Backlit Keyboard Key Structure With Integrated Metal-Circuit Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backlit keyboards are thick due to the need for a circuit board to drive light emitters and a metal plate to support scissor arm assemblies and key caps, making it difficult to achieve a thinner design.
Innovation Solution
The character key device integrates a backlight module with a metal plate and insulating layer, incorporating a backlight circuit and light emitters, and a film module with accommodating spaces for the emitters, along with a support module using an elastomer and scissor arm assembly, reducing the overall thickness by eliminating the need for separate circuit and metal plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a separate circuit board and metal plate are used to support light emitters and scissor arm assemblies, then the structural stability and functionality are ensured, but the overall thickness of the keyboard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the circuit board and metal plate into a single integrated substrate structure. The substrate includes a circuit board with a metal plate disposed on it, where the metal plate serves dual purposes as both a structural support for scissor arm assemblies and an electrical connection layer for light emitters. This integration eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall keyboard thickness while maintaining structural stability and functionality.
2Device complexity
If the metal plate supports both light emitters and scissor arm assemblies, then component count is reduced, but the metal plate thickness and overall structure become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the metal plate into two functional layers: a first metal plate layer for supporting scissor arm assemblies and a second metal plate layer for electrical connections with light emitters. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the overall thickness requirement while maintaining structural integrity and electrical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for scissor arm assemblies, electrical connections for light emitters, and structural rigidity for the keyboard. By designing the substrate to perform multiple functions, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall complexity and thickness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively reduces the overall thickness of the backlit keyboard while maintaining the backlight and press signal functionality, achieving the goal of thinning the device.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer disposed on the film module. The key cap is disposed on the support module, and has an inner peripheral surface connected to the support and in contact with the elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
A character key device includes a bottom plate, a backlight module, a film module, a support module and a key cap. The backlight module includes a metal plate, an insulating layer, a backlight circuit and a light emitter. The metal plate includes a metal plate body, and a plurality of pivot seats extending upwardly from the metal plate body. The film module is disposed on the backlight circuit. The film module defines at least one accommodating space adjacent to the backlight circuit and allowing the at least one light emitter to extend therein. The film module is pressable to generate a trigger signal. The support module includes a support disposed on the film module and connected to the pivot seats of the metal plate, and an elastomer disposed on the film module. The key cap is disposed on the support module.