CN210925823U

CN210925823U - Key cap, pressing module, keyboard module and electronic device

Info

Publication number: CN210925823U
Application number: CN202020030540.5U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 胡荣城; 巫冠贤; 杨鸿森; 蓝常枫
Original assignee: Wistron Corp
Current assignee: Wistron Corp
Priority date: 2019-12-18
Filing date: 2020-01-07
Publication date: 2020-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-07
Also published as: TWM597973U

Abstract

Provided are a key cap, a pressing module, a keyboard module and an electronic device. The key cap comprises a pressing part and a coating layer; the pressing part comprises an upper surface and a side surface; the cladding layer comprises a first section and a second section, the first section is connected with the second section, the first section covers the upper surface, and the second section covers one part of the side surface. The utility model discloses can solve the button inefficacy problem when low temperature environment uses to can improve and feel pressing down under low temperature environment.

Description

Key cap, pressing module, keyboard module and electronic device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a press the key cap, have this press the module, have this keyboard module who presses the module according to the key cap to and have this keyboard module's electron device.

Background

A keyboard is a set of keys with numbers, symbols, and/or letters arranged in a block or mat. Pads that contain mostly numbers are called numeric keyboards. The numeric keypad is located on devices that require numeric input, such as calculators, touch-tone telephones, vending machines, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), point-of-sale devices, combination locks, and digital door locks.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional key structure 20. The exposed surface of the key cap 201 is covered with the covering film 202, and only the lower surface 2011 is exposed. And the lower surface 2011 of the key cap 201 is flush with the lower surface 2021 of the cover film 202. When the user presses the key cap 201, the key cap 201 presses the metal plate 204 through the elastic element 203, so that the metal plate 204 contacts with an electrical contact (not shown) on the circuit board 205.

However, the conventional key structure 20 may cause a problem when used in an extremely low temperature environment. For example, Industrial personal digital assistants (Industrial personal digital assistants; Industrial PDA) are used in refrigerated warehouses. When the ambient temperature is extremely low, for example, -30 ℃, the moisture permeating into the key structure 20 forms a thin layer of ice between the key cap 201 and the elastic element 203, so that the key cap 201 cannot be pressed down, thereby causing the key structure 20 to fail.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a key cap, a pressing module, a keyboard module and an electronic device to solve the above problems.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model relates to a press the button cap, have this module of pressing according to the button cap, have this keyboard module of pressing the module to and have this keyboard module's electron device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a key cap includes a pressing portion and a covering layer; the pressing part comprises an upper surface and a side surface; the cladding layer comprises a first section and a second section, the first section is connected with the second section, the first section wraps the upper surface, and the second section wraps one part of the side surface.

In one embodiment, the cladding further comprises a third section, the third section being connected to the second section; the pressing portion further includes a protrusion protruding from the third section.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a press module includes a support structure, a plurality of elastic elements, and a plurality of key caps as described above; the plurality of elastic elements are arranged on the supporting structure; the plurality of key caps are respectively arranged on the corresponding plurality of elastic elements.

In one embodiment, the edge of the resilient element has a bevel below the protrusion.

In one embodiment, the edge of the resilient element has an arc angle below the protrusion.

In one embodiment, the elastic element comprises an elastic arm, an elastic block body and a pressing block. The elastic block is located between the elastic arm and the pressing portion. The pressing block is positioned below the elastic arm.

In one embodiment, the width of the spring arm protruding the spring block is 15% -25% of the width of the spring block.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a keyboard module includes a circuit board, a metal plate, and a pressing module; the circuit board comprises a plurality of electrical contacts; the metal plate is positioned on the circuit board and comprises a plurality of arc-shaped areas, and the arc-shaped areas respectively correspond to the plurality of electrical contacts; the pressing module comprises the supporting structure, a plurality of elastic elements and a plurality of key caps; the support structure is positioned on the metal plate; the elastic elements are arranged on the supporting structure and respectively correspond to the arc-shaped areas; the plurality of key caps are respectively arranged on the corresponding plurality of elastic elements.

In one embodiment, each arcuate region includes a vent to allow the pressure inside and outside the arcuate region to be uniform.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes a processor, a memory, a display, and a keyboard module of the previous embodiment; the keyboard module, the memory and the display are electrically connected with the processor; the keyboard module comprises the metal plate, the circuit board and the pressing module.

The utility model discloses can solve the button inefficacy problem when low temperature environment uses to can improve and feel pressing down under low temperature environment.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a conventional key structure.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a keyboard module including key caps and pressing modules according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a key cap and a pressing module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3B is an illustration of an ice breaking diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a key cap and a pressing module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4B is an illustration of an ice breaking diagram of a key cap and a pressing module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a key cap and a pressing module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a key cap and a pressing module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is an exploded view of a keyboard module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a top view of a metal plate of a keyboard module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the metal sheet according to fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the main component symbols:

1 pressing module

2 pressing module

3 pressing module

4 pressing module

5 layer of ice

10 pressing part

11 elastic element

12 metal plate

13 Circuit board

14 support structure

15 coating layer

16 light directing film

17 casing

17A front case

17B rear shell

18 key cap

20 key structure

100 keyboard module

101 projection

102 upper surface of the container

Side 103

110 elastic arm

111 elastic block

112 briquetting

113 bevel angle

115 arc angle

121 arc region

122 space plate

123 vent hole

131 electric contact

151 first section

152 second section

153 third segment

200 keyboard module

201 keycap

202 wrapping film

203 elastic element

204 metal plate

205 circuit board

2011 lower surface

2021 lower surface

Width D1

Height D2

Distance D3

Distance D4

Width X

Width of Y

Detailed Description

The following detailed description of the embodiments will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. Aside from the detailed description, the invention is capable of general implementation in other embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the description of the specification, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention; however, the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps or elements have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a keyboard module 100 having a plurality of key caps 18 and a pressing module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a single key cap 18 and the pressing module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The appearance of the elements shown in the figures is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3A, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the key cap 18 includes a pressing portion 10 and a covering layer 15. The pressing portion 10 includes an upper surface 102 and a side surface 103. Cladding layer 15 includes a first section 151 and a second section 152. The upper surface 102 and a part of the side surface 103 of the pressing portion 10 can be covered by the first section 151 and the second section 152 of the covering layer 15, respectively.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3A, in a preferred embodiment, the covering layer 15 further includes a horizontal third section 153, the third section 153 is connected to the second section 153, and the periphery of the pressing portion 10 further includes a protrusion 101 protruding from the third section 153.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3A, the protrusion 101 may be various shapes. In one embodiment, the bottom of the protrusion 101 has a contact plane. In one embodiment, the bottom of the protrusion 101 has a pointed contact point. In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 101 protrudes from the entire circumference of the pressing portion 10 to form an annular protruding portion 101.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3A, In a preferred embodiment, the pressing portion 10 and the covering layer 15 can be formed by In-Mold injection (In-Mold) process, but not limited thereto. The material of the pressing portion 10 is generally a polymer, for example, ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) or Polycarbonate (Polycarbonate). The material of the coating layer 15 is usually a polymer.

Referring to fig. 2 and fig. 3A, the main components of the pressing module 1 include a supporting structure 14, a plurality of elastic elements 11, and a plurality of key caps 18. A plurality of resilient elements 11 are arranged on the support structure 14. The plurality of key caps 18 correspond to the plurality of elastic elements 11, and each key cap 18 is disposed on the corresponding elastic element 11 and includes the pressing portion 10 and the covering layer 15. The pressing portion 10 is located on the elastic element 11 and can be combined with the elastic element 11 by means of structural fitting (fitting). The elastic element 11 is usually made of rubber, but may be made of other elastic materials. In one embodiment, the elastic element 11 may include, but is not limited to: a spring arm 110, a spring block 111, and a pressing piece 112. The resilient arm 110 is secured to the support structure 14. The elastic block 111 is located between the elastic arm 110 and the pressing portion 10 and combined with the pressing portion 10, and the pressing piece 112 is located below the elastic arm 110. In addition, for convenience of illustration, in the present embodiment, the pressing module 1 may have a metal plate 12 and a circuit board 13 below. The metal plate 12 is located on the circuit board 13. The elastic element 11 is fixed to the support structure 14 and is located on the metal plate 12. It should be noted that in other embodiments of the present invention, the key cap 18 can be configured with different elastic supporting structures, and is not limited to the elastic element 11 in this embodiment.

The utility model provides a press key cap 18 and press module 1 can solve the button inefficacy problem when low temperature environment uses. As shown in fig. 3B, when the ambient temperature is very low, for example, -30 ℃, moisture penetrating into the pressing module 1 forms an ice layer 5 between the pressing portion 10 and the elastic element 11. When a user presses the pressing portion 10 with a finger, the pressing portion 10 protrudes from the protrusion 101 of the third section 153 of the covering layer 15 to break the ice layer 5. The pressing portion 10 is no longer blocked by the ice layer 5 and can be continuously pressed down, and the elastic element 11 presses the metal plate 12, so that the metal plate 12 contacts with the electrical contact 131 (fig. 2) on the circuit board 13.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3A, in some embodiments, the ice breaking structure, i.e., the width D1 of the protrusion 101, is generally designed to be between 0.5mm and 0.75 mm. However, the width thereof may exceed this range according to the size of the pressing portion 10. Protrusion 101 protrudes from third section 153 of cladding layer 15 by a height D2. The metal plate 12 may include an arc-shaped area (dome)121, which may correspond to an electrical contact 131 (fig. 2) or a component (not shown) of the circuit board 13. The distance between the protrusion 101 and the elastic element 11 is D3, and the distance from the arc-shaped area 121 to the circuit board 13 is D4.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3A, in one embodiment, the distance D4 from the arc-shaped region 121 to the circuit board 13 is equal to the height D2 of the protrusion 101 protruding from the third section 153. In one embodiment, the distance D3 between the protrusion 101 and the elastic element 11 is equal to the distance D4 from the arc-shaped region 121 to the circuit board 13 plus the molding tolerance of the height D2 of the protrusion 101 from the third section 153. This design can ensure a sufficient pressing stroke of the pressing portion 10. For example, in one embodiment, the height D2 of the protrusion 101 protruding from the third section 153 is 0.2mm, the distance D4 from the arc-shaped region 121 to the circuit board 13 is also 0.2mm, and the molding tolerance of the height D2 of the protrusion 101 protruding from the third section 153 is 0.1 mm. If the distance D3 between the protrusion 101 and the elastic element 11 is designed to be 0.3mm, the distance D3 between the protrusion 101 and the elastic element 11 can still maintain a sufficient pressing stroke (0.2mm) even if the height D2 of the protrusion actually protruding from the third segment 153 is 0.3 mm.

Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a module 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 4B is an ice breaking schematic diagram according to the present invention, which is an embodiment of the module 2. Referring to fig. 4A, in the present embodiment, the pressing module 2 has most of the same features as the pressing module 1 of fig. 3A, and the differences are: in this embodiment, the edge of the elastic element 11 has a bevel 113 below the protrusion 101. Due to the bevel 113, when the moisture forms the ice layer 5 between the pressing part 10 and the elastic member 11, the position of the ice layer 5 right below the protrusion 101 is the thinnest position thereof; thus, the resilient element 11 with the bevel 113 may assist the protrusion 101 to break the ice layer 5 more easily.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pressing module 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 5, in the present embodiment, the pressing module 3 has most of the same features as the pressing module 1 of fig. 3A, and the differences are: in this embodiment, the edge of the elastic element 11 has an arc angle 115 below the protrusion 101. Due to the arc angle 115, when moisture forms the ice layer 5 between the pressing portion 10 and the elastic element 11, the ice layer 5 is just at the thinnest position under the protrusion 101; thus, the resilient element 11 with the arc angle 115 may assist the protrusion 101 to break the ice layer 5 more easily.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pressing module 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 2 and 6, in some embodiments, in order to provide a better pressing feeling for a user in a low temperature environment, the area of the elastic arm 110 is increased. For example, if the width of the elastic block 111 is X and the width of the elastic arm 110 protruding from the elastic block 111 is Y, the width Y may be preferably 15% to 25% of the width X. Experiments show that when the elastic arm 111 is widened and the ice breaking structure of the previous embodiment is used, the user can press the weight of the elastic arm with a lighter weight in a low-temperature environment to achieve the same pressing function and effect. Other features of the pressing module 4 in this embodiment may be the same as those of the previous embodiment, and are not described again.

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of a keyboard module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard module 200 includes a case 17 including a front case 17A and a rear case 17B, and a press module 1, a circuit board 12, and a metal plate 13 provided in the case. The circuit board 13 includes a plurality of electrical contacts 131. The metal plate 12 is located on the circuit board 13 and includes a plurality of arc-shaped areas 121. The pressing module 1 comprises a supporting structure 14, a plurality of elastic elements 11, and a plurality of key caps 18. The elastic elements 11 respectively correspond to the electrical contacts 131 and the arc-shaped areas 121. In the present embodiment, the pressing module 1 shown in fig. 3A and 3B is used. In other embodiments of the present invention, the keyboard module 200 may also adopt the pressing module 2, the pressing module 3, or the pressing module 4 shown in fig. 4A to fig. 6. In another embodiment of the invention, the housing 17 is omitted.

Fig. 8 is a top view of the metal plate 12 of the keyboard module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the metal sheet 12 according to fig. 8. Referring to fig. 3A and 7 to 9, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the metal plate 12 includes a plurality of arc regions (dome)121 and a spacer (spacer)122, and the spacer 122 is used to fix the positions of the arc regions 121. For example, the spacing plate 122 may fix the position of the arc region 121 by a back adhesive. In some embodiments, a light guiding film 16 may also be disposed above the spacer 122. In some embodiments, each of the curved regions 121 may include a vent hole 123 extending through the partition 122 to allow uniform pressure between the inside and outside of the curved region 121. This design can improve the pressing feel of the key cap 18 in a low temperature environment. In a low temperature environment, when the gas volume in the arc region 121 is compressed according to the ideal gas equation, the pressure becomes high. At this time, the vent 123 may reduce the pressure in the arc region 121, improving the pressing feel in a low temperature environment.

Fig. 10 is a diagram of an electronic device 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. The electronic device 300 includes a keyboard module 200, a display 302, a processor 304, and a memory 306. The keyboard module 200 is electrically connected to the processor 304 for user data input. The processor 304 may process data input by a user. The memory 306 is electrically connected to the processor 304 for storing data. The display 302 is electrically connected to the processor 304 and can display data transmitted by the processor 304. The keyboard module 200 may be configured as shown in fig. 7, wherein the keyboard module 200 may include the pressing module 1 of fig. 2 or fig. 7, but the pressing module 2, the pressing module 3, or the pressing module 4 shown in fig. 4A to fig. 6 may also be employed. The electronic device 300 may include, but is not limited to: industrial Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), hand-held bar code scanners, computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices suitable for use in low temperature environments.

Each and every embodiment disclosed in the present specification can be modified, changed, combined, exchanged, omitted, replaced, and changed by others skilled in the art, and all the embodiments should belong to the concept of the present invention as long as they do not mutually exclude each other, and belong to the scope of the present invention. Structures or methods that may correspond to or relate to features of embodiments described herein, and/or any applications, disclaimers, or approved applications by the author or assignee are incorporated herein as part of the specification. The incorporated parts, including their counterparts, related and modified parts or whole, (1) operable and/or configurable (2) to be operable and/or configurable by those skilled in the art (3) to implement/manufacture/use or incorporate the present specification, the present related applications, and any parts in accordance with the common general knowledge and judgment of those skilled in the art.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, conditional phrases or co-terms such as "may", "result", "maybe (light)", or "may" are generally intended to convey that the present embodiment has, but may also be interpreted as possibly undesirable features, elements, or steps. In other embodiments, these features, elements, or steps may not be required.

The contents of the documents described above are incorporated herein as part of the present specification. The embodiments provided by the present invention are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The features and other features of the present invention including method steps and techniques may be combined with or modified from those described in the related applications, in whole or in part, in unequal, separate, or alternative embodiments. The disclosed features and methods, their counterparts, or relatives, include those which are derivable therein and those skilled in the art, which modifiers, in part or in whole, may be (1) operable and/or configurable (2) modified to be operable and/or configurable in accordance with the knowledge of a person skilled in the art (3) made/used or combined with any part of the specification, including (I) any one or more part of the present invention or related structures and methods, and/or (II) any variation and/or combination of the contents of any one or more of the inventive concepts and their parts described herein, including any variation and/or combination of the contents of any one or more of the described features or embodiments.

Claims

1. A key cap, comprising:

the pressing part comprises an upper surface and a side surface; and

the coating comprises a first section and a second section, the first section is connected with the second section, the first section coats the upper surface, and the second section coats one part of the side surface.

2. The key cap of claim 1, wherein the covering layer further includes a third section connected to the second section, and a periphery of the pressing portion further includes a protrusion protruding from the third section.

3. A compression module, comprising:

a support structure;

a plurality of elastic elements disposed on the support structure; and

a plurality of button caps, these a plurality of button caps set up respectively on corresponding these a plurality of elastic element, and each button cap includes:

the pressing part comprises an upper surface and a side surface; and

4. The compression module of claim 3, wherein the cover further includes a third segment connected to the second segment, and a periphery of the compression portion further includes a protrusion protruding from the third segment.

5. The compression module of claim 4, wherein the edge of the resilient member has an oblique angle below the protrusion.

6. The compression module of claim 4, wherein the edge of the resilient element has an arc angle located below the protrusion.

7. The compression module of claim 4, wherein the resilient element comprises:

the elastic arm is fixed on the supporting structure;

the elastic block body is positioned between the elastic arm and the pressing part; and

and the pressing block is positioned below the elastic arm.

8. The compression module of claim 7, wherein the spring arm protrudes beyond the spring block by a width of 15% -25% of the width of the spring block.

9. A keyboard module, comprising:

a circuit board, the circuit board including a plurality of electrical contacts;

the metal plate is positioned on the circuit board and comprises a plurality of arc-shaped areas, and the arc-shaped areas respectively correspond to the plurality of electrical contacts; and

a compression module, the compression module comprising:

a support structure located on the metal plate;

the elastic elements are arranged on the supporting structure and respectively correspond to the arc-shaped areas; and

a plurality of button caps, these a plurality of button caps set up respectively on corresponding these a plurality of elastic element, wherein each button cap includes:

the pressing part comprises an upper surface and a side surface; and

10. The keyboard module of claim 9, wherein the cover further comprises a third section, the third section is connected to the second section, and a periphery of the pressing portion further comprises a protrusion protruding from the third section.

11. The keyboard module of claim 9, further comprising a housing, wherein the circuit board, the metal plate, and the pressing module are disposed in the housing.

12. The keyboard module of claim 10, wherein the edge of the resilient element has an oblique angle below the protrusion.

13. The keyboard module of claim 10, wherein the edge of the resilient element has an arc angle located below the protrusion.

14. The keyboard module of claim 10, wherein the resilient member comprises:

the elastic arm is fixed on the supporting structure;

and the pressing block is positioned between the elastic arm and the arc-shaped area.

15. The keyboard module of claim 14, wherein the width of the spring arm protruding the resilient block is 15% -25% of the width of the resilient block.

16. The keyboard module of claim 9, wherein each of the curved regions includes a vent to allow uniform pressure between the interior and exterior of the curved region.

17. The keyboard module of claim 16, wherein a spacer is disposed over the plurality of curved regions, the spacer having a light guiding film disposed over the spacer.

18. The keyboard module of claim 10, wherein the protrusion protrudes from the third section of the cover by a height, and the distance from the arc-shaped area to the circuit board is equal to the height of the protrusion protruding from the third section.

19. The keyboard module of claim 18, wherein a distance between the protrusion and the resilient element is equal to a distance between the curved region and the circuit board plus a molding tolerance of the height of the protrusion from the third section.

20. An electronic device, comprising:

a processor;

the memory is electrically connected with the processor;

a display electrically connected to the processor; and

a keyboard module, the keyboard module electrically connected to the processor, the keyboard module comprising:

a compression module, the compression module comprising:

a support structure located on the metal plate;

the pressing part comprises an upper surface and a side surface; and

21. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the cover further comprises a third section connected to the second section, and a periphery of the pressing portion further comprises a protrusion protruding from the third section.

22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the edge of the elastic element has an oblique angle below the protrusion.

23. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the edge of the elastic element has an arc angle located below the protrusion.