Light-transmitting keycap

Abstract

The utility model discloses a light-transmitting keycap, and the keycap comprises a light-transmitting main body which is provided with a top surface and a key skirt side surface; the light-transmitting bottom layer covers the top surface and the side surface of the key skirt; the light shielding layer covers the light-transmitting bottom layer, the light shielding layer is provided with a hollow-out area, and the hollow-out area penetrates through the light shielding layer, so that the light-transmitting bottom layer is exposed in the hollow-out area; the color light-transmitting layer is formed in the hollow area, the side wall of the color light-transmitting layer is in complete contact with the inner wall of the hollow area, and the thickness of the color light-transmitting layer is larger than that of the light shielding layer. The defect that the color light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer of the light-transmitting keycap manufactured in the prior art are locally overlapped due to alignment tolerance between the color light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer in the light-transmitting keycap in the prior art is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a light-transmitting keycap, and in particular to a light-transmitting keycap with no alignment tolerance between a colored light-transmitting layer and a light-shielding layer. Background Art

[0002] The manufacturing process of the light-transmitting keycap used for the luminous key in the prior art includes first coating a light-transmitting white paint layer and a light-shielding black paint layer on the top surface of the light-transmitting body in sequence. Then, a hollow area corresponding to the pattern is formed on the light-shielding black paint layer. The hollow area penetrates the light-shielding black paint layer so that the light-transmitting white paint layer is exposed in the hollow area. Then, a colored light-transmitting layer is formed to cover the hollow area, so that the pattern on the light-transmitting keycap appears in color. The light emitted by the light source of the luminous key will be emitted from the colored light-transmitting layer on the light-transmitting keycap. The colored pattern represents one of the characters, numbers, symbols or function keys.

[0003] However, in the light-transmitting keycaps formed by the above-mentioned process method, there is a positioning tolerance between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer during the manufacturing process, resulting in the light-transmitting keycaps manufactured by the prior art often having defects of partial overlap between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer, which affects the appearance of the luminous keys. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the problems in the prior art, the utility model provides a method to solve the above problems.

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a light-transmitting keycap, which comprises:

[0006] a light-transmitting body having a top surface and a key skirt side surface;

[0007] A light-transmitting bottom layer, the light-transmitting bottom layer covers the top surface and the key skirt side surface;

[0008] a light shielding layer, the light shielding layer covers the light-transmitting bottom layer, the light shielding layer has a hollow area, the hollow area runs through the light shielding layer, so that the light-transmitting bottom layer is exposed in the hollow area;

[0009] A colored light-transmitting layer completely fills the hollow area, and a thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer is greater than a thickness of the light-shielding layer.

[0010] As an optional technical solution, the light-transmitting bottom layer is a light-colored paint layer, and / or the light-shielding layer is a dark-colored paint layer.

[0011] As an optional technical solution, the colored light-transmitting layer has vertical side walls or inclined side walls.

[0012] As an optional technical solution, the thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer is smaller than the thickness of the light-transmitting bottom layer.

[0013] As an optional technical solution, the light-transmitting keycap further includes a transparent protective layer, and the transparent protective layer covers the light-shielding layer and the colored light-transmitting layer.

[0014] As an optional technical solution, the thickness of the transparent protective layer in the colored light-transmitting layer is smaller than the thickness in other areas.

[0015] As an optional technical solution, the transparent protective layer is a cured resin layer.

[0016] The utility model also provides a light-transmitting keycap, which comprises:

[0017] a light-transmitting body having a top surface and a key skirt side surface;

[0018] A light-transmitting bottom layer, the light-transmitting bottom layer covers the top surface and the key skirt side surface;

[0019] A light-shielding layer, the light-shielding layer covers the light-transmitting bottom layer;

[0020] A removable middle layer, the removable middle layer at least covers the light shielding layer on the top surface, the removable middle layer has a hollow area, and the hollow area runs through the removable middle layer and the light shielding layer, so that the light-transmitting bottom layer is exposed in the hollow area;

[0021] A colored light-transmitting layer completely fills the hollow area and covers a portion of the removable middle layer located around the hollow area.

[0022] As an optional technical solution, the thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer in the hollow area is greater than the thickness of the light-shielding layer.

[0023] As an optional technical solution, the removable intermediate layer is composed of a water-based ink layer, a tearable adhesive layer or a removable photocurable resin layer.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the light-transmitting keycap according to the utility model has a colored light-transmitting keycap located in the hollow area.

[0025] The side wall of the light layer is in full contact with (or in close contact with) the inner wall of the hollow area, so that the colored light-transmitting layer of the light-transmitting keycap of the utility model completely fills the hollow area, and there is no local overlap defect between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer. Therefore, it can be clearly understood that the light-transmitting keycap manufactured according to the method of the utility model has no alignment tolerance between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer, so that there is no local overlap defect between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer in the light-transmitting keycap.

[0026] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but is not intended to limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a light-transmitting keycap according to a preferred specific embodiment of the utility model.

[0028] Figures 2 to 8 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a preferred specific embodiment of the method for manufacturing a light-transmitting keycap of the utility model, wherein: Figure 8 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a preferred specific embodiment of a light-transmitting keycap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features, and functions of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0030] See also Figure 1 as well as Figure 8 , Figure 1 The figure schematically illustrates a light-transmitting keycap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an appearance view; Figure 8 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a light-transmitting keycap. Figures 2 to 7 The drawings are schematic cross-sectional views of preferred embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 The part of the structure of the light-transmitting keycap 1 during the manufacturing process is shown. Figures 2 to 8 The section view shown uses the section line Figure 1 AA line defined on the medium translucent keycap 1.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the light-transmitting keycap 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a light-transmitting body 10, a light-transmitting bottom layer 12 (not shown in FIG. Figure 1 See Figures 2 to 8 ), a light-shielding layer 14 and a color light-transmitting layer 18.

[0032] The light-transmitting body 10 has a top surface 102 and a key skirt side surface 104. The light-transmitting bottom layer 12 is formed to cover the top surface 102 and the key skirt side surface 104 of the light-transmitting body 10. The light-shielding layer 14 is formed to cover the light-transmitting bottom layer 12. A hollow area 162 is formed at the light-shielding layer 14 on the top surface 102 of the light-transmitting body 10. The hollow area 162 penetrates the light-shielding layer 14 so that the light-transmitting bottom layer 12 is exposed in the hollow area 162. The color light-transmitting layer 18 completely fills the hollow area 162.

[0033] In a specific embodiment, the side wall of the colored light-transmitting layer 18 is in full contact with (or is said to be in close contact with) the inner wall of the hollow area 162. In one embodiment, the side wall of the colored light-transmitting layer 18 is a vertical straight line (or an inclined straight line, etc.) and the thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer 18 is greater than the height of the hollow area 162. By virtue of the relationship between the colored light-transmitting layer and the hollow area, the colored light-transmitting layer of the light-transmitting keycap in the utility model completely fills the hollow area to avoid the presence of alignment tolerance between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer. The side wall of the colored light-transmitting layer is a vertical straight line and the thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer is greater than the height of the hollow area to ensure that there is no local overlap defect between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer. Therefore, the light-transmitting keycap in the utility model can avoid the presence of alignment tolerance between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer, which causes defects in appearance.

[0034] The light emitted by the light source of the luminous key will be emitted from the colored light-transmitting layer 18 on the light-transmitting keycap 1. The colored pattern represents one of the characters, numbers, symbols or function keys.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, according to a preferred embodiment of the light-transmitting keycap 1 of the present invention, the light-transmitting body 10 has a top surface 102 and a key skirt side surface 104 .

[0036] Then, similarly Figure 2 As shown, the light-transmitting bottom layer 12 according to the present invention covers the top surface 102 and the key skirt side surface 104 of the light-transmitting body 10 .

[0037] In a specific embodiment, the light-transmitting bottom layer 12 can be formed by light-colored paint. For example, the light-colored paint can be white paint, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0038] Then, if Figure 3 As shown, the light shielding layer 14 according to the present invention covers the light-transmitting bottom layer 12 .

[0039] In a specific embodiment, the light shielding layer 14 may be formed by dark paint, such as black paint, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0040] Then, if Figure 4 As shown, the removable intermediate layer 16 according to the present invention at least covers the light shielding layer 14 located on the top surface 102 of the light-transmitting body 10. In practical applications, the removable intermediate layer 16 can extend to cover the light shielding layer 14 located on the key skirt side surface 104 of the light-transmitting body 10. It should be emphasized that the light-transmitting keycaps in the prior art do not use the removable intermediate layer 16 according to the present invention.

[0041] Then, if Figure 5As shown, according to the present invention, a hollow area 162 is formed on the removable middle layer 16. Furthermore, the hollow area 162 penetrates the removable middle layer 16 and the light shielding layer 14, so that the light-transmissive bottom layer 12 is exposed in the hollow area 162.

[0042] In a specific embodiment, the hollow area 162 can be formed by a laser engraving process.

[0043] Then, if Figure 6 As shown, according to the method of the present invention, a colored light-transmitting layer 18 is partially formed to cover the hollow area 162 and the removable intermediate layer 16 located around the hollow area 162. In other words, the area covered by the colored light-transmitting layer 18 is larger than the hollow area 162. As a result, the colored light-transmitting layer 18 completely covers and fills the hollow area 162, and the side wall of the colored light-transmitting layer 18 located in the hollow area 162 is in full contact (or fits with) the inner wall of the hollow area 162. It should be emphasized that the light-transmitting keycaps in the prior art do not use the removable intermediate layer 16 used in the method of the present invention, and the method of the prior art directly covers the hollow area with the colored light-transmitting layer. However, the light-transmitting keycaps in the prior art have a positioning tolerance between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer, resulting in the light-transmitting keycaps manufactured by the prior art often having defects in which the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer partially overlap.

[0044] In a specific embodiment, the color light-transmitting layer 18 can be formed by a printing process or a digital inkjet process. By the printing process or the digital inkjet process, the color light-transmitting layer 18 can present a gradient effect.

[0045] Finally, if Figure 7 As shown, the removable intermediate layer 16 is removed according to the method of the present invention, wherein the colored light-transmitting layer 18 covering the removable intermediate layer 16 around the hollow area 162 is removed together.

[0046] Finally, if Figure 7 As shown, according to the method of the present invention, the removable intermediate layer 16 is removed, wherein the colored light-transmitting layer 18 covering the removable intermediate layer 16 located around the hollow area 162 is removed together. The colored light-transmitting layer covering the surrounding of the hollow area is removed by removal to leave the colored light-transmitting layer completely filled in the hollow area. In one embodiment, the colored light-transmitting layer is formed with a nearly vertical (or inclined, etc.) side wall and fits with the inner wall of the hollow area, and the colored light-transmitting layer does not overlap with the light-shielding layer (that is, the colored light-transmitting layer does not cover the light-shielding layer), thereby making it possible to have no alignment tolerance between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer and no local overlapping defects.

[0047] In one embodiment, when the colored light-transmitting layer 18 is formed, the colored light-transmitting layer 18 in the hollow region may be flush with or even higher than the removable intermediate layer 16 without the colored light-transmitting layer 18 formed thereon. Thus, after removing the removable intermediate layer 16 (and the colored light-transmitting layer around the hollow region), the colored light-transmitting layer 18 protrudes from the light-shielding layer 14, that is, the thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer 18 is greater than the thickness of the light-shielding layer 14. To a certain extent, the color purity of the light penetrating from the colored light-transmitting layer 18 may be improved. Furthermore, the thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer 18 may also be greater than the thickness of the light-transmitting bottom layer 12.

[0048] In a specific embodiment, the removable intermediate layer 16 can be formed by water-based ink, removable glue, removable photocurable resin, or other materials with removable properties. That is, the removable intermediate layer 16 can be a water-based ink layer, a removable glue layer, a removable photocurable resin layer, etc. For example, the removable intermediate layer 16 is formed by water-based ink. Subsequently, the removable intermediate layer 16 formed by the water-based ink can be removed with water, and the colored light-transmitting layer 18 covering the removable intermediate layer 16 located around the hollow area 162 is removed together because it loses its attachment basis. Thereby, according to the light-transmitting keycap 1 of the utility model, there is no alignment tolerance between the colored light-transmitting layer 18 and the light-shielding layer 14.

[0049] Further, if Figure 8 As shown, according to the method of the present invention, a transparent protective layer 19 is formed to cover the light shielding layer 14 and the color light transmitting layer 18. The hardness of the transparent protective layer 19 is higher than that of the light shielding layer 14 and the color light transmitting layer 18 to prevent the light shielding layer 14 and the color light transmitting layer 18 from being worn.

[0050] In a specific embodiment, the transparent protective layer 19 may be formed of an ultraviolet curable resin, that is, the light-transmitting protective layer 10 may be an ultraviolet curable resin layer, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0051] In one embodiment, the colored light-transmitting layer 18 protrudes from the light-shielding layer 14, that is, the thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer 18 is greater than the thickness of the light-shielding layer 14. After the light-transmitting protective layer 19 is formed, the thickness of the light-transmitting protective layer 19 located at the colored light-transmitting layer 18 is less than the thickness of the light-transmitting protective layer 19 in other areas. In this way, the colored light-transmitting effect of the colored light-transmitting layer 18 can be improved while preventing the colored light-transmitting layer 18 from being worn.

[0052] In a specific embodiment, the light-transmitting keycap 1 manufactured by using a partial structure in the above-mentioned manufacturing process has no alignment tolerance between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer.

[0053] Through the above detailed description of the utility model, according to the light-transmitting keycap and the semi-finished light-transmitting keycap including the removable intermediate layer of the utility model, the side wall of the colored light-transmitting layer in the hollow area is completely in contact with (or fits with) the inner wall of the hollow area, so that the colored light-transmitting layer of the light-transmitting keycap in the utility model completely fills the hollow area, and there is no local overlapping defect between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer, and a hollow area is formed in the removable intermediate layer, and the hollow area penetrates the removable intermediate layer and the light-shielding layer to form a colored light-transmitting layer to cover the hollow area and the removable intermediate layer located around the hollow area. Therefore, it can be clearly understood that according to the light-transmitting keycap of the utility model, there is no alignment tolerance between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer. The light-transmitting keycaps of the prior art do not use a removable intermediate layer, that is, the method of the prior art directly covers the hollow area with a colored light-transmitting layer, so that there is a positioning tolerance between the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer of the light-transmitting keycaps of the prior art, resulting in the light-transmitting keycaps manufactured by the prior art often having defects such as partial overlap of the colored light-transmitting layer and the light-shielding layer.

[0054] Of course, the present invention may have many other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, technicians familiar with the field may make various corresponding changes and deformations based on the present invention, but these corresponding changes and deformations should all fall within the scope of protection of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. A light-transmitting keycap, characterized in that: The light-transmitting keycap includes: a light-transmitting body having a top surface and a key skirt side surface; A light-transmitting bottom layer, the light-transmitting bottom layer covers the top surface and the key skirt side surface; a light shielding layer, the light shielding layer covers the light-transmitting bottom layer, the light shielding layer has a hollow area, the hollow area runs through the light shielding layer, so that the light-transmitting bottom layer is exposed in the hollow area; A colored light-transmitting layer completely fills the hollow area, and a thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer is greater than a thickness of the light-shielding layer.

2. The light-transmitting keycap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-transmitting bottom layer is a light-colored paint layer, and / or the light-shielding layer is a dark-colored paint layer.

3. The light-transmitting keycap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The colored light-transmitting layer has vertical side walls or inclined side walls.

4. The light-transmitting keycap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer is smaller than the thickness of the light-transmitting bottom layer.

5. The light-transmitting keycap according to claim 1, wherein: The light-transmitting keycap further comprises a transparent protective layer, and the transparent protective layer covers the light-shielding layer and the colored light-transmitting layer.

6. The light-transmitting keycap according to claim 5, characterized in that: The thickness of the transparent protective layer in the colored light-transmitting layer is smaller than that in other areas.

7. The light-transmitting keycap according to claim 5, characterized in that: The transparent protective layer is a cured resin layer.

8. A light-transmitting keycap, characterized in that: The light-transmitting keycap includes: a light-transmitting body having a top surface and a key skirt side surface; A light-transmitting bottom layer, the light-transmitting bottom layer covers the top surface and the key skirt side surface; A light-shielding layer, the light-shielding layer covers the light-transmitting bottom layer; A removable middle layer, the removable middle layer at least covers the light shielding layer on the top surface, the removable middle layer has a hollow area, and the hollow area runs through the removable middle layer and the light shielding layer, so that the light-transmitting bottom layer is exposed in the hollow area; A colored light-transmitting layer completely fills the hollow area and covers a portion of the removable middle layer located around the hollow area.

9. The light-transmitting keycap according to claim 8, wherein: The thickness of the colored light-transmitting layer in the hollow area is greater than the thickness of the light-shielding layer.

10. The light-transmitting keycap according to claim 8, characterized in that: The removable intermediate layer is composed of a water-based ink layer, a removable adhesive layer or a removable light-curable resin layer.

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