A reflective four-in-one luminous key core module

Abstract

The present invention discloses a reflective four-in-one luminous key core module. The insulating layer in the luminous key core module is arranged on a supporting structure, the circuit layer is arranged on the insulating layer, a switch is arranged on the circuit layer at a position corresponding to the keycap, the spacer layer is arranged above the insulating layer, a first through hole is opened on the spacer layer at a position corresponding to the keycap, an elastic conductive member is arranged at the position corresponding to the first through hole, a light guide film is arranged above the spacer layer, a conductive sheet is fixedly arranged below the light guide film at a position corresponding to the elastic conductive member, the conductive sheet is arranged corresponding to the first through hole, a light guide point is arranged on the light guide film at a position corresponding to the keycap, an LED lamp is installed on the circuit layer and arranged corresponding to the keycap, a second through hole is opened on the spacer layer at a position corresponding to the LED lamp, a third through hole is opened on the light guide film at the position corresponding to the LED lamp, the LED lamp is installed in the second through hole and the third through hole, and the keycap is arranged above the elastic conductive member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention discloses a keyboard structure, in particular to a reflective four-in-one luminous key core module, belonging to the technical field of computer peripheral equipment. Background Art

[0002] The keyboard is the most commonly used and most important input device. Through the keyboard, English letters, Chinese characters, numbers, punctuation marks, etc. can be input into the computer, thereby issuing commands to the computer and inputting data. It can be said that since the day the computer was invented, the keyboard has been one of the indispensable peripheral devices of the computer.

[0003] With the continuous development of keyboards, in order to make the keyboard have a better use effect, luminous keyboards (or backlit keyboards) came into being. The keycaps are designed to be a light-transmitting structure, and the light emitted by the backlight module is used to illuminate the keycaps. On the one hand, it is more suitable for night-time input and easy to see the words on the keycaps. On the other hand, it also produces a cooler effect. The luminous keyboard structure in the existing technology is to set a backlight module inside the keyboard. The backlight module emits light to illuminate the keycaps. The backlight module usually includes a light-shielding film, a light-guiding film, a reflective film and an LED. The light-shielding film, the light-guiding film and the reflective film are stacked. The LED is set on the side of the light-guiding film. The light emitted by the LED enters the light-guiding film and is guided through the light-guiding film to each keycap to illuminate the keycaps. The common backlight keyboards currently have inherent disadvantages due to their structural limitations: (1) Due to the limitation of the backlight module, especially the LED in the backlight module, the thickness of the entire backlight module is more than 0.5mm, which affects the thinness of the entire keyboard; (2) It uses a light-guiding film combined with an LED structure to emit light, so its LED needs to be a high-power, high-brightness LED. On the one hand, high-power, high-brightness LED will cause its power consumption to be too high, resulting in high power consumption. On the other hand, high-power, high-brightness LED will generate a lot of heat during use. Since there are only one or a few LEDs, the heat is concentrated, which will cause poor heat dissipation effect and local heating of the keyboard, affecting the customer's user experience. Especially when it is used in a laptop computer, it will also affect the laptop's own heat dissipation effect. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the above-mentioned shortcomings of the luminous keyboard in the prior art that uses a backlight module for illumination, which is relatively thick, has high power consumption and poor heat dissipation, the present invention provides a reflective four-in-one luminous key core module, which uses a special luminous key core module and utilizes LEDs corresponding to the keycaps to directly illuminate the keycap area to solve the above problems.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is: a reflective four-in-one luminous key core module, the luminous key core module includes a supporting structure, an insulating layer, a circuit layer, a spacer layer, a light guide film, an elastic conductive part, an LED lamp and a keycap, the insulating layer is arranged on the supporting structure, the circuit layer is arranged on the insulating layer, a switch is arranged on the circuit layer at a position corresponding to the keycap, the spacer layer is arranged above the insulating layer, a first through hole is opened on the spacer layer at a position corresponding to the keycap, the elastic conductive part is arranged corresponding to the position of the first through hole, the light guide film is arranged above the spacer layer, a conductive sheet is fixedly arranged below the light guide film at a position corresponding to the elastic conductive part, the conductive sheet is arranged corresponding to the first through hole, a light guide network point is arranged on the light guide film at a position corresponding to the keycap, the LED lamp is installed on the circuit layer and arranged corresponding to the keycap, a second through hole is opened on the spacer layer corresponding to the position of the LED lamp, a third through hole is opened on the light guide film corresponding to the position of the LED lamp, the LED lamp is installed in the second through hole and the third through hole, and the keycap is arranged above the elastic conductive part.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem further includes:

[0007] The supporting structure is made of steel sheets with a thickness of 0.10 mm to 0.25 mm.

[0008] The conductive sheet is dotted with silver paste.

[0009] The insulating layer is fixedly mounted on the supporting structure by using an adhesive layer, and the thickness of the insulating layer is 0.02mm to 0.05mm.

[0010] The thickness of the spacer layer is 0.02-0.07 mm, and the thickness of the light guide film is 0.08-0.12 mm.

[0011] A composite film is arranged above the light-guiding film, the thickness of the composite film is 0.020-0.30 mm, white ink is arranged on the lower layer of the composite film, and black ink is arranged on the upper layer of the composite film. White ink and black ink are not arranged at the positions of the composite film corresponding to the keycaps, or openings are arranged at the positions of the composite film corresponding to the keycaps.

[0012] 1 to 4 LEDs can be arranged corresponding to each keycap.

[0013] The elastic conductive member is a spring, which is mounted on the composite film or directly mounted on the light guide film.

[0014] A scissor foot is installed between the key cap and the elastic conductive member, and the key cap and the scissor foot are respectively installed on the steel sheet.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the present invention utilizes LEDs corresponding to the keycap settings to directly illuminate the keycap area, thereby eliminating the need for a backlight module structure, which can reduce the thickness of the keyboard as a whole and is more conducive to a lightweight and thin design of the keyboard; on the other hand, by using LEDs to directly illuminate the keycap area, low-power components can be used for the LEDs, which is not only conducive to reducing power consumption as a whole, but also reduces its own heat generation. At the same time, since the LEDs adopt a decentralized design, they are more conducive to heat dissipation, especially when used in laptop computers, and the keyboard can also assist in dissipating the heat generated by the laptop itself (mainly the CPU).

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a single keycap in a partially exploded state in the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded state structure of a local cross-section of a single keycap in the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a partial top view of a single keycap in the present invention.

[0020] In the figure, 1-steel sheet, 2-adhesive layer, 3-insulating layer, 4-circuit layer, 5-spacer layer, 6-light guide film, 7-LED lamp, 8-spring, 9-scissor foot, 10-keycap, 11-switch, 12-conductive sheet, 13-first through hole, 14-second through hole, 15-third through hole, 16-composite film. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] This embodiment is a preferred implementation manner of the present invention. Other embodiments whose principles and basic structures are the same or similar to those of this embodiment are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] Please see attached Figure 1 To the attached Figure 3The present invention mainly protects a reflective four-in-one luminous key core module, which is used in a luminous keyboard. The attached figure shows the structure of a single keyboard keycap. When implemented, the structures of each keycap are the same. The present invention mainly includes a supporting structure, an insulating layer 3, a circuit layer 4, a spacer layer 5, a light guide film 6, an elastic conductive part, an LED lamp 7 and a keycap 10. The insulating layer 3 is arranged on the supporting structure, the circuit layer 4 is arranged on the insulating layer 4, and the spacer layer 5 is arranged above the insulating layer 4. A first through hole 13 is opened on the spacer layer 5 at the position corresponding to the keycap 10, and the elastic conductive part is arranged at the position corresponding to the first through hole 13. The light guide film 6 is arranged above the spacer layer 5, and a conductive sheet 12 is fixedly provided below the light guide film 6 at the position corresponding to the elastic conductive part. The conductive sheet 12 is arranged corresponding to the first through hole 13. In other words, the conductive sheet 12 is arranged corresponding to the top of the switch 11. In this embodiment, the conductive sheet 12 adopts silver paste dots and is formed on the light guide film 6 by coating. Light-guiding dots are provided on the light-guiding film 6 at positions corresponding to the keycaps 10 (the light-guiding dots can be generated by conventional methods such as coating, silk-screen printing, dot printing, UV glue or embossing), so that the light emitted by the LED lamp 7 can be irradiated into the light-guiding film 6 and then emitted from the light-guiding dots, thereby illuminating the keycaps 10. The LED lamp 7 is installed on the circuit layer 4 and is provided corresponding to the keycaps 10, so that the light emitted by the LED lamp 7 can illuminate the corresponding keycaps 10. A second through hole 14 is provided on the spacer layer 5 at the position corresponding to the LED lamp 7, and a third through hole 15 is provided on the light-guiding film 6 at the position corresponding to the LED lamp 7, that is, the second through hole 14 and the third through hole 15 are stacked and connected to form a through hole, and the LED lamp 7 is provided in the second through hole 14 and the third through hole 15. In this embodiment, the thickness of the spacer layer 5 and the light-guiding film 6 is consistent with the thickness of the LED lamp 7, and the keycap 10 is provided above the elastic conductive member.

[0023] In this embodiment, the supporting structure is made of a steel sheet 1, which facilitates the installation of the entire luminous key core module. In specific implementation, the supporting structure can also be the keyboard shell or the internal structure of an electronic product (such as a laptop, mobile phone, e-book, etc.) that uses the luminous key core module. In this embodiment, the thickness of the steel sheet 1 is 0.10mm to 0.25mm, which can meet the strength requirements without making the overall thickness too thick. When the present invention is used in a scissor-foot keyboard, the steel sheet 1 is also provided with a mounting structure, such as a mounting hole, a hook, etc., for installing the scissor feet and keycaps, etc. Its mounting structure is the same as that of a conventional keyboard structure and will not be repeated here.

[0024] In this embodiment, insulating layer 3 is made of a polyimide insulating material and is used to attach and fix circuit layer 4. In a specific implementation, insulating layer 3 and circuit layer 4 may also adopt an FPC structure or other circuit board structures in the prior art. Insulating layer 3 may also be made of other insulating materials suitable for attaching circuit layer 4. Insulating layer 3 has a thickness of 0.02 mm to 0.05 mm, which is sufficient to meet the attachment requirements of circuit layer 4.

[0025] In this embodiment, the insulating layer 3 is fixed to the steel sheet 1 using an adhesive layer 2. The adhesive layer 2 is preferably a thermosetting adhesive for ease of processing. In practice, other materials such as self-adhesive adhesive may also be used. The thickness of the adhesive layer 2 is negligible, as long as it meets the bonding requirements. Alternatively, during production and processing, the adhesive layer 2 may be omitted and other fixing structures may be used to fix the insulating layer 3 to the steel sheet 1. Alternatively, the insulating layer 3 may be directly attached to the steel sheet 1.

[0026] In this embodiment, the circuit layer 4 is a copper foil circuit, which is attached to the insulating layer 3 and can be formed by conventional circuit board processing techniques such as etching, silk screen printing, or pasting. The circuit structure of the circuit layer 4 adopts a conventional keyboard circuit and a conventional LED lamp drive circuit structure, which is not limited in the present invention. A switch 11, i.e., a keyboard key switch, is provided on the circuit layer 4 at the position corresponding to the keycap. The switch 11 has the same structure as a conventional keyboard.

[0027] In this embodiment, the spacer layer 5 is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material with a thickness of 0.02 to 0.07 mm, preferably 0.05 mm, and mainly plays an insulating role. In specific implementation, it can also be made of other materials with insulating properties.

[0028] In this embodiment, the light guide film 6 is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material with a thickness of 0.08-0.12 mm, preferably 0.10 mm. In specific implementation, it can also be made of other materials.

[0029] In this embodiment, a composite film 16 is provided above the light-guiding film 6 (it is defined as a composite film because it has both reflective and light-shielding functions). The composite film 16 body is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material with a thickness of 0.020 to 0.30 mm, preferably 0.025 mm. In specific implementation, it can also be made of other materials. The lower layer of the composite film 16 is provided with white ink for reflection, which can reflect the upward light emitted by the LED lamp 7 back into the light-guiding film 6 to enhance its brightness. The upper layer of the composite film 16 is provided with black ink for light-shielding to prevent light from being transmitted to other areas except the keycap 10 position, which affects the overall use effect of the keyboard. In this embodiment, the white ink and black ink are provided on the composite film 16 by printing. In specific implementation, other methods can also be used, such as spraying, silk screen printing, etc. No ink is provided on the composite film 16 corresponding to the keycap 10 position, so that the light in the light-guiding film 6 can be emitted from this position to illuminate the keyboard keys. In specific implementation, the composite film 16 can also be a white film with black ink printed on the top layer, or a black film with white ink printed on the bottom layer, and a through hole is opened at the position corresponding to the keycap 10 to allow light to pass through.

[0030] In this embodiment, the composite film 16 may not be provided, and a black ink layer (not shown in the figure) is directly provided on the light-guiding film 6. Preferably, the black ink layer is provided above the light-guiding film 6, and the light emitted in other directions by the LED lamp 7 is absorbed by the black ink layer on the light-guiding film 6, and thus will not be emitted in other directions.

[0031] In this embodiment, the LED lights 7 are low-power LEDs, which usually only need to illuminate one keycap. One to four LEDs can be provided for each keycap 10. Ordinary keys can typically be provided with one or two LED lights 7. Larger and longer keys, such as "Enter," "Shift," and "Space," can be provided with two to four LED lights 7 to meet their illumination needs. More LEDs can be provided for each keycap based on actual needs. LEDs may not be provided under keycaps that do not require illumination.

[0032] In this embodiment, the elastic conductive member is a spring 8, also known as a rubber dome or pot. In practice, a rubber or silicone keypad may also be used, primarily to provide elastic support and enhance the feel. In this embodiment, the spring 8 is mounted on the composite film 16. In practice, if the composite film 16 is not provided, the spring 8 can be mounted directly on the light guide film 6.

[0033] In this embodiment, the keycap 10 is arranged above the elastic conductive part. The keycap 10 adopts a conventional keyboard key structure. In order to increase the key travel feel, in this embodiment, a scissor foot 9 is installed between the keycap 10 and the elastic conductive part. The keycap 10 and the scissor foot 9 are respectively installed on the steel sheet 1.

[0034] When the present invention is in use, the keycap 10 is pressed, and the scissor legs 9 are squeezed by the keycap 10. Continuing to press down presses the spring sheet 8, causing the spring sheet 8 to deform. The spring sheet 8 presses down the composite film 16 and the light-guiding film 6. The composite film 16 and the light-guiding film 6 move downward together with the conductive sheet 12. Through the first through hole 13 on the spacer layer 5, the conductive sheet 12 contacts the switch 11 and turns it on to achieve a key-pressing effect. When the keycap 10 is released, the scissor legs 9 and the spring sheet 8 rebound, and the conductive sheet 12 detaches from the switch 11 and turns it off.

[0035] The present invention utilizes LEDs corresponding to the keycaps to directly illuminate the keycap area, thereby eliminating the need for a backlight module structure, which can reduce the thickness of the keyboard as a whole and is more conducive to a lightweight and thin keyboard design. On the other hand, by directly illuminating the keycap area with LEDs, low-power components can be used for the LEDs, which is not only conducive to reducing power consumption as a whole, but also reduces the heat generation thereof. At the same time, since the LEDs adopt a decentralized design, they are more conducive to heat dissipation, especially when used in laptop computers, and the heat generated by the laptop itself (mainly the CPU) can be dissipated through the keyboard.

Claims

1. A reflective four-in-one luminous key core module, characterized by: The luminous key core module comprises a support structure, an insulating layer (3), a circuit layer (4), a spacer layer (5), a light guide film (6), an elastic conductive part, an LED lamp (7) and a key cap (10), wherein the insulating layer (3) is arranged on the support structure, the circuit layer (4) is arranged on the insulating layer (4), a switch (11) is arranged on the circuit layer (4) at a position corresponding to the key cap, the spacer layer (5) is arranged above the insulating layer (4), a first through hole (13) is opened on the spacer layer (5) at a position corresponding to the key cap (10), the elastic conductive part is arranged at a position corresponding to the first through hole (13), the light guide film (6) is arranged above the spacer layer (5), and a fixed portion (11) is arranged below the light guide film (6) at a position corresponding to the elastic conductive part. A conductive sheet (12) is provided, the conductive sheet (12) is provided corresponding to the first through hole (13), a light guide point is provided on the light guide film (6) at a position corresponding to the key cap (10), the LED lamp (7) is installed on the circuit layer (4) and is provided corresponding to the key cap (10), a second through hole (14) is provided on the spacer layer (5) at a position corresponding to the LED lamp (7), a third through hole (15) is provided on the light guide film (6) at a position corresponding to the LED lamp (7), the LED lamp (7) is installed in the second through hole (14) and the third through hole (15), the thickness of the spacer layer (5) and the light guide film (6) matches the thickness of the LED lamp (7), and the key cap (10) is provided above the elastic conductive member; The conductive sheet (12) is made of silver paste; The thickness of the spacer layer (5) is 0.02-0.07 mm; The thickness of the light guide film (6) is 0.08-0.12 mm; A composite film (16) is provided above the light guide film (6), the thickness of the composite film (16) is 0.020-0.30 mm, the lower layer of the composite film (16) is provided with white ink, and the upper layer of the composite film (16) is provided with black ink; The material of the spacer layer (5) is polyethylene terephthalate, the material of the light guide film (6) is polyethylene terephthalate, and the material of the composite film (16) is polyethylene terephthalate; The elastic conductive member is a spring (8), which is mounted on the composite film (16); The supporting structure adopts a steel sheet (1), and the thickness of the steel sheet (1) is 0.10mm~0.25mm; A scissor foot (9) is installed between the key cap (10) and the elastic conductive member, and the key cap (10) and the scissor foot (9) are respectively installed on the steel sheet (1).

2. The reflective four-in-one luminous key core module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insulating layer (3) is fixedly mounted together with the supporting structure using the adhesive layer (2), and the thickness of the insulating layer (3) is 0.02 mm to 0.05 mm.

3. The reflective four-in-one luminous key core module according to claim 1, characterized in that: White ink and black ink are not provided at the position of the composite film (16) corresponding to the key cap (10), or an opening is provided at the position of the composite film (16) corresponding to the key cap (10).

4. The reflective four-in-one luminous key core module according to claim 1, characterized in that: 1 to 4 LEDs can be provided corresponding to each keycap (10).

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