Luminous key structure
By designing a light emitting button structure including light guides and return springs in the printer keys, the problem of large buttons being easily stuck and unevenly emitted is solved, and a low-power, non-stop and beautiful button effect is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421620241.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-07-10
AI Technical Summary
Large luminous buttons in existing printers can easily lead to unbalanced pressing and easily stuck. At the same time, due to the need for multiple lamp beads to achieve uniform luminescence, it leads to large power consumption and heating problems.
A luminescent key structure is designed, including a bottom cover, circuit board, light shielding, light guide and key cap. The light guide is equipped with a cavity to accommodate the key cap and a return spring. The appearance of the light guide is divided into A, B and C. It uses reflective materials and conical surface transition design to improve light guide efficiency.
It realizes a large button design with no lag and uniform light emission, while reducing power consumption and heating, taking into account both aesthetics and practicality.
Smart Images
Figure CN222927344U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of printers, in particular to a light-emitting key structure. Background Art
[0002] Conventional printers of the same type on the market usually require indicator lights to display different working states. Sometimes, for aesthetic reasons, the indicator lights are combined with the keys to form light-emitting keys. To facilitate pressing, the keys are often designed to be larger, resulting in a correspondingly larger light-emitting range. This leads to some defects. For example, when the keys are made larger, the pressing force is often uneven, and the keys are prone to jamming. When large keys are made into light-emitting keys, in order to make the light emission uniform, a lot of lamp beads are often used, resulting in high power consumption and large heat generation.
[0003] Therefore, a light-emitting key structure is needed to solve the above technical defects. Summary of the Utility Model
[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a light-emitting key structure to solve the problem that when the keys are made larger, the pressing force is often uneven and the keys are prone to jamming as mentioned in the above background art.
[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides the following technical solution: A light-emitting key structure, including a bottom cover and a circuit board. The circuit board is installed inside the bottom cover. A light-shielding member is assembled on the top of the circuit board. A light guide member is assembled above the light-shielding member. A key cap is assembled on the top of the light guide member. A face cover is assembled on the top of the bottom cover. An anti-jamming structure is arranged between the light guide member and the key cap. The anti-jamming structure includes two groups of buckles and guide posts arranged at the bottom end of the key cap. A cavity for accommodating the key cap is arranged inside the light guide member. There is a through hole at the bottom of the cavity. The key cap is snapped into the cavity of the light guide member. The outer surface of the key cap is slidably limited by the inner wall of the cavity of the light guide member. The lower part of the key cap is slidably connected to the through hole at the bottom of the light guide member. A return spring is installed inside the light guide member.
[0006] Further, the key cap is a cylinder, and the inner diameter of the cavity of the light guide member matches the size of the key cap.
[0007] Further, the length and width of the face cover are the same as those of the bottom cover. A reserved key position hole for protruding the key cap is opened in the middle of the face cover.
[0008] Preferably, a light-emitting LED is welded at the middle position of the circuit board, and an electronic switch is arranged in the middle of the light-emitting LED.
[0009] Preferably, the outer shape of the light guide member is divided into section A, section B, and section C. The top end of section A is the light-emitting surface. The bottom end of section C is the light-incident surface. The side wall of section B is a tapered surface transition. The diameter of the cylinder of section A > the diameter of the cylinder of section C.
[0010] Further, the light-shielding member surrounds the outer periphery of the light guide member, and the inner side of the light-shielding member is made of a reflective material.
[0011] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows: This luminous button structure not only realizes smooth button pressing, uniform illumination of large buttons, but also achieves a balance between aesthetics and practicality.
[0012] By providing a light guide member, a keycap, and a return spring, a cavity for accommodating the keycap is provided inside the light guide member, and there is a through hole at the bottom of the cavity. The keycap is snapped into the cavity of the light guide member. The outer surface of the keycap is limited by the inner wall of the cavity and can slide. The lower part of the keycap guide post is slidably connected to the through hole at the bottom of the cavity of the light guide member. Therefore, both the upper and lower parts of the keycap are limited by the light guide member and can slide, preventing the keycap from tilting excessively when pressed and causing jamming. A return spring is provided in the inner space formed by the light guide member and the keycap, enabling the keycap to be reset after being pressed. Therefore, the button has two-stage limiting, and even if the pressing is unbalanced, it will not jam.
[0013] By providing a light guide member, section A, section B, section C, a light incident surface, and a light exit surface, the outer shape of the light guide member is designed in three sections. Section A has a larger cylindrical diameter, and its end face is the light exit surface. Section C has a smaller cylindrical diameter, and its end face is the light incident surface. Section B is a tapered surface for transition. The outer periphery of the light guide member is surrounded by a light-shielding member, and the inner side of the light-shielding member is made of a reflective material. Light enters from the end face of section C of the light guide member and undergoes total reflection on the tapered surface of section B, causing the light to refract out along the cylinder. The light-shielding member on the outer periphery of the light guide member reflects the light leaked from the light guide column back, improving the light guide efficiency. Therefore, fewer lamp beads can be used, and the problem of uneven illumination of large luminous buttons can be solved under low power consumption.
[0014] By providing a circuit board, an electronic switch, a light-emitting LED, and a keycap, the luminous structure is nested and installed and fixed layer by layer. An electronic switch and a light-emitting LED are provided on the circuit board, and the keycap is in contact with the electronic switch. When the keycap is pressed, the electronic switch is triggered; when the keycap is released, the return spring resets the keycap. A reserved key position hole is provided on the face cover, which can accommodate section A of the light guide member, achieving a balance between aesthetics and practicality, and enabling the working state of the current indicator light to be observed intuitively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the hierarchical structure of the present utility model;
[0016] Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the light guide member of the present utility model;
[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic top view structure diagram of the present utility model;
[0018] Figure 4 It is a schematic front cross-sectional structure diagram of the present utility model.
[0019] In the figure: 1. Face cover; 2. Keycap; 3. Return spring; 4. Light guide; 5. Light shield; 6. Bottom cover; 7. Circuit board; 8. Light-emitting LED; 9. Electronic switch; 401. Light-emitting surface; 402. Section A; 403. Section B; 404. Section C; 405. Light-incident surface. Specific embodiments
[0020] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0021] Embodiment 1: Please refer to Figures 1-4 , a light-emitting key structure, including a bottom cover 6 and a circuit board 7. The circuit board 7 is installed inside the bottom cover 6. A light shield 5 is assembled on the top of the circuit board 7. A light guide 4 is assembled above the light shield 5. A keycap 2 is assembled on the top of the light guide 4. A face cover 1 is assembled on the top of the bottom cover 6. An anti-sticking structure is provided between the light guide 4 and the keycap 2. The anti-sticking structure includes two groups of buckles and guide posts arranged at the bottom end of the keycap 2. A cavity for accommodating the keycap 2 is provided inside the light guide 4. There is a through hole at the bottom of the cavity. The keycap 2 is snapped into the cavity inside the light guide 4. The outer surface of the keycap 2 is limited by the inner wall of the cavity of the light guide 4 to be slidable. The lower part of the keycap 2 is slidably connected to the through hole at the bottom of the light guide 4. A return spring 3 is installed inside the light guide 4. The keycap 2 is a cylinder. The inner diameter of the cavity of the light guide 4 matches the size of the keycap 2;
[0022] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a cavity for accommodating the keycap 2 is provided inside the light guide 4. There is a through hole at the bottom of the cavity. The keycap 2 is snapped into the cavity inside the light guide 4. The outer surface of the keycap 2 is limited by the inner wall of the cavity to be slidable. The lower part of the guide post of the keycap 2 is slidably connected to the through hole at the bottom of the cavity of the light guide 4. Therefore, both the upper and lower parts of the keycap 2 are limited by the light guide 4 to be slidable, avoiding excessive tilting of the keycap 2 when pressed, resulting in jamming. A return spring 3 is provided in the inner space formed by the light guide 4 and the keycap 2, enabling the keycap 2 to be reset after being pressed.
[0023] Embodiment 2: The outer shape of the light guide 4 is divided into section A 402, section B 403, and section C 404. The top end of section A 402 is the light-emitting surface 401. The bottom end of section C 404 is the light-incident surface 405. The side wall of section B 403 is a tapered surface transition. The diameter of the cylinder of section A 402 > the diameter of the cylinder of section C 404. The light shield 5 surrounds the outer periphery of the light guide 4. The inner side of the light shield 5 is a reflective material;
[0024] Specifically, as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the outer shape of the light guide member 4 is designed in three sections. The diameter of the cylinder of section A 402 is relatively large, and its end face is the light-emitting surface 401. The diameter of the cylinder of section C 404 is relatively small, and its end face is the light-incident surface 405. Section B 403 is a tapered surface for transition. The outer periphery of the light guide member 4 is surrounded by a light-shielding member 5. The inner side of the light-shielding member 5 is made of a reflective material such as its own white material or an electroplated reflective mirror surface, etc. Light enters from the end face of section C 404 of the light guide member 4 and undergoes total internal reflection on the tapered surface of section B 403, causing the light to refract out along the cylinder. The light-shielding member 5 on the outer periphery of the light guide member 4 reflects the light leaked by the light guide column back, improving the light guide efficiency.
[0025] Embodiment 3: The length and width of the face cover 1 and the bottom cover 6 are the same. A reserved key position hole for protruding the key cap 2 is provided in the middle of the face cover 1. An illuminating LED 8 is soldered at the middle position of the circuit board 7. An electronic switch 9 is arranged in the middle of the illuminating LED 8 and contacts the electronic switch 9 when the key cap 2 is pressed;
[0026] Specifically, as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the illuminating structure is nested and installed and fixed layer by layer. The circuit board 7 is provided with an electronic switch 9 and an illuminating LED 8. The key cap 2 contacts the electronic switch 9. When the key cap 2 is pressed, the electronic switch 9 is triggered; when the key cap 2 is released, the return spring 3 resets the key cap 2. A reserved key position hole is provided at the face cover 1 and can accommodate the passage of section A 402 of the light guide member 4.
[0027] Working principle: The illuminating structure is nested and installed and fixed layer by layer. The circuit board 7 is provided with an electronic switch 9 and an illuminating LED 8. The key cap 2 contacts the electronic switch 9. When the key cap 2 is pressed, the electronic switch 9 is triggered; when the key cap 2 is released, the return spring 3 resets the key cap 2. A reserved key position hole is provided at the face cover 1 and can accommodate the passage of section A 402 of the light guide member 4. When the key is pressed, the light is on, and when the key is pressed again, the light is off.
[0028] For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present utility model is not limited to the details of the above-described exemplary embodiments, and can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present utility model. Therefore, from any point of view, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting. The scope of the present utility model is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description. Therefore, all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims are intended to be included in the present utility model. Any reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting the claimed rights.
Claims
1. A light-emitting key structure, comprising a bottom cover (6) and a circuit board (7), characterized in that: A circuit board (7) is installed inside the bottom cover (6), a light shielding member (5) is installed on the top of the circuit board (7), a light guide member (4) is installed above the light shielding member (5), a key cap (2) is installed on the top of the light guide member (4), a top cover (1) is installed on the top of the bottom cover (6), and an anti-stuck structure is provided between the light guide member (4) and the key cap (2); The anti-stuck structure comprises two groups of buckles and guide columns arranged at the bottom end of the keycap (2); a cavity for accommodating the keycap (2) is arranged inside the light guide (4); a through hole is provided at the bottom of the cavity; the keycap (2) is buckled into the cavity of the light guide (4); the outer surface of the keycap (2) is slidably limited by the inner wall of the cavity of the light guide (4); the lower part of the keycap (2) is slidably connected to the through hole at the bottom of the light guide (4); and a reset spring (3) is installed inside the light guide (4).
2. The luminous key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The key cap (2) is a cylinder, and the inner diameter of the cavity of the light guide (4) matches the size of the key cap (2).
3. The luminous key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface cover (1) and the bottom cover (6) have the same length and width, and a reserved key position hole for allowing the key cap (2) to protrude is provided in the middle of the surface cover (1).
4. The luminous key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A light-emitting LED (8) is welded in the middle of the circuit board (7), and an electronic switch (9) is arranged in the middle of the light-emitting LED (8). When the key cap (2) is pressed, the light-emitting LED (8) is contacted.
5. The luminous key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light guide (4) is divided into an A section (402), a B section (403), and a C section (404). The top of the A section (402) is a light emitting surface (401), the bottom of the C section (404) is a light incident surface (405), the side wall of the B section (403) is a conical transition, and the cylindrical diameter of the A section (402) is greater than the cylindrical diameter of the C section (404).
6. The luminous key structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shading element (5) surrounds the outer periphery of the light guide element (4), and the inner side of the shading element (5) is made of a reflective material.