Keyboard device

Abstract

A keyboard device includes a key structure, a switch circuit board, a base plate and a buffering element. The key structure includes a keycap and a stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar is connected with the keycap. The base plate includes a connecting structure. The stabilizer bar is penetrated through the connecting structure and connected with the base plate. The buffering element is coupled with the connecting structure. The stabilizer bar and the base plate are made of metallic material. Since the stabilizer bar and the base plate are separated by the buffering element, the keyboard device is capable of reducing noise.

Claims

1. A keyboard device, comprising: a key structure comprising a keycap and a stabilizer bar, wherein the keycap is exposed outside the keyboard device, the stabilizer bar is connected with the keycap, and comprises a linking bar part and a hook part, wherein the linking bar part is connected with the keycap, and the hook part is located at an end of the linking bar part; a switch circuit board located under the key structure, and comprising a key switch corresponding to the key structure, wherein when the key switch of the switch circuit board is triggered by the key structure, a key signal is generated; a base plate located under the switch circuit board, and supporting the key structure, wherein the base plate comprises a connecting structure, and the connecting structure is connected with the hook part, so that the stabilizer bar is connected with the base plate; and a buffering element coupled with the connecting structure, wherein the hook part and the connecting structure are separated from each other through the buffering element; wherein the buffering element comprises: an upper buffering part contacted with a top surface of the connecting structure, wherein when the keycap is depressed, the upper buffering part is contacted with the keycap to absorb an impact from the keycap; a lower buffering part contacted with a bottom surface of the connecting structure and arranged between the connecting structure and the hook part, wherein the hook part and the connecting structure are separated from each other through the lower buffering part; and an extension part arranged between the upper buffering part and the lower buffering part and connected with the upper buffering part and the lower buffering part.

2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein an accommodation space is defined by the upper buffering part, the lower buffering part and the extension part collaboratively, and the connecting structure is partially accommodated within the accommodation space, so that the buffering element is coupled with the connecting structure.

3. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein when the buffering element is coupled with the connecting structure and the hook part is connected with the connecting structure, the hook part is contacted with the lower buffering part, so that the buffering element is fixed on the connecting structure.

4. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the buffering element is U-shaped, and a shape of the buffering element is complementary to a shape of a portion of the connecting structure.

5. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the upper buffering part, the lower buffering part and the extension part are integrally formed.

6. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the switch circuit board comprises: an upper wiring plate comprising an upper circuit pattern, wherein the upper circuit pattern is formed on a bottom surface of the upper wiring plate; a lower wiring plate located under the upper wiring plate, and comprising a lower circuit pattern, wherein the lower circuit pattern is formed on a top surface of the lower wiring plate; and a separation layer arranged between the upper wiring plate and the lower wiring plate, and comprising a perforation, wherein the upper circuit pattern and the lower circuit pattern are separated from each other through the separation layer, and the key switch is defined by the upper circuit pattern, the perforation and the lower circuit pattern collaboratively.

7. The keyboard device according to claim 6, wherein the switch circuit board has an opening corresponding to the connecting structure, and the opening runs through the upper wiring plate, the lower wiring plate and the separation layer, wherein the connecting structure is penetrated through the opening, so that the hook part is connected with the connecting structure.

8. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure comprises a locking hole corresponding to the hook part, and the hook part is penetrated through the locking hole, so that the stabilizer bar is connected with the base plate.

9. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the key structure further comprises: a scissors-type connecting element connected with the keycap and the base plate, wherein the keycap is fixed on the base plate through the scissors-type connecting element, so that the keycap is movable relative to the base plate; and an elastic element arranged between the keycap and the switch circuit board and aligned with the key switch, wherein when the elastic element is pushed by the keycap, the switch circuit board is triggered by the elastic element, wherein when the elastic element is not pushed by the keycap, the elastic element provides an elastic force to the keycap.

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 conventional keyboard device and taken along a viewpoint;

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

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a portion of the combination of the metallic base plate and the membrane circuit board of the conventional keyboard device;

(5) FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the actions of the first stabilizer bar and the second stabilizer bar of the conventional keyboard device;

(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 exploded view illustrating a portion of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention and taken along a viewpoint;

(8) FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention and taken along another viewpoint;

(9) FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion of the switch circuit board of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a portion of the combination of the base plate and the switch circuit board of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

(11) FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the actions of the first stabilizer bar and the second stabilizer bar of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(12) For overcoming the drawbacks of the conventional technologies, the present invention provides a keyboard device. First of all, the structure of the keyboard device will be illustrated as follows.

(13) FIG. 6 is a schematic top view illustrating the outer appearance of a keyboard device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard device 2 comprises plural key structures 20 and 20. These key structures 20 and 20 are exposed outside the keyboard device 2. When one of the key structures 20 and 20 is depressed by the user's finger, a corresponding key signal is generated to a computer (not shown) that is in communication with the keyboard device 2. Consequently, the computer executes a function corresponding to the depressed key structure. The length of the key structure 20 is slightly larger than the width of the key structure 20. The length L2 of the key structure 20 is much larger than the width W2 of the key structure 20.

(14) Hereinafter, the inner structure of the keyboard device 2 will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention and taken along a viewpoint. FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention and taken along another viewpoint. FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion of the switch circuit board of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the plural key structures 20 and 20, the keyboard device 2 further comprises a base plate 21, a switch circuit board 22 and plural buffering elements 23. The base plate 21 is located under the plural key structures 20 and 20 and connected with the plural key structures 20 and 20. The switch circuit board 22 is arranged between the plural key structures 20, 20 and the base plate 21. When the switch circuit board 22 is triggered by one of the plural key structures 20 and 20, a corresponding key signal is generated. The switch circuit board 22 comprises an upper wiring plate 221, a lower wiring plate 222, a separation layer 223, a key switch 224 and plural openings 225.

(15) Each of the key structures 20 comprises a keycap 201, at least one scissors-type connecting element 202, an elastic element 203, a first stabilizer bar 204 and a second stabilizer bar 205. The scissors-type connecting element 202 is connected with the corresponding keycap 201 and the base plate 21. Through the scissors-type connecting element 202, the keycap 201 is fixed on the base plate 21 and movable relative to the base plate 21. The elastic element 203 is arranged between the corresponding keycap 201 and the switch circuit board 22, and aligned with the corresponding key switch 224. When the elastic element 203 is pushed by the keycap 201, the corresponding key switch 224 is triggered by the elastic element 203. In an embodiment, the elastic element 203 is a rubbery elastomer, and the scissors-type connecting element 202 is made of a plastic material.

(16) Please refer to FIGS. 7 and 8 again. Both of the first stabilizer bar 204 and the second stabilizer bar 205 are connected with the keycap 201. The first stabilizer bar 204 comprises a first linking bar part 2041 and two first hook parts 2042. The first linking bar part 2041 is connected with the keycap 201. The two first hook parts 2042 are located at two ends of the first stabilizer bar 204, respectively. Similarly, the second stabilizer bar 205 comprises a second linking bar part 2051 and two second hook parts 2052. The second linking bar part 2051 is connected with the keycap 201. The two second hook parts 2052 are located at two ends of the second stabilizer bar 205, respectively.

(17) The base plate 21 comprises plural base plate hooks 211 and plural connecting structures 212. The plural base plate hooks 211 and the plural connecting structures 212 are protruded upwardly from the base plate 21. Moreover, the plural base plate hooks 211 are connected with the scissors-type connecting element 202 in order to fix the scissors-type connecting element 202 on the base plate 21. The plural connecting structures 212 correspond to the first stabilizer bar 204 and the second stabilizer bar 205. When the first hook parts 2042 and the second hook parts 2052 are connected with the connecting structures 212, the first stabilizer bar 204 and the second stabilizer bar 205 are fixed on the base plate 21. Moreover, the first hook parts 2042 and the second hook parts 2052 are rotatable relative to the connecting structures 212.

(18) Moreover, the keycap 201 comprises plural first coupling parts 2011 and plural second coupling parts 2012. The plural first coupling parts 2011 are disposed on an inner surface of the keycap 201 and connected with the scissors-type connecting element 202. The plural second coupling parts 2012 are also disposed on the inner surface of the keycap 201. The plural second coupling parts 2012 are connected with the first linking bar part 2041 and the second linking bar part 2051. Moreover, the first linking bar part 2041 and the second linking bar part 2051 are rotatable relative to the second coupling parts 2012.

(19) The exploded view of the switch circuit board 22 is shown in FIG. 9. Please refer to FIGS. 7 and 9. The upper wiring plate 221 comprises an upper circuit pattern 2211. In addition, the upper circuit pattern 2211 is formed on a bottom surface of the upper wiring plate 221. The lower wiring plate 222 is located under the upper wiring plate 221. The lower wiring plate 222 comprises a lower circuit pattern 2221. In addition, the lower circuit pattern 2221 is formed on a top surface of the lower wiring plate 222. The separation layer 223 is arranged between the upper wiring plate 221 and the lower wiring plate 222. In addition, the separation layer 223 comprises plural perforations 2231 corresponding to plural keycaps 201. The upper circuit pattern 2211 and the lower circuit pattern 2221 are separated from each other through the separation layer 223. Moreover, plural key switches 224 are defined by the upper circuit pattern 2211, the plural perforations 2231 and the lower circuit pattern 2221 collaboratively. Each key switch 224 is aligned with the corresponding key structure 20 or 20. When the key switch 224 is triggered by the corresponding key structure 20 or 20, the corresponding key signal is generated.

(20) FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a portion of the combination of the base plate and the switch circuit board of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 7 and 10. The plural connecting structures 212 are disposed on the base plate 21 and penetrated through the corresponding openings 225 of the switch circuit board 22. Each connecting structure 212 comprises plural locking holes 2121 corresponding to the first hook parts 2042 and the second hook parts 2052. The first hook parts 2042 and the second hook parts 2052 are inserted into the corresponding locking holes 2121. Consequently, the first stabilizer bar 204 and the second stabilizer bar 205 are connected with the base plate 21, and the first hook parts 2042 and the second hook parts 2052 are permitted to be rotated within the locking holes 2121. When the first stabilizer bar 204 and the second stabilizer bar 205 are connected with the base plate 21, portions of the buffering elements 23 are arranged between the connecting structures 212 and the first hook parts 2042 (and the second hook parts 2052). Consequently, the first hook parts 2042 (and the second hook parts 2052) are separated from the connecting structures 212 through the buffering elements 23.

(21) In an embodiment, the buffering element 23 comprises an upper buffering part 231, a lower buffering part 232 and an extension part 233. The upper buffering part 231 is contacted with a top surface of the corresponding connecting structure 212. When the keycap 201 is depressed, the upper buffering part 231 is contacted with an inner surface of the keycap 201. The upper buffering part 231 is capable of absorbing the impact from the keycap 201, so that the noise is reduced. The lower buffering part 232 is contacted with a bottom surface of the corresponding connecting structure 212 and arranged between the connecting structure 212 and the first hook part 2042 (or the second hook part 2052). The first hook part 2042 (or the second hook part 2052) is separated from the corresponding connecting structure 212 through the lower buffering part 232. Consequently, the collision between the first hook part 2042 (or the second hook part 2052) and the corresponding connecting structure 212 is alleviated. The extension part 233 is arranged between the upper buffering part 231 and the lower buffering part 232 and connected with the upper buffering part 231 and the lower buffering part 232.

(22) Moreover, an accommodation space 24 is defined by the upper buffering part 231, the lower buffering part 232 and the extension part 233 collaboratively. The connecting structure 212 is partially accommodated within the accommodation space 24. In an embodiment, the buffering element 23 is made of silicon rubber or any other appropriate soft material. Preferably, the upper buffering part 231, the lower buffering part 232 and the extension part 233 are integrally formed. Moreover, the buffering element 23 is U-shaped, and the shape of the buffering element 23 is complementary to the shape of a portion of the connecting structure 212.

(23) As shown in FIG. 10, the buffering element 23 is disposed on the corresponding connecting structure 212. Moreover, a portion of the buffering element 23 is arranged between the connecting structure 212 and the first hook part 2042 (or the second hook part 2052). Through the buffering element 23, the first hook part 2042 is separated from the corresponding connecting structure 212 and the second hook part 2052 is separated from the corresponding connecting structure 212. Since the first hook parts 2042 and the second hook parts 2052 are not directly contacted with the connecting structures 212, the unpleasant noise is not generated.

(24) After the buffering element 23 is coupled with the connecting structure 212 and the first hook part 2042 is inserted into the corresponding locking hole 2121 to be connected with the connecting structure 212, the first hook part 2042 is contacted with the lower buffering part 232 of the buffering element 23. Consequently, the buffering element 23 is fixed on the connecting structure 212. The relationship between the second hook part 2052, the buffering element 23 and connecting structure 212 are similar, and the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

(25) As mentioned above, the keyboard device 2 of the present invention has the following features. After the first hook part 2042 and the second hook part 2052 are inserted into the corresponding locking holes 2121, the first hook part 2042 and the second hook part 2052 are contacted with the lower buffering part 232 of the buffering element 23. Consequently, the buffering element 23 is fixed on the connecting structure 212. In other words, the buffering element 23 and the connecting structure 212 are combined together without the need of using an adhesive.

(26) The operations of depressing the key structure 20 will be described as follows. While the keycap 201 of any key structure 20 is depressed, the keycap 201 is moved downwardly relative to the base plate 21. Since the scissors-type connecting element 202 is pushed by the keycap 201, the scissors-type connecting element 202 is correspondingly swung. Moreover, as the keycap 201 is moved downwardly to push the elastic element 203, the elastic element 203 is subjected to deformation to trigger the corresponding key switch 224. Consequently, the corresponding key signal is generated. When the key structure 20 is no longer depressed, the keycap 201 is moved upwardly relative to the base plate 21 in response to a restoring elastic force of the elastic element 203. As the keycap 201 is moved upwardly, the scissors-type connecting element 202 is correspondingly swung and switched from the stacked state to the open-scissors state again. Consequently, the keycap 201 is returned to its original position.

(27) FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the actions of the first stabilizer bar and the second stabilizer bar of the keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention. While the keycap 201 of the key structure 20 is moved upwardly or downwardly relative to the base plate 21, the first stabilizer bar 204 is moved in a first direction D21 or a second direction D22 and rotated in a first rotating direction D23 or a second rotating direction D24. Moreover, the first linking bar part 2041 of the first stabilizer bar 204 is rotated relative to the corresponding second coupling parts 2012, and the two first hook parts 2042 are rotated within the corresponding locking holes 2121. Due to the lower buffering parts 232, the first hook parts 2042 are not contacted with the base plate 21 during rotation. Similarly, the second stabilizer bar 205 is moved in the first direction D21 or the second direction D22 and rotated in the first rotating direction D23 or the second rotating direction D24. Moreover, the second linking bar part 2051 of the second stabilizer bar 205 is rotated relative to the corresponding second coupling parts 2012, and the two second hook parts 2052 are rotated within the corresponding accommodation spaces 25. Due to the lower buffering parts 232, the second hook parts 2052 are not contacted with the base plate 21 during rotation.

(28) From the above descriptions, the present invention provides the keyboard device. The buffering element is disposed on the connecting structure of the base plate. The first hook part and the second hook part are separated from the connecting structure through the buffering element. The buffering element is made of the soft material. The connecting structure made of the metallic material is partially covered by the buffering element. Even if the first hook parts and the second hook parts are made of the metallic material, the first hook parts and the second hook parts are only contacted with the buffering elements but not contacted with the metallic connecting structure. That is, the metallic components do not collide with each other to generate the unpleasant noise. Consequently, the keyboard device of the present invention is capable of reducing the noise.

(29) 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.