Low-travel key mechanisms using butterfly hinges
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A key mechanism, comprising:
- a keycap assembly comprising;
a keycap;
an electronic component coupled to the keycap and comprising a flexible printed circuit; and
a clip;
a support structure below the keycap assembly and comprising a pin retention member extending towards the keycap;
a support mechanism configured to allow the keycap assembly to move relative to the support structure and comprising;
a first pin engaged with the clip to retain the support mechanism to the keycap assembly; and
a second pin engaged with the pin retention member to retain the support mechanism to the support structure; and
a dome switch between the keycap and the support structure and configured to collapse in response to actuation of the keycap assembly.
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Abstract
A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A key mechanism, comprising:
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a keycap assembly comprising; a keycap; an electronic component coupled to the keycap and comprising a flexible printed circuit; and a clip; a support structure below the keycap assembly and comprising a pin retention member extending towards the keycap; a support mechanism configured to allow the keycap assembly to move relative to the support structure and comprising; a first pin engaged with the clip to retain the support mechanism to the keycap assembly; and a second pin engaged with the pin retention member to retain the support mechanism to the support structure; and a dome switch between the keycap and the support structure and configured to collapse in response to actuation of the keycap assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic device comprising:
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a housing; a support structure at least partially within the housing and comprising a first set of pin retaining members; and a key mechanism comprising; a keycap assembly comprising; a key member defining an exterior surface for receiving user input; electronic circuitry comprising a flexible printed circuit coupled to the key member; and a second set of pin retaining members; and a support mechanism coupled to the keycap assembly via the first set of pin retaining members, coupled to the support structure via the second set of pin retaining members, and configured to guide the keycap assembly between a depressed and an undepressed position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A keyboard comprising:
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a base comprising a pin retention member; a keycap assembly comprising; a keycap; an electronic component coupled to the keycap; a substructure coupled to the keycap and comprising an integral pin retention feature; a hinge coupled to the base via the pin retention member and to the substructure via the integral pin retention feature, the hinge configured to allow the keycap, the electronic component, and the substructure to move in unison relative to the base when a key of the keyboard is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification