Key stem for a key module of a key for a keyboard, key module of a key for a keyboard, and method for manufacturing a key module for a key for a keyboard

Abstract

A key stem for a key module of a key for a keyboard is proposed. The key stem has a coupling section for coupling a key button thereto, and a guidance section for guiding a key stem into a receiving section of the key module when the key stem is actuated between a standby position and an actuation position. The key stem is includes at least one elastically deformable end stop element, which is disposed on the guidance section and is designed to bear against at least one end stop section of the key module when the key stem is actuated into the actuation position. The key stem also includes at least one elastically deformable return stop element, which is disposed on the guidance section and is designed to bear against at least one return stop section of the key module when the key stem has been actuated back into the standby position.

Claims

1. A key stem for a key module of a key for a keyboard comprising: a coupling section for coupling a key button thereto; a guidance section for guiding the key stem into a receiving section of the key module when the key stem is actuated between a standby position and an actuation position; at least one elastically deformable end stop element, which is disposed on the guidance section and is designed to bear against at least one end stop section of the key module when the key stem is actuated into the actuation position; at least one elastically deformable return stop element, which is disposed in the guidance section and is designed to bear against at least one return stop section of the key module when the key stem is actuated back to the standby position; and wherein the key stem comprises a material for the at least one end stop element having a lower hardness than a material for the guidance section, and a material for the at least one return stop element having a lower hardness than the material for the guidance section.

2. The key stem according to claim 1, wherein the at least one end stop element comprises a rubber lip, and the at least one return stop element comprises a rubber lip.

3. The key stem according to claim 1, wherein the at least one end stop element is disposed in a first end region of the guidance section, facing away from the coupling section, and the at least one return stop element is disposed in a second end region of the guidance section, facing toward the coupling section.

4. The key stem according to claim 1, further comprising an actuation path for the key stem between the standby position and the actuation position, wherein the actuation path is a function of a thickness dimension of the at least one end stop element along an actuation axis of the key stem and a thickness dimension of the at least one return stop element along an actuation axis of the key stem.

5. The key stem according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of elastically deformable rocker stop elements, which are disposed on the guidance section and designed to bear against the receiving section of the key module when the key stem is actuated into the actuation position with a tilting actuation of the key stem with respect to the key module.

6. The key stem according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of rocker stop elements are adjacent to the at least one end stop element and/or are an integral part of the at least one end stop element.

7. The key stem according to claim 5, further comprising two return stop elements, two end stop elements and two pairs of rocker stop elements, wherein the first of the end stop elements is disposed between the first pair of rocker stop elements, and the second of the end stop elements is disposed between the second pair of rocker stop elements.

8. A key module of a key for a keyboard comprising: a key button; and a receiving section for receiving a key stem, wherein the key stem comprises a coupling section for coupling the key button and a guidance section that is received in the receiving section of the key module when they key stem is actuated between a standby position and an actuation position, and wherein the key stem comprises a material for the at least one end stop element having a lower hardness than a material for the guidance section, and a material for the at least one return stop element having a lower hardness than the material for the guidance section.

9. The key module according to claim 8, wherein the key stem further comprises at least one elastically deformable end stop element, which is disposed on the guidance section and is designed to bear against at least one end stop section of the key module when the key stem is actuated into the actuation position, and at least one elastically deformable return stop element, which is disposed in the guidance section and is designed to bear against at least one return top section of the key module when the key stem is actuated back to the standby position.

10. The key module according to claim 9, wherein the at least one end stop element has a rubber lip, and the at least one return stop element has a rubber lip.

11. The key module according to claim 9, wherein the at least one end stop element is disposed in a first end region of the guidance section, facing away from the coupling section, and the at least one return top element is disposed in a second end region of the guidance section, facing toward the coupling section.

12. The key module according to claim 9, wherein the key stem further comprises an actuation path for the key stem between the standby position and the actuation position, wherein the actuation path is a function of a thickness dimension of the at least one end stop element along an actuation axis of the key stem and a thickness dimension of the at least one return stop element along an actuation axis of the key stem.

13. The key module according to claim 9, wherein the key stem further comprises a plurality of elastically deformable rocker stop elements, which are disposed on the guidance section and designed to bear against the receiving section of the key module when the key stem is actuated into the actuation position with a tilting actuation of the key stem with respect to the key module.

14. A method for manufacturing a key module of a key for a keyboard, the method comprising: providing a key module comprising a key button, a receiving section for receiving a key stem, at least one end stop section, and at least one return stop section, wherein the key stem comprises a coupling section for coupling the key button and a guidance section for guiding the key stem into the receiving section of the key module, at least one end stop element, and at least one return stop element, and wherein the key stem comprises a material for the at least one end stop element having a lower hardness than a material for the guidance section, and a material for the at least one return stop element having a lower hardness than the material for the guidance section; and positioning the guidance section of the key stem in the receiving section of the key module, such that the at least one end stop element of the key stem is disposed between the guidance section of the key stem and the at least one end stop section of the key module, and the at least one return stop element of the key stem is disposed between the guidance section of the key stem and the at least one return stop section of the key module.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising positioning the at least one end stop element against the at least one end stop section of the key module to actuate the key stem into an actuation position.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising positioning the at least one return stop element against the at least one return stop section of the key module to actuate the key stem into a standby position.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the key stem further comprises a plurality of elastically deformable rocker stop elements, which are disposed on the guidance section and designed to bear against the receiving section of the key module when the key stem is actuated into the actuation position with a tilting actuation of the key stem with respect to the key module.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the key stem further comprises two return stop elements, two end stop elements and two pairs of rocker stop elements, wherein the first of the end stop elements is disposed between the first pair of rocker stop elements, and the second of the end stop elements is disposed between the second pair of rocker stop elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention shall be explained in greater detail based on the attached drawings. Therein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a key module according to an exemplary embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a key stem according to an exemplary embodiment;

(4) FIGS. 3A to 3C show a key module according to an exemplary embodiment in an actuated state;

(5) FIGS. 4a to 4C show a key module according to an exemplary embodiment when not actuated; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a flow chart for a method according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) In the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, identical or similar reference symbols are used for the elements depicted in the various figures and elements having similar functions, wherein a description of these elements shall not be repeated.

(8) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a key module 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The key module 100 has a module base 110, a module cover 120, a receiving section 130 and a key stem 140 having a coupling section 150 and a guidance section 160. The key module 100 is a part of a key for a keyboard, for example. The key stem 140 is, by way of example, the key stem shown in FIG. 2.

(9) The module base 110 and the module cover 120 are coupled to one another. The module base 110 and the module cover 120 form a main body of the key module thereby. The receiving section 130 of the key module 100 is designed as a shaft, which extends, starting from the module cover 120, through a portion of the main body of the key module 100.

(10) The key module 140 is partially received in the receiving section 130. The coupling section 150 is disposed, up to the key stem 140, outside of the main body of the key module 100 thereby. The coupling section 150 is designed to enable a coupling of a key button thereto. The guidance section 160 of the key stem 140 is at least partially received in the receiving section 130 of the key module 100 thereby.

(11) When actuated, the key stem 140 can move in relation to the main body of the key module 100 formed by the module base 110 and the module cover 120. Even when it is not explicitly visible in FIG. 1, an actuation axis of the key stem 140, along which the key stem 140 can move when actuated, extends along a longitudinal axis of the receiving section 130 of the key module 100.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a key stem 140 according to an exemplary embodiment. The key stem 140 is, by way of example, the key stem of the key module in FIG. 1. The key stem 140 has a coupling section 150, a guidance section 160, two, by way of example, end stop elements 270, of which only one is shown, due to the nature of the illustration, two, by way of example, return stop elements 280, of which only one is shown, due to the nature of the illustration, and four, by way of example, rocker stop elements 290, of which only three are shown, due to the nature of the illustration.

(13) Except for the end stop elements 270, the return stop elements 280 and the rocker stop elements 290, the key stem 140 is made, by way of example, from a hard plastic material. The end stop elements 270 are made, by way of example, from rubber or suchlike, and moreover, preferably as a single integrated component, or alternatively, from two integrated components.

(14) The key stem 140 has a rectangular base surface, starting from which the coupling section 150 extends in a first direction, and the guidance section 160 extends in a second direction, opposite the first direction. The coupling section 150 has a circular outline, and is extruded from the base surface in the first direction. The guidance section 160 has a box-shaped outer section, extruded in the second direction, having four lateral walls and a cylindrical inner section extruded in the second direction, encompassed at least in part by the outer section.

(15) The guidance section 160 has a first end region, facing away from the coupling section 150 and the base surface. The guidance section 160 also has a second end region, facing the coupling section 150 and adjacent to the base surface. The end stop elements 270, the return stop elements 280 and the rocker stop elements 290 are disposed on the guidance section 160. The end stop elements 270 and the rocker stop elements 290 are disposed thereby in the first end region of the guidance section 160. The return stop elements 280 are disposed in the second end region of the guidance section 160.

(16) A first of the end stop elements 270 is disposed between a first pair of the rocker stop elements 290. The first of the end stop elements 270 and the first pair of rocker stop elements 290 are designed as a first integrated component thereby. Furthermore, a second of the end stop elements 270 is disposed between a second pair of rocker stop elements 290. The second end stop element 270 and the second pair of rocker stop elements 290, by way of example, are designed as a second integrated component thereby. Alternatively, the first and second end stop elements 270, together with the return stop elements 280 and the first and second rocker stop elements 290, can be designed as a single, integral component.

(17) The first of the end stop elements 270 and the first pair of rocker stop elements 290 as well as a first of the return stop elements 280 are disposed on a first side wall of the outer section in the first end region of the guidance section 160. The second end stop element 270 and the second pair of rocker stop elements 290, as well as a second of the return stop elements 280 are disposed on a second side wall, lying opposite the first side wall, of the outer section in the second end region of the guidance section 160.

(18) Expressed differently, the key stem 140, or the guidance stem, respectively, has a two-component bond between a hard material and a soft material. Thus, the coupling section 150 and the guidance section 160 are made of a plastic material. The end stop elements 270 are rubber lips for noise reduction at an end stop of the key stem 140 in a receiving section of a key module, e.g. the key module from FIG. 1, in an actuation position of the key stem 140 with respect to the key module. The return stop elements 280 are rubber lips for noise reduction at an end stop of the key stem 140 in a receiving region of a key module, e.g. the key module from FIG. 1, when the key stem 140 is returned to a standby position with respect to the key module. Furthermore, the rocker stop elements 290 are rubber elements, or stop surfaces for preventing a lateral tipping of the key stem 140 in the key module. In FIG. 2, the key stem 140, or an MX key stem, respectively, is depicted with integrated soft components in the design of the end stop elements 270, return stop elements 280 and rocker stop elements 290. These soft components are positioned such that a mechanical end stop during an actuation and a return are cushioned and buffered by the soft rubber elements. The key stem 140 can be used in particular in conjunction with a standard key module or standard module parts.

(19) FIG. 3A shows a sectional depiction of a key module 100 according to one exemplary embodiment, in an actuated state. Shown are the key module 100, a module base 110, a module cover 120, a key stem 140, a coupling section 150, by way of example two end stop elements 270, by way of example two return stop elements 280, a support element 310, a key button 350, by way of example two end stop sections 370 and, by way of example, two return stop sections 380. Furthermore, a sectional line B-B and a detail section C are shown in FIG. 3A. The detail section C comprises a region of one of the end stop elements 270 and one of the end stop sections 370. The key module 100 depicted in FIG. 3A corresponds to the key module shown in FIG. 1 thereby, with the exception that in FIG. 3A the support element 310 and the key button 350 are also provided. The key stem 140 is the key stem from FIG. 2.

(20) The key module 100 has a module base 110, the module cover 120, the key stem 140 having the coupling section 150, the end stop elements 270, the return stop elements 280, the key button 350, the end stop sections 370 and the return stop sections 380. The key module 100 is mounted on the support element 310. The support element 310 is a printed circuit board, for example. The key button 350 is coupled to the coupling section 150 of the key stem 140.

(21) The module base 110 and the module cover 120 have a receiving section for receiving the key stem 140. The end stop sections 370 and the return stop sections 380 are formed in the receiving section of the module base 110 and the module cover 120. The end stop sections 370 are formed in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 3A, in a region of a module floor on which the key module 100 is connected to the support element 310. In particular, the end stop sections 370 are formed as partial sections of the module base 110. The return stop sections 380 are disposed thereby along an actuation axis of the key stem 140 inside the receiving section of the module base 110 and the module cover 120, spaced apart from the region of the module floor. The end stop sections 370 are disposed thereby between the module floor and the return stop sections 380. In particular, the return stop sections 380 are formed as partial sections of the module cover 120.

(22) A first of the end stop sections 370 is disposed and designed thereby to function as a bearing surface for a first of the end stop elements 270. Furthermore, a second of the end stop sections 370 is disposed and designed to function as a bearing surface for a second of the end stop elements 270. The end stop sections 370 can also be formed as a joint end stop section 370.

(23) A first of the return stop sections 380 is disposed and designed to function as a bearing surface for a first of the return stop elements 280, and a second of the return stop sections 380 is disposed and designed to function as a bearing surface for a second of the return stop elements 280. The return stop sections 380 can also be formed as a joint return stop section 380.

(24) In the actuated state of the key module 100, the key stem 140 is moved into the receiving section of the module base 110 and the module cover 120 by means of an actuating force caused by a pressing of the key. The end stop elements 270 are located thereby bearing against an end stop section 370. Furthermore, the return stop elements 280 are disposed at a spacing to the return stop sections 380.

(25) FIG. 3B shows a sectional depiction of the key module 110 from FIG. 3A along the sectional line B-B. Shown are the module base 110, the module cover 120, the key stem 140, by way of example, and restricted by the nature of the depiction, two rocker stop elements 290, the support element 310 and the key button 350. The rocker stop elements 290 are depicted in FIG. 3B, due to the rotated perspective with respect to FIG. 3A. In the actuated state of the key module 100, the rocker stop elements 290 are disposed in the region of the module floor in the receiving section. The rocker stop elements 290 are disposed thereby at a spacing to a floor wall of the receiving section by a tilting distance. The tilting distance is designed and sized in order to enable a mechanical contact between a rocker stop element 290 and the floor wall of the receiving section when the key stem 140 is tilted in relation the receiving section, or the module base 110, respectively, as well as the module cover 120, in order to limit or reduce the tilting due to the contact. The rocker stop elements 290 are rubber elements, for example, functioning as stopping surfaces in the event of a lateral tipping of the key stem 140 in the receiving section.

(26) FIG. 3C shows the detail section C of the key module 100 from FIG. 3A. Shown are one of the end stop elements 270 and one of the end stop sections 370. Illustrated in the detail section in FIG. 3C is that, in the actuated state of the key module 100, the end stop element 270 is disposed such that it bears against the end stop section 370. The end stop element 270 is formed, for example, as a rubber lip for noise reduction at the end stop section 370. Depending on the design of the dimensions for the end stop element 270, an entire path for an actuation of the key module can be thus be set.

(27) Thus, in FIGS. 3A to 3C, sections through a complete key module 100, or an MX module, and a key button 350, and a detail view in the actuated, or pressed down state, are shown, wherein the end stop elements 270 are located, as stop surfaces for the key stem 140, bearing against the end stop sections 370 on the base floor.

(28) FIG. 4A shows a sectional depiction of a key module 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, in an un-actuated state. Shown are a key base 110, a key cover 120, a key stem 140 having a coupling section 150, a support element 310 and a key button 350. Furthermore, a sectional line B-B is shown in FIG. 4A. The sectional line B-B runs thereby through a module center of the key module 100, along a longitudinal axis of the key stem 140 when the key button 350 is not actuated. The sectional line B-B runs along an actuation axis of the key stem 140 thereby. The key module 100 depicted in FIG. 4A corresponds to the key module shown in FIG. 1 thereby, with the exception that in FIG. 4A, the support element 310 and the key button 350 are also provided. The key stem 150 is the key stem from FIG. 2. Thus, the key module 100 depicted in FIG. 4A corresponds to the key module shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, with the exception that in FIG. 4A, the key module 100 is depicted in the un-actuated state. The view in FIG. 4A corresponds to the view in FIG. 3B thereby, with the exception that another cutting plane is selected, and the un-actuated state of the key module 100 is depicted.

(29) FIG. 4B shows a sectional depiction of the key module 100 from FIG. 4A, cut along the sectional line B-B. Shown thereby are the module base 110, which is, by way of example, a standard module base, the module cover 120, which is, by way of example, a standard module cover, the key stem 140 having the coupling section 150, by way of example two end stop elements 270, by way of example two return stop elements 280, the support element 310, the key button 350, which is, for example, a standard key button, by way of example two end stop sections 370 and by way of example two return stop sections 380. Furthermore, a detail section C in a region of one of the return stop elements 280 and one of the return stop sections are illustrated. The view in FIG. 4B corresponds thereby to the view from FIG. 3A, with the exception that the un-actuated state of the key module 100 is depicted.

(30) In the un-actuated state of the key module 100 depicted in FIG. 4B, without pressing on the key, or actuating the key, the key stem 140 is disposed in a standby position in relation to the receiving section of the module base 110 and the module cover 120. The return stop elements 280 bear against the return stop sections 380 thereby. Furthermore, the end stop elements 270 are disposed at a spacing to the end stop sections 370.

(31) FIG. 4C shows the detail section C of the key module 100 from FIG. 4B. Shown are one of the return stop elements 280 and one of the return stop sections 380. Depicted in the detail section in FIG. 4C is that, in the un-actuated state of the key module 100, the return stop element 280 is disposed bearing against the return stop section 380. The return stop element 280 is formed, for example, as a rubber lip for noise reduction during a return stroke of the key module 100. Depending on the design for the dimensions of the return stop element 280, a path to a switching point during an actuation of the key module can thus be set.

(32) Thus, sections through a complete key module 100, or an MX module, and a key button 350 and a detail view in an un-actuated state are shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, wherein the return elements 280 are located as stop surfaces for the key stem 140, bearing against the return stop sections 380 on an inner surface of the module cover 120.

(33) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4C, in summary it is the case that the key stem 140 can move between an actuation position shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, in the actuated state of the key module 100, in which the end stop elements 270 are located bearing against the end stop sections 370, and a standby position shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, in the un-actuated state of the key module 100, in which the return stop elements 280 are located bearing against the return stop sections 380. The key stem 140 is, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4C, a two-component stem having rubber elements in the form of the end stop elements 270 and the return stop elements 280 for noise reduction at the end stop, and during the return movement of a key actuation.

(34) FIG. 5 shows a flow chart for a method 500 for manufacturing a key module of a key for a keyboard, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method 500 has a step 510 for providing a key module, which has a key button and a receiving section for receiving a key stem, and a key stem. The key module is a key module such as one of the key modules from one of the FIGS. 1 and 3A to 4C. The key stem is a key stem such as one of the key stems from one of the FIGS. 1 to 4C. The method 500 also has a step 520 for positioning the guidance section of the key stem in the receiving section of the key module, such that at least one end stop element of the key stem is disposed between the guidance section of the key stem and the at least one end stop section of the key module, and the at least one return stop element of the key stem is disposed between guidance section of the key stem and the at least one return stop section of the key module. By executing the method 500, a key module such as one of the key modules from one of the FIGS. 1 and 3A to 4C can advantageously be manufactured.

(35) The exemplary embodiments described herein and shown in the figures are selected only by way of example. Different exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another, either entirely or with respect to individual features. Furthermore, one exemplary embodiment can be supplemented by features of another exemplary embodiment. Steps of the described method can be repeated.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(36) 100 key module 110 module base 120 module cover 130 receiving section 140 key stem 150 coupling section 160 guidance section 270 end stop element 280 return stop element 290 rocker stop element 310 support element 350 key button 370 end stop section 380 return stop section 500 method for manufacturing 510 step for providing 520 step for positioning