Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a key press comprising a circuit substrate, to a key module with a key cap and a movement mechanism, and to a device for detecting the movement of the key cap, wherein this device comprises an electrical resonance circuit with a primary coil and a secondary coil with a short-circuited winding, which secondary coil is moved with the key cap, wherein the primary coil and the secondary coil are inductively coupled to one another, and the strength of the inductive coupling between the primary coil and secondary coil and thus at least one physical variable of the resonance circuit change during the movement of the key cap. The invention also relates to a keyboard comprising one or more such apparatuses and to a method for detecting a key press.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a key press comprising a circuit substrate, a key module with a key cap and a movement mechanism, and a device for detecting the movement of the key cap, wherein the movement mechanism has at least one movement element wherein this device comprises an electrical resonance circuit with at least one capacitor and with a primary coil and comprises a secondary coil wherein the device for detecting the movement of the key cap comprises a measuring device for detecting and/or processing at least one physical variable of the electrical resonance circuit, which variable changes during the movement of the key cap, and outputs at least one electrical signal that is dependent on the change in the physical variable. The invention also relates to a keyboard comprising one or more such apparatuses and to a method for detecting a key press.

Abstract: What is presented is a key module (110) for a keyboard. The key module (110) comprises a key tappet (220) comprising a coupling portion for coupling to a keycap for the key module (110). The key module (110) also comprises a module housing (230) formed to movably accommodate the key tappet (220), in order to enable a translational actuation movement of the key tappet (220) between a rest position and an actuated position relative to the module housing (230). The key module (110) further comprises a wire bracket (560) for providing tactile and/or acoustic feedback. The wire bracket (560) is elastically deflectable in the course of the actuation movement. The wire bracket (560) is bent with an overall bending angle of less than 360 degrees. The wire bracket (560) is fixed to the key tappet (220).

Abstract: What is presented is a key module for a keyboard. The key module comprises a key tappet. The key module also comprises a module housing. The module housing is formed to movably accommodate the key tappet, in order to enable a translational actuation movement of the key tappet between a rest position and in an actuated position relative to the module housing. The key module further comprises a trigger element for triggering an actuation signal of the key module in response to the actuation movement. The trigger element is attached to the key tappet. The trigger element is a contactor for electrically shorting contact pads of a circuit substrate of the keyboard. The trigger element comprises more than two elastically deformable contact fingers for contacting the contact pads after different pre-travel paths in the course of the actuation movement.

Abstract: What is presented is a key module (120) for a keyboard (100). The key module (120) comprises at least one guide unit (230) formed to guide movement of an actuation unit (125) of the key module (120) between a rest position actuated position upon actuation of the key module (120). The key module (120) also comprises at least one spring element (240) for biasing the actuation unit (125) of the key module (120) into the rest position. The key module (120) further comprises means (315) for dampening mechanical vibrations of the spring element (240) at least when the actuation unit (125) is in the rest position.

Abstract: What is presented is a key module with a cover element and a tappet having a cam nose, wherein the tappet is supported to be movable along a movement axis by the cover element, wherein the tappet has a cylindrical keycap supporting portion in a passage area in which it projects through the cover element and has at least one rib on a guiding portion adjacent to the an keycap supporting portion on an outside. Furthermore, the key module includes a contactor unit formed and arranged to be taken along by the cam nose, and a contact piece formed and arranged for establishing electric contact with the contact nose. Moreover, the key module has a housing element for accommodating the contact piece, the contactor unit and the tappet, wherein the housing element has, for accommodating the guiding portion of the tappet, at least one accommodating bowl with at least one recess for accommodating the at least one rib of the tappet.

Abstract: What is presented is a key module (110) for a keyboard. The key module (110) comprises a key tappet (220) comprising a coupling portion for coupling to a keycap for the key module (110). The key module (110) also comprises a module housing (230) formed to movably accommodate the key tappet (220), in order to enable a translational actuation movement of the key tappet (220) between a rest position and an actuated position relative to the module housing (230). The key module (110) further comprises a wire bracket (560) for providing tactile and/or acoustic feedback. The wire bracket (560) is elastically deflectable in the course of the actuation movement. The wire bracket (560) is bent with an overall bending angle of less than 360 degrees. The wire bracket (560) is fixed to the key tappet (220).

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: What is presented is a key module (120) for a keyboard. The key module (120) comprises a guide (230) for guiding a movement of the key module (120) upon actuation, at least one spring element (240) for providing a reset force upon actuation of the key module (120), a support element (250) for supporting the guide (230) and a switch unit. The switch unit comprises a housing (270) and a contact device (280) at least partially arranged in the housing (270) for establishing electric contact upon actuation of the key module (120). The contact device (280) comprises a fixed contact piece with a first contact and a contactor with a first spring clip carrying a second contact and/or a second spring clip for producing an actuation sound and/or at least one actuation portion. The contactor is integrally formed.

Abstract: What is presented is a key module (110) for a keyboard. The key module (110) comprises a key tappet (220) comprising a coupling portion for coupling to a keycap for the key module (110). The key module (110) also comprises a module housing (230) formed to movably accommodate the key tappet (220), in order to enable a translational actuation movement of the key tappet (220) between a rest position and an actuated position relative to the module housing (230). The key module (110) further comprises a wire bracket (560) for providing tactile and/or acoustic feedback. The wire bracket (560) is elastically deflectable in the course of the actuation movement. The wire bracket (560) is bent with an overall bending angle of less than 360 degrees. The wire bracket (560) is fixed to the key tappet (220).

Abstract: A key module (110) for a keyboard is presented. The key module (110) comprises a key tappet (220). The key tappet (220) comprises a coupling portion (322) for coupling with a keycap for the key module (110). The key tappet (220) comprises at least one guiding portion (326, 328) for guiding a translational actuation movement of the key tappet (220) between a rest position and an actuated position. The key tappet (220) comprises at least one tappet stop (324) for limiting the actuation movement. The key module (110) also comprises a trigger element (350) for triggering a switch signal of the key module (110) in response to the actuation movement. The trigger element (350) is attachable to the key tappet (220). The key module (110) further comprises a module housing (230), wherein the module housing (230) is integrally formed. The module housing (230) comprises at least one positioning protrusion (334) for positioning the key module (110) and a circuit substrate of the keyboard.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a key press comprising a circuit substrate, a key module with a key cap and a movement mechanism, and a device for detecting the movement of the key cap, wherein the movement mechanism has at least one movement element wherein this device comprises an electrical resonance circuit with at least one capacitor and with a primary coil and comprises a secondary coil wherein the device for detecting the movement of the key cap comprises a measuring device for detecting and/or processing at least one physical variable of the electrical resonance circuit, which variable changes during the movement of the key cap, and outputs at least one electrical signal that is dependent on the change in the physical variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus comprising a primary coil, an object movable relative to the primary coil, and a device for detecting a movement of the object relative to the primary coil. This device comprises an electrical resonance circuit and at least one secondary coil with one or more coil windings, which secondary coil is moved with or starting from the object. The device comprises a measuring device for detecting and/or processing at least one physical variable of the electrical resonance circuit, which variable changes during the movement of the object between the first position and the second position and outputs at least one electrical signal that is dependent on the change in the physical variable. The invention further relates to an input device with one or more such apparatuses and to a method for operating such an apparatus or such an input apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a key press comprising a circuit substrate, to a key module with a key cap and a movement mechanism, and to a device for detecting the movement of the key cap, wherein this device comprises an electrical resonance circuit with a primary coil and a secondary coil with a short-circuited winding, which secondary coil is moved with the key cap, wherein the primary coil and the secondary coil are inductively coupled to one another, and the strength of the inductive coupling between the primary coil and secondary coil and thus at least one physical variable of the resonance circuit change during the movement of the key cap. The invention also relates to a keyboard comprising one or more such apparatuses and to a method for detecting a key press.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting a key press of a keyboard, comprising a key module, a circuit substrate, a planar coil arranged on or in the circuit substrate, and at least one damping element, wherein the at least one damping element for damping the planar coil is movably arranged in the key module between a rest position and an actuation position, wherein the damping element executes a first actuating movement during the movement in the direction of the actuation position and executes a second actuating movement) during the movement towards the rest position, and wherein the device (10) outputs at least one electrical signal when carrying out the first actuating movement and/or the second actuating movement. The invention also relates to a keyboard comprising one or more such devices and to a method for detecting a key press of a key module with such a device.

Abstract: What is presented is a key module for a keyboard. The key module includes a first wing element and a second wing element for guiding a movement of the key module upon actuation. Each wing element includes a bar, a first arm and a second arm. The arms extend away from the bar. A mounting portion is formed on the bar. A first bearing portion for bearing the wing element is formed on the first arm. A second bearing portion for bearing the wing element is formed on the second arm. The first wing element and the second wing element are mechanically coupleable to each other. The key module also includes at least one spring element for providing a reset force upon actuation of the key module. The at least one spring element is mountable to the mounting portion of the first wing element and the mounting portion of the second wing element. The key module further includes a support element for supporting the wing elements.

Abstract: What is presented is a key module (110) for a keyboard. The key module (110) comprises a key tappet (220). The key module (110) also comprises a module housing (230). The module housing (230) is formed to movably accommodate the key tappet (220), in order to enable a translational actuation movement of the key tappet (220) between a rest position and in an actuated position relative to the module housing (230). The key module (110) further comprises a trigger element (240) for triggering an actuation signal of the key module (110) in response to the actuation movement. The trigger element (240) is attached to the key tappet (220). The trigger element (240) is a contactor for electrically shorting contact pads of a circuit substrate of the keyboard. The trigger element (240) comprises more than to elastically deformable contact fingers for contacting the contact pads after different pre-travel paths in the course of the actuation movement.

Abstract: What is presented is a key module (110) for a keyboard. The key module (110) comprises a key tappet (220) comprising a coupling portion for coupling to a keycap for the key module (110). The key module (110) also comprises a module housing (230) formed to movably accommodate the key tappet (220), in order to enable a translational actuation movement of the key tappet (220) between a rest position and an actuated position relative to the module housing (230). The key module (110) further comprises a wire bracket (560) for providing tactile and/or acoustic feedback. The wire bracket (560) is elastically deflectable in the course of the actuation movement. The wire bracket (560) is bent with an overall bending angle of less than 360 degrees. The wire bracket (560) is fixed to the key tappet (220).

Abstract: What is presented is a key module with a cover element and a tappet having a cam nose, wherein the tappet is supported to be movable along a movement axis by the cover element, wherein the tappet has a cylindrical keycap supporting portion in a passage area in which it projects through the cover element and has at least one rib on a guiding portion adjacent to the an keycap supporting portion on an outside. Furthermore, the key module includes a contactor unit formed and arranged to be taken along by the cam nose, and a contact piece formed and arranged for establishing electric contact with the contact nose. Moreover, the key module has a housing element for accommodating the contact piece, the contactor unit and the tappet, wherein the housing element has, for accommodating the guiding portion of the tappet, at least one accommodating bowl with at least one recess for accommodating the at least one rib of the tappet.

Abstract: What is presented is a key module (100) with a cover element (110) and a tappet (105) having a cam nose (135), wherein the tappet (105) is supported to be movable along a movement axis (200) by the cover element (110), wherein the tappet (105) has a cylindrical keycap supporting portion (160) in a passage area (210) in which it projects through the cover element (110) and has at least one rib (170) on a guiding portion (165) adjacent to the an keycap supporting portion (160) on an outside (167). Furthermore, the key module (100) includes a contactor unit (115) formed and arranged to be taken along by the cam nose (135), and a contact piece (120) formed and arranged for establishing electric contact with the contact nose (140).