key

Abstract

The application discloses a key, which comprises a key cap, a bottom plate, a light-emitting device and a lifting mechanism. The light-emitting device is combined with the bottom plate and located below the key cap. The lifting mechanism is arranged around a light-emitting component of the light-emitting device, and comprises an outer support and an inner support. The outer support and the inner support are pivotally connected with each other and movably connected with the key cap and the bottom plate, so that the key cap can move up and down relative to the bottom plate. The inner support is arranged around the light-emitting component, and the outer support is arranged around the inner support. The bottom of the bottom plate connecting end of the outer support is provided with a light-shielding baffle extending towards the direction of the key cap connecting end of the outer support, so as to block the light emitted by the light-emitting component. The key has the advantages of controlling the halo performance around the key and avoiding the visual discomfort of a user.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a key, in particular to a key comprising a lifting mechanism with light shielding function. BACKGROUND

[0002] In terms of the current usage habits of desktop computers, notebook computers, smart phones or tablet computers, keyboards are one of the indispensable input devices for inputting text, symbols or numbers. In addition to the basic input function, the development of today's keys and keyboards also emphasizes visual appeal. For example, today's keys have a visual effect of emitting light when in use. Generally speaking, the light-emitting design of the key is to configure a light-emitting component such as a light-emitting diode on the bottom plate and an electrically connected circuit board. The light emitted by the light-emitting component can be projected outside the keycap, achieving the effect of key light emission.

[0003] However, when the key is not pressed (i.e. the keycap is at the highest position, the keycap is farthest from the bottom plate), there is a gap between the keycap and the bottom plate of the prior art, and there is no component between the keycap and the bottom plate that can completely shield the light emitted by the light-emitting component. The light can be transmitted from the gap between the keycap and the bottom plate (i.e. light leakage), thereby affecting the halo performance around the key and causing visual discomfort to the user. SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the problems in the prior art, the present application provides a key to solve the above problems.

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a key, which comprises:

[0006] a keycap;

[0007] a bottom plate;

[0008] a light-emitting device combined with the bottom plate and located below the keycap;

[0009] a lifting mechanism arranged around the light-emitting component of the light-emitting device, the lifting mechanism comprising an outer support and an inner support, the outer support and the inner support being pivotally connected to each other and movably connected to the keycap and the bottom plate, so that the keycap can move up and down relative to the bottom plate, the inner support being arranged around the light-emitting component, the outer support being arranged around the inner support, the outer support bottom plate connection end of the outer support being provided with a light shielding baffle extending towards the outer support keycap connection end of the outer support, so as to block the light emitted by the light-emitting component.

[0010] As an optional technical solution, when the inner support and the outer support are in their pressed position, the inner support and the outer support partially overlap.

[0011] As an optional technical solution, the inner support member has an inner support member key cap connecting end, when the inner support member and the outer support member move to the pressing position of the inner support member and the outer support member, the inner support member key cap connecting end is downwardly abutted against the light shielding baffle.

[0012] As an optional technical solution, the bottom of the inner support member key cap connecting end forms a containing groove, when the inner support member and the outer support member are located at the pressing position, the light shielding baffle is located in the containing groove.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, the bottom plate has a broken hole, the light shielding baffle extends downwardly into the broken hole.

[0014] As an optional technical solution, the lifting mechanism further comprises a resilient component, the resilient component is arranged on the bottom plate, the inner support member surrounds the resilient component, the light shielding baffle extends towards the resilient component, and the shape of the edge of the light shielding baffle corresponds to the shape of the outer periphery of the resilient component.

[0015] As an optional technical solution, the light shielding baffle and the bottom plate connecting end of the outer support member are integrally formed.

[0016] As an optional technical solution, the light emitting device comprises a circuit board, the circuit board is attached below the bottom plate, the light emitting component is arranged on the circuit board, the bottom plate forms an opening corresponding to the position of the light emitting component, and the light emitting component is arranged in the opening.

[0017] As an optional technical solution, when the outer support member is located at the pressing position, the light shielding baffle is parallel to at least one of the inner support member, the key cap and the bottom plate.

[0018] As an optional technical solution, the inner support member and the outer support member of the lifting mechanism have different colors or / and light transmittance.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, in the key of the present application, by means of the light shielding baffle, the light emitted by the light emitting component can be effectively shielded during the process that the key cap is located at the highest position and the key cap is close to and away from the bottom plate, thereby reducing the situation that the light leaks from the gap between the key cap and the bottom plate, achieving the effect of controlling the halo phenomenon caused by light leakage around the key and avoiding the visual discomfort of the user.

[0020] The present application will be described in detail below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments, but is not limited to the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 Application schematic diagram of the key of an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an appearance of a key of an embodiment of the present application in an unpressed state;

[0023] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a key assembly of the key shown in FIG. 2; Figure 2

[0024] Figure 4A FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a top view of a partial assembly of the key shown in FIG. 2; Figure 2

[0025] Figure 4B FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view along the A-A' cross-sectional line in FIG. 2; Figure 4A

[0026] Figure 5 FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an appearance of a key of an embodiment of the present application in a pressed state;

[0027] Figure 6A FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a top view of a partial assembly in FIG. 6; Figure 5

[0028] Figure 6B FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view along the B-B' cross-sectional line in FIG. 6; Figure 6A

[0029] Figure 7 FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a top view of a lifting mechanism of a key of an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 8 FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a partial assembly of a key of an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 9 FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a partial assembly of a key of an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to have a further understanding of the object, structure, features, and functions of the present application, detailed descriptions are given below in conjunction with embodiments.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an application of a key of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 12, the key 100 of the embodiment of the present application can constitute a keyboard 200, which is applied to an electronic device 300 such as a notebook computer or a separate keyboard, to input data to the electronic device 300. The keyboard 200 can be constituted by a plurality of the keys 100. Figure 1

[0034] Please refer to Figures 2 to 6B , Figure 2 FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an appearance of a key of an embodiment of the present application in an unpressed state; Figure 3 FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a key assembly of the key shown in FIG. 13; Figure 2 Figure 4A ​​​​​​​for Figure 2 A top view of some components of the button; Figure 4B For along Figure 4A A cross-sectional diagram of section line A-A' in the diagram; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a button according to an embodiment of the present invention in a pressed state; Figure 6A for Figure 5 A top view of some components; Figure 6B For along Figure 6A A cross-sectional diagram of the B-B' section line. (See diagram below.) Figures 2 to 6B As shown, each key 100 includes a keycap 110, a base plate 120, a light-emitting device 130, and a lifting mechanism 140. The light-emitting device 130 is attached to the base plate 120 and located below the keycap 110. The lifting mechanism 140 is disposed around the light-emitting component 131 of the light-emitting device 130. The lifting mechanism 140 includes an outer support member 141 and an inner support member 142. The outer support member 141 and the inner support member 142 are pivotally connected to each other and movably connected to the keycap 110 and the base plate 120, so that the keycap 110 can move up and down relative to the base plate 120. The inner support member 142 is disposed around the light-emitting component 131, and the outer support member 141 is disposed around the inner support member 142. The outer support member 141 has an outer support member base plate connecting end 1411 and an outer support member keycap connecting end 1412. Similarly, the inner support member 142 has an inner support member keycap connecting end 1422 and an inner support member base plate connecting end 1421. The bottom of the outer support base plate connection end 1411 is provided with a light-shielding baffle 1413 extending toward the keycap connection end 1412 of the outer support 141, so as to block the light emitted by the light-emitting component 131.

[0035] The key cap 110 can be an alphabetical key, a numerical key, a space key, an enter key, or the like. The present application is not limited to the type of the key cap 110. In the present embodiment, the bottom plate 120 can be a hard plate made of a metal material (e.g., iron, aluminum, or an alloy) or a plastic material. In addition, the lifting mechanism 140 can further include a resilient component 143 disposed on the bottom plate 120 and below the key cap 110. When the key cap 110 is pressed, the key cap 110 can move back and forth relative to the bottom plate 120 by the elastic force of the resilient component 143 and in cooperation with the inner support 142 and the outer support 141. In addition, the key 100 can further include a thin film circuit board 150 disposed on the bottom plate 120. The thin film circuit board 150 can be a single layer or a plurality of layers and have a switch circuit thereon. The key cap 110 can indirectly or directly trigger the switch circuit (not shown) during the process of being pressed by an external force and approaching the bottom plate 120. After the switch circuit is triggered, the key cap 110 can return to the highest position by moving away from the bottom plate 120 by the resilient component 143, the inner support 142, and the outer support 141 of the lifting mechanism 140. In a specific embodiment, the resilient component 143 and the thin film circuit board 150 are light-transmissive components.

[0036] In the present embodiment, when the inner support 142 and the outer support 141 are in the unpressed position (or the outer support 141 and the inner support 142 are in the standing position, hereinafter, the same as the key cap 110 is in the highest position, and the distance between the key cap 110 and the bottom plate 120 is the largest), the light emitted by the light-emitting component 131 can be shielded by the light-shielding baffle 1413 of the outer support bottom plate connecting end 1411 (refer to Figures 2 to 4B ). In addition, during the process of the inner support 142 and the outer support 141 changing from the unpressed position to the pressed position (or the outer support 141 and the inner support 142 are in the lying position, hereinafter, the same as the key cap 110 is approaching or moving away from the bottom plate 120), the light emitted by the light-emitting component 131 can also be shielded by the light-shielding baffle 1413 of the outer support bottom plate connecting end 1411 (refer to Figure 4B and Figure 6B ). Accordingly, by the light-shielding baffle 1413, the light emitted by the light-emitting component 131 can be effectively shielded during the process of the key cap 110 being in the highest position and the key cap 110 approaching and moving away from the bottom plate 120, thereby reducing the situation that the light leaks from the gap between the key cap 110 and the bottom plate 120, achieving the effect of controlling the halo phenomenon around the key 100 due to light leakage and avoiding the visual discomfort of the user.

[0037] The inner support 142 and the outer support 141 of the lifting mechanism 140 can have different colors and / or light transmittance levels to achieve different halo effects. Similarly, each support (i.e., the inner support 142 and the outer support 141) can have different colors and / or light transmittance levels in different parts thereof to achieve different halo effects, i.e., each support can have two or more colors and / or light transmittance levels. The colors and light transmittance levels can be achieved by the selection and combination of materials.

[0038] In the present application, the outer support key cap connecting end 1412 and the inner support key cap connecting end 1422 are connected to the key cap 110, the outer support bottom plate connecting end 1411 and the inner support bottom plate connecting end 1421 are connected to the bottom plate 120, and the bottom plate connecting ends 1411, 1421 are opposite to the key cap connecting ends 1412, 1422. The bottom plate connecting ends 1411, 1421 of the inner support 142 and the outer support 141 can be fixed to the bottom plate 120 by engaging components 121, 122, respectively; in an embodiment, the engaging components 121, 122 can be, for example, hooks, and the hooks and the bottom plate 120 can be integrally formed, but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0039] Furthermore, the outer support member 141 and the inner support member 142 each include opposite side portions 1414, 1415, 1423, and 1424. That is, the outer support member 141 includes opposite side portions 1414 and 1415, and the inner support member 142 includes opposite side portions 1423 and 1424. The side portions 1423 and 1424 of the inner support member 142 are connected between the keycap connecting end 1422 of the inner support member and the bottom plate connecting end 1421 of the inner support member. The side portions 1414 and 1415 of the outer support member 141 are connected between the keycap connecting end 1412 of the outer support member and the bottom plate connecting end 1411 of the outer support member. The side portions 1423 and 1424 of the inner support member 142 are connected to the outer support member 1424. The sides 1414 and 1415 of the support member 141 are pivotally connected; for example, one side 1414 of the outer support member 141 and one side 1423 of the inner support member 142 are pivotally connected and intersected with each other, the other side 1415 of the outer support member 141 and the other side 1424 of the inner support member 142 are pivotally connected and intersected with each other, the bottom plate connecting end 1421 of the inner support member is located between the keycap connecting end 1412 of the outer support member and the keycap connecting end 1422 of the inner support member, the keycap connecting end 1422 of the inner support member is located on the top side of the bottom plate connecting end 1411 of the outer support member, and the two sides 1423 and 1424 of the inner support member 142 are located between the two sides 1414 and 1415 of the outer support member 141. When the inner support 142 and the outer support 141 are in their unpressed position (i.e., the keycap 110 is in its highest position and the distance between the keycap 110 and the base plate 120 is at its maximum), and during the process of the inner support 142 and the outer support 141 changing from their unpressed position to their pressed position or from their pressed position to their unpressed position (i.e., the keycap 110 moving downwards towards or away from the base plate 120), the light illuminating the light-emitting component 131 that shines towards the gap between the base plate connecting end 1411 of the outer support 141 and the keycap connecting end 1422 of the inner support 142 can be blocked by the light-shielding baffle 1413.

[0040] The aforementioned light-emitting device 130 includes a circuit board 132, which is attached to the bottom plate 120. A light-emitting component 131 is disposed on the circuit board 132. An opening 123 is formed on the bottom plate 120 corresponding to the position of the light-emitting component 131. The light-emitting component 131 passes through the opening 123. The circuit board 132 is provided with wiring (not shown) to transmit power for the light-emitting component 131 to emit light.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a top view schematic diagram of a button lifting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, as... Figure 7As shown, the inner support 142 surrounds the elastic assembly 143, and the edge 14131 of the light-blocking baffle 1413 of the outer support 141 has a shape corresponding to that of the outer periphery 1431 of the elastic assembly 143, so as to maximize the light-blocking range of the light-blocking baffle 1413 and improve the light-blocking effect. For example, the outer periphery 1431 of the elastic assembly 143 is arc-shaped, and the edge 14131 of the light-blocking baffle 1413 is arc-shaped corresponding to the outer periphery 1431. In addition, the light-blocking baffle 1413 and the outer support bottom plate connecting end 1411 can be integrally formed, but the present application is not limited thereto, and the light-blocking baffle 1413 can be combined with the outer support bottom plate connecting end 1411 by bonding, welding or other combination methods.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , Figure 8 is a partial assembly cross-sectional view of a key of an embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 is a partial assembly cross-sectional view of a key of an embodiment of the present application. In the present application, when the inner support 142 and the outer support 141 are in their pressed positions (i.e., the keycap 110 is in the lowest position, and the distance between the keycap 110 and the bottom plate 120 is the smallest), the inner support 142 and the light-blocking baffle 1413 of the outer support 141 overlap, i.e., the inner support 142 and the outer support 141 partially overlap. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8 and 9 , when the inner support 142 and the outer support 141 move to their pressed positions, the inner support keycap connecting end 1412 abuts against the light-blocking baffle 1413 downward. For example, as shown in Figure 8 , the inner support keycap connecting end 1422 can be designed to have a reduced thickness, so that the bottom of the inner support keycap connecting end 1422 forms a containing groove 1425. During the movement of the inner support 142 and the outer support 141 to their pressed positions, the light-blocking baffle 1413 enters the containing groove 1425 upward relative to the inner support keycap connecting end 1422, and then abuts against the inner support keycap connecting end 1422. Accordingly, when the inner support 142 and the outer support 141 are in their pressed positions, the light-blocking baffle 1413 is located in the containing groove 1425 of the inner support 142.

[0043] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 9 , the above-mentioned bottom plate 120 has a broken hole 124, and the film circuit board 150 has a through hole 151 corresponding to the broken hole 124. The light-blocking baffle 1413 extends downward through the through hole 151 into the broken hole 124, i.e., the light-blocking baffle 1413 is partially located in the broken hole 124, but the present application is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 8As shown, the light shielding baffle 1413 is located above the thin film circuit board 150 and the bottom plate 120. In addition, in order to achieve the requirement of thinning the stack thickness of the inner support 142 and the outer support 141, the light shielding baffle 1413 is parallel to at least one of the inner support 142, the key cap 110 and the bottom plate 120 when the outer support 141 is in the pressing position.

[0044] In the key of the embodiment of the present application, the light emitted by the light emitting component can be effectively shielded by the light shielding baffle during the process of the key cap being in the highest position and the key cap being close to and away from the bottom plate, thereby reducing the situation of light leaking from the gap between the key cap and the bottom plate, achieving the effect of controlling the halo phenomenon caused by light leakage around the key and avoiding the visual discomfort of the user.

[0045] Of course, the present application can have other various embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present application without departing from the spirit and essence of the present application. However, these corresponding changes and modifications should all belong to the protection scope of the claims attached to the present application.

Claims

1. A button, characterized in that, The button includes: keycap; Base plate; The light-emitting device is integrated into the base plate and located below the keycap; A lifting mechanism is provided around the light-emitting component of the light-emitting device. The lifting mechanism includes an outer support member and an inner support member. The outer support member and the inner support member are pivotally connected to each other and movably connected to the keycap and the base plate so that the keycap can move up and down relative to the base plate. The inner support member is arranged around the light-emitting component, and the outer support member is arranged around the inner support member. The bottom plate connection end of the outer support member is provided with a light-shielding baffle extending towards the keycap connection end of the outer support member to block the light emitted by the light-emitting component. The inner support member has an inner support member keycap connection end. When the inner support member and the outer support member move to the pressing position of the inner support member and the outer support member, the inner support member keycap connection end of the inner support member is lowered and abuts against the light-shielding baffle.

2. The button as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the inner support and the outer support are in their pressing positions, the inner support and the outer support partially overlap.

3. The button as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the keycap connection end of the inner support member forms a groove. When the inner support member and the outer support member are in the pressing position, the light-shielding baffle is located in the groove.

4. The button as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate has a hole, and the light-shielding baffle extends downward into the hole.

5. The button as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light-shielding baffle and the bottom plate of the outer support are integrally formed.

6. The button as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting device includes a circuit board attached to the base plate, a light-emitting component disposed on the circuit board, and an opening formed on the base plate corresponding to the position of the light-emitting component, through which the light-emitting component passes.

7. The button as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the outer support is in the pressed position, the light-shielding baffle is parallel to at least one of the inner support, the keycap, and the base plate.

8. The button as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner support component of the lifting mechanism has a different color and / or degree of light transmission than the outer support component.

9. A button, characterized in that, The button includes: keycap; Base plate; The light-emitting device is integrated into the base plate and located below the keycap; A lifting mechanism is provided around the light-emitting component of the light-emitting device. The lifting mechanism includes an outer support member and an inner support member. The outer support member and the inner support member are pivotally connected to each other and movably connected to the keycap and the base plate so that the keycap can move up and down relative to the base plate. The inner support member is arranged around the light-emitting component, and the outer support member is arranged around the inner support member. The bottom plate connection end of the outer support member is provided with a light-shielding baffle extending towards the keycap connection end of the outer support member to block the light emitted by the light-emitting component. The lifting mechanism further includes an elastic component disposed on the base plate, and the inner support member surrounds the elastic component. The light-shielding baffle extends toward the elastic component, and the shape of the edge of the light-shielding baffle corresponds to the shape of the outer periphery of the elastic component.

Images