Patents by Inventor Ling-Hsi Chao

Ling-Hsi Chao has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12131874
    Abstract: A keyswitch support connection structure incudes a bottom plate portion, a cantilever plate, and a joining portion. The cantilever plate extends upward from a joining hole of the bottom plate portion and has a holding structure. The joining portion and the joining hole are firmly engaged with each other. The joining portion encapsulates the holding structure. The joining portion and the bottom plate portion jointly form or the joining portion alone forms a support connection portion. A keyswitch structure includes a base, a keycap above the base, and first and second keyswitch supports connected to and between the keycap and the base. The base includes the above keyswitch support connection structure. The first keyswitch support is rotatably connected to the support connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Po-Chun Hou, Chin-Hung Lin, Liang-Ta Yeh, Ling-Hsi Chao
  • Patent number: 12080492
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a lift mechanism and a keycap. Two supports of the lift mechanism support the keycap. There can be a spring structure connecting the two supports for driving the two supports to lift the keycap. The lift mechanism defines a central space extending through the whole lift mechanism in a vertical direction. The spring structure does not enter the central space. The two supports abut against and constrain each other through corresponding structures, to mutually rotate with respect to a rotation axis. The keyswitch structure can include a switch. The switch includes an intermediate support, detachably abutting downward against the lift mechanism or the keycap, and a resilient part, detachably abutting downward against the intermediate support. In the process of pressing the keycap, the intermediate support is separated from the lift mechanism or the keycap, so that the contact force of the switch can be maintained constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chen Yang, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsiao, Yu-Chun Hsieh
  • Patent number: 12009161
    Abstract: A key structure includes a base and a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism includes a plurality of linking members movably connected to each other. The plurality of linking members includes at least two linking members rotatably positioned on the base, respectively. When a pressing force is applied to the linkage mechanism, the plurality of linking members move associated with each other to restrict a rotation range of the plurality of linking members with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yu-Chun Hsieh, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsiao, Chen Yang
  • Patent number: 11990295
    Abstract: An illuminated keyswitch includes a keycap, a pair of frames adapted to support the keycap in an up-down movement, the pair of frames disposed corresponding to each other and substantially rotatably coupled to each other to define an inner space under the keycap, a pair of elastic members connecting the pair of frames to be located at two opposite sides of the inner space, respectively, and an illumination light source disposed between the pair of elastic members in the inner space and adapted to provide an illumination light. During the up-down movement of the keycap, a vertical projection of the pair of frames surrounds the inner space without interfering therewith, so the illumination light passes the inner space to illuminate the keycap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chen Yang, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsiao, Yu-Chun Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11978598
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a base, a keycap, a lift mechanism and a light-emitting part. The lift mechanism includes a first support, a second support, and a spring structure. The first support and the second support are connected to and between the base and the keycap, so that the keycap can move relative to the base in a vertical direction. The spring structure is a single structural part and is connected to the first support and the second support and drives the first support and the second support to lift the keycap in the vertical direction. The lift mechanism as a whole defines a central space that extends through the whole lift mechanism in the vertical direction. The spring structure does not enter the central space. The light-emitting part is disposed on the base corresponding to the central zone, and emits light to illuminate the keycap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chen Yang, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsiao, Yu-Chun Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20240105401
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a casing, a first support, a second support, and a pressing stem. The casing forms an accommodating space and an opening communicating with the accommodating space. The first and second supports are disposed in the accommodating space and are directly and rotatably connected with the casing; the supports are also pivotally connected with each other. The pressing stem extends into the accommodating space to be rotatably connected with the first and second supports and protrudes from the casing through the opening. The pressing stem is movable parallel to a vertical direction relative to the casing through the first and second supports. A motion of the pressing stem in the vertical direction has a top dead center and a bottom dead center. When the pressing stem is at the top dead center and the bottom dead center, it does not touch the casing in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yu-Chun Hsieh, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsiao, Chen Yang
  • Patent number: 11923159
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a keycap support mechanism and a keycap that is supported by the keycap support mechanism in a vertical direction. The keycap support mechanism includes a base and two supports. The base has two sliding slots. Each sliding slot has an opening in a horizontal direction and an obstruction block at the opening. The horizontal direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction. Each support has a sliding portion and a linkage portion. The sliding portions slide parallel to the horizontal direction in the sliding slots correspondingly. The obstruction block prevents the corresponding sliding portion from disengaging from the corresponding sliding slot. The two linkage portions push against each other in line contact, so that the two supports are mutually driven through the two linkage portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chen Yang, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsiao, Yu-Chun Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11705294
    Abstract: A key structure includes a base, a movable mechanism movably positioned on the base, a sound generating member positioned on the base, and an adjusting unit movable relative to the base to be at a first position or a second position. The sound generating member has a hitting portion, which extends corresponding to an impact surface. When the adjusting unit is at the first position, and a pressing force is applied to the movable mechanism, the movable mechanism moves relative to the base and drives the sound generating member to move, so the hitting portion moves to hit the impact surface to generate a hitting sound. When the adjusting unit is at the second position, the adjusting unit restricts movement of the hitting portion, so the hitting portion cannot move to hit the impact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yu-Chun Hsieh, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsiao, Chen Yang
  • Publication number: 20230197373
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a lift mechanism and a keycap. Two supports of the lift mechanism support the keycap. There can be a spring structure connecting the two supports for driving the two supports to lift the keycap. The lift mechanism defines a central space extending through the whole lift mechanism in a vertical direction. The spring structure does not enter the central space. The two supports abut against and constrain each other through corresponding structures, to mutually rotate with respect to a rotation axis. The keyswitch structure can include a switch. The switch includes an intermediate support, detachably abutting downward against the lift mechanism or the keycap, and a resilient part, detachably abutting downward against the intermediate support. In the process of pressing the keycap, the intermediate support is separated from the lift mechanism or the keycap, so that the contact force of the switch can be maintained constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chen Yang, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsiao, Yu-Chun Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20230197366
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a keycap support mechanism and a keycap that is supported by the keycap support mechanism in a vertical direction. The keycap support mechanism includes a base and two supports. The base has two sliding slots. Each sliding slot has an opening in a horizontal direction and an obstruction block at the opening. The horizontal direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction. Each support has a sliding portion and a linkage portion. The sliding portions slide parallel to the horizontal direction in the sliding slots correspondingly. The obstruction block prevents the corresponding sliding portion from disengaging from the corresponding sliding slot. The two linkage portions push against each other in line contact, so that the two supports are mutually driven through the two linkage portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chen Yang, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsiao, Yu-Chun Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20230197365
    Abstract: An illuminated keyswitch includes a keycap, a pair of frames adapted to support the keycap in an up-down movement, the pair of frames disposed corresponding to each other and substantially rotatably coupled to each other to define an inner space under the keycap, a pair of elastic members connecting the pair of frames to be located at two opposite sides of the inner space, respectively, and an illumination light source disposed between the pair of elastic members in the inner space and adapted to provide an illumination light. During the up-down movement of the keycap, a vertical projection of the pair of frames surrounds the inner space without interfering therewith, so the illumination light passes the inner space to illuminate the keycap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Chen Yang, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsieh, Yu-Chun Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20230197372
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a base, a keycap, a lift mechanism and a light-emitting part. The lift mechanism includes a first support, a second support, and a spring structure. The first support and the second support are connected to and between the base and the keycap, so that the keycap can move relative to the base in a vertical direction. The spring structure is a single structural part and is connected to the first support and the second support and drives the first support and the second support to lift the keycap in the vertical direction. The lift mechanism as a whole defines a central space that extends through the whole lift mechanism in the vertical direction. The spring structure does not enter the central space. The light-emitting part is disposed on the base corresponding to the central zone, and emits light to illuminate the keycap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chen Yang, Ling-Hsi Chao, Shao-Lun Hsiao, Yu-Chun Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20230187147
    Abstract: A keyswitch assembly includes a base, a pressable plate, a first magnetic acting member and a second magnetic acting member. An accommodating space is defined within the base, and an upper surface of the base is provided with a connecting portion. The pressable plate includes a pressing portion, an acting portion and a pivotal connection portion located between the pressing portion and the acting portion and pivotally connected to the connecting portion. The first magnetic acting member is disposed on the acting portion; the second magnetic acting member is disposed on the base corresponding to the first magnetic acting member. The keyswitch assembly is configured such that the first magnetic acting member and the second magnetic acting are attracted or repulsed each other by a magnetic force, so as to provide or change a pressing resistance of the pressing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Yao CHI, Ling-Hsi CHAO, Da-Shan HSU, Shao-Lun HSIAO, Yu-Chun HSIEH
  • Patent number: 11538644
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a keycap, a base, and two supports that are pivotally connected to each other and connected to and between the keycap and the base. The keycap can move up and down relative to the base through the two supports. In an embodiment, the two supports are pivotally connected through an engagement of a shaft with a C-shaped shaft hole. In another embodiment, each support is provided in a form of an n-shaped structure and includes a semi-shaft hole and a shaft portion at two ends of the n-shaped structure respectively. The two supports are pivotally connected by the shaft portions rotatably abutting the corresponding semi-shaft holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Ling-Hsi Chao
  • Publication number: 20220406540
    Abstract: A key structure includes a base and a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism includes a plurality of linking members movably connected to each other. The plurality of linking members includes at least two linking members rotatably positioned on the base, respectively. When a pressing force is applied to the linkage mechanism, the plurality of linking members move associated with each other to restrict a rotation range of the plurality of linking members with respect to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Yu-Chun HSIEH, Ling-Hsi CHAO, Shao-Lun HSIAO, Chen YANG
  • Publication number: 20220406539
    Abstract: A key structure includes a base, a movable mechanism movably positioned on the base, a sound generating member positioned on the base, and an adjusting unit movable relative to the base to be at a first position or a second position. The sound generating member has a hitting portion, which extends corresponding to an impact surface. When the adjusting unit is at the first position, and a pressing force is applied to the movable mechanism, the movable mechanism moves relative to the base and drives the sound generating member to move, so the hitting portion moves to hit the impact surface to generate a hitting sound. When the adjusting unit is at the second position, the adjusting unit restricts movement of the hitting portion, so the hitting portion cannot move to hit the impact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Yu-Chun HSIEH, Ling-Hsi CHAO, Shao-Lun HSIAO, Chen YANG
  • Patent number: 11424090
    Abstract: A keyswitch support connection structure incudes a bottom plate portion and a joining portion firmly joined with a joining hole of a bottom plate portion to form a support connection portion. In an embodiment, a cantilever plate extends upward from the joining hole. The joining portion encapsulates a holding structure of the cantilever plate. In another embodiment, a protruding bridge portion connected across two sides of the joining hole. The joining portion encapsulates the protruding bridge portion. In another embodiment, the joining portion has a wing portion protruding from a bottom surface of the bottom plate portion and extending parallel to the bottom surface. A keyswitch structure includes a base with the keyswitch support connection structure, a keycap, and two keyswitch supports. The two keyswitch supports are connected to and between the keycap and the base; therein, one of the keyswitch supports is rotatably connected to the support connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Po-Chun Hou, Chin-Hung Lin, Liang-Ta Yeh, Ling-Hsi Chao
  • Patent number: 11264186
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a keycap, a base, and two supports pivotally connected to each other relative to a rotation axis and connected to and between the keycap and the base. One of the supports includes a first shaft recess, a first shaft portion, and a division slot formed therebetween; the other support includes a second shaft recess, a second shaft portion, and a division wall therebetween. The two supports are pivotally connected relative to the rotation axis by the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion rotatably disposed in the first shaft recess and the second shaft recess respectively. Therein, the division wall is inserted into the division slot. The keycap can move up and down relative to the base through the two supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Ling-Hsi Chao
  • Patent number: 11189442
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a base plate, a keycap, a lift mechanism connecting the keycap and the base plate, a movable part movably disposed relative to the base plate, a linking support, and a magnetic part on the base plate. The linking support has a pivotal connection portion, 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 pivotal connection portion is rotatably disposed on a protruding portion of the movable part, and the magnetic attraction force drives the keycap through the linking support to move away relative to the keycap. When the movable part moves from the first position to a second position, the protruding portion moves away, so that the pivotal connection portion falls down and the keycap moves toward the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ming-Yuan Hsieh, Ling-Hsi Chao, Liang-Ta Yeh
  • Patent number: RE50000
    Abstract: A keyswitch structure includes a base, a keycap, a first support, a second support, and a connection structure. The keycap moves up and down relative to the base through the first support and the second support. The connection structure is disposed on the base and includes a vertical-motion limiting part and a horizontal-motion limiting part. The first support includes a rod-shaped connection portion and is connected to the connection structure through the rod-shaped connection portion. The vertical-motion limiting part prevents the rod-shaped connection portion from vertically moving. The horizontal-motion limiting part limits the horizontal movement of the rod-shaped connection portion. The vertical-motion limiting part and the horizontal-motion limiting part are separated in the rotation axis of the rod-shaped connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Hao Chen, Chih-Hung Chen, Chin-Hung Lin, Ling-Hsi Chao, Chih-Chung Yen