Key structure
AssigneeLite-On Technology Corporation
InventorsYu-Ming Lin, Chih Lung Luo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A key structure including a bottom plate, a switch element, a keycap, a positioning element, and a linkage rod is provided. The switch element is disposed on the bottom plate. The keycap is disposed on the switch element, and the switch element is located between the bottom plate and the keycap. The positioning element is connected to the bottom plate and located between the bottom plate and the keycap. The linkage rod is disposed between the keycap and the positioning element. The linkage rod has a portion disposed at a position corresponding to a groove, and two opposite sides of the linkage rod are each in contact with the keycap and the positioning element.
Claims18
A key structure, comprising:
- a bottom plate comprising a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a groove extending from the first surface to the second surface;
- a switch element disposed on the first surface;
- a keycap disposed on the switch element, wherein the switch element is located between the bottom plate and the keycap;
- a positioning element connected to the second surface, wherein a portion of the positioning element protrudes from the second surface of the bottom plate and is located outside the groove;
- and
- a linkage rod disposed between the keycap and the positioning element, wherein the linkage rod has a portion disposed at a position corresponding to the groove, and two opposite sides of the linkage rod are each in contact with the keycap and the positioning element, wherein the switch element and the linkage rod are two separate components, wherein the linkage rod has a first rod portion connecting to the keycap and partially covering the groove and a second rod portion engaged to the positioning element protruding from the second surface of the bottom plate.
A key structure, comprising:
- a bottom plate;
- a keycap disposed on the bottom plate;
- a switch element located between the bottom plate and the keycap and comprising a base, two brackets, and an elastic restoring body, wherein the base is engaged with a surface of the bottom plate facing the keycap and located between the keycap and the bottom plate, the two brackets are in contact with the keycap and are movably connected to the base, and two opposite ends of the elastic restoring body are respectively connected to the two brackets, wherein each of the brackets comprises a first engaging portion, a second engaging portion opposite to the first engaging portion, and a third engaging portion between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, the first engaging portion of each of the brackets is movably engaged with the keycap, the third engaging portion of each of the brackets is movably engaged with the base, and the two second engaging portions of the two brackets are movably engaged with each other;
- a positioning element connected to the bottom plate;
- a linkage rod disposed between the bottom plate and the keycap, wherein two opposite sides of the linkage rod are each in contact with the keycap and the positioning element, wherein the switch element and the linkage rod are two separate components, wherein the linkage rod has a rod portion connected to the keycap and partially covering an opening passing through the bottom plate;
- and
- a light-emitting element disposed on the bottom plate, wherein the light-emitting element is located on one side of the switch element or in a projection area of the switch element projected onto the bottom plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.