TWI702625B - Keyboard device and key structure thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a keyboard device including a membrane circuit board, a key frame and a key structure. The key frame is located over the membrane circuit board. The key structure includes a keycap and a lateral wing part. A first end of the lateral wing part is connected with a lateral edge of the keycap, and a second end of the lateral wing part is protruded from the lateral edge of the keycap into a wall of the key frame. The lateral wing part has a perforation. A protrusion part of the key frame is used to run through the perforation. Consequently, when a larger clicking force exerted on the keycap or keycap is picked, the keycap is not readily detached from the keyboard device.

Description

Keyboard device and its key structure

The present invention relates to the field of computer peripheral devices, and particularly relates to an input device.

Common computer peripheral input devices include a mouse device, a keyboard device 1, and a trackball device. Among them, the keyboard device allows the user to directly input text and symbols into the computer, so it is highly valued.

First, the structure and function of the conventional keyboard device will be explained. Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the conventional keyboard device. Figure 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the partial structure of the keyboard device shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of a partial structure of the keyboard device shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual cross-sectional schematic diagram of a partial structure of the keyboard device shown in FIG. 2. For a clearer illustration, only a part of the key frame, a single key structure, and related component structures are drawn in FIGS. 2 to 4.

The conventional keyboard device 1 includes a plurality of key structures 10, a key base plate 11, a thin film circuit board 12, and a key frame 13. The thin film circuit board 12 has a plurality of membrane switches 121 corresponding to the plurality of key structures 10, and each key The structure 10 includes a key cap 101, a scissor-type connecting element 102, and an elastic body 103. The scissor-type connecting element 102 is connected between the key cap 101 and the key base plate 11, and includes a first frame 1021 and a first frame 1021 pivotally connected to the first frame 1021. The second frame 1022, so the first frame The frame 1021 and the second frame 1022 can swing relative to each other. In addition, the elastic body 103 is disposed between the key cap 101 and the key base plate 11, and has a top portion (not shown).

Wherein, when the key cap 101 of any key structure 10 is pressed and moved downward relative to the key base plate 11, the first frame 1021 and the second frame 1022 of the scissor-type connecting element 102 will be changed from the opened and closed state to the overlapped state. When the keycap 101 moves downward, it squeezes the elastic body 103 so that the top of the elastic body 103 presses and triggers the corresponding membrane switch 121, so that the keyboard device 1 generates a corresponding key signal. When the key cap 101 of the key structure 10 is no longer pressed, the key cap 101 will move up relative to the key base plate 11 in response to the elastic force of the elastic body 103. At this time, the first frame 1021 and the second frame 1022 will be moved by The overlapped state is changed to the open-closed state, and the keycap 101 will return to its original position.

Furthermore, the key frame 13 is disposed above the thin film circuit board 12, and has a frame body 132 and a plurality of accommodating holes 131 respectively corresponding to the plurality of key structures 10, and each accommodating hole 131 is used for corresponding The key cap 101 of the key structure 10 is movable therein. However, since the keycap 101 of the conventional keyboard device 1 is fixed on the key base plate 11 only by the scissor-type connecting element 102, the keycap 101 is easily detached from the keyboard device 1 when subjected to an external force.

In view of this, a keyboard device with a key drop prevention design has been proposed. Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the structure of a conventional keyboard device with an anti-dropping design, which is also the keyboard device proposed by the applicant in the Taiwan Invention Patent No. TWI669729. The keyboard device 1'is roughly similar to the keyboard device 1, the difference is that the keyboard device 1'also includes a limit frame 14 provided above the key frame 13, and the limit frame 14 includes a frame body 142 and respectively corresponds to a plurality of key structures 10 and longitudinally penetrate through a plurality of accommodating holes 141 of the frame body 142; among them, any accommodating hole of the limit frame 14 141 and the corresponding accommodating holes 131 on the key frame 13 are connected to each other, and the opening of each accommodating hole 141 of the limit frame 14 is smaller than the opening of the corresponding accommodating hole 131 on the key frame 13.

Furthermore, each key structure 10' further includes a side wing portion 104, and one end of the side wing portion 104 is connected to the side edge of the key cap 101, and the other end of the side wing portion 104 extends outward from the side edge of the key cap 101 to the frame body Below 142, in this way, the side wing 104 and the frame 142 form an interference relationship. Therefore, when the keycap 101 is subjected to a large external force of percussion or is knocked, because the frame body 142 of the limit frame 14 provides a limit effect on the side wing portion 104 of the key structure 10, the keycap 101 is not easily removed from The keyboard device 1'falls off.

However, the applicant found after intensive research that the effect of only using the interference relationship between the key structure 10' and the limit frame 14 to prevent the keycap 101 from falling off is still quite limited. Once the keycap 101 receives a large external force or is When deliberately, such as when applied to the education market, the side wing 104 may still be deformed to overcome the interference relationship between it and the limit frame 14, which may cause the keycap 101 to loosen and slip off. Therefore, the conventional keyboard device 1'still has room for improvement.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a key structure with its side wings extending laterally from the side edge of the key cap and having perforations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard device having the above-mentioned key structure and the key frame of which has a convex portion for passing through the side wing portion, thereby preventing the keycap from falling off the keyboard device.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a keyboard device including: A film circuit board, including a film switch; a key frame, arranged above the film circuit board, and including: a frame body; an accommodating hole that penetrates the frame body longitudinally; and at least one convex portion, each One end of the protruding part is connected to the frame, and the other end of each protruding part extends from the frame to the film circuit board; and a button structure corresponding to the membrane switch and including: a key cap , Used to be pressed and moved in the accommodating hole; and at least one side wing part, one end of each side wing part is connected to the side edge of the key cap, and the other end of each side wing part is formed by the key cap The side edges extend laterally; wherein, each side wing portion has a perforation, and each perforation is used for the corresponding convex portion to pass through.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention also provides a key structure applied to a keyboard device having a key frame, including: a key cap for being touched and moved in the key frame; and at least one side flap Part, one end of each side wing part is connected to the side edge of the key cap, and the other end of each side wing part extends laterally from the side edge of the key cap into a partition wall of the frame; wherein, Each of the side wing portions has a perforation, and each perforation is used for a protrusion of the key frame to pass through.

1‧‧‧Keyboard device

1’‧‧‧Keyboard device

2A‧‧‧Keyboard device

2B‧‧‧Keyboard device

10‧‧‧Key structure

10’‧‧‧Button structure

11‧‧‧Keyboard

12‧‧‧Thin film circuit board

13‧‧‧Key Frame

14‧‧‧Limit frame

20‧‧‧Key structure

21‧‧‧Keyboard

22‧‧‧Thin Film Circuit Board

23‧‧‧Key Frame

101: keycap

102: Scissor connection element

103: Elastomer

104: Flanking

121: Membrane switch

131: accommodating hole

132: Frame

141: Containment Hole

142: Frame

201: keycap

202: connection element

203: Elastomer

204: First Wing

205: Second Wing

206: Piercing

221: Membrane Switch

222: Upper film

223: Lower film

224: middle film

231: Containment Hole

232: Frame

233: Convex

1021: The first frame

1022: second frame

2021: the first framework

2022: second frame

2221: The first circuit pattern

2231: second circuit pattern

2222: upper contact

2232: Lower contact

2241: Contact opening

2321: next wall

2322: groove

Figure 1: is a schematic diagram of the external structure of a conventional keyboard device.

Figure 2: is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of part of the structure of the keyboard device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3: It is a three-dimensional decomposition of the partial structure of the keyboard device shown in Figure 2 Schematic.

Fig. 4: is a schematic cross-sectional conceptual diagram of part of the structure of the keyboard device shown in Fig. 2;

Figure 5: is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the structure of a conventional keyboard device with a key drop prevention design.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the keyboard device in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a part of the structure of the keyboard device shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the film circuit board of the keyboard device shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of part of the structure of the keyboard device shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional conceptual diagram of part of the structure of the keyboard device shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a conceptual schematic diagram of a partial structure of the keyboard device shown in Fig. 7 from above.

Fig. 12 is a conceptual schematic diagram of a partial structure of the keyboard device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention will be further explained by following relevant drawings. As far as possible, in the drawings and description, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar components. In the drawings, the shape and thickness may be exaggerated for simplicity and convenience. It is understandable that it is not specifically shown in the drawings or described in the description The elements in the book are in the form known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications based on the content of the present invention.

Please refer to FIGS. 6-7. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the keyboard device in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a partial structure of the keyboard device shown in FIG. Among them, for a clearer illustration, only a part of the key frame and a single key structure are drawn in FIG. 7. The keyboard device 2A includes a plurality of key structures 20, a key base plate 21, a thin film circuit board 22, and a key frame 23. The key structures 20 can be classified into general keys, numeric keys, and function keys, which can be touched by the user with his fingers. Press the keyboard device 2A to generate corresponding key signals to the computer, and then the computer performs corresponding functions. For example, normal keys are used to input symbols such as English letters, numeric keys are used to input numbers, and function keys are used to provide various Shortcut functions, such as F1~F12, etc.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the membrane circuit board of the keyboard device shown in FIG. 6. The film wiring board 22 includes a plurality of films laminated on each other. In this preferred embodiment, the plurality of films includes an upper film 222 and a lower film 223. The lower surface of the upper film 222 has a first circuit pattern 2221, and the first circuit pattern 2221 has a plurality of upper films corresponding to the plurality of key structures 20 respectively. The upper surface of the lower film 223 has a second circuit pattern 2231, and the second circuit pattern 2231 has a plurality of lower contacts 2232 corresponding to the plurality of upper contacts 2222; wherein, each upper contact 2222 is connected to the The corresponding lower contacts 2232 have an interval distance between them, and together with the corresponding lower contacts 2232 form a membrane switch 221 (see FIG. 9).

In order to provide a separation distance between each upper contact 2222 and its corresponding lower contact 2232, the film circuit board 22 further includes an intermediate film 224, which It is disposed between the upper film 222 and the lower film 223, and the middle film 224 has a plurality of contact openings 2241 corresponding to the plurality of upper contacts 2222 and the plurality of lower contacts 2232, respectively. Preferably, but not limited to this, any one of the upper film 222, the lower film 223, and the middle film 224 can be made of polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), It is made of PMMA, Polyurethane (PU) or Polyimide (PI).

Please refer to Figures 9 to 11 simultaneously. Figure 9 is a three-dimensional exploded schematic view of the partial structure of the keyboard device shown in Figure 7, Figure 10 is a cross-sectional conceptual schematic diagram of the partial structure of the keyboard device shown in Figure 7, and Figure 11 is Figure 7 The schematic top view of the partial structure of the keyboard device shown. Among them, in order to illustrate more clearly, only a part of the key frame, a single key structure and related components are depicted in FIGS. 9-10, and FIG. 10 shows different components with different lines. Each key structure 20 includes a key cap 201, a connecting element 202, and an elastic body 203, and the connecting element 202 is connected between the key cap 201 and the key base plate 21 to allow the key cap 201 to move up and down relative to the key base plate 21, and The elastic body 203 is arranged between the key cap 201 and the key bottom plate 21 and has a top (not shown). In this preferred embodiment, the connecting element 202 is a scissor-type connecting element, and includes a first frame 2021 and a second frame 2022 pivotally connected to the first frame 2021, so the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022 can be mutually connected. Relative swing.

When the key cap 201 of any key structure 20 is pressed and moved downward relative to the key base plate 21, the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022 of the connecting element 202 will be changed from the opened and closed state to the overlapped state, and the The keycap 201 that moves downward will squeeze the elastic body 203, causing the top of the elastic body 203 to press against and trigger the corresponding upper contact 2222, thereby causing the corresponding upper contact 2222 to open via the corresponding contact. Hole 2241 and contact the corresponding lower contact 2232, thereby making the corresponding membrane switch 221 The electrical conduction is achieved so that the keyboard device 2A generates the corresponding key signal. When the key cap 201 of the key structure 20 is no longer pressed, the key cap 201 will move upward relative to the key base plate 21 in response to the elastic force of the elastic body 203. At this time, the first frame 2021 and the second frame 2022 will be moved by The overlapped state is changed to the open and closed state, and the keycap 201 will return to its original position. However, the above is only an implementation aspect, and does not limit the connection relationship among the connecting element 202, the key base plate 21 and the key cap 201 in this case.

Furthermore, the key frame 23 is disposed above the film circuit board 22, and includes a frame 232, a plurality of accommodating holes 231, and a plurality of convex portions 233, and the frame 232 includes a plurality of partition walls 2321, and each accommodating hole 231 penetrates the frame body 232 longitudinally, wherein at least part of the partition wall 2321 has a groove 2322, and each protrusion 233 is disposed in a corresponding groove 2322, one end of which is connected to the upper surface of the groove 2322, and the other One end extends in the direction of the film circuit board 22. Preferably, but not limited to this, the frame body 232 and the protrusions 233 are integrally formed.

In addition, in the present invention, each key structure 20 further includes a first side wing portion 204 and a second side wing portion 205, and one end of the first side wing portion 204 and one end of the second side wing portion 205 are respectively connected to the two sides of the key cap 201 Opposite side edges, and the other end of the first side wing portion 204 and the other end of the second side wing portion 205 extend laterally from the two opposite side edges of the keycap 201 into the groove 2322 of the two partition walls 2321; Both the side wing portion 204 and the second side wing portion 205 have perforations 206, and each perforation 206 is provided for a corresponding convex portion 233 to pass through.

Based on the above design, the perforation 206 of the first side wing portion 204 and the second side wing portion 205 of the key structure 20 respectively form a limit relationship with the corresponding convex portion 233 of the key frame 23, and this limit relationship still allows the first The side wing portion 204 and the second side wing portion 205 are in the process of moving the keycap 201 up and down relative to the key bottom plate 21 It retains the elasticity to move up and down with the keycap 201, and when the keycap 201 is subjected to a large external force or is deliberately knocked, it can prevent the keycap 201 from being deformed due to the deformation of the first side wing portion 204 and the second side wing portion 205 The keyboard device 2A falls off, effectively improving the defects of the conventional technology.

However, the above are only examples, and those skilled in the art can make any equal modification designs according to actual application requirements. For example, although the key structure 20 of the above-mentioned keyboard device 2A has two side wings 205 and 206, the design can be changed to have only a single side wings. For another example, although the positions of the first side wing portion 204 and the second side wing portion 205 of the above-mentioned keyboard device 2A are in a left-right symmetrical relationship, the positions of the first side wing portion 204 and the second side wing portion 205 can be modified to be displaced forward and backward. In this way, the distance between any two key structures 20 can be shortened to achieve the effect of miniaturization, which is shown in the keyboard device 2B in FIG. 12.

The above descriptions are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Therefore, all other equivalent changes or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included in this case. Within the scope of patent application.

20‧‧‧Key structure

21‧‧‧Keyboard

22‧‧‧Thin Film Circuit Board

23‧‧‧Key Frame

201‧‧‧Keycap

202‧‧‧Connecting components

203‧‧‧Elastomer

204‧‧‧First Wing

205‧‧‧Second Wing

206‧‧‧Perforation

221‧‧‧membrane switch

231‧‧‧accommodating hole

232‧‧‧Frame

233‧‧‧Protrusion

2021‧‧‧First Framework

2022‧‧‧Second Frame

2321‧‧‧The next wall

2322‧‧‧Groove

Claims (12)

A keyboard device includes: a film circuit board, including a film switch; a key frame, arranged above the film circuit board, and including: a frame body; an accommodating hole that penetrates the frame body longitudinally; and at least A convex portion, one end of each convex portion is connected to the frame, and the other end of each convex portion extends from the frame to the film circuit board; and a button structure corresponding to the membrane switch, It also includes: a key cap for being pressed and moved in the accommodating hole; and at least one side wing part, one end of each side wing part is connected to the side edge of the key cap, and one of each side wing part The other end extends laterally from the side edge of the keycap; wherein each of the side wing portions has a perforation, and each of the perforations is used for the corresponding protrusion to pass through; wherein the keyboard device further includes a button The button structure further includes a connecting element, and the connecting element is connected between the button base plate and the key cap, so that the key cap moves up and down relative to the button base plate. According to the keyboard device described in claim 1, wherein the frame body includes a plurality of partition walls, and at least part of the partition walls of the plurality of partition walls has a groove; wherein, the groove is for the corresponding side wing The other end of the part extends into it. As for the keyboard device described in item 2 of the scope of patent application, the at least one protrusion is located in the groove, and the other end of the at least one protrusion passes through the corresponding through hole. As for the keyboard device described in claim 1, wherein the at least one side wing portion includes a first side wing portion and a second side wing portion, and the first side wing portion and the second side wing portion are in a front-to-back displacement relationship or There is a symmetrical relationship. The keyboard device described in claim 4, wherein the at least one convex portion includes a first convex portion and a second convex portion, and the first convex portion is used to pass through the perforation of the first side wing portion , And the second convex portion is used to pass through the through hole of the second side wing portion. The keyboard device according to the first item of the scope of patent application, wherein the film circuit board includes an upper film and a lower film, and the upper film is provided with a first circuit pattern, and the lower film is provided with a second circuit pattern ; Wherein, the first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern respectively have an upper contact and a lower contact, and the upper contact and the lower contact have a spacing distance and jointly form the membrane switch. As for the keyboard device described in claim 1, wherein the connecting element is a scissor-type connecting element, and includes a first frame and a second frame pivotally connected to the first frame. As for the keyboard device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the key structure further includes an elastic body, which is arranged between the key cap and the film circuit board and has a top portion, and is pressed against the key cap At this time, the elastic body is compressed to make the top abutment against the membrane switch, and when the key cap is no longer pressed, the elastic body provides an elastic force to the key cap to restore the key cap to its original position. A key structure, applied to a keyboard device with a key frame, includes: a key cap for being touched and moved in the key frame; at least one side wing part, one end of each side wing part is connected to the key The side edge of the cap, and the other end of each side wing portion extends laterally from the side edge of the key cap into a partition wall of the key frame; wherein, each side wing portion has a perforation, and each The perforation is used for a protrusion of the key frame to pass through; and a connecting element, and the connecting element is connected to a key bottom plate of the keyboard device And between the key caps, so that the key cap moves up and down relative to the key bottom plate. As for the key structure described in item 9 of the scope of patent application, the at least one side wing portion includes a first side wing portion and a second side wing portion, and the first side wing portion and the second side wing portion are in a front-to-back displacement relationship or There is a symmetrical relationship. According to the button structure described in item 9 of the scope of patent application, the connecting element is a scissor-type connecting element, and includes a first frame and a second frame pivotally connected to the first frame. The key structure described in item 9 of the scope of patent application further includes an elastic body, which is arranged between the key cap and a thin film circuit board of the keyboard device and has a top portion, and is pressed against the key cap When the elastic body is compressed so that the top of the abutment against the film circuit board, and when the key cap is no longer pressed, the elastic body provides an elastic force to the key cap to restore the key cap to its original position .

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