Keyboard device

Abstract

A keyboard device includes a base plate and a key structure. The base plate includes a first coupling part. The first coupling part includes a first locking hole. The key structure includes a keycap, a stabilizer bar and a first connecting element. The stabilizer bar is arranged between the keycap and the base plate. The stabilizer bar includes a transverse bar part and a first hook part. The transverse bar part is pivotally coupled to the keycap. The first hook part is penetrated through the first locking hole of the first coupling part. The first connecting element includes a first supporting structure. The first supporting structure is arranged between the first hook part of the stabilizer bar and the base plate. The first hook part is supported by the first supporting structure. Consequently, the first hook part is contacted with an inner wall of the first locking hole.

Claims

1. A keyboard device, comprising: a base plate comprising a first coupling part, wherein the first coupling part comprises a first locking hole; and a key structure comprising: a keycap located over the base plate; a stabilizer bar arranged between the keycap and the base plate, wherein the stabilizer bar comprises a transverse bar part and a first hook part, wherein the transverse bar part is pivotally coupled to the keycap, and the first hook part is penetrated through the first locking hole of the first coupling part; and a first connecting element and a second connecting element arranged between the keycap and the base plate, wherein the keycap is movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the base plate through the first connecting element, and the first connecting element comprises a first supporting structure, wherein the first supporting structure is arranged between the first hook part of the stabilizer bar and the base plate, and the first hook part is supported by the first supporting structure, so that the first hook part is contacted with an inner wall of the first locking hole, wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element are scissors-type connecting elements.

2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting element is located beside the first connecting element, wherein the keycap is movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the base plate through the first connecting element and the second connecting element, and the second connecting element comprises a second supporting structure.

3. The keyboard device according to claim 2, wherein the base plate further comprises a second coupling part, and the second coupling part comprises a second locking hole, wherein the stabilizer bar further comprises a second hook part, and the second hook part is penetrated through the second locking hole of the second coupling part, wherein the second supporting structure of the second connecting element is arranged between the second hook part of the stabilizer bar and the base plate, and the second hook part is supported by the second supporting structure, so that the second hook part is contacted with an inner wall of the second locking hole.

4. The keyboard device according to claim 3, wherein the first supporting structure of the first connecting element has a first supporting surface, and the second supporting structure of the second connecting element has a second supporting surface, wherein the first hook part of the stabilizer bar is contacted with the first supporting surface, and there is a first included angle between the first hook part of the stabilizer bar and the first supporting surface, wherein the second hook part of the stabilizer bar is contacted with the second supporting surface, and there is a second included angle between the second hook part of the stabilizer bar and the second supporting surface.

5. The keyboard device according to claim 4, wherein while the keycap is moved upwardly or downwardly relative to the base plate through the first connecting element and the second connecting element, the stabilizer bar is correspondingly swung, wherein as the stabilizer bar is swung, the first hook part of the stabilizer bar is slid along the first supporting surface of the first supporting structure and the inner wall of the first locking hole, and the second hook part of the stabilizer bar is slid along the second supporting surface of the second supporting structure and the inner wall of the second locking hole.

6. The keyboard device according to claim 4, wherein while the keycap is moved downwardly relative to the base plate through the first connecting element and the second connecting element and the keycap is moved to a terminal point of a travel distance, the first supporting surface of the first supporting structure is in parallel with the first hook part of the stabilizer bar, and the second supporting surface of the second supporting structure is in parallel with the second hook part of the stabilizer bar.

7. The keyboard device according to claim 2, wherein the first connecting element further comprises a first outer frame and a first inner frame pivotally coupled to the first outer frame, and the second connecting element further comprises a second outer frame and a second inner frame pivotally coupled to the second outer frame, wherein while the keycap is moved downwardly or upwardly relative to the base plate through the first connecting element and the second connecting element, the first outer frame and the first inner frame are correspondingly swung by using a pivotal region between the first outer frame and the first inner frame as a fulcrum, and the second outer frame and the second inner frame are correspondingly swung by using a pivotal region between the second outer frame and the second inner frame as the fulcrum.

8. The keyboard device according to claim 7, wherein the first outer frame of the first connecting element has a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposed to the first lateral side, and the second outer frame of the second connecting element has a third lateral side and a fourth lateral side opposed to the third lateral side, wherein the second lateral side of the first outer frame and the third lateral side of the second outer frame face each other, the first supporting structure is located at the first lateral side of the first outer frame, and the second supporting structure is located at the fourth lateral side of the second outer frame.

9. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard device further comprises a switch circuit board, and the switch circuit board is arranged between the key structure and the base plate, wherein when the switch circuit board is triggered by the key structure, the switch circuit board generates a key signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic top view illustrating the outer appearance of a conventional keyboard device;

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion of the keyboard device of FIG. 1 and taken along a viewpoint;

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion of the keyboard device of FIG. 1 and taken along another viewpoint;

(4) FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the actions of the stabilizer bar of the keyboard device as shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged view illustrating the connection between a hook part of the stabilizer bar and the corresponding first locking hole of the first coupling part as shown in FIG. 4;

(6) FIG. 6 is a schematic top view illustrating the outer appearance of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a key structure of the keyboard device as shown in FIG. 6;

(8) FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the key structure of the keyboard device as shown in FIG. 7 and taken along a viewpoint;

(9) FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the key structure of the keyboard device as shown in FIG. 7 and taken along another viewpoint;

(10) FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the key structure as shown in FIG. 7 and taken along the line AA; and

(11) FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the key structure as shown in FIG. 10 and in a depressed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(12) Please refer to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view illustrating the outer appearance of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a key structure of the keyboard device as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the key structure of the keyboard device as shown in FIG. 7 and taken along a viewpoint. FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the key structure of the keyboard device as shown in FIG. 7 and taken along another viewpoint. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the key structure as shown in FIG. 7 and taken along the line AA. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the key structure as shown in FIG. 10 and in a depressed state.

(13) As shown in FIG. 6, the keyboard device 2 comprises plural key structures 20 and 20′. The key structures 20′ are classified into some types, e.g., ordinary keys, numeric keys and function keys. When one of the key structures 20′ is depressed by the user's finger, the keyboard device 2 generates a corresponding key signal to a computer (not show), and thus the computer executes a function corresponding to the depressed key structure. For example, when an ordinary key is depressed, a corresponding English letter or symbol is inputted into the computer. When a numeric key is depressed, a corresponding number is inputted into the computer. In addition, the function keys (F1˜F12) can be programmed to provide various quick access functions. The key structure 20 is a Space key, a Shift key or any other similar multiple key with the larger area and length.

(14) In the following embodiment, a portion of the keyboard device 2 will be described. Particularly, the key structure 20 of the keyboard device 2 as shown in FIG. 6 will be described as follows. For succinctness, only one key structure 20 and related components are shown in the drawings.

(15) Please refer to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. In addition to the key structure 20, the keyboard device 2 further comprises a base plate 21 and a switch circuit board 22. The base plate 21 is located under the key structure 20. The switch circuit board 22 is arranged between the key structure 20 and the base plate 21. The base plate 21 comprises a first coupling part 211 and a second coupling part 212. The first coupling part 211 and the second coupling part 212 are protruded upwardly from the base plate 21. The first coupling part 211 comprises a first locking hole 2110. The second coupling part 212 comprises a second locking hole 2120. When the switch circuit board 22 is triggered by the key structure 20, the switch circuit board 22 generates a key signal. Preferably but not exclusively, the base plate 21 is made of metallic material, and the switch circuit board 22 is a combination of a membrane circuit board and a membrane switch.

(16) Please refer to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. In this embodiment, the key structure 20 comprises a keycap 201, a stabilizer bar 202, a first connecting element 203 and a second connecting element 204.

(17) The keycap 201 is located over the base plate 21. The stabilizer bar 202 is arranged between the keycap 201 and the base plate 21. The stabilizer bar 202 comprises a transverse bar part 2020, a first hook part 2021 and a second hook part 2022. The transverse bar part 2020 of the stabilizer bar 202 is pivotally coupled to the keycap 201. The first hook part 2021 is connected with the first coupling part 211 of the base plate 21. That is, the first hook part 2021 is penetrated through the first locking hole 2110 of the first coupling part 211. The second hook part 2022 is connected with the second coupling part 212 of the base plate 21. That is, the second hook part 2022 is penetrated through the second locking hole 2120 of the second coupling part 212. Preferably but not exclusively, the transverse bar part 2020, the first hook part 2021 and the second hook part 2022 are integrally formed as a one-piece structure, and these components are made of metallic material.

(18) The first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204 are arranged between the keycap 201 and the base plate 21. Particularly, a portion of the first connecting element 203 and a portion of the second connecting element 204 are penetrated through corresponding hollow portions of the switch circuit board 22 and connected with the base plate 21. Moreover, the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204 are arranged beside two opposite sides of the base plate 21, respectively. The keycap 201 is movable upwardly or downwardly relative to be base plate 21 through the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204.

(19) The first connecting element 203 comprises a first supporting structure 2030. The second connecting element 204 comprises a second supporting structure 2040. The first supporting structure 2030 is arranged between the first hook part 2021 of the stabilizer bar 202 and the base plate 21. The first hook part 2021 is supported by the first supporting structure 2030. Consequently, the first hook part 2021 is contacted with an inner wall W1 of the first locking hole 2110. That is, since the position of the first hook part 2021 is limited by the first supporting structure 2030, the first hook part 2021 is continuously contacted with the inner wall W1 of the first locking hole 2110. The second supporting structure 2040 is arranged between the second hook part 2022 of the stabilizer bar 202 and the base plate 21. The second hook part 2022 is supported by the second supporting structure 2040. Consequently, the second hook part 2022 is contacted with an inner wall W2 of the second locking hole 2120. That is, since the position of the second hook part 2022 is limited by the second supporting structure 2040, the second hook part 2022 is continuously contacted with the inner wall W2 of the second locking hole 2120.

(20) Please refer to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 again. The first connecting element 203 further comprises a first outer frame 2031 and a first inner frame 2032, which are pivotally coupled to each other. The second connecting element 204 further comprises a second outer frame 2041 and a second inner frame 2042, which are pivotally coupled to each other. While the keycap 201 is moved downwardly or upwardly relative to the base plate 21, the first outer frame 2031 and the first inner frame 2032 are correspondingly swung relative to the pivotal region (i.e., a fulcrum) between the first outer frame 2031 and the first inner frame 2032, and the second outer frame 2041 and the second inner frame 2042 are correspondingly swung relative to the pivotal region (i.e., a fulcrum) between the second outer frame 2041 and the second inner frame 2042.

(21) The first outer frame 2031 of the first connecting element 203 has a first lateral side S1 and a second lateral side S2, which are opposed to each other. The second outer frame 2041 of the second connecting element 204 has a third lateral side S3 and a fourth lateral side S4, which are opposed to each other. The second lateral side S2 of the first outer frame 2031 and the third lateral side S3 of the second outer frame 2041 face each other. The first supporting structure 2030 of the first connecting element 203 is located at the first lateral side S1 of the first outer frame 2031 (i.e., the external side of the first outer frame 2031). The second supporting structure 2040 of the second connecting element 204 is located at the fourth lateral side S4 of the second outer frame 2041. Preferably but not exclusively, the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204 are scissors-type connecting elements.

(22) Please refer to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 again. The first supporting structure 2030 of the first connecting element 203 has a first supporting surface F1. The second supporting structure 2040 of the second connecting element 204 has a second supporting surface F2. The first hook part 2021 of the stabilizer bar 202 is supported on and contacted with the first supporting surface F1 of the first supporting structure 2030. The second hook part 2022 of the stabilizer bar 202 is supported on and contacted with the second supporting surface F2 of the second supporting structure 2040.

(23) In the above embodiment, the key structure 20 comprises a single stabilizer bar 202. It is noted that the number of the stabilizer bar is int restricted. For example, in another embodiment, the key structure comprises two or more stabilizer bars. For example, an additional stabilizer bar is located at a position opposite to the stabilizer bar 202, or at least one additional stabilizer bar is arranged between the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204.

(24) The operations of the key structure 20 will be described in more details as follows.

(25) Please refer to FIG. 10. Before the keycap 201 of the key structure 20 is pressed down, the first hook part 2021 of the stabilizer bar 202 is supported on and contacted with the first supporting surface F1 of the first supporting structure 2030. Under this circumstance, there is a first included angle θ1 between the first hook part 2021 of the stabilizer bar 202 and the first supporting surface F1 of the first supporting structure 2030. While the keycap 201 of the key structure 20 is pressed down and the keycap 201 is moved downwardly relative to the base plate 21 through the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204, the transverse bar part 2020 of the stabilizer bar 202 is moved downwardly with the keycap 201. As the transverse bar part 2020 of the stabilizer bar 202 is moved downwardly, the first hook part 2021 of the stabilizer bar 202 is swung downwardly and slid along the first supporting surface F1 of the first supporting structure 2030 and the inner wall W1 of the first locking hole 2110 in a direction D. In other words, the first included angle θ1 between the first hook part 2021 of the stabilizer bar 202 and the first supporting surface F1 of the first supporting structure 2030 is gradually decreased.

(26) Please refer to FIG. 11. As the keycap 201 of the key structure 20 is moved downwardly relative to the base plate 21 through the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204 and moved to the terminal point T of the travel distance, the first supporting surface F1 of the first supporting structure 2030 is in parallel with the first hook part 2021 of the stabilizer bar 202. Under this circumstance, the first included angle θ1 between the first hook part 2021 of the stabilizer bar 202 and the first supporting surface F1 of the first supporting structure 2030 is 0 degree.

(27) Moreover, the actions of the second connecting element 204 cooperating with the second hook part 2022 are similar to the actions of the first connecting element 203 cooperating with the first hook part 2021 of the stabilizer bar 202. In most situations, the actions of the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204 are synchronous. For succinctness, only the actions of the first connecting element 203 cooperating with the first hook part 2021 of the stabilizer bar 202 are shown and described in FIGS. 10 and 11. Similarly, before the keycap 201 of the key structure 20 is pressed down, the second hook part 2022 of the stabilizer bar 202 is supported on and contacted with the second supporting surface F2 of the second supporting structure 2040. Under this circumstance, there is a second included angle θ2 between the second hook part 2022 of the stabilizer bar 202 and the second supporting surface F2 of the second supporting structure 2040. The second included angle θ2 is equal to the first included angle θ1. While the keycap 201 of the key structure 20 is pressed down and the keycap 201 is moved downwardly relative to the base plate 21 through the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204, the transverse bar part 2020 of the stabilizer bar 202 is moved downwardly with the keycap 201. As the transverse bar part 2020 of the stabilizer bar 202 is moved downwardly, the second hook part 2022 of the stabilizer bar 202 is swung downwardly and slid along the second supporting surface F2 of the second supporting structure 2040 and the inner wall W2 of the second locking hole 2120 in the direction D.

(28) As mentioned above, the first hook part 2021 and the second hook part 2022 of the stabilizer bar 202 are supported on and contacted with the first supporting structure 2030 of the first connecting element 203 and the second supporting structure 2040 of second connecting element 204, respectively. Consequently, while the first hook part 2021 and the second hook part 2022 are swung downwardly and slid in the direction D, the first supporting structure 2030 and the second supporting structure 2040 are pressed by the first hook part 2021 and the second hook part 2022, respectively. In this way, the first hook part 2021 and the second hook part 2022 provide downward pressing forces to the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204 through the first supporting structure 2030 and the second supporting structure 2040. That is, while the keycap 201 of the key structure 20 is moved downwardly relative to the base plate 21 through the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204, the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204 are swung downwardly with the movement of the keycap 201, and the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204 are swung downwardly with the assistance of the downward pressing forces of the first hook part 2021 and the second hook part 2022 of the stabilizer bar 202. Due to this structural design, the key structure 20 can provide good tactile feel.

(29) As mentioned above, while the first hook part 2021 and the second hook part 2022 are slid, the first supporting surface F1 of the first supporting structure 2030 and the second supporting surface F2 of the second supporting structure 2040 continuously provide proper supporting forces to the first hook part 2021 and the second hook part 2022, respectively. Since the first hook part 2021 and the second hook part 2022 are continuously contacted with the inner wall W1 of the first locking hole 2110 and the inner wall W2 of the second locking hole 2120 during the sliding process, no gaps are generated. In other words, the stabilizer bar 202 can effectively support the keycap 201. Consequently, even if the corner of the keycap 201 is pressed down, the problem of causing the empty travel distance will be overcome.

(30) In the above embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6 to 11, the key structure 20 is a Space key, a Shift key or any other similar multiple key with the larger area and length. Alternatively, the key structure 20 of the present invention may be applied to an ordinary key of imputing an English letter or a symbol, a numeric key for inputting a number or a function key for providing a quick access function. That is, the applications of the key structure of the present invention are not restricted. In the above embodiment, the key structure 20 comprises the first connecting element 203 and the second connecting element 204. In some embodiments, the above concepts can be applied to the key structure 20′ as shown in FIG. 6. Since the area and length of the key structure 20′ are smaller than the area and length of the key structure 20, the key structure 20′ with a single connecting element is feasible.

(31) From the above descriptions, the present invention provides a keyboard device. In the key structure of the keyboard device, the supporting structure of the connecting element is used to support the stabilizer bar and limit the position of the stabilizer bar. Consequently, after the stabilizer bar is penetrated through the coupling part of the base plate, the stabilizer bar is closely contacted with the inner wall of the coupling part. Due to this structural design, the stabilizer bar can effectively support the keycap. Consequently, even if the corner of the keycap is pressed down, the problem of causing the empty travel distance will be overcome.

(32) While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications and similar structures.