Key structure
By designing a detachable keycap module, including a replaceable light source, the problem of insufficient light projection of the existing keyboard and the inability to match the light source when the keycap is replaced is solved, achieving higher variation and convenience of use.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202311090478.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-28
AI Technical Summary
The light emitting components of the existing keyboard are fixed at the bottom and cannot be replaced, resulting in the light projection path being blocked by the structure, insufficient brightness, and the light source cannot match when the keycap is replaced, which lacks variability.
A detachable keycap module is designed, including a light source, a carrier and a flexible circuit component. The carrier can be assembled with a scissor structure, and the light source can be replaced with the keycap module to achieve flexible projection of light.
It realizes the replaceability of the light source, improves the variability and convenience of key caps, and is suitable for different usage environments and operating needs.
Smart Images
Figure CN119542053A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to a key structure. Background Art
[0002] Most electronic products today are equipped with keyboards or buttons to facilitate user operation and maintain the practicality of the device. At the same time, a light source is also set inside the keyboard to generate light to project onto the keycaps of the keyboard for identification lighting, to improve aesthetics or to increase the atmosphere when the user is operating.
[0003] Taking a laptop computer as an example, the current keyboard with a lighting function, as mentioned above, is equipped with a lighting component at the bottom of the key to facilitate the projection of light to the keycap. However, this approach faces the problem of structural occlusion on the projection path, so the actual brightness projected to the keycap is obviously insufficient. In addition, due to the need to replace the keycaps of the keyboard keys depending on the usage environment or conditions, the aforementioned lighting component is still fixed at the bottom and cannot be replaced, that is, the same projection light is still projected to the replaced keycap, so the current keyboard obviously lacks variability. Summary of the invention
[0004] The invention is directed to a key structure, wherein a key cap module is provided with a light source so as to be detachably assembled on a scissor structure with the key cap, and thus has replaceability.
[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a key structure includes a substrate, an elastic member, a scissor structure and a keycap module. The elastic member is disposed on the substrate, and the scissor structure is movably disposed on the substrate. The keycap module has a carrier, a light source and a flexible circuit member, the carrier is detachably assembled on the scissor structure and abuts the elastic member, and the light source is disposed on the carrier. One end of the flexible circuit member is electrically connected to the light source, and the other end of the flexible circuit member passes through the carrier and the scissor structure in parallel, and then passes through and is connected to the bottom of the substrate. The top of the carrier is light-transmissive so that light from the light source can pass through the top and be projected from the key structure.
[0006] Based on the above, the key structure has a keycap module that is detachable relative to the scissor structure, and the keycap module includes a light source arranged on a carrier, that is, the light source can be replaced along with the keycap module. This means that the applicability of the key assembly is therefore expanded, that is, as the use conditions or use environment change, the user can adjust the keycap of the key structure in response to the aforementioned changes. For example, when the user operates a laptop computer for word processing or e-sports activities, the keys on the keyboard can be adjusted or replaced according to the operating requirements to facilitate the convenience of operation and enhance the atmosphere during operation. Furthermore, compared to the existing keycaps with fixed patterns, the key structure of the present invention with replaceable keycaps is obviously no longer limited to the fixed position of the aforementioned keys, but can be arranged arbitrarily, which helps to facilitate the use of the keys. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a key structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] Figure 1B and Figure 1C They are Figure 1A The light pattern produced by the key structure;
[0009] Figure 2A yes Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the decomposition of the key structure;
[0010] Figure 2B Shown from another perspective Figure 2A Schematic diagram of the decomposition of
[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of a key structure;
[0012] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of a key structure of another embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A Schematic diagram of the decomposition of the key structure;
[0014] Figure 5A is an exploded schematic diagram of a key structure of another embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 5B Shown from another perspective Figure 5A Schematic diagram of the decomposition of
[0016] Figure 5C yes Figure 5A or Figure 5B The key structure of FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view after assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
[0018] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a key structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B and Figure 1C They are Figure 1A Please also refer to Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C It should be noted that the key structure 100 of the present invention is suitable for keyboards, including keyboards of laptop computers or keyboards used in desktop computers. Figures 1A to 1CThe key structure 100 shown is equivalent to the integration of four keys, but the present invention does not limit the number of keys. The key structure 100 of a single key will be described in detail later.
[0019] Figure 2A yes Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the decomposition of the key structure. Figure 2B Shown from another perspective Figure 2A Schematic diagram of the decomposition. Figure 3 yes Figure 2A Please also refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the key structure 100 includes a substrate, an elastic member 160, a scissor structure 150 and a key cap module CM, wherein the substrate is composed of a pressure-sensitive membrane 170, a bracket 180 and a circuit board 190, and Figures 1A to 1C It can be clearly seen from the figure that the substrate can be designed accordingly according to the different integration states of the keys to carry multiple keys at the same time. Therefore, this embodiment does not limit the outer contour of the substrate, which can be expanded or reduced according to the number of keys.
[0020] Furthermore, the elastic member 160, such as a rubber dome, is disposed on the substrate and is particularly supported on the pressure-sensitive film 170. The bottom structure of the scissor structure 150 is movably disposed on the bracket 180 of the substrate, and the upper structure of the scissor structure 150 is movably assembled on the keycap module CM, and the elastic member 160 is inserted into the scissor structure 150, and the keycap module CM is pressed against the elastic member 160. It should be noted that the substrate, the elastic member 160 and the scissor structure 150 of this embodiment are the same as the key components of the prior art, that is, the scissor structure 150 provides the keycap module CM with a straight up and down motion mode relative to the substrate. When the keycap module CM is pressed, the elastic member 160 is driven to deform, and at the same time, it presses and triggers the pressure-sensitive film 170, thereby generating a trigger signal. Accordingly, the known features such as the actuation and triggering of the key being pressed are not repeated here.
[0021] On the other hand, the keycap module CM of the present embodiment has a carrier, a light source 120 and a heat dissipation pad 140. The carrier is detachably assembled on the scissor structure 150 and abuts against the elastic member 160. The carrier of the present embodiment is composed of a support 110 and an upper cover 130, and the light source 120 is accommodated therein. The light source 120 includes a substrate 121, an LED array 122 (the arrangement of multiple LEDs is not limited here) and a flexible circuit component 123. The substrate 121 is supported on the inner bottom surface S1 of the support 110, and the LED array 122 is arranged on the substrate 121. The flexible circuit component 123 is electrically connected to the LED array 122 and extends from the substrate 121, and passes through the slot 115 of the support 110 and passes through the carrier from the outer bottom surface S2. The flexible circuit component 123 is, for example, a wire, a cable, or an object with soft material characteristics and capable of power transmission, and its form is not limited here. The upper cover 130 located on the top of the carrier is light-transmissive, so that the light from the light source 120 can pass through the upper cover 130 and project out of the key structure 100. The light transmittance of the upper cover 130 of this embodiment is greater than or equal to 30%, so that when the light-emitting diode array 122 is not emitting light, the upper cover 130 can be used to shield or hide the light-emitting diode array 122 to a certain extent. Figure 1B shown.
[0022] In addition, the heat dissipation pad 140 is carried on the inner bottom surface S1 and abuts between the support 110 and the substrate 121 to transfer the heat generated by the LED array 122 when emitting light to the support 110. The heat dissipation pad 140 of this embodiment is made of a material with good thermal conductivity to facilitate rapid heat dissipation of the light source 120.
[0023] It should also be mentioned that the so-called "detachable" mentioned above refers to a method that allows the component to maintain the required action through a simple snap-on structure, while also allowing the user to easily replace it, thereby effectively saving replacement procedures and replacement time. Figure 2A and Figure 2B The scissor structure 150 includes support members 151 and 152 pivotally connected to each other, and the support seat 110 also has a plurality of C-shaped buckling portions 111 and 112, wherein the support member 151 is detachably and pivotally assembled to the buckling portion 111, and the support member 152 is detachably and pivotally assembled to the buckling portion 112, so that the support members 151 and 152 can carry the keycap module CM to perform a pressing and resetting motion mode. When the keycap module CM is to be replaced, the keycap module CM can also be smoothly separated from the scissor structure 150.
[0024] In addition, the bottoms of the supporting members 151 and 152 are pivotally assembled to the buckling portions 182 and 183 of the bracket 180 , so that the scissor structure 150 can smoothly perform the aforementioned straight-up and straight-down motion mode.
[0025] Please refer to Figure 2B and Figure 3 In order to smoothly supply power and transmit signals to the light source 120 located on the carrier, the flexible circuit component 123 of the present embodiment extends from the substrate 121 of the light source 120, passes through the slot 115 of the support 110, continues to move downward through the scissor structure 150, and passes through the slot 171 of the pressure-sensitive film 170, the slot 181 of the bracket 180, and the slot 191 of the circuit board 190 in sequence, and is electrically connected to the electrical connector 192 located at the bottom of the circuit board 190.
[0026] In addition, the support 110 of the present embodiment also has a plurality of balancing protrusions 113 and 114 for abutting against the scissor structure 150. Specifically, the balancing protrusion 113 is located between the buckling parts 111 and is used to abut against the support member 151, while the balancing protrusion 114 is located between the buckling parts 112. Since the support 110 and the scissor structure 150 need to generate relative movement through the buckling parts 111 and 112, it is impossible to increase the abutting area between the two to improve the structural stability. Therefore, the support 110 and the scissor structure 150 use the balancing protrusions 113 and 114 as abutment between the structures, which is beneficial to the stability during movement. In particular, the scissor structure 150 of the present embodiment needs to be matched with the flexible circuit part 123 to reduce the volume to facilitate giving way. Therefore, in this case, the balancing protrusions 113 and 114 can compensate for the instability that may be caused by the reduction in the volume of the scissor structure 150, so as to overcome the possibility of the keycap module CM shaking (wobble) during the pressing process.
[0027] Figure 4A Schematic diagram of a key structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4B yes Figure 4A Please also refer to Figure 4A and Figure 4B The keycap module CM1 of this embodiment includes a support 110, a light source 120, a heat sink 140 and an upper cover 230. Different from the previous embodiment, the top surface of the upper cover 230, that is, the surface facing away from the light source 120, has a plurality of recesses 231. In addition to allowing the key structure 200 to provide a sense of operation to the user, since the upper cover 230 is also light-transmissive, the recesses 231 can also provide a focusing effect, thereby strengthening the optical pattern generated by the light-emitting diode array 122.
[0028] Figure 5A It is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a key structure of another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5B Shown from another perspective Figure 5A Schematic diagram of the decomposition. Figure 5C yes Figure 5A or Figure 5B The key structure of the assembled cross-sectional view. Please also refer to Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C It should be mentioned that the elastic member 360, the pressure-sensitive film 370 and the bracket 380 are the same as those disclosed in the aforementioned embodiment, and the circuit board (such as the aforementioned circuit board 190) is omitted in this embodiment.
[0029] In addition to the above, the carrier of this embodiment includes a support seat 310, an upper cover 330 and a circuit component. The light source 320 is assembled on the upper cover 330, and the circuit component is disposed on the support seat 310. The upper cover 330 can be detachably assembled on the support seat 310 and is electrically connected to the circuit component during assembly. The upper cover 330 is light-transmissive so that the light source 320 can generate light to pass through the upper cover 330 and project the key structure 300.
[0030] In detail, the light source 320 of the present embodiment includes a substrate 321 and a light emitting diode array 322 disposed on the substrate 321. The upper cover 330 is light-transmissive as described above, so the upper cover 330 of the present embodiment can be combined with the light source 320 through a coating injection process. As shown in the exploded schematic diagram, the substrate 321 has a concave structure 321a, and the inner edge of the upper cover 330 has a convex structure 331, so as to improve the bonding strength between the substrate 321 and the upper cover 330 during the aforementioned coating injection process. The forms of the concave structure 321a and the convex structure 331 are not limited here. In other embodiments not shown, the substrate 321 can also be provided with a convex structure, and the upper cover 330 can be provided with a concave structure. In other words, the concave and convex structures that can be docked and locked with each other are conducive to the bonding strength between the light source 320 and the upper cover 330.
[0031] Furthermore, the key structure 300 also includes magnetic coupling parts M1 and M2, which are respectively arranged on the upper cover 330 and the support base 310, so that the upper cover 330 and the support base 310 are assembled together through magnetic attraction. At the same time, when the user wants to replace the key, the light source 320 and the upper cover 330 can be easily removed from the support base 310.
[0032] In addition, the circuit assembly of the present embodiment includes a circuit board 312, a plurality of conductive springs 312a and a flexible circuit component 313, wherein the circuit board 312 is disposed inside the support 310, the conductive springs 312a are exposed from the top S3 of the support 310, and the flexible circuit component 313 penetrates (extends) from the bottom S4 of the support 310. Correspondingly, the aforementioned light source 320 also has a plurality of conductive protrusions 321b located on its bottom surface, so that when the upper cover 330 is assembled and stacked on the top S3 of the support 310, the conductive protrusions 321b press against and electrically connect the conductive springs 312a, so that the light emitting diode array 322 is electrically connected to the conductive springs 312a via the substrate 321 and the conductive protrusions 321b, and the circuit board 312 and the flexible circuit component 313 are electrically connected accordingly. When the flexible circuit component 313 passes through the bottom S4 of the support 310, similar to the aforementioned embodiment, it will pass through the avoidance space 341 of the scissor structure 340 and the opening structure of the pressure-sensitive film 370 and the bracket 380, and can be smoothly connected to the circuit board of the base as in the aforementioned embodiment.
[0033] In summary, in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention, the key structure has a keycap module that is detachable relative to the scissor structure, and the keycap module includes a light source disposed on a carrier, that is, the light source can be replaced along with the keycap module. In one embodiment, the keycap module is assembled or disassembled with the scissor structure through a detachable structure, and in another embodiment, the keycap module is such that its light source is integrated with the upper cover, and the support seat and the flexible circuit component are another component, and the upper cover and the support seat are combined together by simple means, such as magnetic attraction, which is also convenient for users to disassemble and assemble. In other words, it is to assemble or disassemble the local component containing the light source in the keycap module to achieve the aforementioned replaceable effect of this case.
[0034] Based on the above, the detachable keycap module represents that the applicability of the key structure is thus expanded, that is, as the use conditions or use environment change, the user can adjust the keycap of the key structure in response to the aforementioned changes. For example, when the user operates a laptop computer for word processing or e-sports activities, the keys on the keyboard can be adjusted or replaced according to the operation requirements to facilitate the convenience of operation and enhance the atmosphere during operation. Furthermore, compared with the existing keycaps with fixed patterns, the key structure of the present invention with replaceable keycaps is obviously no longer limited to the fixed position of the aforementioned keys, but can be arranged arbitrarily, which helps the convenience of using the keys.
[0035] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A key structure, characterized in that: include: substrate; an elastic member, disposed on the base; A scissor structure, movably disposed on the base; as well as A keycap module comprises a carrier and a light source, wherein the carrier is detachably assembled on the scissor structure and abuts against the elastic member, and the light source is arranged on the carrier, and the light source passes through the carrier through a flexible circuit component and then through the scissor structure and then through the base to be electrically connected to the bottom of the base, wherein the top of the carrier is light-transmissive so that the light from the light source can pass through the top and project out of the key structure.
2. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The carrier comprises a support seat and an upper cover, the light source is arranged in the support seat, the upper cover is assembled on the support seat to cover the light source, the flexible circuit component passes through the support seat, and the upper cover is light-transmissive.
3. The key structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: A heat dissipation pad is also included, which is arranged on the support and is used to transfer the heat generated by the light source to the support.
4. The key structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the support seat has a plurality of buckling parts, and the scissor structure can be pivotally clamped on the plurality of buckling parts.
5. The key structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The surface of the upper cover facing away from the light source has a plurality of recesses.
6. The key structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the seat also has a plurality of balancing protrusions which abut against the scissor structure.
7. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source is a light emitting diode array.
8. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light transmittance of the top portion is greater than or equal to 30%.
9. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The carrier includes a support seat, an upper cover and a circuit component. The light source is assembled on the upper cover. The circuit component is arranged on the support seat. The upper cover is detachably assembled on the support seat and is electrically connected to the circuit component during assembly. The upper cover is light-transmissive.
10. The key structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The circuit assembly includes a circuit board, a plurality of conductive springs and the flexible circuit component. The plurality of conductive springs are exposed at the top of the support. The upper cover is assembled to the top of the support so that the plurality of conductive protrusions of the light source press against and electrically connect the plurality of conductive springs. The flexible circuit component passes through the bottom of the support.
11. The key structure according to claim 10, characterized in that: The light source comprises a substrate and a light emitting diode array arranged on the upper surface of the substrate, and the plurality of conductive protrusions are located on the lower surface of the substrate.
12. The key structure according to claim 11, characterized in that: The base plate and the upper cover have concave-convex structures that can be butted and locked with each other.
13. The key structure according to claim 11, characterized in that: The light source and the upper cover are combined with each other by covering and emitting.
14. The key structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes magnetic attraction pairs, which are respectively arranged on the upper cover and the support base, so that the upper cover and the support base can be assembled together through magnetic attraction.
15. The key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base comprises a circuit board, a bracket and a pressure-sensitive film which are stacked in sequence, the elastic member is located on the pressure-sensitive film, and the scissor structure is movably assembled on the bracket.