Character display structure and key structure with same

Abstract

The utility model provides a character display structure and a key structure with the same. The character display structure includes a substrate member, a coating layer, and a filler. The coating layer covers a top surface of the base member and has a groove corresponding to a character. And the filling material is arranged in the groove. By means of the character display structure, the problem that display is not clear due to character abrasion can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a character display structure and a key structure having the same. Background Art

[0002] In the technical field of the key structure in the current keyboard, in order to improve the durability of the key structure, an ultraviolet curing printing process is performed on the outermost layer of the keycap of the key structure to provide a protective effect. Subsequently, if the characters are generated by laser engraving, inevitably, indentations corresponding to the character shapes will be formed on the ultraviolet curing layer.

[0003] However, through wear resistance tests, it is found that after a period of use, the indentations on this ultraviolet curing layer are easily worn, resulting in the problem that the characters are chipped and the character display is unclear, affecting the user's visual experience. Therefore, how to solve this problem is the direction that those skilled in the art are committed to developing. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The utility model relates to a character display structure, which fills a filler in a groove of a coating layer to prevent the characters from chipping. Thus, the aforementioned conventional problems can be solved.

[0005] According to the first aspect of the utility model, a character display structure is proposed. The character display structure includes a base member, a coating layer, and a filler. The coating layer covers a top surface of the base member and has a groove corresponding to a character. The filler is disposed in the groove.

[0006] Wherein, the filler can be flush with or protrude from an outer surface of the coating layer.

[0007] Wherein, the filler covers a part of the outer surface of the coating layer at an upper edge corresponding to the groove.

[0008] Wherein, the filler protrudes from and does not overflow from the outer surface of the coating layer.

[0009] Wherein, the filler may not contact the base member.

[0010] Wherein, the filler may directly contact the base member.

[0011] Wherein, the groove may not penetrate the coating layer.

[0012] Wherein, the groove may completely penetrate the coating layer.

[0013] Wherein, the filler may be a transparent or light-transmitting ink material.

[0014] Wherein, the coating layer may include a protective film portion. The protective film portion is disposed on the base member and covers the base member. The groove is formed in the protective film portion.

[0015] Among them, the coating layer may include a primer portion and a protective film portion. The primer portion is disposed on the substrate member. The protective film portion is disposed on the primer portion and covers the primer portion. A groove is formed in the protective film portion.

[0016] Among them, the coating layer may include a primer portion, a topcoat portion, and a protective film portion. The primer portion is disposed on the substrate member. The topcoat portion is disposed on the primer portion and covers the primer portion. The protective film portion is disposed on the topcoat portion and covers the topcoat portion. A groove is formed in the protective film portion and the topcoat portion.

[0017] Among them, the color of the primer portion may be different from the color of the topcoat portion.

[0018] Among them, the inner wall surface of the protective film portion and the inner wall surface of the topcoat portion constitute the groove. In a cross-section, the inner wall surfaces of the protective film portion and the topcoat portion may be aligned with each other.

[0019] Among them, in a cross-section, the inner wall surfaces of the protective film portion and the topcoat portion may jointly form a continuous inclined wall surface, so that the filler has a trapezoidal cross-section corresponding to the groove.

[0020] Among them, in a cross-section, the inner wall surfaces of the protective film portion and the topcoat portion jointly form a continuous inclined wall surface, so that the filler has an inverted trapezoidal cross-section corresponding to the groove.

[0021] Among them, the inner wall surface of the protective film portion and the inner wall surface of the topcoat portion constitute the groove. In a cross-section, the inner wall surfaces of the protective film portion and the topcoat portion may not be aligned with each other.

[0022] Among them, in a cross-section, the distance between the inner wall surfaces of the protective film portion may be greater than the distance between the inner wall surfaces of the topcoat portion.

[0023] Among them, in a cross-section, the distance between the inner wall surfaces of the protective film portion may be less than the distance between the inner wall surfaces of the topcoat portion.

[0024] According to the second aspect of the present invention, a key structure is proposed. The key structure includes a bottom plate, a circuit board, a trigger member, a lifting member, and the character display structure described in the first aspect of the present invention. The circuit board is disposed on the bottom plate. The circuit board is disposed on the bottom plate. The lifting member is disposed on the bottom plate. The character display structure is disposed on the lifting member.

[0025] By means of the content of the present invention, the character display structure can improve the problem of unclear display caused by character wear.

[0026] In order to have a better understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Description of the Drawings

[0027] Figure 1A A side view schematic diagram of a key structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0028] Figure 1B and Figure 1C A schematic diagram of a character display structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 2A A partial exploded view of the character display structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 2B Shown is Figure 2A An enlarged view of a local area in

[0031] Figure 3A Shown is Figure 1B A sectional side view of the character display structure in along section line A-A;

[0032] Figure 3B A sectional side view of a character display structure according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0033] Figure 4A , 4B , 5A to 5D, 6, 7 respectively show partial sectional side views of character display structures according to other different embodiments of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] The following will detail the embodiments of the present invention and use the drawings as examples. In addition to these detailed descriptions, the present invention can be widely implemented in other embodiments. Any easy substitution, modification, and equivalent change of any of the said embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention and are subject to the following claims. In the description of the specification, many specific details and implementation examples are provided to enable the reader to have a more complete understanding of the present invention; however, these specific details and implementation examples should not be regarded as limitations of the present invention. In addition, well-known steps or elements are not described in detail to avoid unnecessary limitations to the present invention.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 1A to 1C , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3A , Figure 1A A side view schematic diagram of the key structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, Figure 1B and Figure 1C A schematic diagram of the character display structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, Figure 2A A partial exploded view of the character display structure 100 is shown, Figure 2B Shown is Figure 2A An enlarged view of the local area Z in Figure 3AShown Figure 1B A side sectional view of the character display structure 100 in Figure 1B along the cutting line A-A.

[0036] The key structure 10 may include a bottom plate 11, a circuit board 12, a trigger member 13, a lifting member 14, and a character display structure 100. The circuit board 12 may be disposed on the bottom plate 11. The circuit board 12 is, for example, a membrane switch circuit board. The trigger member 13 may be disposed on the circuit board 12. The trigger member 13 is, for example, a rubber dome element. The lifting member 14 may be disposed on the bottom plate 11. The lifting member 14 is, for example, a scissor structure. The character display structure 100 may be disposed on the lifting member 14. The character display structure 100 is, for example, a keycap on which a character is displayed (taking the letter A key as an example in the embodiment). In addition, the key structure 10 may optionally include a light source module 15. The light source module 15 is, for example, disposed under the character display structure 100 to emit light, and at least part of the light can pass through the light-transmitting portion of the character display structure 100. In one embodiment, the light source module 15 may be disposed under the bottom plate 11 to serve as a backlight source for the key structure 10.

[0037] The character display structure 100 may include a base member 110, a coating layer 120, and a filler 130. The base member 110 is, for example, made of plastic and serves as the main structure of the keycap. When applied to a backlit keyboard, the base member 110 may be formed of a light-transmitting, semi-light-transmitting, or transparent material. The coating layer 120 covers the base member 110, and the coating layer 120 has grooves G corresponding to the characters. The grooves G are, for example, formed in the coating layer 120 based on the character shape by laser engraving. The filler 130 is disposed in the grooves G. The filler 130 is, for example, a naturally drying ink material or a material that can be cured by light or heat to make the color at the bottom of the grooves G penetrate. In one embodiment, the filler 130 may be a transparent ink; thus, at least part of the light emitted by the light source module 15 can pass through the filler 130. For example, after the grooves G are completed by laser engraving, the ink material may be filled in the grooves G and allowed to dry naturally or cured by light or heat, so that the filler 130 is formed according to the grooves G and corresponds to the character shape. Thus, by filling the filler 130 and forming it according to the character shape in the grooves G of the coating layer 120, one or more corners S and side lines L of the characters formed by the character display structure 100 can be protected by the filler 130 to avoid the situation where the characters are worn by friction and the display becomes unclear. The so-called corner S is the relatively protruding corner portion of the coating layer 120 with respect to the grooves G after the grooves G are formed; and the so-called side line L is the line segment portion of the coating layer 120 that forms the character shape after the grooves G are formed.

[0038] As Figure 3AAs shown, in this embodiment, the coating layer 120 is a multi-layer structure, which may include a protective film part 121, a topcoat part 122, and a primer part 123. The primer part 123 is disposed on the base member 110, for example, formed by coating and printing. The topcoat part 122 is disposed on the primer part 123 and covers the primer part 123, for example, formed by coating and printing. In one embodiment, the topcoat part 122 is, for example, a dark color (such as black) paint as the main color of the keycap; and the primer part 123 is, for example, a light color (such as white) or semi-transparent paint to display characters in a light-transmitting manner. That is to say, the color of the topcoat part 122 and the color of the primer part 123 can be different.

[0039] The protective film part 121 is disposed on the topcoat part 122 and covers the topcoat part 122, for example, formed by coating and then performing ultraviolet curing. That is to say, the coating layer 120 may contain an ultraviolet curing material. The groove G is formed between the protective film part 121 and the topcoat part 122, that is, the inner wall surface of the protective film part 121 and the inner wall surface of the topcoat part 122 constitute the groove G. Specifically, for example, after the primer part 123 and the topcoat part 122 are sequentially formed by coating and printing and the protective film part 121 is then formed by coating and performing ultraviolet curing, a part of the protective film part 121 and the topcoat part 122 is removed by laser engraving to form the groove G. That is to say, in this embodiment, the groove G does not penetrate the coating layer 120, that is, the groove G is a blind hole for the coating layer 120. Thus, the filler 130 is spaced apart from the base member 110 by the primer part 123 and does not contact the base member 110.

[0040] Continuing as Figure 3A shown, the filler 130 can be flush with the outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120, and the outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120 is the top surface of the protective film part 121. In this embodiment, the outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120 is a concave curved surface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120 can be a surface of any shape corresponding to the design of the keycap, for example, a flat surface or a convex curved surface, etc. That is to say, the filler 130 and the outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120 are substantially coplanar at the junction. In addition, in this embodiment, in the cross-section as Figure 3A described, the inner wall surface 121W of the protective film part 121 and the inner wall surface 122W of the topcoat part 122 are aligned or in alignment with each other.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 3B , which shows a cross-sectional side view of the character display structure 101 of another embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned key structure 10 may also include the character display structure 101.

[0042] As Figure 3BAs shown, the character display structure 101 of another embodiment of the present utility model also includes a base member 110, a coating layer 120, and a filler 130. The implementation manner or details of the character display structure 101 are substantially similar to the description of the character display structure 100. The main feature of the character display structure 101 is that its coating layer 120 does not completely cover the base member 110. Specifically, in this embodiment, the coating layer 120 is only applied to the top surface of the base member 110, so that the side surfaces 110S around the base member 110 can be exposed.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figures 5A to 5D , Figure 6 and Figure 7 , which respectively show the partial cross-sectional side views of the character display structures of other different embodiments of the present utility model. The aforementioned key structure 10 may also include the character display structures of these embodiments.

[0044] As Figure 4A shown, the character display structure 400a of another embodiment of the present utility model includes a base member 110, a coating layer 120, and a filler 430a. The coating layer 120 includes a protective film portion 121, a topcoat portion 122, and a primer portion 123. Compared with the character display structure 100 of the previous embodiment, the main feature of the character display structure 400a is that the filler 430a is not flush with the outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120. Specifically, the filler 430a protrudes from the outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120. Moreover, the overflow portion of the filler 430a protruding from the outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120 can further cover the tip defined by the inner wall surface 121W of the protective film portion 121, that is, the intersection S corresponding to the aforementioned groove G.

[0045] As Figure 4B shown, the character display structure 400b of another embodiment of the present utility model includes a base member 110, a coating layer 120, and a filler 430b. The coating layer 120 includes a protective film portion 121, a topcoat portion 122, and a primer portion 123. Compared with the character display structure 100 of the previous embodiment, the main feature of the character display structure 400b is that the filler 430b is not flush with the outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120. Specifically, the filler 430b protrudes from the outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120. And, different from the character display structure 400a of the previous embodiment, the filler 430b in this embodiment does not overflow from the outer surface 120S of the coating layer 120.

[0046] As Figure 5AAs shown, the character display structure 500a of another embodiment of the present utility model includes a base member 110, a coating layer 520a, and a filler 530a. The coating layer 520a includes a protective film portion 521a, a topcoat portion 522a, and a primer portion 123. The inner wall surface 521aW of the protective film portion 521a and the inner wall surface 522aW of the topcoat portion 522a form the aforementioned groove G. The implementation manners or details of the protective film portion 521a and the topcoat portion 522a are substantially similar to the descriptions of the protective film portion 121 and the topcoat portion 122. Compared with the character display structure 100 of the previous embodiment, the main feature of the character display structure 500a is that, in a cross-section, the inner wall surface 521aW of the protective film portion 521a and the inner wall surface 522aW of the topcoat portion 522a are not aligned with each other. Further, in this cross-section, the distance D521a between the inner wall surfaces 521aW of the protective film portion 521a is greater than the distance D522a between the inner wall surfaces 522aW of the topcoat portion 522a, so that the filler 530a has a cross-sectional shape that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom due to the structural differences of the groove G.

[0047] As Figure 5B shown, the character display structure 500b of another embodiment of the present utility model includes a base member 110, a coating layer 520b, and a filler 530b. The coating layer 520b includes a protective film portion 521b, a topcoat portion 522b, and a primer portion 123. The inner wall surface 521bW of the protective film portion 521b and the inner wall surface 522bW of the topcoat portion 522b form the aforementioned groove G. The implementation manners or details of the protective film portion 521b and the topcoat portion 522b are substantially similar to the descriptions of the protective film portion 121 and the topcoat portion 122. Compared with the character display structure 100 of the previous embodiment, the main feature of the character display structure 500b is that, in a cross-section, the inner wall surface 521bW of the protective film portion 521b and the inner wall surface 522bW of the topcoat portion 522b are aligned with each other, and the inner wall surface 521bW of the protective film portion 521b and the inner wall surface 522bW of the topcoat portion 522b together form a continuous inclined wall surface, and the distance between the inner wall surfaces 521bW of the protective film portion 521b is not equal to the distance between the inner wall surfaces 522bW of the topcoat portion 522b. Thus, the filler 530b has a trapezoidal cross-section that gradually expands from top to bottom due to the structural differences of the groove G.

[0048] As Figure 5CAs shown, the character display structure 500c of another embodiment of the present utility model includes a base member 110, a coating layer 520c, and a filler 530c. The coating layer 520c includes a protective film portion 521c, a topcoat portion 522c, and a primer portion 123. The inner wall surface 521cW of the protective film portion 521c and the inner wall surface 522cW of the topcoat portion 522c form the aforementioned groove G. The implementation manners or details of the protective film portion 521c and the topcoat portion 522c are substantially similar to the descriptions of the protective film portion 121 and the topcoat portion 122. Compared with the character display structure 100 of the aforementioned embodiment, the main feature of the character display structure 500c is that, in a cross-section, the inner wall surface 521cW of the protective film portion 521c and the inner wall surface 522cW of the topcoat portion 522c are not aligned with each other. Further, in this cross-section, the distance D521c between the inner wall surfaces 521cW of the protective film portion 521c is smaller than the distance D522c between the inner wall surfaces 522cW of the topcoat portion 522c, so that the filler 530c has a cross-sectional shape that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom in response to the structural differences of the groove G.

[0049] As Figure 5D shown, the character display structure 500d of another embodiment of the present utility model includes a base member 110, a coating layer 520d, and a filler 530d. The coating layer 520d includes a protective film portion 521d, a topcoat portion 522d, and a primer portion 123. The inner wall surface 521dW of the protective film portion 521d and the inner wall surface 522dW of the topcoat portion 522d form the aforementioned groove G. The implementation manners or details of the protective film portion 521d and the topcoat portion 522d are substantially similar to the descriptions of the protective film portion 121 and the topcoat portion 122. Compared with the character display structure 100 of the aforementioned embodiment, the main feature of the character display structure 500d is that, in a cross-section, the inner wall surface 521dW of the protective film portion 521d and the inner wall surface 522dW of the topcoat portion 522d are aligned with each other, and the inner wall surface 521dW of the protective film portion 521d and the inner wall surface 522dW of the topcoat portion 522d together form a continuous inclined wall surface, and the distance between the inner wall surfaces 521dW of the protective film portion 521d is not equal to the distance between the inner wall surfaces 522dW of the topcoat portion 522d. Thus, the filler 530d has an inverted trapezoidal cross-section that tapers from top to bottom in response to the structural differences of the groove G.

[0050] As Figure 6As shown in the figure, the character display structure 600 of another embodiment of the present utility model includes a base member 110, a coating layer 620, and a filler 130. Compared with the character display structure 100 of the foregoing embodiment, the main feature of the character display structure 600 is that the coating layer 620 includes a protective film portion 121 and a primer portion 123, while the topcoat portion is omitted. For example, in the case where the keycap does not require topcoat coloring, the characters can be separated and displayed only by using a colored ink as the filler 130. In addition, in this embodiment, the groove G corresponding to the character is formed in the protective film portion 121. In this embodiment, the coating layer 620 is not penetrated, and the filler 130 is separated by the primer portion 123 and does not contact the base member 110.

[0051] As Figure 7 shown in the figure, the character display structure 700 of another embodiment of the present utility model includes a base member 110, a coating layer 720, and a filler 130. Compared with the character display structure 100 of the foregoing embodiment, the main feature of the character display structure 700 is that the coating layer 720 only includes the protective film portion 121, while the topcoat portion and the primer portion are omitted. For example, in the case of relatively simple keycap manufacturing process requirements, after the protective film portion 121 (such as an ultraviolet curable material) is cured at high temperature, laser engraving is performed, and then a colored ink is used as the filler 130 to separate and display the characters. That is to say, in this embodiment, the groove G corresponding to the character is formed in the protective film portion 121. And, the coating layer 720 is completely penetrated, so that the filler 130 can directly contact the base member 110.

[0052] In summary, the present utility model proposes a character display structure and a key structure having the same. The character display structure fills the filler in the groove of the coating layer to prevent the characters from chipping. Therefore, different from the prior art, the present utility model fills the indentations of the ultraviolet curable layer after laser engraving to prevent the characters from chipping and increase the durability of the keycap finished product.

[0053] In conclusion, although the present utility model has been disclosed above with embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present utility model. Those skilled in the art of the present utility model can make various adjustments and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A character display structure, characterized in that, The character display structure includes: A base member; A coating layer covering a top surface of the base member and having a groove corresponding to a character; and A filler disposed in the groove.

2. The character display structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filler is flush with or protrudes from an outer surface of the coating layer.

3. The character display structure according to claim 2, wherein The filler covers a part of the outer surface of the coating layer at an upper edge corresponding to the groove.

4. The character display structure according to claim 2, wherein The filler protrudes from and does not overflow from the outer surface of the coating layer.

5. The character display structure according to claim 1, wherein, The filler does not contact the base member.

6. The character display structure according to claim 1, wherein, The filler directly contacts the base member.

7. The character display structure according to claim 1, wherein The groove does not penetrate through the coating layer.

8. The character display structure according to claim 1, wherein The groove completely penetrates through the coating layer.

9. The character display structure according to claim 1, wherein, The filler is a transparent or light-transmitting ink material.

10. The character display structure according to claim 1, wherein, The coating layer includes: A protective film portion disposed on the base member and covering the base member, wherein the groove is formed in the protective film portion.

11. The character display structure according to claim 1, wherein, The coating layer includes: A primer portion disposed on the base member; and A protective film portion disposed on the primer portion and covering the primer portion, wherein the groove is formed in the protective film portion.

12. The character display structure according to claim 1, wherein The coating layer includes: A primer portion disposed on the base member; A topcoat portion disposed on the primer portion and covering the primer portion; and A protective film portion disposed on the topcoat portion and covering the topcoat portion, wherein the groove is formed in the protective film portion and the topcoat portion.

13. The character display structure according to claim 12, wherein The color of the primer portion is different from the color of the topcoat portion.

14. The character display structure according to claim 12, wherein, An inner wall surface of the protective film portion and an inner wall surface of the topcoat portion constitute the groove, and in a cross-section, the inner wall surface of the protective film portion and the inner wall surface of the topcoat portion are aligned with each other.

15. The character display structure according to claim 14, wherein In the cross-section, the inner wall surface of the protective film portion and the inner wall surface of the topcoat portion together form a continuous inclined wall surface, and a distance between inner wall surfaces of the protective film portion is not equal to a distance between inner wall surfaces of the topcoat portion.

16. The character display structure according to claim 12, wherein An inner wall surface of the protective film portion and an inner wall surface of the topcoat portion constitute the groove, and in a cross-section, the inner wall surface of the protective film portion and the inner wall surface of the topcoat portion are not aligned with each other.

17. The character display structure according to claim 16, wherein In the cross-section, a distance between inner wall surfaces of the protective film portion is greater than a distance between inner wall surfaces of the topcoat portion.

18. The character display structure according to claim 16, characterized in that, In the cross-section, a distance between inner wall surfaces of the protective film portion is less than a distance between inner wall surfaces of the topcoat portion.

19. The character display structure according to claim 1, wherein, The coating layer does not completely cover the base member, so that side surfaces around the base member can be exposed.

20. A key structure, characterized in that, The key structure includes: A bottom plate; A circuit board disposed on the bottom plate; A trigger member disposed on the circuit board; and The character display structure according to any one of claims 1 to 19, disposed on the trigger member.

21. The key structure according to claim 20, characterized in that, Further includes a light source module disposed under the character display structure, wherein at least a part of light emitted by the light source module passes through the filler of the character display structure.

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