Keyboard device and key structure

Abstract

A keyboard device and a key structure, the key structure includes a circuit board, a light-emitting element, a key cap and a light-transmitting elastic element. The light-emitting element is disposed on the circuit board. The key cap is located above the circuit board. The light-transmitting elastic element is disposed between the key cap and the circuit board, and the light-transmitting elastic element covers the light-emitting element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to a keyboard device and key structure. Prior Technology

[0002] Keyboards are a very common input device, usually used with electronic devices such as desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, or tablets. In addition, to cope with low-light environments, a backlit keyboard has been developed.

[0003] Currently, most backlit keyboards on the market use backlight modules as their light source. These modules are typically installed at the bottom of the keyboard to illuminate the keys. However, the light guide structure of these bottom-mounted backlight modules is generally a multi-layered structure consisting of a light shield, a light guide plate, and a reflector. Therefore, adding a backlight module inevitably leads to a significant increase in the overall thickness of the keyboard, hindering the trend towards thinner and lighter designs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above, in one embodiment, a key structure is provided, including a circuit board, a light-emitting element, a keycap, and a light-transmitting elastic element. The light-emitting element is disposed on the circuit board. The keycap is located above the circuit board. The light-transmitting elastic element is disposed between the keycap and the circuit board, and the light-transmitting elastic element covers the light-emitting element.

[0005] In another embodiment, a keyboard device is provided that includes the above-described key structure.

[0006] In summary, the key structure of the keyboard device according to the embodiments of the present invention, by setting the light-emitting element on the circuit board and covering the light-emitting element with a light-transmitting elastic element, can reduce the overall thickness of the keyboard device and make it thinner. In addition, the light emitted by the light-emitting element can be diffused through the light-transmitting elastic element, so that the light can be evenly irradiated onto the keycaps, ensuring that the brightness of each character on the keycap is consistent. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0007] Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the keyboard device of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 3 is a partial exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 5 is another cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 7 is a pressing cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 8 is a partial exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the light source circuit board of the button structure of the present invention. Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the light source circuit board of the button structure of the present invention. Implementation

[0008] It should be noted that in the descriptions of the various embodiments, the terms "first" and "second" are used to describe different elements, and these elements are not limited by such predicates. Furthermore, for ease of explanation and clarity, the thickness or dimensions of each element in the drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or approximated for the understanding and reading of those skilled in the art. The dimensions of each element are not exactly their actual dimensions and are not intended to limit the implementation of the invention; therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, without affecting the effects and objectives of the invention, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this invention.

[0009] Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the keyboard device of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the key structure of the present invention; Figure 3 is a partial exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the key structure of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the keyboard device 1 includes a key structure 2, which includes a circuit board 20, a light-emitting element 31, keycaps 40, and a light-transmitting elastic element 50. The keyboard device 1 can be an input device for various electronic products (such as desktop computers, laptop computers, or other electronic devices). The keyboard device 1 can include multiple keys, for example, multiple letter keys, multiple number keys, a space key, an enter key, and a Caps Lock key.

[0010] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, in this embodiment, the circuit board 20 is stacked on a substrate 10. In some embodiments, the substrate 10 may be a rigid board made of metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, alloy, etc.) or plastic. The circuit board 20 may be a general-purpose printed circuit board (PCB), a membrane circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), or a rigid-flex PCB, etc.

[0011] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the number of keycaps 40 can be one or more and located above the circuit board 20. Light-emitting elements 31 are disposed on the circuit board 20 and located between each keycap 40 and the circuit board 20. The number of light-emitting elements 31 can be one or more, and the light-emitting elements 31 can be, but are not limited to, light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In this embodiment, the number of light-emitting elements 31 between the keycaps 40 and the circuit board 20 is four and they are spaced apart from each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0012] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, each light-emitting element 31 can be directly electrically connected to the circuit on the circuit board 20, or each light-emitting element 31 can be indirectly disposed on the circuit board 20. In this embodiment, a light source circuit board 30 is stacked on the circuit board 20. For example, the light source circuit board 30 can be attached to the surface of the circuit board 20 facing the keycap 40 by means of hot pressing or adhesive bonding. Each light-emitting element 31 is disposed on the light source circuit board 30 and is indirectly disposed on the circuit board 20. In some embodiments, the aforementioned light source circuit board 30 may include an insulating plastic film, such as a polyimide film, a polyester film, or a polycarbonate film, and the insulating plastic film is provided with lines for electrical connection with each light-emitting element 31. In this way, by disposing each light-emitting element 31 on another light source circuit board 30, the lines on the circuit board 20 can be avoided from being too crowded, which helps to simplify the wiring design and improve product reliability and stability. Preferably, the area of ​​the light source circuit board 30 is smaller than the area of ​​the circuit board 20. In this embodiment, the light source circuit board 30 has a light-emitting part 301 and two extension parts 302 (as shown in FIG. 2). The position of the light-emitting part 301 corresponds to the light-transmitting elastic member 50. The light-emitting part 301 may be provided with wiring (not shown) to be electrically connected to each light-emitting member 31. In addition, in this embodiment, the light-emitting part 301 is a ring structure, and the two extension parts 302 extend from opposite sides of the light-emitting part 301 respectively. Each extension part 302 may be provided with wiring (not shown). The wiring of the light-emitting part 301 and the extension parts 302 can be interconnected, so that each light-emitting member 31 can be connected to the power supply through the wiring of the light-emitting part 301 and the extension parts 302.

[0013] As shown in Figure 4, a protective layer 33 can be disposed on the surface of the light source circuit board 30. For example, the protective layer 33 can be a UV layer or other insulating coating. In this way, the protective layer 33 can protect the circuits on the surface of the light source circuit board 30 and prevent telecommunication interference, and can also make the surface of the light source circuit board 30 have an insulating effect.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a light-transmitting elastic element 50 is disposed between the keycap 40 and the circuit board 20, and the light-transmitting elastic element 50 covers each light-emitting element 31. For example, the light-transmitting elastic element 50 can be made entirely of a light-transmitting elastic material (such as rubber or silicone). When the user presses the keycap 40 and moves it towards the substrate 10, the keycap 40 can compress the light-transmitting elastic element 50 to accumulate elastic force and trigger the circuit board 20 to generate a signal. When the user releases the keycap 40, the elastic force accumulated in the light-transmitting elastic element 50 can drive the keycap 40 to move away from the substrate 10 and return to its unpressed position.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, in this embodiment, a connector 60 is further provided between the substrate 10 and the keycaps 40. The connector 60 can be a scissor-type connector (as shown in Figure 2) or a linkage mechanism of other shapes (such as a V-shaped or A-shaped linkage mechanism). One side of the connector 60 is movably connected to the keycaps 40, and the other side of the connector 60 is movably connected to the substrate 10. Therefore, when each keycap 40 moves up and down relative to the substrate 10, the connector 60 can move relative to the substrate 10 and the keycaps 40, achieving the effect of stably linking the up and down movement of the keycaps 40. In this embodiment, the connector 60 includes an outer frame 61 and an inner frame 62. The outer frame 61 has two first connecting arms 611, and the inner frame 62 has two second connecting arms 621. The two first connecting arms 611 of the outer frame 61 are pivotally connected to the two second connecting arms 621 of the inner frame 62. The light source circuit board 30 is located between the two first connecting arms 611 of the outer frame 61 and the two second connecting arms 621 of the inner frame 62. Preferably, the connector 60 can be provided with grooves 63 at each extension 302 of the light source circuit board 30. In addition, grooves 63 are provided at the bottom of both the outer frame 61 and the inner frame 62 to correspond to each extension 302 of the light source circuit board 30. In this way, when the keycap 40 is pressed down by the user, each extension 302 of the light source circuit board 30 can be accommodated in the grooves 63, thereby avoiding interference between the connector 60 and the light source circuit board 30, and reducing the overall thickness of the keyboard device 1 to achieve a thinner design.

[0016] In summary, the key structure 2 of this embodiment of the invention, by placing the light-emitting element 31 on the circuit board 20 and covering the light-emitting element 31 with a light-transmitting elastic element 50, can significantly reduce the overall thickness of the keyboard device 1 and achieve a thinner design compared to the conventional backlight module. Furthermore, as shown in FIG4, the light emitted by the light-emitting element 31 is redirected by the light-transmitting elastic element 50 before illuminating the keycap 40, thereby achieving a light diffusion effect (as indicated by the dotted arrows in FIG4), ensuring that the light can evenly illuminate the keycap 40 and guaranteeing consistent brightness for each character on the keycap 40. In some embodiments, the color of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 may be different from the color of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 31. For example, the light emitted by the light-emitting element 31 may be white light, and the color of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 may be green, blue, or red, to change the color of the light illuminating the keycap 40.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the thickness of the light source circuit board 30 can be less than the thickness of the circuit board 20, so as to further reduce the overall thickness of the keyboard device 1. For example, the thickness of the light source circuit board 30 can be between 0.025mm and 0.05mm, and the thickness of the circuit board 20 can be between 0.1mm and 0.3mm.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the light-transmitting elastic element 50 includes a top 51, an annular elastic wall 52, a conductive post 54, and an annular bottom 55. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting elastic element 50 is a one-piece molded structure. The top 51 contacts the keycap 40, the width of the annular bottom 55 is greater than the width of the top 51, and the annular bottom 55 can contact the circuit board 20 or the light source circuit substrate 30. The annular elastic wall 52 is integrally connected to the top 51 and extends towards the annular bottom 55. The conductive post 54 is integrally connected to the top 51 and located within the annular elastic wall 52. When the user presses the keycap 40 and moves it towards the substrate 10, the annular elastic wall 52 of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 will be subjected to force and undergo elastic deformation, allowing the conductive post 54 to move towards the substrate 10 and abut against the trigger portion 201 on the circuit board 20 (as shown in Figure 2) to trigger and generate a signal. Preferably, the light-emitting part 301 of the light source circuit board 30 has a clearance hole 303, the position of which corresponds to the conduction post 54 of the light-transmitting elastic member 50 and the trigger part 201 of the circuit board 20, so as to avoid interference of the light source circuit board 30 with the trigger.

[0019] Figure 5 is another cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, multiple light-emitting elements 31 can be located near the light-transmitting elastic element 50, that is, the light-emitting elements 31 are located within the orthographic projection range of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 and outside the orthographic projection range of the conductive post 54, so as to avoid the conductive post 54 in the center of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 and the light-emitting elements 31 coming into contact with each other when the keycap 40 is pressed, thus affecting the operation feel. For example, in this embodiment, the light-emitting elements 31 are arranged corresponding to the annular bottom 55 of the light-transmitting elastic element 50. Preferably, the annular bottom 55 of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 has a receiving groove 56, and the number of receiving grooves 56 can correspond to the number of light-emitting elements 31. Here, the number of receiving grooves 56 is four and they are spaced apart from each other. The four light-emitting elements 31 are respectively located in the receiving grooves 56 to avoid the light-emitting elements 31 coming into contact with the light-transmitting elastic element 50 and affecting the operation feel.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in this embodiment, the annular bottom 55 of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 has an inner annular surface 551 and an outer annular surface 552. Each receiving groove 56 has a first vent opening 561 and a second vent opening 562. The first vent opening 561 is located on the inner annular surface 551, and the second vent opening 562 is located on the outer annular surface 552. A gap is maintained between each light-emitting element 31 and the inner wall of each receiving groove 56. Therefore, when the keycap 40 is pressed by the user and deforms against the light-transmitting elastic element 50, the gas inside the light-transmitting elastic element 50 can be discharged through each receiving groove 56, thereby reducing the resistance when the light-transmitting elastic element 50 rebounds and extending its service life. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the size of the second vent opening 562 of each receiving groove 56 of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 is smaller than the size of the first vent opening 561, which can further reduce light leakage from the light-emitting element 31, thereby improving the overall optical effect and performance.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the light-transmitting elastic element 50 may have marking portions 58, the number of which corresponds to the number of light-emitting elements 31. In this embodiment, there are four marking portions 58, and the position of each marking portion 58 corresponds to the position of each light-emitting element 31. Therefore, during the installation of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 onto the light source circuit board 30 and the circuit board 20, the operator can align each marking portion 58 with the corresponding light-emitting element 31, thereby ensuring that the light-transmitting elastic element 50 can be correctly installed and in the correct installation direction, thus improving the assembly efficiency of the light-transmitting elastic element 50.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the annular bottom 55 of the light-transmitting elastic member 50 has a top surface 553 and a bottom surface 554, wherein the bottom surface 554 contacts the light source circuit board 30, and the annular elastic wall 52 is connected to the top surface 553 of the annular bottom 55. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned marking portion 58 is a light-transmitting protrusion integrally connected to the top surface 553 of the annular bottom 55, and the position of each marking portion 58 corresponds to the position of each receiving groove 56 of the annular bottom 55. Thus, during the installation process of the light-transmitting elastic member 50, the operator can align each marking portion 58 of the light-transmitting elastic member 50 with the corresponding light-emitting element 31, and after installation, each light-emitting element 31 can be located in each receiving groove 56 and covered by the light-transmitting elastic member 50.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in FIG4, in this embodiment of the invention, the marking portion 58 is a light-transmitting protrusion, such as a raised dot or a raised square, and corresponds to the position of the light-emitting element 31, so that the light emitted by the light-emitting element 31 can be further diffused through the marking portion 58, thereby improving the performance of the light-gathering effect. However, the above embodiment is only an example, and in some embodiments, the marking portion 58 may also be a groove or a pattern.

[0024] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a pressing cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment described above is at least that each light-emitting element 31 in this embodiment is disposed inside the light-transmitting elastic element 50 and adjacent to the annular bottom 55. Furthermore, when the keycap 40 is pressed by the user and moves toward the circuit board 20 to the pressing position (as shown in Figure 7), each light-emitting element 31 is located between the conductive post 54 of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 and the annular bottom 55, and each light-emitting element 31 will not contact the conductive post 54 or the annular bottom 55 of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 to avoid affecting the operating feel. That is to say, the placement position of each light-emitting element 31 only needs to avoid contact with the light-transmitting elastic element 50, and each light-emitting element 31 is not limited to being disposed in the receiving groove 56 of the annular bottom 55 of the light-transmitting elastic element 50.

[0025] Figure 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the key structure of the present invention, and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment described above is at least that the annular bottom 55 of the light-transmitting elastic element 50 in this embodiment has an annular groove 57, and the annular groove 57 is connected to each receiving groove 56, so that the annular bottom 55 has different structural strengths. Therefore, when the keycap 40 is pressed by the user and deforms against the light-transmitting elastic element 50, the user can feel different tactile sensations.

[0026] Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the light source circuit board of the button structure of the present invention, and Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the light source circuit board of the button structure of the present invention. In some embodiments, the light source circuit board 30 of the above embodiments can be connected to a lead-out section 32 for connection to other devices via the lead-out section 32. The lead-out section 32 can be integrally formed with the light source circuit board 30 (as shown in Figure 10), or, as shown in Figure 11, the lead-out section 32 can also be assembled to the light source circuit board 30. For example, the lead-out section 32 can be assembled and fixed to the light source circuit board 30 by soldering.

[0027] Although the technical content of the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications and refinements made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0028] 1: Keyboard device 2: Button Structure 10:Substrate 20: Circuit board 201: Trigger Section 30: Light source circuit board 301: Light-emitting part 302: Extension 303: Clearance Hole 31: Light-emitting components 32: Exit Section 33: Protective layer 40: Keycaps 50: Light-transmitting elastic element 51: Top 52: Annular elastic wall 54: Conductor Post 55: Circular bottom 551: Inner circumference 552: Outer ring surface 553: Top surface 554: Bottom 56: Receptacle 561: First ventilation opening 562: Second ventilation opening 57: Annular groove 58: Marking section 60: Connector 61: Outer Frame 611: First connecting arm 62: Inner Frame 621: Second connecting arm 63: Groove

Claims

1. A button structure, comprising: A circuit board; A light-emitting element is disposed on the circuit board; A keycap is located on top of the circuit board; A light-transmitting elastic element is disposed between the keycap and the circuit board, and the light-transmitting elastic element covers the light-emitting element, wherein the light emitted by the light-emitting element is diffused by the light-transmitting elastic element before illuminating the keycap.

2. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein a light source circuit board is disposed on the circuit board, and the light-emitting element is disposed on the light source circuit board.

3. The button structure as described in claim 2, wherein the thickness of the light source circuit board is less than the thickness of the circuit board.

4. The button structure as described in claim 2, wherein the area of ​​the light source circuit board is smaller than the area of ​​the circuit board.

5. The button structure as described in claim 2, wherein the light source circuit board has a light-emitting portion and two extension portions, the position of the light-emitting portion corresponds to the light-transmitting elastic member, the two extension portions extend from opposite sides of the light-emitting portion, and the light-emitting portion and the two extension portions have lines electrically connected to the light-emitting member.

6. The key structure as described in claim 2, wherein a connector is provided between the circuit board and the keycap, the connector having at least one groove, the position of the at least one groove corresponding to at least a portion of the light source circuit board substrate.

7. The key structure as described in claim 2, wherein a connector is provided between the circuit board and the keycap, the connector including an outer frame and an inner frame, the outer frame having two first connecting arms, the inner frame having two second connecting arms, the two first connecting arms being pivotally connected to the two second connecting arms respectively, and the light source circuit board being located between the two first connecting arms and the two second connecting arms.

8. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting elastic element includes a conductive post, and the light-emitting element is located within the orthographic projection range of the light-transmitting elastic element and outside the orthographic projection range of the conductive post.

9. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting elastic element has an annular bottom, and the light-emitting element is disposed opposite to the annular bottom.

10. The button structure as described in claim 9, wherein the annular bottom has a receiving groove and the light-emitting element is located in the receiving groove.

11. The button structure as described in claim 10, wherein the annular bottom has an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface, the receiving groove has a first vent opening and a second vent opening, the first vent opening being located on the inner annular surface and the second vent opening being located on the outer annular surface.

12. The button structure as described in claim 11, wherein the size of the second vent opening is smaller than the size of the first vent opening.

13. The button structure as described in claim 10, wherein the annular bottom has an annular groove communicating with the receiving groove.

14. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the color of the light-transmitting elastic element is different from the color of a light emitted by the light-emitting element.

15. The button structure as described in claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting elastic element has a marking portion whose position corresponds to the position of the light-emitting element.

16. The button structure as described in claim 15, wherein the light-transmitting elastic member has an annular bottom, the annular bottom has a top surface, and the marking portion is disposed on the top surface.

17. The button structure as described in claim 16, wherein the marking portion is a light-transmitting protrusion and the marking portion is integrally connected to the annular bottom.

18. The key structure as described in claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting elastic element has an annular bottom and a conductive post, the keycap is selectively movable toward the circuit board to a pressed position, and the light-emitting element is located between the conductive post and the annular bottom when the keycap is in the pressed position.

19. A keyboard device comprising a key structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

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