A base element and at least one switching element are included in an operator control device which may be disposed in a vehicle. By closing at least one electrical contact, the switching element is moveable from a first position into a second position relative to the base element. The operator control device can also include at least one pushbutton switch moveable relative to the base element between a position of rest and at least one activation position. The operator control device can further include at least one restoring element, formed of silicone and supported on the base element and on the pushbutton switch, which can be elastically deformed by moving the pushbutton switch from the position of rest into the activation position. Using the restoring element, the pushbutton switch can be moved from the activation position into the position of rest by relaxing the restoring element.

A haptic peripheral includes a housing and a haptically-enhanced user input element. The haptically-enhanced user input element is configured to receive an input from a user, and includes a mechanical key having a keycap with a user contact surface configured to contact the user and a smart material actuator integrated onto the user contact surface of the keycap. The smart material actuator is configured to receive a control signal from a processor and is configured to deform at least a portion of the user contact surface relative to the keycap of the mechanical key in response to the control signal from the processor to thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the haptic peripheral. The haptic peripheral may also include a braking actuator coupled to the mechanical key to hold the mechanical key in a depressed position to indicate an inactive status to a user. In addition, the haptic peripheral and the haptically-enhanced user input element may be modular.

Provided are a switch module and a push switch that have a soft sensation when pressed. A push switch and a switch module have a substrate, a first fixed contact point disposed on the substrate surface, a second fixed contact point disposed around the first fixed contact point on the substrate surface, a convex dome-shaped upper spring disposed on the substrate surface so that an end part is in contact with the second fixed contact point, the upper spring being pressed so as to invert the dome shape and to establish conduction between the first fixed contact point and the second fixed contact point, and a lower spring disposed below the upper spring, the lower spring adjusting the operation load applied to the upper spring during inversion of the dome shape.

Provided are a switch module and a push switch that have a soft sensation when pressed. A push switch and a switch module have a substrate, a first fixed contact point disposed on the substrate surface, a second fixed contact point disposed around the first fixed contact point on the substrate surface, a convex dome-shaped upper spring disposed on the substrate surface so that an end part is in contact with the second fixed contact point, the upper spring being pressed so as to invert the dome shape and to establish conduction between the first fixed contact point and the second fixed contact point, and a lower spring disposed below the upper spring, the lower spring adjusting the operation load applied to the upper spring during inversion of the dome shape.

A key structure is provided, including a housing, a shaft body, a first magnetic component and a second magnetic component. The housing has a bottom portion and a top portion which are opposite to each other, and has a first opening located at the top portion. The shaft body is coupled with the housing by passing through the first opening, and the shaft body is suitable for being pressed to move in a pressing direction from the top portion to the bottom portion. The first magnetic component is arranged on the shaft body. The second magnetic component is arranged on the housing. The first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are separated by the housing.

A keyswitch structure includes a baseplate having a switch opening, a keycap movably disposed above the baseplate, a circuit board disposed on the baseplate, the circuit board having a through hole, and a mechanical switch disposed below the keycap, the mechanical switch extending through the through hole to be partially received in the switch opening and electrically coupled to the circuit board, wherein when the keycap moves toward the baseplate, the keycap triggers the mechanical switch.

A tactile sense presenting device that includes a piezoelectric film, a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm. The piezoelectric film deforms in a planar direction when a voltage is applied thereto. The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm sandwich the piezoelectric film. Opposed ends of the first diaphragm and opposed ends of the second diaphragm are fixed, respectively, to opposed ends of the piezoelectric film such that the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are in a warped state.

A keyboard and a notebook computer with the keyboard are provided. The keyboard includes a membrane circuit board and plural keys. Each key includes a keycap, a bulge and a key frame. The bulge is connected with the keycap. The key frame has a guiding groove corresponding to the bulge. When the keyboard is in a usage status, the bulge is not pushed by the guiding groove and thus the keycap is at a higher position. Since the keycap is at the higher position, the movable distance of the keycap is increased and the tactile feel of depressing the keycap is enhanced. While a top cover of the notebook computer is closed to cover the keyboard, the key frame is moved horizontally. As the bulge is pushed by the guiding surface of the guiding groove, the height of the keycap is lowered.

A keyboard and a notebook computer with the keyboard are provided. The keyboard includes a membrane circuit board and plural keys. Each key includes a keycap, a bulge and a key frame. The bulge is connected with the keycap. The key frame has a guiding groove corresponding to the bulge. When the keyboard is in a usage status, the bulge is not pushed by the guiding groove and thus the keycap is at a higher position. Since the keycap is at the higher position, the movable distance of the keycap is increased and the tactile feel of depressing the keycap is enhanced. While a top cover of the notebook computer is closed to cover the keyboard, the key frame is moved horizontally. As the bulge is pushed by the guiding surface of the guiding groove, the height of the keycap is lowered.

A keyboard includes a base plate, plural keycaps, plural scissors-type connecting elements and a sliding plate. Each scissors-type connecting element has a bulge. The gliding plate has plural position-limiting structures. The keyboard is installed on a notebook computer and connected with a top cover of the notebook computer. For operating the keyboard, the bulge is received in a first step part of the position-limiting structure. Consequently, the keycap is at a higher height. Since the keycap is at a higher height, the movable distance of the keycap is large enough to provide better tactile feel. For storing the keyboard, the bulge of the scissors-type connecting element is moved to the second step part of the position-limiting structure. Consequently, the height of the keycap is reduced, and the keyboard has a slim appearance.