TW202244967A - Illuminated keyswitch - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminated keyswitch includes a base plate, a keycap, a lifting mechanism, and a light-emitting apparatus. The lifting mechanism includes a first connection member and a second connection member. The first connection member includes a first connection rod. The first connection rod attaches the base plate and the keycap, and is adjacent to a side of the keycap facing a user. The second connection member includes a second connection rod. The second connection rod attaches the base plate and the keycap, and is adjacent to the side of the keycap facing the user. The light-emitting apparatus is dispose above or below the base plate. The light-emitting apparatus includes a light-emitting device for emit a light upward. A portion of the light traveling toward the side of the keycap facing the user is shielded by the first connection rod and the second connection rod.

Description

Illuminated keys

The present invention relates to a luminous key, and in particular to a luminous key in which part of the light emitted by a light-emitting element and traveling toward a user is blocked.

The keyboard has become a common input peripheral device on the market. As the size of commercial light-emitting devices shrinks, prior art keyboards use light-emitting devices that emit light upwards as light sources for defining indicators on keycaps (eg, caps lock on indicators, etc.). Existing keyboards have also adopted light-emitting elements that emit light upwards as the backlight of the light-emitting keys to illuminate the patterns on the keycaps. These buttons with indicator lights and patterns that can illuminate the keycaps are collectively called luminous buttons.

The keyboard will have one side facing the user. However, the light-emitting keys of the prior art use light-emitting elements that emit light upwards, because the azimuth relationship between the arrangement of the light-emitting elements and the components and components of the keyboard is not considered, especially the arrangement of the light-emitting elements and the arrangement between the bottom plate and the keycap. The azimuth relationship between the lifting mechanisms often results in that part of the light emitted by the light-emitting element traveling toward the user is not blocked, and it is likely to hit the user's eyes.

Therefore, one technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a light-emitting button in which part of the light emitted by the light-emitting element and traveling toward the user is blocked, so as to prevent the light from hitting the user's eyes.

A light-emitting key according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a bottom plate, a keycap, a lifting mechanism and a light-emitting device. The keycap has one side facing the user. 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. The lifting mechanism includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The first top of the first connecting member is movably connected to the bottom plate. The first bottom of the first connecting member is movably connected to the keycap. The second top of the second connecting member is movably connected to the bottom plate. The second bottom of the second connecting member is movably connected to the keycap. The first connecting member includes a first connecting rod. The second connection member includes a second connection rod. The first connecting rod connects the bottom plate and the keycap, and is adjacent to the side of the keycap facing the user. The second connecting rod connects the bottom plate and the keycap, and is adjacent to the side of the keycap facing the user. The first connecting rod is pivotally connected with the second connecting rod. The light-emitting device is arranged under the key cap, and is arranged above or below the base plate. The light emitting device includes a light emitting element. The light emitting element is used for emitting light upward. A part of the light emitted by the light emitting device going toward the side of the keycap facing the user is blocked by the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod.

In a specific embodiment, the first connecting rod has a first middle section. The second connecting rod has a second intermediate section. The first connecting rod is pivotally connected with the second middle section of the second connecting rod through the first middle section.

In a specific embodiment, the first connecting rod has a pivot. A pivot system is formed on the first middle section of the first connecting rod. The second connecting rod has a groove. The groove is formed on the second middle section of the second connecting rod. The first connecting rod is pivotally engaged in the groove of the second connecting rod, and then pivotally connected with the second connecting rod.

In a specific embodiment, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod pivotally connected together define a plane. The pivot system is perpendicular to this plane.

Different from the prior art, according to the light-emitting button of the present invention, part of the light emitted by the light-emitting element of the light-emitting element travels toward the side of the keycap facing the user and is blocked by the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod to prevent the light from hitting the user. eye situation occurs.

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 FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , which schematically depict the light-emitting key 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 schematically shows a keyboard 1 equipped with light-emitting keys 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an external view. FIG. 2 schematically shows a light-emitting button 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an expanded view of components and components. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view along line A-A of the light-emitting button 2 in FIG. 2 after assembly. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view along line A-A of one of the light-emitting keys 2 in FIG. 2 after deformation and assembly.

As shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , a keyboard 1 includes light-emitting keys 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The key cap 21 of the luminous key 2 has a light-shielding layer 210 and a light-transmitting area 212 . In the example shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the light-transmitting area 212 presents a pattern, and the pattern represents one of characters, numbers, symbols, and function keys, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The light-transmitting area 212 on the keycap 21 of the light-emitting key 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may also represent an indicator light.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the light-emitting key 2 includes a bottom plate 20 , a keycap 21 , a lifting mechanism 22 and a light-emitting device 23 .

The keycap 21 has a side 214 facing the user. In FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the positions of the user's eyes 3 are also schematically shown in the figures.

The lifting mechanism 22 is disposed between the bottom plate 20 and the keycap 21 . The lifting mechanism 22 restricts the movement of the keycap 21 between the unpressed position and the pressed position. The lifting mechanism 22 includes a first connecting member 222 and a second connecting member 224 . The first top portion 2220 of the first connecting member 222 is movably connected to the base plate 20 . The first bottom 2222 of the first connecting member 222 is movably connected to the keycap 21 . The second top portion 2240 of the second connecting member 224 is movably connected to the bottom plate 20 . The second bottom 2242 of the second connecting member 224 is movably connected to the keycap 21 . The first connecting member 222 includes a first connecting rod 223 . The second connection member 224 includes a second connection rod 225 . The first connecting rod 223 connects the bottom plate 20 and the keycap 21 , and is adjacent to the side 214 of the keycap 21 facing the user's eyes 3 . The second connecting rod 225 connects the bottom plate 20 and the keycap 21 , and is adjacent to the side 214 of the keycap 21 facing the user's eyes 3 . The first connecting rod 223 is pivotally connected to the second connecting rod 225 .

The light emitting device 23 is disposed under the keycap 21 and disposed above or below the bottom plate 20 . The light emitting device 23 includes a light emitting element 232 . The light emitting element 232 is used for emitting light upward. A part of the light emitted by the light emitting device 23 toward the user-facing side 214 of the keycap 21 is blocked by the first connecting rod 223 and the second connecting rod 225 , as shown in FIG. 3 .

In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first connecting rod 223 has a first middle section 2232 . The second connecting rod 225 has a second intermediate section 2252 . The first connecting rod 223 is pivotally connected to the second middle segment 2252 of the second connecting rod 225 via the first middle section 2232 . Viewed from the direction of the user's eyes 3 , the pivotally connected first connecting rod 223 and the second connecting rod 225 generally present an "X" shape.

In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first connecting rod 223 also has a pivot 2234 . The pivot 2234 is formed on the first middle section 2232 of the first connecting rod 223 . The second connecting rod 225 also has a groove 2254 . The groove 2254 is formed on the second middle section 2252 of the second connecting rod 225 . The first connecting rod 223 is engaged in the groove 2254 of the second connecting rod 225 by the pivot 2234 , and then pivotally connected with the second connecting rod 225 .

In a specific embodiment, the first connecting rod 223 and the second connecting rod 225 pivotally connected together define a plane. Pivot 2234 is perpendicular to this plane.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 , the light-emitting key 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a membrane switch layer 24 . The membrane switch layer 24 has a through hole 240 . The light emitting device 23 also includes a circuit board 234 . The light emitting element 232 is electrically connected to the circuit board 234 . The circuit board 234 is disposed between the base plate 20 and the membrane switch layer 24 , so that the light emitting element 232 is disposed in the through hole 240 .

In one embodiment, the membrane switch layer 24 includes a switch 242 . The switch 242 is located under the keycap 21 .

Further, as also shown in FIG. 3 , the light-emitting key 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes an elastic actuating element 25 . The elastic actuating element 25 includes an actuating post 252 . The elastic actuating element 25 is disposed between the keycap 21 and the membrane switch layer 24 and above the switch 242 . When the keycap 21 is pressed and moved to the pressed position, the elastic actuating element 25 deforms and the actuating post 252 actuates the switch 242 to open. When the keycap 21 is released, the elastic actuating element provides the restoring force required for the keycap 21 to return to the unpressed position, and the switch 242 is turned off.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 , a modification of the light-emitting key 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes a membrane switch layer 24 . The membrane switch layer 24 has a first through hole 244 . The bottom plate 20 has a second through hole 204 . The membrane switch layer 24 is disposed on the upper surface 200 of the base plate 20 such that the first through hole 244 of the membrane switch layer 24 is aligned with the second through hole 204 of the base plate 20 . The light emitting device 23 also includes a circuit board 234 . The light emitting element 232 is electrically connected to the circuit board 234 . The circuit board 234 is disposed on the lower surface 202 of the base plate 20 , so that the light emitting element 232 is disposed in the first through hole 244 of the membrane switch layer 24 and the second through hole 204 of the base plate 20 . Components and components marked with the same numbers as those in FIG. 3 in FIG. 4 have the same or similar structures and functions, and will not be repeated here.

From the above detailed description of the present invention, it can be clearly understood that in the luminous key according to the present invention, a part of the light emitted by the light-emitting element of the light-emitting element that travels toward the side of the keycap facing the user is blocked by the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod. , to prevent the light from hitting the user's eyes.

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: Illuminated button 20: Bottom plate 200: upper surface 202: lower surface 204: Second through hole 21: Keycap 210: shading layer 212: Translucent area 214: side 22: Lifting mechanism 222: the first connecting member 2220: first top 2222: first bottom 223: the first connecting rod 2232: the first middle section 2234: pivot 224: the second connecting member 2240: second top 2242: second bottom 225: the second connecting rod 2252: the second middle section 2254: Groove 23: Lighting device 232: Light emitting element 234: circuit board 24: Membrane switch layer 240: through hole 242: switch 244: the first through hole 25: Elastic actuation element 252: Action column 3: eyes

Fig. 1 is an appearance view of a keyboard equipped with luminous keys according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an expanded view of elements and components of a luminous key according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view along line A-A of the light-emitting key in Fig. 2 after assembly. Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view along line A-A of one of the light-emitting keys in Fig. 2 after deformation and assembly.

2: Illuminated button

20: Bottom plate

200: upper surface

202: lower surface

21: Keycap

210: shading layer

212: Translucent area

214: side

22: Lifting mechanism

222: the first connecting member

2220: first top

223: the first connecting rod

2232: the first middle section

2234: pivot

224: the second connecting member

2242: second bottom

225: the second connecting rod

2252: the second middle section

2254: Groove

23: Lighting device

232: Light emitting element

234: circuit board

24: Membrane switch layer

240: through hole

242: switch

25: Elastic actuation element

252: Action column

3: eyes

Claims (8)

A luminous button, comprising: a bottom plate; a key cap, having a side, and the side faces a user; a lifting mechanism, which is arranged between the bottom plate and the key cap, and the lifting mechanism limits the key cap between an unpressed position and a To move between pressing positions, the lifting mechanism includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member, a first top of the first connecting member is movably connected to the bottom plate, and a first connecting member of the first connecting member is the bottom is movably connected to the keycap, a second top of the second connecting member is movably connected to the bottom plate, a second bottom of the second connecting member is movably connected to the keycap, The first connecting member includes a first connecting rod, the second connecting member includes a second connecting rod, the first connecting rod engages the bottom plate and the key cap and is adjacent to the side of the key cap, the second connecting rod a rod connects the bottom plate and the keycap and is adjacent to the side of the keycap, the first connecting rod is pivotally connected with the second connecting rod; and a light emitting device is arranged under the keycap and arranged on the Above or below the bottom plate, the light emitting device includes a light emitting element, and the light emitting element is used to emit a light upward, wherein a part of the light traveling toward the side of the keycap is transmitted by the first connecting rod and the second The connecting rod is blocked. The light-emitting button as described in claim 1, wherein the first connecting rod has a first middle section, the second connecting rod has a second middle section, and the first connecting rod is tied with the first middle section and the second middle section. The second intermediate section of the two connecting rods is pivotally connected. The light-emitting key according to claim 2, wherein the first connecting rod has a pivot formed on the first middle section, and the second connecting rod has a groove, and the groove is Formed on the second middle section, the first connecting rod is engaged in the groove of the second connecting rod by the pivot, and then pivotally connected with the second connecting rod. The luminous key according to claim 3, wherein the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod pivotally connected together define a plane, and the pivot axis is perpendicular to the plane. The luminous button as described in claim 2, further comprising: A membrane switch layer has a through hole, wherein the light-emitting device also includes a circuit board, the light-emitting element is electrically connected to the circuit board, and the circuit board is arranged between the base plate and the membrane switch layer, so that the The light emitting element is placed in the through hole. The light-emitting button as described in claim 5, wherein the membrane switch layer includes a switch, the switch is located under the keycap, and the light-emitting button further includes: An elastic actuating element is disposed between the keycap and the membrane switch layer and above the switch, wherein when the keycap is pressed and then moved to the pressed position, the elastic actuating element is deformed to actuate The switch is turned on, and 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 turned off. The luminous button as described in claim 2, further comprising: a membrane switch layer having a first through hole, wherein the base plate has a second through hole, the membrane switch layer is arranged on an upper surface of the base plate such that the first through hole is aligned with the second through hole, The light-emitting device also includes 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 bottom plate, so that the light-emitting element is placed between the first through hole and the second through hole. Inside the two through holes. The light-emitting button as described in claim 7, wherein the membrane switch layer includes a switch, the switch is located under the keycap, and the light-emitting button further includes: An elastic actuating element is disposed between the keycap and the membrane switch layer and above the switch, wherein when the keycap is pressed and then moved to the pressed position, the elastic actuating element is deformed to actuate The switch is turned on, and 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 turned off.

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