Patents by Inventor Pen-Hui Liao

Pen-Hui Liao 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: 10950394
    Abstract: A key switch includes a base, a key cap, a supporting mechanism, a link bar and a buffer member. The key cap is disposed above the base. The supporting mechanism is connected to the key cap and the base to allow the key cap to move relative to the base upwardly and downwardly. The link bar includes a lower linking end. The buffer member and the base are two independent components. The buffer member is disposed on the base and made of material softer than material of the base. A restraining structure is formed on the buffer member. The lower linking end movably passes through the restraining structure. When the key cap moves relative to the base upwardly and downwardly, the lower linking end is driven to move within the restraining structure correspondingly, so as to reduce noise during movement of the lower linking end relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Chin-Hung Lin, Yen-Hsiao Lin, Hsin-Hung Liu, Chia-Fu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20190304717
    Abstract: A key switch includes a base, a key cap, a supporting mechanism, a link bar and a buffer member. The key cap is disposed above the base. The supporting mechanism is connected to the key cap and the base to allow the key cap to move relative to the base upwardly and downwardly. The link bar includes a lower linking end. The buffer member and the base are two independent components. The buffer member is disposed on the base and made of material softer than material of the base. A restraining structure is formed on the buffer member. The lower linking end movably passes through the restraining structure. When the key cap moves relative to the base upwardly and downwardly, the lower linking end is driven to move within the restraining structure correspondingly, so as to reduce noise during movement of the lower linking end relative to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Chin-Hung Lin, Yen-Hsiao Lin, Hsin-Hung Liu, Chia-Fu Cheng
  • Patent number: 10373779
    Abstract: A key switch includes a base, a key cap, a link bar and a buffer member. A first hook of a first extending arm of the base and a second hook of a second extending arm of the base extend toward opposite directions respectively. An upper linking end of the link bar is movably connected to the key cap. The buffer member is made of material softer than material of the base. When the first hook and the second hook engage with a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion of the buffer member respectively, a recess structure of the buffer member is adjacent to the base to form a restraining structure. A lower linking end of the link bar is movably disposed through the restraining structure. Therefore, the key switch of the present invention has noise reduction capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Chin-Hung Lin, Yen-Hsiao Lin, Hsin-Hung Liu, Chia-Fu Cheng
  • Patent number: 10332695
    Abstract: A key switch includes a baseplate, a circuit layer, a keycap and a support rod. The baseplate has a hook and a first through hole neighboring to the hook. The circuit layer includes a plurality of superimposed sublayers disposed above the baseplate and having a through hole structure passing through the sublayers; a portion of one of the sublayers extends in the through hole structure over the first through hole and forms a resilient portion neighboring to the hook. Two sides of the resilient portion connect to the circuit layer. The keycap is disposed above the baseplate and can move upward and downward in respect to the baseplate. The support rod has a first portion, movably connecting to the keycap, and a second portion, engaged with the hook. The resilient portion extends beneath and abuts against the second portion for buffering a collision between the second portion and the baseplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Liang-Ta Yeh
  • Publication number: 20180350537
    Abstract: A key switch includes a base, a key cap, a link bar and a buffer member. A first hook of a first extending arm of the base and a second hook of a second extending arm of the base extend toward opposite directions respectively. An upper linking end of the link bar is movably connected to the key cap. The buffer member is made of material softer than material of the base. When the first hook and the second hook engage with a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion of the buffer member respectively, a recess structure of the buffer member is adjacent to the base to form a restraining structure. A lower linking end of the link bar is movably disposed through the restraining structure. Therefore, the key switch of the present invention has noise reduction capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Chin-Hung Lin, Yen-Hsiao Lin, Hsin-Hung Liu, Chia-Fu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20180315555
    Abstract: A key switch includes a baseplate, a circuit layer, a keycap and a support rod. The baseplate has a hook and a first through hole neighboring to the hook. The circuit layer includes a plurality of superimposed sublayers disposed above the baseplate and having a through hole structure passing through the sublayers; a portion of one of the sublayers extends in the through hole structure over the first through hole and forms a resilient portion neighboring to the hook. Two sides of the resilient portion connect to the circuit layer. The keycap is disposed above the baseplate and can move upward and downward in respect to the baseplate. The support rod has a first portion, movably connecting to the keycap, and a second portion, engaged with the hook. The resilient portion extends beneath and abuts against the second portion for buffering a collision between the second portion and the baseplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Liang-Ta Yeh
  • Patent number: 10049828
    Abstract: A key switch includes a baseplate, a circuit layer, a keycap and a support rod. The baseplate has a hook and a first through hole neighboring to the hook. The circuit layer includes a first sublayer disposed above the baseplate and having a second through hole, and a second sublayer disposed above the first sublayer and having a third through hole; a portion of the second sublayer extends over the second through hole and forms a first resilient portion; the first resilient portion has four sides, two of which connect to the second sublayer; and the first resilient portion is neighboring to the hook. The keycap is disposed above the baseplate and can move upward and downward in respect to the baseplate. The support rod has a first portion and a second portion; the first portion movably connects to the keycap and the second portion engages the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Liang-Ta Yeh
  • Patent number: 9966202
    Abstract: A keyswitch includes a cap, a support structure, a first magnet, and a baseplate having a bending arm protruding from the baseplate and a support rib extending horizontally to form a receiving space with the bending arm. The support structure includes a first support member pivoted to the baseplate and against the cap and a magnetic permeable plate extending from the first support member and being above the receiving space. The first magnet is inserted into the receiving space to be supported by the support rib and be pressed by the bending arm. When the cap is pressed to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the first magnet as the first support member rotates, the cap moves to a pressed position. When the cap is released, a magnetic attraction force between the magnetic permeable plate and the first magnet drives the magnetic permeable plate to approach the first magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Chin-Hung Lin, Hsin-Hung Liu, I-Chu Kuo, Yu-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 9953776
    Abstract: A keyswitch includes a base plate, a cap having a longitudinal axis, a returning device, a support mechanism, and a lifting mechanism including first and second support plates. The first support plate has first and second edges parallel to the longitudinal axis for respectively abutting against the base plate and the cap. The second support plate has third and fourth edges parallel to the longitudinal axis for respectively abutting against the base plate and the cap. The base plate is disposed through openings of the first and second support plates to make the first and second support plates movably connected to the base plate. The returning device drives the cap to a non-pressed position with rotation of the first and second support plates. The support mechanism has first and second support members pivoted to each other to be movably connected to the cap and the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Chin-Hung Lin
  • Publication number: 20180053606
    Abstract: A key switch includes a baseplate, a circuit layer, a keycap and a support rod. The baseplate has a hook and a first through hole neighboring to the hook. The circuit layer includes a first sublayer disposed above the baseplate and having a second through hole, and a second sublayer disposed above the first sublayer and having a third through hole; a portion of the second sublayer extends over the second through hole and forms a first resilient portion; the first resilient portion has four sides, two of which connect to the second sublayer; and the first resilient portion is neighboring to the hook. The keycap is disposed above the baseplate and can move upward and downward in respect to the baseplate. The support rod has a first portion and a second portion; the first portion movably connects to the keycap and the second portion engages the hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Liang-Ta Yeh
  • Publication number: 20180025856
    Abstract: A keyswitch includes a cap, a support structure, a first magnet, and a baseplate having a bending arm protruding from the baseplate and a support rib extending horizontally to form a receiving space with the bending arm. The support structure includes a first support member pivoted to the baseplate and against the cap and a magnetic permeable plate extending from the first support member and being above the receiving space. The first magnet is inserted into the receiving space to be supported by the support rib and be pressed by the bending arm. When the cap is pressed to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the first magnet as the first support member rotates, the cap moves to a pressed position. When the cap is released, a magnetic attraction force between the magnetic permeable plate and the first magnet drives the magnetic permeable plate to approach the first magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Chin-Hung Lin, Hsin-Hung Liu, I-Chu Kuo, Yu-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 9847193
    Abstract: An illuminant keyboard and a method thereof are provided. A plurality of protruding walls substantially parallel to each other are disposed on one of an upper surface of the transparent plate, a lower surface of the transparent plate and an upper surface of the planar light source. The protruding walls may be either I-shaped, L-shaped, U-shaped or square-shaped. When the protruding walls are made of an opaque material, the protruding walls can effectively reduce the intensity of the halo light surrounding a transparent keycap. When the protruding walls are made of a transparent material with a designated color, the halo light surrounding the keycap will be modulated with the designated color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Hung Liu, Pen-Hui Liao
  • Patent number: 9837221
    Abstract: A key switch includes a baseplate, a circuit layer, a keycap and a support rod. The baseplate has a hook and a first through hole neighboring to the hook. The circuit layer includes a first sublayer disposed above the baseplate and having a second through hole, and a second sublayer disposed above the first sublayer and having a third through hole; a portion of the second sublayer extends over the second through hole and forms a first resilient portion; the first resilient portion has four sides, two of which connect to the second sublayer; and the first resilient portion is neighboring to the hook. The keycap is disposed above the baseplate and can move upward and downward in respect to the baseplate. The support rod has a first portion and a second portion; the first portion movably connects to the keycap and the second portion engages the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Liang-Ta Yeh
  • Publication number: 20170330707
    Abstract: A keyswitch includes a base plate, a cap having a longitudinal axis, a returning device, a support mechanism, and a lifting mechanism including first and second support plates. The first support plate has first and second edges parallel to the longitudinal axis for respectively abutting against the base plate and the cap. The second support plate has third and fourth edges parallel to the longitudinal axis for respectively abutting against the base plate and the cap. The base plate is disposed through openings of the first and second support plates to make the first and second support plates movably connected to the base plate. The returning device drives the cap to a non-pressed position with rotation of the first and second support plates. The support mechanism has first and second support members pivoted to each other to be movably connected to the cap and the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Chin-Hung Lin
  • Publication number: 20160284484
    Abstract: A key switch includes a baseplate, a circuit layer, a keycap and a support rod. The baseplate has a hook and a first through hole neighboring to the hook. The circuit layer includes a first sublayer disposed above the baseplate and having a second through hole, and a second sublayer disposed above the first sublayer and having a third through hole; a portion of the second sublayer extends over the second through hole and forms a first resilient portion; the first resilient portion has four sides, two of which connect to the second sublayer; and the first resilient portion is neighboring to the hook. The keycap is disposed above the baseplate and can move upward and downward in respect to the baseplate. The support rod has a first portion and a second portion; the first portion movably connects to the keycap and the second portion engages the hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Liang-Ta Yeh
  • Publication number: 20160189892
    Abstract: An illuminant keyboard and a method thereof are provided. A plurality of protruding walls substantially parallel to each other are disposed on one of an upper surface of the transparent plate, a lower surface of the transparent plate and an upper surface of the planar light source. The protruding walls may be either I-shaped, L-shaped, U-shaped or square-shaped. When the protruding walls are made of an opaque material, the protruding walls can effectively reduce the intensity of the halo light surrounding a transparent keycap. When the protruding walls are made of a transparent material with a designated color, the halo light surrounding the keycap will be modulated with the designated color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Hung Liu, Pen-Hui Liao
  • Patent number: RE47957
    Abstract: A keyswitch includes a cap, a support structure, a first magnet, and a baseplate having a bending arm protruding from the baseplate and a support rib extending horizontally to form a receiving space with the bending arm. The support structure includes a first support member pivoted to the baseplate and against the cap and a magnetic permeable plate extending from the first support member and being above the receiving space. The first magnet is inserted into the receiving space to be supported by the support rib and be pressed by the bending arm. When the cap is pressed to make the magnetic permeable plate away from the first magnet as the first support member rotates, the cap moves to a pressed position. When the cap is released, a magnetic attraction force between the magnetic permeable plate and the first magnet drives the magnetic permeable plate to approach the first magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Pen-Hui Liao, Chin-Hung Lin, Hsin-Hung Liu, I-Chu Kuo, Yu-Ming Huang