A key module includes an actuation element with a cam nose and a contactor unit with a contact nose movable in the direction of the movement axis and transverse to the direction of the movement axis. Also, a contact element is formed and arranged for establishing electric contact with the contact nose. Moreover, the housing element accommodates the contact element, the contactor unit and the actuation element, wherein the actuation element and/or the cam nose includes a constructive element formed to deflect the contact nose from a rest position adjacent to the contact element in the direction along and/or transverse to the movement axis upon a defined movement of the actuation element, then abruptly release it so that the movable contact nose returns to the rest position and strikes the contact element and/or the housing element. Electric contact with the contact element is established and acoustic noise is produced.

Key assemblies having a foldable stabilizer are disclosed. The stabilizer can be positioned under a keycap to help guide the keycap and limit rotation or movement when the key is pressed. The stabilizer can have a pointed-star shape with multiple folding axes and can have multiple points of connection or linkage to the keycap or other surrounding components. The stabilizer can unfold or flatten as the keycap is pressed and can fold as the keycap is raised.

What is presented is a key module (100) comprising an actuation element (105) comprising a cam nose (135), wherein the actuation element (105) is supported to be movable along a movement axis (200) in a housing element (130, 110). Furthermore, the key module (100) comprises a contactor unit (115) with a contact nose (140) movable in the direction of the movement axis (200) and transverse to the direction of the movement axis (200). Also, the key module (100) comprises a contact element (120) formed and arranged for establishing electric contact with the contact nose (140). Moreover, the key module (100) comprises the housing element (130, 110) for accommodating the contact element (120), the contactor unit (115) and the actuation element (105), wherein the actuation element (105) and/or the cam nose (135) comprises at least one constructive element (400) formed to deflect the contact nose (140) from a rest position adjacent to the contact element (120) in the direction along and/or transverse to the movement axis (200) upon a defined movement of the actuation element (105), then abruptly release it so that the movable contact nose (140) returns to the rest position and strikes the contact element (120) and/or the housing element (130, 110), wherein electric contact with the contact element (120) is established and acoustic noise is produced.

A detector includes an elastic conductive blade having first and second ends and a central portion therebetween, with the blade being designed to be driven axially by a control rod to occupy three distinct positions between the pulled position and the end position of the rod: a pulled position, an end position, and an intermediate position. Two electrical contacts are designed to detect the end position and the pulled position of the rod, respectively. The blade is designed to pivot at its first end when the rod passes from the intermediate position to the pulled position, or vice versa. The blade is designed to undergo elastic deformation when the rod passes between the intermediate position and the end position so as to participate substantially in a restoring force of the rod toward the intermediate position when the axial activating force applied to the rod by a user is released.

A key switch device includes a base including an opening in a central part thereof; a light guide including an elastic body receiving portion, the light guide being supported by the base to be disposed in the opening; a button attached capable of approaching and separating from the base to cover the light guide; an elastic body disposed between the elastic body receiving portion and a lower surface of the button, the elastic body biasing the button in a separating direction where the button is separated from the base; a fixed contact piece including a fixed contact, the fixed contact piece being attached to the base; and a movable contact piece, which is attached to the base, including a movable contact to be brought into contact with the fixed contact when the button is moved toward the base in an approaching direction where the button approaches the base.

The keyboard device includes a substrate, a key, a first elastic member, and a second elastic member. The substrate includes a top surface having an assembly area. The assembly area has a pivoting base including a standing portion and an extension portion extending from the standing portion. The key is liftably disposed over the assembly area. A pivoting hook is extending from the bottom of the key toward the assembly area, and one end of the pivoting hook includes a pivoting portion. The first elastic member and the second elastic member are disposed on the assembly area and elastically abutted against the bottom of the key, so that the pivoting portion is abutted against and pivoted to the extension portion, and a liftable distance is maintained between the extension portion and the bottom of the key.

The present invention provides a keyboard device, including a plurality of key structures, where each key structure includes a thin-film circuit board, a key frame, an elastic element and a press assembly. The key frame is arranged on the thin-film circuit board, and includes a frame body and a bottom plate that are of an integrally formed structure. The bottom plate is located between the frame body and the thin-film circuit board, and has a through hole, and the thin-film circuit board covers the through hole. The elastic element is arranged on the thin-film circuit board, and a part of the elastic element is located in the through hole in the bottom plate. The press assembly is arranged in the key frame, and the elastic element is located between the press assembly and the thin-film circuit board. The present invention further provides a keyboard device assembly method.

A key switch device includes a base including an opening in a central part thereof; a light guide including an elastic body receiving portion, the light guide being supported by the base to be disposed in the opening; a button attached capable of approaching and separating from the base to cover the light guide; an elastic body disposed between the elastic body receiving portion and a lower surface of the button, the elastic body biasing the button in a separating direction where the button is separated from the base; a fixed contact piece including a fixed contact, the fixed contact piece being attached to the base; and a movable contact piece, which is attached to the base, including a movable contact to be brought into contact with the fixed contact when the button is moved toward the base in an approaching direction where the button approaches the base.

Key assemblies having a foldable stabilizer are disclosed. The stabilizer can be positioned under a keycap to help guide the keycap and limit rotation or movement when the key is pressed. The stabilizer can have a pointed-star shape with multiple folding axes and can have multiple points of connection or linkage to the keycap or other surrounding components. The stabilizer can unfold or flatten as the keycap is pressed and can fold as the keycap is raised.

A keycap detachably provided on a guide mechanism of a key switch includes a cap main body having a front face pressed at the time of key input and a rear face on the opposite side to the front face; and a first engaging projection and a second engaging projection, both of which protrude from the rear face of the cap main body with a gap therebetween so that an engaging portion of the guide mechanism is detachably engaged into the gap. At least a part of an area around the first engaging projection and the second engaging projection in the cap main body has a thin part thinner than other parts of the cap main body. As a result, the falling off of the keycap can be prevented.