The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to a key structure and an elastic conduction element thereof.
With increasing development of science and technology, a variety of electronic devices are designed in views of convenience and user-friendliness. For helping the user well operate the electronic devices, the electronic devices are gradually developed in views of humanization. The input devices of the common electronic devices include for example mouse devices, keyboard devices, trackball devices, or the like. Via the keyboard device, texts or symbols can be inputted into the computer system directly. As a consequence, most users and most manufacturers of input devices pay much attention to the development of keyboard devices.
Generally, a keyboard device comprises plural key structures. Each key structure comprises a keycap, a scissors-type connecting member, a membrane circuit board and a supporting plate. These components are stacked on each other sequentially. In case that the keyboard device is a luminous keyboard device, the keyboard device is equipped with a backlight module under the supporting plate.
Moreover, a membrane switch is installed on the membrane circuit board, and an elastic conduction element is arranged between the keycap and the membrane circuit board. The scissors-type connecting member is connected between the keycap and the supporting plate. Moreover, the scissors-type connecting member comprises a first frame and a second frame. The second frame is pivotally coupled to the first frame. Consequently, the first frame and the second frame can be swung relative to each other. While the keycap of any key structure is depressed and moved downwardly relative to the supporting plate, the first frame and the second frame of the scissors-type connecting member are switched from an open-scissors state to a stacked state. Moreover, as the keycap is moved downwardly to compress the elastic conduction element, the corresponding membrane switch is pushed and triggered by the elastic conduction element. Consequently, the keyboard device generates a corresponding key signal.
When the keycap of the key structure is no longer depressed, the keycap is moved upwardly relative to the supporting plate in response to an elastic force of the elastic conduction element. Meanwhile, the first frame and the second frame are switched from the stacked state to the open-scissors state again, and the keycap is returned to its original position.
In some situations, regardless of whether a general word processing task or an e-sports playing task is performed, it is necessary to implement the key inputting action on the keyboard device at a faster speed. That is, regardless of whether a middle region or a periphery region of the key structure is depressed, it is preferred that the key signal is effectively triggered to provide the real-time command input efficacy. Consequently, in addition to the rigidity of the key structure itself, the internal elastic conduction element plays a very important role. However, the conventional keyboard device still has some drawbacks. For example, according to the conventional design, the elastic conduction element of each key structure is pressed to the bottom in order to push and trigger the corresponding membrane switch. Under this circumstance, the time point of triggering the key signal is later, and a higher pressing force is required to press the corner of the key structure to trigger the key signal.
Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved key structure and an improved elastic conduction element in order to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional technologies.
An object of the present invention provides a key structure. An elastic conduction element of the key structure is specially designed to shorten the travel distance of the triggering the membrane switch. While the keycap is moved upwardly and restored, a sound is generated. Consequently, the action of depressing the key structure generates a clear clicking feel.
Another object of the present invention provides an elastic conduction element. The elastic conduction element is specially designed to shorten the travel distance of the triggering the membrane switch. While the keycap is moved upwardly and restored, a sound is generated. Consequently, the action of depressing the key structure generates a clear clicking feel.
The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be understood from the disclosed technical features.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a key structure is provided. The key structure includes a membrane switch, a keycap and an elastic conduction element. The keycap is located over the membrane switch. The keycap is movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the membrane switch. The elastic conduction element is arranged between the keycap and the membrane switch. The elastic conduction element includes a supporting cover and a conduction post. The supporting cover includes an accommodation space. The conduction post is connected with the supporting cover and disposed within the accommodation space. The conduction post includes a first contacting part, a second contacting part and a concave part. The concave part is arranged between the first contacting part and the second contacting part. The second contacting part is arranged around the concave part. The concave part is arranged around the first contacting part. While the keycap is moved downwardly relative to the membrane switch, the supporting cover is compressed by the keycap and the conduction post is correspondingly moved downwardly. While the conduction post is moved downwardly, the first contacting part and the second contacting part are contacted with the membrane switch and a suction force between the concave part and the membrane switch is generated.
In an embodiment, the first contacting part of the conduction post has a first contact surface facing the membrane switch, the second contacting part of the conduction post has a second contact surface facing the membrane switch, and the first contacting part is extended in a direction toward the membrane switch. The first contact surface and the second contact surface are located at different horizontal planes. While the keycap is moved downwardly relative to the membrane switch, the first contact surface of the first contacting part is firstly contacted with the membrane switch. As the keycap is continuously moved downwardly relative to the membrane switch, the second contact surface of the second contacting part is contacted with the membrane switch.
In an embodiment, the second contact surface of the second contacting part is a ring-shaped flat surface.
In an embodiment, the first contacting part of the conduction post has a first contact surface facing the membrane switch, the second contacting part of the conduction post has a second contact surface facing the membrane switch, and the first contact surface and the second contact surface are located at a same horizontal plane. While the keycap is moved downwardly relative to the membrane switch, the first contact surface of the first contacting part and the second contact surface of the second contacting part are simultaneously contacted with the membrane switch.
In an embodiment, the second contact surface of the second contacting part is a ring-shaped flat surface.
In an embodiment, an orthographic projection pattern of the concave part of the conduction post on the membrane switch is a ring-shaped pattern.
In an embodiment, while the keycap is moved upwardly relative to the membrane switch in response to an elastic restoring force of the elastic conduction element, the conduction post is moved upwardly with the supporting cover. As the conduction post is moved upwardly, the first contacting part and the second contacting part are moved in a direction away from the membrane switch. Consequently, the suction force between the concave part and the membrane switch is released and a sound is generated.
In an embodiment, the key structure further includes a membrane circuit board, and the membrane switch is installed on the membrane circuit board.
In an embodiment, the key structure further includes a supporting plate, and the supporting plate is located under the membrane circuit board.
In an embodiment, the supporting cover further includes a top wall and a lateral wall. The lateral wall is extended downwardly from a periphery region of the top wall. The top wall is contacted with the keycap. The lateral wall is contacted with the membrane circuit board. The accommodation space is defined by the top wall and the lateral wall. The conduction post is connected with the top wall.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an elastic conduction element is provided. The elastic conduction element is arranged between a membrane switch and a keycap of a key structure. The elastic conduction element includes a supporting cover and a conduction post. The supporting cover includes an accommodation space. The conduction post is connected with the supporting cover and disposed within the accommodation space. The conduction post includes a first contacting part, a second contacting part and a concave part. The concave part is arranged between the first contacting part and the second contacting part. The second contacting part is arranged around the concave part. The concave part is arranged around the first contacting part. While the keycap is moved downwardly relative to the membrane switch, the supporting cover is compressed by the keycap and the conduction post is correspondingly moved downwardly. While the conduction post is moved downwardly, the first contacting part and the second contacting part are contacted with the membrane switch and a suction force between the concave part and the membrane switch is generated.
From the above descriptions, the present invention provides the key structure. The conduction post of the elastic conduction element comprises the first contacting part, the second contacting part and the concave part. The concave part is arranged between the first contacting part and the second contacting part. The second contacting part is arranged around the concave part. The concave part is arranged around the first contacting part. While the keycap is moved downwardly relative to the membrane switch, the first contacting part and the second contacting part of the conduction post are contacted with the membrane switch. Consequently, it can be ensured that the membrane switch is effectively triggered after the keycap is depressed. In addition, the travel distance of triggering the membrane switch can be effectively shortened. Even if the corner of the keycap is accidentally depressed by the user, the membrane switch can be effectively and reliably triggered without the need of applying additional pressing force. Moreover, after the concave part of the conduction post is contacted with the membrane switch, the concave part and the membrane switch can be attracted by each other in response to a suction force. While the keycap is moved upwardly relative to the membrane switch in response to an elastic restoring force of the elastic conduction element, the suction force between the concave part and the membrane switch is released and a sound is generated. Consequently, the action of depressing the key structure generates a clear clicking feel.
The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:
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The key structure 1 and the elastic conduction element 13 of the key structure 1 will be described in more details as follows.
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Moreover, the keycap 12 can be moved upwardly relative to the membrane switch 11 in response to an elastic restoring force of the elastic conduction element 13. While the keycap 12 is moved upwardly relative to the membrane switch 11 from the position P2 to the position P0, the conduction post 132 is moved upwardly with the supporting cover 131 of the elastic conduction element 13. Consequently, the first contacting part 121 and the second contacting part 1322 are moved in the direction away from the membrane switch 11. At the time when the suction force between the concave part 1323 and the membrane switch 11 is released, a sound is generated. Especially, the inner space of the concave part 1323 has the efficacy of amplifying the sound. Due to this structural design, every action of depressing the key structure 1 generates a clear clicking feel in response to the sound generation.
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From the above descriptions, the present invention provides the key structure. The conduction post of the elastic conduction element comprises the first contacting part, the second contacting part and the concave part. The concave part is arranged between the first contacting part and the second contacting part. The second contacting part is arranged around the concave part. The concave part is arranged around the first contacting part. While the keycap is moved downwardly relative to the membrane switch, the first contacting part and the second contacting part of the conduction post are contacted with the membrane switch. Consequently, it can be ensured that the membrane switch is effectively triggered after the keycap is depressed. In addition, the travel distance of triggering the membrane switch can be effectively shortened. Even if the corner of the keycap is accidentally depressed by the user, the membrane switch can be effectively and reliably triggered without the need of applying additional pressing force. Moreover, after the concave part of the conduction post is contacted with the membrane switch, the concave part and the membrane switch can be attracted by each other in response to a suction force. While the keycap is moved upwardly relative to the membrane switch in response to an elastic restoring force of the elastic conduction element, the suction force between the concave part and the membrane switch is released and a sound is generated. Consequently, the action of depressing the key structure generates a clear clicking feel.
While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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109144918 | Dec 2020 | TW | national |