WO2017039881A1

WO2017039881A1 - Switch and manufacturing method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2017039881A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/044146
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kelong Zhao; Yujun HU; Thomas TEE
Original assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc
Priority date: 2015-08-28
Filing date: 2016-07-27
Publication date: 2017-03-09
Also published as: CN106486311A

Abstract

A switch (100) and a method of manufacturing the switch are provided. In one embodiment, the switch (100) includes a button (110); a membrane (120) located beneath the button; a first elastic member (130) and a second elastic member (140) that are located between the button and the membrane. The membrane is activated upon being deformed in a first direction by the second elastic member to a predefined extent. The first elastic member is operable to be deformed in response to a force applied on the button in the first direction, and to prevent the second elastic member from contacting with the membrane until magnitude of the force exceeds a threshold. The switch provides a quickly responsive yet durable input mechanism and allows for a smooth typing experience. A keyboard is also provided.

Description

SWITCH AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

BACKGROUND

[0001] A switch may be used in many input device such as a keyboard to receive user inputs. A switch should be provided with a robust and durable mechanism designed for allowing millions of inputs. In addition, the strike of the switch is preferred to be smooth and quickly responsive in order to provide end users with an improved typing experience.

SUMMARY

[0002] Example embodiments of the subject matter described herein proposes a switch, a keyboard and a method of manufacturing the switch.

[0003] In one aspect, example embodiments of the subject matter described herein provide a switch. The switch includes a button; a membrane located beneath the button; a first elastic member and a second elastic member that are located between the button and the membrane. The membrane is activated upon being deformed in a first direction by the second elastic member to a predefined extent. The first elastic member is operable to be deformed in response to a force applied on the button in the first direction, and to prevent the second elastic member from contacting with the membrane until magnitude of the force exceeds a threshold.

[0004] In another aspect, example embodiments of the subject matter described herein provide a keyboard. The keyboard includes a plurality of buttons; a plurality of membranes located beneath the buttons; a first elastic member and a second elastic member that are located between each pair of the buttons and the membranes. Each of the membranes is activated upon being deformed in a first direction by the corresponding second elastic member to a predefined extent. The first elastic member is operable to be deformed in response to a force applied on the corresponding button in the first direction, and to prevent the second elastic member from contacting with the corresponding membrane until magnitude of the force exceeds a threshold.

[0005] In another aspect, example embodiments of the subject matter described herein provide a method of manufacturing a switch. The method includes providing a button; providing a membrane located beneath the button; providing a first elastic member and a second elastic member that are located between the button and the membrane. The membrane is activated upon being deformed in a first direction by the second elastic member to a predefined extent. The first elastic member is operable to be deformed in response to a force applied on the button in the first direction, and to prevent the second elastic member from contacting with the membrane until magnitude of the force exceeds a threshold.

[0006] Through the following description, it would be appreciated that the switch in accordance with the embodiments of the subject matter described herein is capable of providing a smooth and quickly responsive striking motion in order to improve the input experience as well as the durability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrate a schematic diagram of a switch according to one embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a switch according to one embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the switch of FIG. 2;

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of a switch according to another embodiment of the subject matter described herein;

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the switch of FIG. 4;

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a keyboard according to one embodiment of the subject matter described herein; and

[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method of manufacturing the switch in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The subject matter described herein will now be discussed with reference to several example embodiments. These embodiments are discussed only for the purpose of enabling those skilled persons in the art to better understand the subject matter described herein, rather than suggesting any limitations on the scope of the subject matter.

[0015] The term "includes" and its variants are to be read as open terms that mean "includes, but is not limited to." The term "or" is to be read as "and/or" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "based on" is to be read as "based at least in part on." The term "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" are to be read as "at least one embodiment." The term "another embodiment" is to be read as "at least one other embodiment." Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. In the description below, like reference numerals and labels are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of FIGS. 1-7. Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.

[0016] A switch is widely used in various devices. For example, a keyboard usually uses more than one hundred keys for inputting various characters. Each key or switch corresponds to a particular character so that a corresponding signal will be generated once the key or switch is closed. Such a switch may be realized in a mechanical or an electric manner. A mechanical switch is widely preferred because an end user can actually feel whether the switch has been pressed or not, which speeds up the typing. Different switches provide different striking motions due to their mechanical structures. A delicately designed switch allows a quickly responsive yet smooth striking motion, and thus may result in a favorable product.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a switch 100 according to one embodiment of the subject matter described herein. The switch 100 is described with only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations as to the scope of the subject matter described herein. Different embodiments with different structures can realize the purpose and concept of the subject matter described herein.

[0018] As shown, the switch 100 includes a button 110 and a membrane 120 located beneath the button 110. The button 110 is used to receive a force applied on it in order to be moved reciprocally with respect to the membrane 120. The membrane 120 can be activated when it is deformed to a certain extent. In other words, the deformation of the membrane 120 can be used to control the switching on/off of the switch 100. The switch 100 further includes a first elastic member 130 and a second elastic member 140, both of which are arranged between the button 110 and the membrane 120. As the button 110 moves towards the membrane 120, the first elastic member 130 can be compressed, and a reactive force onto the button 110 may gradually increase. The second elastic member 140 is connected to the button 110, and it applies no force on the membrane 120 if the button 110 has not been moved for enough distance towards the membrane 120. To this end, in one embodiment, the second elastic member 140 does not contact the button 110 when the button 110 is not pressed.

[0019] In this configuration, the membrane 120 is activated upon being deformed in a first direction Di by the second elastic member 140 to a predefined extent. The first elastic member 130 is operable to be deformed in response to the force applied on the button 110 in the first direction Di, and to prevent the second elastic member 140 from contacting with the membrane 120 until magnitude of the force exceeds a threshold. The first elastic member 130 may not in contact with the membrane 120 at any time. As a result, the first elastic member 130 would not cause the deformation of the membrane 120. In other words, the membrane 120 can be deformed by the second elastic member 140 only.

[0020] When the button 110 is initially moved toward the membrane 120, namely, in the first direction Di, only the first elastic member 130 provides a reactive force and resists the button 110. The second elastic member 140 will be in contact with the membrane 120 in case that the first elastic member 130 has been compressed by the button 110 in the first direction Di for a predefined distance. Upon the contact between the second elastic member 140 and the membrane 120, the second elastic member 140 starts deforming the membrane 120 in the first direction Di. Then, the second elastic member 140 is compressed and the membrane 120 is bent as the button 110 keeps moving in the first direction Di.

[0021] The arrangements of the two elastic members 130, 140 allow for a two-step striking motion, with the first step representing the first elastic member 130 compressed without deforming the membrane 120, and the second step representing the first elastic member 130 and the second elastic member 140 compressed together, resulting in a deformation of the membrane 120.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 2, a sectional view of an embodiment of the switch 100 according to one embodiment of the subject matter described herein is shown. FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the switch 100 of FIG. 2. In this embodiment, a bottom case 160 is provided at the bottom of the switch 100 for supporting the entire structure. The membrane 120 is laid flat above the bottom case 160. The membrane 120 may contain multiple layers. Two of the layers can be in contact with each other upon receiving a force large enough to bend the membrane 120 to a certain extent. In other words, the membrane 120 can be arranged to form a switching mechanism that can be closed (the membrane 120 deformed to a certain extent) or opened (the membrane 120 not deformed enough).

[0023] Additionally, a top case 150 is provided. In some embodiments, the top case 150 may be placed on a position(s) of the membrane 120 that will not cause activation of the membrane 120. Alternatively, the top case 150 may be placed directly on the bottom case 160 where the membrane 120 is omitted or otherwise absent so that the top case 150 interfaces directly with the bottom case 160. In this embodiment, the switch 100 is shown to include the bottom case 160 at the bottom. [0024] As shown in FIG. 2, a supporting base 152 may be arranged on the top case 150 above the membrane 120 in order to support the first elastic member 130, and prevent the first elastic member 130 from contacting with the membrane 120. A stopper 151 may also be provided on the top case 150 which is able to contact with a hook 111 on the button 110 so as to prevent the button 110 from moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to the hook 111 contacting with the stopper 151. The hook 111 can prevent button 110 from falling out of the switch 100 when the switch 110 is turned over.

[0025] The first elastic member 130 is in contact with the button 110 and thus the first elastic member 130 is trapped inside a chamber formed by the top case 150 and the button 110. The first elastic member 130 can be compressible inside the chamber. In one embodiment, the first elastic member 130 is pre-compressed in response to the hook 111 contacting with the stopper 151, and thus the end user needs to apply a certain force large enough to initiate the movement of the button 110 in the first direction.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first elastic member 130 may be a coil spring because it provides a fast response to the applied force on the button 110. However, any other elastic member providing a responsive reactive force to the striking motion can be used. The first elastic member 130 may be able to be compressed linearly and thus the striking motion is smooth.

[0027] An aperture 153 may be formed on the top case 150 and surrounded by the supporting base. Because of this configuration, the membrane 120 is accessible by the second elastic member 140 through the aperture 153. In other words, the membrane 120 is exposed to the second elastic member 140 through the aperture 153. The second elastic member 140 can be arranged so that it is surrounded by the first elastic member 130. The second elastic member 140 may be a coil spring, and it may be fixed to the button 110 by a post 112 arranged on an inner surface of the button 110, so that the second elastic member 140 is held upright with respect to the membrane 120 and can be concentric with the first elastic member 130.

[0028] As shown in FIGs. 2 and 3, the second elastic member 140 may be a coil spring with two ends having smaller diameters so as to form an interference fit with the post 112. The second elastic member 140 is adapted to pass through the aperture 153 or partially through the aperture 153. As the button 110 moves in the first direction, the second elastic member 140 and the membrane 120 will be in contact and deformed altogether. Because the second elastic member 140 is compressible, the impact to the membrane 120 is much smaller compared with a rigid member. As a result, the durability of the switch is improved. The striking motion is also smoothened. The smoothed striking motion results in a more satisfying and precise user experience. Additional mechanism (not shown) preventing the button 110 further moving in the first direction can be provided.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 4, a sectional view of an embodiment of the switch 200 according to another embodiment of the subject matter described herein is shown. FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the switch 200 of FIG. 4. In this embodiment, a bottom case 260, a membrane 220, a top case 250, a supporting base 252, an aperture 253, a stopper 251, a button 210, a hook 211 and a first elastic member 230 can be provided similarly as the corresponding parts according to the previous embodiment. Therefore, detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0030] A second elastic member 240 may be provided at the end of a post 212 integrally formed with the button 210. The second elastic member 240 may be a rubber dome which is compressible upon receiving a force large enough. The second elastic member 240 is adapted to pass through the aperture 253 in case that the button 210 has travelled a certain distance toward the bottom case 260. It is possible to allow the second elastic member 240 to contact with the membrane 220 so as to deform or bend the membrane 220. Although a rubber dome or other structure formed by a soft material provides a relatively slow response compared with a coil spring, the impact to the membrane 220 can be further reduced.

[0031] The arrangements of the two elastic members 230, 240 also allow for a two-step striking motion, with the first step representing the first elastic member 230 compressed without deforming the membrane 220, and the second step representing the first elastic member 230 further compressed with the membrane 220 deformed by the second elastic member 240.

[0032] As for the embodiments of the subject matter described herein, the number of the first elastic member 130, 230 is not to be limited. A single coil spring may be used as described above, while multiple springs may also be used as the first elastic member 130, 230. Likewise, the number of the second elastic member 140, 240 is not to be limited as well. The elasticity or spring constant of either of the elastic members is not to be limited.

[0033] The switch in accordance with the embodiments of the subject matter described herein provides a two-step striking motion as described above, which is capable of providing a smooth and quickly responsive striking motion in order to improve the input experience as well as the durability. Meanwhile, the relatively simple structure of the switch results in a cost effective manufacturing and easy assembly.

[0034] The above examples are described only for the purpose of illustration, without suggesting any limitations as to the scope of the subject matter described herein. Any additional or alternative materials can be used to make the components of the switch.

[0035] It is to be understood that "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "side", "lateral" and the like are only used to describe the relationship between the components in the figures, instead of limiting their orientation or positioning. For example, in FIG. 2, the top case 150 can be seen as being placed above the bottom case 160, and can also be seen as being placed underneath the bottom case 160.

[0036] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the subject matter described herein, a keyboard 300 is shown in FIG. 6. The keyboard 300 includes a plurality of buttons 310; a plurality of membranes 320 located beneath the buttons; a first elastic members 330 and a second elastic members 340 that are located between each pair of the buttons 310 and the membranes 320, wherein each of the membranes 320 is activated upon being deformed in a first direction by the corresponding second elastic member 340 to a predefined extent, and wherein the first elastic member 330 is operable to be deformed in response to a force applied on the corresponding button 310 in the first direction, and to prevent the second elastic member 340 from contacting with the corresponding membrane 320 until magnitude of the force exceeds a threshold.

[0037] In one embodiment, the keyboard 300 may further include a top case 350 located above each of the membranes, wherein the top case 350 supports the first elastic member 330 and prevents the first elastic member 330 from contacting with the corresponding membrane 320.

[0038] With reference to FIG. 7, it illustrates a block diagram of a method 700 of manufacturing the switch 100 in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter described herein. The method 700 is entered at step S701, where a button is provided.

[0039] At step S702, a membrane located beneath the button is provided. Then, a first elastic member and a second elastic member that are located between the button and the membrane are provided at S703. The membrane is activated upon being deformed in a first direction by the second elastic member to a predefined extent. The first elastic member is operable to be deformed in response to a force applied on the button in the first direction, and to prevent the second elastic member from contacting with the membrane until magnitude of the force exceeds a threshold. [0040] In one embodiment, the method may further include providing a top case located above the membrane, wherein the top case supports the first elastic member and prevents the first elastic member from contacting with the membrane.

[0041] In a further embodiment, the method may further include providing a hook arranged on the button; and providing a stopper arranged on the top case, wherein the stopper prevents the button from moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to the hook contacting with the stopper.

[0042] In yet a further embodiment, the method may further include providing the first elastic member pre-compressed in response to the hook contacting with the stopper.

[0043] In another embodiment, the first elastic member may be a coil spring.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, the method may include providing the second elastic member surrounded by the first elastic member and operable to contact with the membrane through an aperture formed on the top case.

[0045] In a further embodiment, the second elastic member may be a coil spring. Additionally or alternatively, the method may further include providing a post arranged on the button to hold the second elastic member upright with respect to the membrane and concentric with the first elastic member.

[0046] In yet another embodiment, the second elastic member may be a rubber dome.

[0047] While operations are depicted in a particular order in the above descriptions, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the subject matter described herein, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the other hand, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0048] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A switch compri sing :

a button;

a membrane located beneath the button;

a first elastic member and a second elastic member located between the button and the membrane,

wherein the membrane is activated upon being deformed in a first direction by the second elastic member to a predefined extent, and

wherein the first elastic member is operable to be deformed in response to a force applied on the button in the first direction, and to prevent the second elastic member from contacting with the membrane until magnitude of the force exceeds a threshold.

2. The switch according to Claim 1, further comprising:

a top case located above the membrane, wherein the top case supports the first elastic member and prevents the first elastic member from contacting with the membrane.

3. The switch according to Claim 2, further comprising:

a hook arranged on the button; and

a stopper arranged on the top case, wherein the stopper prevents the button from moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to the hook contacting with the stopper.

4. The switch according to Claim 3, wherein the first elastic member is pre-compressed in response to the hook contacting with the stopper.

5. The switch according to Claim 2, wherein the first elastic member is a coil spring.

6. The switch according to Claim 5, wherein the second elastic member is surrounded by the first elastic member, and is operable to contact with the membrane through an aperture formed on the top case.

7. The switch according to Claim 6, wherein the second elastic member is a coil spring.

8. A keyboard comprising:

a plurality of buttons;

a plurality of membranes located beneath the buttons;

a first elastic members and a second elastic members located between each pair of the buttons and the membranes,

wherein each of the membranes is activated upon being deformed in a first direction by the corresponding second elastic member to a predefined extent, and

wherein the first elastic member is operable to be deformed in response to a force applied on the corresponding button in the first direction, and to prevent the second elastic member from contacting with the corresponding membrane until magnitude of the force exceeds a threshold.

9. The keyboard according to Claim 8, further comprising:

a top case located above each of the membranes, wherein the top case supports the first elastic member and prevents the first elastic member from contacting with the corresponding membrane.

10. A method of manufacturing a switch comprising:

providing a button;

providing a membrane located beneath the button; and

providing a first elastic member and a second elastic member that are located between the button and the membrane,

11. The method according to Claim 10, further comprising:

providing a top case located above the membrane, wherein the top case supports the first elastic member and prevents the first elastic member from contacting with the membrane.

12. The method according to Claim 11, further comprising:

providing a hook arranged on the button; and

providing a stopper arranged on the top case, wherein the stopper prevents the button from moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to the hook contacting with the stopper.

13. The method according to Claim 12, further comprising:

providing the first elastic member pre-compressed in response to the hook contacting with the stopper.

14. The method according to Claim 11, wherein the first elastic member is a coil spring.

15. The method according to Claim 14, further comprising:

providing the second elastic member surrounded by the first elastic member and operable to contact with the membrane through an aperture formed on the top case.