What is presented is a key module (120) for a keyboard (100). The key module (120) comprises at least one guide unit (230) formed to guide movement of an actuation unit (125) of the key module (120) between a rest position actuated position upon actuation of the key module (120). The key module (120) also comprises at least one spring element (240) for biasing the actuation unit (125) of the key module (120) into the rest position. The key module (120) further comprises means (315) for dampening mechanical vibrations of the spring element (240) at least when the actuation unit (125) is in the rest position.

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 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 keyboard and a notebook computer with the keyboard are provided. The keyboard is installed on the notebook computer. The keyboard includes a membrane circuit board, a key frame, a key, a linking rod and a fixing plate. The linking rod is connected with the key frame. The fixing plate is disposed under the key frame. While the linking rod is rotated relative to the key frame to push the key frame, a position-limiting structure of the key frame is moved along a guiding structure of the fixing plate. Consequently, the key frame is limited to be moved in a first axial direction. Moreover, when the key frame is moved to a locked position at the same level with a keycap of the key, the keycap cannot be pressed down.

A keyboard device is disclosed. The keyboard device includes a base, a key top, a film actuator, a position sensor, and a controller. The key top is movably arranged on the upper surface side of the base. Disposed between the base and the key top, the film actuator bends according to an applied voltage. Also disposed between the base and the key top, the position sensor detects a position of the key top. The controller applies a voltage to the film actuator in order to generate a repulsive force corresponding to the position of the key top detected by the position sensor.

An illuminant keyboard and a method thereof are provided. A plurality of protruding walls substantially parallel to each other are disposed on one of an upper surface of the transparent plate, a lower surface of the transparent plate and an upper surface of the planar light source. The protruding walls may be either I-shaped, L-shaped, U-shaped or square-shaped. When the protruding walls are made of an opaque material, the protruding walls can effectively reduce the intensity of the halo light surrounding a transparent keycap. When the protruding walls are made of a transparent material with a designated color, the halo light surrounding the keycap will be modulated with the designated color.

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.

A key structure includes a supporting plate, a keycap, a scissors-type connecting element, a movable element and a coupling structure. The keycap is disposed over the supporting plate. The coupling structure is connected with the scissors-type connecting element and the movable element. For operating the key structure, the cooperation of the movable element and the coupling structure allows the keycap to be at a higher first height. Consequently, the tactile feel of depressing the key structure is enhanced. Moreover, the cooperation of the movable element and the coupling structure can lower the height of the keycap. Consequently, the key structure has a slim appearance.

A keyswitch structure includes a keycap support mechanism and a keycap that is supported by the keycap support mechanism in a vertical direction. The keycap support mechanism includes a base and two supports. The base has two sliding slots. Each sliding slot has an opening in a horizontal direction and an obstruction block at the opening. The horizontal direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction. Each support has a sliding portion and a linkage portion. The sliding portions slide parallel to the horizontal direction in the sliding slots correspondingly. The obstruction block prevents the corresponding sliding portion from disengaging from the corresponding sliding slot. The two linkage portions push against each other in line contact, so that the two supports are mutually driven through the two linkage portions.