CN100468276C - Keyboard and lifting key component and elastic component thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A lifting key component comprises a keycap, a base, a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a sliding block and an elastic element. The elastic element is connected with the first connecting rod and the sliding block, when the sliding block is located at the first position, the keycap has a first height relative to the base, and the key is in an operating state and can be pressed by a user. When the sliding block moves to the second position, the sliding block drives the first connecting rod, so that the keycap approaches to the base direction, and the keycap has a second height relative to the base at the moment, so that the key is in a storage state. The elastic element moves along with the sliding block, and the force and the work required for making the key fall to the accommodating state can be reduced.

Description

Keyboard and its lifting key component and elastic component

technical field

The present invention relates to a lifting button component, in particular to a lifting button component that can lower a button or a keyboard in a labor-saving manner, save space and be conveniently stored.

Background technique

First refer to FIG. 1 a , which shows a schematic diagram of a known key member in an operating state. For example, the well-known U.S. Patent No. 5,874,696 discloses a lifting button member, which can be pushed down by a slider in the horizontal direction. As shown in the figure, a conventional key member mainly includes a base B, a first link L1 , a second link L2 , an elastic element E, a slider S and a keycap C. As shown in FIG. Wherein, the first connecting rod L1 has a first end L11 and a second end L12, and the second connecting rod L2 has a third end L23 and a fourth end L24. In addition, the above-mentioned first link L1 and second link L2 are pivotally connected through the pivot P, wherein the first end L11 is movably pivotally connected to the lower base B, and the fourth end L24 is movably pivotally connected to the upper keycap C; The second end L12 and the third end L23 are pivotally connected to the upper keycap C and the lower base B respectively.

Also referring to FIG. 1b, when the slider S moves from the first position A1 toward the direction A to the second position A2, the slider S pushes the first end L11 of the first link L1 to move toward the direction A, and forces the keycap C to move from The height H is lowered to the height H', at this moment, the button is in a storage state. The above-mentioned key member can be applied to the keyboard on the notebook computer, wherein when the key member is at the height H, the user can knock the key normally; however, when the keyboard is not in use, the slider S can be moved to make the keycap C When the key is lowered to the height H', the elastic element E is compressed, and the key is in the stored state, so as to effectively reduce the overall height of the keyboard.

However, when a force is applied to the slider S to push the first link L1 to force the above-mentioned button member to change from the operating state (height H) to the storage state (height H'), it is necessary to overcome the vertical deformation of the elastic element E due to compression. Due to the elastic recovery force on the surface of the base B, it is often more laborious to push the slider S. In addition, since the elastic element E is in a compressed state for a long time (as shown in FIG. 1 b ), its service life is bound to be greatly shortened. Due to the above disadvantages, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a lifting button member, which can adjust the height of the keycap C in a relatively labor-saving manner, which not only facilitates the lowering of the button for easy storage, but also solves the problem of shortened service life of the above-mentioned elastic elements.

Contents of the invention

A lifting button component includes a key cap, a base, a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a slider and an elastic element. The first connecting rod has a first end and a second end, the first end is movably connected to the base, and the second end is connected to the keycap. The second link is connected to the first link and has a third end and a fourth end, the third end is connected to the base, and the fourth end is movably connected to the keycap. The slider slides relative to the base between a first position and a second position in a first direction, and the slider has a stopper, and the stopper abuts against the first connecting rod to pushing the first end to slide along the first direction. One end of the elastic element is connected with the slider, and the other end is connected with the first connecting rod. When the slider moves from a first position to a second position relative to the base, the elastic element moves along with the slider, so as to reduce the required force or work when forcing the key down to be in the storage state.

Wherein, when the slider is fixed at the first position, the key cap has a first height relative to the base, and the key member is in an operating state, and the user can normally operate the key. That is to say, when the user presses the key, the key moves downward to trigger the switch circuit, and when the user releases the key, the key returns to the original first height due to the elastic restoring force of the elastic element. When the slider is moved to the second position by an external force, the slider drives the first connecting rod so that the keycap is close to the base, and when the slider is fixed at the second position, the keycap has a second height relative to the base, thereby The button member is in a storage state, and the user cannot use the button normally, wherein the first height is greater than the second height.

In a preferred embodiment, the base has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first end is movably arranged on the first connecting portion, and the third end is pivotally connected to the second connecting portion.

The lifting key member as described above also includes a thin film circuit, which is located between the base and the slider, and has a first opening and a second opening, and the first connecting part and the second connecting part pass through the first opening respectively. hole and the second opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the first connecting rod has a contact portion, and when the keycap is lowered to the second height, the contact portion is in contact with the film circuit. In addition, the elastic element is a spring.

Description of drawings

In order to make the above-mentioned and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the preferred embodiments are listed below and described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1a, 1b represent the schematic diagram of known button member;

Fig. 2 a shows the schematic diagram of the lifting button member in the operating state in the present invention;

Fig. 2b shows a schematic diagram of the lifting button member in the storage state in the present invention;

Fig. 2c shows the schematic diagram of the descending of the lifting button member in the present invention when pressed;

Figure 2d shows a schematic diagram of the elastic restoring force inclined at an angle θ;

Fig. 2e shows the exploded view of the lifting button member in the present invention;

Fig. 2f shows the perspective view of the lifting button member in the present invention;

Fig. 3a shows the top view of the lifting button member in the operating state;

Fig. 3b shows a side view of the lifting button member in the operating state;

Fig. 4a shows the top view of the lifting button member being pressed down;

Fig. 4b shows the side view of the lifting button member being pressed down;

Fig. 5a shows a top view of the lifting button member in a storage state;

Fig. 5b shows a side view of the lifting button member in a storage state;

Fig. 6 a shows the exploded view of the keyboard with lift button member among the present invention;

Fig. 6b shows a schematic diagram of the keyboard with lifting key member in the storage state in the present invention;

Fig. 6c shows the schematic diagram of the keyboard with lifting key member in the operating state in the present invention;

Fig. 7 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of the lifting button member in the present invention.

Fig. 8 a shows the schematic diagram of the lifting button member in the operating state in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8b shows a schematic diagram of the lifting button member in the storage state in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8c shows a schematic diagram of the lifting button member being pressed down in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9a shows the schematic diagram of the elastic element connecting the slider and the connector in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9b shows a schematic diagram when the slider is separated from the connecting piece in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

first embodiment

Firstly, refer to FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b , which are schematic diagrams of the lifting button member in the present invention. The present invention can be applied to a keyboard of a notebook computer, wherein the keyboard is formed by arranging a plurality of key members on the base 10 as shown in FIG. 2 a . As shown in FIG. 2 a , the lifting button member of the present invention is mainly composed of an elastic member Q and an upper keycap 60 , wherein the elastic member Q can provide an elastic force for the keycap 60 to move in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the elastic element R is connected to the first connecting rod 40 and the slider S, wherein the slider S is provided with a stopper S3, when the slider S is at the first position X1, the first connecting rod 40 and the second slider S The two connecting rods 50 form a first angle a, and the keycap has a first height H, so that the key is in an operating state and can be pressed by the user. At this time, the stopper S3 abuts against a part of the first connecting rod 40, and The elastic element R is slightly stretched to provide a spring preload f to the first connecting rod 40 .

However, when the keyboard is not in use and the keys are in a stored state, the slider S can be pushed to the second position X2 along a first direction A (as shown in FIG. 2 b ), and the first connecting rod 40 and the first The two connecting rods 50 form a second angle b, wherein the first angle a is smaller than the second angle b. At this time, the slider S pushes the first end 41 to move in the direction A through the stopper portion S3, and makes the keycap C drop to the second height H′, and the elastic element R continuously provides the spring preload f. Conversely, when the button is to be raised and returned to the above-mentioned operating state, the slider S can be pushed to the left to move to the above-mentioned first position X1. At this time, the elastic element R drives the first connecting rod 40 to move the first end 41 to the left. Thereby returning to the position shown in Figure 2a. Since the above-mentioned elastic element R moves with the slider S, compared with the traditional key member shown in Figs. 1a and 1b, the force and work required to lower the key can be reduced.

Then referring to Fig. 2c again, when the button is in the above-mentioned operating state (as shown in Fig. 2a), the user can press the button downwards, and at this moment, the elastic member R is further stretched, thereby providing the first connecting rod 40 with a Larger elastic recovery force F, wherein the elastic recovery force F is greater than the above-mentioned spring preload force f. As mentioned above, since the elastic member Q can provide an elastic restoring force F to the upper keycap 60 , the direction of the elastic restoring force F is not completely horizontal to the base 10 , but has a slightly inclined angle θ. Referring to FIG. 2d, the angle θ is less than 45 degrees, so that the horizontal component force Fh of the elastic restoring force F is greater than the vertical component force Fv, so as to provide the force required for the key to rise to the operating state.

Referring to Fig. 2 e for detailed embodiments of the present invention, the key switch of the present invention mainly includes a base 10, a thin film circuit 20, a first connecting rod 40, a second connecting rod 50, a keycap 60, and an elastic element R and a slider S. The above-mentioned base 10 has a plurality of first connecting parts 101 and second connecting parts 103 , which respectively pass through the first opening 101 ′ and the second opening 103 ′ on the thin film circuit 20 during assembly. In addition, the second connecting rod 50 is pivotally connected to the first connecting rod 40 through the pivot 501, wherein the first connecting rod 40 has a first end 41 and a second end 42, and the second connecting rod 50 has a third end 53 and a fourth end 54; The first end 41 is pivotally connected to the first connecting portion 101 in a slidable manner, the second end 42 is pivotally connected to the upper keycap 60 , and the third end 53 is pivotally connected to the base 10 through the second connecting portion 103 , the fourth end 54 is pivotally connected to the keycap C in a slidable manner (as shown in FIGS. 2b, 2e).

In particular, an elastic element R and a slider S are provided in the lifting button member of the present invention, wherein the slider S has a stopper S3 for abutting against the first connecting rod 40, and the above-mentioned elastic element R is a The spring connects the slider S and the first connecting rod 40 . 2f, 3a and 3b, since the first link 40 is connected with the slider S and the elastic element R, the stop portion S3 abuts against a part of the first link 40 at this moment. As shown in Figures 2f and 3a, at this time the stopper S3 of the slider S is located at the first position X1 on the X coordinate, and the above-mentioned first end 41 is located at the position X411 inside the first connecting portion 101, wherein the elastic element R is slightly stretched to provide a spring preload f to the first link 40 . Therefore, the first link 40 and the second link 50 can form a scissors-like support structure, and make the keycap 60 have a first height H (as shown in FIG. 3 b ) relative to the base 10 in an operating state.

As mentioned above, in Figs. 3a and 3b, when the lifting button member of the present invention is in the operating state, the slider S is fixed, and at this time the stopper S3 abuts against a part of the first link 40 and is located at X The first position X1 on the coordinates (as shown in FIG. 3 b ), and at this time the keycap 60 has a first height H relative to the base 10 . 2c, 4a and 4b again, when the user presses the button, the first end 41 moves along the first direction A (to the right of the X-axis) and makes the keycap 60 drop to a second height H', thereby triggering the lower film The circuit 20 , especially at this moment, only the elastic element R is further stretched, while the slider S is fixed and does not move. Conversely, when the user releases the key, the keycap 60 can automatically return to the original first height H through the elastic restoring force F provided by the elastic element R.

As shown in Figures 5a and 5b, when the button is not used, the slider S can be pushed to slide along a first direction A (to the right of the X-axis), and the slider S can be moved from the first position X1 on the original X coordinate to the second position X2, at this time, the slider S continues to push against the first connecting rod 40 through the stopper S3, and drives the first end 41 to move in the first direction (to the right of the X-axis), and at the same time forces the keycap 60 to descend It is in a storage state (as shown in Figure 5b). During the movement of the slider S from the first position X1 on the original X coordinate to the second position X2, the elastic element R also maintains a spring preload f, and will not be further pulled due to the movement of the slider S stretch.

However, when the keycap 60 is to be lifted to change to the above-mentioned operating state, the slider S can be pushed to the above-mentioned first position X1. At this time, the slider S and the elastic element R drive the first connecting rod 40 to move leftward, and make the The first end 41 returns to the position X411 inside the first connecting portion 101 (as shown in FIG. 2f ), at this time the keycap 60 rises to the first height H and returns to the operating state as shown in FIG. 3b . Wherein, as shown in FIG. 2f, the first connecting rod 40 is provided with a contact portion 51, and when the keycap 60 is pressed, the contact portion 51 is lowered, and then can contact the circuit portion 51' on the lower film circuit 20 and form a conduction. , in order to send a key signal.

second embodiment

Fig. 6a shows a partial key exploded view of a keyboard. In the second embodiment, the present invention provides a keyboard, which mainly connects the above-mentioned slider S through a slider M, and then can simultaneously control a plurality of above-mentioned lifting key components, wherein A plurality of sliders S are fixed on the sliding plate M, the base 10 is provided with a first chute 100, the sliding plate M is provided with a second chute M0, and a locking member L is installed in the above-mentioned first chute 100 and the second chute. Inside the chute M0. As shown in the figure, the second chute M0 has a fixed end M0' and a movable end M0", and the above-mentioned lock member L is movably arranged in the first chute 100 and the second chute M0, thereby forming a lock Mechanism G, in order to control the movement of the slide M.

Referring next to Figure 6b, when the keyboard is not in use, the locking member L can be adjusted to the movable end M0", at this time, the slide plate M can be pushed along the first direction A to move the multiple sliders S to the right of the X-axis at the same time, so that Drive top a plurality of key caps 60 to descend simultaneously, and make button be in above-mentioned accommodation state.Conversely, as shown in Figure 6c, slide block S is moved along the opposite direction (X axis left side) by promoting slide plate M to A direction, can Make above-mentioned keycap 60 rise simultaneously, thereby make each button return to above-mentioned operating state.Wherein, as shown in the dotted line part of Fig. The above-mentioned slide plate M is engaged with the locking mechanism G, thereby restricting the movement of the slide block S. At this time, the user can normally operate and press the above-mentioned lifting button. However, it is also possible to directly set the second chute on the slide block S The opening of M0 restricts the movement of the slider S by engaging with the locking piece L.

In this embodiment, when the locking member L is located at the movable end M0" of the second chute M0, the keyboard can be switched between the above operation state and the storage state by moving the sliding plate M; on the contrary, when the locking member L moves When the fixed end M0' of the second chute M0 is reached, the slide plate M engages with the locking member L and cannot move, so that the key is in the operating state, so that the user can press the above-mentioned lifting key on the keyboard normally member.

third embodiment

Then referring to Fig. 7, in the present embodiment, the lift button member is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, in particular, a guide groove S4 is provided on the slider S, and its function is equivalent to that of the base 10 in the first embodiment. The first connecting part 101, after assembly, the first end 41 of the first connecting rod 40 is located in the above-mentioned guide groove part S4, so it can move in the first direction A; in this way, the first end 41 slides in the guide groove part S4 , can drive the keycap 60 to rise or fall, and can switch between the above operation state and storage state. However, the guide groove portion S4 can also be provided on the slide plate M or the slide block S as shown in FIG. 6 a , and then the lift button member of the present invention can be applied to a keyboard.

Fourth embodiment

Referring to Fig. 8a and Fig. 9a, in this embodiment, the elastic element R and the first connecting rod 40 are connected through a connecting piece C. As shown in FIG. 9a, the above-mentioned connecting piece C has a hook-shaped pivot portion C1 and an abutment portion C2, wherein the pivot portion C1 is pivotally connected to the first connecting rod 40, and the abutment portion C2 is movably connected to the first connecting rod 40. The stopper S3 on the slider S abuts against it. As shown in the figure, when the lifting button is in the operating state, the slider S is located at the first position X1, at this time the contact part C2 is in contact with the slider S, and the elastic element R is slightly stretched to provide the above-mentioned first chain. Rod 40-spring preload f.

However, when the button is not in use and the button is to be switched to the storage state, the slider S can be moved to the second position X2 along the direction A (as shown in Figure 8b), and at this time, it is pushed by the stopper S3 at the front end of the slider S The connecting piece C and the first connecting rod 40 make the first end 41 move toward the direction A, and at the same time make the keycap C drop to the second height H', during which the elastic element R continuously provides the above-mentioned spring preload f. Conversely, when the button is to be raised to return to the above operating state, it is only necessary to push the slider S to move to the left to the first position X1 so as to drive the first end 41 to move to the left to return to the position shown in FIG. 8 a .

Then referring to Fig. 8c and Fig. 9c, when the button is in the above operation state (as shown in Fig. 8a), the user can press down the button, at this time the position of the slider S remains unchanged, and the first connecting rod 40 drives Connector C moves in direction A. As shown in the figure, when the button is pressed, the connecting part C is separated from the slider S, and the elastic element R provides a large elastic restoring force F to the first connecting rod 40 due to being further stretched, wherein F>f . In this example, the first connecting rod 40 is pivotally connected by the connecting piece C, and the slider S and the connecting piece C are connected by the elastic element R (wherein the connecting piece C abuts against the slider S in a detachable manner), so that not only It is convenient for the assembly of the button components, and at the same time, the pivotal connection between the first connecting rod 40 and the first connecting rod 40 can reduce the friction generated when the components work, thus making the user more comfortable and labor-saving during operation.

To sum up, the present invention provides a lifting key component and a keyboard with the lifting key component. Through the design of the unique elastic component, it not only has the advantages of simple structure and convenient operation, but also can force the keycap to Drop down to greatly reduce the overall height and allow for easy storage.

Although the present invention is disclosed with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection of the present invention The scope is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (29)

1. A lifting button member, characterized in that, comprising: One key cap; a base; A slider, relative to the base, moves between a first position and a second position in a first direction, and the slider has a stopper; A first connecting rod has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end moves in the first direction, the second end is connected to the keycap, the stopper part and the second end A connecting rod abuts to push the first end to slide along the first direction; a second link, connected to the first link, has a third end and a fourth end, wherein the third end is connected to the base, and the fourth end is movably connected to the keycap; and An elastic element, one end of which is connected to the slider, and the other end of which is connected to the first connecting rod, the slider is in the first position, the keycap has a first height relative to the base, and the lifting button member is in the In an operating state, the slider moves to the second position, the slider drives the first connecting rod, the keycap approaches the base, the keycap has a second height relative to the base and the lifting button member is in a storage state, wherein the The first height is greater than the second height. 2. The lifting button member according to claim 1, wherein the lifting button member is in the operating state, the stopper part abuts against the first connecting rod, and the elastic element is stretched to have a spring preload . 3. The lifting button member according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the lifting button member is moved from the operating state to the storage state, the stopper part continues to abut against the first connecting rod, and the elastic element is stretched And have a spring preload. 4 . The lifting button member according to claim 1 , wherein the slider moves from the first position to the second position, and the stopper portion continues to push against the first connecting rod. 5 . The lifting key member according to claim 1 , wherein the lifting key is in an operating state, the keycap is pressed down, and the elastic element provides an elastic restoring force. 6 . 6 . The lifting button member according to claim 5 , wherein the elastic restoring force forms an angle with the base, and the angle is less than 45 degrees. 7. The lifting button member according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is a spring. 8 . The lifting button member according to claim 1 , wherein the slider moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position, and the elastic element moves along with the slider. 9 . The lifting button member according to claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the lifting button member is in an operating state, and the slider engages with the locking mechanism and is fixed at the first position. 10. The lifting button member according to claim 1, wherein the first end is movably connected to the base. 11. The lifting button member according to claim 10, wherein the base has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first end is movably arranged on the first connecting portion, and the third end pivotally connected to the second connecting part. 12. The lifting key member according to claim 11, further comprising a thin film circuit, located between the base and the slider, having a first opening and a second opening, the first connecting portion and the second The two connecting parts pass through the first opening and the second opening respectively. 13 . The lifting key member according to claim 12 , wherein the first connecting rod has a contact portion, and the keycap is pressed by an external force, and the contact portion is in contact with the thin film circuit. 14 . 14. The lifting button member according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting piece, the connecting piece is connected to the elastic element and the first connecting rod, and the connecting piece is connected to the sliding block Abut. 15. The lifting button member according to claim 14, wherein the connecting member further comprises a pivot joint, and the pivot joint is pivotally connected to the first connecting rod. 16 . The lifting button member according to claim 14 , wherein the connecting piece further comprises an abutting portion abutting against the slider. 17 . 17. The lifting button member according to claim 14, wherein the lifting button member is in an operating state, and the elastic element is stretched to have a spring preload. 18 . The lifting button member according to claim 14 , wherein the lifting button member is in a stored state, and the elastic element is stretched to have a spring preload. 19 . 19 . The lifting button member according to claim 14 , wherein when the lifting button member moves from the operation state to the storage state, the elastic element is stretched to have a spring preload. 20 . 20. A keyboard, characterized in that, comprising: a base; A plurality of lifting button components respectively have: One key cap; A slider, relative to the base, moves between a first position and a second position in a first direction, and the slider has a stopper; A first connecting rod has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end moves in the first direction, the second end is connected to the keycap, and the stopper part is connected with the first end the connecting rod abuts to push the first end to slide along the first direction; a second link, connected to the first link, has a third end and a fourth end, wherein the third end is connected to the base, and the fourth end is movably connected to the keycap; and An elastic element, one end of which is connected to the slider, and the other end of which is connected to the first connecting rod, the slider is in the first position, the keycap has a first height relative to the base, and the lifting button member is in the In an operating state, the slider moves to the second position, the slider drives the first connecting rod, the keycap approaches the base, the keycap has a second height relative to the base and the lifting button member is in a storage state, wherein the The first height is greater than the second height. 21. The keyboard according to claim 20, wherein the lifting key member is in an operating state, the keycap is pressed down, and the elastic element provides an elastic restoring force. 22. The keyboard according to claim 21, wherein the elastic restoring force forms an angle with the base, and the angle is less than 45 degrees. 23. The keyboard according to claim 20, wherein the slider moves from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position, and the elastic member moves along with the slider. 24. The keyboard according to claim 20, further comprising a slider, the slider is connected to the slider. 25. The keyboard as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the lifting button member is in an operating state, the sliding plate engages with the locking mechanism and fixes the slider at the first position. 26. An elastic member suitable for providing an elastic restoring force to a keycap, characterized in that it comprises: a base; a first connecting rod having a first end, wherein the first end is movably connected to the base; a second connecting rod connected to the first connecting rod and having a third end, wherein the third end is connected to the base; A slider, relative to the base, moves between a first position and a second position in a first direction, the slider has a stopper, which abuts against the first connecting rod to push the first end slides in a first direction; and an elastic element, one end of which is connected to the slider, and the other end of which is connected to the first link, the slider is located at the first position, the first link and the second link form a first angle, The elastic member is in an operating state, the slider moves to the second position, the slider drives the first connecting rod, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod form a second angle, and the elastic member is in a storage state , where the first angle is smaller than the second angle. 27. The elastic member according to claim 26, wherein the elastic member is in an operating state, the keycap is pressed down, and the elastic element provides elastic restoring force. 28. The elastic member according to claim 27, wherein the elastic restoring force forms an angle with the base, and the angle is less than 45 degrees. 29. The elastic member according to claim 27, wherein the first link further has a second end, the second link further has a fourth end, the elastic member is in an operating state, the second and second The four ends transmit the elastic recovery force to the keycap.

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