Methods for assembling low-profile, singulated keyboards by prefabricating key assemblies onto a chassis strip that is divided into individual key assemblies only after the substrate is affixed to a feature plate of keyboard. For example, a row of key assemblies is fabricated onto a chassis strip. The row corresponds to a partial or complete row of keys of the keyboard. The chassis strip is thereafter affixed to a feature plate in a specific location, thereby aligning each prefabricated key assembly to a precise location on the feature plate. While connected, each prefabricated key assembly is independently affixed to the feature plate. Thereafter, interconnecting portions of the chassis strip between the prefabricated key assemblies are removed, thereby singulating each key assembly.

An input module includes a base, a keycap assembly and an identification unit. The base includes a magnetic sensor. The keycap assembly is assembled on the base, and the keycap assembly includes a magnetic element. The identification unit is electrically coupled to the magnetic sensor, and the identification unit determines the type of the keycap assembly according to the characteristics of magnetic field lines of the magnetic element sensed by the magnetic sensor. An electronic device is also disclosed.

A button assembly includes a pedestal, a pressure sensor module and a key cap. The pedestal has an accommodating groove penetrating upward through a top surface of the pedestal. Two opposite sides of the pedestal protrude oppositely outward to form a lower active portion and a lower pivot portion. The pressure sensor module is mounted in the accommodating groove. The key cap is covered on the pressure sensor module. A bottom surface of the key cap has a contact portion contacting with the pressure sensor module. Two opposite sides of the key cap protrude oppositely outward to form an upper active portion and an upper pivot portion. The upper pivot portion rotate pivoting the lower pivot portion, the upper active portion moves downward and upward with respect to the lower active portion.

A button assembly includes a pedestal, a pressure sensor module and a key cap. The pedestal has an accommodating groove penetrating upward through a top surface of the pedestal. Two opposite sides of the pedestal protrude oppositely outward to form a lower active portion and a lower pivot portion. The pressure sensor module is mounted in the accommodating groove. The key cap is covered on the pressure sensor module. A bottom surface of the key cap has a contact portion contacting with the pressure sensor module. Two opposite sides of the key cap protrude oppositely outward to form an upper active portion and an upper pivot portion. The upper pivot portion rotate pivoting the lower pivot portion, the upper active portion moves downward and upward with respect to the lower active portion.

An input device includes an input structure, a magnet attached to the input structure, and an electromagnet. The magnet rotates when the electromagnet is activated, thereby rotating the input structure. The magnet and input structure rotate about a pivot in order to provide haptic and/or visual feedback to a user. The pivot may attach the magnet and input structure to a body, which in turn may be affixed to, or part of, an electronic device. The electromagnet can encircle the body and/or magnet.

An input device includes an input structure, a magnet attached to the input structure, and an electromagnet. The magnet rotates when the electromagnet is activated, thereby rotating the input structure. The magnet and input structure rotate about a pivot in order to provide haptic and/or visual feedback to a user. The pivot may attach the magnet and input structure to a body, which in turn may be affixed to, or part of, an electronic device. The electromagnet can encircle the body and/or magnet.

An electronic device includes a host, a display, a sliding plate, and a keyboard. The host has an operating surface. The display is pivoted to the host. The sliding plate is slidably disposed in the host, where the display is mechanically coupled to the sliding plate, and the sliding plate includes a plat portion and a recess portion that are arranged side by side. The keyboard is integrated to the host. The keyboard includes a key structure, where the key structure includes a key cap and a reciprocating element, and the key cap is exposed from the operating surface of the host. The reciprocating element is disposed between the key cap and the sliding plate and has a first end connected to the key cap and a second end contacting the sliding plate. The second end is located on a sliding path of the plat portion and the recess portion.

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 pressure sensitive sensor is composed of a cylindrical shape body including therein an inner peripheral surface and a hollow portion along a longitudinal direction of that cylindrical shape body, and being made of an elastic electrical insulating member, and a plurality of electrode wires arranged in a helical shape along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape body, and arranged in such a manner as to have no contact with each other. In the pressure sensitive sensor, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shape body, at least some part of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape body lying between adjacent ones of the plurality of the electrode wires on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape body is formed in an inner side in radial directions of a circle passing through centers of the plurality of the electrode wires.

A pressure sensitive sensor is composed of a cylindrical shape body including therein an inner peripheral surface and a hollow portion along a longitudinal direction of that cylindrical shape body, and being made of an elastic electrical insulating member, and a plurality of electrode wires arranged in a helical shape along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape body, and arranged in such a manner as to have no contact with each other. In the pressure sensitive sensor, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shape body, at least some part of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape body lying between adjacent ones of the plurality of the electrode wires on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical shape body is formed in an inner side in radial directions of a circle passing through centers of the plurality of the electrode wires.