# US 2018/0025856 A1 · Keyswitch, keyboard and keyswitch manufacturing method thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0025856 A1 - Document ID: US20180025856A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/650,982 - Filed: 2017-07-17 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-20 - Assignees: Darfon Electronics Corp. - Applicants: Darfon Electronics Corp. - Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao; Chin-Hung Lin; Hsin-Hung Liu; I-Chu Kuo; Yu-Ming Huang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180025856A1 ## CPC - H01H 3/12: Push-buttons - G06F 3/0202: {Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device} - H01H 3/125: {using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser} - H01H 13/88: Processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards - H01H 2215/042: Permanent magnets - H01H 2221/04: magnetic - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A keyswitch includes a cap, a support structure, a first magnet, and a baseplate having a bending arm protruding from the baseplate and a support rib extending horizontally to form a receiving space with the bending arm. The support structure includes a first support member pivoted to the baseplate and against the cap and a magnetic permeable plate extending from the first support member and being above the receiving space. The first magnet is inserted into the receiving space to be supported by the support rib and be pressed by the bending arm. When the cap is pressed to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the first magnet as the first support member rotates, the cap moves to a pressed position. When the cap is released, a magnetic attraction force between the magnetic permeable plate and the first magnet drives the magnetic permeable plate to approach the first magnet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A keyswitch comprising: a baseplate extending along a plane defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis perpendicular to each other and having at least one bending arm and at least one support rib, a Z-axis being perpendicular to the X-axis and the Y-axis, the at least one bending arm protruding from the baseplate along the Z-axis, the at least one support rib extending along the plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis to form a receiving space cooperatively with the at least one bending arm; a cap; a support structure disposed between the baseplate and the cap, the support structure comprising a first support member and a magnetic permeable plate, the first support member being movably connected to the baseplate and the cap to make the cap move with the support structure between a released position and a pressed position, the magnetic permeable plate extending from the first support member and being positioned above the receiving space; and a first magnet laterally inserted into the receiving space along the plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis, the first magnet having a bottom surface and a lateral surface, the bottom surface being supported by the at least one support rib and the lateral surface being pressed by the at least one bending arm laterally; wherein when the cap is released, a magnetic attraction force between the first magnet and the magnetic permeable plate keeps the cap at the released position; when the cap is pressed by an external force to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the first magnet with rotation of the first support member, the cap moves from the released position toward the pressed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The keyswitch of claim 1 further comprising: a second magnet magnetically attracted to the bottom surface of the first magnet opposite to the support structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The keyswitch of claim 1 further comprising: a mylar film attached under the baseplate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The keyswitch of claim 1 further comprising: at least one auxiliary support disposed between the cap and the baseplate and alternately arranged with the support structure, the at least one auxiliary support being movably connected to the baseplate and the cap. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The keyswitch of claim 1, wherein the keyswitch further comprises a membrane circuit board, the first support member has a protruding point, the membrane circuit board is disposed on the baseplate and has a triggering switch corresponding to the protruding point, and when the cap is pressed to the pressed position, the protruding point triggers the triggering switch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The keyswitch of claim 1, wherein the support structure further comprises a second support member opposite to the first support member and movably connected to the baseplate and the cap, an abutting portion extends from the second support member toward the first support member to support the magnetic permeable plate, and when the cap is pressed by the external force to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the first magnet with rotation of the first support member and the second support member and keep the abutting portion tilted, the cap moves from the released position to the pressed position with the support structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The keyswitch of claim 6, wherein the cap, the first support member, and the second support member are strip-shaped, the keyswitch further comprises at least one scissor support mechanism, and the at least one scissor support mechanism is located between the first support member and the second support member and is movably connected to the cap and the baseplate. ### Claim 8 A keyboard comprising: a baseplate extending along a plane defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis perpendicular to each other and having at least one bending arm and at least one support rib, a Z-axis being perpendicular to the X-axis and the Y-axis, the at least one bending arm protruding from the baseplate along the Z-axis, the at least one support rib extending along the plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis to form a receiving space cooperatively with the at least one bending arm; and a plurality of keyswitches disposed on the baseplate, at least one of the plurality of keyswitches comprising: a cap; a support structure disposed between the baseplate and the cap, the support structure comprising a first support member and a magnetic permeable plate, the first support member being movably connected to the baseplate and the cap to make the cap move with the support structure between a released position and a pressed position, the magnetic permeable plate extending from the first support member and being positioned above the receiving space; and a first magnet laterally inserted into the receiving space along the plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis, the first magnet having a bottom surface and a lateral surface, the bottom surface being supported by the at least one support rib and the lateral surface being pressed by the at least one bending arm laterally; wherein when the cap is released, a magnetic attraction force between the first magnet and the magnetic permeable plate keeps the cap at the released position; when the cap is pressed by an external force to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the first magnet with rotation of the first support member, the cap moves from the released position toward the pressed position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The keyboard of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the plurality of keyswitches further comprises: a second magnet magnetically attracted to the bottom surface of the first magnet opposite to the support structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The keyboard of claim 8 further comprising: a mylar film attached under the baseplate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The keyboard of claim 8, wherein the at least one of the plurality of keyswitches further comprises: at least one auxiliary support disposed between the cap and the baseplate and alternately arranged with the support structure, the at least one auxiliary support being movably connected to the baseplate and the cap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The keyboard of claim 8, wherein the keyboard further comprises a membrane board, the first support member has a protruding point, the membrane circuit board is disposed on the baseplate and has a triggering switch corresponding to the protruding point, and when the cap is pressed to the pressed position, the protruding point triggers the triggering switch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The keyboard of claim 8, wherein the support structure further comprises a second support member opposite to the first support member and movably connected to the baseplate and the cap, an abutting portion extends from the second support member toward the first support member to support the magnetic permeable plate, and when the cap is pressed by the external force to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the first magnet with rotation of the first support member and the second support member and keep the abutting portion tilted, the cap moves from the released position to the pressed position with the support structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The keyboard of claim 13, wherein the cap, the first support member, and the second support member are strip-shaped, the keyswitch further comprises at least one scissor support mechanism, and the at least one scissor support mechanism is located between the first support member and the second support member and is movably connected to the cap and the baseplate. ### Claim 15 A keyswitch manufacturing method for manufacturing a keyswitch, the keyswitch providing a pressing resistance force or a returning force to a cap via a magnetic attraction force of a magnetic member, the keyswitch manufacturing method comprising: providing a baseplate, the baseplate having a receiving space, the receiving space having an opening located at a side of the receiving space not facing the cap; providing an elastic member disposed on the baseplate to be adjacent to the opening; pushing the magnetic member against the elastic member to deform the elastic member away from the opening, so as to guide the magnetic member to move toward the receiving space via the opening; and pushing the magnetic member into the receiving space to release deformation of the elastic member, so as to make the elastic member return to its original position to abut against a side of the magnetic member for preventing the magnetic member from leaving the receiving space via the opening. ### Claim 16 A keyswitch comprising: a cap; a baseplate having a main body, an elastic member, a plurality of blocking members, a receiving space, and an assembly path space, the main body partially extending under the receiving space, the elastic member being disposed on the main body and extending into the assembly path space, the elastic member having a first height in an undeformed state, the assembly path space having at least one blocking side and an opening, the plurality of blocking members being disposed at the at least one blocking side, the opening being disposed at a position different from the at least one blocking side; a support structure disposed between the baseplate and the cap, the support structure comprising a first support member and a magnetic permeable plate, the first support member being movably connected to the baseplate and the cap to make the cap move with the support structure between a released position and a pressed position, the magnetic permeable plate extending from the first support member and being positioned above the receiving space; and a magnetic member; wherein the magnetic member passes through the opening along the assembly path space to enter the receiving space where the plurality of blocking members engages with the magnetic member; during the magnetic member passes through the opening, the magnetic member enters the assembly path space to deform the elastic member to a second height lower than the first height, so as to allow the magnetic member to pass through the opening along the assembly path space; after the magnetic member passes through the opening, the magnetic member leaves the assembly path space to release deformation of the elastic member, so as to make the elastic member return to the first height for preventing the magnetic member from leaving the receiving space via the assembly path space; when the cap is released, a magnetic attraction force between the magnetic member and the magnetic permeable plate keeps the cap at the released position; when the cap is pressed by an external force to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the magnetic member with rotation of the first support member, the cap moves from the released position toward the pressed position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The keyswitch of claim 16, wherein the assembly path space extends upward from an upper surface of the main body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The keyswitch of claim 16, wherein the elastic member extends obliquely along the main body, and an angle between the elastic member and the main body is less than 45′. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The keyswitch of claim 16, wherein the support structure further comprises a second support member opposite to the first support member and movably connected to the baseplate and the cap, an abutting portion extends from the second support member toward the first support member to support the magnetic permeable plate, and when the cap is pressed by the external force to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the magnetic member with rotation of the first support member and the second support member and keep the abutting portion tilted, the cap moves from the released position to the pressed position with the support structure. ### Claim 20 A keyswitch comprising: a cap; a baseplate having a main body, an elastic member, a plurality of blocking members, a receiving space, and an assembly path space, the main body partially extending under the receiving space, the elastic member being disposed on the main body and extending into the assembly path space, the elastic member having a first interference in an undeformed state with the assembly path space, the assembly path space having at least one blocking side and an opening, the plurality of blocking members being disposed at the at least one blocking side, the opening being disposed at a position different from the at least one blocking side; a support structure disposed between the baseplate and the cap, the support structure comprising a first support member and a magnetic permeable plate, the first support member being movably connected to the baseplate and the cap to make the cap move with the support structure between a released position and a pressed position, the magnetic permeable plate extending from the first support member and being positioned above the receiving space; and a magnetic member; wherein the magnetic member passes through the opening along the assembly path space to enter the receiving space where the plurality of blocking members engage with the magnetic member; during the magnetic member passes through the opening, the magnetic member enters the assembly path space to deform the elastic member to have a second interference with the assembly path space, so as to allow the magnetic member to pass through the opening along the assembly path space, and the second interference is less than the first interference; after the magnetic member passes through the opening, the magnetic member leaves the assembly path space to release deformation of the elastic member, so as to make the elastic member return to have the first interference for preventing the magnetic member from leaving the receiving space via the assembly path space; when the cap is released, a magnetic attraction force between the magnetic member and the magnetic permeable plate keeps the cap at the released position; when the cap is pressed by an external force to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the magnetic member with rotation of the first support member, the cap moves from the released position toward the pressed position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The keyswitch of claim 20, wherein the assembly path space extends planarly on an upper surface of the main body, and when the magnetic member enters the receiving space, the magnetic member is constrained by the plurality of blocking members and an extending portion of the main body under the receiving space. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The keyswitch of claim 20, wherein the support structure further comprises a second support member opposite to the first support member and movably connected to the baseplate and the cap, an abutting portion extends from the second support member toward the first support member to support the magnetic permeable plate, and when the cap is pressed by the external force to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the magnetic member with rotation of the first support member and the second support member and keep the abutting portion tilted, the cap moves from the released position to the pressed position with the support structure.