An electronic device includes an enclosure and a keyboard positioned within the enclosure. The keyboard includes a substrate and a key mechanism. The key mechanism includes a keycap support mechanism, a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate, a ferromagnetic component attached to the keycap support mechanism, and a selectively magnetizable magnet. The selectively magnetizable magnet system may include a magnetizable material and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material. The key mechanism may include a collapsible dome biasing the keycap toward the extended position.

A switch apparatus, includes: a base module including a base case, and a moving magnet movably mounted in the base case; and a manipulation module including a manipulation case, and a first magnet fixedly mounted in the manipulation case, wherein the moving magnet moves between a hold position and a releasable position, the hold position refers to a position in which the manipulation module is held onto the base module as an attractive force acts between the moving magnet and the first magnet, and the releasable position refers to a position in which the manipulation module is releasable from the base module as a repulsive force acts between the moving magnet and the first magnet.

A key structure includes an upper cover, a movable element, an elastic element, a pressure sensing module, a base, and a circuit board. The pressure sensing module is arranged on the base, and the pressure sensing module is electrically connected with the circuit board. The pressure sensing module includes a pressure sensing element and a conducting element, and the pressure sensing element is configured for contacting with the movable element after being pressed, monitoring a pressure on the movable element, and converting the pressure into a pressure signal; the conducting element is configured for conducting the pressure signal to the circuit board.

A key structure which is adjustable in pressing force required and in duration of key pushback includes a circuit board, a keycap, a first magnetic member, an elastic member, a membrane switch, and a second magnetic member. The keycap includes an extending portion. The membrane switch is spaced apart from the first magnetic member, and the elastic member buffers the first magnetic member against the membrane switch. The second magnetic member is disposed between the membrane switch and the circuit board. When energized, the second magnetic member generates magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion to the first magnetic member. A pressing force required on the key structure and a rebound force and a delay of rebound can be dynamically adjusted by a direction and magnitude of a current applied to the second magnetic member. A key device including the key structure is also disclosed.

A key structure which is adjustable in pressing force required and in duration of key pushback includes a circuit board, a keycap, a first magnetic member, an elastic member, a membrane switch, and a second magnetic member. The keycap includes an extending portion. The membrane switch is spaced apart from the first magnetic member, and the elastic member buffers the first magnetic member against the membrane switch. The second magnetic member is disposed between the membrane switch and the circuit board. When energized, the second magnetic member generates magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion to the first magnetic member. A pressing force required on the key structure and a rebound force and a delay of rebound can be dynamically adjusted by a direction and magnitude of a current applied to the second magnetic member. A key device including the key structure is also disclosed.

Keycaps for keyboards that have transparent top portions have a set of layered components to define a top surface that provides key definition by curvature, texture, ridges, or other external structural features. Other portions of the keycaps define a glyph or support structure for the top layer. Features such as angle filters and partially reflective materials are implemented to improve the visibility, contrast, and reflectivity of the keycaps. Multiple methods are used to bend or otherwise modify rigid transparent materials such as glass in order to add surface features and to improve aesthetics of the keycaps of a keyboard.

Keycaps for keyboards that have transparent top portions have a set of layered components to define a top surface that provides key definition by curvature, texture, ridges, or other external structural features. Other portions of the keycaps define a glyph or support structure for the top layer. Features such as angle filters and partially reflective materials are implemented to improve the visibility, contrast, and reflectivity of the keycaps. Multiple methods are used to bend or otherwise modify rigid transparent materials such as glass in order to add surface features and to improve aesthetics of the keycaps of a keyboard.

A restoration assembly of a button switch includes first and second sleeves, and a spring disposed between the two sleeves. A first outer diameter of the first sleeve is less than a second inner diameter of the second sleeve to make the second sleeve movably jacket outside the first sleeve. The jacketed first and second sleeves are disposed between a key cap and a base of the button switch. The spring has a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle section. A middle outer diameter of the middle section of the spring is larger than a first inner diameter of the first sleeve. During the spring being compressed along with the key cap being pressed downward, the middle section is squeezed to shrink and slide into the first sleeve through an end edge of the first sleeve, thereby producing a tactile feedback and/or a first sound.

An assemblable keyboard includes plural assemblable keys and a main control key. Each assemblable key can be triggered to generate a key signal. The assemblable key includes a pedestal, a key structure and a conductive structure. The main control key includes a key processor and a transmission interface. The assemblable key includes plural coupling structures with the conductive structure. Every two adjacent assemblable keys are combined together and electrically connected with each other through the corresponding coupling structures. After the key signal generated by each assemblable key is transmitted to the main control key, the key signal is further outputted to a computer host. The layout space of the assemblable keyboard is reduced. Moreover, the assembling flexibility of the keyboard is enhanced.

An assemblable keyboard includes plural assemblable keys and a main control key. Each assemblable key can be triggered to generate a key signal. The assemblable key includes a pedestal, a key structure and a conductive structure. The main control key includes a key processor and a transmission interface. The assemblable key includes plural coupling structures with the conductive structure. Every two adjacent assemblable keys are combined together and electrically connected with each other through the corresponding coupling structures. After the key signal generated by each assemblable key is transmitted to the main control key, the key signal is further outputted to a computer host. The layout space of the assemblable keyboard is reduced. Moreover, the assembling flexibility of the keyboard is enhanced.