TW202223953A - Key structure and keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

A key structure and a keyboard are provided. The key structure comprising a key cap, a light emitting unit, and a diffusor. The diffusor is disposed between the key cap and the light emitting unit. A light emitted by the light emitting unit forms a light pattern. The light pattern comprises a first light dot, and a location of a orthographic projection of the first light dot on a projection plane parallel to the diffusor is different from a location of a orthographic projection of the light emitting unit on the projection plane.

Description

Key structure and keyboard

The present invention relates to a key structure and a keyboard, in particular to a light-emitting key structure and a keyboard.

A keyboard is integral to the use of a computer. In order to be visually pleasing and to allow users to clearly see the legends (such as symbols or characters in various languages) on the keyboard in a low-light environment, there are many illuminated keyboards on the market.

However, the positions of the key legends of various languages are different, and it is difficult for the light source of the conventional illuminated keyboard to provide good illumination for the keycaps of various languages. Therefore, there is a great need in the art for a key structure capable of distributing the light emitted by the light source to various positions on the keycap that may have legends.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a key structure and a keyboard that can distribute the light emitted by the light source to various positions on the keycap that may have legends.

To achieve the above objective, in an embodiment of the present invention, a key structure may include a key cap; a light-emitting unit; and a light-diffusing sheet. The light-diffusing sheet is arranged between the light-emitting unit and the keycap, and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit passes through the light-diffusing sheet to form a light pattern on the first surface of the light-diffusing sheet, and the light pattern includes a first light spot, And the orthographic projection position of the first light spot on the projection plane of the parallel diffuser is different from the orthographic projection position of the light-emitting unit on the projection plane.

In the above embodiment, since the orthographic projection position of the first light spot on the projection plane of the parallel diffuser is different from the orthographic position of the light-emitting unit on the projection plane, by adjusting the diffuser in the key structure The position, size or shape of the first light spot can be changed so that the light from the first light spot can illuminate various positions on the keycap that may have legends.

To achieve the above objective, in another embodiment of the present invention, a key structure may include a key cap; a light-emitting unit; and a light-diffusing sheet. The light-diffusing sheet is arranged between the light-emitting unit and the keycap, and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit passes through the light-diffusing sheet to form a light pattern on the first surface of the light-diffusing sheet. The orthographic projection on the projection plane surrounds the position of the orthographic projection of the light-emitting unit on the projection plane.

In the above embodiment, since the orthographic projection of the light pattern on the projection plane of the parallel diffuser surrounds the position of the orthographic projection of the light-emitting unit on the projection plane, the light pattern can be directed to various positions on the keycap that may have legends Provide lighting.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, in another embodiment of the present invention, a keyboard may include a plurality of keys, wherein each key may have the key structure of any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E , in an embodiment of the present invention, the key structure 101 includes a key cap 130 , a light-emitting unit 110 and a light-diffusing sheet 140 . In addition, the key structure 101 may optionally include other key components (eg, elastic reset member 150, scissor feet 160, film circuit board 170, first spacer 191, second spacer 192, printed circuit board 120, etc.). . In other embodiments, the key structure disclosed in the present invention may not include one or more of the aforementioned key components, or may include other types of key components. The light-diffusing sheet 140 is disposed between the light-emitting unit 110 and the keycap 130 . The light-diffusing sheet 140 enables the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 110 to pass through the light-diffusing sheet 140 to form a light pattern on a surface of the light-diffusing sheet 140 . . Some light patterns of the present invention are described below with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B , but it should be understood that these descriptions are only examples and do not limit the light patterns of the present invention.

Referring first to FIG. 3A , in some embodiments, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 110 can form light on the upper surface of the light-diffusing sheet 140 (ie, the surface closer to the keycap 130 ) after passing through the light-diffusing sheet 140 Type Style 310. As shown in FIG. 3A , the light pattern 310 includes a first light spot 311 , a second light spot 312 , a third light spot 313 , a fourth light spot 314 , a fifth light spot 315 and a sixth light spot 316 at different positions. . In this embodiment, the light spot can be a circular, square or other shaped concentrating area formed when the light reaches the upper surface of the light diffusing sheet 140 due to refraction, reflection or other optical behaviors. The shapes and/or sizes of the light spots can be the same or different from each other to meet the design requirements. For example, larger-sized light spots can be placed at positions that need to be emphasized in the design vision to improve attention or match the size of the legend.

In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit projection 1101 is an orthographic projection of the light-emitting unit 110 on the projection plane of the parallel diffuser 140 . The position of any one of the first light spot 311 , the second light spot 312 , the third light spot 313 , the fourth light spot 314 , the fifth light spot 315 and the sixth light spot 316 is the same as the position of the light-emitting unit projection 1101 different. That is to say, on the projection plane of the parallel diffuser 140 , the first light spot 311 , the second light spot 312 , the third light spot 313 , the fourth light spot 314 , the fifth light spot 315 and the sixth light spot 316 The orthographic projection positions are all different from the position of the projection 1101 of the light-emitting unit. Therefore, the light-emitting unit 110 is like diffused into a plurality of different point light sources under the optical action of the light-diffusing sheet 140 , so that the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 110 can be more distributed to various positions on the keycap 130 . In addition, it can be noted that each light point of the light pattern 310 surrounds the light emitting unit projection 1101. In other words, in comparison, the light emitting unit projection 1101 is located within the light pattern 310, and the light pattern 310 is emitting light. The periphery of cell projection 1101.

Referring to FIG. 3B , in some embodiments, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 110 can form a light pattern on the upper surface of the light-diffusing sheet 140 (ie, the surface closer to the keycap 130 ) after passing through the light-diffusing sheet 140 Style 320. In this embodiment, the light pattern 320 is a grid composed of a plurality of staggered lines (eg, pairs of hyperbolas); in other words, the light emitted by the light emitting unit 110 is guided, refracted, A plurality of light projection lines are formed on the upper surface of the light diffusing sheet 140 under optical effects such as reflection and/or patterning. As shown in FIG. 3B , the light pattern 320 surrounds the light emitting unit projection 1101 . Therefore, in comparison, the light emitting unit projection 1101 is located within the light pattern patterns 310 and 320 , and the light pattern patterns 310 and 320 are located within the light emitting unit projection. The periphery of 1101.

Referring to FIG. 1A , in this embodiment, the light-diffusing sheet 140 is disposed between the elastic restoring member 150 (eg, a rubber dome) and the key cap 130 , but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, referring to FIGS. 1B-1E, as shown in FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the light diffusing sheet 140 may be disposed between the elastic reset member 150 and the thin film circuit board 170; as shown in FIG. 1C in some embodiments 1D, in some embodiments, the light diffusing sheet 140 can be provided between the bottom plate 180 and the first partition 191; As shown in FIG. 1E , in some embodiments, the light diffusing sheet 140 may be disposed between the first partition 19 and the second partition 192 . It can be understood that when the light diffusing sheet 140 is disposed between the bottom plate 180 and the light emitting unit 110 , different embodiments may have different numbers of partitions to adjust the distance from the light diffusing sheet 140 to the light emitting unit 110 .

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B , as shown in FIG. 2A , in some embodiments, the light-diffusing sheet 140 may only be composed of a single light-diffusing film having a microstructure 1401 . In one embodiment, the microstructure 1401 of the light diffusing sheet 140 shown in FIG. 2A can be a hexagonal pyramid, so that the light emitted by the light emitting unit 110 can form the light pattern 310 shown in FIG. 3A , for example, having six light beams. Dot star light pattern. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B , the light diffusing sheet 140 may be composed of two light diffusing films 141 and 142 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B , the light diffusing film 141 and the light diffusing film 142 respectively have microstructures on the surfaces opposite to each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the second light diffusing film The film 142 may have a microstructure on the surface (ie, the upper surface) facing the first light diffusing film 141 . In one embodiment, the microstructures of the first light diffusing film 141 and the second light diffusing film 142 shown in FIG. 2B may be hexagonal pyramids, so that the light emitted by the light emitting unit 110 can form the light shown in FIG. 3B The light pattern 320, for example, the light pattern 320 is a mesh light pattern with pairs of hyperbolic lines, and the hyperbolic lines are formed when the light emitted by the light emitting unit 110 passes through the light diffusing sheet 140, and the brightness is significantly higher than that of the surrounding area. the curve.

Referring to FIG. 4A , in some embodiments, the bottom plate 180 has openings 1801 corresponding to the light-emitting units 110 . As shown in FIG. 4A , the openings 1801 may overlap with the light-emitting unit projections 1101 , so that the light diffusing sheet 140 is disposed on the bottom plate 180 In the above or below embodiments, the light emitted by the light emitting unit 110 can directly pass through the bottom plate 180 to provide illumination for the legend on the keycap 130 . In some embodiments (eg, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E in which the light-diffusing sheet is disposed under the bottom plate 180 ), the bottom plate 180 may also have a plurality of openings (such as openings 1802 - 1807 ) to allow light emitting The light patterns of light spots (such as light spots 311 - 316 ) formed by the light emitted by the unit 110 after passing through the diffuser 140 can pass through the bottom plate 180 to provide illumination for the legend on the keycap 130 . For example, as shown in FIG. 4A , the opening 1802 may overlap the first light spot 311 , the opening 1803 may overlap the second light spot 312 , the opening 1804 may overlap the third light spot 313 , and the opening 1805 may Overlapping the fourth spot 314 , the aperture 1806 may overlap the fifth spot 315 , and the aperture 1807 may overlap the sixth spot 316 . Herein, the technical description “A and B overlap” may mean that the orthographic projections of A and B on the projection plane parallel to the light diffusing sheet 140 partially or completely overlap each other. Furthermore, in the embodiment in which the light pattern 320 is provided by the diffuser 140 and the diffuser 140 is disposed on the base plate 180, the base plate 180 may have a plurality of openings substantially overlapping the outline of the light pattern 320, so that the light Light from the pattern 320 can pass through the base plate to illuminate the legend on the keycap 130 .

Referring to FIG. 4B , in some embodiments, the light-emitting unit projection 1101 overlaps the second legend 132 of the keycap 130 , and the first light spot 311 overlaps the first legend 131 of the keycap 130 . Therefore, in some embodiments, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 110 may provide illumination for the second legend 132 of the keycap 130 , and the light from the first light spot 311 may provide illumination for the first legend 131 of the keycap 130 . In other embodiments, the light spots 312-316 may also provide illumination for other legends (if any) on the keycap 130, and thus, may provide illumination for key legends in multiple different languages.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, when the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 110 enters the light-diffusing sheet 140 , an inner projection 500 may be formed on the lower surface of the light-diffusing sheet 140 (ie, the surface closer to the light-emitting unit 110 ). As shown in FIG. 5 , the light spots 311 - 316 of the light pattern 310 surround the periphery of the inner projection 500 . In other words, the light-diffusing sheet 140 is like expanding the inner projection 500 of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 110 into the light spots 311 - 316 of the light pattern 310 . It should be understood that in the embodiment in which the light diffusing sheet 140 provides the light pattern 320, the light pattern 320 also surrounds the periphery of the inner projection 500 (not shown). In order to trigger the thin film circuit board 170 to generate a button signal when the button is pressed, the button assembly (such as the elastic reset member 150, the scissor foot 160, etc.) between the thin film circuit board 170 and the key cap 130 may have at least one trigger portion. In some embodiments (such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1B where the light diffusing sheet 140 is disposed between the thin film circuit board 170 and the keycap 130 ), as shown in FIG. 5 , the light diffusing sheet 140 may further include openings 510 , and the position of the opening 510 corresponds to the trigger part on the key assembly between the thin film circuit board 170 and the keycap 130 , so that the trigger part on the key assembly can pass through the opening 510 to trigger the thin film circuit board 170 .

In some embodiments, the structure of the light diffusing sheet 140 can be adjusted based on optical principles, so that the light spots of the formed light pattern (eg, the light pattern 310 ) have different sizes and/or shapes from each other. In addition, by arranging openings on the light diffusing sheet 140, the number of light spots can also be adjusted by changing the size, number and position of the openings.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the width A may represent the width of the light-emitting pattern (eg, light-emitting pattern 310 or 320 ) formed by the light-diffusing sheet 140 on a cross-section of the key structure; the distance B may represent the center of the keycap 130 in the legend 131 The distance from the center of the light-emitting pattern (such as the light-emitting pattern 310 or 320) on the cross-section of the key structure; the thickness C may represent the thickness of the light-diffusing sheet 140; and the distance E may represent the distance from the light-emitting unit 110 to the cross-section of the key structure The light-diffusing sheet 140 forms the vertical distance of the surface of the light-emitting pattern. In some embodiments, the ratio of the distance B to the web length A may be 1/2; the ratio of the distance E to the web length A may be 1/8 to 19/40; and the thickness C may be 0.07-0.08 mm. In addition, in some embodiments, the number of microstructures (eg, the microstructures 1401 ) on a single light-diffusing film (eg, the first light-diffusing film 141 or the second light-diffusing film 142 ) of the light-diffusing sheet 140 may be 400 to 500 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , in some embodiments, the light diffusing sheet 140 may have a printed portion 142 . For example, when it is necessary to cover the light in certain positions of the light pattern formed by the diffuser 140 to match the legends of certain languages, the printed part 142 (for example, through black and white printing) can be formed on the diffuser 140 printing)) to block the light at a specific location.

The key structures disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention can be used to provide a keyboard with legend illumination and low halo that can correspond to multiple languages. For example, referring to FIG. 8, keyboard 800 may be a keyboard fabricated using the various key structures disclosed in the various embodiments herein.

Referring to FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the bottom plate 180 may have a plurality of openings (for example, openings 1801, 1808-1815, and a plurality of hooks movably engaged with the scissor feet 160), and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 110 The light can pass through the openings in the bottom plate 180 to reach the thin film circuit board 170 . As shown in FIG. 9 , the thin film circuit board 170 also has a plurality of openings (eg, openings 171 - 174 for the hooks disposed in the openings 1808 , 1809 , 1813 , and 1814 to pass therethrough). The light emitted by the light emitting unit 110 can pass through the thin film circuit board 170 to reach the light diffusing sheet 140, and after forming a light pattern (for example, the light pattern 310) on the light diffusing sheet 140, the light pattern on the keycap 130 (for example, No. A legend 131 and a second legend 132) provide illumination. As shown in FIG. 9 , the openings on the bottom plate 180 may at least partially overlap with the light pattern formed by the diffuser 140 , and in some embodiments, the diffuser 140 may have openings 1402 for the light-emitting units 110 The emitted light passes through (shown in FIG. 9 is only an example, and does not limit the position of the opening 1402 on the light diffusing sheet 140 ). It should be understood that the size, position, number and shape of the openings shown in FIG. 9 are only examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, some key components (eg, the first partition member 191 and the second partition member 192 ) are omitted in FIG. 9 for the convenience of viewing and description.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the arrows in FIG. 10 represent the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 110 . As shown in FIG. 10 , the light emitted by the light emitting unit 110 can pass through the openings of the bottom plate 180 (such as but not limited to the openings 1801 ) and the thin film circuit board 170 (not shown in FIG. 10 ), and pass through the light diffusing sheet 140 . The lower surface enters the light diffusing sheet 140 (and forms the inner projection 500 ), and after the light pattern (eg light pattern 310 or 320 ) is formed on the upper surface of the light diffusing sheet 140 , to illustrate the various positions on the keycap 130 ( For example the first legend 131, the second legend 132 and the third legend 133) provide illumination.

It should be understood that the scope of the claims is not limited to the specific features of the various embodiments described above. Various changes, substitutions and variations may be made in the various key structures described above without departing from the scope of the claimed item.

101-105: Key Structure 110: Lighting unit 120: Printed Circuit Board 130: keycap 140: Expander 150: Elastic reset piece 160: scissors feet 170: Thin film circuit board 180: Bottom plate 191: Dividers 192: Dividers 1401: Microstructure 141: The first diffuser film 142: The second diffuser film 310: Light Pattern 311: The first spot of light 312: Second light spot 313: Third Light Spot 314: Fourth Light Spot 315: Fifth Light Spot 316: Sixth Light Spot 1101: Light-emitting unit projection 320: Light Pattern 131: First Legend 132: Second Legend 1801-1815: Openings 500: Inside projection 510: Opening 142: Black and white printing department A: Width B: distance C: Thickness E: distance 171-174: Opening

The drawings show only illustrative aspects of implementations of the present disclosure, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. For example, for the convenience of description or viewing, the proportions between the various elements, components, parts and components shown in the drawings may be different from the actual ones, so the dimensions of the various elements, components, parts and components of the present invention should not be considered Or the proportions are limited to those shown in the drawings. In addition, in the drawings, elements, components, parts, or members that perform the same functions may be denoted by the same reference numerals and described, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified in some cases.

1A is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a key structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

1B is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a key structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

1C is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a key structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

1D is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a key structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

1E is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a key structure according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a light diffusing sheet according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a light diffusing sheet according to some embodiments of the present invention.

3A is a schematic diagram of a light pattern according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a light pattern according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating the pattern of light patterns and the positions of holes in the bottom plate according to some embodiments of the present invention.

4B is a schematic diagram of a keycap legend and a light pattern position according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the comparison between inner projection and light pattern according to some embodiments of the present invention.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a key structure with some components omitted according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a light diffusing sheet and a printing portion thereon according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a keyboard according to some implementation aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the key structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an optical path diagram according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

130: keycap

131: First Legend

132: Second Legend

311: The first spot of light

312: Second light spot

313: Third Light Spot

314: Fourth Light Spot

315: Fifth Light Spot

316: Sixth Light Spot

1101: Light-emitting unit projection

Claims (16)

A key structure, including: one key cap; a light-emitting unit; and a diffuser, The light-diffusing sheet is arranged between the light-emitting unit and the keycap, and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit passes through the light-diffusing sheet to form a light pattern on a first surface of the light-diffusing sheet. The light pattern includes a first light spot, and the orthographic projection position of the first light spot on a projection plane parallel to the light diffusing sheet is different from the orthographic projection position of the light-emitting unit on the projection plane. The button structure of claim 1, further comprising a bottom plate, the bottom plate has a first opening, the orthographic projection range of the first opening on the projection plane and the orthographic projection of the light-emitting unit on the projection plane The ranges overlap at least partially. The key structure of claim 2, wherein the orthographic projection range of the light-emitting unit on the projection plane and the orthographic projection range of a first legend of the keycap on the projection plane at least partially overlap, and the first The orthographic projection range of the light spot on the projection plane at least partially overlaps the orthographic projection range of a second legend of the keycap on the projection plane. The button structure of claim 2, wherein the bottom plate further comprises a second opening, the orthographic projection range of the second opening on the projection plane and the orthographic projection range of the first light spot on the projection plane at least partially overlap. The button structure of claim 1, wherein when the light emitted by the light-emitting unit enters the light-diffusing sheet, an inner projection is formed on a second surface of the light-diffusing sheet, and the light pattern further comprises The plurality of light spots of the first light spot, and the orthographic projection of the first light spot and the light spots different from the first light spot on the projection plane surrounds the orthographic projection on the projection plane on the inner side The periphery of the projection range. The key structure of claim 4, wherein the orthographic projection range of the inner side projected on the projection plane and the orthographic projection range of a first legend of the keycap on the projection plane at least partially overlap, and the first The orthographic projection range of the light spot on the projection plane at least partially overlaps the orthographic projection range of a second legend of the keycap on the projection plane. The key structure of claim 1, further comprising a thin film circuit board and at least one keyboard assembly between the thin film circuit board and the keycap, wherein the light-diffusing sheet is disposed between the thin film circuit board and the keycap the at least one keyboard assembly between the thin film circuit board and the keycap has a trigger part, the light diffuser has an opening, and the opening of the light diffuser is located on the thin film circuit corresponding to the trigger the location of the department. The button structure of claim 1, wherein the light pattern includes a second light spot, and the orthographic projection position of the second light spot on the projection plane is different from that of the first light spot on the projection plane orthographic projection position above. The button structure of claim 8, wherein the orthographic size and/or shape of the second light spot on the projection plane is different from the orthographic size and/or shape of the first light spot on the projection plane shape. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the light-diffusing sheet comprises a plurality of light-diffusing films stacked on each other, the light-diffusing films comprise a first light-diffusing film and a second light-diffusing film, the first light-diffusing film The light film has microstructures protruding toward a first direction, and the second light diffusing film has microstructures protruding toward the first direction. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the light-diffusing sheet comprises a plurality of light-diffusing films stacked on each other, the light-diffusing films comprise a first light-diffusing film and a second light-diffusing film, the first light-diffusing film The light film has microstructures protruding toward a first direction, and the second light diffusing film has microstructures protruding toward a second direction opposite to the first direction. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the distance between the center of the width of the light-emitting pattern on a cross-section of the key structure and the center of the width of the legend of the keycap on the cross-section and the The ratio of the length to the width of the luminous pattern on the slice is 1/2. The button structure of claim 12, wherein, on the cut surface, the ratio of the vertical distance from the hair unit to the first surface of the light diffuser to the length of the light-emitting pattern on the cut surface is 1 /8 to 19/40. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the light-diffusing sheet has a printing portion, and the printing partially covers the light pattern. A key structure, including: one key cap; a light-emitting unit; and a diffuser, The light-diffusing sheet is arranged between the light-emitting unit and the keycap, and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit passes through the light-diffusing sheet to form a light pattern on a first surface of the light-diffusing sheet. The orthographic projection of the light pattern on a projection plane parallel to the diffuser surrounds the position of the orthographic projection of the light-emitting unit on the projection plane. A keyboard includes a plurality of keys, wherein each of the keys has a key structure as in any one of claim 1 to 15.

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