Keyboard capable of generating electricity
By using piezoelectric materials and boost rectifier circuits in the keyboard membrane structure, the kinetic energy of keystrokes is converted into electrical energy, solving the power supply problem of thin and light laptop keyboards and improving battery life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
AI Technical Summary
In the existing technology, the keyboards of thin and light laptops are difficult to effectively utilize the kinetic energy of keystrokes for power generation, and the existing designs are relatively bulky.
Using piezoelectric material as the first substrate of the keyboard membrane structure, the piezoelectric effect generates charge, which is collected by energy storage capacitor and converted into DC voltage by boost rectifier circuit, without increasing the thickness and weight of the keyboard.
It achieves the conversion of typing kinetic energy into electrical energy without increasing the thickness and weight of the keyboard, thereby improving the battery life of laptops.
Smart Images
Figure CN223977844U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of keyboard technology, and more particularly to a power-generating keyboard. Background Technology
[0002] The rapid development of digitalization has made laptops an indispensable tool in people's lives, making battery life and energy sustainability key concerns. Users engage in extensive keystrokes while using laptops, and the kinetic energy generated during this process is not effectively utilized. Current technologies incorporate electromagnetic coils, rods, or actuators into the keyboard, utilizing the principle of cutting magnetic lines of field to convert the kinetic energy of keystrokes into electrical energy to power the laptop. However, keyboards designed using this method are relatively thick and heavy, making them unsuitable for thin and light laptops. Utility Model Content
[0003] This disclosure provides a power-generating keyboard to at least solve the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art.
[0004] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a power-generating keyboard is provided, the keyboard comprising: keycaps, a rubber dome, scissor-switch feet, a thin-film structure, a backplate, and a backlight module connected in sequence; the thin-film structure comprises a first substrate, an insulating layer, and a second substrate connected in sequence from top to bottom, the first substrate being a piezoelectric material, the second substrate being a resin material, and silver paste lines being disposed inside the first substrate and the second substrate; when a keycap is pressed, the rubber dome is subjected to force to compress the first substrate of the thin-film structure, and the first substrate deforms to generate an electric charge.
[0005] In one embodiment, the pressure material is polyvinylidene fluoride, and the resin material is polyethylene terephthalate.
[0006] In one embodiment, the keyboard is provided with an energy storage capacitor, which is used to collect the charge generated by the first substrate under pressure.
[0007] In one embodiment, the thin film structure further includes a boost circuit for boosting the charge generated on the first substrate.
[0008] In one embodiment, the boost circuit is a boost rectifier circuit used to convert the AC voltage generated by the first substrate into a DC voltage.
[0009] In one embodiment, the boost rectifier circuit includes a first diode, a second diode, a third diode, and a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a third capacitor. The anode of the first diode is connected to a first interface of the voltage input terminal and the negative plate of the second capacitor. The cathode of the first diode is connected to the positive plate of the first capacitor, the anode of the second diode, and the negative plate of the third capacitor. The positive terminal of the first capacitor is connected to the anode of the second diode and the negative plate of the third capacitor. The negative plate of the first capacitor is connected to a second interface of the voltage input terminal. The anode of the second diode is connected to the negative plate of the third capacitor. The cathode of the second diode is connected to the positive plate of the second capacitor and the anode of the third diode. The negative plate of the second capacitor is connected to the first interface of the voltage input terminal. The positive plate of the second capacitor is connected to the anode of the third diode. The cathode of the third diode is connected to the positive plate of the third capacitor.
[0010] In one embodiment, the energy storage capacitor is connected to an embedded controller, which monitors the amount of electricity in the energy storage capacitor.
[0011] In one embodiment, the energy storage capacitor is connected to a discharge control circuit, the discharge control circuit is connected to a battery, and the embedded controller controls the switching of the discharge control circuit to charge the battery using the energy storage capacitor.
[0012] In one embodiment, the embedded controller controls the switch of the discharge control circuit to turn on when it detects that the charge of the energy storage capacitor meets the charge threshold.
[0013] In one embodiment, the discharge control circuit includes an optocoupler and a PMOS transistor. The input terminal of the discharge control circuit is connected to the positive plate of the energy storage capacitor and the drain of the PMOS transistor. The output terminal of the discharge control circuit is connected to the source of the PMOS transistor. The embedded controller is connected to the light-emitting device terminal of the optocoupler, and the gate of the PMOS transistor is connected to the light-receiving device terminal of the optocoupler.
[0014] This disclosure discloses a power-generating keyboard, comprising: keycaps, a rubber dome, scissor-switch feet, a membrane structure, a backplate, and a backlight module connected in sequence. The membrane structure includes a first substrate, an insulating layer, and a second substrate connected in sequence from top to bottom. The first substrate is a piezoelectric material, and the second substrate is a resin material. Silver paste lines are disposed inside the first and second substrates. When a keycap is pressed, the rubber dome is compressed by force against the first substrate of the membrane structure, causing deformation and generating an electric charge. In this power-generating keyboard, the membrane structure uses a piezoelectric material as the first substrate, utilizing the piezoelectric effect to generate an electric charge. The charge can be collected and utilized through an energy storage capacitor, eliminating the need for additional structures in the keyboard and reducing its thickness and weight. Simultaneously, it achieves the effect of converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, thereby improving the battery life of laptops.
[0015] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description
[0016] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which:
[0017] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.
[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the composition structure of a power-generating keyboard according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;
[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the composition of the thin film structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;
[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the boost rectifier circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;
[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the discharge control circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.
[0022] Explanation of the labels in the diagram:
[0023] 11. Keycap; 12. Rubber dome; 13. Scissor feet; 14. Thin film structure; 15. Backplate; 16. Backlight module; 141. First substrate; 142. Isolation layer; 143. Second substrate; 144. Silver paste line. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.
[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the composition structure of a power-generating keyboard according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the power-generating keyboard includes keycaps 11, rubber domes 12, scissor-switch feet 13, a membrane structure 14, a backplate 15, and a backlight module 16, connected sequentially from top to bottom. When the user types on the keyboard, the keycaps 11 are pressed, and the rubber domes 12 are compressed against the membrane structure 14.
[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the composition of a thin film structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The thin film structure 14 includes a first substrate 141, an insulating layer 142, and a second substrate 143 connected sequentially from top to bottom. The first substrate 141 is a piezoelectric material, and the second substrate 143 is a resin material. Silver paste lines 144 are disposed inside both the first substrate 141 and the second substrate 143. The silver paste lines 144 ensure that every keystroke on the keyboard accurately transmits signals. When a key is pressed, the silver paste lines 144 quickly conduct current, transmitting the command to the computer system, thus achieving effective communication between the keyboard and the computer. When a user presses the power-generating keyboard, the keycaps 11 of the power-generating keyboard are pressed, and the rubber dome 12 is compressed by pressure against the first substrate 141 of the thin film structure 14, causing deformation of the first substrate 141. Since the first substrate 141 is a piezoelectric material, it generates an electric charge when deformed under force. Using resin material as the second substrate 143 provides high strength and toughness, allowing the keyboard to withstand greater external forces and impacts without easily deforming or being damaged.
[0027] The power-generating keyboard of this invention uses piezoelectric material as the first substrate in its thin-film structure. It generates electric charge by utilizing the piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric material. It does not require adding any extra structure to the keyboard, and does not increase the thickness or weight of the keyboard. At the same time, it achieves the effect of converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, which can improve the battery life of laptops.
[0028] In one embodiment, the piezoelectric material is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a positive piezoelectric material. Specifically, the first substrate 141 of the thin film structure 14 uses PVDF. When subjected to external pressure, the internal crystal structure of PVDF undergoes slight distortion, causing a relative shift in the centers of positive and negative charges, thereby generating equal and opposite surface charges on the material surface. The resin material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), meaning the second substrate 143 of the thin film structure 14 uses PET. PET has good heat resistance and mechanical strength, effectively supporting the keyboard structure and maintaining the stability and durability of the keys.
[0029] In one embodiment, an energy storage capacitor is provided in the power-generating keyboard. When the user presses the power-generating keyboard, the piezoelectric material in the thin film structure 14 is subjected to pressure to generate an alternating voltage. The generated alternating voltage can be stored and collected through the energy storage capacitor.
[0030] In one embodiment, since the AC voltage generated by the piezoelectric material under pressure is relatively small, a boost circuit can be provided in the thin film structure 14 of the power-generating keyboard to boost the generated AC voltage.
[0031] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the boost circuit is configured as a boost rectifier circuit, which can both boost the AC voltage generated by the first substrate 141 and convert the AC voltage generated by the first substrate 141 into DC voltage. DC voltage is more stable, and converting AC voltage into DC voltage can power electronic devices and reduce electromagnetic interference.
[0032] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the boost rectifier circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.
[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, the boost rectifier circuit of this application includes a first diode D1, a second diode D2, a third diode D3, a first capacitor C1, a second capacitor C2, and a third capacitor C3. The anode of the first diode D1 is connected to the first interface U1 of the voltage input terminal and the negative plate of the second capacitor C2, respectively. The cathode of the first diode D1 is connected to the positive plate of the first capacitor C1, the anode of the second diode D2, and the negative plate of the third capacitor C3, respectively.
[0034] The positive plate of the first capacitor C1 is connected to the anode of the second diode D2 and the negative plate of the third capacitor C3, respectively. The negative plate of the first capacitor C1 is connected to the second interface U2 of the voltage input terminal.
[0035] The anode of the second diode D2 is connected to the negative plate of the third capacitor C3, and the cathode of the second diode D2 is connected to the positive plate of the second capacitor C2 and the anode of the third diode D3.
[0036] The negative plate of the second capacitor C2 is connected to the first interface U1 of the voltage input port, and the positive plate of the second capacitor C2 is connected to the anode of the third diode D3.
[0037] The cathode of the third diode D3 is connected to the positive plate of the third capacitor C3.
[0038] When the generated AC voltage is in the first positive half-cycle, the first interface U1 of the voltage input terminal is positive and the second interface U2 of the voltage input terminal is negative. At this time, the first diode D1 is in the conducting state, and the second diode D2 and the third diode D3 are in the cut-off state. The voltage input terminal of the boost rectified current charges the first capacitor C1 through the first diode D1, which can charge the voltage on the first capacitor C1 to close to the peak value of the input voltage and keep it basically unchanged.
[0039] When the generated AC voltage is in the first negative half-cycle, the first interface U2 of the voltage input terminal is negative and the second interface U2 of the voltage input terminal is positive. At this time, the second diode D2 is in the conducting state, while the first diode D1 and the third diode D3 are in the cut-off state. The voltage on the first capacitor C1 is connected in series with the voltage at the voltage input terminal, and the second diode D2 charges the second capacitor C2, making the voltage across the second capacitor C2 close to twice the peak value of the input voltage.
[0040] When the generated AC voltage is in the second positive half-cycle, the first interface U1 of the voltage input terminal is positive and the second interface of the voltage input terminal is negative. At this time, the third diode D3 is in the conducting state, while the first diode D1 and the second diode D2 are in the cut-off state. The first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 are connected in series with the voltage of the voltage input terminal. The third diode D3 charges the third capacitor C3, making the voltage across the third capacitor C3 close to three times the peak value of the input voltage.
[0041] The boost rectifier circuit in this embodiment is a triple boost rectifier circuit, which converts the AC voltage generated by the piezoelectric material under pressure into DC voltage and amplifies the DC voltage to three times the output. The fourth capacitor C4 in this boost rectifier circuit is the energy storage capacitor.
[0042] It is understood that this application does not control the boost factor, and the DC voltage can be increased to any factor according to the actual situation.
[0043] In one embodiment, the energy storage capacitor is used to collect the charge generated by the first substrate 141. The energy storage capacitor can be connected to an embedded controller EC, which can monitor the charge in the energy storage capacitor.
[0044] In one embodiment, the energy storage capacitor, after collecting charge, can be used as a power source to supply power to a battery or load. Therefore, the energy storage capacitor can be connected to a discharge control circuit, and the embedded controller controls the power supply from the energy storage capacitor to the battery or load by controlling the conduction and cutoff of the discharge control circuit. In this application, the discharge control circuit can be connected to the battery, and the embedded controller controls the conduction of the discharge control circuit, so that the energy storage capacitor can supply power to the battery, thereby extending the battery's usage time.
[0045] In addition, the discharge control circuit can also be connected to loads such as keyboard backlights and indicator lights. The embedded controller controls the conduction of the discharge control circuit, and the energy storage capacitor can then supply power to the load.
[0046] In one embodiment, the embedded controller EC monitors the charge level in the energy storage capacitor. When the detected charge level is greater than a first charge threshold, indicating sufficient charge, the EC controls the discharge control circuit to close, activating the discharge control circuit and allowing the energy storage capacitor to supply power to the battery or load. Conversely, when the EC detects that the charge level is less than a second charge threshold, indicating insufficient charge, the EC can control the discharge control circuit to open, activating the discharge control circuit and stopping the energy storage capacitor from supplying power to the battery or load. Here, the second charge threshold is less than the first charge threshold.
[0047] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the discharge control circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.
[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the discharge control circuit includes an optocoupler U3 and a PMOS transistor Q1. The input terminal Vin of the discharge control circuit is connected to both the positive plate of the energy storage capacitor and the drain D of the PMOS transistor Q1. The output terminal Vout of the discharge control circuit is connected to the source S of the PMOS transistor Q1. The embedded controller EC is connected to the light-emitting device terminal of the optocoupler U3, and the gate G of the PMOS transistor Q1 is connected to the light-receiving device terminal of the optocoupler U3. When EC detects that the charge of the energy storage capacitor meets the first charge threshold, EC pulls its GPIO high, putting the optocoupler U3 in a conducting state. Since the light-receiving device terminal of the optocoupler U3 is connected to the gate G of the PMOS transistor Q1, after the optocoupler U3 is in a conducting state, the gate G of the PMOS transistor Q1 is pulled low, resulting in low-level conduction. The input terminal Vin and the output terminal Vout of the discharge control circuit are connected, and the output terminal Vout of the discharge control circuit is connected to the battery, allowing the energy storage capacitor to charge the battery.
[0049] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to rearrange, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution disclosed in this disclosure can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.
[0050] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0051] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A power-generating keyboard, characterized by, The keyboard comprises: a key cap, a rubber dome, a scissors leg, a membrane structure, a back plate and a backlight module connected in sequence; The membrane structure comprises a first substrate, an isolation layer and a second substrate connected in sequence from top to bottom, the first substrate is a piezoelectric material, the second substrate is a resin material, and the first substrate and the second substrate are internally provided with silver paste lines; When the key cap is pressed, the rubber dome is forced to press the first substrate of the membrane structure, and the first substrate is deformed to generate electric charges.
2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, The piezoelectric material is polyvinylidene fluoride, and the resin material is polyethylene terephthalate.
3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, An energy storage capacitor is arranged in the keyboard, and the energy storage capacitor is used to collect electric charges generated by the first substrate under pressure.
4. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, The membrane structure further comprises a voltage boosting circuit, and the voltage boosting circuit is used to boost the electric charges generated by the first substrate.
5. The keyboard of claim 4, wherein, The voltage boosting circuit is a voltage boosting rectifier circuit, which is used to convert alternating voltage generated by the first substrate into direct current voltage.
6. The keyboard of claim 5, wherein, The voltage boosting rectifier circuit comprises a first diode, a second diode, a third diode, a first capacitor, a second capacitor and a third capacitor; The anode of the first diode is connected with a first interface of a voltage input end and a negative plate of the second capacitor, the cathode of the first diode is connected with a positive plate of the first capacitor, an anode of the second diode and a negative plate of the third capacitor, the positive plate of the first capacitor is connected with the anode of the second diode and the negative plate of the third capacitor, and the negative plate of the first capacitor is connected with a second interface of the voltage input end; The anode of the second diode is connected with the negative plate of the third capacitor, the cathode of the second diode is connected with a positive plate of the second capacitor and an anode of the third diode, the negative plate of the second capacitor is connected with the first interface of the voltage input port, and the positive plate of the second capacitor is connected with the anode of the third diode; The cathode of the third diode is connected with a positive plate of the third capacitor.
7. The keyboard of claim 3, wherein, The energy storage capacitor is connected with an embedded controller, and the embedded controller is used to monitor the electric quantity in the energy storage capacitor.
8. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein, The energy storage capacitor is connected with a discharge control circuit, the discharge control circuit is connected with a battery, and the embedded controller controls the switch of the discharge control circuit to enable the energy storage capacitor to charge the battery.
9. The keyboard of claim 8, wherein, When the embedded controller monitors that the electric quantity of the energy storage capacitor meets an electric quantity threshold, the switch of the discharge control circuit is controlled to be turned on.
10. The keyboard of claim 9, wherein, The discharge control circuit comprises an optical coupler and a PMOS transistor, an input end of the discharge control circuit is connected with a positive plate of the energy storage capacitor and a drain of the PMOS transistor, an output end of the discharge control circuit is connected with a source of the PMOS transistor, the embedded controller is connected with a light emitting device end of the optical coupler, and a gate of the PMOS transistor is connected with a light receiving device end of the optical coupler.