Keyboard protective case

Abstract

This keyboard protective case improves signal interruption problems caused by poor contact, ensures continuous and stable transmission of keyboard input signals, maintains a clean appearance, reduces the risk of entanglement of exposed wires, and preserves the product's slim and lightweight design. [Solution] The keyboard protective case 001 comprises a keyboard module 100 and a protective housing 200 rotatably connected to the keyboard module. The protective housing has a front and a back. The front faces the keyboard module when the protective housing covers it. The front of the protective housing has a mounting groove for accommodating a tablet terminal 002. A connector 220 is provided inside the protective housing. The connector is located on the side of the mounting groove and is electrically connected to the keyboard module via a cable. A portion of the connector protrudes from the protective housing into the mounting groove and is inserted into the tablet terminal. The elastic contacts are replaced with a physical plug-in structure, the connector is integrated on the side of the mounting groove, and the cable is housed inside the protective housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electronic device accessories, and particularly to a keyboard protection case.

Background Art

[0002] A keyboard protection case includes a protection housing and a keyboard module. The protection case is made of a flexible or rigid material and wraps around the tablet terminal to provide protection against drops and scratches. The protection case can be folded into a stand mode to adjust the viewing angle. Its overall design is thin, lightweight, and excellent in portability, achieving both protection performance and input efficiency, and is applicable to scenarios such as offices and learning. However, since a conventional keyboard protection case is connected to the tablet terminal through contacts, connection disconnection due to poor contact is likely to occur.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above situation, this application provides a keyboard protection case that can improve the problem of connection stability between the keyboard and the tablet terminal.

[0004] An embodiment of this application includes a keyboard module and a protection housing rotatably connected to the keyboard module. The protection housing has a front surface and a back surface. When the protection housing covers the keyboard module, the front surface faces the keyboard module. An attachment groove for accommodating a tablet terminal is provided on the front surface of the protection housing. A connector is provided inside the protection housing. The connector is located on the side of the attachment groove and is electrically connected to the keyboard module through a cable. A part of the connector protrudes from the protection housing into the attachment groove to provide a keyboard protection case that is inserted into the tablet terminal.

[0005] In some selective embodiments, the protective housing further has sides that are angled with respect to the front and rear surfaces, and the sides of the protective housing are provided with insertion grooves, the insertion grooves having a first opening toward the mounting groove and a second opening toward the mounting groove, the connector entering the insertion groove through the second opening, and a portion of the connector protruding from the first opening when the connector is inserted into the insertion groove and being inserted into the tablet terminal.

[0006] In some selective embodiments, the insertion groove has a third opening facing the rear, and the connector is exposed through the third opening.

[0007] In some selective embodiments, the rear surface of the protective housing is provided with a lens groove that communicates with the mounting groove, and the lens of the tablet terminal is exposed through the lens groove.

[0008] In some selective embodiments, a locking groove for a stylus is provided on the front surface of the protective housing, and a locking projection is provided on the inner wall surface of the locking groove for the stylus.

[0009] In some selective embodiments, the rear of the protective housing is rotatably connected to a stand, and the stand is angle-adjustable connected to the protective housing via a hinge.

[0010] In some selective embodiments, a non-slip pad is provided on the side of the stand away from the hinge.

[0011] In some selective embodiments, the surface of the stand is provided with label display holes, and the label display holes penetrate the stand along the thickness direction of the stand.

[0012] In some selective embodiments, a USB-C port is provided on the side of the protective housing, and the USB-C port is electrically connected to the connector and supports 4K resolution video transmission.

[0013] In some selective embodiments, the keyboard module comprises a keyboard housing, a keyboard body and a touchpad provided in the keyboard housing, and a main control board provided within the keyboard housing, wherein the main control board is electrically connected to the keyboard body, the touchpad and the connector, and a housing groove is provided within the keyboard housing, the main control board is placed in the housing groove, and a drainage space is secured between the main control board and the bottom wall of the housing groove, and a drainage hole is provided on the bottom surface of the keyboard housing, the drainage hole communicates with the drainage space and is located at the lowest horizontal plane of the drainage space.

[0014] The keyboard protective case provided in this application employs a method of directly electrically connecting to the tablet device via a connector, and has the following technical advantages compared to the contact connection method.

[0015] Improved connection stability: By replacing elastic contacts with a physical plug-in structure, the problem of signal interruption due to poor contact can be effectively improved, and the transmission stability of keyboard input signals can be enhanced.

[0016] Optimized power supply and data transmission efficiency: The connector can simultaneously support power transmission (powering the keyboard module) and data communication, reducing reliance on a separate battery, decreasing the frequency of charging, and simplifying the overall structural design.

[0017] Improved structural compactness: By integrating the connectors into the side of the mounting groove and integrating the cable into the keyboard housing, a clean appearance is maintained, the risk of entanglement of exposed wires is reduced, and the product's thin and lightweight design can be preserved.

[0018] Improved compatibility: By directly adopting the standard charging / data interface of the tablet terminal, there is no need to modify the device structure, making it compatible with existing devices and improving the convenience of use for users.

[0019] This solution can improve the reliability of contact connection while retaining the keyboard module and stand function, and is particularly applicable to the scenario of high-frequency mobile office.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the combined state of the keyboard protection case and the tablet terminal in an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the keyboard protection case when the tablet terminal is removed from the keyboard protection case in an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view from another angle of the keyboard protection case in an embodiment of the present application, showing the state where the connector is pulled out from the protection housing. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged perspective view of part C in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view from another angle of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged perspective view of part A in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a plan view of the bottom of the keyboard protection case in an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing another combined state of the keyboard protection case and the tablet terminal in an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] It shows another state of the keyboard protection case in FIG. 2, and is a schematic diagram showing the state where the front is omitted. [Figure 10] It is a schematic diagram showing another state of the keyboard protection case in FIG. 3.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] To further explain the technical means adopted by the present application to achieve a predetermined purpose and its effects, the following will be described with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms and scientific terms used in this specification shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field of the present application. The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of explaining specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0023] The conventional keyboard protection case is connected to the tablet terminal through contacts, so connection disconnection due to poor contact is likely to occur.

[0024] An embodiment of the present application provides a keyboard protection case, which includes a keyboard module and a protection housing rotatably connected to the keyboard module. The protection housing has a front surface and a back surface. When the protection housing covers the keyboard module, the front surface faces the keyboard module. An installation groove for accommodating a tablet terminal is provided on the front surface of the protection housing. A connector is provided in the protection housing. The connector is located on the side of the installation groove and is electrically connected to the keyboard module through a cable. A part of the connector protrudes from the protection housing into the installation groove and is inserted into the tablet terminal.

[0025] Replacing elastic contacts with a physical plug-in structure effectively improves signal interruption problems caused by poor contact and enhances the transmission stability of keyboard input signals. The connector can simultaneously support power transmission (power supply to the keyboard module) and data communication, reducing reliance on a separate battery, decreasing charging frequency, and simplifying the overall structural design. Integrating the connector on the side of the mounting groove and integrating the cable into the keyboard housing maintains a clean appearance, reduces the risk of entanglement of exposed wires, and preserves the product's thin and lightweight design. Directly adopting the standard charging / data interface of tablet devices eliminates the need to modify the device structure, making it compatible with existing devices and improving user convenience.

[0026] Several embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. To the extent that they do not contradict each other, the features of the following embodiments and examples can be combined with each other.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, one embodiment of the present invention provides a keyboard boot 001 that encloses a tablet terminal 002 to provide protection against drops and scratches, and also enables input functions by signaling to the tablet terminal 002. In this embodiment, the tablet terminal 002 is an iPad®.

[0028] The keyboard protective case 001 comprises a keyboard module 100 and a protective housing 200 rotatably connected to the keyboard module 100. Here, the protective housing 200 and the keyboard module 100 are connected by a flexible connection band 300. The flexible connection band 300 contains a flexible cable (not shown) for connecting the keyboard module 100 and the tablet terminal 002. The flexible connection band 300 and the flexible cable are designed as an integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate exposed connection wires or interfaces, making the overall structure simpler and thinner, while maintaining a unified appearance and improving portability and user experience.

[0029] The flexible connector band 300 can adapt to multiple opening and closing rotations between the protective housing 200 and the keyboard module 100, avoiding the wear and tear or breakage issues of the conventional rigid hinge 281 structure and extending the product's service life. At the same time, using an internal cable instead of an exposed cable reduces the risk of cable damage due to bending or pulling.

[0030] The flexible cable directly connects the keyboard module 100 and the tablet terminal 002, reducing input lag, avoiding signal interference, and ensuring stable data transmission compared to wireless transmission methods (such as Bluetooth®), making it particularly suitable for high-speed typing and gaming.

[0031] The protective housing 200 has a front F and a rear B. When the protective housing 200 covers the keyboard module 100, the front F faces the keyboard module 100 and the rear B faces away from the keyboard module 100. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a mounting groove 210 is provided on the front surface F of the protective housing 200. The tablet terminal 002 is housed and locked within the mounting groove 210. A connector 220 is provided inside the protective housing 200. The connector 220 is located on the side of the mounting groove 210 and is electrically connected to the keyboard module 100 via a cable or flexible cable. Part of the connector 220 extends from the protective housing 200 into the mounting groove 210 and is plugged into the tablet terminal 002. By integrating the connector 220 on the side of the mounting groove 210 and integrating the cable within the protective housing 200, a clean appearance is maintained, the risk of entanglement of exposed wires is reduced, and the product's thin and lightweight design can be preserved.

[0032] By adopting a physical plug-in connection structure instead of elastic contacts, the problem of signal interruption due to poor contact is effectively improved, and the transmission stability of keyboard input signals is enhanced. Connector 220 can simultaneously support power transmission and data communication. The tablet terminal 002 supplies power to the keyboard module 100 via connector 220, thereby reducing reliance on a separate battery, decreasing the frequency of charging, and simplifying the overall structural design. Furthermore, by directly adopting the standard charging / data interface of the tablet terminal 002, there is no need to modify the device structure, making it compatible with existing devices and improving user convenience. The solution improves the reliability of contact connections while retaining the keyboard module 100 and stand function, and is particularly applicable to high-frequency mobile office scenarios.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, in some embodiments, the protective housing 200 has sides S that are angled with respect to the front F and rear B. In this embodiment, the sides S are perpendicular to the front F and rear B. The perpendicular sides S are ergonomically designed to be easy for the user to grip with one hand, and at the same time, the gripping stability can be improved by providing additional anti-slip grooves or soft rubber material on the sides S, preventing unintended slippage.

[0034] The vertical side design S forms a stable support frame, enhancing the overall rigidity of the protective housing 200. The side S effectively disperses impact forces when the tablet device 002 is subjected to external impact, reducing the risk of damage to the device. Furthermore, it allows for a more organized internal space within the protective housing 200, facilitating a rational layout of circuit boards or other functional modules while maintaining an overall thin and lightweight design.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the side surface S of the protective housing 200 is provided with an insertion groove 230 having a first opening 231 facing the mounting groove 210 and a second opening 232 away from the mounting groove 210. The connector 220 enters the insertion groove 230 through the second opening 232, and when the connector 220 is inserted into the insertion groove 230, a portion of the connector 220 protrudes from the first opening 231 and is inserted into the tablet terminal 002.

[0036] When it is necessary to separate the tablet terminal 002 from the keyboard protective case 001, the connector 220 is pulled out through the second opening 232 and separated from the tablet terminal 002, but the cable of the connector 220 remains located inside the protective housing 200, so the connector 220 maintains its connection with the keyboard module 100.

[0037] In some embodiments, the insertion groove 230 has a third opening 233 facing the rear B, and the connector 220 is exposed through the third opening 233, which facilitates pushing the connector 220 out through the third opening 233.

[0038] The insertion groove 230 is formed in the wall of the protective housing 200 and is concave in shape from the side of the wall away from the mounting groove 210 toward the side of the wall closer to the mounting groove 210. A first opening 231 is provided through the wall on the side of the wall closer to the mounting groove 210, and the first opening 231 communicates with the mounting groove 210. A second opening 232 is provided through the wall on the side of the wall away from the mounting groove 210. A third opening 233 is formed on the side of the wall away from the mounting groove 210 and penetrates to the back surface B. The third opening 233 communicates with the second opening 232. A fourth opening 234 is further formed through the bottom surface of the insertion groove 230, and the fourth opening 234 is positioned vertically apart from the first opening 231.

[0039] The detailed structure of the connector 220 and the insertion groove 230 will be further explained below, as shown in Figures 3 to 6 and Figures 9 to 10.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 and 9, the connector 220 includes a base 221 and a terminal 223. The base 221 is made of, for example, a rigid elastic material, and the terminal 223 is embedded in the upper end of the base 221. The base 221 has a flat outer surface E, and the terminal 223 is formed protruding from the side of the base 221 opposite to the outer surface E. When the connector 220 is pushed, for example by a user, to a position where it is fully housed in the insertion groove 230, the terminal 223 extends through the first opening 231 into the mounting groove 210 and can reliably connect to the interface of the tablet terminal 002 housed therein. In this case, the connector 220 is also said to be in the connection position. The terminal 223 is, for example, a standard USB-C plug terminal.

[0041] Furthermore, one side of the base portion 221 is L-shaped and comprises a main body portion 221a and a projection portion 221b extending from one side of the main body portion 221a. More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the projection portion 221b is formed to protrude from the upper end of the base portion 221 so as to be located on the outer surface E side and functions as an operating portion that enables gripping by the user. Here, the protruding direction (i.e., extending direction) of the projection portion 221b is perpendicular to the direction in which the terminal 223 protrudes from the base portion 221. In addition, the position and shape of the projection portion 221b are formed to correspond to the third opening 233, so that when the connector 220 is fully housed in the insertion groove 230, the projection portion 221b is housed in the third opening 233. Furthermore, if it is necessary to disconnect from the tablet terminal 002, for example, the user can insert the tip of their finger into the gap between the third opening 233 and the projection 221b and push the projection 221b toward the side S, thereby moving the entire base 221 outward along the insertion groove 230. This allows the terminal 223 to exit from the connection terminal of the tablet terminal 002 and the first opening 231. In this case, the connector 220 may also be in the disconnected position.

[0042] Furthermore, the base 221 is formed as a cable sheathing structure in which one end of the cable enters the interior of the base 221 and is electrically connected to the terminal 223. Also, as shown in Figure 4, a plurality of annular ribs 221c are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the lower end of the base 221. These spaced annular ribs 221c protect the cable and allow for slight deformation when pushing or pushing out the connector 220, making it easier for the user to operate. In addition, when the connector 220 is in the unconnected position, the end of the base 221 furthest from the terminal 223 abuts against the edge of the hole of the fourth opening 234 and is mechanically locked, so that at least a part of the base 221 is always located within the insertion groove 230 and cannot be completely detached, thereby achieving positioning between the connector 220 and the insertion groove 230.

[0043] Furthermore, the insertion groove 230 is an elongated cavity formed in the wall of the protective housing 200, which accommodates the connector 220 and is used to guide the movement of the entire connector 220. The first opening 231 is located at the bottom of the front end of the cavity and functions as a work passage for the terminal 223 to enter and exit. The second opening 232 is located on the side S and has a shape that conforms to the outer surface E of the connector 220. When the protective housing 200 is viewed from the front, when the connector 220 is in the connected position, its outer surface E is flush with the side S of the protective housing 200, achieving visual concealment and dust protection. On the other hand, when the connector 220 is in the unconnected position, its outer surface E intersects with the side S at an angle α (see Figure 10). In other words, in this embodiment, if we define the side of the connector 220 opposite to the terminal 223 (outer surface E) as E, and the side of the wall of the protective housing 200 away from the mounting groove 210 as S, then when the connector 220 is in the unconnected position, an angle α is formed between S and E when the protective housing 200 is viewed from the front. It can be understood that the range of α is 0° < α < 180°. Preferably in this application, the connector 220 and the insertion groove 230 are designed to limit the angle α to the range of 0° < α ≤ 40°. This restricts unnecessary and excessive inversion of the connector 220, prevents interference with the protective housing 200 or other parts, and suppresses the progression of fatigue due to excessive bending of the cable, thereby improving the service life and reliability of the cable. The third opening 233 communicates with the second opening 232 and, together with the projection 221b, constitutes the user's operating area. The fourth opening 234 communicates with the mounting groove 210, and the cable passes from the mounting groove 210 through the fourth opening 234, enters the insertion groove 230, enters the connector 220, and connects to the terminal 223.

[0044] As described above, the concealed design of the connector 220 and the insertion groove 230 ensures that the connector 220 is completely housed within the protective housing 200 when in use, thus avoiding any impact on the overall appearance due to exposed components, and preventing dust and foreign matter from entering the insertion groove 230, thus maintaining the cleanliness of the equipment. At the same time, the cable connected to the connector 220 is always completely housed within the cavity of the protective housing 200, even when the connector 220 is in an unconnected position, thus avoiding problems such as tangling, snagging, wear, and unsightly appearance that can occur when the cable is exposed. Furthermore, the combination of the integrated design of the connector 220 and the multi-opening coordinated structure of the insertion groove 230 effectively improves the stability and reliability of cable connections, the convenience and accuracy of operation, and the neatness of the appearance.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the back surface B of the protective housing 200 is provided with a lens groove 240 that communicates with a mounting groove 210. When the tablet terminal 002 is attached to the keyboard protective case 001, the lens of the tablet terminal 002 is exposed through the lens groove 240. The precise opening design of the lens groove 240 allows the camera of the tablet terminal 002 to be fully exposed, preventing the protective housing 200 from obstructing the field of view and ensuring the normal use of photography, video calls, or AR applications.

[0046] In some embodiments, a power button groove 250 is provided on the side S of the protective housing 200. When the tablet terminal 002 is attached to the keyboard protective case 001, the buttons of the tablet terminal 002 are exposed through the power button groove 250. The precise opening design of the power button groove 250 allows the power button (including the fingerprint recognition module) of the tablet terminal 002 to be fully exposed, and the user can directly turn the power on / off, activate the screen, or unlock it using biometric authentication (e.g., Touch ID) without removing the protective case, greatly improving the convenience of high-frequency operations.

[0047] At the same time, it avoids the restriction of button stroke caused by conventional all-encompassing protective cases, ensuring that the power button's press feedback force (typically requiring a trigger stroke of 0.3-0.5 mm) conforms to factory standards, and preventing button malfunctions or accidental operation due to case interference.

[0048] In some embodiments, a locking groove 260 for a stylus is provided on the front surface F of the protective housing 200. A locking projection 261 is provided on the inner wall surface of the locking groove 260 for the stylus. The locking groove and projection are integrally formed on the front surface F of the protective housing 200, eliminating the need for external accessories, maintaining an overall slim design, and avoiding interference with the gripping and stand functions of the tablet terminal 002.

[0049] The locking projection 261 engages with the side wall or a specific groove structure of the stylus 003 to form a physical positional restraint, reducing the risk of the stylus 003 shaking or unintentionally falling out within the locking groove, making it particularly suitable for carrying and using in mobile situations. The elastic or inclined structure of the locking projection 261 allows the stylus 003 to be inserted into or removed from the locking groove with appropriate pressure, ensuring secure fixation while facilitating one-handed operation and preventing loss of the stylus 003 due to accidental contact.

[0050] In some embodiments, the position, number, or height of the locking protrusions 261 are adjustable to accommodate different brands or models of stylus pens 003, thereby increasing the versatility of the protective housing 200.

[0051] In some embodiments, the back surface B of the protective housing 200 is provided with an extrusion groove 270 that communicates with a stylus locking groove 260. By connecting the extrusion groove 270 and the stylus locking groove 260, the user can smoothly push the stylus 003 out of the locking groove by simply pressing the area of ​​the extrusion groove 270 on the back surface with one finger (the pushing force is controlled within the range of 0.5 to 1 N). This enables quick, one-handed pen removal, improving efficiency by more than 40% compared to the conventional side-pull method, and is particularly applicable to situations where the stylus 003 needs to be removed frequently, such as for shorthand or drawing.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, in some embodiments, a stand 280 is rotatably connected to the back B of the protective housing 200. The stand 280 is connected to the protective housing 200 via a hinge 281 so as to be angle-adjustable. In this embodiment, the stand 280 employs a stepless angle adjustment structure, and the frictional resistance of the hinge 281 enables fixing and holding at any angle. This design allows users to smoothly and continuously adjust the viewing angle of the tablet device 002 within a supportable range based on their actual usage needs, making it suitable for a variety of usage scenarios such as office work, creative work, and video viewing. This provides a more flexible and individualized user experience, further improving the comfort and convenience of human-machine interaction.

[0053] The stand 280 can be flush with the protective housing 200 when fully retracted, maintaining the overall slim and lightweight design. When open, multiple angle options minimize the occupied space, making it suitable for compact environments such as cafes and small airplane tables.

[0054] In some embodiments, a non-slip pad 282 is provided on the side of the stand 280 away from the hinge 281. The non-slip pad 282 can improve the support stability of the stand 280 when the keyboard protective case 001 is placed on a desk or on one's lap.

[0055] The anti-slip pad 282 uses a material with a high coefficient of friction (e.g., silicone or rubber) to effectively increase the frictional force between the stand 280 and the contact surface (e.g., desk, thigh), preventing the tablet device 002 from slipping or falling over due to slight contact or vibration, and ensuring stability during use.

[0056] The anti-slip pad 282 reduces direct impact between the stand 280 and the contact surface, lowering the risk of the device falling due to unintended movement or unstable placement, while also preventing the stand 280 from scratching the desk surface or the user's thighs. When the stand 280 is used on the thighs, the flexible material of the anti-slip pad 282 reduces pressure on the thighs, preventing discomfort during prolonged use, making it particularly suitable for situations where one is working on a sofa or bed.

[0057] In some embodiments, the surface of the stand 280 is provided with label display holes 283 that penetrate the stand 280 along the thickness direction of the stand 280. The hollow structure of the label display holes 283 allows equipment name / asset labels (e.g., serial number, company asset number) to be displayed directly through the stand 280, enabling quick reading of information without repeatedly opening and closing the stand 280, significantly improving the efficiency of equipment management, and is particularly applicable to IT asset management in companies and equipment maintenance in educational institutions.

[0058] The edges of the label display holes 283 feature a smooth chamfered design to prevent scratches on the label caused by sharp edges. At the same time, the stand 280 itself acts as a physical barrier, preventing damage to the label from friction, liquid splashes, and external impacts during daily use, thus extending the label's identifiable lifespan.

[0059] After the label is affixed to the inside of the protective housing 200, some information (e.g., a QR code) displayed through the label display hole 283 is difficult to completely peel off or replace, reducing the risk of asset labels being maliciously tampered with and improving the level of security management for corporate equipment. At the same time, the hollow design reduces the amount of material used in the stand 280 while ensuring functionality, maintaining the lightweight characteristics of the product. The label display hole 283 can be designed in a regular geometric shape (e.g., rectangle, circle), harmonizing with the overall design of the stand 280 and avoiding compromising the consistency of the product's appearance.

[0060] As shown in Figures 2 and 7, in some embodiments, the keyboard module 100 comprises a keyboard housing 110, a keyboard body 120 and a touchpad 130 provided in the keyboard housing 110, and a main control board (not shown) provided inside the keyboard housing 110. The main control board is electrically connected to the keyboard body 120, the touchpad 130 and the connector 220.

[0061] A USB-C port 290, electrically connected to connector 220, is provided on the side S of the protective housing 200. The USB-C port 290 supports insertion in both forward and reverse directions and provides high-speed data transmission and PD fast charging functionality. At the same time, the USB-C port 290 supports ultra-high-definition video transmission at 4K resolution and is backward compatible with 2K@120Hz or 1080P@144Hz output modes, thus accommodating the bandwidth limitations of different display devices. When connected to a display, the keyboard protective case 001 becomes a docking station for the tablet device 002, allowing simultaneous connection of devices such as external storage and displays, significantly improving productivity. Users can simultaneously power the keyboard, charge the tablet device, and transmit data using only a single USB-C cable, avoiding tangled cables and making it particularly suitable for multi-device collaborative office environments.

[0062] An earphone jack 112 is provided on the side of the keyboard housing 110. In this embodiment, the earphone jack 112 is a 3.5mm earphone jack 112. As a general-purpose audio standard, the 3.5mm earphone jack 112 is compatible with the vast majority of wired earphones, headsets, or external speakers, solving the inconvenience of using adapters due to some tablet devices 002 eliminating the 3.5mm jack, and is particularly applicable to scenes requiring low-latency audio output (e.g., music production, gaming, or online meetings). Users can use wired earphones while charging (solving the problem of the Type-C port being occupied), or improve creative efficiency by connecting to professional audio equipment (e.g., a MIDI controller).

[0063] Compared to wireless Bluetooth connections, wired interfaces avoid audio compression, signal interference, and power consumption issues, ensuring high-fidelity sound quality and zero-latency transmission, thus meeting the demands of professional audio enthusiasts. Adopting a mature 3.5mm port design eliminates the need for separate chipset customization, reducing production costs and providing a mechanical insertion / removal lifespan of over 10,000 cycles (compliant with IEC60603 standard), offering a significant advantage over the battery degradation issues of wireless earphones.

[0064] The earphone jack 112 is fitted into the side of the keyboard housing 110 and does not occupy the interface of the tablet terminal 002 body, thus maintaining the simplicity of the device.

[0065] An indicator light 113 is provided on the top surface of the keyboard housing 110 to display the connection status and / or input status of the keyboard module 100. Specifically, there are two indicator lights 113, both of which are white. They are used to light up after connecting to the tablet terminal 002 and after turning on the uppercase lock (Caps lock), respectively, thereby intuitively displaying the current status of the keyboard. Users can quickly obtain important information without operating the tablet terminal 002, significantly improving user efficiency.

[0066] The entire Keyboard Module 100 adopts an IP51 dustproof and splashproof design, preventing dust ingress and contact problems during long-term use, thereby extending its lifespan.

[0067] In another embodiment, the keyboard module 100 comprises a keyboard housing 110 and a keyboard body 120 provided in the keyboard housing 110, without a touchpad 130. By omitting the touchpad 130 module, the area of ​​the PCB board, control chips, and peripheral circuits can be reduced, resulting in a material cost reduction of approximately 15-20%. At the same time, the assembly process is simplified and production efficiency is improved, making it particularly suitable for price-sensitive education markets and entry-level product lines.

[0068] In some embodiments, a housing groove (not shown) is provided inside the keyboard housing 110. The main control board is placed inside the housing groove, and a drainage space is secured between the main control board and the bottom wall of the housing groove. A drainage hole 111 is provided on the bottom surface of the keyboard housing 110, which communicates with the drainage space and is located at the lowest horizontal plane of the drainage space.

[0069] The drainage space can temporarily contain any liquid that accidentally spills onto the keyboard surface, allowing it to be quickly drained through the drainage holes 111. This prevents short circuits caused by prolonged immersion of the main control board by liquid, significantly improving the reliability of the device in humid environments or in the event of sudden liquid spills.

[0070] As shown in Figure 8, in some embodiments, the protective housing 200 can also be inverted and positioned above the keyboard module 100, allowing the protective housing 200 and tablet terminal 002 to be placed horizontally. The keyboard protective case 001 can be switched to "horizontal placement mode" by its 360° inversion structure, making it easier to use as a temporary drawing board. When used in conjunction with the stylus pen 003, the stability of the display is further improved.

[0071] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described above are used merely to illustrate the present application and do not limit it. Any appropriate modifications or alterations to the above embodiments within the substantial spirit of the present application shall be considered to be within the scope of the disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 001: Keyboard protective case 100: Keyboard Module 110: Keyboard Housing 111: Drain hole 112: Earphone jack 113:Indication light 120: Keyboard body 130: Touchpad 200: Protective Housing F:Front B: Back S:Side 210: Mounting groove 220: Connector 230: Insertion groove 231:First opening 232:Second opening 233:Third opening 240: Lens groove 250: Groove for power button 260: Locking groove for stylus pen 261: Locking protrusion 270: Extrusion groove 280: Stand 281: Hinge 282: Anti-slip pads 283: Hole for label display 290: USB-C port 300: Flexible connection band 002: Tablet device 003: Stylus pen

Claims

1. Keyboard module and A protective housing rotatably connected to the keyboard module, A connector movably provided in the protective housing, The protective housing includes an insertion groove formed within it, which accommodates the connector and is configured to guide the connector between a connected position and a disconnected position, The protective housing has a front, back and side, The aforementioned side surface is at an angle to the aforementioned front surface and the aforementioned back surface. The aforementioned front surface, when the protective housing covers the keyboard module, faces the keyboard module. The front surface of the protective housing is provided with a mounting groove for accommodating a tablet device. The connector is located on the side of the mounting groove and is electrically connected to the keyboard module via a cable. When the connector is in the connection position, the connector is fully housed within the insertion groove, and a portion of the connector protrudes from the insertion groove into the mounting groove, and is inserted into the tablet terminal. When the connector is in the non-connected position, a portion of the connector protrudes from the side of the protective housing. A keyboard protective case characterized in that the connector and the insertion groove are configured such that at least a portion of the connector is always positioned within the insertion groove.

2. The connector comprises a base and terminals fixed to the base, The base comprises a main body and a projection extending from the main body, wherein the direction in which the projection protrudes is perpendicular to the direction in which the terminal protrudes from the base. The insertion groove has a first opening that communicates with the mounting groove, a second opening that penetrates through to the side away from the mounting groove, and a third opening that penetrates towards the back on the side away from the mounting groove, the second opening communicating with the third opening. The connector enters the insertion groove through the second opening. The projection is formed to correspond to the third opening, When the connector is in the connection position, the terminals protrude from the first opening into the mounting groove and are inserted into the tablet terminal. The keyboard protective case according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection is configured such that the connector can be moved from the connected position to the disconnected position by applying force in the direction of the side through the third opening.

3. The base further includes a plurality of annular ribs arranged at intervals along its longitudinal direction and provided to surround the cable, A fourth opening is further formed through the bottom surface of the insertion groove, spaced apart from the first opening. The keyboard protective case according to claim 2, characterized in that the cable passes through the fourth opening and enters the insertion groove, and is connected to the terminal via the base.

4. The keyboard protective case according to claim 3, characterized in that when the connector is in the non-connected position, the end of the base furthest from the terminal abuts against the edge of the hole of the fourth opening, thereby limiting the connector from completely disengaging from the insertion groove.

5. The connector has an outer surface, The connector is configured such that, when in the disconnected position, it can be moved from the disconnected position to the connected position by pressing its outer surface toward the mounting groove. When the connector is in the connection position, the outer surface becomes flush with the side surface. When the connector is in the non-connected position, when the protective housing is observed in a plan view, an angle α is formed between the outer surface and the side surface. The keyboard protective case according to claim 1, characterized in that the insertion groove and the connector are configured such that the angle α is limited to the range of 0° < α ≤ 40°.

6. A locking groove for a stylus is provided on the front surface of the protective housing. The keyboard protective case according to claim 1, characterized in that a locking projection is provided on the inner wall surface of the locking groove for the stylus.

7. The rear of the protective housing is rotatably connected to the stand, The stand is connected to the protective housing via a hinge so as to be angle-adjustable, The keyboard protective case according to claim 1, characterized in that a non-slip pad is provided on the side of the stand away from the hinge.

8. The surface of the stand is provided with holes for label display, The keyboard protective case according to claim 7, characterized in that the label display hole penetrates the stand along the thickness direction of the stand.

9. A USB-C port is provided on the side of the protective housing. The keyboard protective case according to claim 1, characterized in that the USB-C port is electrically connected to the connector and supports 4K resolution video transmission.

10. The keyboard module comprises a keyboard housing, a keyboard body and touchpad provided in the keyboard housing, and a main control board provided inside the keyboard housing. The main control board is electrically connected to the keyboard body, the touchpad, and the connector. A storage groove is provided inside the keyboard housing. The main control board is placed in the housing groove, and a drainage space is secured between it and the bottom wall of the housing groove. The bottom surface of the keyboard housing is provided with drainage holes. The keyboard protective case according to claim 9, characterized in that the drainage hole communicates with the drainage space and is located on the lowest horizontal plane of the drainage space.

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