Keyboard film and keyboard

Abstract

To provide a keyboard film and a keyboard.SOLUTION: A keyboard film is a sheet-like molded product formed by thermoforming using a thermoplastic / wear-resistant forming film, and includes a plurality of recesses and projections having pressing portions which protrude upward. The pressing portion includes a top wall and a peripheral wall extending downward from the circumference of the top wall. The keyboard film is provided in a key module equipped with keys. The pressing portions are connected to the keys of the key module. A circumferential portion extending outward from the pressing portion is provided around the keyboard film. The circumferential portion covers the key module and forms a water-proof and dust-proof keyboard.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet-shaped molded product, and particularly to a key film, a keyboard film, and a keyboard including the key film and the keyboard film.

Background Art

[0002] Various electronic products or machines such as remote controls, keyboards, or mechanical equipment are provided with a large number of buttons for transmitting signals. The buttons of remote controls and mechanical equipment are not designed for waterproof and dustproof, the surface of the buttons does not have wear resistance, and the touch feeling is also poor.

[0003] The keyboard of a notebook computer is provided with a flexible protective film for protecting the keys, and the user presses the keys through the protective film. The early protective films were flat and had a poor feel when pressing the keys.

[0004] Conventional thin films provided on notebook computers are formed into an uneven structure corresponding to the keys, and the feeling of use is superior to that of a flat protective film. However, this type of thin film is made of silicon-based materials and has a thickness of, for example, 0.5 mm or more, so it has poor wear resistance, poor shape stability, is easily deformed, the surface is easily worn, is easily soiled, has stickiness, and has a poor use effect. Since characters and symbols are printed on the surface of the thin film, it is not environmentally friendly.

[0005] Conventional thin films have the following problems.

[0006] Conventional protective films or thin films only cover the keys and cannot impart waterproof and dustproof functions to the keyboards of electronic products.

[0007] Conventional thin films are thick and have poor ductility, and the forming effect is also poor. The corners or bends of the uneven parts of the thin film cannot be well formed, and defects such as breakage and poor forming are likely to occur.

[0008] Since the film is thick and the adjacent concave and convex parts pull on each other, the user has to strike the keys forcefully, resulting in a poor key-pressing feel for the keyboard. Because the film is thick, the key stroke is shallow and a reliable key-pressing feel cannot be obtained. After using the keyboard for a certain period, the problem that the keyboard cannot be pressed easily occurs, and the keys cannot be pushed in well.

[0009] The surface layer of the conventional film has no abrasion resistance, which affects the use effect. The surface of the keyboard film is unstable and prone to dirt and stickiness. For example, the adhesive layer undergoes physical property changes due to oxidative decomposition, resulting in a reduced touch feeling of the keyboard film.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard film and a keyboard that have waterproof and dustproof effects for a keyboard using the keyboard film.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof keyboard film with a concave and convex structure that is thin, soft, abrasion-resistant, has good physical properties, excellent ductility and elasticity, and is easy to be formed by a mold.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The keyboard film provided by the present invention is a sheet-shaped molded product thermoformed by a thermoplastic and abrasion-resistant molding film, and includes a plurality of concave and convex parts. The concave and convex parts are provided with pressing parts protruding upward, and each pressing part has a top wall and a peripheral wall extending downward from the periphery of the top wall. The keyboard film is used to be provided on a key module provided with keys, and each pressing part is used to be connected to the keys of the key module. The periphery of the keyboard film further has a peripheral part extending outward from the pressing part, and the peripheral part is used to cover the key module.

[0013] The keyboard provided by the present invention includes a key module and the above-mentioned keyboard film. The key module includes a plurality of keys. The keyboard film is provided on the top surface of the key module. Each pressing part is connected to the key cap of the key on the key module. The peripheral edge of the keyboard film covers the periphery of the key module. The peripheral edge covers at least the periphery of the key module, which includes that the peripheral edge covers the top surface of the key module, or the peripheral edge covers the top surface and the outer peripheral surface of the key module, or the peripheral edge covers the top surface, the outer peripheral surface and the bottom surface of the key module. The inner surface of each pressing part and the key cap of each key are adhered with an adhesive.

[0014] Thereby, the key module is covered with the keyboard film, and the keyboard film and the entire key module form a waterproof and dustproof keyboard, so that the key module of an electronic product or mechanical equipment can be waterproof and dustproof. Even when the keyboard or the electronic product is put into water, the keyboard can also be waterproof and dustproof, preventing dirt and moisture from entering the keyboard.

[0015] Preferably, the keyboard film includes a wear-resistant polyurethane (PU) layer and a thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) layer which has ductility and elasticity and is provided on the surface of the wear-resistant PU layer. The wear-resistant PU layer is the surface layer of the molded product, and the thermoplastic PU layer is the inner layer of the molded product. Therefore, the keyboard film is thin, soft, and has good elasticity, ductility and wear resistance.

[0016] Preferably, the wear-resistant polyurethane layer is polycarbonate polyurethane, or polyurethane added with a cross-linking agent to enhance wear resistance, or polyurethane added with a wear-resistant additive. The cross-linking agent is, for example, a curing agent, and the wear-resistant additive is, for example, a slip agent, which can reduce the surface friction coefficient of the wear-resistant polyurethane layer and enhance wear resistance.

[0017] Preferably, the keyboard film further includes one or more characters and symbols provided on the top wall of each of the pressing portions, the characters and symbols are formed by removing the material of the wear-resistant PU layer, and a hollow portion is formed on the top wall.

[0018] Preferably, the thermoplastic PU layer is made in a colored form and is exposed in the hollow portion.

[0019] Preferably, an intermediate PU layer can be further provided between the wear-resistant PU layer and the thermoplastic PU layer, and the depth of the hollow portion reaches the wear-resistant PU layer or the intermediate PU layer.

[0020] Preferably, the intermediate PU layer is transparent, translucent or opaque, and the intermediate PU layer can be a polycarbonate polyurethane or a thermoplastic PU layer.

[0021] Preferably, the intermediate PU layer has light transmissibility, the key module is provided with a backlight module, the light of the backlight module can pass through the intermediate PU layer and be emitted from the hollow portion.

[0022] Preferably, the uneven portion includes the formation of a touch area as a touch panel of an electronic device or mechanical equipment.

[0023] Preferably, when the thermoplastic PU layer is stretched by 20% or less of the elongation amount, the elastic recovery rate does not fall below 98% after being repeatedly stretched 300,000 times.

[0024] The thickness of the keyboard film is 0.1 mm or less, preferably, the thickness is in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm, or 0.03 mm to 0.1 mm.

[0025] The object, features and effects of the present invention can be understood from the description of the following plurality of preferred embodiments and the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figures 3 - 6

Figure 3A

Figure 4A

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] The present invention provides a keyboard film 30 and a keyboard 50 including the keyboard film 30, and the keyboard 50 can be made waterproof. FIGS. 3 to 6 show some preferred embodiments of the keyboard film 30 (30a to 30d) of the present invention. The keyboard film 30 is made of the thermoplastic and wear-resistant forming film 10 of FIG. 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as "forming film").

[0028] The formed film 10 includes a wear-resistant polyurethane layer (also referred to as a "wear-resistant PU layer") 20 and a thermoplastic polyurethane (polyurethane elastomer) layer (also referred to as a "thermoplastic PU layer") 22, and the two PU layers 20 and 22 are bonded to each other. The formed film 10 can be formed into a sheet-shaped molded product having an uneven structure, and can be used as a keyboard film 30 for various products or mechanical equipment such as computers, laptops, notebooks, wired or wireless keyboards, remote controls, and automation equipment, and becomes a molded product for use in touch presses.

[0029] The material of the wear-resistant PU layer 20 can be a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer formed by polymerizing a polycarbonate compound such as polycarbonate polyurethane or polycarbonate diol (PDL), has extremely good physical and mechanical properties, is excellent in hydrolysis resistance, heat resistance, wear resistance, oxidation decomposition resistance and weather resistance, and can withstand temperatures from -40°C to 80°C.

[0030] The wear-resistant PU layer 20 may be a polyurethane to which a cross-linking agent is added to enhance wear resistance. The cross-linking agent, such as a curing agent, can enhance the curability of the wear-resistant PU layer 20 and improve its wear resistance effect.

[0031] The wear-resistant PU layer 20 may be a polyurethane to which a wear-resistant additive is added. The wear-resistant additive, such as a slip agent, can impart lubricity to the wear-resistant PU layer 20, reduce the friction coefficient of the surface of the PU layer 20, and reduce the wear situation, thereby improving wear resistance.

[0032] The thermoplastic PU layer 22 is a polymer elastomer and is a polyester-based (Ester), polyether-based (Ether), or polycarbonate-based thermoplastic polyurethane with excellent ductility and elasticity. Preferably, the ductility of the thermoplastic PU layer 22 in this embodiment has an elastic recovery rate of 98% or more even after being repeatedly stretched 300,000 times when stretched by 20% or less of the elongation amount. Preferably, its recovery rate after elongation is 99% or more, and the recoverability after elongation is also good. The thermoplastic PU layer 22 is softer than the wear-resistant PU layer 20 and has ductility and elasticity, so it is suitable for molding processing.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, the wear-resistant PU layer 20 and the thermoplastic PU layer 22 are formed by coating a liquid PU material on the release surface of the release layer 24 and drying. The release layer 24 can be release paper or a release film. The wear-resistant PU layer 20 is provided on the release surface of the release layer 24, and the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is provided on one surface of the wear-resistant PU layer 20. The formed film 10 manufactured by the applicant's coating method prevents the occurrence of problems such as fish eyes (crystals that are not completely kneaded with PU particles during the extrusion or injection process of the PU film, generally known as crystal points) and bubbles caused by the coating method in the formed film, and accurately manufactures the formed film 10 with a thin thickness, a small tolerance, and a uniform texture. Its thickness T can be less than 0.1 mm, in the range of 0.03 mm to 0.1 mm. Preferably, the thickness of the formed film 10 is 0.03 to 0.07 mm, and preferably the thickness T is in the range of 0.05 to 0.06 mm, and its hardness is Rockwell hardness 85D or less, with flexibility. The formed film 10 is thin and soft, easy to mold, and has good elasticity, ductility, and wear resistance. In this embodiment, the thickness of the wear-resistant PU layer 20 is 0.04 or 0.05 mm, and the thickness of the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is 0.02 or 0.03 mm. The release surface of the release layer 24 can be patterned or matte, so that the outer surface of the wear-resistant PU layer 20 can be patterned or matte.

[0034] When attempting to thermoform the formed film 10, it can be formed in a state where the release layer 24 is not peeled off or in a state where the release layer is peeled off. When forming in a state where the release layer 24 is not peeled off, the release layer 24 is peeled off after the forming process of the formed film 10 is completed.

[0035] Through the formability of the thermoplastic PU layer 22, the formed film 10 can be formed into sheet-shaped formed products of various shapes with a mold, and can be used as a touch formed product for a user to press and touch, for example, a touch outer layer of various electronic devices. For example, it can be a keyboard film for a remote control, a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a monitor, etc., but is not limited thereto. The four forms of keyboard films 30 (30a to 30d) shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 can be used in electronic devices or machines equipped with physical keys, for example, can be used for keys of a notebook computer, a keyboard, a remote control, and an operation panel of a machine.

[0036] The formed film 10 is thermoformed into keyboard films 30 of various sizes and dimensions at a temperature of 100 to 250°C in a mold, for example, formed by suction force in the mold. Each keyboard film can be formed into a plurality of concave and convex portions as needed as shown in FIGS. 3 to 8. The concave and convex portions correspond to a plurality of keys 42 of the key module 40 and include a plurality of pressing portions 32 protruding upward. Each key 42 includes a key cap 44 and a key foot 45. Referring to FIG. 4, the concave and convex portions also include a concave touch area 33 with a relatively large area corresponding to the touch panel of an electronic device or a notebook computer. The thickness of the formed film 10 is sufficiently thin to be able to produce the keyboard film 30 in the touch area 33.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, a peripheral portion 31 extending outward from the pressing portion 32 is further provided at the front, rear, left, and right peripheral edges of the keyboard film 30 of the present invention. The peripheral portion 31 can cover other parts of the key module 40 other than the key 42. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, by covering the periphery of the key module 40 with the peripheral portion 31 of the keyboard film 30, both the key 42 and the parts other than the key 42 can be waterproof and dustproof. The key module 40 includes a casing 41 and a key cap 44 of the key 42 for pressing, which is exposed on the top surface 411 of the casing 41. The key 42 is exposed from the key hole 414 of the casing 41 as shown in FIG. 8. The casing 41 has a bottom surface 412 and an outer peripheral surface 413 located on the top surface 411 and the bottom surface 412. The peripheral portion 31 of the keyboard film 30 covers the top surface 411 of the casing 41 of the key module as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, or the peripheral portion 31 covers the top surface 411 and the outer peripheral surface 413 of the key module 40, or the peripheral portion 31 of the keyboard film 30 covers the top surface 411, the outer peripheral surface 413, and the bottom surface 412 of the casing 41. The peripheral portion 31 can cover all or part of the bottom surface 412 of the casing 41 as required.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 8, the inner surface 301 of the keyboard film 30 excluding the pressing portion 32 and the surface of the casing 41 of the key module 40 are adhered with an adhesive (such as a hot melt adhesive) 47. Except for the key hole 414, all the inner surfaces of the keyboard film 30 and all the surfaces of the casing 41 are evenly adhered with the adhesive 47. For example, when the peripheral portion 31 of the keyboard film 30 covers the top surface 411, the outer peripheral surface 413, and the bottom surface 412 of the casing 41, the entire keyboard film 30 (including the peripheral portion 31) is adhered to the top surface 411, the outer peripheral surface 413, and the bottom surface 412 with the adhesive 41. After the keyboard film 30 is adhered to the casing 41, it cannot be peeled off, completely blocks foreign objects, and prevents foreign objects from entering the key 42. Therefore, it has excellent waterproof performance.

[0039] After the keyboard film 30 covers the key module 40, it is formed into a waterproof and dustproof keyboard 50 (50a, 50b) as a whole. The wear-resistant PU layer 20 is the surface layer of the keyboard film 30, and the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is the inner layer of the keyboard film, and contacts the wear-resistant PU layer 20 when the user presses the key 42.

[0040] Each pressing part 32 has a top wall 34 presenting a rectangular or other geometric shape, and a peripheral wall 35 extending downward from the periphery of the top wall 34. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, one or more characters / symbols 36 are laser engraved on the top wall 34 of each pressing part 32, and different characters / symbols 36 are laser engraved on different pressing parts 32. The laser engraved characters / symbols 36 remove the material of the wear-resistant PU layer 20, and the engraving depth reaches the thermoplastic PU layer 22. Therefore, the characters / symbols 36 form a hollow part 38 penetrating the wear-resistant PU layer 20 on the top wall 34 as shown in FIG. 8, and the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is exposed in the hollow part 38.

[0041] The wear-resistant PU layer 20 and the thermoplastic PU layer 22 have different colors. For example, the wear-resistant PU layer 20 is dark in color and the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is light in color, and vice versa. Therefore, the color of the characters / symbols 36 is the color of the thermoplastic PU layer 22 and can be clearly displayed on the pressing part 32. The thermoplastic PU layer 22 can be a colored layer, and various colors can be produced by mixing with a colorant or pigment to become the color of the characters / symbols 36.

[0042] After laser engraving, the keyboard film 30 is attached to the key module 40 of an electronic device or mechanical equipment. As shown in FIG. 8, the peripheral edge 31 of the keyboard film 30 covers the key module 40, each pressing part 32 corresponds to one key 42, and the inner surface of each pressing part 32 is adhered to the key cap 44 of the key 42 with an adhesive 46, such as a hot melt adhesive. For example, a hot melt adhesive is applied to the top surface of the key cap 44, and the inner surface 342 of the top wall 34 of the pressing part 32 and the top surface of the key cap 44 are adhered through the adhesive 46, and each key 42 can be pressed from each pressing part 32. The wear-resistant PU layer is the surface layer of the keyboard film, which gives the surface of the keyboard film wear resistance, no fingerprints, difficult to get dirty, and no stickiness. Preferably, the pressing part 32 is adhered to the top surface of the key cap 44 only by the inner surface 342 of the top wall 34, and the peripheral wall 35 of the pressing part 32 is not adhered to the key cap, so that the physical properties of the peripheral wall 35 are not affected by the hot melt adhesive. Since the key module 40 is not the main subject of the present invention, its detailed description is omitted here.

[0043] In addition to being made in different colors, the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is made transparent or translucent to have light transmissibility, so that the key module 40 can utilize backlight technology to transmit LED light from the hollow part 38, and the characters and symbols 36 can emit light.

[0044] The thermoplastic and wear-resistant forming film 10' in FIG. 9 can be thermoformed in a mold to produce the keyboard film 30 (30e) in FIG. 10. The forming film 10' includes a wear-resistant PU layer 20 and a thermoplastic PU layer 22, and further includes an intermediate polyurethane layer (also called an intermediate PU layer) 21. The wear-resistant PU layer 20 and the thermoplastic PU layer 22 are the same as those in the first preferred embodiment, and can be understood from the embodiment, and the same components are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0045] The intermediate PU layer 21 in this embodiment is also made of polycarbonate PU or the same material as the wear-resistant PU layer 20, but is not limited thereto, and other types of thermoplastic PU can also be used.

[0046] The wear-resistant PU layer 20, the intermediate PU layer 21, and the thermoplastic PU layer 22 are sequentially coated on the release layer 24 with a liquid PU material and formed through drying. The wear-resistant PU layer 20 is provided on the release surface of the release layer 24. The intermediate PU layer 21 is provided on one surface of the wear-resistant PU layer 20. The thermoplastic PU layer 22 is provided on one surface of the intermediate PU layer 21. The applicant can accurately produce a uniform molding film 10' with a thin thickness, a small tolerance, and no fish eyes (crystal points) and bubbles inside by the coating method. The thickness T of the molding film 10' is in the range of 0.04 to 0.1 mm, preferably 0.04 to 0.09 mm. The thickness T formed by the three-layer PU layers 20, 21, and 22 in this embodiment is preferably 0.04 to 0.08 mm or less, and preferably the thickness T is in the range of 0.05 to 0.07 mm. The hardness of the molding film 10' is Rockwell hardness 85D or less. The molding film 10' is light, thin, soft, and has good elasticity, ductility, and wear resistance. In this embodiment, the thickness of the wear-resistant PU layer 20 is 0.03 mm, the thickness of the intermediate PU layer 21 is 0.02 mm, and the thickness of the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is 0.02 mm. The wear-resistant PU layer 20 and the thermoplastic PU layer 22 are made in contrasting shades of color, and the intermediate PU layer 21 is transparent or translucent.

[0047] When thermoforming the molding film 10', it is possible to perform thermoforming with the release layer 24 peeled off or not peeled off to form a keyboard film 30 with a desired outer shape and contour. The thickness of the keyboard film is T, and the hardness is Rockwell hardness 85D or less.

[0048] FIG. 10 shows a waterproof and dustproof keyboard 50 formed by thermoforming the forming film 10' of FIG. 9 in a mold to form a keyboard film 30 (30e) and coupling it with a key module 40. The keyboard film has a plurality of concave and convex portions and includes a plurality of pressing portions 32 that protrude upward. The inner surface of each pressing portion 32 is adhered to a key cap 44 of a key 42 of the key module 40. The wear-resistant PU layer 20 is on the surface layer of the keyboard film 30 (30e), the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is the inner layer of the keyboard film 30 (30e), and the intermediate PU layer 21 is located between the two layers 20 and 22 and contacts the wear-resistant PU layer 20 when a user operates a key of an electronic device. The intermediate PU layer 21 is made into a transparent or translucent transparent layer so that light can pass through, or it may be an opaque layer.

[0049] Each pressing portion 32 has a top wall 34 and an upright peripheral wall 35. One or more characters and symbols 36 are laser-engraved on the top wall 34, and a hollow portion 38' that penetrates the wear-resistant PU layer 20 is formed on the top wall 34. Laser engraving removes the material of the wear-resistant PU layer 20, and the depth of laser engraving (i.e., the depth of the hollow portion 38') can reach the wear-resistant PU layer or reach the intermediate PU layer 21. The intermediate PU layer 21 can protect the thermoplastic PU layer 22 during the laser engraving process. When the intermediate PU layer 21 is transparent or translucent, even if the material of the intermediate PU layer 21 is not removed or only partially removed, the color of the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is exposed in the hollow portion 38', so that the characters and symbols 36 of the pressing portion 32 are colored. When the backlight module of the key module 40 emits light, the light passes through the intermediate PU layer 21 and exits from the hollow portion 38', and the characters and symbols 36 of the pressing portion 32 can emit light.

[0050] The keyboard film 30 of the present invention has the following effects.

[0051] The keyboard film 30 is integrally formed, has a dustproof and waterproof function, and prevents liquid and dirt from entering the keys 42. In addition to covering all the keys 42, the keyboard film 30 covers the periphery of the key module 40 at the peripheral portion 31 and covers the bottom surface 412 of the key module, so that the keyboard film and the key module are formed into a waterproof and dustproof keyboard 50, preventing dirt, liquid, and moisture from entering the keyboard 50. Therefore, the keyboard of an electronic device or an independent keyboard can be used for military purposes, such as the notebook computers and keyboards used by the members of special forces. Even when in water, the keyboard has a waterproof function and can maintain usability. Due to its waterproof property, the cleaning of the keyboard 50 is easy.

[0052] The surface layer of the keyboard film 30 is composed of a wear-resistant PU layer 20, which has wear resistance and will not wear even after long-term use. When the wear-resistant PU layer 20 was subjected to a wear resistance test with 350 grams of soft rubber, it was able to withstand friction more than 15,000 times without damage.

[0053] The physical and chemical properties of the wear-resistant PU layer are stable, the surface of the keyboard film is stable, without change, dirt, or stickiness. Even when the finger contacts the surface layer of the pressing portion 32 (i.e., the wear-resistant PU layer), there is no stickiness and it has a smooth touch. The wear-resistant PU layer has weather resistance and does not affect usability even in extreme climate environments.

[0054] The thickness of the keyboard film is extremely thin (0.1 mm or less), soft, has excellent ductility, and can be accurately thermoformed. The intersection angle 341 or the bent portion between the top wall 34 and the peripheral wall 35 of the pressing portion 32 can be accurately, completely, and beautifully formed. The ductility of the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is extremely good and can be stretched to a length more than twice as long. Therefore, the formed film can meet the requirement of particularly large ductility at the corners of the formed product, and the intersection angle 341 or the bent portion of the keyboard film can be smoothly formed without damage.

[0055] The keyboard film of the present invention is formed from at least two PU layers made of two different materials, is thin and flexible, the thermoplastic PU layer 22 provides good elasticity, and the formed keyboard film 30 is also thin in thickness and good in elasticity. When the pressing portion 32 is pressed, the peripheral wall 35 is prone to deformation, deflection, and elastic recovery. The pressing portion 21 and the key pressing stroke (push-back) are clear, and the key feel and touch are good. Since the keyboard film is thin and flexible, the user can easily press the key 42. Since the elastic recovery rate of the keyboard film is good, the recovery property after the pressing portion 32 is struck is good. Based on the applicant's experiments, even if the pressing portion 32 is struck tens of thousands of times, the elastic recovery rate reaches 99%.

[0056] Also, since the thickness of the keyboard film is thin and flexible and has good elasticity, the adjacent pressing portions 32 do not pull against each other, and it is easy for the user to key the keyboard.

[0057] The pressing stroke of the pressing portion of the keyboard film is stable and reliable, and the problem that the keyboard cannot be keyed does not occur even after being used for a certain period of time.

[0058] The formed film 10 has no fish eyes and bubbles, and there are no crystal points and pores in the formed keyboard film 30. When the light of the backlight module transmits through the characters and symbols, the light is not refracted or scattered, and there is no problem that consumers recognize it as a defective product.

[0059] The thickness of the formed film 10 is thin and uniform, its manufacturing tolerance is small, and the thickness tolerance can be 0.005 - 0.01 mm, for example, 0.025 mm. Therefore, the keyboard film with a thickness of 0.1 mm or less of the present invention can be accurately laser-engraved.

[0060] The keyboard film 30 is laser-engraved from the wear-resistant PU layer 20 on the surface inward, and the laser-engraving operation is simple and easy to implement.

[0061] The thermoplastic PU layer 22 can be adjusted to different colors as a colored layer to make characters and symbols different colors. The thermoplastic PU layer 22 of this embodiment is made white with a white pigment such as titanium white or calcium carbonate. Since the wear-resistant PU layer 20 is black, the two PU layers 20 and 22 form a contrast color of light color and dark color, making the characters and symbols prominent. In addition, the molding film 10 can be added with graphene to make the keyboard film conductive.

[0062] The keyboard film and keyboard produced by the molding process provided by the present invention are the first articles and structures in this field, which can solve the defects of the prior art and have improved effects. The embodiments disclosed in the present invention are for explaining the technical means of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. Equivalent modifications of the present invention are uniformly regarded as belonging to the protection scope of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0063] 10, 10' Thermoplastic and wear-resistant molding film 20 Wear-resistant PU layer 21 Intermediate PU layer 22 Thermoplastic PU layer 30(30a~30e) Keyboard film 301 Inner surface 31 Peripheral part 32 Pressing part 33 Touch area 34 Top wall 341 Intersection angle 342 Inner surface 35 Peripheral wall 36 Characters and symbols 38, 38' Hollow part 40 Key module 41 Casing 411 Top surface 412 Bottom surface 413 Outer peripheral surface 414 Key hole 42 Key 44 Key cap 45 Key foot 46, 47 Adhesive 50(50a, 50b) Keyboard T Thickness

Claims

1. A sheet-shaped molded product thermoformed by a thermoplastic and wear-resistant film, which is a keyboard film including a plurality of uneven portions, wherein the uneven portions include pressing portions protruding upward, and each of the pressing portions has a top wall and a peripheral wall extending downward from a periphery of the top wall, and the keyboard film is used to be provided on a key module including keys, and each of the pressing portions is used to correspond to a key of the key module, further having a peripheral portion extending outward from the pressing portion around the keyboard film, and the peripheral portion is used to cover the key module Keyboard film

2. including a wear-resistant polyurethane layer and a thermoplastic polyurethane layer having ductility and elasticity and provided on a surface of the wear-resistant polyurethane layer, wherein the wear-resistant PU layer is a surface layer of the molded product, and the thermoplastic polyurethane layer is an inner layer of the molded product, the keyboard film according to claim 1.

3. The keyboard film according to claim 2, wherein the wear-resistant polyurethane layer is polycarbonate polyurethane, or polyurethane added with a crosslinking agent, or polyurethane added with a wear-resistant additive.

4. The keyboard film according to claim 3, wherein the wear-resistant polyurethane layer is polyurethane added with a curing agent or polyurethane added with a slip agent.

5. further including at least one character / symbol provided on a top wall of each of the pressing portions, the character / symbol being formed by removing a material of the wear-resistant polyurethane layer to form a hollow portion in the top wall, the keyboard film according to claim 2.

6. The keyboard film according to claim 5, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane layer is made of a color and is exposed in the hollow portion.

7. Further comprising an intermediate polyurethane layer provided between the wear-resistant polyurethane layer and the thermoplastic polyurethane layer, wherein the depth of the hollow portion reaches the wear-resistant polyurethane layer or the intermediate polyurethane layer. The keyboard film according to claim 5.

8. The keyboard film according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate polyurethane layer is transparent, translucent or opaque.

9. The keyboard film according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate polyurethane layer is a polycarbonate polyurethane or a thermoplastic polyurethane layer.

10. The keyboard film according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate polyurethane layer has light transmissibility, the key module includes a backlight module, the light of the backlight module can pass through the intermediate PU layer, and can be emitted from the hollow portion.

11. The keyboard film according to claim 1, wherein the uneven portion includes the formation of a touch area as a touch panel of an electronic device or mechanical equipment.

12. The keyboard film according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the keyboard film is in the range of 0.03 mm to 0.1 mm.

13. The keyboard film according to claim 2, wherein when the thermoplastic polyurethane layer is stretched by 20% or less of the elongation amount, the elastic recovery rate after 300,000 repeated stretches does not fall below 98%.

14. A keyboard film according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and A keyboard comprising a plurality of keys, each of the keys having a key cap disposed on the top surface of a key module, The keyboard film covers the top surface of the key module, the inner surface of each pressing portion is connected to the key cap of each key, The peripheral portion of the keyboard film covers at least the top surface of the key module Keyboard.

15. The inner surface of each of the pressing portions and the key caps of the respective keys are adhered with an adhesive, and the peripheral portion of the keyboard film covers the top surface of the key module, or covers the top surface and the outer peripheral surface of the key module, or covers the top surface, the outer peripheral surface, and the bottom surface of the key module. The keyboard according to claim 14.

16. The inner surface of the keyboard film excluding the pressing portions is adhered to the surface of the key module with an adhesive. The keyboard according to claim 14.

Images