TW202236334A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

A keyboard includes a base plate, a membrane switchlayer, a frame, a light-emitting device, a keycap, and a lifting mechanism. The light-emitting device is dispose within a through opening. When the keycap is in an unpressed position, a first vertical distance from a first top surface of the frame to an upper surface of the membrane switch layer is defined. A second vertical distance from the upper surface of the membrane switch layer to a second top surface of the light-emitting device is defined. A horizontal distance between an optical axis of the light-emitting device and an inner side wall of the through opening of the frame is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is calculated from the first vertical distance, the second vertical distance, and an angle between a light coverage zone around the optical axis. Thereby, the light emitted by the light-emitting device and directed to the first top surface of the frame will not be scattered by the first top surface to eyes of a user.

Description

keyboard

The present invention relates to a keyboard, and in particular to a keyboard comprising a light-emitting element and a frame in which the light emitted by the light-emitting element does not scatter from the top surface of the frame to the user's eyes.

The keyboard has become a common input peripheral device on the market. Most of the keyboards in the prior art use light-emitting elements that emit light upwards as light sources for defining indicator lights (for example, caps lock on indicator lights, etc.) on several keycaps. Existing keyboards have also adopted light-emitting elements that emit light upwards as backlight sources for the light-emitting keys.

However, the keyboards of the prior art use light-emitting elements that emit light upwards. Since the geometric relationship between the position of the light-emitting elements and the components and components of the keyboard is not considered, the light emitted by the light-emitting elements and directed toward the frame will often be caused by The top surface of the frame scatters to the user's eyes.

Therefore, one technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a keyboard comprising a light-emitting element and a frame, and the light emitted by the light-emitting element will not be scattered from the top surface of the frame to the user's eyes.

)。發光元件係設置於底板的第一通孔內。鍵帽係置於貫通開口之上，具有下側邊緣。升降機構係設置於底板與鍵帽之間。升降機構限制鍵帽於未按壓位置與按壓位置之間移動。當鍵帽位於按壓位置時，鍵帽的下側邊緣位於框架的貫通開口內。當鍵帽位於未按壓位置時，框架的第一頂表面至薄膜開關層的上表面之第一垂直距離(X)被定義。薄膜開關層的上表面至發光元件的第二頂表面之第二垂直距離(Y)被定義。發光元件之光軸與貫通開口的內側壁之間之水平距離係等於或大於預定距離(Q)。預定距離(Q)係藉由下列公式計算：

。 A keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a base plate, a membrane switch layer, a frame, a light emitting element, a keycap and a lifting mechanism. The bottom plate has a first through hole. The membrane switch layer has a second through hole and an upper surface. The membrane switch layer is arranged on the base plate, so that the second through hole of the membrane switch layer is aligned with the first through hole of the base plate. The frame has a through opening and a first top surface. The through opening of the frame has an inner side wall close to the user's eyes. The frame is arranged on the membrane switch layer, so that the second through hole of the membrane switch layer is located below the through opening of the frame. The light-emitting element has a second top surface, an optical axis perpendicular to the second top surface, and a light coverage area surrounding the optical axis and facing upward. The light footprint has an included angle (2

). The light emitting element is arranged in the first through hole of the bottom plate. The keycap is placed on the through opening and has a lower side edge. The lifting mechanism is arranged between the base plate and the keycap. The lifting mechanism restricts the movement of the keycap between the unpressed position and the pressed position. When the keycap is in the pressed position, the lower edge of the keycap is located in the through opening of the frame. When the keycap is in the unpressed position, a first vertical distance (X) from the first top surface of the frame to the upper surface of the membrane switch layer is defined. A second vertical distance (Y) from the top surface of the membrane switch layer to the second top surface of the light emitting element is defined. The horizontal distance between the optical axis of the light emitting element and the inner sidewall of the through opening is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance (Q). The predetermined distance (Q) is calculated by the following formula:

.

)的範圍可以從110度至140度。 In a specific embodiment, the angle (2

) can range from 110 degrees to 140 degrees.

Further, the keyboard according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes a circuit board. The light emitting element is electrically connected to the circuit board. The circuit board is arranged on the lower surface of the bottom plate.

Further, the keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes elastic actuating elements. The membrane switch layer contains the switches. The switches are located under the keycaps. The elastic actuating element is arranged between the key cap and the bottom plate, and is located above the switch. When the keycap is pressed and then moved to the pressed position, the elastic actuating element is deformed to activate the switch to be turned on. When the keycap is released, the elastic actuating element provides the restoring force required for the keycap to return to the unpressed position, and the switch is turned off.

In a specific embodiment, when the keycap is in the unpressed position, the lower edge of the keycap is higher than the first top surface of the frame. The first vertical distance is a positive value. The second top surface of the light emitting element is lower than the upper surface of the membrane switch layer. The second vertical distance is a positive value.

In a modification of the keyboard according to the present invention, when the keycap is in the unpressed position, the lower edge of the keycap is higher than the first top surface of the frame. The first vertical distance is a positive value. The second top surface of the light emitting element is higher than the upper surface of the membrane switch layer. The second vertical distance is a negative value.

In another variation of the keyboard according to the present invention, when the keycap is in the unpressed position, the lower edge of the keycap is lower than or flush with the first top surface of the frame. The first vertical distance is a positive value. The second top surface of the light emitting element is lower than the upper surface of the membrane switch layer. The second vertical distance is a positive value.

In another variation of the keyboard according to the present invention, when the keycap is in the unpressed position, the lower edge of the keycap is lower than or flush with the first top surface of the frame. The first vertical distance is a positive value. The second top surface of the light emitting element is higher than the upper surface of the membrane switch layer. The second vertical distance is a negative value.

Different from the prior art, the keyboard according to the present invention includes a light-emitting element and a frame that emit light upwards, and carefully plans the position where the light-emitting element is arranged and the geometric relationship between the elements and components of the keyboard, so as to avoid being emitted by the light-emitting element and Light striking the frame is scattered by the top surface of the frame to the user's eyes.

The advantages and spirit of the present invention can be further understood through the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Please refer to Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5. FIG. 1 schematically shows a keyboard 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an external view. FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the key 2 of the keyboard 1 in FIG. 1 along the line A-A. Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a deformation of key 2 of keyboard 1 in Fig. 1 along line A-A. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of another modification of the key 2 of the keyboard 1 in FIG. 1 along the line A-A. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of another modification of the key 2 of the keyboard 1 in FIG. 1 along the line A-A.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , a keyboard 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes keys 2 provided with light emitting elements 23 . The keycap 24 has a third top surface 240 and a light-transmitting area 244 . The transparent area 244 is formed on the third top surface 240 of the keycap 24 . In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the light-transmitting area 244 represents an indicator signal, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The keys 2 of the keyboard 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention can also be luminous keys 2 . That is to say, the light-transmitting area 244 on the keycap 24 can also present a pattern, and the pattern represents one of characters, numbers, symbols, and function keys.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the button 2 includes a bottom plate 20 , a membrane switch layer 21 , a frame 22 , a light emitting element 23 , a keycap 24 and a lifting mechanism 25 . If the light area 244 through the keycap 24 represents an indicator light, the key 2 according to the present invention can only be equipped with one light emitting element 23 . If the key 2 according to the present invention is a light-emitting key 2 , the key 2 according to the present invention can be equipped with a plurality of light-emitting elements 23 . In FIG. 2 , only one light emitting element 23 is shown as a representative. The light emitting element 23 is driven to emit light. The light emitted by the light emitting element 23 is directed toward the light-transmitting area 244 of the keycap 24 , and then passes through the light-transmitting area 244 of the keycap 24 .

In a specific embodiment, each light-emitting element 12 may be a semiconductor light-emitting diode element, an organic light-emitting diode element, or other light-emitting elements.

The bottom plate 20 has a first through hole 202 . The membrane switch layer 21 has a second through hole 214 and an upper surface 212 . The membrane switch layer 21 is disposed on the base plate 20 such that the second through hole 214 of the membrane switch layer 21 is aligned with the first through hole 202 of the base plate 20 .

The frame 22 has a through opening 222 and a first top surface 224 . The through opening 222 of the frame 22 has an inner wall 2222 close to the eyes 3 of the user. The frame 22 is disposed on the membrane switch layer 21 such that the second through hole 214 of the membrane switch layer 21 is located below the through opening 222 of the frame 22 .

)。發光元件23係設置於底板20的第一通孔202內。 The light emitting element 23 has a second top surface 232 , an optical axis 234 perpendicular to the second top surface 232 , and a light coverage area Z surrounding the optical axis 234 and facing upward. The light footprint Z is substantially conical. The light footprint Z has an included angle (2

). The light emitting element 23 is disposed in the first through hole 202 of the base plate 20 .

The keycap 24 is placed on the through opening 222 and has a lower edge 242 . The lifting mechanism 25 is disposed between the bottom plate 20 and the keycap 24 . The lifting mechanism 25 restricts the movement of the keycap 24 between the unpressed position and the pressed position. When the keycap 24 is in the pressed position, the lower edge 242 of the keycap 24 is located in the through opening 222 of the frame 22 .

When the keycap 24 is in the unpressed position, a first vertical distance (X) from the first top surface 224 of the frame 22 to the upper surface 212 of the membrane switch layer 21 is defined. A second vertical distance (Y) from the top surface 212 of the membrane switch layer 21 to the second top surface 232 of the light emitting element 23 is defined. The horizontal distance (D) between the optical axis of the light emitting element 23 and the inner wall 2222 of the through opening 222 is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance (Q). As long as the above conditions are met, the light emitted by the light emitting element 23 will not be scattered by the second top surface 232 of the frame 22 to the user's eyes 3 . It should be emphasized that if the button 2 according to the present invention is equipped with a plurality of light-emitting elements 23, the horizontal distance (D) refers to the distance between the optical axis of the light-emitting element 23 closest to the inner wall 2222 of the through opening 222 among the plurality of light-emitting elements 23. The distance between the inner sidewalls 2222 of the through opening 222 .

The predetermined distance (Q) is calculated by the following formula:

。

.

)的範圍可以從110度至140度。 In a specific embodiment, the angle (2

) can range from 110 degrees to 140 degrees.

In a specific embodiment, as also shown in FIG. 2 , when the keycap 24 is in the unpressed position, the lower edge 242 of the keycap 24 is higher than the first top surface 224 of the frame 22 . The first vertical distance (X) is a positive value. The second top surface 232 of the light emitting element 23 is lower than the upper surface 212 of the membrane switch layer 21 . The second vertical distance (Y) is a positive value.

As shown in Figure 3, in one deformation of the key 2 of the keyboard 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the key cap 24 is in the unpressed position, the lower side edge 242 of the key cap 24 is higher than the frame 22. The first top surface 224 . The first vertical distance (X) is a positive value. The second top surface 232 of the light emitting element 23 is higher than the upper surface 212 of the membrane switch layer 21 . The second vertical distance (Y) is a negative value. Components marked with the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 in FIG. 3 have the same or similar structures and functions, and will not be repeated here.

As shown in Figure 4, in another deformation of the key 2 of the keyboard 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the key cap 24 is in the unpressed position, the lower side edge 242 of the key cap 24 is lower than the frame 22 The first top surface 224 of or is flush with the first top surface 224 of the frame 22 . The first vertical distance (X) is a positive value. The second top surface 232 of the light emitting element 23 is lower than the upper surface 212 of the membrane switch layer 21 . The second vertical distance (Y) is a positive value. Components marked with the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 in FIG. 4 have the same or similar structures and functions, and will not be repeated here.

As shown in Figure 5, in another modification of the key 2 of the keyboard 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the key cap 24 is in the unpressed position, the lower side edge 242 of the key cap 24 is lower than the frame 22 The first top surface 224 of or is flush with the first top surface 224 of the frame 22 . The first vertical distance (X) is a positive value. The second top surface 232 of the light emitting element 23 is higher than the upper surface 212 of the membrane switch layer 21 . The second vertical distance (Y) is a negative value. Components marked with the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 in FIG. 5 have the same or similar structures and functions, and will not be repeated here.

Further, as also shown in FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , the keyboard 2 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a circuit board 26 . The light emitting element 23 is electrically connected to the circuit board 26 . The circuit board 26 is disposed on the lower surface 204 of the bottom board 20 , so that the light emitting element 23 is disposed in the first through hole 202 of the bottom board 20 .

Further, as also shown in FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , the keyboard 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes an elastic actuating element 27 . The membrane switch layer 21 includes a switch 216 . The switch 216 is located under the keycap 24 . The elastic actuating element 27 is disposed between the keycap 24 and the bottom plate 20 and above the switch 216 . When the keycap 24 is pressed and moved to the pressed position, the elastic actuating element 27 is deformed and the actuating switch 216 is turned on. When the keycap 24 is released, the elastic actuating element 27 provides the restoring force required for the keycap 24 to return to the unpressed position, and the switch 216 is turned off.

Through the above detailed description of the present invention, it can be clearly understood that the keyboard according to the present invention includes light-emitting elements and frames that emit light upwards, and the geometric relationship between the position of the light-emitting elements and the elements and components of the keyboard is carefully planned, so as to The light emitted by the light-emitting element and directed towards the frame is prevented from being scattered by the top surface of the frame to the eyes of the user.

Through the above detailed description of the preferred embodiments, it is hoped that the characteristics and spirit of the present invention can be described more clearly, and the aspect of the present invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments disclosed above. On the contrary, the purpose is to cover various changes and equivalent arrangements within the scope of the patent application for the present invention. Therefore, the aspect of the scope of the patent application for the present invention should be interpreted in the broadest way based on the above description, so as to cover all possible changes and equivalent arrangements.

1: keyboard 2: button 20: Bottom plate 202: the first through hole 204: lower surface 21: Membrane switch layer 212: upper surface 214: Second through hole 216: switch 22: frame 222: through opening 2222: inner wall 224: first top surface 23: Light emitting element 232: second top surface 234: optical axis 24: Keycap 240: third top surface 242: lower edge 244: Translucent area 25: Lifting mechanism 26: circuit board 27: Elastic actuation element 3: eyes Z: light coverage area X: first vertical distance Y: second vertical distance D: horizontal distance

Fig. 1 is an appearance view of a keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of one of the keys of the keyboard in Fig. 1 along line A-A. Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of one of the keys of the keyboard in Fig. 1 deformed along line A-A. Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of another deformation of one of the keys of the keyboard in Fig. 1 along the line A-A. Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of another deformation of one of the keys of the keyboard in Fig. 1 along the line A-A.

1: keyboard

2: button

20: Bottom plate

202: the first through hole

204: lower surface

21: Membrane switch layer

212: upper surface

214: Second through hole

216: switch

22: frame

222: through opening

2222: inner wall

224: first top surface

23: Light emitting element

232: second top surface

234: optical axis

24: Keycap

240: third top surface

242: lower edge

244: Translucent area

25: Lifting mechanism

26: circuit board

27: Elastic actuation element

3: eyes

Z: light coverage area

X: first vertical distance

Y: second vertical distance

D: horizontal distance

Claims (8)

A keyboard, comprising: a base plate with a first through hole; a membrane switch layer with a second through hole and an upper surface, the membrane switch layer is arranged on the base plate so that the second through hole is aligned with the first A through hole; a frame with a through opening and a first top surface, the through opening has an inner side wall, the frame is arranged on the membrane switch layer so that the second through hole is located below the through opening; The light-emitting element has a second top surface, an optical axis perpendicular to the second top surface, and a light coverage area surrounding the optical axis and facing upwards, and the light coverage area has an included angle (2

), the light-emitting element is disposed in the first through hole; a key cap is disposed on the through opening and has a lower side edge; and a lifting mechanism is disposed between the bottom plate and the key cap, The lifting mechanism restricts the keycap to move between an unpressed position and a pressed position, wherein when the keycap is at the pressed position, the lower side edge of the keycap is located in the through opening, and when the keycap is at the In the unpressed position, a first vertical distance (X) from the first top surface of the frame to the upper surface of the membrane switch layer is defined, and the upper surface of the membrane switch layer to the first surface of the light emitting element A second vertical distance (Y) of two top surfaces is defined, and a horizontal distance between the optical axis of the light-emitting element and the inner wall is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance (Q), and the predetermined distance (Q) is Calculated by the following formula:

. The keyboard as described in claim 1, wherein the included angle of the light coverage area (2

) in the range from 110° to 140°. The keyboard as described in claim 2, further comprising: A circuit board, the light-emitting element is electrically connected to the circuit board, and the circuit board is arranged on a lower surface of the base plate. The keyboard as described in claim 3, wherein the membrane switch layer includes a switch, the switch is located below the keycap, and the keyboard further includes: an elastic actuating element is disposed between the keycap and the bottom plate and above the switch, wherein when the keycap is pressed and moved to the pressed position, the elastic actuating element is deformed to actuate the switch When the keycap is released, the elastic actuating element provides a restoring force required for the keycap to return to the unpressed position, and the switch is closed. The keyboard according to claim 4, wherein when the keycap is in the unpressed position, the lower side edge of the keycap is higher than the first top surface of the frame, the first vertical distance is a positive value, and the The second top surface of the light emitting element is lower than the upper surface of the thin film switch layer, and the second vertical distance is a positive value. The keyboard according to claim 4, wherein when the keycap is in the unpressed position, the lower side edge of the keycap is higher than the first top surface of the frame, the first vertical distance is a positive value, and the The second top surface of the light emitting element is higher than the upper surface of the thin film switch layer, and the second vertical distance is a negative value. The keyboard according to claim 4, wherein when the keycap is in the unpressed position, the lower edge of the keycap is lower than the first top surface of the frame or flush with the first top surface of the frame flat, the first vertical distance is a positive value, the second top surface of the light-emitting element is lower than the upper surface of the membrane switch layer, and the second vertical distance is a positive value. The keyboard according to claim 4, wherein when the keycap is in the unpressed position, the lower edge of the keycap is lower than the first top surface of the frame or flush with the first top surface of the frame flat, the first vertical distance is a positive value, the second top surface of the light-emitting element is higher than the upper surface of the membrane switch layer, and the second vertical distance is a negative value.

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