Patent Application
20100300857
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a key switch, and more particularly to a key switch which is flexible for use in a computer keyboard.
2. The Related Art
The most common way of inputting information into a computer is through a keyboard including a number of key switches to be pressed. Each key switch is required to be vertically pressed downwards to trigger a circuit for generating a signal, without stuck key. U.S. Pat. No. 7,498,536 describes a key structure of a computer keyboard which comprises a key cap, a linkage mechanism, a fixed base, a resilient assembly, a membrane circuit board and a supporting -board under the membrane circuit board. The linkage mechanism is disposed between the key cap and the fixing base, and includes a first supporting frame and a second supporting frame, which pivot together to form a scissors-shaped structure. The resilient assembly is placed on the membrane circuit board and passes through the fixing base to elastically support the key cap, and functioned as a switch. When the key cap is pressed, the resilient assembly is driven downwards and then becomes the switch that can trigger the corresponding circuit on the membrane circuit board to generate the electronic signal. However, the engagement between the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame and the means for the linkage mechanism connecting with the key cap and the fixed base are complicated and not flexible enough, which are possible to result in the failure for inputting information because of the key stuck or biased. In addition, such key structure may increase the difficulties of manufacturing and take more assembling time. So it is desirable to design a key switch which overcomes the disadvantages mentioned above.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a key switch which is flexible for use in a computer keyboard. The key switch includes a fixing base having a fixing board. The fixing board has an installing trough at a top thereof and a plurality of positioning rods extending upwards therefrom and arranged around the installing trough. A resilient assembly adhered onto the fixing board has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion engaged in the installing trough. A key cap includes a rectangular top plate and lateral plates extending downwards from edges of the top plate and connecting with one another. The top plate has a substantial middle portion connected with the first connecting portion of the resilient assembly, with the positioning rods substantially disposed at inner corners of the key cap to lean against the corresponding lateral plates. The lateral plates are suspended above the fixing board for leaving a vertical displacement so that the key cap can be urged to move upwards and downwards along the positioning rods.
As described above, the positioning rods are substantially disposed at the inner corners of the key cap and rely on the corresponding lateral plates, which makes the key cap move upwards and downwards smoothly along the positioning rods, preventing the stuck key condition. Meanwhile, such structure of the key switch is simple and easier to manufacture and assembly.
The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
With reference to
The fixing base 120, which may be made of plastic material, has a rectangular fixing board 121. The fixing board 121 has a circular installing trough 122 at a middle portion of a top thereof for fixing the resilient assembly 130, and a plurality of positioning rods 123 extending upwards from the top thereof and around the installing trough 122. In this embodiment, there are four the positioning rods 123 arranged in two rows, designated 124 and 125. The positioning rods 124 are movably received in the guiding grooves 114, and the positioning rods 125 are respectively located at two contiguous corners of the key cap 110, each leaning against inner surfaces of the two intersecting lateral plates 112, for guiding the key cap 110 to move upwards and downwards.
Please refer to
Referring to
As described above, the positioning rods 123 are substantially disposed at four corners of the key cap 110 and rely on the corresponding lateral plates 112, which makes the key cap 110 move upwards and downwards smoothly along the positioning rods 123, preventing the stuck key condition. Meanwhile, such structure of the key switch 100 is simple and easier to manufacture and assembly.
The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
