A control apparatus includes a main body unit, a plurality of moving members each of which is movably supported by the main body unit, a magneto rheological fluid provided between the main body unit and each of the plurality of moving members or between each of the plurality of moving members, and one magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to the magneto rheological fluid.

A key structure is provided. The key structure includes a base plate, a key cap and a lifting mechanism is provided. The base plate includes a first bottom wall. The key cap is disposed opposite to the base plate and includes a first cap wall. The lifting mechanism is movably connected between the key cap and the base plate, so that the key cap could reciprocate with respect to the base plate. The lifting mechanism includes a first lower shaft portion and a first upper shaft portion, which are respectively movably connected on the same side of the key cap and the base plate. When the key cap is in a released state, the first upper shaft portion presses against the first cap wall, but the first lower shaft portion is separated from the bottom wall by a maintaining gap.

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 key module includes a bracket, a circuit film assembly, a keycap, and a connecting structure. The bracket includes a bottom plate and a bracket pivotal portion protruding from the bottom plate. The circuit film assembly is disposed on the bracket and includes a plurality of film layers and a supporting portion formed by at least one of the film layers. The supporting portion is located beside the bracket pivotal portion. The keycap is disposed above the bracket and the circuit film assembly and includes a keycap pivotal portion. The connecting structure is disposed between the bracket and the keycap and includes a first pivot pivotally disposed at the bracket pivotal portion and a second pivot pivotally disposed at the keycap pivotal portion. The supporting portion beside the bracket pivotal portion supports the first pivot, such that the first pivot continuously contacts the bracket pivotal portion.

A keyboard device includes plural key structures. Each key structure includes a base plate, a keycap, a membrane circuit board, a connecting member and an elastic element. The keycap includes a pressing post. The membrane circuit board is arranged between the base plate and the keycap. The connecting member is penetrated through the membrane circuit board and connected between the keycap and the base plate. The keycap is movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the membrane circuit board. The elastic element is arranged between the keycap and the membrane circuit board. The elastic element includes a resilience piece and plural supporting ribs. The plural supporting ribs are arranged between the resilience piece and the keycap. The plural supporting ribs are contacted with the pressing post of the keycap. Consequently, there is a gap between the pressing post and the resilience piece.

A backlit keyboard includes key switches and a backlight module. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a reflecting surface, and at least one light-emitting device. The light guide plate is provided with light-guiding dots disposed on a bottom surface thereof. A light-shielding layer disposed on the light guide plate has a light-shielding portion and a light-transmitting portion corresponding to at least one of the key switches. The reflecting surface faces the bottom surface of the light guide plate, and a pattern at least partially overlaps the light-shielding portion. A first light-emitting device and a second light-emitting device are disposed in an opening of the light guide plate, and the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device face respective sidewalls of the opening. The first light-emitting device is located underneath the light-shielding portion.

Provided herein is a keyboard assembly that includes a keyboard substrate, a plurality of keycaps, and a plurality of lifting supports. Each keycap is connected to the keyboard substrate by using a lifting support. The keyboard substrate is connected to a bottom plate and a top plate, with the bottom plate including a key accommodation groove that further includes a concave slope. The lifting support is located in the key accommodation groove, with one end abutting against the concave slope and being capable of sliding on the concave slope. In a process in which the top plate rotates to a first specified location, the keyboard substrate is driven to move, the lifting support descends, and the keycap descends. In a process in which the top plate rotates to a second specified location, the keyboard substrate is driven to move.

A food or beverage preparation machine, comprising a control panel (5), the control panel (5) comprising an actuator (5x) for setting at least one food or beverage preparation parameter of the food or beverage preparation machine (1) to a predetermined value and a controlling unit, comprises a pressure sensor (6x) electronically connected to said controlling unit for controlling the functioning of the food or beverage preparation machine, and associated with said actuator, said actuator (5x) being pressure-sensitive and comprising a first end (50) with a first deformable surface (51) which is configured to receive a press action (F) from a user, a second end (52) with a second deformable surface (53) which is in physical contact with said pressure sensor (6x), and an elongate portion (54) connecting said first end (50) and said second end (52), said elongate portion (54) being configured to transfer to said second end (52) a pressure that has been generated at said first end (50), such that when a press action (F) is applied to said first deformable surface (51), said pressure is transferred to said second deformable surface (53) by said elongate portion and is applied to said pressure sensor (6x) so as to set said at least one food or beverage preparation parameter.

A food or beverage preparation machine, comprising a control panel (5), the control panel (5) comprising an actuator (5x) for setting at least one food or beverage preparation parameter of the food or beverage preparation machine (1) to a predetermined value and a controlling unit, comprises a pressure sensor (6x) electronically connected to said controlling unit for controlling the functioning of the food or beverage preparation machine, and associated with said actuator, said actuator (5x) being pressure-sensitive and comprising a first end (50) with a first deformable surface (51) which is configured to receive a press action (F) from a user, a second end (52) with a second deformable surface (53) which is in physical contact with said pressure sensor (6x), and an elongate portion (54) connecting said first end (50) and said second end (52), said elongate portion (54) being configured to transfer to said second end (52) a pressure that has been generated at said first end (50), such that when a press action (F) is applied to said first deformable surface (51), said pressure is transferred to said second deformable surface (53) by said elongate portion and is applied to said pressure sensor (6x) so as to set said at least one food or beverage preparation parameter.

A keyswitch includes a board having a first magnetic portion and a pivot portion, a cap, a switch, and a support device including a first support member having first and second bodies connected to each other via an elastic connection arm. The first body has first and second end portions connected to the cap and the pivot portion respectively. The second body has a second magnetic portion and a triggering portion. A U-shaped slot is formed around the triggering portion to make the triggering portion form an elastic cantilever arm extending from the second body. When the cap is pressed to make the second magnetic portion away from the first magnetic portion at a specific distance, the triggering portion triggers the switch. When the cap is released, a magnetic force between the first and second magnetic portions drives the second magnetic portion to approach the first magnetic portion.