Keyboard for panel with capacitive touch surface

Abstract

The invention discloses a keyboard for a panel with a capacitive touch surface. The keyboard comprises a first insulating substrate and a plurality of conductive keys, the first insulating substrate is arranged to face the capacitive touch surface, wherein the first insulating substrate is not provided with a through hole. The plurality of conductive keys are arranged to correspond to a plurality of touch input areas of the capacitive touch surface respectively. Each conductive key comprises a conductive pad, a metal elastic piece and a conductive key cap. The conductive pad is disposed on the first insulating substrate. The metal elastic member is located on the conductive pad. The conductive key cap is located on the metal elastic piece and provided with an abutting portion extending downwards from the inner top surface of the conductive key cap and facing the metal elastic piece, when the conductive key cap is not pressed, the metal elastic piece is separated from the conductive pad by a certain distance, and when the conductive key cap is pressed to the bottom, the metal elastic piece makes contact with the conductive pad.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface. Background Art

[0002] Tablet computers are becoming increasingly common on the market. However, since tablet computers do not have a physical keyboard, users usually input through the virtual keyboard displayed on the tablet computer or through a physical keyboard. However, the virtual keyboard lacks the tactile feel of pressing. Although the physical keyboard has the tactile feel of pressing in use, it occupies a relatively large space, and the Bluetooth wireless keyboard also needs to ensure that it still has power during use. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the physical keyboards applicable to tablet computers. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface to solve at least one of the above problems.

[0004] The present invention provides a keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface, which includes a first insulating substrate and a plurality of conductive keys. The first insulating substrate is arranged to face the capacitive touch surface, wherein the first insulating substrate does not have through holes. The plurality of conductive keys are arranged to respectively correspond to a plurality of touch input areas of the capacitive touch surface. Each conductive key includes a conductive pad, a metal elastic member, and a conductive keycap. The conductive pad is arranged on the first insulating substrate. The metal elastic member is located on the conductive pad. The conductive keycap is located on the metal elastic member and has an abutting portion extending downward from the inner top surface of the conductive keycap and facing the metal elastic member. When the conductive keycap is not pressed, the metal elastic member is separated from the conductive pad by a distance. When the conductive keycap is pressed to the bottom, the metal elastic member contacts the conductive pad.

[0005] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first insulating substrate includes a first waterproof substrate, and the plurality of conductive pads of the plurality of conductive keys are located on the first waterproof substrate.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first insulating substrate further includes a carrier plate arranged on the first waterproof substrate, and the plurality of conductive pads are arranged on the carrier plate.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, the keyboard further includes: a second insulating substrate arranged on the first insulating substrate and having a plurality of corresponding through holes, wherein the plurality of conductive pads of the plurality of conductive keys are respectively arranged in the plurality of corresponding through holes, and the plurality of metal elastic members are respectively arranged near the plurality of corresponding through holes of the second insulating substrate.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, the thickness of the second insulating substrate is exactly the same as or substantially the same as the thickness of the conductive pad.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, the keyboard further includes: a frame located on the first insulating substrate and having a plurality of through openings, wherein a plurality of conductive keys are respectively disposed in the plurality of through openings.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of conductive keycaps has four convex portions respectively extending laterally outward from four corners of the at least one of the plurality of conductive keycaps, and the frame has four stop portions respectively corresponding to the plurality of convex portions.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the keyboard further includes: a second waterproof substrate covering the plurality of conductive keycaps and the frame.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the metal elastic member has two perforations disposed opposite to each other.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the width of the conductive pad is greater than or equal to the maximum width of the abutting portion of the conductive keycap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The various aspects of the present invention will be best understood from the following embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that, in accordance with the practice in the industry, the various features may not be drawn to scale. In fact, for clarity, the shapes of the various features may be appropriately adjusted, and the dimensions of the various features may be increased or decreased arbitrarily.

[0015] Figure 1 FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a keyboard and a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 FIG. 29 is a partial cross-sectional view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 FIG. 33 is a bottom perspective view of a conductive keycap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 FIG. 37 is a bottom perspective view of a conductive keycap and a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0021] 100: Keyboard

[0022] 110: First insulating substrate

[0023] 112: First waterproof substrate

[0024] 114: Carrier board

[0025] 120: Conductive button

[0026] 122: Conductive pad

[0027] 124: Metal elastic member

[0028] 126: Conductive keycap

[0029] 126a: Contact portion

[0030] 126i: Inner top surface

[0031] 126p: Protrusion

[0032] 130: Second insulating substrate

[0033] 130a: Corresponding through-hole

[0034] 140: Frame

[0035] 140a: Through opening

[0036] 140s: Stopping portion

[0037] 150: Second waterproof substrate

[0038] 200: Panel

[0039] 200s: Capacitive touch surface

[0040] 200t: Touch input area Detailed implementation manners

[0041] The advantages, features of the present invention and the method to achieve them will be described in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings and will be more easily understood. However, the present invention can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments stated herein. On the contrary, for those skilled in the art, these embodiments provided will make the present invention more thorough, comprehensive and completely convey the scope of the present invention.

[0042] The relative spatial terms herein, such as "lower", "upper", are for facilitating the relative relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature in the accompanying drawings. The true meanings of these relative spatial terms include other orientations. For example, when the accompanying drawings are turned upside down by 180 degrees, the relationship between one element and another element may change from "lower" to "upper". The relative spatial descriptions used herein should also be interpreted in the same way.

[0043] As described in the prior art, virtual keyboards lack the tactile feedback of pressing. Although physical keyboards have the tactile feedback of pressing during use, they take up a relatively large amount of space. In addition, for Bluetooth wireless keyboards, it is necessary to ensure that they still have power during use. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in physical keyboards applicable to tablet computers. Accordingly, the present invention provides a keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface, which includes a first insulating substrate and a plurality of conductive keys. It should be noted that in addition to providing the tactile feedback of pressing, the keyboard of the present invention is thinner, lighter, takes up less space than a general physical keyboard, and does not require power supply to the keyboard. Specifically, the keyboard of the present invention can be placed on the capacitive touch surface of the panel, so that the plurality of conductive keys of the keyboard are respectively aligned with a plurality of touch input areas of the capacitive touch surface. When the user presses a conductive key, due to the charged characteristics of the human body and the structure of the conductive key, the corresponding touch input area can be effectively pressed, causing the capacitance of the touched touch input area to change, and enabling the panel to output a corresponding signal. Various embodiments of the keyboard of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0044] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a keyboard and a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded schematic view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the keyboard 100 for the panel 200 having a capacitive touch surface 200s includes a first insulating substrate 110 and a plurality of conductive keys 120.

[0045] As Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the first insulating substrate 110 is arranged to face the capacitive touch surface 200s of the panel 200. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first insulating substrate 110 is less than or equal to 0.4 mm, and even less than or equal to 0.3 mm. It should be noted that as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the first insulating substrate 110 does not have through holes, so there is no risk of liquid infiltration at the bottom of the keyboard 100.

[0046] In addition, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the conductive keys 120 are separated from the capacitive touch surface 200s by the first insulating substrate 110. Therefore, when the conductive keys 120 are pressed, the bottom of the conductive keys 120 (such as the conductive pad 122) does not directly press the capacitive touch surface 200s. In this way, the capacitive touch surface 200s will not be damaged due to the direct pressing of the bottom of the conductive keys 120 on the capacitive touch surface 200s.

[0047] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the first insulating substrate 110 includes a first waterproof substrate 112, and a plurality of conductive pads 122 are located on the first waterproof substrate 112. In some embodiments, the plurality of conductive pads contact the upper surface of the first waterproof substrate (not shown in the figure). In some embodiments, the first waterproof substrate 112 is a flexible waterproof plastic film, such as a polyurethane (PU) film, so that the bottom of the keyboard 100 has waterproof performance. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first waterproof substrate 112 is less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the first insulating substrate 110 further includes a carrier plate 114 disposed on the first waterproof substrate 112, and a plurality of conductive pads 122 are disposed on the carrier plate 114. In some embodiments, the plurality of conductive pads 122 contact the upper surface of the carrier plate 114, as Figure 3 shown. In some embodiments, the carrier plate 114 is a rigid carrier plate with a shielding effect, such as an FR4 fiberglass board, to prevent the user from perceiving the actuation of the conductive keys 120 from the lower surface of the first insulating substrate 110. In some embodiments, the thickness of the carrier plate 114 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, or even less than or equal to 0.2 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the carrier plate 114 is greater than the thickness of the first waterproof substrate 112.

[0049] However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. As long as the first insulating substrate 110 can have a certain insulating effect and can change the capacitance of the touch input area 200t when the user presses the conductive key 120, so that the panel 200 outputs a corresponding signal. The first insulating substrate 110 can also further provide the above waterproof performance and / or shielding effect.

[0050] Such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, a plurality of conductive keys 120 are arranged to respectively correspond to a plurality of touch input areas 200t of the capacitive touch surface 200s. Each conductive key 120 includes a conductive pad 122, a metal elastic member 124, and a conductive keycap 126.

[0051] Such as Figure 3As shown, the conductive pad 122 is disposed on the first insulating substrate 110. It should be noted that each conductive key 120 is configured with an independent conductive pad 122 instead of a whole piece of conductive material. Therefore, only a very thin first insulating substrate 110 needs to be disposed under the conductive key 120 to achieve a good insulation effect (i.e., the insulation effect between the keys), enabling the keyboard 100 to achieve the purpose of being thin. In some embodiments, the top view shape of the conductive pad 122 is circular or other suitable shapes. In some embodiments, the conductive pad 122 is a conductive cloth.

[0052] As Figure 3 shown, the metal elastic member 124 is located on the conductive pad 122. In some embodiments, as Figure 2 shown, the metal elastic member 124 has two perforations (not labeled) disposed opposite to each other. Compared with the metal elastic member without perforations, the metal elastic member 124 with perforations has a lower hardness, is easier to press, and has a longer service life. In some embodiments, the perforations are fan-shaped or other suitable shapes. On the other hand, compared with the soft rubber elastic member, the metal elastic member 124 with a higher hardness is easier to achieve the consistency of the pressing force.

[0053] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the keyboard 100 further includes a second insulating substrate 130, which is disposed on the first insulating substrate 110 and has a plurality of corresponding through holes 130a. A plurality of conductive pads 122 are respectively disposed in the plurality of corresponding through holes 130a, and a plurality of metal elastic members 124 are respectively disposed near the plurality of corresponding through holes 130a of the second insulating substrate 130. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second insulating substrate 130 is less than or equal to 0.1 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second insulating substrate 130 is exactly the same as or substantially the same as (± about 0.01 mm) the thickness of the conductive pad 122.

[0054] It should be noted that in addition to helping to improve the strength (support strength) of the bottom of the keyboard 100, the second insulating substrate 130 can also maximize the area / width of the conductive pad 122, so that the pressing performance of the conductive key 120 is good and has good sensitivity. The aforementioned "sensitivity" means that no matter which area of the conductive key 120 the user presses, the conductive pad 122 can effectively touch and press the corresponding touch input area 200t, causing the capacitance of the touched touch input area 200t to change, and enabling the panel 200 to output a corresponding signal.

[0055] As Figure 3As shown, the conductive keycap 126 is located on the metal elastic member 124. The conductive keycap 126 has an abutment portion 126a, which extends downward from the inner top surface 126i of the conductive keycap 126 and faces the metal elastic member 124. In some embodiments, when the conductive keycap 126 is not pressed, the abutment portion 126a abuts (pre-presses) the metal elastic member 124. In some embodiments, the width of the conductive pad 122 is greater than or equal to the maximum width of the abutment portion 126a of the conductive keycap 126. When the conductive keycap 126 is not pressed, the metal elastic member 124 is separated from the conductive pad 122 by a distance; when the conductive keycap 126 is pressed to the bottom, the abutment portion 126a presses down the metal elastic member 124, so that the metal elastic member 124 contacts the conductive pad 122.

[0056] Figure 4 1 is a bottom perspective schematic diagram of a conductive keycap according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the abutment portion 126a of the conductive keycap 126 is a cross column, a cylinder, a square column or other suitable shapes. In some embodiments, the conductive keycap 126 has four protrusions 126p, which extend laterally outward from the four corners of the conductive keycap 126.

[0057] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective diagram of a conductive keycap and a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the keyboard 100 further includes a frame 140, which is located on the first insulating substrate 110 and has a plurality of through openings 140a. The plurality of conductive keys 120 are respectively disposed in the plurality of through openings 140a. Figure 5 As shown, the frame 140 has four stoppers 140s respectively corresponding to the plurality of protrusions 126p of the conductive keycap 126. Thus, even if one side of the conductive keycap 126 is pressed, the opposite side of the conductive keycap 126 will not rise, and the conductive keycap 126 can move down smoothly.

[0058] In some embodiments, Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the keyboard 100 further includes a second waterproof substrate 150, which covers a plurality of conductive keycaps 120 and the frame 140. In some embodiments, the second waterproof substrate 150 contacts the upper surfaces of the plurality of conductive keycaps 120 and the upper surface of the frame 140. In some embodiments, the second waterproof substrate 150 is a flexible waterproof plastic film, such as a polyurethane film, so that the top of the keyboard 100 has waterproof performance. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second waterproof substrate 150 is less than or equal to 0.1 mm. In some embodiments, since the keyboard 100 includes the first waterproof substrate 112 and the second waterproof substrate 150, which cover a plurality of conductive keys 120 and the frame 140, the keyboard 100 as a whole has good waterproof performance.

[0059] However, as described above, it is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of implementation of the present invention cannot be limited thereby. That is, all simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims of the present invention and the content of the invention description still fall within the scope covered by the patent of the present invention. In addition, any embodiment or claim of the present invention does not have to achieve all the purposes, advantages or features disclosed in the present invention. In addition, the abstract part and the title are only used to assist in the search of patent documents and are not used to limit the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface, the keyboard comprising: A first insulating substrate is provided to face the capacitive touch surface, wherein the first insulating substrate does not have through holes; And A plurality of conductive keys are provided to respectively correspond to a plurality of touch input areas of the capacitive touch surface. Each conductive key includes: A conductive pad disposed on the first insulating substrate; A metal elastic member located on the conductive pad; and A conductive keycap located on the metal elastic member and having an abutting portion extending downward from an inner top surface of the conductive keycap and facing the metal elastic member. When the conductive keycap is not pressed, the metal elastic member is spaced apart from the conductive pad by a distance. When the conductive keycap is pressed to the bottom, the metal elastic member contacts the conductive pad.

2. The keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to claim 1, wherein the first insulating substrate includes a first waterproof substrate, and a plurality of the conductive pads of the plurality of the conductive keys are located on the first waterproof substrate.

3. The keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to claim 2, wherein the first insulating substrate further includes a carrier plate disposed on the first waterproof substrate, and a plurality of the conductive pads are disposed on the carrier plate.

4. The keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to claim 1, further comprising: A second insulating substrate is disposed on the first insulating substrate and has a plurality of corresponding through holes. The conductive pads of the plurality of conductive keys are respectively disposed in the plurality of corresponding through holes, and the plurality of metal elastic members are respectively disposed near the plurality of corresponding through holes of the second insulating substrate.

5. The keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to claim 4, wherein a thickness of the second insulating substrate is exactly the same as or the same as a thickness of the conductive pad.

6. The keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to claim 1, further comprising: A frame is located on the first insulating substrate and has a plurality of through openings, wherein the plurality of conductive keys are respectively disposed in the plurality of through openings.

7. The keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of the conductive key caps has four convex portions respectively extending laterally outward from four corners of the at least one of the plurality of the conductive key caps, and the frame has four stop portions respectively corresponding to the plurality of the convex portions.

8. The keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to claim 6, further comprising: A second waterproof substrate covers the plurality of conductive keycaps and the frame.

9. The keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to claim 1, wherein the metal elastic member has two perforations disposed opposite to each other.

10. The keyboard for a panel having a capacitive touch surface according to claim 1, wherein a width of the conductive pad is greater than or equal to a maximum width of the abutting portion of the conductive key cap.

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