CN103377841A - Key structure of keyboard and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a key structure of a keyboard, which comprises a circuit board, an elastic body, a keycap and a supporting structure. The circuit board is provided with a plurality of through holes, the elastic piece is arranged on the circuit board, and the keycap is arranged on the elastic piece. Wherein the supporting structure is pivoted in the through hole and under the key cap, and the supporting structure is used for assisting the key cap to move linearly up and down relative to the circuit board. Specifically, when the key cap moves downward from an initial position, the switch of the circuit board is triggered, and the key cap is restored upward to the initial position by a resilient force provided by the elastic body.

Description

Keyboard key structure and manufacturing method thereof

technical field

The invention relates to a key structure and a manufacturing method thereof, in particular to a keyboard key structure and a manufacturing method thereof.

Background technique

In today's man-machine interface and systems, the keyboard is an indispensable input device. With the popularization of mobile devices and laptops, the general consumer's requirements for the keyboard, in addition to being more ergonomic in use, must also meet the requirements of thinner and lighter. In addition, it is hoped that the goal of easy assembly and material saving can be achieved in the production process.

Generally speaking, the structure of a conventional keyboard is mainly composed of a supporting iron plate with a slot, a circuit board, and various keys arranged in the slot. The production process is to first punch holes in the supporting iron plate, and each punch hole forms several card slots. Then, several scissor legs are formed by injection molding on several card slots, and then the buttons are assembled on the scissor legs, and finally the supporting iron plate is combined with the circuit board. Although the assembly sequence can be slightly different according to different designs, the main keyboard structure is roughly the same, and the key structure on the supporting iron plate is assembled first, and then combined with the circuit board. In order to reduce the weight of the overall keyboard, although the original supporting iron plate can be directly replaced with plastic, it is difficult to effectively reduce the cost and achieve the goal of thinning the keyboard without changing the basic production process.

Therefore, how to design a key structure and manufacturing method of a keyboard that can be easily assembled, is light and thin, and has a relatively low cost is an urgent goal for the industry.

Contents of the invention

The invention relates to a key structure of a keyboard, which includes a circuit board, an elastic body, a key cap and a supporting structure. In detail, the circuit board has several perforations, the elastic body is arranged on the circuit board, and the keycap is arranged on the elastic body. Wherein, the supporting structure part is pivotally arranged in the through hole and under the key cap, and is used for providing an up and down linear movement of the key cap relative to the circuit board. the

In detail, when the keycap is displaced downward from an initial position, the circuit board can be triggered, and then the keycap can be restored to the initial position upwards by a rebound force provided by the elastic body.

The present invention further includes a manufacturing method of the key structure of the keyboard, first forming a plurality of perforations on the circuit board, and then pivotally installing a supporting structure in the perforations. Next, an elastic body is arranged on the circuit board, and a keycap is arranged on the elastic body to form a keyboard structure as above.

An object of the present invention is to provide a button structure that can be easily assembled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thin keypad structure with low cost.

In order to make the above objects, technical features and advantages better known and applied by those skilled in the art, the following is a detailed description of several preferred embodiments of the present invention and accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view figure of a first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention;

3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention;

4 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the button structure of the present invention;

5 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the key structure of the present invention;

6 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the key structure of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the present invention further including a manufacturing method of the key structure of the above-mentioned keyboard.

[Description of main component symbols]

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: button structure 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62: circuit board

124, 224, 324, 524: Perforated 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64: Elastomer

16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66: keycaps 442, 642: protrusions

18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68: Support structure

182, 282, 382, 482: first end 39: reinforcing plate

582: End 2822, 3822, 4822: Flat

3824: light source 4826: opening 184, 284, 384, 484: second end.

Detailed ways

The content of the present invention will be explained below through the embodiments. Those who need to explain, in the following embodiments and drawings, the description about the embodiments is only for the purpose of explaining the present invention, rather than directly limiting the present invention. At the same time, the following In the embodiments and drawings, elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted and not shown; and the dimensional relationship among the elements in the drawings is only for easy understanding, and is not intended to limit the actual ratio and actual size.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. The button structure 1 includes a circuit board 12 , an elastic body 14 , a keycap 16 and a supporting structure 18 . Moreover, the circuit board 12 has several through holes, and this embodiment takes four through holes 124 as an example (only the cross-section of two through holes is shown in the figure). The elastic body 14 is disposed on the circuit board 12 , and the through holes 124 are disposed around the elastic body 14 , and the keycap 16 is disposed on the elastic body 14 . Wherein, the support structure 18 has four first end portions 182 and four first end portions 184 (only the cross-sections of the two first end portions 182 and the two second end portions 184 are shown in the figure), and the first end portions 182 are pivoted. in the through hole 124 and fixed on the circuit board 12 . It should be noted that although the number of the first end portions 182 is the same as the number of the through holes 124 in this embodiment, it is not limited thereto. The second end portion 184 is a scissor-like support member pivotally disposed under the keycap 16 , and the function of the second end portion 184 is to enable the keycap 16 to move up and down linearly relative to the circuit board 12 .

When the keycap 16 is subjected to a downward external force (such as the direction of the arrow) from an initial position, the keycap 16 can be displaced downward from the initial position, and trigger the circuit board 12, and then by means of a rebound force provided by the elastic body 14 , so that the keycap 16 returns upward to the original position. After the circuit board 12 is triggered, it can output a signal to a device (not shown) connected to the button 1 of the present invention.

In detail, the button structure of this embodiment is a capacitive button. When the keycap 16 moves downward to the initial position, the distance between the keycap 16 and the circuit board 12 is shortened, so that the capacitance value increases, and the circuit board 12 is turned on. , the circuit board 12 is regarded as being triggered, and outputs a signal.

The “trigger” referred to above and below refers to the state when the circuit board 12 is connected to the electronic components matched with it and can transmit a signal.

This embodiment can also have an application implementation mode. Several buttons are arranged adjacent to each other or arranged in a matrix. When adjacent buttons are triggered, a continuous signal can be generated. For example, triggering adjacent buttons can be regarded as A directional action indication (such as right or up), or allowing the user to define different key presses or touch sequences, can be regarded as different action commands (such as locking keys). In other words, the sequence in which the key structures are triggered can make the keyboard a simple man-machine interface control method, so that the keyboard can be used more flexibly.

Wherein, the elastic body 14 of this embodiment can be made of ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM rubber) or silica gel, and can also be a dome rubber, a coil spring, a spring or other equivalent components. The circuit board 12 of this embodiment can be an integrated printed circuit board (printed circuit board assembly, PCBA), a FPC flexible circuit board (Flexible Printed Circuit Board, FPC), a PET flexible circuit board, a single-sided circuit board, a double-sided circuit board, a film circuit board, a ceramic circuit board or other equivalent structures.

It should be noted that this embodiment is only an example, and there may also be an embodiment in which the elastic body further includes a conductive line or the elastic body is made of a conductive rubber (conductive rubber). In other words, the conductive line can be used Or the elastic body itself is electrically connected with the circuit board, so that the keycap triggers the circuit board.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 2 , which is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. The button structure 2 includes a circuit board 22 , an elastic body 24 , a keycap 26 and a supporting structure 28 . The difference from the first embodiment is that in this embodiment, the support structure 28 of the key structure 2 has a first end 282 and a second end 284, and the first end 282 includes a flat plate 2822, and the flat plate 2822 is disposed between the circuit board 22 and the elastic body 24 . In detail, the first end portion 282 having a shape of a flat plate 2822 can be directly pivoted on the through hole 224 of the circuit board 22 .

It should be noted that the first end 282 of this embodiment covers the configuration of a flat plate 2822, which can tightly cover the electronic components (such as circuits, processors, etc.) on the circuit board 22, and further achieve dustproof and waterproof. Function.

Similar to the foregoing embodiments, the second embodiment is also a capacitive keyboard structure. In detail, the user's finger can be regarded as a conductor, and forms a capacitance with the conductor of the circuit board 22. When the keycap 26 moves downward from an initial position, the distance between the finger and the circuit board 22 is shortened, resulting in capacitance When the value increases, a transient current is generated, which then triggers the circuit board 22 , and finally, the keycap 26 returns to its original position upwards with the help of a rebound force provided by the elastic body 24 .

Moreover, this embodiment may also have an implementation mode in which the key structure is designed as an inductive key. At this time, the keycap needs to be provided with an electromagnetic conductive material. When the user presses the keycap, the electromagnetic conductive structure can cooperate with the circuit in the circuit board to trigger the circuit board.

It should be noted here that the first end of the supporting structure referred to in this specification generally refers to any structure that can be directly fastened, injected, coupled or bonded to the perforation of the circuit board. The implementation style is limited. Moreover, the first end of the support structure can be integrally formed of the same material, or can be two-stage, and each part can be made of two or more materials according to different strength requirements, which should not be limited by this specification.

The operation of other elements of this embodiment is similar to that of the previous embodiment, so it is omitted here without description.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention.

The key structure 3 includes a circuit board 32 , an elastic body 34 , a keycap 36 and a support structure 38 , and the support structure 38 has a first end 382 and a second end 384 . The difference between this embodiment and the second embodiment is that: the flat plate 3822 of the first end 382 of the button structure 3 of the present invention is a light guide plate, and at least one light source 3824 is set in the flat plate 3822 (this embodiment is referred to as Two light sources are taken as an example), or two side light source modules (shown in the figure) can be respectively arranged on both sides of the plate 3822. The two light sources 3824 installed inside the flat panel 3822 can be used to highlight the hollowed-out pattern (not shown) or text (not shown) on the keycap 36, and can omit the original structure that requires an additional backlight module. Moreover, the plate 3822 is combined with the circuit board 32 through several through holes 324, thereby reducing manufacturing steps and effectively reducing costs.

In addition, this embodiment further includes a reinforcement board 39 , and the circuit board 32 is disposed on the reinforcement board 39 . It should be pointed out that the reinforced plate 39 of this embodiment can be injection-molded together with the supporting structure 38 to completely cover the circuit board 32. The form of the plate 3822 covering the circuit board 32 and part of the first end portion 382 makes the circuit board 32 in a state of being isolated from the outside world. The advantage of this implementation form is that it can achieve waterproof and dustproof effects.

The operation modes of other elements of this embodiment are similar to those of other embodiments, so they are omitted here without description.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 4 , which is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. The key structure 4 includes a circuit board 42 , an elastic body 44 , a keycap 46 and a support structure 48 , and the support structure 48 has a first end 482 and a second end 484 . The difference with the second embodiment is that the elastic body 44 further includes a protrusion 442, and a flat plate 4822 at the first end 482 includes an opening 4826, the opening 4826 exposes the circuit board 42, and the protrusion of the elastic body 44 The portion 442 is disposed corresponding to the opening 4826 .

Similar to the previous embodiments, when the keycap 46 is displaced downward from an initial position, the protruding part 442 can trigger the circuit board 42 through the opening 4826, and then the keycap 46 can be pushed upward by virtue of a resilient force provided by the elastic body 44. Return to the original position.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 5 , which is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Similar to the previous embodiments, the button structure 5 includes a circuit board 52 , an elastic body 54 , a keycap 56 and a supporting structure 58 . The difference from the previous embodiments is that the supporting structure 58 of this embodiment is a hollow shell (not shown), and the circuit board 52 of this embodiment is a membrane switch piece, and can be a three-layer membrane A switch sheet or a circuit structure as shown in FIG. 1 .

In detail, the supporting structure 58 of the present invention has at least one end portion 582 , an accommodating space (not shown) and an opening (not shown). In this embodiment, four end portions 582 are combined with four through holes 524 as an example (only two through holes and cross-sections of two end portions are shown in the figure). Wherein, the supporting structure 58 is pivoted in the four through holes 524 by means of the four ends 582, and the keycap 56 is disposed in the opening of the supporting structure 58, and the elastic body 54 is disposed in the accommodating space of the supporting structure 58.

When the keycap 56 is subjected to a downward external force from an initial position, the keycap 56 can be displaced downward from the initial position, and the circuit board 52 (film circuit board) is extruded to form a passage, in other words, the circuit board 52 is pressed When the keycap 56 is triggered, the keycap 56 returns to its original position upwards with the help of a rebound force provided by the elastic body 54 . After the circuit board 52 is triggered, it can output a signal to a device (not shown) connected to the button 5 of the present invention.

In addition, the advantage of adopting the design of the support structure 58 as a hollow shell in this embodiment is that the hollow shell can be directly injection-molded on the through hole 524 of the circuit board 52 , in other words, the process can be saved and the cost can be reduced.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 6 , which is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. Similar to the fifth embodiment, the button structure 6 includes a circuit board 62 , an elastic body 64 , a keycap 66 and a supporting structure 68 . The difference from the previous embodiments is that the supporting structure 68 of this embodiment is a hollow shell (not shown), and a membrane switch piece 622 is arranged on the circuit board 62 of this embodiment. In other embodiments, it can It is directly a circuit board, and the elastic body 64 further includes a protruding portion 642 corresponding to the membrane switch piece 622 . The protrusion 642 of the elastic body 64 further includes a conductor 644 . When the keycap 66 moves downward from the initial position, the membrane switch piece 622 of the circuit board 62 can be triggered.

The operation modes of other elements of this embodiment are similar to those of other embodiments, so they are omitted here without description.

Finally, please refer to FIG. 7 , which is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a key structure of a keyboard according to the present invention. Firstly, several perforations are formed on the circuit board (step S1), an elastic body is placed on the circuit board (step S2), and a keycap is placed on the elastic body (step S3), and then the pivot support Structure in the perforation (step S4). Finally, the circuit board is disposed on a strengthening board (step S5 ), and finally a keyboard structure as in the above-mentioned embodiment can be formed. In addition to forming the above-mentioned embodiment, the manufacturing method of this kind of keyboard structure can also be applied to any other keyboard structures that want to directly punch holes on the circuit board and produce perforations, and should not be limited to the above-mentioned implementation.

In summary, the present invention is a button structure and method that directly forms several perforations on a circuit board and directly forms a support structure on the perforations. Holes and support structures are provided, and the step of combining the plate with the circuit board. With the above structure or method, the present invention can provide a button structure designed with a simple assembly process, which can be easily assembled, is thin, waterproof and dustproof. And it can also provide a thin and light button structure with lower cost.

The above-mentioned embodiments are only used to illustrate the implementation of the present invention and explain the technical features of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any changes or equivalent arrangements that can be easily accomplished by those skilled in the art fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. the press-key structure of a keyboard, its feature comprises:

One circuit board has several perforation;

One elastomer is arranged on this circuit board;

One keycap is located on this elastomer;

One supporting construction, part are hubbed in these perforation and under this keycap, and this supporting construction can make this keycap with respect to the linear movement about in the of of doing of this circuit board;

Wherein, this keycap to bottom offset, triggers this circuit board from an initial position, and by this elastomeric resilience force, makes this keycap upwards return to this initial position.

2. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this supporting construction has at least one first end and at least one the second end, and these first ends be hubbed at these the perforation in, these the second ends then are hubbed under this keycap.

3. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, this at least one first end is four first ends, is arranged at separately in those perforation, and is fixed on this circuit board.

4. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, this first end of this supporting construction more comprises a flat board, and this flat board is arranged between this circuit board and this elastomer.

5. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, this flat board is a light guide plate, and more comprises at least one light source in this light guide plate.

6. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, this flat board comprises at least one perforate, and this perforate is exposed this circuit board, and this elastomer more comprises a protuberance, and to should the perforate setting.

7. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, this second end of this supporting construction is a scissor strutting piece.

8. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, this supporting construction is a hollow housing, and this supporting construction has at least one end, an accommodation space and an opening, wherein, this supporting construction is hubbed in these perforation by these ends, and this keycap is arranged in this opening, and this elastomer is arranged in this accommodation space.

9. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this elastomer is a dome rubber, a wind spring or a spring.

10. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, more comprise one and strengthen plate, and this circuit board is arranged on this reinforcement plate.

11. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this circuit board more comprises a thin film switch sheet, and wherein, this keycap during to bottom offset, can trigger this thin film switch sheet of this circuit board from this initial position.

12. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, this elastomer more comprises a protuberance, and this protuberance is provided with a conductor, and this protuberance is to arranging by the thin film switch sheet.

13. the press-key structure of keyboard as claimed in claim 1, this circuit board are a single-sided circuit board, a two-sided circuit board, a thin film switch sheet, a ceramic circuit board, an integrated printed circuit board, a FPC flexible circuit board, a PET flexible circuit board or a printed circuit board (PCB).

14. the manufacture method of the press-key structure of a keyboard comprises:

(a) on a circuit board, form several perforation;

(b) elastomer is set on this circuit board;

(c) keycap is arranged on this elastomer;

(d) be pivoted a supporting construction in these perforation; And

(e) form a keyboard structure.

15. manufacture method as claimed in claim 14, step (d) more comprises a step (d2): this circuit board is arranged at one strengthens on the plate.

Images