Composite keycap and keyboard device

Abstract

The invention discloses a composite keycap and a keyboard device. The keyboard device comprises a substrate and keys. The substrate is provided with a top surface, and the top surface is provided with an assembly area. The key is arranged above the assembly area and comprises a composite key cap and a linkage piece, the composite key cap comprises a metal cover plate and a light-transmitting assembly plate which are stacked with each other, the light-transmitting assembly plate is adjacent to the substrate relative to the metal cover plate, the metal cover plate is provided with a plurality of through holes, the light-transmitting assembly plate is provided with a plurality of light-transmitting columns, and the linkage piece is arranged on the metal cover plate. The plurality of light-transmitting columns are respectively embedded and fixed in the plurality of through holes, and the linkage piece is movably connected between the light-transmitting assembling plate and the assembling area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an input device, in particular to a composite key cap and keyboard device. Background Art

[0002] Keyboards are currently very common input devices, and are usually used with electronic devices, such as desktop computers, notebook computers, smart phones or tablet computers, etc. In addition, in order to cope with the use environment with insufficient light, a luminous keyboard with a luminous function has been developed.

[0003] The keycaps of the illuminated keyboards on the market are all made of transparent plastic. In order to make the plastic keycaps have a certain structural strength, the common practice is to increase the thickness of the plastic keycaps, which makes it difficult to further reduce the overall thickness of the illuminated keyboard. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above, in one embodiment, a composite keycap is provided, including a metal cover plate and a light-transmitting assembly plate. The metal cover plate has a plurality of through holes, the light-transmitting assembly plate and the metal cover plate are stacked and arranged, and the light-transmitting assembly plate has a plurality of light-transmitting columns, and the plurality of light-transmitting columns are respectively embedded and fixed in the plurality of through holes.

[0005] In another embodiment, a keyboard device is provided, including a substrate and a key. The substrate has a top surface, and the top surface has an assembly area. The key is arranged above the assembly area, and the key includes the above-mentioned composite keycap and a linkage. The light-transmitting assembly plate is adjacent to the substrate relative to the metal cover plate, and the linkage is movably connected between the light-transmitting assembly plate and the assembly area.

[0006] In summary, the composite keycap and keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed by stacking a metal cover plate and a light-transmitting assembly plate. Compared with a keycap made of all plastic, the composite keycap has better structural strength and a thinner overall thickness. In addition, the composite keycap is fixed in the plurality of through holes of the metal cover plate by the plurality of light-transmitting columns of the light-transmitting assembly plate. In addition to fixing the light-transmitting assembly plate and the metal cover plate to each other, when the light-transmitting assembly plate is exposed to light, the light can be transmitted through the plurality of light-transmitting columns to cope with the use environment with insufficient light.

[0007] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but is not intended to limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of an embodiment of a keyboard device of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a partial three-dimensional diagram of an embodiment of a keyboard device of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the key of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the key of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a key of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a third embodiment of a key of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a fourth embodiment of a key of the present invention.

[0015] Among them, the reference numerals

[0016] 1: Keyboard device

[0017] 10:Substrate

[0018] 11: Top surface

[0019] 12: Assembly area

[0020] 13: Assembly structure

[0021] 131: First Hook

[0022] 132: Second hook

[0023] 15: Circuit Board

[0024] 16: Reset

[0025] 20: Button

[0026] 21,21a,21b,21c: Composite keycaps

[0027] 22:Metal cover

[0028] 221,221c,221d,221e,221f:Through holes

[0029] 221a: first through hole

[0030] 221b: second through hole

[0031] 222: Upper surface

[0032] 223: Lower surface

[0033] 224: Ring metal plate

[0034] 23: Translucent assembly board

[0035] 231: Translucent Column

[0036] 232: Bottom surface

[0037] 233: Light-transmitting assembly

[0038] 2331: First base

[0039] 2332: Second base

[0040] 234: Annular light-transmitting plate

[0041] 24: Translucent cover

[0042] 25: Linkage

[0043] 251: Internal frame

[0044] 252: External frame

[0045] 30: Luminous parts

[0046] 301: Light guide plate

[0047] 302: Light-emitting unit DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The structural principle and working principle of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0049] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of an embodiment of a keyboard device of the present invention, Figure 2 is a partial three-dimensional diagram of an embodiment of a keyboard device of the present invention, Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the key of the present invention. Figure 4 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the key of the present invention. Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the keyboard device 1 includes a substrate 10 and keys 20 , wherein the keys 20 are multiple and arranged above the substrate 10 .

[0050] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the substrate 10 can be a hard plate made of metal (such as aluminum, steel, alloy, etc.) or plastic material and has the function of supporting components. In this embodiment, the substrate 10 has a top surface 11, and the top surface 11 has a plurality of assembly areas 12 for correspondingly assembling a plurality of keys 20, wherein each assembly area 12 is a local area of ​​the top surface 11 of the substrate 10.

[0051] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, taking one of the keys 20 as an example, the key 20 is disposed above the assembly area 12 and includes a composite keycap 21 and a linkage 25. The composite keycap 21 includes a metal cover plate 22 and a light-transmitting assembly plate 23 stacked on each other, and the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 is adjacent to the substrate 10 relative to the metal cover plate 22. The metal cover plate 22 has a plurality of through holes 221, and the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 has a plurality of light-transmitting columns 231. The plurality of light-transmitting columns 231 are respectively embedded and fixed in the plurality of through holes 221, so that the metal cover plate 22 and the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 are fixed to each other.

[0052] For example, the metal cover plate 22 and the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 of the composite keycap 21 can be combined with each other by insert molding. Specifically, the metal cover plate 22 can be placed in a mold first, and then liquid light-transmitting plastic is injected into the mold to make the liquid light-transmitting plastic flow to the surface of the metal cover plate 22 and the multiple through holes 221. After the liquid light-transmitting plastic is solidified, the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 and the multiple light-transmitting columns 231 embedded and fixed in the multiple through holes 221 can be formed.

[0053] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the composite keycap 21 maintains a distance from the substrate 10. For example, in this embodiment, a circuit board 15 is provided between the substrate 10 and the composite keycap 21. For example, the circuit board 15 can be a membrane circuit board, a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible circuit board (FPCB) or a rigid-flex PCB. A reset member 16 (such as a rubber dome, a metal dome, or a magnetic component) is provided on the circuit board 15 to enable the composite keycap 21 to rise and fall relative to the substrate 10. Therefore, when the composite keycap 21 is pressed, the composite keycap 21 can fall toward the substrate 10 and trigger the circuit board 15 to generate a signal. When the composite keycap 21 is released, the reset member 16 can drive the composite keycap 21 to rise to a non-pressurized position.

[0054] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the linking member 25 can be movably connected between the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 of the composite keycap 21 and the assembly area 12 of the substrate 10, wherein the linking member 25 can be a scissor-type connection member (such as Figures 2 to 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , or other multi-link structures, when the composite keycap 21 rises or falls, the linkage 25 can be actuated synchronously to guide the composite keycap 21 to rise or fall relative to the substrate 10.

[0055] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 has a bottom surface 232 facing the substrate 10, and the bottom surface 232 is integrally connected to the light-transmitting assembly 233, that is, the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 and the light-transmitting assembly 233 are an integrally formed structure. Each assembly area 12 of the substrate 10 has an assembly structure 13, and the linkage 25 can be movably connected to the light-transmitting assembly 233 and the assembly structure 13.

[0056] Continuing from above, for example Figures 2 to 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the assembly structure 13 of the base plate 10 includes a plurality of first hooks 131 (here, two first hooks 131) and a plurality of second hooks 132 (here, two second hooks 132) and other assembly parts. The light-transmitting assembly 233 of the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 is used to connect the linkage 25. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting assembly 233 includes a plurality of first bases 2331 (here, two first bases 2331) and a plurality of second bases 2332 (here, two second bases 2332) that are light-transmitting. The linking member 25 is a scissor-type connecting member and includes an inner frame 251 and an outer frame 252 pivotally connected to each other, wherein one end of the inner frame 251 is slidably pivoted to the corresponding plurality of first hooks 131, and the other end of the inner frame 251 is pivotally connected to the plurality of first bases 2331 of the light-transmitting assembly plate 23, and one end of the outer frame 252 is pivotally connected to the corresponding plurality of second hooks 132, and the other end of the outer frame 252 is slidably pivotally connected to the plurality of second bases 2332 of the light-transmitting assembly plate 23. In other embodiments, other forms of linking members 25 may be used in combination with light-transmitting assembly members 233 of corresponding structures, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, a light emitting member 30 may be disposed below the composite keycap 21, and the light emitting member 30 is used to emit light to illuminate the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 of the composite keycap 21, so that the light can be transmitted through the plurality of light-transmitting columns 231 of the light-transmitting assembly plate 23. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the light emitting element 30 can be disposed above or below the substrate 10. The light emitting element 30 can be composed of a light guide plate 301 (e.g., a plate made of polycarbonate (PC), acrylic plastic (PMMA) or glass material) and a light emitting unit 302 (e.g., a light emitting diode). When the light emitted by the light emitting unit 302 enters the light guide plate 301, it can be transmitted inside the light guide plate 301, so that the light guide plate 301 as a whole emits light to illuminate the light-transmitting assembly plate 23. In some embodiments, the light emitting element 30 can also be an LED light source, a fluorescent light source, or an infrared light source, and the number of the light emitting elements 30 is multiple and they are respectively disposed below multiple composite keycaps 21, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0058] Thus, the embodiment of the present invention uses a composite keycap 21 to form a metal cover plate 22 and a light-transmitting assembly plate 23 stacked on each other. Since the strength of metal materials is greater than that of plastic, the metal cover plate 22 of the composite keycap 21 can be further thinned and meet the structural strength requirements of the product at the same time. Therefore, compared with keycaps made of all plastic, the structural strength of the composite keycap 21 is better and the overall thickness can be thinner. In addition, the composite keycap 21 is respectively fixed in the multiple through holes 221 of the metal cover plate 22 by the multiple light-transmitting columns 231 of the light-transmitting assembly plate 23. In addition to fixing the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 and the metal cover plate 22 to each other, the light emitted by the light-emitting component 30 can be transmitted through the multiple light-transmitting columns 231 to cope with the use environment with insufficient light.

[0059] For example Figures 2 to 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 of the composite keycap 21 is integrally connected to an annular light-transmitting plate 234, and the metal cover plate 22 is integrally connected to an annular metal plate 224. The annular metal plate 224 and the annular light-transmitting plate 234 extend toward the substrate 10 respectively, and the annular metal plate 224 is wrapped and fixed to the outer circumference of the annular light-transmitting plate 234, so as to increase the area of ​​the metal cover plate 22 and the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 combined with each other and strengthen the fixing effect, thereby preventing the metal cover plate 22 and the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 from being easily separated.

[0060] Figure 5 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a key according to the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment and Figure 4 The difference between the embodiments is at least that the composite keycap 21a of the present embodiment further includes a light-transmitting cover plate 24, the metal cover plate 22 has an upper surface 222 and a lower surface 223, the light-transmitting cover plate 24 is stacked on the upper surface 222 of the metal cover plate 22, the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 is stacked on the lower surface 223 of the metal cover plate 22, and one end of each light-transmitting column 231 is integrally connected to the light-transmitting cover plate 24, and the other end of each light-transmitting column 231 is integrally connected to the light-transmitting assembly plate 23. For example, in the process of the composite keycap 21a, the metal cover plate 22 can be first placed in a mold, and then liquid light-transmitting plastic is injected into the mold, so that the liquid light-transmitting plastic flows to the upper surface 222, the lower surface 223 and the multiple through holes 221 of the metal cover plate 22. After the liquid light-transmitting plastic is solidified, a light-transmitting assembly plate 23, a light-transmitting cover plate 24 and a plurality of light-transmitting columns 231 embedded and fixed in the multiple through holes 221 can be formed, so that the metal cover plate 22 is wrapped between the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 and the light-transmitting cover plate 24 to strengthen the bonding strength between the three, and the light emitted by the light-emitting component 30 can still be transmitted through the light-transmitting cover plate 24 to cope with the use environment with insufficient light.

[0061] like Figure 2As shown, the multiple through holes 221 of the metal cover plate 22 of the composite keycap 21 are arranged in multiple rows. In this embodiment, the multiple through holes 221 are arranged in a two-dimensional array and evenly cover the surface of the metal cover plate 22, so that the multiple light-transmitting columns 231 embedded in the multiple through holes 221 are also evenly covered on the surface of the metal cover plate 22. In this way, the present embodiment can control the light-emitting element 30 to illuminate all or part of the light-transmitting columns 231 according to different product requirements. For example, the light of the light-emitting element 30 can be controlled to illuminate all the light-transmitting columns 231 and emit uniform light, or the light of the light-emitting element 30 can be controlled to illuminate only part of the light-transmitting columns 231, so that part of the light-transmitting columns 231 emit light and present a desired light-emitting pattern (such as numbers, letters or symbols).

[0062] Figure 6 2 is a three-dimensional diagram of a third embodiment of a key according to the present invention, Figure 6 As shown, this embodiment and Figure 2 The difference between the embodiment of the present invention is at least that the plurality of through holes of the metal cover plate 22 of the composite keycap 21b of the present embodiment include a plurality of first through holes 221a and a plurality of second through holes 221b, and the plurality of first through holes 221a are arranged in the shape of a letter (here, the letter T), so that the light of the light-emitting element 30 can present a light-emitting pattern of the letter after irradiating the light-transmitting assembly plate 23. In addition, in the present embodiment, the plurality of second through holes 221b are adjacent to the periphery of the metal cover plate 22 and are arranged in a ring shape, and the plurality of second through holes 221b surround the periphery of the plurality of first through holes 221a, so that the periphery of the metal cover plate 22 and the light-transmitting assembly plate 23 are positioned to prevent separation.

[0063] Figure 7 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a key according to the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment and Figure 6 The difference between the embodiments of the present invention lies in that the multiple through holes 221c, 221d, 221e, and 221f of the composite keycap 21c of the present embodiment are respectively adjacent to the four corners of the composite keycap 21c, and the shapes of the holes of the multiple through holes 221c, 221d, 221e, and 221f are letters, symbols, words, and numbers, respectively, so that after the light of the light-emitting member 30 illuminates the light-transmitting assembly plate 23, each through hole 221c, 221d, 221e, and 221f can respectively present a different light-emitting pattern.

[0064] In summary, the composite keycap and keyboard device according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed by stacking a metal cover plate and a light-transmitting assembly plate. Compared with a keycap made of all plastic, the composite keycap has better structural strength and a thinner overall thickness. In addition, the composite keycap is fixed in the plurality of through holes of the metal cover plate by the plurality of light-transmitting columns of the light-transmitting assembly plate. In addition to fixing the light-transmitting assembly plate and the metal cover plate to each other, when the light-transmitting assembly plate is exposed to light, the light can be transmitted through the plurality of light-transmitting columns to cope with the use environment with insufficient light.

[0065] Of course, the present invention may have many other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art may make various corresponding changes and modifications based on the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. A composite keycap, characterized in that: include: A metal cover plate having a plurality of through holes; as well as A light-transmitting assembly plate is stacked with the metal cover plate. The light-transmitting assembly plate has a plurality of light-transmitting columns, and the light-transmitting columns are respectively embedded and fixed in the through holes.

2. The composite keycap according to claim 1, wherein: The invention further comprises a light-transmitting cover plate. The metal cover plate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The light-transmitting cover plate is stacked on the upper surface, and the light-transmitting assembly plate is stacked on the lower surface.

3. The composite keycap according to claim 2, wherein: One end of the light-transmitting columns is integrally connected to the light-transmitting cover plate, and the other end of the light-transmitting columns is integrally connected to the light-transmitting assembly plate.

4. The composite keycap according to claim 1, wherein: The through holes are arranged in multiple rows.

5. The composite keycap according to claim 4, characterized in that: The through holes are arranged in a two-dimensional array.

6. The composite keycap according to claim 1, wherein: The through holes include a plurality of first through holes and a plurality of second through holes. The first through holes are arranged in a letter, and the second through holes are adjacent to the periphery of the metal cover plate.

7. The composite keycap according to claim 6, wherein: The second through holes are arranged in a ring shape and surround the first through holes.

8. The composite keycap according to claim 1, wherein: The shapes of the through holes are numbers, letters, words or symbols.

9. A keyboard device, characterized in that: include: A substrate having a top surface, the top surface having an assembly area; as well as A key is arranged above the assembly area, and the key includes a composite keycap as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 and a linkage. The light-transmitting assembly plate is adjacent to the substrate relative to the metal cover plate, and the linkage can be movably connected between the light-transmitting assembly plate of the composite keycap and the assembly area.

10. The keyboard device according to claim 9, characterized in that The light-transmitting assembly plate has a bottom surface facing the base plate. The bottom surface is integrally connected with a light-transmitting assembly. The linkage is movably connected to the light-transmitting assembly.

11. The keyboard device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The transparent assembly plate is integrally connected to an annular transparent plate, and the metal cover is integrally connected to an annular metal plate. The annular metal plate and the annular transparent plate extend toward the substrate respectively, and the annular metal plate covers and is fixed to the outer periphery of the annular transparent plate.

12. The keyboard device according to claim 9, wherein: The invention further comprises a light emitting component which is arranged below the composite key cap and is used for emitting light to illuminate the light-transmitting assembly plate.

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