Illuminated button structure

Abstract

The present invention discloses an luminous key structure, which includes a movably arranged keycap, a transparent switch circuit board arranged under the keycap, and a luminous crystal grain arranged under the switch circuit board. The circuit of the switch circuit board does not shield the luminous crystal grain. The light emitted upward by the luminous crystal grain passes through the switch circuit board to illuminate the keycap. The luminous crystal grain and the circuit are spaced apart by a horizontal light-emitting spacing. The luminous crystal grain is perpendicular to the length direction of the light-transmitting area of ​​the keycap. The luminous key structure also includes two light-transmitting brackets, which are arranged opposite to each other and are commonly connected to the bottom side of the keycap and support the keycap so that it can move vertically. The luminous crystal grain is arranged under one of the two brackets and the light emitted upward by it passes through the corresponding bracket to illuminate the keycap, and the gap projection of the two brackets does not overlap with the luminous crystal grain. Thereby, by controlling the spacing between the circuit and the at least one luminous crystal grain, the influence of the circuit on the light emitted by the at least one luminous crystal grain can be suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a key structure, in particular to a luminous key structure. Background Art

[0002] One-to-one illuminated keys usually have a light source under each keycap, which emits light to form a backlight. When the keycap has a light-transmitting area corresponding to a character such as a text or symbol, the light source is usually set directly against the character and emits light toward the character. In actual products, there are often other components in the light-transmitting area from the light source to the keycap, such as a bracket, base plate, circuit board, etc., which interfere with the light transmission path and cause uneven color of the keycap characters. In the case where the light source has multiple colors, serious color deviation problems may also occur. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the problems in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting key structure, wherein a light-emitting chip and a circuit in a switch circuit board have a light-emitting spacing to suppress the influence of the circuit on the light emitted by the light-emitting chip.

[0004] The luminous key structure according to the present invention includes a keycap, a switch circuit board and at least one light-emitting crystal grain. The keycap is movably arranged in the vertical direction. The switch circuit board is arranged below the keycap and includes a circuit. The at least one light-emitting crystal grain is arranged below the switch circuit board, and the circuit does not shield the at least one light-emitting crystal grain. The light emitted upward by the at least one light-emitting crystal grain passes through the switch circuit board to illuminate the keycap. There is a light-emitting spacing between the at least one light-emitting crystal grain and the circuit in the horizontal direction, and the light-emitting spacing is between 0.17 mm and 0.78 mm. Thereby, by controlling the spacing between the circuit and the at least one light-emitting crystal grain, the influence of the circuit on the light emitted by the at least one light-emitting crystal grain can be suppressed.

[0005] As an optional technical solution, the circuit includes a switch contact, the switch contact has a non-circular contour, the non-circular contour has a flat edge, and the light output spacing is the distance from the at least one light-emitting crystal grain to the flat edge.

[0006] As an optional technical solution, the non-circular contour is a flattened circular contour having a center and a radius, and the ratio of the distance from the center to the flat edge to the radius is greater than 0.5.

[0007] As an optional technical solution, the at least one light-emitting crystal grain is in multiple numbers and arranged along an arrangement direction, and the arrangement direction is parallel to the flat edge.

[0008] As an optional technical solution, the circuit includes a switch contact, which includes an outer portion, a central portion located inside the outer ring portion, and at least one connecting portion, the at least one connecting portion connecting the outer portion and the central portion, and the light output spacing is the distance from the at least one light-emitting crystal grain to the central portion.

[0009] As an optional technical solution, the outer portion extends incompletely along a circular path or a convex polygonal path, and the circular path or the polygonal path passes through the at least one light-emitting crystal grain.

[0010] As an optional technical solution, the central portion has a circular contour or a convex polygonal contour.

[0011] As an optional technical solution, the luminous key structure further includes a light-transmissive elastic protrusion, which is arranged on the switch circuit board and covers the switch contact and the at least one luminous crystal grain in the vertical direction.

[0012] As an optional technical solution, the circuit includes a conductor segment, and the light output spacing is the distance from the at least one light-emitting crystal grain to the conductor segment.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, the wire segment extends in a straight line, the at least one light-emitting crystal grain is in multiple numbers and arranged along an arrangement direction, and the arrangement direction is parallel to the wire segment.

[0014] As an optional technical solution, the switch circuit board has a through hole, which is opposite to the at least one light-emitting crystal grain, and the light emitted upward by the at least one light-emitting crystal grain passes through the through hole to illuminate the keycap.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting key structure, wherein a plurality of light-emitting crystals are arranged perpendicular to the length direction of the light-transmitting indication area of ​​the key cap to suppress the degree of uneven light mixing of the light emitted by the light-emitting crystals.

[0016] The luminous key structure according to the present invention comprises a keycap and a plurality of luminous crystals. The keycap is movably arranged in a vertical direction. The keycap has a light-transmitting indication area, and the light-transmitting indication area has a length direction. The plurality of luminous crystals are arranged perpendicular to the length direction below the light-transmitting indication area. The plurality of luminous crystals emit light of different colors upward to illuminate the keycap. Thereby, the distances between the plurality of luminous crystals and the light-transmitting indication area are close to suppress the degree of uneven light mixing.

[0017] As an optional technical solution, the light-transmissive indicating area defines a long axis and a short axis, the long axis is parallel to the length direction, and the plurality of light-emitting crystals as a whole pass through the center point of the short axis; or the plurality of light-emitting crystals as a whole pass through the center point of the long axis; or the center of the plurality of light-emitting crystals as a whole is located at the center point of the long axis.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting key structure, wherein the light-emitting crystal grain is disposed under a single light-transmissive bracket to suppress the degree of color deviation that may occur when the light emitted by the light-emitting crystal grain passes through the bracket.

[0019] The luminous key structure according to the present invention includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a keycap and at least one luminous crystal. The first bracket and the second bracket are light-transmissive and are pivotally connected to each other at their middle parts. The keycap is supported on the first bracket and the second bracket, and the keycap is movable in a vertical direction via the first bracket and the second bracket. The at least one luminous crystal is arranged below one of the first bracket and the second bracket. The light emitted upward by the at least one luminous crystal passes through the first bracket or the second bracket to illuminate the keycap accordingly. Thereby, the light passes through the same structural member, which can suppress the degree of color deviation that may be generated after the light passes through the structural member, which helps to increase the range in which the at least one luminous crystal can be set.

[0020] As an optional technical solution, the projection of the gap between the first bracket and the second bracket does not overlap with the light-emitting chip.

[0021] As an optional technical solution, the luminous key structure also includes a base plate, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are connected between the keycap and the base plate, the at least one light-emitting crystal grain is located below the base plate, and the base plate has an outer plate edge closest to the at least one light-emitting crystal grain in the horizontal direction, and a light-emitting spacing is provided between the at least one light-emitting crystal grain and the outer plate edge in the horizontal direction, and the light-emitting spacing is between 4.8 mm and 7.7 mm.

[0022] As an optional technical solution, the light enters the corresponding bracket from the lower surface of the corresponding bracket and exits the corresponding bracket from the upper surface of the corresponding bracket, and the lower surface is parallel to the upper surface.

[0023] As an optional technical solution, the first bracket and the second bracket are pivotally connected to each other at their middle parts.

[0024] The luminous key structure of the present invention controls the distance between the circuit and the at least one luminous crystal grain to suppress the influence of the circuit on the light emitted by the at least one luminous crystal grain. The distances from the multiple luminous crystal grains to the light-transmissive indication area on the keycap are close, thereby suppressing the degree of uneven light mixing. In addition, the light emitted by the luminous crystal grain passes through the same structural member, which can suppress the degree of color deviation that may occur after the light passes through the structural member, thereby helping to increase the range in which the luminous crystal grains can be set.

[0025] The advantages and spirit of the present invention can be further understood through the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but is not intended to limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a light-emitting key structure according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view of the illuminated button structure.

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the luminous key structure along line XX.

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A top view of the switch circuit board and the light-emitting crystal chip in the part of the light-emitting key structure.

[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A top view of the configuration of the switch contacts and the light emitting die according to another embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A top view of the configuration of the switch contacts and the light emitting die according to another embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A top view of the illuminated key structure.

[0033] Figure 8 The figure is a top view of a portion of a switch circuit board and a light-emitting chip according to an embodiment.

[0034] Fig. 9 For the corresponding Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the embodiment along line YY.

[0035] Fig.10 FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a light-emitting key structure according to another embodiment.

[0036] Fig.11 for Fig.10 A top view of the middle illuminated key structure with the keycaps removed.

[0037] Fig.12 for Fig.10 The cross-sectional view of the luminous key structure in FIG. Fig.10 The position is indicated by the midline ZZ.

[0038] Fig.13 for Fig.10 A top view of the illuminated key structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In order to provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features, and functions of the present invention, the following detailed description is given in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0040] See also Figures 1 to 3 . Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a light-emitting key structure according to an embodiment, Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded diagram of the luminous key structure. Figure 3 for Figure 1 The sectional view of the luminous key structure along line XX in FIG. The luminous key structure 1 according to one embodiment comprises a keycap 12, a base plate 14, a first bracket 16, a second bracket 18, a transparent switch circuit board 20 and one or more light-emitting crystals (for example, but not limited to, three light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c, emitting light of different colors, such as red light, green light and blue light; and the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c can be made of, but not limited to, light-emitting diodes). The keycap 12 is disposed above the base plate 14, and the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18 are both connected between the keycap 12 and the base plate 14 to support the keycap 12 and enable the keycap 12 to move along a vertical direction D1 (indicated by a double-headed arrow in FIG. 1 ) via the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18. Figure 1 , Figure 3 The switch circuit board 20 is placed on the bottom plate 14 (i.e., below the keycap 12). The light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, and 22c are disposed below the switch circuit board 20, for example, fixed on a light source circuit board 24 (the light source circuit board 24 is, for example, but not limited to, a flexible printed circuit board) located below the bottom plate 14. The bottom plate 14 forms corresponding through holes 142 to expose the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, and 22c. In actual operation, the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, and 22c can partially or completely enter the through holes 142. The circuit of the switch circuit board 20 (part of which is shown in dotted lines) Figure 2 ) The light emitting crystal particles 22 a , 22 b , 22 c are not shielded, so that the light emitted upward by the light emitting crystal particles 22 a , 22 b , 22 c can pass through the switch circuit board 20 to illuminate the key cap 12 .

[0041] In this embodiment, the switch circuit board 20 can be made of a thin film circuit board, which is usually made of three layers of transparent sheets stacked together, wherein the upper and lower transparent sheets form the required circuits, and the middle transparent sheet provides the required insulation effect of the circuit. The circuit of the switch circuit board 20 includes a switch contact 202 and a plurality of wire segments (whose outline is hidden in FIG. Figure 2The light-emitting key structure 1 uses a light-transmissive elastic protrusion 26 as a restoring element. The elastic protrusion 26 is aligned with the switch contact 202 and is disposed on the switch circuit board 20 and covers the switch contact 202 and the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c in the vertical direction D1. The keycap 12 can be pressed (for example, by a user's finger) to squeeze the elastic protrusion 26 downward, thereby triggering the switch contact 202. After the external force applied to the keycap 12 is removed (for example, the user removes his finger from the keycap 12), the squeezed elastic protrusion 26 can return to its original state to push the keycap 12 upward to return to its original position.

[0042] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 for Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a top view of the switch circuit board and the light-emitting chips of the light-emitting key structure. The circuit of the switch circuit board 20 and the hidden outlines of the light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, and 22c are all drawn with solid lines. The switch contact 202 has a non-circular outline, such as but not limited to a flattened circular outline, and the flattened circular outline has a flat edge 202a. The light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, and 22c are arranged along the direction D2 (indicated by a double-headed arrow in FIG. 2 ). Figure 4 The arrangement direction D2 is parallel to the flat edge 202a. The light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, 22c and the switch contact 202 have a light-emitting spacing d1 in the horizontal direction D3 (indicated by a double-headed arrow in the figure) (i.e., the distance from the edge of the light-emitting range of the light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, 22c to the flat edge 202a). In principle, the farther the light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, 22c are from the switch contact 202, the less likely the switch contact 202 will shield the light emitted by the light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, 22c; in actual operation, this light-emitting spacing d1 can be designed to be between 0.3mm and 0.5mm. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flattened circular profile has a center 202b and a radius 202c, and the ratio of the distance 202d from the center 202b to the flat edge 202a to the radius 202c is greater than 0.5. In principle, the switch contact 202 can maintain acceptable contact conduction properties.

[0043] In addition, in actual operation, the switch contacts of the switch circuit board 20 may have different shapes. Figure 5As shown, the switch contact 203a according to one embodiment includes a peripheral portion 2032a, a central portion 2034a located inside the outer ring portion 2032a, and two connecting portions 2036a. The two connecting portions 2036a are located on opposite sides of the central portion 2034a and connect the peripheral portion 2032a and the central portion 2034a. The peripheral portion 2032a extends incompletely along a circular path (indicated by a dotted line in the figure) and is C-shaped. The central portion 2034a has a circular profile. The light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c are located between the two ends of the peripheral portion 2032a (i.e., located at the C-shaped opening), and the circular path passes through the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c (i.e., the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c are arranged on the circular path). The light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c are closer to the central portion 2034a and have a light-emitting spacing d1a therebetween; similarly, in actual operation, the light-emitting spacing d1a can be designed to be between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. If the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c are closer to the two ends of the peripheral portion 2032a and have a light-emitting spacing d1a' therebetween; similarly, in actual operation, the light-emitting spacing d1a' can also be designed to be between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.

[0044] For example, Figure 6 As shown, the switch contact 203b according to one embodiment includes an outer portion 2032b, a central portion 2034b located inside the outer ring portion 2032b, and a connecting portion 2036b. The connecting portion 2036b connects the outer portion 2032b and the central portion 2034b. The outer portion 2032b is connected along a convex polygonal path (for example, but not limited to a pentagonal path, represented by a dotted line in FIG. 1 ). Figure 6 The central portion 2034b does not extend completely but is slightly C-shaped. The central portion 2034b has a convex polygonal outline (for example but not limited to a quadrilateral). The convex polygonal path passes through the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c. The light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c are closer to the central portion 2034b and have a light-emitting spacing d1b with the central portion 2034b; similarly, in actual operation, this light-emitting spacing d1b can be designed to be between 0.3mm and 0.5mm. If the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c are closer to the peripheral portion 2032b and have a light-emitting spacing d1b' with the peripheral portion 2032b; similarly, in actual operation, this light-emitting spacing d1b' can also be designed to be between 0.3mm and 0.5mm. In addition, Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the actual operation, the convex polygonal path may also be a triangular path, a hexagonal path, etc.; the outline of the central portion 2034a, 2034b may also be other convex polygonal outlines, such as a triangular outline, a hexagonal outline, etc.

[0045] See also Figures 1 to 3In this embodiment, the key cap 12 has a light-transmitting indication area 12a (shown as a dotted frame in the figure), and the light emitted by the light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c can pass through the light-transmitting indication area 12a to form a visual indication effect. In actual operation, the light-transmitting indication area 12a can be numbers, symbols, letters, text, graphics, or a combination thereof.

[0046] See also Figure 7 (The hidden outlines of the light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c are shown with thin solid lines). Figure 7 for Figure 1 In this embodiment, the light-transmissive indication area 12a has a length direction 12b (e.g., the direction of letter arrangement in the figure, indicated by a double-headed arrow). Figure 7 The light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c are arranged perpendicularly to the length direction 12b below the light-transmitting indication region 12a (i.e., the arrangement direction D2 is perpendicular to the length direction 12b), thereby reducing or eliminating the influence of uneven light mixing caused by the spaced arrangement of the light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c on the light-transmitting indication region 12a.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, the light-transmissive indication area 12a is rectangular, and a major axis 12c and a minor axis 12d (both indicated by chain lines) can be defined thereon. Figure 7 ), the major axis 12c is parallel to the length direction 12b, and the minor axis 12d is perpendicular to the length direction 12b. The light-transmissive indication area 12a is symmetrical with respect to the major axis 12c and the minor axis 12d. The light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c pass through the major axis 12c as a whole, and the center of the light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c as a whole (the light-emitting crystal particle 22b in this embodiment) is located on the major axis 12c. In actual operation, the light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c can also be designed to pass through the center of the major axis 12c as a whole, such as Figure 7 As shown in the dotted box; at this time, the light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c as a whole also pass through the center of the short axis 12d, and the center of the light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c as a whole (in this embodiment, the light-emitting crystal particle 22b) is also located at the center of the short axis 12d.

[0048] In addition, in the luminous key structure 1, the switch contact 202 is roughly located in the central area, but it is not limited to this in actual operation. For example, the switch contact 202 is set away from the central area and is triggered by the key cap 12 (such as a downwardly protruding structure) or the bracket (the first bracket 16 or the second bracket 18). At this time, the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c can be separated from the elastic protrusion 26, so that the light emitted by the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c does not need to pass through the elastic protrusion 26, which can reduce the attenuation of the light intensity. In addition, the circuit of the switch circuit board 20 generally refers to a combination of multiple traces and multiple circuit elements (such as the aforementioned switch contact 202), all of which are objects that the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c need to avoid. Specifically, in the luminous key structure 1 , the luminous chips 22 a , 22 b , 22 c are closer to the switch contact 202 than other parts of the circuit; however, in actual operation, the luminous chips 22 a , 22 b , 22 c may also be closer to other parts of the circuit than the switch contact 202 .

[0049] For example, in another embodiment, Figure 8 As shown (where the hidden outline of the circuit of the switch circuit board 20 is shown with a thin solid line), the light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, and 22c are arranged near the wire segment 204. The wire segment 204 extends in a straight line, and the arrangement direction D2' of the light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, and 22c is parallel to the wire segment 204. There is a light-emitting spacing d2 between the light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, and 22c and the wire segment 204 in the horizontal direction D3' (that is, the distance from the edge of the light-emitting range of the light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, and 22c to the wire segment 204). In actual operation, this light-emitting spacing d2 can also be designed to be between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.

[0050] In actual operation, the switch circuit board 20 may also be arranged under the base plate 14 as needed. In this case, the switch circuit board 20 is closer to the light-emitting chips 22a, 22b, and 22c on the bottom layer and blocks a larger light-emitting range. It is necessary to avoid the circuit away from the switch circuit board 20 to a greater extent. For the circuit elements (such as the switch contacts 202) or the wires (such as the wire segments 204) that constitute the circuit, the appropriate light-emitting spacings d1 and d2 may exceed the above-mentioned higher critical value of 0.5mm. In some practical examples, the appropriate light-emitting spacings d1 and d2 are 0.59mm, 0.66mm, and 0.78mm. When the circuit of the switch circuit board 20 is far away from the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c, for example, when a thicker base plate 14 is used, or when the light-emitting key structure 1 has other structural parts (such as a moving plate, magnet, boss, etc. used for magnetic resetting or sinking keyboards), the appropriate light-emitting spacings d1 and d2 may be lower than the lower critical value; for example, in some actual manufacturing examples, the appropriate light-emitting spacings d1 and d2 are 0.27mm, 0.23mm, and 0.17mm. Therefore, based on the experimental data of different models, the light-emitting spacings d1 and d2 are preferably within the range of 0.17mm to 0.78mm.

[0051] Furthermore, the switch contacts 202 may be printed on the upper and lower transparent films of the switch circuit board 20 respectively, and the upper and lower switch contacts 202 may have different patterns and outer diameters. The light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c usually need to avoid the outermost edges of the upper and lower switch contacts 202 of the switch circuit board 20, that is, the aforementioned light-emitting spacing d1 must be based on the overall outer contour of the upper and lower switch contacts 202.

[0052] Also, see Fig. 9 In this example, the switch circuit board 20 has a through hole 206, and the light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c are arranged opposite to the through hole 142' of the bottom plate 14 and opposite to the through hole 206, so that the light emitted upward by the light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, and 22c can pass through the through hole 142' and the through hole 206 to illuminate the keycap 12, which can eliminate the intensity attenuation caused by the light passing through the physical structure of the switch circuit board 20. Figure 4 In the configuration shown, if the structural design allows, the switch circuit board 20 may also form a through hole facing the light-emitting chips 22 a , 22 b , 22 c near the switch contact 202 to reduce light intensity attenuation.

[0053] In addition, in this embodiment, all the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c used to provide backlight for the keycap 12 are arranged in a straight line parallel to the flat edge 202a, but this is not limited to the actual operation. For example, the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c are arranged in other arrangements (such as arcs, arrays), and the distance between the light-emitting crystal 22a, 22b or 22c closest to the switch contact 202 and the switch contact 202 is defined as the light-emitting spacing. Similarly, the contour of the switch contact 202 close to the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c is not limited to a straight line, and the wire segment 204 close to the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c is not limited to a straight line extension. The closer the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c can be set to the circuit, the greater the range in which the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c can be set, that is, the design flexibility of the light-transmissive indication area 12a can be increased.

[0054] See also Fig.10 and Fig.11 , shows an illuminated key structure 3 according to another embodiment, which is similar to the illuminated key structure 1. In principle, the illuminated key structure 3 uses the same component symbols as the illuminated key structure 1. For other descriptions of the illuminated key structure 3, please refer to the related descriptions of the components with the same names and their variations in the illuminated key structure 1 above. In the illuminated key structure 3, the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18 are arranged opposite to each other and are light-transmissive, and are connected to the bottom side of the keycap 12 and the top side of the bottom plate 14.

[0055] When the key cap 12 is not pressed, the light-transmissive first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18 are X-shaped scissor-leg support brackets in an extended state (such as Fig.10 Shown or See Figure 3 ). In other words, the light emitted by the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c located below the bottom plate 14 has different transmission paths and incident / reflection / refraction angles from the inclined upper half and the inclined lower half of the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18, as well as different surfaces at different parts such as the upper end and the lower end. If a monochromatic light source is placed within the gap projection G range between the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18, the light will be transmitted directly or indirectly to the keycap 12 through different parts of the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18, eventually causing a serious problem of uneven illumination. If a multi-color light source such as the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c are placed within the gap projection G range (indicated by dotted hatching in Fig.11 In the middle), color deviation problems will occur at different positions on the key cap 12 due to uneven light mixing.

[0056] Therefore, in this embodiment, all the light-emitting crystal particles 22a, 22b, 22c (in Fig.11, its hidden outline is drawn with a thick solid line) are all disposed below the first bracket 16 (i.e., the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c are all located within the projection range of the first bracket 16 in the vertical direction D1) and are located directly opposite the through hole 144 of the bottom plate 14 and below the bottom plate. The light emitted by the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c passes through the through hole 144 and the first bracket 16 to illuminate the keycap 12. Since the light emitted by the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, 22c passes through the same bracket, in principle, the light is subject to very similar influences (such as intensity attenuation, path divergence or deviation, etc.), thereby suppressing the degree of color deviation that may occur after the light passes through the structural member. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light emitted by the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c enters the first bracket 16 from the lower surface 162 of the first bracket 16, and is emitted from the first bracket 16 from the upper surface 164 of the first bracket 16. The lower surface 162 is parallel to the upper surface 164. This structural configuration also helps to suppress the degree of color deviation that may occur after the light passes through the structural member. Similarly, in actual operation, the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c can also be arranged below the second bracket 18, such as Fig.11 As shown by the dotted line in the middle. In this way, as long as the gap projection G between the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18 (that is, the projection area of ​​the gap area between the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18 in the vertical direction) does not overlap with the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c, the aforementioned color shift problem can be avoided. The aforementioned overlap of the gap projection G between the first bracket 16 and the second bracket 18 and the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c not only means that the gap projection G directly overlaps and passes through any light-emitting crystal grain 22a, 22b, and 22c itself, but also includes the gap projection G passing through the gap between any two adjacent light-emitting crystal grains 22a / 22b, 22b / 22c.

[0057] Also, see Fig.12 . In the present embodiment, the bottom plate 14 has an outer plate edge 146 closest to the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c in the horizontal direction D3", and the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c and the outer plate edge 146 have a light-emitting spacing d3 in the horizontal direction D3". In principle, the farther the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c are from the outer plate edge 146, the more the bottom plate 14 can suppress the light emitted by the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c from escaping from the outer plate edge 146; in actual operation, the suitable light-emitting spacings of several models are 4.8mm, 5.3mm, 6.2mm, 7.1mm, and 7.7mm, and this light-emitting spacing d3 is preferably between 4.8 and 7.7mm. In addition, in the present embodiment, the arrangement direction D2" of the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c is parallel to the outer plate edge 146, but this is not limited to this in actual operation.

[0058] Also, see Fig.13 , Fig.13 for Fig.10 A top view of the luminous key structure. The hidden outlines of the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, and 22c are shown with thin solid lines. Generally speaking, the arrangement direction of the monochromatic light source does not need to consider the length direction 12b' of the light-transmitting indication area 12a' of the keycap 12. However, in the case of a multi-color light source, such as when the three colors of the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, and 22c are mixed to form various colors that need to be presented, if the arrangement direction D2" of the light-emitting crystals 22a, 22b, and 22c is parallel to the length direction 12b' of the light-transmitting indication area 12a' of the keycap 12, the two outer light-emitting crystals 22a and 22c provide the most sufficient light in the adjacent character segments, but the character segments far away from the light-emitting crystals 22a and 22c have a problem of insufficient light, resulting in a color deviation problem in the two end segments of the light-transmitting indication area 12a' in the length direction 12b'.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the length direction 12b' of the light-transmitting indication region 12a' of the key cap 12 located above the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c is perpendicular to the arrangement direction D2", so the influence of uneven light mixing caused by the staggered arrangement of the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c on the light-transmitting indication region 12a' can be reduced or eliminated. In addition, for other descriptions on the relative positional relationship between the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c and the light-transmitting indication region 12a', please refer to the related descriptions on the relative positional relationship between the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, and 22c and the light-transmitting indication region 12a and its variation examples mentioned above, which will not be elaborated on separately.

[0060] In addition, in the luminous key structure, in actual operation, it can also be modified to set the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c above the bottom plate 14, so as to avoid the interference of the bottom plate 14 on the light emitted by the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c. In this case, the bottom plate 14 does not need to form through holes corresponding to the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c, which is beneficial to the strength of the bottom plate 14. In addition, the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c can be integrated into the circuit of the switch circuit board 20, for example, the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c are directly set on the lower transparent sheet of the switch circuit board 20, and the circuit thereon provides power, and the middle and upper transparent sheets are correspondingly formed with openings to expose the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c. This structural configuration can eliminate the interference of the switch circuit board 20 on the light emitted by the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c.

[0061] In addition, in the luminous key structures 1 and 3, the first and second brackets 16 and 18 are pivoted to each other at their middle parts to form an X-shaped scissor-leg support frame, but the actual operation is not limited to this. For example, the first and second brackets 16 and 18 can be pivoted to each other at one end, or the ends can be directly connected to the bottom plate 14 to form a V-shaped butterfly-leg bracket or an inverted V-shaped bat bracket. For another example, the first and second brackets 16 and 18 can be arranged oppositely and separately, and a linkage bracket is used to link the first and second brackets 16 and 18. In addition, the luminous key structures 1 and 3 use the elastic protrusion 26 as a restoring force mechanism, but the actual operation is not limited to this, for example, a spring or a magnetic attraction mechanism can be used to realize the restoring force mechanism.

[0062] In addition, the above text uses the luminous key structures 1 and 3 to respectively illustrate the relative positional relationship between the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c and the circuit of the switch circuit board 20 and the first and second brackets 16 and 18. In other embodiments, the luminous key structure may also have both situations. For example, the switch contact 202 is adjacent to or located below the first bracket 16 or the second bracket 18, and the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c are located below the first bracket 16 or the second bracket 18. For another example, the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c located below the first bracket 16 or the second bracket 18 are also adjacent to the circuit of the switch circuit board 20. In addition, in actual applications, some structural features of each embodiment may also be applied to other embodiments. For example, when the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c located below the bottom plate 14 are close to the circuit of the switch circuit board 20, the light-emitting crystal grains 22a, 22b, 22c may also be close to the edge of the bottom plate 14, and the aforementioned luminous key structure 3 is applicable.

[0063] Although the present invention discloses the aforementioned preferred practical range of the light output spacings d1, d2, and d3 through actual operation data, in actual operation, the preferred practical operating range of the light output spacings d1, d2, and d3 of the present invention is slightly sacrificed in light output effect and can still achieve a certain level of overall optical design benefit. Therefore, 15% to 20% of the end value of the preferred practical operating range of the light output spacings d1, d2, and d3 of the present invention plus or minus should still fall within the coverage of the light output spacings d1, d2, and d3 of the present invention.

[0064] The luminous key structure of the present invention controls the distance between the circuit and the at least one luminous crystal grain to suppress the influence of the circuit on the light emitted by the at least one luminous crystal grain. The distances from the multiple luminous crystal grains to the light-transmissive indication area on the keycap are close, thereby suppressing the degree of uneven light mixing. In addition, the light emitted by the luminous crystal grain passes through the same structural member, which can suppress the degree of color deviation that may occur after the light passes through the structural member, thereby helping to increase the range in which the luminous crystal grains can be set.

[0065] Of course, the present invention may have many other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, technicians familiar with the field may make various corresponding changes and deformations based on the present invention, but these corresponding changes and deformations should all fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. A luminous key structure, characterized in that Include: A key cap is movably arranged in a vertical direction; A switch circuit board is disposed under the key cap and includes a circuit; and At least one light-emitting crystal is disposed below the switch circuit board, the circuit does not shield the at least one light-emitting crystal, light emitted upward by the at least one light-emitting crystal passes through the switch circuit board to illuminate the keycap, and there is a light-emitting spacing between the at least one light-emitting crystal and the circuit in a horizontal direction, and the light-emitting spacing is between 0.17 mm and 0.78 mm; The circuit includes a switch contact, the switch contact has a non-circular contour, the non-circular contour has a flat edge, and the light-emitting spacing is the distance from the at least one light-emitting crystal grain to the flat edge.

2. The luminous key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The non-circular profile is a flattened circular profile having a center and a radius, and a ratio of a distance from the center to the flat edge to the radius is greater than 0.

5.

3. The luminous key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one light-emitting crystal grain is in multiple quantity and arranged along an arrangement direction, and the arrangement direction is parallel to the flat edge.

4. A light-emitting key structure, characterized in that Include: A key cap is movably arranged in a vertical direction; A switch circuit board is disposed under the key cap and includes a circuit; and At least one light-emitting crystal is disposed below the switch circuit board, the circuit does not shield the at least one light-emitting crystal, light emitted upward by the at least one light-emitting crystal passes through the switch circuit board to illuminate the keycap, and there is a light-emitting spacing between the at least one light-emitting crystal and the circuit in a horizontal direction, and the light-emitting spacing is between 0.17 mm and 0.78 mm; The circuit includes a switch contact, which includes an outer portion, a central portion located inside the outer portion, and at least one connecting portion, the at least one connecting portion connects the outer portion and the central portion, and the light output spacing is the distance from the at least one light-emitting crystal grain to the central portion.

5. The luminous key structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer portion extends incompletely along a circular path or a convex polygonal path, and the circular path or the polygonal path passes through the at least one light-emitting crystal particle.

6. The luminous key structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The central portion has a circular contour or a convex polygonal contour.

7. The luminous key structure according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: The luminous key structure further comprises a light-transmissive elastic protrusion, which is arranged on the switch circuit board and covers the switch contact and the at least one luminous crystal grain in the vertical direction.

8. The luminous key structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The circuit comprises a conductor segment, which extends in a straight line. The at least one light-emitting crystal grain is in multiple numbers and arranged along an arrangement direction, which is parallel to the conductor segment.

9. The luminous key structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The switch circuit board has a through hole, and the through hole faces at least one light-emitting crystal grain. The light emitted upward by the at least one light-emitting crystal grain passes through the through hole to illuminate the key cap.

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