Keyboard key

Abstract

The invention provides a keyboard key. The keyboard key comprises a key cap. The key cap has a key top and a key skirt. The key skirt surrounds the key top and extends downward and outward. The key skirt is provided with a plurality of skirt corners and a plurality of skirt edges. Light rays can respectively pass through a plurality of skirt corners and a plurality of skirt edges of the key skirt. The key skirt is provided with an annular skirt bottom surface. The skirt bottom surface is composed of a plurality of side bottom surfaces and a plurality of corner bottom surfaces. The ratio of the width of the corner bottom surface to the width of the side bottom surface is between 1 and 3. According to the invention, the dark area condition of the skirt edge or the skirt corner can be effectively improved, the light emitting uniformity of the key skirt is improved, and the uniformity of the bright periphery provided by the light emitting of the key skirt is further optimized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an illuminated key for use on a keyboard, and particularly to the uniformity of light emission from the key skirt. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, keyboard designs have become increasingly diverse. When choosing a keyboard, users not only need basic input functions, but also value its visual appeal. Currently, backlit keyboards are available on the market, which not only attract users visually but also allow for use at night or in poorly lit environments. Optimizing and improving the lighting effects of the keys on backlit keyboards has become a focus of research for professionals in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One of the objectives of this invention is to improve the uniformity of light emission around the entire keycap skirt, so as to provide a uniform and bright outer light emission effect around the top of the keyboard keys.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a keyboard key, the keyboard key comprising:

[0005] A keycap having a key top and a key skirt extending downward and outward around the key top, the key skirt having multiple skirt corners and multiple skirt edges;

[0006] Among them, the multiple corners and multiple edges of the skirt allow light to pass through them respectively;

[0007] The key skirt has an annular bottom surface, which is composed of multiple side bottom surfaces and multiple corner bottom surfaces, and the ratio of the width of the corner bottom surface to the width of the side bottom surface is between 1 and 3.

[0008] As an optional technical solution, the ratio of the width of the corner base to the width of the side base is between 1 and 1.3.

[0009] The present invention also provides a keyboard key, the keyboard key comprising:

[0010] A keycap having a key top and a key skirt surrounding the key top, the key skirt having a skirt corner, the inner surface of the skirt corner including a corner arc surface, a first arc surface and a second arc surface arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside, the first arc surface connecting the corner arc surface and the second arc surface;

[0011] The ratio of the width of the junction between the first arc surface and the second arc surface to the width of the junction between the first arc surface and the corner arc surface is between 1.3 and 1.7.

[0012] As an optional technical solution, the ratio of the width of the intersection of the first arc surface and the second arc surface to the width of the intersection of the first arc surface and the corner arc surface is between 1.5 and 1.6.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, the outer edge of the key skirt has a bottom surface, which is a plane and is connected to the corner arc surface.

[0014] The present invention also provides a keyboard key, the keyboard key comprising:

[0015] A keycap having a key top and a key skirt surrounding the key top, the key top having a hook on the inside, the key skirt having a skirt corner and a skirt edge, and the hook being adjacent to the skirt corner and the skirt edge.

[0016] The overlap rate of the projection of the skirt hem and the hook in the direction parallel to the skirt edge is less than 50%.

[0017] As an optional technical solution, the skirt corner includes a corner arc surface, a first arc surface and a second arc surface, the first arc surface is connected between the corner arc surface and the second arc surface, and the hook overlaps with the projection of the first arc surface and the second arc surface in the direction of the skirt edge parallel to the top of the key.

[0018] As an optional technical solution, the cross-sectional thickness of the key skirt is uniform.

[0019] As an optional technical solution, the inner boundary between the key top and the key skirt on the inner side of the keycap is closer to the outer edge of the key skirt than the outer boundary between the key top and the key skirt on the outer side of the keycap.

[0020] As an optional technical solution, the cross-sectional thickness of the corner of the key skirt is smaller than the cross-sectional thickness of the top of the key.

[0021] This invention improves the uniformity of light illuminating the key skirt by controlling the size and relative position of the skirt edge or corner of the keycap surface, thereby enhancing the uniformity of light emission from the entire key skirt and optimizing the uniformity of the bright outer edge provided by the light emission from the key skirt.

[0022] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of a backlit keyboard using keyboard keys according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1B This is a partial side cross-sectional view of a backlit keyboard with keyboard keys that are applied according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of the keycaps of the keyboard keys according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2B for Figure 2A A bottom view of the keycaps on the keyboard.

[0027] Figure 2C for Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of the keycaps of the keyboard keys along section line 2C-2C.

[0028] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram of the keycaps of the keyboard keys according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3B for Figure 3A A bottom view of the keycaps on the keyboard.

[0030] Figure 3C for Figure 3B A cross-sectional view of the keycaps of the keyboard keys along section line 3C-3C. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features and functions of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to embodiments.

[0032] This invention relates to key skirt illumination, a relatively rare application in keyboard backlighting technology. Key skirts typically don't require backlighting; they generally rely on light filtering through the gaps between adjacent keys to define the boundaries of the nearly one hundred closely spaced keys on a keyboard. However, when the gaps between keys are significantly reduced, the light from these gaps is insufficient to clearly identify the key boundaries, thus creating a need for key skirt illumination. However, achieving uniform illumination across the entire key skirt is not a simple issue, as the structure on the underside of the keycaps and beneath them is too complex, often resulting in uneven brightness in the ring-shaped optical effect provided by the key skirt.

[0033] Please see Figure 1A and Figure 1B , Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of a backlit keyboard using keyboard keys according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1B This is a partial side cross-sectional view of a backlit keyboard using keyboard keys according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown, an illuminated keyboard (LKB) may include keyboard keys (KS) and a backlight module (BLM). Each key (KS) comprises a keycap (KCC), a support component (SSR), a key circuit board (MEM), and a base plate (SUP). Multiple keycaps (KS) can be used. When a keycap (KCC) is pressed, it moves vertically (Z-axis) relative to the base plate (SUP) as the support component (SSR) moves and retracts; however, the support component (SSR) is not symmetrical relative to the square keycap, which can negatively impact the uniformity of light distribution across the keycaps. A reset element (RE) is also provided between the keycap (KCC) and the base plate (SUP). The reset element (RE) may be, for example, a rubber dome or a compression spring, but is not limited to these; however, light passing through or through the dome or spring is generally relatively uniform. The keypad circuit board MEM may have a switch circuit (omitted and not shown) and a switch SW corresponding to the keyboard key KS. The switch SW is, for example, a membrane switch composed of one or more conductive pads or other trigger switches. The switch circuit and switch SW are usually opaque and do not symmetrically block the light to the keypad, which has a negative impact on the uniformity of light to the keypad.

[0034] The backlight module (BLM) may include a light-shielding plate (SS), a light guide plate (LGP), a lamp board (LCB), and a reflective layer (REF). The light guide plate (LGP) is located above the lamp board (LCB), the light-shielding plate (SS) is located above the light guide plate (LGP), and the reflective layer (REF) may be disposed on the lamp board (LCB). The light-shielding plate (SS) and the light guide plate (LGP) may be connected by adhesive (AD), and the light guide plate (LGP) and the reflective layer (REF) may also be connected by adhesive (AD). The lamp board (LCB) may be a lighting circuit board. Below the keyboard key (KS) may be at least one light-emitting unit (LED) (e.g., a light-emitting diode) on the lamp board (LCB), where the arrow symbol in Figure 1 indicates the light path. The light guide plate (LGP) may have multiple scattering points (SP) (e.g., microstructures) to guide the light transmitted in the light guide plate (LGP) upward. The light-shielding plate (SS) may include a shielding layer (ML), a light-transmitting layer (TL), and a protective layer (PL) stacked on top of each other. The shielding layer ML is opaque, while the light-transmitting layer TL can simultaneously possess reflective and semi-transparent properties; that is, the light-transmitting layer TL can reflect some light while allowing some light to pass through. For example, the shielding layer ML can be black paint, while the light-transmitting layer TL can be semi-transparent white paint.

[0035] A keycap (KCC) can be divided into a light-transmitting area (OL) and an opaque area (NOL). The keycap (KCC) can have a keycap top (KTP) and a keycap skirt (KSP). The keycap top (KTP) can be formed extending in the XY plane. The light-transmitting area (OL) and the opaque area (NOL) can be located on the keycap top (KTP), where the light-transmitting area (OL) corresponds to the characters on the keycap (KCC) to give the characters a glossy effect, and most of the keycap top area is covered by the opaque area (NOL). The keycap skirt (KSP) surrounds the keycap top (KTP). Alternatively, the light-transmitting area (OL) of the keycap (KCC) can be located on the keycap skirt (KSP), meaning the keycap skirt (KSP) is made of a light-transmitting material. In practical applications, the keycap top (KTP) and keycap skirt (KSP) of the keycap (KCC) can be made of a light-transmitting material. The keycap skirt (KSP) can be covered with a light-transmitting paint to achieve a light-transmitting effect, or it can be left uncovered. The light from the LED light-emitting unit can penetrate the keycap skirt (KSP) of the keycap (KCC), creating a bright peripheral area around the keycap top (KTP) corresponding to the entire ring of the keycap skirt (KSP). The following sections will describe in detail two embodiments of the keycap KCC for the keyboard key KS to illustrate how to optimize the uniformity of this bright periphery.

[0036] Please see Figures 2A-2C , Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of the keycaps of the keyboard keys according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2B for Figure 2A A bottom view of the keycaps on the keyboard. Figure 2C for Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of the keycaps of the keyboard keys along section line 2C-2C.

[0037] Keycap KCC-1 is one form of the aforementioned keycap KCC. Keycap KCC-1 has a keycap KTP and a key skirt KSP extending downwards and outwards around the keycap KTP. The key skirt KSP has multiple skirt corners CR and multiple skirt edges SE alternately arranged. Each skirt corner CR corresponds to one corner of the keycap KCC-1, and two skirt edges SE are connected to each side of the skirt corner CR. Each skirt edge SE corresponds to one straight side of the keycap KCC-1, and two skirt corners CR are connected to each side of the skirt edge SE. In this embodiment, the number of skirt corners CR and skirt edges SE is four. The light from the aforementioned LED light-emitting unit can be transmitted outwards through each skirt corner CR and each skirt edge SE to form the aforementioned bright periphery. The bottom of the outer edge of the annular key skirt KSP has an annular skirt bottom surface BS. The skirt bottom surface BS is composed of multiple corner bottom surfaces BS1 (four in this embodiment) and multiple side bottom surfaces BS2 (four in this embodiment). Each corner bottom surface BS1 corresponds to a skirt corner CR, and each side bottom surface BS2 corresponds to a skirt edge SE. The bottom surface BS of the skirt can be a plane or roughly parallel to the top surface KTP. The bottom surface BS and the top surface KTP are located on opposite sides of the key skirt KSP. The top surface KTP may have a hook HK located near the corner CR. The hook HK protrudes from the inner wall (bottom surface) of the top surface KTP for engaging the aforementioned support component SSR. Furthermore, the inner side of the corner CR has an inner corner wall IW, and the outer side of the corner CR has an outer corner wall OW. The distance between the inner corner wall IW and the outer corner wall OW corresponds to the cross-sectional thickness D of the corner CR of the key skirt KSP. CR1 .like Figure 2C As shown, the cross-sectional thickness D of the skirt corner CR of the key skirt KSP is... CR1 Non-uniform, cross-sectional thickness D at higher points CR1 The cross-sectional thickness is approximately equal to that of the KTP at the bond apex, and the cross-sectional thickness D at the lower part is... CR1 The cross-sectional thickness is locally greater than that of the key top KTP; however, under the specific structural constraints of this embodiment, light can obtain a relatively uniform and bright periphery when passing through the entire ring of key skirt KSP.

[0038] In such Figure 2B As shown in the upward view, the corner base BS1 on the skirt bottom surface BS has a width W BS1 Width W BS1 The width of the skirt bottom surface BS is along the diagonal direction of the keycap KCC-1 (parallel to section line 2C-2C); the side bottom surface BS2 on the skirt bottom surface BS has a width W. BS2 Width W BS2 W represents the width along the direction parallel to the keycap KTP (X-axis). Because the geometric proportions of each part of the keycap KCC influence the overall design, the width W of the corner base BS1... BS1 Width W of the side bottom surface BS2 BS2The ratio of the two values ​​significantly controls the variation in cross-sectional thickness of the entire keycap skirt (KSP), including the cross-sectional thickness variations of the corner (CR) and the edge (SE). For example, when the cross-sectional thickness of the corner (CR) exceeds that of the edge (SE), or when the cross-sectional thickness of the corner (CR) varies at different points, the brightness or uniformity of the backlight output from the corner (CR) will be significantly lower than that from the edge (SE). To ensure uniform backlight output across the entire keycap skirt (KSP), preferably, the width W of the corner bottom surface (BS1) is... BS1 The width W of the side bottom surface BS2 BS2 More than 1 times but less than 3 times, that is, the width W of the corner base BS1. BS1 Width W of the opposite bottom surface BS2 BS2 The ratio is between 1 and 3. In this embodiment, the width W of the corner base BS1 is... BS1 The width W of the side bottom surface BS2 BS2 2.5 to 3 times, that is, the width W of the corner base BS1. BS1 Width W of the opposite bottom surface BS2 BS2 The ratio is between 2.5 and 3.

[0039] In addition, in such Figure 2B As shown, the inner surface of the skirt corner CR may include a corner arc surface CV, a first arc surface CC1, and a second arc surface CC2, arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside. The first arc surface CC1 connects the corner arc surface CV and the second arc surface CC2. The inner edge of the corner bottom surface BS1 of the skirt bottom surface BS may connect with the corner arc surface CV. There is a mid-junction B between the first arc surface CC1 and the second arc surface CC2. 12 The first arc surface CC1 and the angular arc surface CV have an angular junction B. V2 In the plan view, the central junction B 12 B at the corner V2 It can be curved. In this embodiment, the middle junction B 12 B at the corner V2 It forms arcs with varying curvatures. Mid-junction B 12 With width W B12 Corner B V2 With width W BV2 Width W B12 With width W BV2 All widths are along the diagonal direction of the keycap KCC-1 (parallel to the section line 2C-2C). For example... Figure 2B As shown in the upward view, the mid-junction B 12 Width W B12 and the junction B V2 Width W BV2 There is no significant difference; they are nearly equal. In other words, the angle boundary B... V2The size wasn't reduced despite being closer to the bottom corner (BS1). This means the inner edge of the CR corner has a relatively large chamfer angle. If the overall keycap dimensions remain unchanged, the CR corner will have a greater thickness, leading to a decrease in light output. However, relatively speaking, the corner junction (B...) V2 Width W BV2 B at the border 12 Width W B12 A ratio of 1 can be considered the critical value for relatively uniform light output from the keypad KSP; once the corner B... V2 Width W BV2 B at the border 12 Width W B12 If the ratio is greater than 1 and continues to increase, the skirt hem CR will have a greater thickness, resulting in a more obvious dark area.

[0040] In such Figure 2B As shown in the bottom view, the hook HK adjacent to the skirt corner CR is also adjacent to the skirt edge SE (Y-axis). The projections of the skirt corner CR and the hook HK on the direction parallel to the key top KTP (Y-axis or skirt edge direction parallel to the skirt edge SE) largely overlap. This is a characteristic of the skirt corner CR having a large inner chamfer and a relatively thick skirt corner CR. Specifically, the hook HK overlaps with the projections of the corner arc surface CV, the first arc surface CC1, and the second arc surface CC2. In this embodiment, the projection of the hook HK on the direction parallel to the key top KTP (Y-axis / skirt edge direction) or the skirt edge direction almost 100% overlaps with the skirt corner CR. That is, as Figure 2B As shown, the projected width W of the hook HK along the Y-axis (skirt direction) is... HK The Y-axis (skirt edge direction) projection width W of the inner boundary Bi that completely falls into the skirt hem CR CR Within the range; where the overlap width Wo is equal to 100% of the projected width W of the hook HK. HK Assuming the position of the hook HK remains unchanged, a lower overlap ratio means a smaller chamfer on the inner edge of the skirt corner CR, resulting in a reduced skirt corner CR thickness and making it less prone to dark areas. Conversely, when the projection width W... CR For the projection width W HK The ratio is greater than 1 and gets larger and larger, the thickness of the skirt hem CR is higher and the dark area is more severe.

[0041] Furthermore, in cases such as Figure 2C In the cross-sectional view shown, the key top KTP and the key skirt KSP have an inner boundary Bi on the inner side (lower surface) at the skirt corner CR, and an outer boundary Bo on the outer side (upper surface) at the skirt corner CR. In this embodiment, the inner boundary Bi is very close to the outer boundary Bo in the vertical direction (Z-axis), but the inner boundary Bi is slightly away from the outer corner edge E of the key skirt KSP. That is, as shown... Figure 2C As shown, the distance D between the inner boundary Bi and the outer corner edge E of the key skirt KSP is... Bi Slightly larger than the distance D between the outer corner edge E of the diplomatic boundary Bo and the key skirt KSP. Bo .

[0042] The aforementioned characteristics, taking the geometric center of keycap KCC-1 as an example, mean that the outer boundary Bo is located outside the inner boundary Bi; this implies that the skirt corner CR of the key skirt KSP at that location will have a relatively large thickness. The closer the outer boundary Bo and the inner boundary Bi are projected along the Z-axis, the more moderate the skirt corner CR thickness of the key skirt KSP becomes. However, if the inner boundary Bi is adjusted outwards, so that the inner boundary Bi is located outside the outer boundary Bo, then the thickness of the key skirt KSP or skirt corner CR at that location can be further reduced. Reducing the thickness difference between the skirt corner CR and the skirt edge SE can optimize the overall backlight uniformity of the key skirt KSP. However, the purpose of this invention is not to pursue the extreme goal of equal thickness between the skirt corner and the skirt edge, but rather to seek a balance between the thickness difference between the skirt corner and the skirt edge and the overall backlight uniformity of the key skirt, while taking into account all manufacturing and functional requirements of the keycap.

[0043] Furthermore, the backlight provided by the backlight module BLM does not directly reach the keycaps (KSP). Regardless of whether the support components SSR and the latches HK are made of light-transmitting materials, the light may be refracted and / or reflected by the support components SSR and latches HK near the keycap corners CR, resulting in inconsistent light amounts reaching the four edge SEs and four corner CRs of the keycaps (KSP). Essentially, relative to the four edge SEs and four corner CRs of the keycaps (KSP), the support components SSR and four latches HK are neither symmetrically configured nor symmetrically structured, which makes the inconsistency in the amount of light entering the edge SEs and corner CRs even more severe. Moreover, the closer the support components SSR and latches HK are to the edge SEs and corner CRs, the greater their impact on the overall light emission uniformity of the keycaps. Therefore, how to adjust the structure of the keycaps themselves and the relative relationship between the keycaps and the adjacent support components SSR and latches HK to eliminate the adverse effects of the adjacent support components SSR and latches HK is also a key focus of this invention.

[0044] Please see Figures 3A-3C , Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram of the keycaps of the keyboard keys according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3B for Figure 3A A bottom view of the keycaps on the keyboard. Figure 3C for Figure 3B A cross-sectional view of the keycaps of the keyboard keys along section line 3C-3C.

[0045] Keycap KCC-2 is another version of the aforementioned keycap KCC. In the aforementioned keycap KCC-1 version, actual testing revealed that the light concentration effect at the corners of the keycap KCC-1 was not ideal, and dark areas easily formed at the corners (CR) of the key skirt (KSP). Therefore, keycap KCC-2 was proposed to improve this dark area situation and enhance the overall light emission uniformity of the key skirt (KSP).

[0046] KCC-2 keycaps are Figure 1B Another version of the KCC keycaps. Compared to the aforementioned KCC-1 keycaps, the main difference of the KCC-2 keycaps lies in the design of multiple CR skirts and the relative relationship between the CR skirts and the adjacent HK hooks and the adjacent SE skirts.

[0047] First, in such Figure 3B As shown in the upward view, the corner bottom surface BS1 on the bottom surface BS corresponding to the hem CR of the skirt has a width W. BS1 Width W BS1 The width is along the diagonal direction of keycap KCC-2 (parallel to section line 3C-3C); the side bottom surface BS2 on the skirt bottom surface BS has a width W. BS2 Width W BS2 The width along the direction parallel to the key top KTP (X-axis). For example, the width W of the corner base BS1. BS1 and the W of the side bottom surface BS2 BS2 The ratio, in addition to being between 1 and 3 as in the first embodiment described above, is further improved. In this embodiment, the width W of the corner base BS1... BS1 The width W of only the bottom side BS2 BS2 1 to 1.3 times, that is, the width W of the corner base BS1. BS1 Width W of the opposite bottom surface BS2 BS2 The ratio is between 1 and 1.3. Actual measurements showed that this effectively improves the aforementioned dark area situation and enhances the light emission uniformity of the keypad KSP. The width W of the control corner bottom surface BS1... BS1 Width W of the opposite bottom surface BS2 BS2 The ratio is effective because it allows control over the thickness variation of the key skirt KSP around its entire circumference, preventing excessive thickness differences and dark areas at either the skirt edge SE or the skirt corner CR. Of course, in another feasible embodiment, the width W of the corner bottom surface BS1... BS1 The width W of the side bottom surface BS2 can be BS2 1 to 1.5 times, 1.5 to 2 times, or 2 to 2.5 times, that is, the width W of the corner base BS1. BS1 Width W of the opposite bottom surface BS2 BS2 The ratio can be between 1 and 1.5, between 1.5 and 2, or between 2 and 2.5.

[0048] Secondly, the first arc surface CC1 of the inner edge of the skirt corner CR of the keycap KCC-2 forms a pointed conical arc surface, which is formed by the roughly acute angle junction B. V2 and the mid-junction B, which is approximately obtuse. 12 Surrounded by. In such a way Figure 3B As shown in the upward view, there is a mid-junction B between the first arc surface CC1 and the second arc surface CC2. 12 The first arc surface CC1 and the angular arc surface CV have an angular junction B. V2 In the plan view, the central junction B 12 B at the corner V2 It can be curved. In this embodiment, the middle junction B 12 B at the corner V2 They form arcs with varying curvatures. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the corner junction B... V2 The curvature is much greater than that of the junction B 12 The curvature of the junction B. 12 With width W B12 Corner B V2 With width W BV2 Width W B12 With width W BV2 All widths are along the diagonal direction of the keycap KCC-2 (parallel to section line 3C-3C). For example... Figure 3B As shown in the upward view, the mid-junction B 12 Width W B12 Greater than the angle boundary B V2 Width W BV2 For example, the B-junction 12 Width W B12 It can be the angle junction B V2 Width W BV2 More than 1.3 times and less than 1.7 times, that is, the boundary B. 12 Width W B12 Diagonal B V2 Width W BV2 The ratio can be between 1.3 and 1.7. The specific significance of this ratio being greater than 1 is that the size of the inner edge of the skirt corner CR decreases as it gets closer to the corner base BS1. This maintains a stable skirt corner CR thickness and avoids the situation described in the first embodiment, where the skirt corner CR thickness increases closer to the corner base BS1, resulting in a slight dark area. Therefore, actual measurements have shown that this effectively improves the aforementioned dark area situation and enhances the light emission uniformity of the key skirt KSP. Preferably, in this embodiment, the middle junction B... 12 Width W B12 Diagonal B V2 Width W BV2The ratio is between 1.5 and 1.6. The appearance of the pointed conical arc surface formed by the aforementioned first arc surface CC1 is, to a considerable extent, another specific realization of this ratio.

[0049] Furthermore, in cases such as Figure 3B As shown in the upward-looking perspective, the hook HK adjacent to the corner CR is also adjacent to the skirt edge SE (Y-axis). The projection overlap between the corner CR and the hook HK of the key skirt KSP in the direction parallel to the key top KTP (Y-axis; or the skirt edge direction adjacent to the skirt edge SE) is significantly reduced. For example, the projection overlap rate between the corner CR and the hook HR in the skirt edge direction parallel to the skirt edge SE is less than 50%. Specifically, the keycap KCC-2 differs from the aforementioned keycap KCC-1 in that the hook HK projects onto the first curved surface CC1 and the second curved surface CC2 in the skirt edge direction, but not onto the corner curved surface CV. For example, the projection overlap rate between the inner boundary Bi of the corner CR and the hook HK in the direction parallel to the key top KTP (Y-axis / skirt edge direction) is less than 50%. Actual measurements show that this effectively improves the aforementioned dark area situation and enhances the light emission uniformity of the key skirt KSP. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the projection overlap rate of the skirt corner CR and the hook HK in the skirt hem direction is 30% to 35%. That is, as... Figure 3B As shown, the maximum width W of the skirt hem CR within the projection range of the hook HK is... CR The width W of the HK hook HK The ratio is 30% to 35%.

[0050] Finally, in such Figure 3C As shown in the cross-section, the keycap KTP and key skirt KSP have an inner boundary Bi on the inner side of the keycap KCC-2, and an outer boundary Bo on the outer side of the keycap KCC-2. The keycap KCC-2 differs from the keycap KCC-1 in that the inner boundary Bi is closer to the outer corner E of the key skirt KSP than the outer boundary Bo. In other words, from the geometric center of the keycap KCC-1, the inner boundary Bi is located outside the outer boundary Bo. This means that the key skirt KSP at this location will have a relatively smaller thickness, reducing the thickness difference between the corner CR and the edge SE, thereby optimizing the uniformity of the bright outer perimeter provided by the key skirt KSP's light emission. This design effectively improves the aforementioned dark area situation and enhances the light emission uniformity of the key skirt KSP. That is, as... Figure 3C As shown, the distance D between the inner boundary Bi and the outer corner edge E of the key skirt KSP is... Bi The distance D between the outer corner edge E of the diplomatic boundary Bo and the key skirt KSP is less than the distance between the two outer corner edges. Bo Furthermore, the inner side of the skirt corner CR has an inner corner wall IW, and the outer side of the skirt corner CR has an outer corner wall OW. The distance between the inner corner wall IW and the outer corner wall OW can correspond to the cross-sectional thickness D of the skirt corner CR of the key skirt KSP. CR2.like Figure 3C As shown, the keycap KCC-2 differs from the aforementioned keycap KCC-1 in that the cross-sectional thickness D of the skirt corner CR of the key skirt KSP is different. CR2 More uniform; and, the cross-sectional thickness D CR2 The cross-sectional thickness is smaller than that of the keycap KTP. Actual measurements show that this effectively improves the aforementioned dark areas and enhances the light emission uniformity of the keycap KSP. Furthermore, for example, the diagonal width D of the corner bottom surface BS1... BS1 It can be designed to be less than 1 mm, for example, preferably 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, etc.

[0051] In summary, this invention improves the uniformity of light illuminating the key skirt by controlling the size and relative position of the skirt edge or corner of the keycap surface, thereby enhancing the uniformity of light emission from the entire key skirt and optimizing the uniformity of the bright outer edge provided by the light emission from the key skirt.

[0052] In summary, the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. That is, if necessary, the various aspects of the embodiments can be modified to provide further embodiments using the various concepts disclosed in this invention.

[0053] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention. The scale in the schematic drawings does not represent the actual proportions of the components, in order to clearly describe the required parts.

[0054] The present invention has been described in the above-described embodiments; however, these embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present invention. It must be noted that the disclosed embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. Conversely, any modifications and refinements made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A keyboard key, characterized in that, The keyboard includes the following keys: A keycap having a key top and a key skirt extending downward and outward around the key top, the key skirt having multiple skirt corners and multiple skirt edges; Among them, the multiple corners and multiple edges of the skirt allow light to pass through them respectively; The key skirt has an annular bottom surface, which is composed of multiple side bottom surfaces and multiple corner bottom surfaces, and the ratio of the width of the corner bottom surface to the width of the side bottom surface is between 1 and 3.

2. The keyboard keys as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ratio of the width of the corner base to the width of the side base is between 1 and 1.

3.

3. A keyboard key, characterized in that, The keyboard includes the following keys: A keycap having a key top and a key skirt surrounding the key top, the key skirt having a skirt corner, the inner surface of the skirt corner including a corner arc surface, a first arc surface and a second arc surface arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside, the first arc surface connecting the corner arc surface and the second arc surface; The ratio of the width of the junction between the first arc surface and the second arc surface to the width of the junction between the first arc surface and the corner arc surface is between 1.3 and 1.

7.

4. The keyboard keys as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The ratio of the width of the junction between the first arc surface and the second arc surface to the width of the junction between the first arc surface and the corner arc surface is between 1.5 and 1.

6.

5. The keyboard keys as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The outer edge of the key skirt has a bottom surface, which is a flat surface and is connected to the corner arc surface.

6. A keyboard key, characterized in that, The keyboard includes the following keys: A keycap having a key top and a key skirt surrounding the key top, the key top having a hook on the inside, the key skirt having a skirt corner and a skirt edge, and the hook being adjacent to the skirt corner and the skirt edge. The overlap rate of the projection of the skirt hem and the hook in the direction parallel to the skirt edge is less than 50%.

7. The keyboard keys as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The skirt includes a corner arc surface, a first arc surface and a second arc surface. The first arc surface connects the corner arc surface and the second arc surface. The hook overlaps with the projection of the first arc surface and the second arc surface in the direction of the skirt edge parallel to the top of the key.

8. The keyboard keys as described in claim 1, 3, or 6, characterized in that, The cross-sectional thickness of the key skirt is uniform.

9. The keyboard keys as described in claim 1, 3, or 6, characterized in that, The inner boundary between the keycap and the key skirt on the inner side of the keycap is closer to the outer edge of the key skirt than the outer boundary between the keycap and the key skirt on the outer side of the keycap.

10. The keyboard keys as described in claim 1, 3, or 6, characterized in that, The cross-sectional thickness of the key skirt at this corner is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the key top.

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