FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the structure of an input device, and more particularly to a keyboard device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In modern societies, electronic products become indispensable parts in human lives. The electronic products are applied in many sectors, including food, clothing, housing, transportation, education and entertainment. Generally, the electronic product is equipped with a keyboard for facilitating the user to input control signals.

During the process of fabricating or using the keyboard device, electrostatic charges are usually generated. The electrostatic discharge (ESD) effect may result in damage of the electronic components within the keyboard device. For avoiding the ESD effect, a membrane switch structure with an electrostatic discharge protection function is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,445B1, and a key and a keyboard device with an electrostatic discharge protection function are disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. TWI578350. For example, a circuit board of the keyboard device comprises an upper film layer, a lower film layer, an intermediate layer, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer that can transfer and discharge electrostatic charges.

As mentioned above, the conventional technologies are aimed at the design of discharging the electrostatic charges from the inner portion of the device. However, the sources of the electrostatic charges are not restricted to the inner portion of the keyboard device. For example, when the key is pressed down by the user, electrostatic charges are gradually accumulated on the user's finger. Once the ESD effect occurs, the electronic components within the keyboard device are possibly damaged by the ESD effect through the depressed key. Under this circumstance, the keyboard device cannot be operated normally, or even the electronic device connected with the keyboard device is damaged.

Therefore, there is a need of providing a keyboard device capable of quickly and immediately discharging the electrostatic charges from key in order to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional technologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a keyboard device with an electrostatic discharge protection function. While the key is pressed by the user, the electrostatic charges on the user's finger can be discharged quickly. Since the keyboard device and the electronic device connected with the keyboard device can be effectively protected, the electronic components within the keyboard device and the electronic device will not be damaged by the electrostatic charges.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a keyboard device with an electrostatic discharge protection function is provided. The keyboard device includes a casing, a circuit board, plural keys and at least one electrostatic conduction module. The casing includes plural key slots. The circuit board is disposed within the casing. The circuit board includes a ground terminal. The plural keys installed in the corresponding key slots, respectively, wherein each key comprises a keycap and a supporting element, and the keycap is installed on the supporting element. Each electrostatic conduction module includes a first conductive element, an elastic conductive element and a second conductive element. The first conductive element is installed on the keycap. The elastic conductive element is disposed within the casing and contacted with the circuit board. The second conductive element is connected between the first conductive element and the elastic conductive element. The first conductive element is linked with the keycap. The first conductive element is moveably connected with an end of the second conductive element away from the elastic conductive element. Moreover, electrostatic charges on the keycap are transferred to the circuit board through the first conductive element, the second conductive element and the elastic conductive element and discharged from the ground terminal of the circuit board.

In an embodiment, the first conductive element is a metal lid that is combined with the corresponding keycap, or the first conductive element is a metallic coating that is formed on a surface of the corresponding keycap.

In an embodiment, the elastic conductive element includes a first fixing segment and an elastic extension segment, and the elastic extension segment is connected with the first fixing segment, wherein the first fixing segment is fixed on an inner side of the casing, and the elastic extension segment is contacted with a surface of the circuit board.

In an embodiment, the second conductive element includes a second fixing segment and a vertical metal segment, and the vertical metal segment is connected with the second fixing segment. The vertical metal segment is flexible. The second fixing segment is combined with the first fixing segment of the elastic conductive element.

In an embodiment, the first conductive element includes a conductive rib. The conductive rib is installed on a lateral side of a skirt part of the keycap. The conductive rib is connected with an end of the vertical metal segment away from the first fixing segment.

In an embodiment, the second conductive element is a metallic spring, and a first end of the metallic spring is fixed on a surface of the first fixing segment.

In an embodiment, the first conductive element includes a conductive rib. The conductive rib is installed on a lateral side of a skirt part of the keycap. The conductive rib is connected with a second end of the metallic spring away from the first fixing segment.

In an embodiment, a power wire is connected with the ground terminal of the circuit board, and the ground terminal is connected to a computer device through the power wire.

In an embodiment, the circuit board is a power supply circuit board, a switching circuit board, a backlight circuit board, or a combination thereof.

From the above descriptions, the present invention provides a keyboard device with an electrostatic discharge protection function. The electrostatic charges on the users' finger or the key can be immediately discharged through the electrostatic conduction module. Due to this structural design, the keyboard device and the electronic device connected with the keyboard device can be effectively protected. Consequently, the electronic components within the keyboard device and the electronic device will not be damaged by the electrostatic charges.

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:

