Modularized keycap

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular keycap, the modular keycap comprises a keycap body of an integrated shell-shaped structure, the keycap body is provided with a top surface and four side surfaces, the top surface is provided with a first inlaying surface, at least one of the four side surfaces is provided with a second inlaying surface, and decorative sheets are embedded in the first inlaying surface and the second inlaying surface. Through the design of embedding the decorative sheets on the top surface and the side surfaces, the single appearance limitation of the traditional modular keycap is broken, the visual level is enriched, and the texture is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of computer keyboards, in particular to a modular keycap. Background Art

[0002] In the keyboards and key components of electronic devices, modular keycaps are components that directly interact with users, and their appearance, design, and texture significantly impact the product experience. Traditional modular keycaps are mostly made of a single material, with a monotonous appearance, which makes it difficult to meet users' needs for personalized, high-quality visual and tactile experiences. Although some improvements have attempted to add decorations to the surface of modular keycaps through printing or spraying, there are problems with the decorative layer being easily worn and falling off, and unable to maintain its beauty and texture over the long term. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a modular keycap with a stable structure, long-lasting decorative effect, and the ability to achieve personalized customization. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a modular keycap, which improves the appearance texture and personalization of the modular keycap by arranging an inlaid structure and installing a decorative piece on a specific surface of the modular keycap (i.e., the inner shell structure, which itself constitutes a complete modular keycap), while ensuring the durability of the decoration.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a modular keycap, which includes a keycap body with an integrated shell-like structure, the keycap body having a top surface and four side surfaces, the top surface is provided with a first inlay surface, and at least one of the four side surfaces is provided with a second inlay surface, and the first inlay surface and the second inlay surface are embedded with decorative pieces.

[0005] Furthermore, the decorative sheet is made of a ceramic sheet, a metal sheet, a glass sheet, a stone sheet, a wood sheet, or a hard plastic sheet.

[0006] Furthermore, the decorative sheet is made of a leather sheet, a cloth sheet, a silicone sheet, or a soft material sheet.

[0007] Decorative sheets serve a primarily decorative purpose, while also offering practical features such as wear resistance and waterproofing. Ceramic sheets offer increased hardness, improved wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, making them less susceptible to damage, fading, sweat, and grease, and maintaining their pristine appearance even after extended use. They also offer excellent thermal conductivity, helping to lower keyboard temperatures and creating a cool, smooth touch. The ceramic shell also provides a deep, solid typing sound, and a crisp, pleasant click, offering a unique typing experience. Stone sheets are smooth to the touch and the stone resists dust, making them easy to clean, durable, and durable, ensuring a long service life.

[0008] Leather or cloth sheets offer a softer feel. Leather is a denatured, non-perishable animal hide obtained through physical and chemical processes such as dehairing and tanning. The production process typically includes dozens of steps, including soaking the hide, fleshing, degreasing, dehairing, alkali soaking, swelling, deliming, softening, pickling, tanning, splitting, shaving, retanning, neutralization, dyeing, oiling, filling, drying, finishing, and coating.

[0009] Cloth sheets are usually sheet materials made of fibers through weaving, knitting or non-woven processes. Depending on the fiber raw materials and processing methods, cloth sheets with various properties and uses can be made.

[0010] Furthermore, the first inlay surface and the second inlay surface fix the decorative sheet by physical embedding, snapping, etc., without the need for additional adhesive.

[0011] Furthermore, the decorative sheet is fixedly connected to the first inlay surface and the second inlay surface by an adhesive.

[0012] Furthermore, the first inlay surface and / or the second inlay surface is a groove structure, and the sidewalls of the groove gradually narrow from the outside to the inside or vertically inward starting from the opening.

[0013] Furthermore, the second inlaid surface is provided with a notch at the bottom edge of the keycap body.

[0014] Furthermore, the edges of the decorative piece are provided with inverted crabapple corners.

[0015] Furthermore, the decorative piece can be made of different materials, colors, and shapes to achieve personalized replacement.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By designing multi-faceted decorative panels on the top and sides, this invention breaks the limitations of the single appearance of traditional modular keycaps, enriches the visual layering, and enhances the texture. The decorative panels can be replaced with different materials (e.g., ceramic for a mellow texture, metal for a rugged style), colors, and shapes according to needs, allowing for easy customization to suit various usage scenarios and user preferences, achieving both appearance and personalization.

[0017] The present invention adopts hard decorative sheets such as ceramics and metals, which have excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Compared with printing and spraying decoration, it can maintain the decorative effect for a long time and extend the aesthetic cycle of the modular keycap.

[0018] The present invention reliably connects the decorative sheet to the keycap body by bonding or clamping, is firmly installed, is not easy to fall off, and ensures the continuity of the decorative function during use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 1 is a structural diagram of the keycap body according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It is an exploded structural diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first inlay surface without inlay according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 4 is a structural diagram of a decorative sheet according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the keycap body according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 It is an exploded structural diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Label instructions: 1. Modular keycap; 2. Keycap body; 21. First inlay surface; 211. Clamp hole; 22. Second inlay surface; 221. Notch; 3. Decorative piece; 31. Inverted corner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Example 1:

[0029] See also Figure 1-5 As shown, the present invention relates to a modular keycap 1 comprising a keycap body 2 with an integrated shell-like structure. The keycap body 2 is made of an engineering plastic, such as ABS or PBT, and is integrally formed into a shell-like structure through an injection molding process, forming the keycap body 2 having a top surface and four side surfaces. A first inlay surface 21 is integrally formed on the top surface of the keycap body 2, and a second inlay surface 22 is formed on each of the four side surfaces. The first inlay surface 21 and / or the second inlay surface 22 can be designed as a groove structure that conforms to the shape of a decorative sheet 3. The sidewalls of the groove gradually narrow from the outside to the inside, or extend vertically inward. A retaining hole 211 is provided at the junction of the first inlay surface 21 and the second inlay surface 22. The decorative sheet 3 can be made of a ceramic sheet, a metal sheet, or the like, and cut and polished to a size and shape that conforms to the first inlay surface 21 and the second inlay surface 22, depending on the design requirements. The edges of the decorative sheet 3 are provided with chamfered corners 31. This chamfered edge treatment enhances the adhesiveness of the decorative sheet 3, securing it more securely to the inlay surface. The decorative sheet 3 is made of ceramic. This modular keycap 1 of this embodiment is installed on an office keyboard. The ceramic sheet's warm texture enhances the user experience and is wear-resistant and durable. The decorative sheet 3 is made of metal. This modular keycap 1 is used in a gaming keyboard. The metal sheet's tough style is compatible with gaming equipment.

[0030] If the adhesive fixing method is adopted, the adhesive is evenly applied on the inlay surface, the decorative piece 3 is precisely fitted to the first inlay surface 21 and / or the second inlay surface 22 and fixed by pressure. After the adhesive is cured, the decorative piece 3 inlaid on the first inlay surface 21 forms the top surface of the modular keycap 1, and the decorative piece 3 inlaid on the second inlay surface 22 forms the side surface of the modular keycap 1.

[0031] Example 2:

[0032] See also Figure 6-8 As shown, the difference between Example 2 and Example 1 lies in the structure of the keycap body 2. The second inlay surface 22 is located at the bottom edge of the keycap body 2 and is provided with a notch 221, while the notch 221 of Example 1 is a glue position stop column structure. The keycap body 2 structure is convenient for the installation of the decorative piece 3.

[0033] In actual production and use, the position, quantity, shape of the inlaid surface, as well as the material and fixing method of the decorative piece 3 can be flexibly adjusted to adapt to the needs of different types of keyboards (such as mechanical keyboards, membrane keyboards) and different usage scenarios (office, gaming, industrial control, etc.), and realize diversified and personalized modular keycap 1 products.

[0034] The above embodiments are merely descriptions of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present invention by ordinary engineering technicians in this field should fall within the scope of protection determined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular keycap, characterized in that: The modular keycap includes a keycap body with an integral shell structure, the keycap body having a top surface and four side surfaces, the top surface is provided with a first inlay surface, at least one of the four side surfaces is provided with a second inlay surface, and the first inlay surface and the second inlay surface are embedded with decorative pieces.

2. The modular keycap according to claim 1, wherein: The decorative sheet is made of a ceramic sheet, a metal sheet, a glass sheet, a stone sheet, a wood sheet, or a hard plastic sheet.

3. The modular keycap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The decorative sheet is made of leather, cloth, silicone or soft material.

4. The modular keycap according to claim 1, wherein: The decorative sheet is fixedly connected to the first inlay surface and the second inlay surface by adhesive.

5. The modular keycap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The decorative sheet is fixedly connected to the first inlay surface and the second inlay surface by adhesive.

6. The modular keycap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first inlay surface and / or the second inlay surface is a groove structure, and the sidewalls of the groove gradually narrow from the outside to the inside or extend vertically inward starting from the opening.

7. The modular keycap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second inlaid surface is located at the bottom edge of the keycap body and is provided with a notch.

8. The modular keycap according to any one of claim 1, characterized in that: The edges of the decorative piece are provided with inverted crabapple corners.

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