A switch, keyboard and associated methods are provided. In one implementation, the switch includes a housing having a protruding portion configured to be received in an aperture formed on a substrate, a plunger operable to move with respect to the housing, a first contact member located in the housing, and a second contact member extending from the protruding portion of the housing. The second contact member is operable to, based at least in part on the plunger being moved in a first direction, deform to a predefined extent to electrically contact the first contact member. The switch provides a low profile appearance but not compromising the smooth and quickly responsive striking motion for a mechanical switch, such that a clean design can be provided while the input experience and durability are maintained. A keyboard is also provided.

A switch comprises a first elastic element, an actuator-element mechanically coupled to a first side of the first elastic element, and a first switching conductor, mechanically coupled to a second side of the first elastic element. The switching conductor is configured for moving between a first conductor position and a second conductor position. The actuator-element is configured from moving between a first actuator-element position and a second actuator-element position separated by a predefined actuator-element lift, thereby moving the first side of the first elastic element. The first elastic element moreover is configured for converting a movement of the first side of the first elastic element by the predefined actuator-element lift into the movement of the second side of the first elastic element with a predefined elastic force.

A venting system for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A keyboard assembly including a printed circuit board defining a set of apertures, and a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board. Each switch housing of the group of switch housings may define a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board. The keyboard assembly may also include a shield defining at least one channel of a venting system formed below the printed circuit board. The at least one channel may be in fluid communication with at least one aperture, and at least one of the switch openings positioned above the at least one aperture.

A key and a switch housing for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A switch housing for the keyboard assembly may include a body having a switch opening and a light source recess formed adjacent the switch opening. The switch opening may house or receive a dome switch for the keyboard assembly and the light source recess may house or receive a light source assembly configured to illuminate a keycap of the keyboard assembly. The switch housing also can include a top panel integrally formed and molded to a portion of the body. The top panel covers the switch opening formed in the body and the top panel is a light guide.

A high frequency switch is provided. The high frequency switch comprises a first high frequency connector, comprising a first inner conductor, integrally formed with a first strip conductor. Moreover, the high frequency switch comprises a second strip conductor arranged orthogonally in a first plane relative to the first strip conductor, a third strip conductor, arranged orthogonally in the first plane relative to the first strip conductor, a first switching conductor, having an orthogonally angled shape relative to the first plane, a second switching conductor, having an orthogonally angled shape relative to the first plane. A switching actuator is mechanically connected to the first switching conductor and to the second switching conductor adapted to move vertically relative to the first plane, to a first position and to a second position.

A key structure includes a movable element, an elastic element, a light-emitting element and a pressure sensing element. The pressure sensing element is arranged between the elastic element and the light-emitting element. The elastic element is disposed on the movable element. The light-emitting element emits a light beam. The light beam is transmitted through the pressure sensing element and projected to the movable element to illuminate the key structure. While the key structure is depressed, the elastic element is pushed by the movable element. The pressure sensing element is pushed by the elastic element according to different magnitudes of the depressing force. Consequently, the key structure generates different pressure sensing signals.

A key structure comprises a baseplate, a film circuit board, an elastic body and a keycap. The film circuit board includes a deformation region and a support region. The support region is disposed on the baseplate, and a deformation space is formed between the deformation region and the baseplate. The elastic body is disposed on the film circuit board. The keycap is disposed on the elastic body.

A switch comprises a first elastic element, an actuator-element mechanically coupled to a first side of the first elastic element, and a first switching conductor, mechanically coupled to a second side of the first elastic element. The switching conductor is configured for moving between a first conductor position and a second conductor position. The actuator-element is configured from moving between a first actuator-element position and a second actuator-element position separated by a predefined actuator-element lift, thereby moving the first side of the first elastic element. The first elastic element moreover is configured for converting a movement of the first side of the first elastic element by the predefined actuator-element lift into the movement of the second side of the first elastic element with a predefined elastic force.

A high frequency switch is provided. The high frequency switch comprises a first high frequency connector, comprising a first inner conductor, integrally formed with a first strip conductor. Moreover, the high frequency switch comprises a second strip conductor arranged orthogonally in a first plane relative to the first strip conductor, a third strip conductor, arranged orthogonally in the first plane relative to the first strip conductor, a first switching conductor, having an orthogonally angled shape relative to the first plane, a second switching conductor, having an orthogonally angled shape relative to the first plane. A switching actuator is mechanically connected to the first switching conductor and to the second switching conductor adapted to move vertically relative to the first plane, to a first position and to a second position.

A dome switch utilized in a keyboard assembly is disclosed. The keyboard assembly may include a printed circuit board having a first electrical connector formed in the printed circuit board, and a second electrical connector formed in the printed circuit board adjacent the first electrical connector. The keyboard assembly may also include an inner contact component contacting the second electrical connector of the printed circuit board. The inner contact component may be in electrical communication with the second electrical connector of the printed circuit board. Additionally, the keyboard assembly can include a dome switch surrounding the inner contact component. The dome switch may contact and may be in electrical communication with the first electrical connector of the printed circuit board.