Computer peripheral device and marking structure thereof

Abstract

The utility model discloses a computer peripheral device and a marking structure thereof. The marking structure comprises a light emitting substrate, a reciprocating piece, a light guide piece and a light emitting piece. The light-emitting substrate is provided with a light-transmitting pattern. The reciprocating part is used for driving the light emitting substrate to move in a reciprocating mode in the actuating direction. The light guide part is arranged between the light emitting substrate and the reciprocating part corresponding to the light transmitting pattern. The light-emitting part is used for providing at least one light beam, and the light beam passes through the light guide part and then penetrates through the light-transmitting pattern to be emitted outwards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a computer peripheral structure, and in particular to a marking structure and a computer peripheral device using the marking structure. Background Art

[0002] Computer peripheral devices, such as input devices (e.g., computer keyboards), are often used as a communication medium between users and electronic devices. Common input devices, such as computer keyboards, have multiple key structures, and users can make the electronic device produce corresponding actions by pressing different keys. With the current trend of personalized and humanized design, there is currently technology that provides a luminous marking structure on the surface of computer peripheral devices (e.g., computer keyboards) to change the appearance and texture of the computer keyboard, or to provide a marking function that can be recognized by the human eye.

[0003] A typical marking structure generally provides a light-emitting component on the bottom plate of a computer peripheral device (e.g., a keyboard), and forms a light-emitting opening (or a light-transmitting pattern) on the surface of the upper cover of the computer peripheral device (e.g., a keycap of a keyboard), so that the light provided by the light-emitting component is emitted outward through the light-emitting opening (or the light-transmitting pattern). However, since other supporting structures and components are still included between the bottom plate and the upper cover, the emission of light may be blocked, resulting in the marking structure being unclear due to insufficient light emission.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide an advanced marking structure to solve the problems faced by the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] One embodiment of the present specification is related to a marking structure, which includes: a light-emitting substrate, a reciprocating member, a light-guiding member, and a light-emitting member. The light-emitting substrate has a light-transmitting pattern. The reciprocating member is used to drive the light-emitting substrate to reciprocate along an actuating direction. The light-guiding member is arranged between the light-emitting substrate and the reciprocating member corresponding to the light-transmitting pattern. The light-emitting member is used to provide at least one light beam, which passes through the light-guiding member and then passes through the light-transmitting pattern to be emitted outward.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present specification is related to a computer peripheral device. The computer peripheral device includes at least one key. The key includes a key cap and the marking structure as described above. The light emitting substrate of the marking structure can be used as the top plate of the key cap.

[0007] According to the above embodiments, this specification provides a marking structure and a computer peripheral device using the marking structure. The marking structure includes a light-emitting member, a reciprocating member, and a light-emitting substrate that is driven by the reciprocating member or drives the reciprocating member to reciprocate along an actuation direction (Z axis). By providing a light-transmitting pattern on the light-emitting substrate and providing a light-guiding member between the light-emitting substrate and the reciprocating member, most of the light provided by the light-emitting member can be guided by the light-guiding member and then emitted outward through the light-transmitting pattern without being blocked by the reciprocating member or other supporting structures, so as to improve the light-emitting efficiency of the marking structure and the appearance texture of the computer peripheral device.

[0008] In some embodiments, the computer peripheral device may be a computer keyboard, wherein the light emitting substrate of the marking structure is a top plate of a key cap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In order to make the above embodiments and other purposes, features and advantages of this specification more clearly understood, several preferred embodiments are given in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows:

[0010] Figure 1A It is a three-dimensional combined diagram of a partial structure of a computer peripheral device according to an embodiment of the present specification;

[0011] Figure 1B is based on Figure 1A The computer peripheral device is shown as a partially exploded three-dimensional diagram;

[0012] Figure 1C It is along Figure 1A A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of a computer peripheral device as shown by a tangent line S;

[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of another computer peripheral device according to another embodiment of the present specification; and

[0014] Figure 3 It is a partial structural three-dimensional exploded view of another computer peripheral device according to another embodiment of the present specification.

[0015] Wherein, the reference numerals are:

[0016] 10: Computer peripheral devices;

[0017] 20: Computer peripheral devices;

[0018] 30: Computer peripheral devices;

[0019] 100: marking structure;

[0020] 101: Light emitting substrate;

[0021] 101a: light-transmitting pattern;

[0022] 101b: bottom surface;

[0023] 101c: snap-fitting member;

[0024] 101d: flange;

[0025] 101r: reflecting surface;

[0026] 101o: through opening;

[0027] 102: reciprocating member;

[0028] 102a: trigger pin;

[0029] 102t: top;

[0030] 103: bottom plate;

[0031] 103a: upper surface;

[0032] 103c: accommodating hole;

[0033] 104: circuit board;

[0034] 105: socket structure;

[0035] 105A: first slot;

[0036] 105B: second slot;

[0037] 110: light guide;

[0038] 110a: light guide body;

[0039] 110c: joint;

[0040] 110i: light incident side;

[0041] 110°: light-emitting surface;

[0042] 110k: water drop type groove;

[0043] 110m: microstructure;

[0044] 111: light emitting element;

[0045] 112: light emitting circuit;

[0046] 121: plug structure;

[0047] 121A: first fin;

[0048] 121B: second fin;

[0049] 200: key structure;

[0050] 210: light guide;

[0051] 210a: light guide body;

[0052] 210a1: first light guiding portion;

[0053] 210a2: second light guide portion;

[0054] 210i: light incident side;

[0055] 210°: light-emitting surface;

[0056] 210m: microstructure;

[0057] 300: button structure;

[0058] 301: Light emitting substrate;

[0059] 301a: light-transmitting pattern;

[0060] 301b: bottom surface;

[0061] 302: reciprocating member;

[0062] 302A: Scissor type support frame;

[0063] 302B: piston mechanism bearing;

[0064] 302P: trigger bump;

[0065] 303: bottom plate;

[0066] 303a: upper surface;

[0067] 304: key circuit;

[0068] 304P: trigger unit;

[0069] 310: light guide;

[0070] 310i: light-entering surface;

[0071] 310o light-emitting surface;

[0072] 311: luminous element;

[0073] 312: Light-emitting circuit;

[0074] D1: first direction;

[0075] D2: second direction;

[0076] L11: beam;

[0077] L12: beam;

[0078] L21: beam;

[0079] L31: beam;

[0080] Θ: acute angle;

[0081] S: Tangent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082] The embodiments of this specification provide a marking structure and a computer peripheral device using the marking structure, which can improve the light extraction efficiency of the marking structure and the appearance texture of the computer peripheral device. In order to make the above embodiments and other purposes, features and advantages of this specification more obvious and easy to understand, several embodiments are specifically cited below, and are described in detail with the accompanying drawings.

[0083] However, it must be noted that these specific implementation cases and methods are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can still be implemented using other features, components, methods and parameters. The preferred embodiments are only intended to illustrate the technical features of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field will be able to make equal modifications and changes based on the description of the following specification without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In different embodiments and drawings, the same elements will be represented by the same element symbols.

[0084] Please refer to Figures 1A to 1C , Figure 1A It is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of a part of a computer peripheral device 10 according to an embodiment of the present specification. Figure 1B is based on Figure 1A The computer peripheral device 10 is shown as a partially exploded perspective view. Figure 1C It is along Figure 1A The computer peripheral device 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of the computer peripheral device 10 as shown by the tangent line S. In some embodiments of the present specification, the computer peripheral device 10 can be, for example, a keyboard (not fully shown) used in an electronic device such as a notebook computer or a desktop computer to trigger a specific signal. The computer peripheral device 10 includes a marking structure 100 disposed in a key of the computer peripheral device 10 (e.g., a keyboard).

[0085] Please refer to Figure 1A The marking structure 100 may include a light emitting substrate 101 , a reciprocating member 102 , a bottom plate 103 , a circuit board 104 , a light guide member 110 and at least one light emitting member 111 .

[0086] The bottom plate 103 is disposed below the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap). The circuit board 104 is disposed below the bottom plate 103. The reciprocating member 102, the light guide member 110 and the light emitting member 111 are disposed between the upper surface 103a of the bottom plate 103 and the bottom surface 101b of the light emitting substrate 101; the light emitting substrate 101 includes at least one light-transmitting pattern 101a; and the light guide member 110 is disposed between the light emitting substrate 101 and the reciprocating member 102 corresponding to the light-transmitting pattern 101a of the light emitting substrate 101.

[0087] In some embodiments of the present specification, the light emitting substrate 101 may be a top plate of a keycap in a computer keyboard. The light-transmitting pattern 101a may be an opening pattern formed by at least one through opening 101o of the top plate of the keycap. For example, in some embodiments, the light-transmitting pattern 101a may include a light-transmitting material filled in the through opening 101o, such as polycarbonate (PC) glass, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or other possible light-transmitting materials (but not limited thereto).

[0088] In some embodiments of the present specification, the bottom plate 103 may be a hard metal plate or a plasticized substrate, which includes an upper surface 103a and a lower surface 103b, and the upper surface 103a is opposite to the lower surface 103b. In addition, the bottom plate 103 includes a receiving hole 103c penetrating the upper surface 103a and the lower surface 103b, so as to provide the reciprocating member 102 to be installed in the bottom plate 103.

[0089] The marking structure 100 further includes a light-emitting circuit 112 disposed on the upper surface 103a of the base plate 103, including a circuit pattern electrically connected to an external power source (not shown). The light-emitting element 111 is electrically connected to the light-emitting circuit 112 to provide a plurality of light beams. For example, in the present embodiment, the light-emitting element 111 may be a light-emitting diode (LED) element, which is powered by the light-emitting circuit 112 to provide a plurality of light beams, such as light beams L11 and L12, which are emitted upward and illuminate the light-emitting substrate 101 and the light guide 110.

[0090] The light guide 110 includes a coupling portion 110c and a light guide body 110a. The coupling portion is detachably coupled to the reciprocating member 102. The light guide body 110a has a light incident surface 110i and a light emitting surface 110o; the light incident surface 110i is located at the bottom (one side) of the light guide body 110a and faces the light emitting member 111; and the light emitting surface 110o is located at the top (the other side) of the light guide body 110a, faces the light-transmitting pattern 101a of the light emitting substrate 101, and is coupled to the light emitting substrate 101.

[0091] For example, in some embodiments of the present specification, the light guide 110 may be an optical material with high reflectivity and no light absorption, such as an optical plate made of polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate or polycycloolefin polymer (COP). In addition, the light guide 110 also has a plurality of microstructures 110m, which are arranged on the light incident surface 110i corresponding to at least one light emitting element 111. For example, in some embodiments of the present specification, the microstructure 110m may be a plurality of light guiding points (dots) or light guiding grooves or light guiding convex strips formed on the light incident surface 110i of the light guide 110 using screen printing technology.

[0092] In this embodiment, the area of ​​the light emitting surface 110o of the light guide 110 is substantially larger than the light transmitting area of ​​the light transmitting pattern 101a of the light emitting substrate 101, and is equal to the area of ​​the bottom surface 101b of the light emitting substrate surface 101 opposite to the light emitting surface 110o. The light guide 110 may include a plurality of water drop-shaped grooves 110k recessed on the light guide body 110a, and a locking member 101c protruding on the bottom surface 101b of the light emitting substrate 101 (key cap) to engage with each other, so that the light emitting surface 110o of the light guide 110 is tightly joined with the light transmitting pattern 101a of the light emitting substrate 101. Multiple light beams provided by the light emitting element 111, such as the light beam L11, can enter the light guide body 110 from the light incident surface 110i, be guided by the light guide body 110, reach the bottom surface 101b of the light emitting substrate 101 (key cap) through the light emitting surface 110o, and then pass through the light-transmitting pattern 101a to be emitted outward.

[0093] In some embodiments of the present specification, not all of the multiple light beams provided by the light emitting element 111, such as the light beam L12, will directly enter the light guide body 110 from the light incident surface 110i. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a flange 101d may be provided around the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap), extending downward and surrounding the light guide body 110a, and the inner side of the flange 101d has a reflective surface 101r, which can be used to reflect the light beam L12 provided by the light emitting element 111 but not directly irradiating the light guide 110 into the light guide 110, thereby improving the light extraction efficiency of the marking structure 100.

[0094] The reciprocating member 102 is disposed above the bottom plate 103, facing the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap), and is combined with the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap) through the light guide 110. In some embodiments of the present specification, the reciprocating member 102 may include a mechanical switch, including at least one elastic element, such as a spring (not shown), for providing an elastic force. When the reciprocating member 102 is combined with the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap), the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap) may be driven or driven by the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap), and reciprocate movably along the Z-axis direction (also referred to as the actuation direction).

[0095] In detail, when the user presses the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap), the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap) drives the reciprocating member 102 to move along the Z-axis direction toward the bottom plate 103. When the user stops pressing the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap), the elastic element (not shown) of the reciprocating member 102 can provide a reverse restoring elastic force, so that the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap) moves away from the bottom plate 103 along the Z-axis to return to a position where it is not pressed.

[0096] In addition, the reciprocating member 102 may include a trigger pin 102a, which can be inserted into the circuit board 104 when the reciprocating member 102 is disposed on the bottom plate 103, and fixed by soldering to be electrically connected to the circuit board 104. When the light emitting substrate 101 (the top plate of the keycap) moves from the unpressed position to the pressed position, the reciprocating member 102 can generate a trigger signal to be transmitted to the circuit board 104 to conduct the circuit. Since the mechanical key shaft structure of the reciprocating member 102 is already a prior art, the detailed structure and the detailed actuation method are not described here.

[0097] In this embodiment, the light guide 110 and the reciprocating member 102 are combined by a plug structure 121 and a socket structure 105, which are detachably engaged. The combining portion 110c of the light guide 110 includes a socket structure 105 extending downward from the light guide body 110a along the Z-axis direction, and a slot is formed in the socket structure 105. The slot is a cross slot, including two mutually intersecting first slots 105A and second slots 105B. The reciprocating member 102 includes two mutually intersecting first fins 121A and second fins 121B, which extend upward from the top 102t of the reciprocating member 102 parallel to the Z-axis direction to form a plug structure 121 composed of a cross convex column. The shapes of the first fin 121A and the second fin 121B of the plug structure 121 correspond to the first slot 105A and the second slot 105B of the socket structure 105, respectively, so that the plug structure 121 can be inserted into and penetrated into the socket structure 105, thereby generating a tight fit interference, so that the plug structure 121 and the socket structure 105 are engaged with each other.

[0098] However, it is worth noting that the positions of the socket structure 105 and the plug structure 121 can be swapped. For example, in other embodiments of the present specification, the socket structure 105 can be disposed on the top 102t of the reciprocating member 102; and the plug structure 121 can be disposed on the joint portion 110c of the light guide member 110.

[0099] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a partial structural perspective view of another computer peripheral device 20 according to another embodiment of the present specification. Figure 2 The computer peripheral device 20 shown in the figure has a structure similar to that of Figure 1C The computer peripheral device 10 shown is similar, and the only difference is that the structure of the light guide member 210 of the key structure 200 in the computer peripheral device 20 is different.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the light guide body 210a of the light guide member 210 includes a first light guide portion 210a1 and a second light guide portion 210a2. The first light guide portion 210a1 extends along a first direction D1 perpendicular to the actuation direction (Z axis); and includes a light incident surface 210i facing the light emitting member 111. The light incident surface 210i also has a plurality of microstructures 210m. The second light guide portion 210a2 extends along a second direction D2, and the second light guide portion 210a2 connects the first light guide portion 210a1 and the light emitting surface 210o of the light guide member 210. The second direction D2 and the actuation direction (Z axis) form an acute angle θ.

[0101] In addition, the area of ​​the light emitting surface 210o of the light guide 210 is substantially larger than (or equal to) the light transmitting area of ​​the light transmitting pattern 101a of the light emitting substrate 101, and smaller than the area of ​​the bottom surface 101b of the light emitting substrate surface 101 opposite to the light emitting surface 210o.

[0102] Multiple light beams provided by the light emitting element 111, such as the light beam L21, can enter the light guide body 210 from the light incident surface 210i, be guided by the light guide body 210, reach the bottom surface 101b of the light emitting substrate 101 (key cap) through the light emitting surface 210o, and then pass through the light-transmitting pattern 101a to be emitted outward.

[0103] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 It is a partial structural three-dimensional exploded view of another computer peripheral device 30 according to another embodiment of the present specification. Figure 3 The computer peripheral device 30 shown in the figure has a structure similar to that of Figure 1C The computer peripheral device 10 shown is similar, the only difference is that the structure of the reciprocating member 302 of the key structure 300 in the computer peripheral device 30 is different; and the structure of the light guide member 310 of the key structure 300 is also different from that of the key structure 100.

[0104] In this embodiment, the light guide 310 is a plate-shaped optical plate, which is bonded to the bottom surface 301b of the light emitting substrate 301 (the top plate of the keycap) by means of adhesion, so that the light emitting surface 310o of the light guide 310 is tightly connected to the light-transmitting pattern 301a of the light emitting substrate 301. The reciprocating member 302 of the key structure 300 may include a scissor-type support frame 302A and a piston mechanism bearing (plunger switch) 302B inserted in the scissor-type support frame 302A, wherein the scissor-type support frame 302A is movably connected to the bottom plate 303 through a groove or slot (not shown). The top of the piston mechanism bearing 302B is bonded to the light incident surface 310i of the light guide 310, and the bottom of the plunger mechanism bearing 302B is fixed to the upper surface 303a of the bottom plate 303 by means of adhesion. The piston mechanism bearing 302B can provide elastic stress to drive the light emitting substrate 301 (top plate of the keycap) and the light guide 310 or be driven by the light emitting substrate 301 (top plate of the keycap) and the light guide 310 to move back and forth along the Z-axis direction (also called the actuation direction).

[0105] In detail, the scissor-type support frame 302A includes at least one triggering protrusion 302P. When the light-emitting substrate 301 (top plate of the keycap) and the light guide 310 are moved downward by pressure, the scissor-type support frame 302A can be driven downward, so that the triggering protrusion 302P triggers at least one triggering unit 304P of the key-emitting circuit 304 disposed on the upper surface 303a of the bottom plate 303. When the light-emitting substrate 301 (top plate of the keycap) is stopped from being pressed, the piston mechanism bearing 302B can provide elastic stress, so that the light-emitting substrate 301 (top plate of the keycap) and the light guide 310 return to the default position.

[0106] The light emitting element 311 is disposed on the light emitting circuit 312 on the upper surface 303a of the bottom plate 303, and emits light through the power provided by the light emitting circuit 312. Multiple light beams provided by the light emitting element 311, such as the light beam L31, can enter the light guide element 310 from the light incident surface 310i, and after being guided by the light guide element 310, reach the bottom surface 301b of the light emitting substrate 301 (key cap) through the light emitting surface 310o, and then pass through the light-transmitting pattern 301a to be emitted outward.

[0107] According to the above embodiments, the present specification provides a marking structure 100 / 200 / 300 and a computer peripheral device 10 / 20 / 30 using the marking structure 100 / 200 / 300. The marking structure includes a light emitting element 111 / 311, a reciprocating element 102 / 302, and a light emitting substrate 101 / 301 driven by the reciprocating element 102 / 30 or driving the reciprocating element 102 / 30 to reciprocate along an actuation direction (Z axis). By setting a light-transmitting pattern 101a / 301a on the light-emitting substrate 101 / 301 and setting a light-guiding member 110 / 210 / 310 between the light-emitting substrate 101 / 301 and the reciprocating member 102 / 302, most of the light provided by the light-emitting member 111 / 311 can be guided by the light-guiding member 110 / 210 / 310 and then emitted outward through the light-transmitting pattern 101a / 301a without being blocked by the reciprocating member 102 / 302 or other supporting structures, thereby improving the light-emitting efficiency of the marking structure 100 / 200 / 300 and the appearance texture of the computer peripheral device 10 / 20 / 30.

[0108] In some embodiments, the computer peripheral device 10 / 20 / 30 may be a computer keyboard, wherein the light emitting substrate 101 / 301 of the marking structure 100 / 200 / 300 is the top plate of the keycap.

[0109] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field may make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

Claims

1. A marking structure, characterized in that: include: A light-emitting substrate having a light-transmitting pattern; A reciprocating member, used for driving the light emitting substrate to movably reciprocate along a driving direction; A light guide member, corresponding to the light-transmitting pattern and disposed between the light-emitting substrate and the reciprocating member; as well as A light emitting element is used to provide at least one light beam, which passes through the light guide element and then passes through the light-transmitting pattern to be emitted outward.

2. The marking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light guide comprises: a coupling portion coupled to the reciprocating member; and A light guide body, comprising: a light incident surface, located at one side of the light guide body and facing the light emitting element; the at least one light beam passes through the light incident surface and enters the light guide body; and A light emitting surface is located at the other side of the light guide body, faces the light-transmitting pattern and is combined with the light emitting substrate; the at least one light beam passing through the light guide body passes through the light emitting surface and reaches the light-transmitting pattern.

3. The marking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light guide body comprises: a first light guiding portion, including the light incident surface and extending along a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the actuating direction; as well as A second light guide portion connects the first light guide portion and the light emitting surface and extends along a second direction. The second direction and the actuating direction form an acute angle.

4. The marking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light incident surface includes a plurality of microstructures.

5. The marking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The periphery of the light-emitting substrate includes a flange extending downward and surrounding the light-guiding body, and an inner side of the flange has a reflecting surface for reflecting at least another light beam provided by the light-emitting component into the light-guiding component.

6. The marking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: One of the combining part and the reciprocating member has a socket and a slot formed in the socket; the other of the combining part and the reciprocating member has a plug; the plug is inserted into the slot parallel to the actuating direction.

7. The marking structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plug includes a first fin and a second fin that intersect each other to form a cross-shaped boss structure; the slot is a cross-shaped slot, including a first slot and a second slot that intersect each other, respectively used to accommodate the first fin and the second fin.

8. The marking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light emitting surface has a light emitting area which is greater than or equal to a light transmitting area of ​​the light transmitting pattern and less than or equal to a bottom surface area of ​​the light emitting substrate facing the light emitting surface.

9. The marking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reciprocating member includes a mechanical key shaft or a piston mechanism bearing for providing an elastic force to enable the light emitting substrate to reciprocate movably along the actuating direction.

10. A computer peripheral device, characterized in that: include: One button, including: A key cap; and A marking structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9; The light emitting substrate is a top plate of the key cap.

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