Abstract:
A magnetic keyboard includes a base, a switch circuit board and plural keys. Each key includes a keycap, plural first magnetic elements and plural second magnetic elements. The switch circuit board is disposed on the base. The plural keys are connected with the base. The plural first magnetic elements of each key are fixed on an inner surface of the keycap. The plural second magnetic elements are disposed within the base. The first magnetic elements are partially inserted into the corresponding second magnetic elements. Consequently, the keys are connected with the base, and the function of returning the keycaps to their original positions are achievable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a keyboard, and more particularly to a magnetic keyboard. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A keyboard is one of the widely-used computer peripheral devices. Generally, the keyboard comprises plural keys. Via the keys, the user can input characters or symbols. The operating principle of the keyboard will be illustrated as follows. When the keys are pressed by the user, the keys are moved downwardly to trigger the keyboard to generate various signals, and the signals are transmitted to a host of the computer. Moreover, when the keys are no longer pressed, the keys are moved upwardly and returned to their original positions. 
         [0003]    Conventionally, a membrane keyboard is equipped with scissors-type supporting elements and elastic elements under the keys. Since the pressing force applied to the keycap is distributed uniformly by the scissors-type supporting element, the scissors-type supporting element can stabilize the keycap. Moreover, the key is fixed on a base of the keyboard through the scissors-type supporting element. The elastic element can support the keycap. Moreover, in response to a restoring force of the elastic element, the pressed key is returned to its original position. 
         [0004]    However, since the key structure of the conventional keyboard has so many components and the process of assembling the key structure is complicated, the material cost and labor cost are high. Moreover, if any single key is damaged, it is difficult to replace the damaged key with a new one. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved keyboard in order to overcome the above drawbacks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An object of the present invention provides a magnetic keyboard with plural magnetic keys in order to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional technologies. The magnetic keys are magnetically attracted by the keyboard without the assistance of other connecting elements. Consequently, the assembling complexity and the fabricating cost are reduced, and any single key is detached from the keyboard easily. 
         [0007]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic keyboard. The magnetic keyboard includes a base, a switch circuit board and plural keys. The switch circuit board is disposed on the base. When the switch circuit board is triggered, a corresponding key signal is generated. The plural keys are connected with the base. Each of the plural keys includes a keycap, plural first magnetic elements and plural second magnetic elements. The plural first magnetic elements are connected with an inner surface of the keycap. Each of the first magnetic elements has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion of the first magnetic element have opposite poles. The plural second magnetic elements are connected with the base. Each of the second magnetic elements has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion of the second magnetic element have opposite poles. The upper portion of the first magnetic element and the upper portion of the second magnetic element have like poles. The lower portion of the first magnetic element and the lower portion of the second magnetic element have like poles. The first magnetic element is inserted into the second magnetic element, so that the lower portion of the first magnetic element is magnetically attracted by the upper portion of the second magnetic element. 
         [0008]    In the magnetic keyboard of the present invention, the upper portion and the lower portion of the first magnetic element and the upper portion and the lower portion of the second magnetic element are attracted by or repelled from each other. Consequently, the key is fixed on the keyboard and movable upwardly or downwardly to trigger the generation of the key signal or return the key to its original position. Moreover, since the keycap of the key is easily detached, the assembling complexity is reduced and the keyboard is easily maintained. 
         [0009]    The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of a magnetic keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic exploded view illustrating a key of the magnetic keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the magnetic keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the key is not pressed; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the magnetic keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the key is pressed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]    The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiment and accompanying drawings. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of a magnetic keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the magnetic keyboard  1  comprises a base  10  and plural keys  30 . When one of the keys  30  is pressed by the user, a corresponding input command is generated. For well understanding the technologies of the present invention, a single key  30  and the associated assembled structure will be illustrated as follows. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic exploded view illustrating a key of the magnetic keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the magnetic keyboard  1  comprises the base  10 , a switch circuit board  20  and plural keys  30 . The switch circuit board  20  is disposed on the base  10 . The plural keys  30  are connected with the base  10 . In this embodiment, the key  30  comprises a keycap  31 , plural first magnetic elements  32  and plural second magnetic elements  33 . The keycap  31  is disposed over the switch circuit board  20 . The plural first magnetic elements  32  are connected with an inner surface  311  of the keycap  31 . The plural second magnetic elements  33  are connected with the base  10 . Each of the first magnetic elements  32  has an upper portion  321  and a lower portion  322 . The upper portion  321  and the lower portion  322  have opposite poles. Each of the second magnetic elements  33  has an upper portion  331  and a lower portion  332 . The upper portion  331  and the lower portion  332  have opposite poles. Moreover, the upper portion  321  of the first magnetic element  32  and the upper portion  331  of the second magnetic element  33  have like poles, and the lower portion  322  of the first magnetic element  32  and the lower portion  332  of the second magnetic element  33  have like poles. Moreover, the second magnetic element  33  further comprises a perforation  333 . The perforation  333  runs through the upper portion  331  and the lower portion  332  of the second magnetic element  33 . The first magnetic element  32  is partially inserted into the perforation  333  of the second magnetic element  33 . Consequently, the lower portion  322  of the first magnetic element  32  is magnetically attracted by the upper portion  331  of the second magnetic element  33 . 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the base  10  is a square flat plate. Preferably but not exclusively, the base  10  is made of a metallic material or a plastic material. Preferably, the switch circuit board  20  is a membrane switch circuit board. The switch circuit board  20  is disposed on a top surface of the base  10 . In this embodiment, the membrane switch circuit board  20  has a three-layered structure for generating a key signal. The plural keys  30  are disposed over the switch circuit board  20 . When one of the keys  30  is pressed by the user, the switch circuit board  20  is triggered to generate the corresponding key signal. 
         [0018]    Moreover, the switch circuit board  20  further comprises plural first openings  21  corresponding to the plural keys  30 . The plural second magnetic elements  33  are partially accommodated within the corresponding first openings  21 . The base  10  further comprises plural second openings  11  corresponding to the plural first openings  21  and the plural keys  30 . After the plural second magnetic elements  33  are penetrated through the corresponding first openings  21 , the plural second magnetic elements  33  are partially accommodated within the corresponding second openings  11 . After the plural second magnetic elements  33  are accommodated within the first openings  21  and the second openings  11 , the top surfaces S 1  of the plural second magnetic elements  33  are at the same level with the top surface S 2  of the switch circuit board  20  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0019]    In addition to the keycap  31 , the plural first magnetic elements  32  and the plural second magnetic elements  33 , the key  30  further comprises plural clamping structures  312  and a protrusion  313 . The plural clamping structures  312  and a protrusion  313  are disposed on the inner surface  311  of the keycap  31 . The inner surface  311  of the keycap  31  faces the base  10 . In this embodiment, the keycap  31  comprises four clamping structures  312 . The four clamping structures  312  are fixed on four corners of the inner surface  311  of the keycap  31 , respectively. Preferably, the clamping structures  312  are integrally formed with the keycap  31 . After the first magnetic elements  32  are fixed by the corresponding clamping structures  312 , the first magnetic elements  32  are connected with the keycap  31 . Moreover, when the keycap  31  is pressed by the user, the protrusion  313  is moved downwardly to trigger the switch circuit board  20  so as to generate the corresponding key signal. 
         [0020]    Hereinafter, the relationship between the components of the key  30  and the operating mechanism of the key  30  will be illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the magnetic keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the key is not pressed.  FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the magnetic keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the key is pressed. 
         [0021]    Please refer to  FIG. 3 . The first magnetic elements  32  are partially inserted into the perforations  333  of the corresponding second magnetic elements  33 . As mentioned above, the lower portion  322  of the first magnetic element  32  and the upper portion  331  of the second magnetic element  33  have opposite poles. Since opposite poles attract each other, the lower portion  322  of the first magnetic element  32  is magnetically attracted by the upper portion  331  of the second magnetic element  33  when the first magnetic element  32  is inserted into the perforation  333  of the second magnetic element  33 . In particular, the first magnetic element  32  is suspended in the perforation  333 , and a buffer space  40  is formed under a bottom surface of the first magnetic element  32 . While the key  30  is pressed or the key  30  is returned to its original position, the first magnetic element  32  is vertically movable within the perforation  333  because of the buffer space  40 . 
         [0022]    Please refer to  FIG. 4 . When the key  30  is pressed by the user, an external force is applied to the keycap  31  and the first magnetic elements  32  are moved with the keycap  31 . Consequently, the bottom surface of each first magnetic element  32  of the key  30  is moved toward the bottom of the buffer space  40 . Meanwhile, the lower portion  322  of the first magnetic element  32  and the lower portion  332  of the second magnetic element  33  have like poles. Since like poles repel each other, a repelling force is generated by the lower portion  322  of the first magnetic element  32  and the lower portion  332  of the second magnetic element  33 . When the key  30  is no longer pressed, the first magnetic element  32  is moved upwardly in response to the repelling force. Until the lower portion  322  of the first magnetic element  32  is magnetically attracted by the upper portion  331  of the second magnetic element  33  again, the keycap  31  is returned to its original position (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0023]    From the above descriptions, the plural first magnetic elements  32  are fixed on the inner surface  311  of the keycap  31 , and the second magnetic elements  33  are fixed on the base  10 . By the plural first magnetic elements  32  and the second magnetic elements  33 , the key  30  is directly fixed on the base  10 . Moreover, after the key  30  is pressed, the key  30  is returned to its original position by the plural first magnetic elements  32  and the second magnetic elements  33 . Under this circumstance, the key  30  can be fixed on the magnetic keyboard  1  without the connecting element, and the keycap  31  can be returned to its original position without the support of the elastic element. Consequently, the assembling complexity and the material cost are reduced. Moreover, the keys of the magnetic keyboard of the present invention can be easily detached so as to be cleaned and replaced. In conclusion, the magnetic keyboard of the present invention is more advantageous over the conventional keyboard. 
         [0024]    While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.