KR100807157B1 - Keyboard with key supporting structure for portable electronics devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a keyboard assembly (20) arranged therein to provide an illuminated and integrated keyboard assembly with light guides (23, 31, 33) and support structures (23, 33). The invention also relates to light guides 23, 31, 33 that provide integrated support, protection, and lighting structure for keyboard assemblies 20. According to the invention, the keyboard assembly 20 has a hard material layer 31, which separates the elastic layer 21 from the printed wiring board 9 at the bottom of the hard layer 31. The layers are glued together. The protective rib 33 is a part of the combination of the elastic layer 21 and the hard layer 31, which is supported by the hard layer 31 with respect to the printed wiring board 9. A light source 6 located adjacent to the hard layers 23, 31, 33 forming the light guides 23, 31, 33 is formed of thin light guide structures in the keyboard assemblies 20 for portable electronic devices. Enable use. The combined structure of the light guide and the support frame illuminates the key array 22, supports the keyboard assembly 20, and protects the keys 22 and the key tops 25 from mechanical stress. (23,31,33) are formed.

Description

Keyboard with key supporting structure for portable electronics devices

The present invention relates generally to a keyboard assembly of a portable electronic device, and more particularly, to a keyboard assembly having an optical guide, a support and a protective structure disposed therein to provide an illuminated and integrated keyboard assembly. The invention also relates to an optical guide for this.

The keyboard and in particular the key buttons or keys of the keyboard are generally illuminated, so that the user can also see the keys and symbols or legends on top of the keys, even in dark conditions. . Portable electronics, including keyboards, are known to have a light guide for guiding light from a light source to function keys, or simply keys. The light guide, which is formed predominantly of light-transmitting rigid material, is located between a printed wired board (PWB) and a keyboard comprising keys, so that a light source, for example a plurality of light emitting Light from diodes (LEDs) is transferred to illuminate the keys.

The light guide includes a plurality of openings or holes, where the conductive pads at the bottom of a key dome located at the bottom of each key or between the key and the PWB at the bottom thereof press the key, The short-circuiting of a pair of electrical contacts on the PWB allows for contacting the contacts located respectively on the PWB. A plurality of LEDs used to illuminate such keys and displays are mounted, for example surface-mounted, on top of the PWB in proximity to the keys. If a hard light guide layer is used on the top surface of the PWB, the plurality of LEDs may also be partially inserted directly into the light transmissive material in close proximity to the keys, such that electrical contacts on the LEDs are on the PWB. It may be in contact with corresponding conductive pads. The plurality of LEDs may be positioned to provide the desired backlighting in other patterns. The LED is located directly below each key, adjacent to each key, between two adjacent keys, in a gap between four keys, or by other design choices depending on the desired illumination brightness. . Generally, vertical-emitting or side-emitting LEDs are used as light sources. Light transmitted by the plurality of LEDs is diffused into a translucent keypad and distributed in a manner that provides backlighting for each of the keys of the keyboard.

FIG. La shows a front cover 1, a keyboard 10 and a key top 5 of a mobile phone according to the prior art. The cover 1 comprises openings for the keyboard assembly at the positions of the keytops 5. In addition, referring to FIG. La, cut lines A'-A 'constituting the cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. 1B are shown.

As shown in FIG. Lb, prior art keyboards 10 generally comprise an elastic member 3, which is a so-called silicone base, and the ridges on the upper surface of the elastic member 3; Is formed to define the edges of the keys. Each of the protrusions 19 on the lower surface of the elastic member 3 is located at the bottom of each key. The remaining part of the elastic member functions as a support frame between the keys, forming a cavity for the dome 11 at the bottom of each ridge 17 of the elastic member 3. The plastic dome sheet 11a generally has metal domes 11 on the side not attached to the light guide 7. The dome sheet 11 also has a plurality of holes (not shown) through which light reaches light in-coupling surfaces on the light guide. The lower surface of the elastic member 3, except for the cavity area, is supported with respect to the bottom hard light guide layer. The keyboard 10 includes a plurality of keys, and key tops 5 are attached to the upper surfaces of the keys so that each key top 5 extends through openings provided in the front cover 1. The individual keys comprising the keytops 5 are generally pressed separately so that the bottom of the key is in contact with the electrical contacts provided on the PWB 9 at the bottom of the keyboard 10. Electrical components 4 are generally located on one side of the PWB 9, and electrical contacts or contact pads are located on the other side of the PWB 9.

The openings of the front cover 1 are arranged to support respective key tops 5 extending through the openings. The bottom circumference of each opening has an indent 13 extending inwardly, and the bottom circumference of each keytop 5 has a lip 15 extending outwardly so that the indent ( 13) and the lip 15 are adapted to each other when pressed together. When the front cover 1 is assembled with the PWB 9, the dome sheet 11a, the hard optical guide 7, and the rear cover 8 while ensuring the electrical functionality of the portable electronic device, the elastic keyboard ( 10) to provide a compressive force. This means that the keyboard assembly 10 according to the prior art generally fixes a two-part cover, ie, the front cover 1 and the rear cover 8 and the covers, which are installed in the mobile phone. Provides the use of means (not shown).

In the prior art, the keyboard assemblies 10 have a large number of LEDs 2 to obtain the illumination required for the keyboards under dark conditions. The LEDs 2 may be surface mounted close to the keys on top of the PWB 9 and partially inserted into cavities 2a fitted to the light guide 7. In combination with the light guide 7, generally at least six to eight LEDs 2 are required to illuminate the keyboard assembly 10 of the mobile phone. The LEDs 2 are rather large sized components compared to other electrical components used in portable electronics. This means that the light guide layer 7 is relatively thick in the keyboard assemblies 10 of the prior art. Also, the LEDs 2 are somewhat power consuming components, which means that the larger the number of the LEDs 2, the greater the power consumption. In addition, the keyboard assemblies 10 of the prior art are arranged such that each keytop 5 extends through the opening of the front cover 1, and the keytop 5 is the most end of the device. If no additional protective frame is used around the key tops 5, it means that the key tops 5 can be easily pulled out of the opening or damaged against mechanical stress. This situation may arise, for example, if the user keeps the mobile phone in a pocket without protection. In addition, as described above, prior art keyboard assemblies having openings in the cover part 1 to support all combinations of the keyboard assembly 10 may be limited in freedom to design the keyboard assembly independently. The reason is that the layout design of the cover portion is deeply related to the layout design of the keyboard.

The aforementioned problems are solved by providing a keyboard assembly for portable electronics that includes fewer LEDs to achieve the required illumination brightness, resulting in thinner optical guide structures, less power consumption, and Reduce material and manufacturing costs In addition, the protective and support features combined with the keyboard assembly according to the invention provide small and light keypad structures and consequently small keyboards for portable electronics. In addition, integrated protection features improve the mechanical robustness of the keyboard assemblies and consequently improve the stiffness of portable electronic devices comprising the keyboard assembly according to the invention. In addition, the keyboard assembly according to the present invention provides greater freedom in designing the layout of the keyboard and the portable electronic device including the keyboard assembly according to the present invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide light for keyboard assemblies with a simplified structure that illuminates keys, supports a keyboard assembly, and also protects the keys and key tops from mechanical stress. To provide a light guide structure.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard assembly including such an optical guide structure.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the combined structure of the optical guide and the support frame illuminates the keys, supports the keyboard assembly, and forms an integrated structure that protects the keys and keytops from mechanical stress. Provide an optical guide for the assemblies.

According to the first aspect of the present invention,

An optical guide for a keyboard assembly comprising at least one elastic member forming a base of a key and transferring the movement of the key to a connecting means of a printed wired board,

A rigid member disposed to separate the elastic member from the printed wiring board, and arranged to separate adjacent keys from each other;

It provides a light guide, characterized in that the combination of the elastic member and the hard member is arranged to be held together by the hard member.

In a preferred embodiment,

The hard member is disposed to support the combination of the elastic member and the hard member with respect to the printed wiring board,

In particular, the outer periphery of the hard member is arranged to support the combination, so that when the circumference is compressed toward the printed wiring board by the fixing means, the combination is fixed to the printed wiring board.

In another preferred embodiment,

Protective means protruding from the hard member are arranged to protect the array of keys and the key tops from mechanical stress. Preferably, the protection means extends at least the same height as the outer top surface of the keys or keytops of the keyboard according to the invention.

In another preferred embodiment,

The hard member is formed of a photoconductive material to guide the light from the light source to illuminate the key array and key tops. Preferably, the light source is located adjacent one end of the protective means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,

In a keyboard assembly comprising at least a printed wiring board and a key array,

An elastic member which forms a base of the key and transmits the movement of the key to the connection means of the printed wiring board;

An opening in the position of the key, the elastic member being disposed to separate from the printed wiring board, and a rigid member disposed to separate adjacent keys from each other,

The combination of the elastic member and the hard member provides a keyboard assembly, characterized in that arranged to be held together by the hard member.

In a preferred embodiment,

The hard member is disposed to support the combination of the elastic member and the hard member against the printed wiring board,

In particular, the outer circumference of the hard member is disposed to support the combination, so that when the circumference is compressed toward the printed wiring board by the fixing means, the combination is fixed to the printed wiring board. Provides a keyboard assembly.

In another preferred embodiment,

Protective means protruding from the hard member are arranged to protect the key array and key tops from mechanical stress. Preferably, the protection means extends at least the same height as the outer top surface of the keys or keytops of the keyboard according to the invention.

In another preferred embodiment,

The hard member is formed of a photoconductive material to guide the light from the light source to illuminate the key array and key tops. Preferably, the light source is located adjacent one end of the protective means.

The above-described benefit of the present invention is to provide a solution in which the optical guide, the support frame and the protective frame of the keyboard assembly are integrated into a single piece element. This improves the mechanical robustness of the keyboard assemblies and provides more freedom in designing the layout of the keyboard. Another benefit of the present invention is that fewer light sources located in adjacent hard layers form the basis of thin optical guide structures in keyboard assemblies for portable electronics, such as small and light portable devices, for example. To provide a solution that is advantageous in view of the increasing demands of mobile communication devices. It also reduces power consumption and saves material and production costs.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are merely exemplary methods below.

La illustrates a front view of a communication device including a keyboard assembly according to the prior art.

FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the keyboard assembly taken along the cutting line A′-A ′ according to the prior art of FIG. 1A.

2 shows a front view of a communication device according to an embodiment of the invention.

3 is an exploded view of a cross section taken along cut line A-A of the keyboard assembly of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line A-A of the keyboard assembly of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The description of FIGS. 1A and 1B has been described above with reference to the description in the art.

2 shows an embodiment of a communication device according to the invention, which comprises a lid 12, a keyboard assembly 20 comprising a plurality of keys, key tops 25. ), Protection ribs 33 and an exemplary position of the light source 6 below the cover in the dashed line. All of the above components are described in detail later in this description. Referring again to FIG. 2, a dashed line A-A depicts an exemplary cut line that constitutes an exemplary cross-sectional view of the keyboard assembly 20 according to the invention of FIGS. 3 and 4.

3 shows a keyboard with an elastic material layer 21, preferably shaped like a sheet, which forms the basis of an array of keys (hereinafter referred to as a key array) and the individual keys therein. An exploded view of the assembly 20 is shown. The elastic material layer 21, preferably a silicon compound layer, forms a silicone skirt 21 for each key location in the key array. The upper surface of the silicone skirt 21 is preferably flat, and the lower surface of the silicone skirt 21 includes fringes that are flat around and protrusions 29 in the center. The key top 25 of each key is attached to the top surface of the top surface of the silicon skirt 21 at each key position. The key top 25, preferably a hard plastic key top, is preferably attached to the top surface of the silicon skirt 21 by using an elastic adhesive between the key top 25 and the silicon skirt 21. Do.

FIG. 3 also shows a layer of rigid material 31, preferably shaped like a one-piece sheet of homogeneous shape, which layer has an opening at each key location within the keyray. Include. The hard material layer 31, preferably a polycarbonate layer, separates the elastic layer 21 from a printed wired board 9 at the bottom of the hard layer. Except for the area of each opening of the hard layer at each key position, the bottom surface of the elastic layer 21 is joined with the top surface of the hard layer 31. When the elastic layer 21 is located on the upper surface of the hard layer 31, all the surfaces of the layers directly facing each other are bonded together. The lower surface of the elastic layer 21 and the upper surface of the hard layer 31 are bonded together and are preferably bonded to each other by physical or chemical bonding, for example, a co-moulding process. .

The elastic layer, which is preferably a silicone skirt 21, which forms the basis of the key, comprises projections 29 on the lower surface at each key position, so that the movement of the key is controlled by the printed wiring board 9. To the adhesive pads located on the top surface of the substrate. At each key position, a cavity is arranged at the bottom of the silicon skirt 21, which cavity is constituted by openings in the hard layer 31 at each key position. In combination with each cavity, a key dome 11 made of a conductive material is disposed, and when the key is pressed, the key dome 11 is placed on the printed wiring board 9 in a known manner. By allowing contact with each of the located contacts, the key dome works with the protrusion 29 to transmit the movement of the key to the printed wiring board 9. As is known, the array of key domes 11 is preferably arranged in the shape of a dome sheet 11a consisting of an insulating foil, preferably a plastic foil. And the metal keydom is located at each key position such that the metal dome faces the printed wiring board and does not contact the contact pads on the printed wiring board 9 when the key is not pressed. Is in contact with. In the keyboard assembly according to the invention, the dome sheet 11a is mounted between the lower surface of the hard layer 31 and the upper side of the printed wiring board 9 so that each metal dome 11 is formed. It is located in the cavity defined by the openings in the hard layer 31. Preferably, the plastic dome sheet 11a is attached using an adhesive on the lower surface of the hard layer 31.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the elastic layer 21 is formed of a one-piece sheet, the size of which fits within the area of the key array. The area of the key array (and key tops) is shown in FIG. 2 as a reference line 22 that surrounds a plurality of key tops 25 and spaces between the key tops 25. Preferably, the surface area of the elastic member 21 is the same as the area enclosed by the reference line 22 shown in FIG. In other words. The outer circumference 27 of the elastic layer 21 is along the outer edge of the array of key tops 25. According to one embodiment of the invention, the elastic layer 21 comprises an opening or slit between two adjacent key positions, preferably between two adjacent rows of key positions in the key array 22. do. Exemplary locations of openings or slits are shown at 33 in FIG. 2.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the elastic layer 21 is formed of the same multi-piece sheet, the size of each piece of sheet or strip in the key array 22 It fits within the area of the row of keytops 25. This means that a separate strip of elastic layer 21 is arranged at the bottom of each row of key tops 25. According to one embodiment of the invention, the surface area of each elastic layer 21 is defined by the area enclosed around each row of key tops 25. Preferably, the outer perimeter 27 of each elastic layer 21 is along the edge of each row of key tops 25 in the key top array 25.

Preferably, the hard layer 31 having a shape of a homogeneous one-piece sheet is larger than the size of the elastic layer 21, and the elastic layer 21 is located on the upper surface of the hard layer 31. The outer circumference 23 of the hard layer 31 extends more than the outer circumference 27 of the elastic layer 21. That is, the outer circumference 23 of the hard layer 31 exceeds the outer circumference of the region of the key array 22 (and key tops), which is surrounded around the plurality of key tops 25, and the key tops It is shown in FIG. 2 with the reference line 22 leaving a space between 25. 2 and 4 for a more detailed description, it can be seen that the outer circumference 23 of the hard member extends in all directions of a plane generally parallel with the hard member 31 beyond the region of the key array 22. have.

As described above, FIG. 4 shows that the lower surface of the elastic layer 21 and the upper surface of the hard layer 31 are bonded together, preferably bonded to each other by physical or chemical bonding. The one-piece hard layer 31 comprising openings 36 for keys and keydoms 11 is described in detail below by reference to reference numerals 31, 23 and 33. The combination of the elastic layer 21 and the hard layer 31 is supported by the hard layer 31 so that the circumferential region 23 is compressed into the printed wiring board 9 by the fixing means 12. If so, the area of the outer perimeter 23 of the first surface of the hard layer 31 supports the combination to be fixed relative to the lower printed wiring board 9. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper surface of the peripheral area 23 of the hard layer 31 and the edge of the cover 12 are compressed with each other so that the area 23 is the printed wiring board 9. ), The combination is supported to be fixed relative to the lower printed wiring board 9. As an example, the cover 12 of the electronic device may be configured such that the inner surface of the cover 12 is the printed wiring board 9, the component region 4 at the bottom of the printed wiring board 9, And the shape of the peripheral area 23 of the hard layer 31. As a result of the fixing mechanism described above, only one cover 12 is required in constructing a portable electronic device including the keyboard assembly 20. On the other hand, in the prior art, the front cover 1 and the rear cover 8 are required to secure the keyboard assembly 10 to the mobile phone, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the hard layer 31 is projected along at least one row of keys or key tops 25, preferably between two adjacent rows of key tops 25. Protects the keys or the columns of the keytops 25 against mechanical stress between adjacent keys and external mechanical stress. The protrusion 33 of the hard layer 31, preferably the protective rib 33 forms a homogeneous part of the hard member 31, and is formed of the same material as the hard layer 31. do. Accordingly, the protective rib 33 includes a support frame structure of the keyboard assembly 20, similarly to the hard layer 31. The protective rib 33 is part of the combination of the elastic layer 21 and the hard layer 31, and is supported by the hard layer 31 with respect to the printed wiring board 9. The outer edge of the protective means 33, preferably the protective rib, projects at least at the same height as the outer surface of the key or key top of the row of keys or key tops 25. The protective rib 33 according to the invention is also used as the design shape of the keyboard assembly.

As described above, the one-sheet sheet-like elastic layer 21 includes an opening or slit between two adjacent key positions, preferably between two adjacent rows of key positions in the key top array 25. do. Exemplary locations for the openings or slits are shown at 33 in FIG. 2. According to one embodiment of the invention, the elastic layer 21 is located on the upper surface of the hard layer 23, the openings or slits of the elastic layer 21 is matched with the protective means, after which, As described above, the lower surface of the elastic layer 21 and the upper surface of the hard layer 31 are bonded together, preferably bonded to each other. The use of the protective means 33 helps the combination of the elastic layer 21 and the hard layer 31 to be supported by the hard layer 31 against the printed wiring board 9. This is because, by the protective rib 33, the elastic layer 21 having the openings can be easily fixed and positioned at the corresponding position. That is, it is easy for the protective rib 33 to face the surfaces in a position corresponding to the opening of the elastic layer 21. According to the above method, when the hard layer 31 is compressed toward the printed wiring board 9 by compressing the upper surface of the circumference 23 of the hard layer 31 to the edge of the cover 12. The combination is supported to be fixed relative to the lower printed wiring board 9. The purpose of the protection means 33, preferably the protection rib, is to support adjacent key tops 25 to be separated from each other, so that the keys in each key position of the key array 22 are adapted to the movement of the key. 11) to properly transfer to the contact pads on the printed wiring board (9).

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a layer of hard material 31, preferably shaped like a one-piece sheet, includes an opening 36 at each key position in the key array 22, wherein the layer of hard material ( 31 is formed of a homogeneous photoconductive material, preferably a polycarbonate layer, which layer can transmit light, and receives light from the light source 6, preferably a light emitting diode (LED). And guides 22 to illuminate the keys and keytops 25. The hard layer 31, preferably the polycarbonate layer, is a light guide having high brightness. The hard layer 31 including the protective ribs 33 is a platform that effectively illuminates the entire area of the key top array 25 or each of the key tops 25. The light source 6 is located near the edge of the hard material, where light is directed directly horizontally towards the edge of the hard layers 23, 31, 33, ie the hard layers 23, 31, 33. Is directed in a direction parallel to the upper and lower surfaces thereof. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light source 6 is arranged to transmit light through the hard layers 23, 31, 33 from a position adjacent to the protective means 33, preferably the end of the protective rib. do. For example, if two protective ribs 33 are used in the keyboard assembly 20, one LED 6 may be located at one end of both protective ribs 33. The use of protective ribs 33 as part of the light guides 23, 31, 33 is an effective way to illuminate the key tops 25. This is because the light travels from the lateral direction toward the key tops 25 adjacent to the protective rib 33. When the protective rib 33 protrudes at a height higher than the height of the outer surface of the key or key tops 25 in the row of keys or key tops 25, the light is protected from the lateral and also diagonally upwards. Proceed toward the keytops 25 adjacent the ribs 33 to create more effective illumination. The arrangement of the light sources 6 described above reduces the number of LEDs required in the keyboard assembly according to the invention.

A light source located adjacent to the hard layers 23, 31 and 33 that form the light guide, but not within the hard layers 23, 31 and 33, has a thin light guide structure in the keyboard assembly for portable electronics. Makes it possible to use. The structure of the thinner keyboard assembly 20 is advantageous in view of the increasing demand for small and light portable devices, such as mobile communication devices.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments, the description is not intended to be interpreted in a limiting sense. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there are various other embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, it is envisioned that the appended claims may cover any modified form of embodiments that fall within the true technical scope of the present invention.

Claims (32)

Optical for keyboard assembly 20, comprising at least one elastic member 21 that forms the basis of a key and transmits the movement of the key to a connecting means of a printed wired board 9 As a light guide, A rigid member (23, 31, 33) disposed to separate the elastic member (21) from the printed wiring board (9), and arranged to separate adjacent keys (25) from each other, The combination (21, 23, 31, 33) of the elastic member (21) and the hard member (31) is held in place by the perimeter (23) of the hard member (31). The method of claim 1, An outer guide (23) of the hard member (31) extends outside the region of the array of keys (22). The method of claim 1, The first surface of the elastic member 21 is a key top surface, The second surface of the elastic member (21) engages with the first surface of the hard member (31), except for the area of openings (36) formed in the hard member (31). The method of claim 3, wherein The second surface of the hard member (31) supports the combination (21, 31) of the elastic member (21) and the hard member (31) against the printed wiring board. The method of claim 4, wherein The hard member 31 supports the combinations 21 and 31 of the elastic member 21 and the hard member 31, When the area of the outer circumference 23 is pressed toward the printed wiring board 9 by the fixing means 12, the area of the outer circumference 23 of the first surface of the hard member 31 is An optical guide for supporting the combination (21, 31) to be fixed relative to the printed wiring board (9). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The hard member 31 separates the adjacent key tops 25 from each other, The key tops (25) are attached to the top of the first surface of the elastic member (21) at the position of the keys. The method of claim 6, A portion of the hard member 31 between the rows of key tops 25 protrudes along at least one row of key tops 25 to provide protection for the key tops 25 in the row of keys. 33, a light guide. The method of claim 6, The hard member (31) protrudes between at least two adjacent rows of keytops (25) to form protection means (33) for the keytops (25) in the row of keys. The method of claim 8, The outer edge of the protective means (33) is projected at least at the same height as the outer top surfaces of the key tops (25) in the row of keys. The method of claim 9, The elastic member 21 has an opening 21a at the position of the protection means 33, The second surface of the elastic member 21 and the first surface of the hard member 31 face each other in a position corresponding to the opening 21a before being joined to each other. Deployed, light guide. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The hard members 23, 31, 33 are formed of a photoconductive material, The light guide (6) is a light guide that transmits light to the hard member (23, 31, 33) to illuminate an array of keys (22) or key top (25). The method of claim 11, Light guide (6) for transmitting light to the hard member (23, 31, 33) is disposed adjacent to the edge of the hard member (23, 31, 33). The method of claim 8, The light guide (6) for transmitting light to the hard member (23, 31, 33) is disposed adjacent to one end of the protective means (33). The method of claim 8, One light emitting diode (6) for transmitting light to the hard member (23, 31, 33) is disposed adjacent to one end of the protective means (33). The method of claim 5, wherein The optical guide (23, 31, 33) comprises an outer circumference (23) of the hard member (31) attached to the cover portion (12) of the portable electronic device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The hard member (23, 31, 33) and the elastic member (21) has a form (similar to a sheet), the light guide. A keyboard assembly comprising at least a printed wiring board 9 and a key array 22, An elastic member 21 which forms a base of the key and transmits the movement of the key to the connecting means of the printed wiring board 9; And A rigid member including an opening 36 at a position of the key, arranged to separate the elastic member 21 from the printed wiring board 9, and arranged to separate adjacent keys 25 from each other. (23,31,33); The combination (21, 23, 31, 33) of the elastic member (21) and the hard member (31) is held in place by the perimeter (23) of the hard member (31). The method of claim 17, A keyboard assembly, wherein the outer perimeter of the hard member 31 extends out of the area of the key array 22. The method of claim 17, The first surface of the elastic member 21 is a key top surface, The second surface of the elastic member (21) is coupled to the first surface of the hard member (31), except for the area of the openings (36) formed in the hard member (31). The method of claim 19, The second surface of the hard member 31 supports the combinations 21, 23, 31, 33 of the elastic member 21 and the hard member 31 with respect to the printed wiring board 9. . The method of claim 20, The hard member 31 supports the combination (21, 23, 31, 33) of the elastic member 21 and the hard member 31, When the area of the outer circumference 23 is pressed toward the printed wiring board 9 by the fixing means 12, the area of the outer circumference 23 of the first surface of the hard member 31 is A keyboard assembly for supporting the combination (21, 23, 31, 33) to be fixed relative to the printed wiring board (9). The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, A key assembly (25) is attached to an upper surface of the first surface of the elastic member (21) at the position of the key. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, A portion of the hard member 31 between the rows of key tops 25 protrudes along at least one row of keys 25, so that the protection means 33 for the keys 25 in the row of keys. To form the keyboard assembly. The method of claim 23, The hard member (31) protrudes between at least two adjacent rows of keys (25) to form protection means (33) for the keys (25) in the row of keys. The method of claim 24, The outer edge of the protective means (33) protrudes at least the same height as the key in the row of keys or the outer top surface of the keytop (25). The method of claim 25, The elastic member 21 includes an opening 21a at the position of the protection means 33, The second surface of the elastic member 21 and the first surface of the hard member 31 are disposed so as to face each other at a position corresponding to the opening, before being joined to each other. Keyboard assembly. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, The hard members 23, 31, 33 are formed of a photoconductive material, A light source (6) is adapted to transmit light through the hard member (23, 31, 33) to illuminate a key array (22) or an array of key tops (25). The method of claim 27, A light source (6) for transmitting light to the hard member (23, 31, 33) is disposed adjacent to the edge of the hard member (23, 31, 33), keyboard assembly. The method of claim 23, A light source (6) for transmitting light to the hard member (23, 31, 33) is disposed adjacent to one end of the protective means (33). The method of claim 29, One light emitting diode (6) for transmitting light to the hard member (23, 31, 33) is disposed adjacent one end of the protective means (33). The method of claim 21, The fixing means (12) comprises a cover portion (12) of the portable electronic device, keyboard assembly. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, and 31, And the hard member (31) and the elastic member (21) have a form similar to a sheet.

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