Keyboard film and keyboard

Abstract

An object is to provide a keyboard film and a keyboard. 【Solution means】 A keyboard film, which is a molded article in the form of a sheet thermoformed by a thermoplastic and wear-resistant molding film, includes a plurality of uneven portions. The uneven portions include pressing portions protruding upward, and each pressing portion has a top wall and a peripheral wall extending downward from the periphery of the top wall. The keyboard film is provided on a key module provided with keys, and each pressing portion is connected to a key of the key module. Around the keyboard film, there is a peripheral portion extending outward from the pressing portion, and the peripheral portion covers the key module to form a waterproof and dustproof keyboard.

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 machine equipment are provided with a number of buttons for transmitting signals. The buttons of remote controls and machine equipment are not designed for waterproof and dustproof, the surface of the buttons does not have abrasion resistance, and the touch feeling is also poor.

[0003] A flexible protective film is provided on the keyboard of a notebook computer to protect 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 matching the keys, and the usability is superior to that of flat protective films. However, this type of thin film is manufactured from silicon-based materials and has a thickness of, for example, 0.5 mm or more, so it has poor abrasion resistance, poor shape stability, is easily deformed, the surface is easily worn, is easily soiled, is sticky, 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 thickness of the thin film is large and the adjacent uneven portions pull on each other, the user has to strike the keys forcefully, resulting in a poor key-pressing feel of the keyboard. Due to the large thickness of the thin film, the key stroke is shallow and a reliable key-pressing feel cannot be obtained. After using the keyboard for a certain period of time, the problem that the keyboard cannot be struck easily occurs, and the keys cannot be pressed in deeply.

[0009] The surface layer of the conventional thin 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 having an uneven structure, which is thin, soft, has abrasion resistance, 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 uneven portions. The uneven portion is provided with a pressing portion protruding upward, and each pressing portion 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 portion is used to be connected to the keys of the key module. The periphery of the keyboard film further has a peripheral portion extending outward from the pressing portion, and the peripheral portion is used to cover the key module.

[0013] The keyboard provided by the present invention includes a key module and the 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 portion is connected to the key cap of the key on the key module. The peripheral portion of the keyboard film covers the periphery of the key module. The peripheral portion at least covers the periphery of the key module, which includes that the peripheral portion covers the top surface of the key module, or the peripheral portion covers the top surface and the outer peripheral surface of the key module, or the peripheral portion covers the top surface, the outer peripheral surface and the bottom surface of the key module. The inner surface of each pressing portion 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 placed in 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 provided on the surface of the wear-resistant PU layer and having ductility and elasticity. 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, and the characters and symbols are formed by removing the material of the wear-resistant PU layer to form a hollow portion 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, and the light of the backlight module can pass through the intermediate PU layer and be emitted from the hollow portion.

[0022] Preferably, the concavo-convex 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 300,000 repeated stretches.

[0024] The thickness of the keyboard film is 0.1 mm or less, and 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 molding film 10 of FIG. 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as "molding 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 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), having extremely good physical and mechanical properties, excellent in hydrolysis resistance, heat resistance, wear resistance, oxidative 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 on 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 its 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 produced by the applicant's coating method prevents the occurrence of problems such as fish eyes (fish eye, a crystal in which PU particles are not completely kneaded during the extrusion or injection process of the PU film, and is generally known as a crystal point) and bubbles due to the coating method, and produces a formed film 10 with a thin thickness, a small tolerance, and a uniform texture accurately. Its thickness T can be less than 0.1 mm and 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. It has 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, the 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, and can be used, for example, for the keys of a notebook computer, a keyboard, a remote control, and the 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 include a plurality of pressing portions 32 that protrude upward corresponding to a plurality of keys 42 of the key module 40. 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 thin enough to fabricate 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, the peripheral portion 31 of the keyboard film 30 covers the periphery of the key module 40, so that 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 and symbols 36 are laser engraved on the top wall 34 of each pressing part 32, and different characters and symbols 36 are laser engraved on different pressing parts 32. The laser engraved characters and 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 and 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 a dark color and the thermoplastic PU layer 22 is a light color, and vice versa. Therefore, the color of the characters and 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 and 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 portion 31 of the keyboard film 30 covers the key module 40, each pressing portion 32 corresponds to one key 42, and the inner surface of each pressing portion 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 portion 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 portion 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 portion 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 portion 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] Except for 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 portion 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, 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 of contrasting colors of light and dark, and the intermediate PU layer 21 is transparent or translucent.

[0047] When thermoforming the molding film 10', it can be formed into a keyboard film 30 with a desired outer shape and contour by thermoforming in a state where the release layer 24 is peeled off or not peeled off. 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 protruding 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 / symbols 36 are laser-engraved on the top wall 34, and a hollow portion 38' penetrating 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 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 / symbols 36 of the pressing portion 32 have color. 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 / 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 the intrusion of liquid and dirt into 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 as to form the keyboard film and the key module 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 applications, such as the notebook computers used by members of special forces, keyboards. Even when in water, the keyboard has a waterproof function and can maintain usability. Because of 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 could 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 part 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 more than twice its length. Therefore, the formed film can meet the requirement of particularly large ductility at the corners of the formed product and can be smoothly formed without damaging the intersection angle 341 or the bent part of the keyboard film.

[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, bending and elastic recovery. The pressing portion 21 and the key pressing stroke (pushing back) are clear, and the key pressing feeling 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 experiments of the applicant, even if the pressing portion 32 is struck tens of thousands of times, the elastic recovery rate reaches 99%.

[0056] In addition, since the thickness of the keyboard film is thin and flexible and the elasticity is good, the adjacent pressing portions 32 do not pull against each other, and the user can easily press the keys on 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 pressed after being used for a certain period of time does not occur.

[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 towards the inside, 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 to make the characters and symbols prominent. In addition, the formed film 10 can be added with graphene to make the keyboard film conductive.

[0062] The keyboard film and keyboard produced by the forming 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 formed 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 article thermoformed from a thermoplastic and wear-resistant molding film, which is a keyboard film including a plurality of concave and convex portions, wherein the concave and convex portions include pressing portions protruding upward, and each pressing portion has a top wall and a peripheral wall extending downward from the periphery of the top wall, and the keyboard film is used for being provided on a key module provided with keys, and each pressing portion is used for corresponding to the keys of the key module, a peripheral portion extending outward from the pressing portion is further provided around the keyboard film, and the peripheral portion is used for covering the key module, the keyboard film includes at least a wear-resistant polyurethane layer and a thermoplastic polyurethane layer having ductility and elasticity and provided on the surface of the wear-resistant polyurethane layer, the wear-resistant polyurethane layer is the surface layer of the molded article, and the thermoplastic polyurethane layer is the inner layer of the molded article, the thickness of the keyboard film is in the range of 0.03 mm to 0.1 mm Keyboard film

2. The keyboard film according to claim 1, wherein the wear-resistant polyurethane layer is polycarbonate polyurethane, or polyurethane added with a crosslinking agent, or polyurethane added with a wear-resistant additive.

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

4. The keyboard film according to claim 1, further including at least one character or symbol provided on the top wall of each pressing portion, wherein the character or symbol is formed by removing the material of the wear-resistant polyurethane layer to form a hollow portion in the top wall.

5. The keyboard film according to claim 4, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane layer is made of a color and is exposed in the hollow portion.

6. The keyboard film according to claim 4, further including an intermediate polyurethane layer provided between the wear-resistant polyurethane layer and the thermoplastic polyurethane layer, and the depth of the hollow portion reaches the wear-resistant polyurethane layer or the intermediate polyurethane layer.

7. The keyboard film according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate polyurethane layer is transparent, translucent or opaque.

8. The keyboard film according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate polyurethane layer is a polycarbonate polyurethane or a thermoplastic polyurethane layer.

9. The keyboard film according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate polyurethane layer has light transmissibility, the key module includes a backlight module, and light from the backlight module can pass through the intermediate polyurethane layer and exit from the hollow portion.

10. 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 a mechanical equipment.

11. The keyboard film according to claim 1, wherein when the thermoplastic polyurethane 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.

12. The keyboard film according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and A keyboard including a key module having a plurality of keys, each of the keys having a key cap disposed on the top surface of the key module, The keyboard film covers the top surface of the key module, and the inner surface of each of the pressing portions is connected to the key cap of each of the keys, The peripheral portion of the keyboard film covers at least the top surface of the key module Keyboard.

13. The keyboard according to claim 12, wherein the inner surface of each of the pressing portions and the key cap of each of the 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.

14. The keyboard according to claim 12, wherein the inner surface of the keyboard film excluding the pressing portions is adhered to the surface of the key module with an adhesive.

Images