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.

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.

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 shaft and a keyboard are provided. The shaft includes a shaft casing having a shaft cavity running theretrough, a shaft core and a first elastic part. A downward surface of the shaft casing is provided with a groove, a partition board is provided between the groove and the shaft cavity, and the partition board is provided with a channel in a direction of the shaft cavity. The shaft core slidably penetrates through the shaft cavity, a sliding protrusion corresponding to the channel in position is provided on a side surface of the shaft core, and the sliding protrusion has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface which are arranged back to back; the first elastic part is mounted in the groove, and has a fixed end detachably connected with the shaft casing and an abutting end capable of abutting against the first inclined surface at the channel.

A shaft and a keyboard are provided. The shaft includes a shaft casing having a shaft cavity running theretrough, a shaft core and a first elastic part. A downward surface of the shaft casing is provided with a groove, a partition board is provided between the groove and the shaft cavity, and the partition board is provided with a channel in a direction of the shaft cavity. The shaft core slidably penetrates through the shaft cavity, a sliding protrusion corresponding to the channel in position is provided on a side surface of the shaft core, and the sliding protrusion has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface which are arranged back to back; the first elastic part is mounted in the groove, and has a fixed end detachably connected with the shaft casing and an abutting end capable of abutting against the first inclined surface at the channel.

An illuminated keyswitch includes a keycap, a pair of frames adapted to support the keycap in an up-down movement, the pair of frames disposed corresponding to each other and substantially rotatably coupled to each other to define an inner space under the keycap, a pair of elastic members connecting the pair of frames to be located at two opposite sides of the inner space, respectively, and an illumination light source disposed between the pair of elastic members in the inner space and adapted to provide an illumination light. During the up-down movement of the keycap, a vertical projection of the pair of frames surrounds the inner space without interfering therewith, so the illumination light passes the inner space to illuminate the keycap.

Embodiments of keyboards having variations of electrically connecting keys to an internal component of an electronic device are described. Some embodiments include positioning several rows of conductive layers below several rows of keys. The conductive layers may be configured to receive a signal indicating a key has been depressed. Also, the internal component may be configured to scan the conductive layers to determine whether a key or keys have been depressed. In some embodiments, the conductive layers lie outside a portion of the electronic device in which internal components are traditionally located. In some embodiments, a substrate may be integrally connected with the keyboard. The substrate may receive some internal components of the electronic device.

Embodiments of keyboards having variations of electrically connecting keys to an internal component of an electronic device are described. Some embodiments include positioning several rows of conductive layers below several rows of keys. The conductive layers may be configured to receive a signal indicating a key has been depressed. Also, the internal component may be configured to scan the conductive layers to determine whether a key or keys have been depressed. In some embodiments, the conductive layers lie outside a portion of the electronic device in which internal components are traditionally located. In some embodiments, a substrate may be integrally connected with the keyboard. The substrate may receive some internal components of the electronic device.