Abstract: A switch device includes a push button to be displaced in a direction toward a main body by a push operation performed on an operation surface thereof, a light source to emit an illumination light from an internal portion of the push button toward the operation surface, and a first substrate that is arranged in the push button in a state of mounting the light source so as to be displaced integrally with the push button upon the push operation.

Abstract: An input device is configured to provide input to various electronic devices. The input device includes: a manipulation unit; a substrate; a tilting mechanism; and a detector. The manipulation unit includes a handle which is rotatable around a rotation axis and is pressed along the rotation axis, and outputs a first signal corresponding to rotation of the handle and a second signal corresponding to pressing of the handle. The tilting mechanism includes a cylindrical shaft fixed to the substrate, and a bearing fixed to the body, wherein the shaft is perpendicular to the rotation axis, and the tilting mechanism allows the substrate to swing around the shaft between a first manipulation position and a second manipulation position. The detector is disposed on the surface of the substrate facing the body, and outputs a third signal when the substrate is in the second manipulation position.

Abstract: A rotary knob for operating an electronically actuable deadbolt is described herein. According to some embodiments, the rotary knob includes a chassis, an outer wall rotatably coupled to the chassis about a central axis of the knob, a cantilevered beam attached to an inner surface of the outer wall and extending towards the central axis of the knob such that the beam is configured to rotate with the outer wall about the central axis, a circuit board coupled to the chassis, the circuit board including signal traces, and an electrical contact extending from the cantilevered beam in a direction toward the signal traces and electrically connectable with the signal traces. A controller of the rotary knob is configured to determine a position of the deadbolt based on at least the state of the electrical connection between the electrical contact and the signal traces.

Abstract: A key module includes an actuation element with a cam nose and a contactor unit with a contact nose movable in the direction of the movement axis and transverse to the direction of the movement axis. Also, a contact element is formed and arranged for establishing electric contact with the contact nose. Moreover, the housing element accommodates the contact element, the contactor unit and the actuation element, wherein the actuation element and/or the cam nose includes a constructive element formed to deflect the contact nose from a rest position adjacent to the contact element in the direction along and/or transverse to the movement axis upon a defined movement of the actuation element, then abruptly release it so that the movable contact nose returns to the rest position and strikes the contact element and/or the housing element. Electric contact with the contact element is established and acoustic noise is produced.

Abstract: A key structure includes a keycap, a base plate, a first scissors-type connecting element, a second scissors-type connecting element and a coupling plate. The first scissors-type connecting element and the second scissors-type connecting element are arranged between the keycap and the base plate. The first scissors-type connecting element is upwardly assembled with the keycap and downwardly assembled with the base plate. The first scissors-type connecting element includes a first inner frame and a first outer frame. The second scissors-type connecting element is upwardly assembled with the keycap and downwardly assembled with the base plate. The second scissors-type connecting element includes a second inner frame and a second outer frame. The coupling plate is arranged between the first outer frame and the second outer frame. The coupling plate is detachably assembled with the first outer frame and the second outer frame.

Abstract: A key structure includes a casing, a restoring member and a keycap assembly. The casing has an opening. The restoring member is disposed in the casing. The keycap assembly includes a keycap and a holder. The keycap includes a pressing portion and a central shaft. The pressing portion has a bottom surface. The central shaft connects to the bottom surface. The central shaft has a hemispherical portion adjacent to the bottom surface. The holder is inserted into the casing via the opening and contacts the restoring member. The holder includes a shaft bore. The shaft bore has an arcuate socket. The central shaft passes through the shaft bore and contacts the restoring member, and the hemispherical portion is accommodated in the arcuate socket.

Abstract: A mechanical interlock for a switch gear switch. The mechanical interlock includes a base and a slider. The slider is moveable relative to the base between a first position and a second position. The mechanical interlock is configured to lock the position of the switch when the slider is in the second position.

Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a keycap, a baseplate having a buffer space, a support movably disposed between the baseplate and the keycap, a magnetic member having a front section coupling the support, a middle section and a tail end, a magnetic unit disposed below the magnetic member, a switch film having a flexible portion extending over the buffer space. When the keycap is pressed, the support enables the magnetic member to move away from the magnetic unit, so the tail end is away from the flexible portion. When the keycap is released, a magnetic attraction force between the magnetic member and the magnetic unit enables the magnetic member to move toward the magnetic unit, so the tail end firstly contacts and pushes the flexible portion to deform toward the buffer space, and then the middle section contacts the magnetic unit to drive the support to support the keycap upward.

Abstract: A pressure-activated membrane switch and methods of use are provided. The pressure-activated membrane switch includes a first electrically-conductive membrane, and a second electrically-conductive membrane. Contact between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane is configured to cause an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part, to close. The pressure-activated membrane switch further includes a plurality of spacers dispersed between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane, and one or more columns positioned on an outer surface of the second electrically-conductive membrane.

Abstract: A keyswitch includes a base, a keycap, a lift mechanism, a touch circuitry portion, and an outer covering layer. The keycap is connected to the base through the lift mechanism so as to move up and down relative to the base. The touch circuitry portion is disposed on the top surface of the keycap. A connection circuitry portion extends from the touch circuitry portion. The outer covering layer covers the touch circuitry portion and at least a portion of the connection circuitry portion. Thereby, the keyswitch can provide touch function without excessively increasing the whole thickness of the keyswitch. A keyboard includes a plurality of the keyswitches and therefore can provide touch function without excessively increasing the whole thickness of the keyboard.

Abstract: A thin keyboard apparatus includes a base plate and a supporting unit. The base plate has a plate body which is formed with four retaining openings and four retaining members. Each retaining opening is bordered by a peripheral edge which has first and second edge sections extending along two different and intersecting directions. Each retaining member has an upper wall, a first connecting wall interconnecting the upper wall and the first edge section, a second connecting wall interconnecting the upper wall and the second edge section, and a broken hole dividing the first edge section from the second edge section. The supporting unit is slidably pivoted to the retaining members.

Abstract: A reaction force generating member includes: a first dome that gives a reaction force to an operation member according to the depression of the operation member; and a second dome that includes a hemispherical bowl part disposed inside the first dome, and a projection projecting downward from the center of the bowl part and depressing a switch disposed below the operation member.

Abstract: A push switch includes: a case including a fixed contact; a movable member, a pushing element, and a support. The movable member includes a movable contact. The movable member is disposed at a location to face the fixed contact and is movable between an ON-position and an OFF-position. The pushing element is disposed at a location to face the movable member and is configured to receive external force to push the movable member. The support has such a property that until a travel distance of the pushing element reaches a first threshold, a load applied from the support to the pushing element increases, and when the travel distance of the pushing element reaches the first threshold, the load applied from the support 6 to the pushing element decreases.

Abstract: A push switch includes: a case including a recess; a fixed contact member including a fixed contact disposed in the recess; a movable contact member including a movable contact disposed in the recess; a protective sheet disposed in a first direction from the recess and covering the recess; and a rib disposed on the protective sheet. The protective sheet includes: a pressing portion; a fixed portion fixed to the case; and an intermediate portion located between the pressing portion and the fixed portion as viewed in the first direction. As the pressing portion of the protective sheet is pressed along the first direction, the movable contact member deforms by force received from the protective sheet. The movable contact touches the fixed contact as a result of the deformation of the movable contact member.

Abstract: A key structure includes a keycap, a base plate, a first scissors-type connecting element, a second scissors-type connecting element and a reinforced connecting rod. The first and second scissors-type connecting elements are arranged between the keycap and the base plate. The first scissors-type connecting element includes a first inner frame and a first outer frame. The second scissors-type connecting element includes a second inner frame and a second outer frame. The keycap is movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the base plate along a specified path with the assistance of the first and second scissors-type connecting elements. The reinforced connecting rod includes a hollow rectangular main body. The first outer frame has a first extension structure. The second outer frame has a second extension structure. Moreover, two opposite sides of the hollow rectangular main body are respectively received within the first extension structure and the second extension structure.

Abstract: A high power, single-use electrical switch includes a spring-biased plunger contact that mates with a corresponding socket contact, a spacer that provides a separation clearance between the contacts prior to activation of the switch, and a shear tab that supports the spacer and is removed from the switch to enable engagement between the contacts and activation of the switch. Using the shear tab for activation of the switch enables a compact and small form factor assembly that is suitable for use in smaller electronic assemblies.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a switch and a connector. The switch and the connector are configured to interlock, wherein the switch includes a connection extending at least partially along a center axis of the switch, and the connection is configured to receive at least a part of the connector. The connection may include at least one slot and at least one wedge-shaped groove which is extending from the at least one slot and tapered in a direction of the center axis. The connector may include at least one corresponding wedge-shaped protrusion. The at least one corresponding wedge-shaped protrusion may include a resilient contact blade which can interlock with the at least one wedge-shaped groove.

Abstract: An input apparatus includes a base member, an operating member provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to the base member, the operating member being to be pushed down, a circuit board fixed to the base member and provided under the operating member, a push switch provided on a lower surface of the circuit board, and a link mechanism including a rotational member disposed under the circuit board such that a rotation center shaft is rotatably held by the base member, the rotational member pushing the push switch upward by rotating in response to a push-down operation of the operating member.

Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a base plate, a keycap, a scissors support connecting the keycap and the base plate, a linking support rotatably disposed on the base plate, a movable part movably disposed relative to the base plate, and a magnetic part on the movable part. The linking support includes a magnetic portion and a driving portion. The magnetic part and the magnetic portion produce a magnetic attraction force therebetween. When the movable part is located at a first position, the magnetic part is located under the magnetic portion, and the magnetic attraction force drives the keycap through the linking support to move away relative to the base plate. When the movable part moves from the first position to a second position, the magnetic part moves away relative to the magnetic portion, so that the magnetic attraction force decreases so as to make the keycap move toward the base plate.

Abstract: Implementations of the subject matter described herein provide a switching apparatus. The switching apparatus includes: a switching component including a first main shaft, which is adapted to selectively connect and disconnect at least one circuit in response to the rotation of the first main shaft; and an operating mechanism including a second main shaft for actuating the first main shaft to rotate via the second main shaft; wherein the switching component further includes a first interface, and the operating mechanism further includes a second interface, and the second main shaft to be detachably coupled to the first main shaft in response to the engagement of the first interface and the second interface.