TWM653130U - Magnetic levitation button structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A magnetic levitation button structure includes a receiving frame, and a keycap. The receiving frame has a keycap receiving hole, a pair of first slots, and a pair of first magnetic members. The keycap receiving hole is surrounded by a plurality of inner walls. The first slots are concavely formed on two of the inner walls. The pair of the first magnetic members are fixedly received in the first slots, respectively. The keycap has a plurality of side surfaces, a pair of second slots, and a pair of second magnetic members. The pair of second magnetic members are fixedly received in the second slots, respectively. Therefore, through the magnetic force between the first magnetic members and the second magnetic members, a top surface of the keycap is normally positioned at a unpressed state which is higher than a top surface of the receiving frame. When the keycap is pressed, the magnetic force provides a recovery force for the keycap.

Description

Magnetic levitation button structure

The invention relates to a magnetic levitation key structure, in particular to a magnetic levitation key structure which uses magnetic force as a supporting force of a key cap to provide a restoring force for the key cap.

Some existing push buttons can be used for display purposes, and a display module is mainly arranged under the key cap. In addition, the key cap is made of transparent material so that the image of the display module can be displayed upward through the key cap. However, the key cap support structure of the existing push button may block some images of the display module.

Therefore, how to overcome the above-mentioned defects by improving the structural design, simplifying the support structure of the buttons, and further providing a transparent button display effect has become an important issue to be solved in this technical field.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a magnetic levitation key structure to simplify the key support structure and provide a transparent key display effect in view of the shortcomings of the prior art.

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, one of the technical solutions adopted by the present invention is to provide a magnetic levitation key structure, which includes a containing frame and a key cap. The containing frame includes a key cap containing hole, a pair of first grooves, and a pair of first magnetic parts. The key cap containing hole is surrounded by a plurality of inner wall surfaces. The pair of first grooves are recessedly formed on two of the inner wall surfaces, and the pair of first magnetic parts are respectively fixedly accommodated in the pair of first grooves. The key cap includes a plurality of side surfaces, a pair of second grooves, and a pair of second magnetic parts. The pair of second grooves are recessedly formed on two of the side surfaces. The pair of second magnetic parts are respectively fixedly accommodated in the pair of second grooves. Wherein, by the magnetic attraction between the pair of first magnetic parts and the pair of second magnetic parts, the top surface of the key cap is normally higher than the top surface of the containing frame and is in an unpressed state. When the key cap is pressed downward, the magnetic attraction provides the force for the key cap to return to its original position.

One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the magnetic levitation key structure provided by the present invention can dispose a plurality of magnetic parts between the keycap and the accommodation frame, so that the keycap can float within the accommodation frame by magnetic force. . Wherein, the accommodation frame is provided with a pair of first magnetic components, and the keycap is provided with a pair of second magnetic components. Due to the magnetic attraction between the pair of first magnetic members and the pair of second magnetic members, the top surface of the keycap is normally higher than the top surface of the accommodation frame and is in an unpressed state; when The keycap is pressed down, and the magnetic attraction force provides the force for resetting the keycap. This simplifies the key support structure and provides a transparent key display effect.

In order to further understand the features and technical contents of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, the drawings provided are only used for reference and description and are not used to limit the present invention.

The following is a specific embodiment to illustrate the implementation of the "light-emitting device" disclosed in the present invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of the present invention. In addition, the drawings of the present invention are only simple schematic illustrations and are not depictions based on actual dimensions, as stated in advance. The following embodiments will further describe the relevant technical content of the present invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

It should be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used in this document to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are mainly used to distinguish one component from another component, or one signal from another signal. In addition, the term "or" used in this document may include any one or more combinations of the related listed items depending on the actual situation.

[First Embodiment]

1 to 4 , the first embodiment of the present invention provides a magnetic levitation key structure, which includes a receiving frame 10 and a key cap 20. A plurality of magnetic components are disposed between the key cap 20 and the receiving frame 10, so that the key cap 20 can float in the receiving frame 10 by magnetic force.

As shown in Figure 2, specifically, the containing frame 10 includes a key cap containing hole 110, a pair of first grooves 12, and a pair of first magnetic members 13. The containing frame 10 can be made of plastic, for example. The containing frame 10 is made of non-ferromagnetic material. The key cap containing hole 110 is surrounded by a plurality of inner wall surfaces 11. The pair of first grooves 12 are recessed in two of the inner wall surfaces 11. The first groove 12 of this embodiment is also recessed downward by the containing frame 10. The pair of first magnetic members 13 are respectively fixedly accommodated in a pair of first grooves 12. The first magnetic member 13 can be a strong magnet, and its shape can be disc-shaped. The first magnetic member 13 can be fixed in the first groove 12 in a tight fit. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

This embodiment takes a keycap receiving hole 110 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The receiving frame 10 may form a plurality of keycap receiving holes. Furthermore, the keycap accommodating hole 110 in this embodiment is rectangular as an example. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The keycap receiving hole may be polygonal, circular, or oblong.

Specifically, the keycap 20 includes a plurality of side surfaces 21 , a pair of second grooves 22 , and a pair of second magnetic components 23 . The pair of second grooves 22 are recessedly formed on two side surfaces 21 , and the pair of second magnetic members 23 are respectively fixedly received in the pair of second grooves 22 . The surface of the second magnetic component 23 is flush with the side of the keycap 20 , or slightly lower than the side of the keycap 20 . The shape of the second groove 22 corresponds to the shape of the second magnetic component 23, and the second groove 22 in this embodiment is square. The second magnetic member 23 may be a powerful magnet. The shape of the keycap 20 corresponds to the shape of the keycap receiving hole 110 . The keycap 20 in this embodiment is rectangular as an example, however, the invention is not limited thereto. Keycaps can be polygonal, circular, or oblong.

As shown in FIG3 , a cross-sectional view along the magnetic member of this embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the top surface of the key cap 20 can be normally higher than the top surface of the receiving frame 10 and be in an unpressed state by the magnetic attraction between the pair of first magnetic members 13 and the pair of second magnetic members 23. As shown in FIG4 , when the key cap 20 is pressed downward, the magnetic attraction can provide the force for the key cap 20 to return to its original position. The key cap 20 can return to the position shown in FIG3 .

The magnetic floating key structure of this embodiment does not require a supporting member. The space below the keycap 20 is completely released. Both the keycap 20 and the accommodation frame 10 can be made of transparent materials. A flat-panel display (not shown) can be disposed below the magnetic levitation key structure, and the graphics of the flat-panel display can be displayed through the keycap.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the plurality of inner wall surfaces 11 of the accommodation frame 10 each form at least one protrusion 114 , and the at least one protrusion 114 abuts against the side 21 of the keycap 20 , thereby reducing the distance between the keycap 20 and the container. friction between the frame 10. Specifically, the protruding portion 114 is in the form of a straight pointed protruding rib and is parallel to the pressing direction of the keycap 20 .

In this embodiment, through the magnetic attraction force between the pair of first magnetic members 13 and the pair of second magnetic members 23, the keycap 20 can be normally limited to the unpressed state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be further provided with a limiting structure.

[Second Embodiment]

As shown in FIG5 , the difference between this embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiment is that at least one inner wall surface 11 of the containing frame 10a can form a limiting structure to limit the upward displacement of the key cap 20a in a structural manner. Specifically, at least one inner wall surface 11 of the containing frame 10a forms an upper vertical surface 111, an inclined surface 112, and a lower vertical surface 113. The inclined surface 112 is connected between the upper vertical surface 111 and the lower vertical surface 113. The upper vertical surface 111 and the lower vertical surface 113 can be parallel to each other. Correspondingly, at least one side surface of the key cap 20a forms an upper side surface 211, a side inclined surface 212, and a lower side surface 213. The side inclined surface 212 is connected between the upper side surface 211 and the lower side surface 213. The upper side surface 211 and the lower side surface 213 may be parallel to each other. Thus, when the key cap 20a is in an unpressed state, the side inclined surface 212 of the key cap 20a abuts against the inclined surface 112 of the accommodating frame 10a.

In this embodiment, it is preferable to form a limiting structure on two opposite inner wall surfaces of the accommodation frame 10a and two side surfaces of the keycap 20a. Alternatively, the limiting structure can also be formed on all inner wall surfaces.

[Third Embodiment]

As shown in FIG. 6 , a second limiting structure is formed between the accommodation frame 10b and the keycap 20b in this embodiment. Specifically, at least one inner wall surface 11 of the accommodation frame 10b forms an upper upright surface 111, an inner step surface 115, and a lower upright surface 113. The inner stepped surface 115 is substantially vertically connected between the upper upright surface 111 and the lower upright surface 113 . At least one side of the keycap 20b forms an upper side 211, an outer stepped surface 215, and a lower side 213. The outer step surface 215 is substantially vertically connected between the upper side surface 211 and the lower side surface 213 . Thereby, when the keycap 20b is in the unpressed state, the outer stepped surface 215 is in contact with the inner stepped surface 115 .

In this embodiment, a limiting structure is preferably formed on each of the two opposite inner wall surfaces 11 of the accommodating frame 10b and the two side surfaces 21 of the key cap 20b, or the limiting structure can also be formed on all the inner wall surfaces.

[Fourth embodiment]

As shown in FIG7 , a third limiting structure is formed between the receiving frame and the key cap of the present embodiment. Specifically, at least one inner wall surface 11 of the receiving frame 10c forms a first inclined surface 116, and at least one side surface of the key cap 20c forms a second inclined surface 216; wherein, when the key cap 20c is in an unpressed state, the second inclined surface 216 abuts against the first inclined surface 116.

In this embodiment, a limiting structure is preferably formed on two opposite inner wall surfaces of the accommodating frame and two side surfaces of the key cap, or the limiting structure can also be formed on all inner wall surfaces.

In the above-mentioned embodiment of the limiting structure, the upper opening area A1 of the key cap receiving hole 110 located on the top surface of the receiving frame 10c is smaller than the lower opening area A2 of the key cap receiving hole 110 located on the bottom surface of the receiving frame 10c.

It is worth mentioning that the way the keycap triggers the signal in this embodiment can be, for example, a mechanical way, a capacitive way, or a magnetic way. As shown in Figure 7, the magnetic method can be combined with a Hall sensor. The Hall sensor H can be disposed below the keycap 20c. When the keycap 20c is pressed and displaced, the Hall sensor H senses changes in the magnetic field, thereby providing a trigger signal. However, the present invention is not limited to the above examples. The Hall sensor may also be provided on the inner wall surface of the containing frame.

[Fifth Embodiment]

As shown in FIG8 , this embodiment shows that a plurality of magnetic levitation key structures can be combined to form a keyboard, wherein an outer side surface of a receiving frame 10 forms a snap-fit structure to snap-fit to another receiving frame 10. The snap-fit structure of this embodiment can be a protruding tenon 108 or a tenon groove 109. For example, two protruding tenons 108 and two tenon grooves 109 are formed on the outer side of each receiving frame 10, so that the user can assemble a variety of different control keyboards as needed.

[Beneficial effects of the embodiment]

One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the magnetic levitation key structure provided by the present invention can be provided with a plurality of magnetic parts between the key cap and the receiving frame, so that the key cap can float in the receiving frame by magnetic force.

Furthermore, the receiving frame is provided with a pair of first magnetic members, and the key cap is provided with a pair of second magnetic members. Due to the magnetic attraction between the pair of first magnetic members and the pair of second magnetic members, the top surface of the key cap is normally higher than the top surface of the receiving frame and is in an unpressed state; when the key cap is pressed downward, the magnetic attraction provides the force for the key cap to return to its original position. In this way, the supporting structure of the key is simplified, and a transparent key display effect is provided.

The above disclosed contents are only the preferred feasible embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made by using the contents of the specification and drawings of the present invention are included in the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

10,10a,10b,10c: Containment frame 108: Protruding tenon 109: Mortise and tenon groove 11:Inner wall surface 110: Keycap receiving hole 111: Upper vertical surface 112: Oblique surface 113: Lower vertical surface 114:Protrusion 115: Internal fault surface 116:First slope 12: First groove 13: The first magnetic piece 20,20a,20b,20c: keycaps 21:Side 211: Upper side 212:Side slope 213: Lower side 215: External fault surface 216:Second slope 22: Second groove 23:Second magnetic piece H: Hall sensor A1: Upper opening area A2: Lower opening area

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a magnetic levitation key structure of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the magnetic levitation key structure of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 1 , showing the magnetic levitation key structure in a non-pressed state.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic levitation key structure (in a pressed state) of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic floating key structure (in a pressed state) of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic floating key structure (in a pressed state) of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic floating key structure (in a pressed state) of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the splicing of the magnetic floating key structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

10: Containment frame

11:Inner wall surface

110: Key cap receiving hole

114:Protrusion

12: First groove

13: The first magnetic piece

20:Keycaps

21:Side

22: Second groove

23:Second magnetic piece

Claims (10)

A magnetic levitation key structure includes: a containing frame, including a key cap containing hole, a pair of first grooves, and a pair of first magnetic members, the key cap containing hole is surrounded by a plurality of inner wall surfaces, the pair of first grooves are formed concavely on two of the inner wall surfaces, and the pair of first magnetic members are respectively fixedly received in the pair of first grooves; and a key cap, including a plurality of side surfaces, a pair of second grooves, and a pair of second magnetic members, the pair of second grooves are formed concavely on two of the side surfaces, and the pair of second magnetic members are respectively fixedly received in the pair of second grooves; wherein, by the magnetic attraction between the pair of first magnetic members and the pair of second magnetic members, the top surface of the key cap is normally higher than the top surface of the containing frame and is in an unpressed state; when the key cap is pressed downward, the magnetic attraction provides the force for the key cap to reset. A magnetic levitation key structure as described in claim 1, wherein the pair of first magnetic parts are arranged on two opposite inner wall surfaces opposite to each other. The magnetic levitation key structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of inner wall surfaces of the accommodation frame forms at least one protruding portion, and the at least one protruding portion abuts against the side surface of the keycap, thereby Reduce friction. The magnetic levitation key structure according to claim 3, wherein the at least one protrusion is in the form of a straight pointed rib and is parallel to the pressing direction of the keycap. The magnetic levitation key structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner wall surfaces of the accommodating frame forms a limiting structure. A magnetic levitation key structure as described in claim 1, wherein at least one inner wall surface of the containing frame forms an upper vertical surface, an inclined surface, and a lower vertical surface, and the inclined surface is connected between the upper vertical surface and the lower vertical surface; at least one side surface of the key cap forms an upper side surface, a side inclined surface, and a lower side surface, and the side inclined surface is connected between the upper side surface and the lower side surface; wherein when the key cap is in the unpressed state, the side inclined surface abuts against the inclined surface. The magnetic levitation key structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner wall surfaces of the accommodation frame forms an upper upright surface, an inner sectioned surface, and a lower upright surface, and the inner sectioned surface is connected to the Between the upper upright surface and the lower upright surface; at least one side of the keycap forms an upper side, an outer step surface, and a lower side, and the outer step surface is connected to the upper side and the lower side. between the lower side surfaces; when the keycap is in the unpressed state, the outer step surface abuts the inner step surface. The magnetic levitation key structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner wall surfaces of the accommodation frame forms a first slope, and at least one of the side surfaces of the key cap forms a second slope; wherein, the key When the cap is in the unpressed state, the second inclined surface is in contact with the first inclined surface. A magnetic levitation key structure as described in claim 1, wherein the upper opening area of the key cap accommodating hole located on the top surface of the accommodating frame is smaller than the lower opening area of the key cap accommodating hole located on the bottom surface of the accommodating frame. The magnetic levitation key structure according to claim 1, wherein an outer side of the accommodation frame forms a locking structure to engage with another accommodation frame.

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