting portion being connected between the rod portion and the end portion, and the end portion penetrating the hole, wherein an included angle between the end portion and the connecting portion is an obtuse angle.
- In the key assembly according to the embodiment of the invention, the obtuse angle is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 150 degrees.
- The key assembly according to the embodiment of the invention further includes a membrane disposed between the base plate and the keycap, wherein the elastic member is disposed on the membrane.
- In the key assembly according to the embodiment of the invention, the membrane is a membrane circuit board.
- In the key assembly according to the embodiment of the invention, the base plate includes a projection area corresponding to the end portion, the membrane includes an opening, and the projection area and the opening at least partially overlap.
- In the key assembly according to the embodiment of the invention, a second end of the end portion relatively far away from the connecting portion abuts against the projection area, and a first end of the end portion connected to the connecting portion separated from the projection area by a distance in a vertical direction when the key assembly is not pressed.
- In the key assembly according to the embodiment of the invention, a size of the hole is 120% to 150% of a diameter of the end portion.
- In the key assembly according to the embodiment of the invention, the hook portion is a metal member integrally formed with the body.
- In the key assembly according to the embodiment of the invention, the hook portion is a plastic member and is formed on the body by insert molding.
- According to the embodiment of the invention, a keyboard including the foregoing key assembly is provided.
- The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
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FIG. 1 is a partial three-dimensional view of a key assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the key assembly inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 1 from another view. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the link member inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly when being pressed. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention. - Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail, and examples of the exemplary embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same component symbols are used in the drawings and descriptions to indicate the same or similar parts.
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FIG. 1 is a partial three-dimensional view of a key assembly according to an embodiment of the invention,FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the key assembly inFIG. 1 , andFIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 1 from another view. Referring toFIG. 1 ,FIG. 2 , andFIG. 3 together, thekey assembly 10 is applied to a keyboard (not shown). Thekey assembly 10 includes abase plate 11, akeycap 12, anelastic member 13, and alink member 14. Thebase plate 11 includes abody 111 and ahook portion 112, thehook portion 112 having ahole 113. Thekeycap 12 is disposed on thebase plate 11. Theelastic member 13 is disposed between thebase plate 11 and thekeycap 12, and theelastic member 13 and thehook portion 112 are both located within an orthographic projection range of thekeycap 12. Thelink member 14 includes a connectingportion 141, arod portion 142, and anend portion 143. Therod portion 142 is assembled to thekeycap 12, the connectingportion 141 is connected between therod portion 142 and theend portion 143, and theend portion 143 penetrates thehole 113. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of thelink member 14 inFIG. 1 . In particular, as shown inFIG. 4 , an included angle θ between anend portion 143 of thelink member 14 and a connectingportion 141 in the present embodiment is an obtuse angle, and the obtuse angle is preferable greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 150 degrees. - Still referring to
FIG. 1 ,FIG. 2 , andFIG. 3 , for example, abody 111 of abase plate 11 in the present embodiment is made of a metal plate. In other embodiments not shown, thebody 111 may be made of other materials such as glass fiber reinforced plates. In addition, in the present embodiment, thehook portion 112 is a plastic member and is formed on thebody 111 by insert molding. However, in other embodiments not shown, thehook portion 112 may be integrally formed with thebody 111. Thebody 111 has a projection area P corresponding to theend portion 143, and a size of thehole 113 is slightly greater than a diameter of theend portion 143 of thelink member 14, which is preferably 120% to 150% of the diameter of theend portion 143. - Carrying on with the foregoing description, a
key assembly 10 further includes amembrane 15 disposed between thebase plate 11 and thekeycap 12, wherein themembrane 15 is placed on thebase plate 11, and theelastic member 13 is disposed on themembrane 15. Themembrane 15 has anopening 151, wherein thehook portion 112 extends upward from thebase plate 11 and passes through the opening 151, and the projection area P and the opening 151 at least partially overlap. In the present embodiment, themembrane 15 may be a membrane circuit board. However, in other implementations, themembrane 15 may be a separate member from the membrane circuit board. For example, thekey assembly 10 may further include a membrane circuit board disposed under thebase plate 11, and thebase plate 11 is disposed between the membrane circuit board and themembrane 15. In some embodiments, theend portion 143 of thelink member 14 may abut against an upper surface of themembrane 15 after penetrating into thehole 113, thereby reducing the sound during pressing. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, when thebase plate 11 is made of a material with better sound absorption, theend portion 143 of thelink member 14 may abut against thebase plate 11 after penetrating into thehole 113. - The
key assembly 10 further includes asupport member 16 disposed between thekeycap 12 and thebase plate 11, where thesupport member 16 is also located within an orthographic projection range of thekeycap 12. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , when thekey assembly 10 is not pressed, in particular, since the included angle θ between theend portion 143 of thelink member 14 and the connectingportion 141 is an obtuse angle, asecond end 1432 of theend portion 143 relatively away from the connectingportion 141 abuts against the projection area P, and theend portion 143 connected to thefirst end 1431 of the connectingportion 141 is separated from the projection area P by a distance in a vertical direction. Specifically, a distance between theend portion 143 and the projection area P in the vertical direction gradually increases along a direction from thesecond end 1432 toward thefirst end 1431. In this case, thesecond end 1432 of thelink member 14 is in contact with the projection area P of thebase plate 11 with a point contact, and thefirst end 1431 of theend portion 143 of thelink member 14 is in contact with thehook portion 112 in a manner of point contact. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly when being pressed. Referring toFIG. 1 andFIG. 5 together, when thekey assembly 10 is pressed, a user exerts a force on thekeycap 12, and thekeycap 12 is forced to move downward, driving theelastic member 13 and thesupport member 16 to deform. In response to the movement of thekeycap 12, thelink member 14 rotates by using thesecond end 1432 of theend portion 143 as a rotation axis, wherein thesecond end 1432 abuts against the projection area P of thebase plate 11. Therod portion 142 moves toward thebase plate 11 from a position relatively away from thebase plate 11, wherein thefirst end 1431 of theend portion 143 maintains contact with thehook portion 112. - However, when the force applied to the
keycap 12 is removed, the elastic restoring force of theelastic member 13 drives thekeycap 12 and thesupport member 16 to move upward and return to original positions. However, thelink member 14 assembled to thekeycap 12 is driven by thekeycap 12 to rotate by using thesecond end 1432 of theend portion 143 as the rotation axis, wherein thesecond end 1432 abuts against the projection area P of thebase plate 11, so that therod portion 142 moves upward. - In particular, since the included angle θ between the
end portion 143 of thelink member 14 and the connectingportion 141 is an obtuse angle, thelink member 14 rotates downward as thekeycap 12 is pressed. Alternatively, when the force applied to thekeycap 12 is removed, and thelink member 14 rotates upward, thesecond end 1432 of theend portion 143 of thelink member 14 maintains contact with thehook portion 112. Since thesecond end 1432 of theend portion 143 of thelink member 14 always maintains contact with thehook portion 112, thelink member 14 will not generate harsh sound due to vibration caused by disengagement from thehook portion 112 and springback of thelink member 14 or collision with thehook portion 112. In other words, thekey assembly 10 may be actuated quietly. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 6 , the present embodiment and the foregoing first embodiments are substantially the same, and a difference is that: in the key assembly of the present embodiment, a connectingportion 241 and anend portion 243 of alink member 24 are disposed in pairs, and arod portion 242 is connected between the pair of connectingportions 241. Specifically, a shape of thelink member 24 is similar to a “C” shape. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a key assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 7 , unlike the previous embodiment, a pair oflink members 44 are used in akey assembly 40 of the present embodiment, and each ofhook portions 412 of a base plate 41 has a pair ofholes 413 for anend portion 443 of thelink member 44 to correspondingly penetrate thereinto. - It may be learned from the foregoing that, in the key assembly of the invention and the keyboard including the same, the included angle between the end portion and the connecting portion of the link member is made obtuse, so that when the keycap of the key assembly is pressed or not pressed, the first end of the end portion of the link member always maintains contact with the hook portion, which may prevent the link member from generating harsh sound due to vibration caused by disengagement from the hook portion or springback of the link member or collision with the hook portion, effectively reducing noise that may be generated by the key assembly when being actuated.
- It should be finally noted that the foregoing embodiments are merely intended for describing the technical solutions of the invention rather than limiting the invention. Although the invention is described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions to some or all the technical features thereof, without departing from scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the invention.
Claims (18)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US16/923,063 US20210020391A1 (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2020-07-07 | Key assembly and keyboard including the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201962875007P | 2019-06-17 | 2019-06-17 | |
CN202010440273.3 | 2020-05-22 | ||
CN202010440273.3A CN111584276B (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2020-05-22 | Key assembly and keyboard comprising same |
US16/923,063 US20210020391A1 (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2020-07-07 | Key assembly and keyboard including the same |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20210020391A1 true US20210020391A1 (en) | 2021-01-21 |
Family
ID=72126805
Family Applications (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/923,063 Abandoned US20210020391A1 (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2020-07-07 | Key assembly and keyboard including the same |
US16/930,063 Active US11257638B2 (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2020-07-15 | Key structure |
US16/931,805 Active US11424091B2 (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2020-07-17 | Key module |
US17/863,222 Pending US20220351923A1 (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2022-07-12 | Key module |
Family Applications After (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/930,063 Active US11257638B2 (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2020-07-15 | Key structure |
US16/931,805 Active US11424091B2 (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2020-07-17 | Key module |
US17/863,222 Pending US20220351923A1 (en) | 2019-06-17 | 2022-07-12 | Key module |
Country Status (2)
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US (4) | US20210020391A1 (en) |
CN (4) | CN211604989U (en) |
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US11589456B2 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2023-02-21 | Molex, Llc | Backlit user interface |
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CN115497761A (en) * | 2021-06-18 | 2022-12-20 | 致伸科技股份有限公司 | Keyboard device and key structure thereof |
CN113903609B (en) * | 2021-08-18 | 2024-02-13 | 浙江捷昌线性驱动科技股份有限公司 | Key with balance bar and hand controller |
TWI797730B (en) | 2021-08-25 | 2023-04-01 | 達方電子股份有限公司 | Backlight moudule nad lightingkeyboard |
TWI807492B (en) * | 2021-11-18 | 2023-07-01 | 達運精密工業股份有限公司 | Display cover |
US11977250B2 (en) | 2022-03-31 | 2024-05-07 | Darfon Electronics Corp. | Lighting keyboard, backlight module and lighting substrate |
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-
2020
- 2020-04-08 CN CN202020501048.1U patent/CN211604989U/en active Active
- 2020-05-22 CN CN202010440273.3A patent/CN111584276B/en active Active
- 2020-06-19 CN CN202010566248.XA patent/CN111599623B/en active Active
- 2020-07-07 US US16/923,063 patent/US20210020391A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2020-07-15 US US16/930,063 patent/US11257638B2/en active Active
- 2020-07-17 CN CN202010693338.5A patent/CN111739753A/en active Pending
- 2020-07-17 US US16/931,805 patent/US11424091B2/en active Active
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US20220351923A1 (en) | 2022-11-03 |
US20210020392A1 (en) | 2021-01-21 |
US20210020393A1 (en) | 2021-01-21 |
CN111584276B (en) | 2022-05-03 |
CN111599623B (en) | 2023-08-01 |
CN111599623A (en) | 2020-08-28 |
US11424091B2 (en) | 2022-08-23 |
CN111739753A (en) | 2020-10-02 |
US11257638B2 (en) | 2022-02-22 |
CN211604989U (en) | 2020-09-29 |
CN111584276A (en) | 2020-08-25 |
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