Shown are a switch and a manufacturing method thereof. The switch has a base substrate; and an electrode disposed on a first surface or a second surface of the base substrate. The flexible electrode includes: a substrate in a range of about 5 to 70 vol %; conductive particles embedded in the substrate in a range of about 29.9 to 94.9 vol %; and a degradation inhibitor in a range of 0.1 to 1 vol %, based on a total of 100 vol % of the electrode. In particular, the substrate of the electrode is flexible and thus the electrode is flexible.

A key structure includes a key cap, a bridge assembly, a first supporting part, a second supporting part, an attractable element and a magnet. The bridge assembly includes first and second hinge parts. The first hinge part has a first pivot coupling portion and a first connecting portion. The second hinge part has a second pivot coupling portion and a second connecting portion, wherein the first and second connecting portions are connected on an axis, and the first and second hinge parts rotate with respect to the axis. The first and second supporting parts are coupled to two ends of the first and second pivot coupling portions, respectively. The attractable element is disposed on the second hinge part. The magnet is correspondingly located under the attractable element for providing a magnetic force, so that the attractable element is attracted and positioned by the magnetic force.

A luminous keyboard includes a key structure, a supporting plate, a switch circuit board, a light guide plate, a top-view light-emitting element and a reflecting element. The supporting plate includes a supporting plate opening. The supporting plate is located under the key structure. The switch circuit board is located over the supporting plate. The light guide plate is located under the supporting plate, and includes a light guide plate opening. The top-view light-emitting element is inserted into the light guide plate opening. The reflecting element is arranged between the top-view light-emitting element and the key structure. After the light beam is transmitted through the supporting plate opening, the light beam is transmitted through the switch circuit board and reflected to the light guide plate by the reflecting element. Then, the light beam is guided to a periphery region of the key structure by the light guide plate.

A key structure includes a membrane switch circuit member, a rubbery elastomer, a housing, a triggering element, a metallic elastic element and a keycap. The keycap is disposed on the triggering element. The rubbery elastomer is disposed on the membrane switch circuit member. The housing is located over the rubbery elastomer. The triggering element is movable relative to the housing. The metallic elastic element is contacted with the triggering element. While the keycap is depressed, the triggering element is moved relative to the housing to press the metallic elastic element. While the metallic elastic element is pushed by the triggering element, the metallic elastic element is swung to collide with the triggering element. Consequently, a click sound is generated.

A key module includes a base plate, a circuit layer and a lifting mechanism. The circuit layer is disposed on the base plate. The lifting mechanism is pivotally connected with the base plate relative to the circuit layer, and the lifting mechanism has an abutment element. The abutment element could interfere with the circuit layer to reduce the noise generated by the key module during operation.

A switch structure includes: first and second guided portions extending from a head at different positions relative to the head; first and second restriction portions provided in the housing and facing the first and second guided portions, respectively. During pressing of the head, the first guided portion moves while being guided by the first restriction portion, and the second guided portion moves while being guided by the second restriction portion, and a direction of movement of the first guided portion is restricted by the first restriction portion and is not parallel to a direction of movement of the second guided portion that is restricted by the second restriction portion.

Embodiments herein provide haptic button assemblies with a shape memory alloy actuator (SMA) in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.

Embodiments herein provide haptic button assemblies with a shape memory alloy actuator (SMA) in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.

A keyboard key structure comprises a lower casing, an upper casing, a press shaft and a spring; the lower casing comprises a base and two hooks extend upward from the base; the upper casing comprises a top wall, an annular peripheral wall around the periphery of the top wall, and a through opening from the top wall, and is further provided with two see-through slots arranged on both sides of the through opening and the hooks are buckled in the see-through slots so that the lower casing and the upper casing are assembled vertically to form an internal cavity; the press shaft is contained in the cavity, and the top of the press shaft passes through the through opening; and the spring is contained in the cavity and elastically supported between the lower casing and the press shaft.

A keyboard key structure comprises a lower casing, an upper casing, a press shaft and a spring; the lower casing comprises a base and two hooks extend upward from the base; the upper casing comprises a top wall, an annular peripheral wall around the periphery of the top wall, and a through opening from the top wall, and is further provided with two see-through slots arranged on both sides of the through opening and the hooks are buckled in the see-through slots so that the lower casing and the upper casing are assembled vertically to form an internal cavity; the press shaft is contained in the cavity, and the top of the press shaft passes through the through opening; and the spring is contained in the cavity and elastically supported between the lower casing and the press shaft.