The present description relates to devices, such as keyboards. One example can include a top portion and an opposing bottom portion and key switches that are mechanically retained in holes formed in the top cover. The example can also include electrical traces formed on the top cover that extend from the holes to a processing unit that is configured to receive electrical signals along the electrical traces when the key switches are closed.

A thin keyboard device is described herein. In one or more implementations, a keyboard device includes a plurality of keys, and a housing that includes a structural printed circuit board (PCB). The structural PCB includes, for each of the plurality of keys, a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace. The keyboard device further includes a key-switch mechanism for each of the plurality of keys. The key-switch mechanism includes a conductive material oriented towards the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace, and is configured to cause the conductive material to move downwards, when the key is depressed, to electrically connect the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace of the depressed key.

A multicolor illumination keyboard includes a light-emitting element, a color filter and plural keys. The plural keys are located above the light-emitting element. The color filter is arranged between the plural keys and the light-emitting element. After a source light emitted by the light-emitting element passes through the color filter, plural color lights are generated. The plural color lights are outputted from the plural keys. Consequently, the plural keys are illuminated in a multicolor manner.

The switch case includes a metal plate having a first surface and a second surface that is at a side opposite to the first surface, and a resin case embedding a part of the metal plate. The resin case includes a housing portion having an opening formed on a surface of the resin case. The metal plate includes a terminal portion, a contact portion, and an intermediate portion positioned between the terminal portion and the contact portion. The terminal portion is exposed from the surface of the resin case, and the intermediate portion is embedded in the resin case. The intermediate portion is provided with at least one through-hole penetrating the first surface and the second surface. The contact portion includes a part of the first surface exposed to the housing portion of the resin case. In the at least one through-hole, the hole diameter of the at least one through-hole at the second surface is larger than the hole diameter of the at least one through-hole at the first surface.

A capacitive sensitive key structure includes a key, support component, fixing pad, substrate and conductive portion. The key includes a key body and a connection wall which encloses a receiving space. The support component is disposed in the receiving space and includes a body, conical wall, buffering space, and extending pad connected to the conical wall. The body abuts against the key body. The conductive portion is disposed at the bottom of the body and inside the buffering space. The substrate is connected to the fixing pad and has thereon a circuit unit and a sensing layer. The substrate is coated with an insulating layer which covers the sensing layer. When the key body is pressed to press against the support component, electrostatic changes occur because of changes in the distance between the conductive portion and the sensing layer; hence, the circuit unit sends electrical signals for driving electronic apparatuses.

A multicolor illumination keyboard includes a light-emitting element, a color filter and plural keys. The plural keys are located above the light-emitting element. The color filter is arranged between the plural keys and the light-emitting element. After a source light emitted by the light-emitting element passes through the color filter, plural color lights are generated. The plural color lights are outputted from the plural keys. Consequently, the plural keys are illuminated in a multicolor manner.

A capacitive sensitive key structure includes a key, support component, fixing pad, substrate and conductive portion. The key includes a key body and a connection wall which encloses a receiving space. The support component is disposed in the receiving space and includes a body, conical wall, buffering space, and extending pad connected to the conical wall. The body abuts against the key body. The conductive portion is disposed at the bottom of the body and inside the buffering space. The substrate is connected to the fixing pad and has thereon a circuit unit and a sensing layer. The substrate is coated with an insulating layer which covers the sensing layer. When the key body is pressed to press against the support component, electrostatic changes occur because of changes in the distance between the conductive portion and the sensing layer; hence, the circuit unit sends electrical signals for driving electronic apparatuses.

A switch includes a housing and a metal terminal that is insert-molded into the housing. The metal terminal includes a contact portion provided on a first side of the metal terminal, an external connection portion provided on a second side of the metal terminal, and an embedded portion provided between the contact portion and the external connection portion and embedded in the housing. In the embedded portion, groove portions are formed in a front surface of the metal terminal and a rear surface of the metal terminal, the groove portions in the front surface being formed at positions different from the groove portions in the rear surface. The groove portions extend in a widthwise direction that is a direction intersecting an extending direction of the embedded portion.