A keyboard includes a base plate, a pressure sensing layer, plural key structures, a circuit board, a flexible layer and a controlling unit. The pressure sensing layer is disposed on the base plate and located under the circuit board. The flexible layer is disposed on the pressure sensing layer and located under the circuit board. While a key structure is depressed, a part of the key structure is penetrated through the circuit board to press the flexible layer, and a force is transmitted from the flexible layer to the pressure sensing layer. The controlling unit compares the force with a predetermined force value. According to the comparing result, the controlling unit generates a corresponding pressure sensing signal. Consequently, the use of a single key structure can achieve the functions of multiple keys.

A light-pervious bicolor key cap includes: a key frame, having a first color and formed with plural thin ribs, wherein front ends of the plural thin ribs are formed with at least one letter or punctuation in a continuous status without any notch; and a cap cover, having a second color, wherein the letter or punctuation is formed on a surface of the cap cover, an outer side of the cap cover is formed with a material filling protrusion allowing a plastic having the second color to be filled in, and an inner surface thereof is formed with at least one convex piece which is not fixedly combined with the key frame; so that through removing the convex piece having the second color, the letter or punctuation of the cap cover is prevented from being formed with any notch and capable of allowing the light to fully permeate.

An illuminated keyboard with an optical switch is provided. The illuminated keyboard includes a circuit board and plural keys. The circuit board includes plural light-emitting elements. Each light-emitting element is aligned with the corresponding key. The key includes a keycap, a housing, a triggering post, a light guide element and a light guide frame. The keycap is located over the housing. The triggering post, the light guide element and the light guide frame are disposed within the housing. Moreover, the light guide frame is arranged around the triggering post. After a light beam emitted by the light-emitting element is introduced into the housing, the light beam is guided to the light guide frame by the light guide element, and the light beam is scattered to a region around the triggering post and outputted from the keycap.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a circuit structure that allows the use of a single sided Printed Circuit Board (PCB) with a mechanical key structure that has a light emitting element in the middle of the key structure. An LED with pins for protruding through a printed circuit board allows a layout only on the bottom side of the PCB. In one embodiment, the PCB includes at least one low ohm resister forming a bridge for a switch matrix conductor over a perpendicular switch matrix conductor.

A key switch is disclosed. The key switch includes an axis, a pressure sensor layer, an axis component, and a key cap. The axis support includes a first opening. The pressure sensor layer is made of a pressure-sensitive electronic material and disposed on an upper surface of the axis support. The axis component is disposed in the first opening and vertically movable with respect to the axis support and the pressure sensor layer. The keycap is mounted on the axis component and includes a lower surface facing the upper surface of the axis support. When the keycap is depressed, the lower surface of the keycap depresses the pressure sensor layer and an electronic property of the pressure sensor layer varies. An analog pressure detection system including the key switch is also disclosed.

An improved key structure for a keyboard may be installed on a keyboard iron plate and comprises lower housing and upper housings. The lower housing includes a lower peripheral wall which includes a lower bulge portion thereon, both side surfaces of the lower peripheral wall include a pair of elastic arms thereon that include a latching portion and a pulling portion thereon. The upper housing is assembled on the lower housing, and includes an upper bulge portion. The elastic arms extend from the bottom of the lower housing, the tops of the elastic arms are aligned with an upper surface of the lower bulge portion, and two sides of the elastic arms abut against the lower peripheral wall, so that the insertion force of the key structure is small, and the key structure is firmly buckled on the keyboard iron plate with a large buckling force.

The present invention relates to a Hall Principle-based LED lit mechanical keyboard switch comprising a keymodule, permanent magnet, housing, LED lamp, Hall switch, elastic strip, top cover and spring; the keymodule consists of a plunger and a slider, the plunger has a key on top and a first locating pole at bottom; the slider has magnet mounting slot on its side wall; a second locating pole is provided at the bottom center inside the housing, the second locating pole is provided with a guide hole at its center, and a LED lamp mounting hole is provided on one side in the housing; Hall switch mounting hole and plunger slideway are provided on the neighboring side next to the side of the housing on which LED lamp mounting hole is provided.

The present invention relates to a Hall Principle-based LED lit mechanical keyboard switch comprising a keymodule, permanent magnet, housing, LED lamp, Hall switch, elastic strip, top cover and spring; the keymodule consists of a plunger and a slider, the plunger has a key on top and a first locating pole at bottom; the slider has magnet mounting slot on its side wall; a second locating pole is provided at the bottom center inside the housing, the second locating pole is provided with a guide hole at its center, and a LED lamp mounting hole is provided on one side in the housing; Hall switch mounting hole and plunger slideway are provided on the neighboring side next to the side of the housing on which LED lamp mounting hole is provided.

The present invention provides a keyboard. The keyboard includes a circuit board, a key installing board, and a plurality of key switches, the circuit board is disposed opposite the key installing board, the key installing board is provided with a plurality of installation holes corresponding to the key switches, the plurality of key switches are movably clamped on the key installing board through the plurality of installation holes, each of the key switches has a conductor, the conductor extends in the direction of near the circuit board through an installation hole, the circuit board is provided with a plurality of connection terminals working with conductors of the plurality of key switches, the conductors of the plurality of key switches are contacted with the plurality of connected terminals of the circuit board. The key switches of the keyboard of the present invention are moveable, elongating use-life of the keyboard.

An illuminated keyboard with an optical switch is provided. The illuminated keyboard includes a circuit board and plural keys. The circuit board includes plural light-emitting elements. Each light-emitting element is aligned with the corresponding key. The key includes a keycap, a housing, a triggering post, a light guide element and a light guide frame. The keycap is located over the housing. The triggering post, the light guide element and the light guide frame are disposed within the housing. Moreover, the light guide frame is arranged around the triggering post. After a light beam emitted by the light-emitting element is introduced into the housing, the light beam is guided to the light guide frame by the light guide element, and the light beam is scattered to a region around the triggering post and outputted from the keycap.