TW201909213A - Connector and button and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A switch includes a display, a connector, and a supporting structure. The display has two opposite surfaces which are a display surface and a connecting surface. There is a plurality of electrodes disposed on the connecting surface. The connector includes a connecting base and a plurality of pearl conductive elements. The display is disposed on the connecting base. The connecting base has a plurality of through holes. The conductive elements are located in the through holes, and are electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes. The supporting structure is fixed to the connecting base.

Description

Connector, button and manufacturing method

The invention relates to a key, in particular to a key having a display function, a connector thereof, and a manufacturing method thereof.

Computers have become an essential tool in people's lives today. The computer is mainly composed of a host computer, a screen, a mouse, and a keyboard. Among them, the main function of the keyboard is to input instructions and data issued by the host. In order to facilitate the user to know the corresponding function of each key, each key will be printed with the ink, such as the text, symbols, graphics, etc. of the corresponding function. Because these ink marks are opaque materials, although these marks can be clearly identified when the light source is sufficient, they may increase the difficulty of identification when the light source is insufficient. Therefore, a light-emitting keyboard has emerged at the historic moment. A light source is arranged inside the keys of the light-emitting keyboard, and the light source is formed with a hollow mark on the keycap to form an optical mark. In this way, users can clearly recognize even in the dark.

Since these illuminated keyboards only have two modes of full light and full darkness, that is, multiple patterns on the same key will all emit light and cause the burden of user recognition, some manufacturers have developed electronic ink keyboards. However, current electronic ink keyboards require plating electrodes on the carrier for the display to be electrically connected or use flexible cables and terminal connectors. The plating process not only lengthens the manufacturing time of the display keyboard, but also increases the electronic ink keyboard. Cost of manufacturing, and the complicated assembly process of flexible cable and terminal connector also causes the problem of low manufacturing efficiency. In this way, how to simplify the manufacturing process of the electronic ink keyboard and reduce its production cost will be one of the problems to be solved by the R & D personnel.

In view of the above problems, the present invention discloses a connector, a key and a manufacturing method for simplifying the manufacturing process of the electronic ink keyboard in the prior art and reducing the manufacturing cost thereof.

The connector disclosed in the present invention is used for carrying a display, and is suitable for being stuck in a supporting mechanism. The display has an electrode disposed on a joint surface opposite to a display surface. The connector includes a connection base and a conductive body. The connecting seat has a receiving surface, an engaging surface opposite to the receiving surface, and a perforation penetrating the receiving surface and the engaging surface. The bearing surface carries the joint surface. The engaging mask has an engaging structure, and the engaging structure is used for engaging the supporting mechanism. The conductor is used to electrically connect the electrodes, and the conductor can be placed in the perforation.

The key disclosed in the present invention includes a display, a connector, and a supporting mechanism. The display has a display surface and a joint surface opposite to the display surface. A plurality of electrodes are arranged on the bonding surface. The connector includes a connection seat and a plurality of conductive bodies that are substantially bead-shaped. The docking station carries the display. The connecting seat has a plurality of perforations. The conductors are substantially located in the through holes and are used to electrically connect the electrodes. The supporting mechanism is engaged with the connecting seat.

The invention further discloses the method for manufacturing the above-mentioned connector. First, a connection base having a perforation is formed, and then a substantially bead-shaped conductive body is placed in the perforation.

According to the connector and the key disclosed in the present invention and a manufacturing method, the conductive body replaces the electrode and the flexible cable and terminal connector formed by the traditional plating, that is, the conductive body is electrically connected to the display through the conductive body. In this way, it is only necessary to form a through hole for the conductive body on the connection base by injection molding, and then insert the conductive body into the through hole, and the manufacture of the connector of the key is completed. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the key with display function is simplified, and the manufacturing cost thereof is reduced.

The above description of the content of the present invention and the description of the following embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principle of the present invention, and provide further explanation of the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

See Figures 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a key according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the button in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the button of FIG. 1 from another perspective. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the button of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the conductor and the perforation of FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the key 1 is applied to an electronic ink keyboard, for example, and includes a connector 10, a display 20, a shielding layer 30, a keycap 40, and a supporting mechanism 50.

The connector 10 includes a connection base 11 and a plurality of conductive bodies 12 substantially in a bead shape. The connecting base 11 has a receiving surface 111, an engaging surface 112, and a plurality of through holes 113 substantially parallel to each other. The engaging surface 112 is opposite to the receiving surface 111 and has an engaging structure 1121. These perforations 113 pass through the receiving surface 111 and the engaging surface 112. In this embodiment, the conductor 12 is a steel ball, and the through hole 113 is a tapered hole that is tapered toward the engaging surface 112, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the through hole 113 may also be a tapered hole tapered toward the receiving surface 111. The electrical conductors 12 are respectively located in the through holes 113 of the connection base 11. In the specific embodiment, the opposite sides of the substantially bead-shaped electrical conductors 12 are respectively aligned with the receiving surface 111 and the engaging surface 112. However, in other specific embodiments, the opposite sides of the conductive body 12 may substantially protrude slightly from the receiving surface 111 and the engaging surface 112. In this embodiment, the conductive body 12 is a bead-shaped steel ball, and the size and shape of the perforation 113 and the conductive body 12 are matched with each other so that the conductive body 12 can fall into the still or rest in the perforated 113, but the invention is not based on For limitation, in other embodiments, the conductive body 12 may be other materials with conductive properties and a shape matching the size and shape of the through hole 113.

The display 20 includes a bonding surface 21 and a display surface 22. The receiving surface 111 of the connection base 11 carries the joint surface 21. The display surface 22 and the bonding surface 21 face each other and are substantially parallel to each other.

In this embodiment, the bonding surface 21 may be affixed with a backing adhesive in advance. The adhesive can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive containing an anisotropic conductor, which is dispersed with conductive materials that are insulated from each other to allow a conductive path substantially perpendicular to the surface. The four conductive bodies 12 can be pressed by pressure. The conductive material in the sensitive adhesive is electrically connected to the electrodes B1, B2, B3, and B4, so that the electrodes B1-B4 are electrically connected to the respective conductive bodies 12 respectively.

In addition, in this embodiment, the edge of the receiving surface 111 has a flange to form a groove-shaped accommodating space, which can be used to more stably support the display 20 to limit the relative position relationship between the display 20 and the connector 10 Moreover, when the display 20 is adhered to the receiving surface 111 of the connector 10 with adhesive, the flange can ensure the relative positional relationship between the four electrical conductors 12 and the four electrodes B1, B2, B3, and B4. It is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the receiving surface may have no or a part of this flange.

In this embodiment, the display 20 is an electronic ink display, and the electronic ink display 20 can display all black or all white in partitions. However, in other embodiments, the display 20 may be another type of display in which the electrodes B1, B2, B3, and B4 are disposed on the lower surface.

In some embodiments, the display 20 may be a thin paper or a sheet-shaped electronic paper, and the display surface 22 of the display 20 has a plurality of display sections, and the display of symbols in each display section may be controlled independently. Display a single symbol or multiple symbols at the same time.

In this embodiment, three display sections A1, A2, and A3 are taken as an example. The three display sections A1-A3 are individually coupled to the three electrodes B1, B2, and B3, and are commonly coupled to one electrode B4. In addition, the repeated voltage changes between the through electrode B4 and the other electrodes B1, B2, and B3 can cause the corresponding display zone to change light or dark or black and white, and drive the display of the symbols belonging to the display zone.

The shielding layer 30 is, for example, an ink pigment, and is applied to the display 20. In addition, for example, a plurality of hollowed out patterns P1, P2, and P3 are formed on the shielding layer 30 in the manner of a laser inscription plate, and the plurality of hollowed out patterns P1-P3 are respectively disposed corresponding to a plurality of display areas A1-A3. The shielding layer 30 masks the black and white changes of the display 20 so that the black and white changes of the display 20 can only be seen through the hollow patterns P1, P2, and P3. Thereby, when the display surface 22 changes light or dark or black and white, the contrast brightness or color depth of the hollowed out symbols such as images and letters can be changed on the display 20, thereby changing the degree of visibility of the hollowed out symbols. In this embodiment, the shielding layer 30 is exemplified by an ink color pigment, but it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the shielding layer may be a color pigment or pigment of other colors.

The keycap 40 is located above the display 20, that is, the display 20 is located between the connection base 11 and the keycap 40. Thereby, the keycap 40 can be used to protect the display panel 20 to avoid damage to the display 20 by moisture, dust, and the like. In this embodiment, the keycap 40 is a cover, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the keycap 40 may be a plate.

In addition, in this specific embodiment, the keycap 40 may be, for example, a transparent material. The user can clearly understand the symbols or drawings displayed by each key through the transparent keycap 40, but it is not limited thereto.

In this embodiment, the shielding layer 30 is coated on the display surface 22, but it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the shielding layer may be coated on a transparent keycap, and for example, a laser inscription is used. The form of the plate forms a hollow in the shielding layer.

The supporting mechanism 50 is, for example, a scissor foot structure, and is engaged with the four engaging structures 1121 of the connecting base 11 by the upper four fulcrum points, and the other four fulcrum points are engaged with the base of the keyboard (not shown) .

The manufacturing process of the keys and their connectors in the above embodiment will be described below. Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing the button and its connector of FIG. 1. The first step S1 is to form a connecting base 11 with a through hole 113 by injection molding. The through hole 113 can be integrally formed in the connecting base 11 or can be drilled or penetrated additionally. Next, step S2 is performed. As shown in FIG. 5, the conductive body 12 is inserted into the through hole 113, and then step S3 is performed. A display 20 is stacked on the connection base 11 to make the display 20 contact and electrically connect the electrodes B1 to B4. Electric conductor 12. The bonding surface 21 may be affixed with a backing adhesive in advance. In this embodiment, the backing adhesive may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive containing an anisotropic conductor, in which conductive materials that are insulated from each other are dispersed to allow The conductive path is substantially perpendicular to the surface. The four conductive bodies 12 can be electrically connected to the electrodes B1, B2, B3, and B4 through the conductive material in the pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Next, the control methods of the display areas A1-A3 will be described. Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 together. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a display state of the keys of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a display state of the keys of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a display state of the button in FIG. 1.

Each display area A1-A3 is controlled by a corresponding first control signal and a shared second control signal. The first control signal and the second control signal have opposite electrical properties. For example, when the first control signal is positive, the second control signal is negative. For example, when the electrode B1 receives the first control signal and the electrode B4 receives the second control signal, the electronic ink in the display area A1 changes from black to white, so that the hollow pattern P1 corresponding to the display area A1 is displayed, as shown in the figure. 7 is shown. When the electrode B2 receives the first control signal and the electrode B4 receives the second control signal, the electronic ink of the display area A2 changes from black to white, so that the hollow pattern P2 corresponding to the display area A2 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 8. In addition, when the electrode B3 receives the first control signal and the electrode B4 receives the second control signal, the electronic ink in the display area A3 is changed from black to white, so that the hollow pattern P3 corresponding to the display area A3 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 9. Show.

After the aforementioned electronic ink display 20 receives the control signal, the electronic ink changes from black to white to display the hollow pattern of the corresponding display area, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the electronic ink may also be displayed from white to black.

The two sides of the conductive body 12 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are respectively aligned with the receiving surface 111 and the engaging surface 112, but the invention is not limited thereto. Please refer to FIG. 10, which is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, both sides of the conductive body 12 protrude from the receiving surface 111 and the engaging surface 112, respectively.

The perforation 113 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is a tapered hole, but the invention is not limited thereto. Please refer to FIG. 11, which is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the through hole 113 is a cylindrical cylinder, and the diameter of the conductor 12 is larger than the hole diameter of the through hole 113 so that the conductor 12 can fit tightly into the through hole 113. In addition, both sides of the conductor 12 protrude from the receiving surface 111 and the engaging surface 112, respectively.

The number of the conductive bodies 12 in each of the through holes 113 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is single, but the invention is not limited thereto. See Figure 12. FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the number of the conductive bodies 12 in each of the through holes 113 is plural.

According to the connector and the key and the manufacturing method of the above embodiment, the electrode and the flexible cable and the terminal connector formed by replacing the conventional electroplating with a bead or a ball-shaped conductor are changed to the conductor and the display. The electrodes are electrically connected. In this way, it is only necessary to form a through hole for the conductive body on the connection base by injection molding, and then insert the conductive body into the through hole, and the manufacture of the connector of the key is completed. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the keys with display function is simplified, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. The display set above the support mechanism can transmit the control signal through the conductor, which greatly simplifies the transmission path of the control signal. Popularization of goods became possible.

Although the present invention is disclosed in the foregoing preferred embodiments as above, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in similar arts can make some changes and retouch without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of patent protection of an invention shall be determined by the scope of patent application attached to this specification.

1‧‧‧ button

10‧‧‧ Connector

11‧‧‧Connector

111‧‧‧Accepting surface

112‧‧‧ snap face

1121‧‧‧Snap structure

113‧‧‧perforation

12‧‧‧Conductor

20‧‧‧ Display

21‧‧‧Joint surface

B1, B2, B3, B4‧‧‧ electrodes

22‧‧‧display surface

A1, A2, A3 ‧‧‧ display area

30‧‧‧ masking layer

P1, P2, P3 ‧‧‧ Hollow pattern

40‧‧‧Keycap

50‧‧‧ support

Step S1‧‧‧‧ forming a connection base with a perforation

Step S2‧‧‧Place a substantially bead-shaped conductive body in the perforation

Step S3‧‧‧ stacked a display on the connection base, and the display contacts and electrically connects the conductive body

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a key according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the button of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the button of FIG. 1 from another perspective. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the button of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the conductor and the perforation of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a manufacturing flowchart of the manufacturing method of the button and its connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a display state of the keys of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a display state of the keys of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a display state of the button in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (12)

A connector is used for carrying a display, and is suitable for being engaged with a supporting mechanism, wherein the display is provided with an electrode on a joint surface opposite to a display surface, and the connector comprises: a connecting base having a receiving surface An engaging surface opposite to the receiving surface, and a perforation penetrating through the receiving surface and the engaging surface, wherein the receiving surface carries the engaging surface, the engaging mask has an engaging structure, and the engaging structure is used for The support mechanism is engaged; and a conductive body is used to electrically connect the electrode, and the conductive body is placed in the perforation. The connector according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the conductive body is substantially bead-shaped and is located in the through hole. The connector according to item 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the conductive body is substantially cut or protruded from the receiving surface and the engaging surface. The connector according to item 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the electrical conductor is a steel ball, and the perforation is a tapered hole that tapers toward the receiving surface or the engaging surface. A key comprises: a display having a display surface and a joint surface opposite to the display surface, the joint surface is configured with a plurality of electrodes; a connector comprising a connection base and a plurality of conductive beads which are substantially bead-shaped The connection base carries the display, the connection base has a plurality of perforations, the conductors are substantially located in the perforations, and the conductors are used to electrically connect the electrodes; and a support mechanism, which is engaged To the connection seat. The key described in item 5 of the scope of patent application, wherein the connecting seat has a receiving surface and an engaging surface opposite to the receiving surface, the perforations penetrate the receiving surface and the engaging surface, and the conductive bodies are respectively Placed in the perforations, the receiving surface bears the joint surface, the engaging surface has a plurality of engaging structures, and the supporting mechanism is engaged with the engaging structures. The key according to item 5 of the scope of patent application, wherein the electrical conductor is a steel ball, and the perforation is a tapered hole that tapers toward the receiving surface or the engaging surface. The key described in item 5 of the patent application scope further includes a keycap, and the display is located between the connecting base and the keycap. The key described in item 5 of the scope of patent application, wherein the display surface has a plurality of display areas, and the display areas are electrically connected to the electrodes. For example, the key described in item 9 of the scope of patent application, further includes a shielding layer, which has a plurality of hollow patterns, the hollow patterns correspond to the display areas, and the shielding layer is disposed on the keycap or the display surface. . A method for manufacturing a connector includes: forming a connection base having a perforation; and placing a substantially bead-shaped conductive body in the perforation. The method for manufacturing a connector according to item 11 of the scope of patent application, wherein the method of forming the connection seat is injection molding.