TWI452486B - Key structre and keyboard - Google Patents

Description

Button structure and keyboard

The present invention relates to a button structure and a keyboard, and more particularly to a button structure and a keyboard having a scissor assembly and a backlight, which can be applied, for example, to a notebook computer.

As computers become more and more popular, computers may be used in a variety of environments, and in response to the need for computers to be used in low-light environments, keyboards with backlit light sources have been developed.

The button of the existing illuminable keyboard usually has an elastic body disposed under the keycap, and the top end of the elastic body is provided with a sealed conductive pillar structure. When the keycap is pressed down, the conductive pillar touches the conduction circuit downward to generate a signal. . In other words, the light-emitting diode of the conventional backlit keyboard or the light-emitting port of the backlight structure is disposed directly under the elastic body, and the conduction circuit (conduction point) is also disposed directly under the elastic body, and the design affects the backlight source. The luminous efficiency to the center of the keycap makes the conventional backlight button have the problem of uneven brightness and insufficient brightness. The prior patent, such as the Republic of China Patent Publication No. TW468833, reveals that when the keycap 24 is pressed down and the sliding end of the bridge 22 is borrowed. When the 222 displacement causes the bridge 22 to descend, the conductive portion 231 of the synchronous compression elastic conduction member 23 is moved downward through the through hole 213 of the positioning member 21 to crimp the predetermined printed circuit of the first circuit board 13 to transmit a key command.

The above-mentioned prior art is provided with a display area 121 which is formed on the substrate 12 at a position corresponding to any one of the button groups 2 or a through hole is formed at either end of the substrate 12, and the light-emitting element 141 corresponding to the display area 121 may be a cold light plate 141'. Or it is a light-emitting diode 141. Therefore, it can be understood that the light-emitting element 141 of the prior art is designed directly under the elastic conduction member 23, but because it overlaps with the button conduction point, the luminous efficiency is reduced.

In addition, the prior patent, such as the Republic of China Patent Publication No. TW509955, discloses that a keyboard portion 22 is disposed on a bottom case of a keyboard, and has a bottom plate 222, a membrane circuit board 223, at least one keycap 224, at least one The elastic element 221 and at least one scissor structure 225. Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom plate 222 is provided with a plurality of protruding fixing structures 2221. One end of the scissor structure 225 is coupled to the fixing structure 2221 of the bottom plate 222, and the other end is coupled to the bottom side of the key cap 224 to enable the key. The cap 224 is movable up and down with respect to the bottom plate 222. The elastic member 221 is disposed between the film circuit board 223 and the keycap 224 to support the key cap 224. The bottom plate 222 is provided with a first through hole 2222 at the opposite elastic member 221 .

The above-mentioned prior patent further discloses that a backlight device 23 is disposed under the keyboard portion 22 (refer to FIG. 2), and has a light guide plate 231, a light reflecting plate 232 and a light source 233, whereby the backlight device 23 can be used from the keyboard. The light source required for the keyboard portion 22 is provided below the portion 22. Therefore, those skilled in the art can understand that the light-emitting design of the backlight source structure 23 is located directly below the elastic body 221, but because of the overlap with the conductive dots of the key film circuit board 223, a light-shielding effect may occur to cause the luminous efficiency to be reduced. Further, in the above-described conventional backlit keyboard, the light of the light-emitting diode easily leaks from the gap between the keycap and the substrate, and there is a problem that light leakage and glare occur.

In order to solve the above problem of uneven brightness, it is necessary to change the layout of the backlight source. In order to solve the problem of insufficient brightness, it is only possible to improve by increasing the number of light-emitting diodes. The above solutions are quite backward and increase the cost.

The reason is that the present inventors have felt that the above problems can be improved, and that the present invention has been deliberately studied and used in conjunction with the theory, and a present invention which is reasonable in design and effective in improving the above problems has been proposed.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a button structure and a keyboard to improve the brightness unevenness, insufficient brightness, and light leakage of the backlight button.

In order to solve the above technical problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, a button structure is provided, including a substrate, a conductive film, a scissors assembly, a light source, and a keycap. The substrate has a plurality of hook portions protruding upward; the conductive film is disposed on the substrate, and has a plurality of openings for exposing the hook portions and at least one conductive point disposed at a central position thereof; the scissors assembly Having a first frame and a second frame, the first frame has a pair of convex shafts projecting outwardly from both sides thereof, the second frame having a pair of shaft holes formed on both sides thereof, the pair of convex shafts One side of the first frame and the second frame is pivotally connected to the hook portions of the substrate; wherein at least one of the conductive protrusions is correspondingly located above the conduction point, and is hollow The elastic system is disposed at the center of the conductive film; the light source is disposed under the elastic body, the elastic body covers the light source; and the key cap is disposed on the scissors assembly.

In order to solve the above technical problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, a keyboard is provided, which includes a plurality of buttons, each of which includes a substrate, a conductive film, a scissors assembly, a light source, and a keycap. The substrate has a plurality of hook portions protruding upward; the conductive film is disposed on the substrate, and has a plurality of openings for exposing the hook portions and at least one conductive point disposed at a central position thereof; the scissors assembly Having a first frame and a second frame, the first frame has a pair of convex shafts projecting outwardly from both sides thereof, the second frame having a pair of shaft holes formed on both sides thereof, the pair of convex shafts In the pair of shaft holes, one side of the first frame and the second frame is pivotally connected to the hook portions of the substrate; wherein at least one of the conductive protrusions is correspondingly located above the conduction point, and an elastic system is formed. a top hole is at the top of the conductive film; the light source is disposed under the elastic body, the elastic body covers the light source; the key cap is disposed on the scissors assembly, wherein the light of the light source is The top hole is upwardly directed to the keycap.

The invention has at least the following beneficial effects: the light source of the invention moves to the central part of the button, cooperates with the elastic body of the hollow structure, and moves the conduction point to the outside of the elastic body, thereby improving the brightness of the center and edge of the button of the illuminated keyboard Unevenness and insufficient brightness.

In order to further understand the technology, method and effect of the present invention in order to achieve the intended purpose, reference should be made to the detailed description and drawings of the present invention. The drawings and the annexed drawings are intended to be illustrative and not to limit the invention.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is an exploded perspective view of the button structure of the present invention. The key structure of the present invention comprises a substrate 10, a conductive film 20, a scissors assembly 30 and a keycap 50. In the present invention, a rubber element 22 is disposed on the top surface of the conductive film 20. The top of the rubber element 22 has a top hole 2222, and a light source is disposed under the elastic body 22, as shown in the figure. The light-emitting diode 42 is shown. The elastomer 22 covers the light source 42 such that the light is directed upwardly from the elastomer 22 and is incident on the keycap 50 through the top hole 2222. In response to the fact that the elastic body 22 and the light source 42 are disposed at the center of the conductive film 20, the present invention moves the conduction point 24 to the position of the conductive film 20 away from the center thereof, that is, outside the elastic body 22. The conduction point 24 may be at least one and provides at least one conduction protrusion 34 (refer to FIG. 3) correspondingly above the conduction point 24 to contact the conduction point 24. Since the elastic body 22 is hollow and has a top hole 2222, the light can be completely guided to the middle of the bottom surface of the keycap 50, and then the light is uniformly dispersed by the structure of the bottom surface of the keycap 50. Thereby, the brightness of the backlight type keyboard can be improved by the invention, and the light of the light source is emitted upward from the top hole 2222 of the elastic body 22 to the key cap 50, so that the brightness is strong and uniform, and the problem of light leakage at the edge of the prior art button is solved. Next, a possible embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail in conjunction with the drawings.

The substrate 10 has a plurality of hook portions 12 and 14 projecting upward to hook the bottom of the scissors assembly 30. The material of the substrate 10 is preferably a metal plate body, and the hook portions 12 and 14 are integrally formed by pressing a metal plate body, and a punching hole 110 is formed around the hook portions 12 and 14. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the light source is a light emitting diode (LED) 42 disposed on a power film 40 , and the power film 40 is disposed under the substrate 10 . The light source 42 is disposed directly below the keycap 50 in accordance with the present invention, and the substrate 10 includes a light source opening 16 corresponding to the light source 42.

In the above embodiment, the power supply film 40 may be a Mylar film and a pair of conductive circuits 41a and 41b. The two electrodes of the LED 42 are electrically connected to the conductive circuits 41a and 41b, respectively. Adhesive around the light emitting diode 42. However, the light source of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the light-emitting diodes may be directly disposed on the conductive film 20, and a pair of conductive circuits for supplying the light-emitting diodes are disposed on the conductive film 20 in a manner similar to the above ( Not shown), and then the light emitting diode is electrically connected to the conductive circuit.

The substrate 10 may have a different design. The light source opening 16 is not limited to the circular hole shape shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the substrate 10a is provided with a square light source opening 16a.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a conductive membrane 20 is disposed on the substrate 10 and may be made of a Mylar sheet. The elastic body 22 is disposed at the center of the conductive film 20. The conductive film 20 of the present embodiment has a plurality of openings 202, 204 for exposing the hook portions 12, 14 and a pair of the conductive points 24 disposed away from the center thereof. More specifically, the pair of conductive dots 24 are located on both sides of the elastic body 22. The conduction point 24 refers to a structure that is turned on, that is, is turned on to generate a signal, and is generally disposed on the thin film circuit board, and includes a pair of electrical contacts disposed oppositely on the two separated circuit layers (as shown in FIG. 5A). ).

The scissors assembly 30 includes a first frame 31 and a second frame 32 that pass through the middle of the scissors assembly 30. The first frame 31 has a pair of protruding shafts 312 protruding outwardly from opposite sides thereof. The second frame 32 has a pair of shaft holes 322 formed on two sides thereof. The pair of protruding shafts 312 are disposed on the pair of shaft holes 322. Inside. One side of the first frame 31 and the second frame 32 is pivotally connected to the hook portions 12 and 14 of the substrate 10, and more specifically, the bottom end of the first frame 31 has a pivot pivot 314 Connected to the hook portion 14, a second pivot 324 is pivotally connected to the hook portion 12 on both sides of the bottom end of the second frame 32.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 , a key cap 50 is disposed on the scissors assembly 30 . The bottom surface of the key cap 50 has a pair of limiting hooks 52 and a pair of pivoting fasteners 54. An upper pivot 316 is pivotally connected to the pair of pivoting fasteners 54 on both sides of the top end of the first frame 31. An upper pivot 326 is located on each side of the top end of the frame 32 in the pair of limit hooks 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface of the keycap 50 defines a slightly star-shaped permeable structure 56 that includes a ring portion 562 and a plurality of branches 564 that are radially connected to the ring portion 562. When the keycap 50 depresses or releases the elastomer 22, air can flow into or out of the elastomer 22 via the branches 564 of the gas permeable structure 56. The bottom surface of the keycap 50 forms an annular light guiding structure (not numbered) on the periphery of the gas permeable structure 56 to uniformly diffuse the light to the entire keycap 50.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the elastic body 22 of the present embodiment has a bottom ring 221 disposed on the conductive film 20 , a tapered cylindrical portion 222 extending upward from the bottom ring 221 , and a tapered cylindrical portion 222 . The top ring 223 of the top end abuts against the bottom surface of the key cap 50. The gas permeable structure 56 corresponds to the top ring 223. The tapered cylindrical portion 222 is tapered from the bottom to the top. However, it is not limited to this. The elastomer may also be inverted, as shown in Figure 4, the elastomer 22a, which is tapered from top to bottom and has a larger top aperture 2222 for light output. The elastomer of this embodiment is preferably opaque to limit light to the elastomer. The elastic body 22 may be adhered to the conductive film 20, or a plurality of elastic bodies 22 may be integrally formed on a plate body and placed on the top surface of the conductive film 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, the scissors assembly 30 of the present embodiment has a pair of integrally formed conductive protrusions 34 corresponding to the pair of conductive points 24 located on both sides of the elastic body 22. The pair of conductive protrusions 34 are embossed on the bottom surfaces of both sides of the scissors assembly 30. More specifically, the pair of conductive protrusions 34 are located on both sides of the bottom surface of the second frame 32.

Referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 5B, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the button structure of the present invention in an unpressed state; and FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing the button structure (removing the keycap) triggering the conduction point 24 of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows that the conductive film 20 of the present embodiment also forms an opening 206 corresponding to the bottom of the elastic body 22 for the light of the light source 42 to pass through the conductive film 20. The opening 206 has a size that generally corresponds to the bottom opening of the elastomer 22. Such an embodiment makes the light more unobstructed and can be directly incident on the bottom surface of the keycap 50. However, since the conductive film 20 is generally transparent, it is possible even if the conductive film 20 omits the above-described opening 206. When the button of the present invention is depressed, the scissors assembly 30 is lowered in height, and the conductive projection 34 of the second frame 32 presses down the conduction point 24 to conduct the communication number. When the button is pressed down, the elastic body 22 is actually deformed, and the elastic body 22 in this embodiment is only schematically indicated by a broken line.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a perspective view of another embodiment of the second frame of the present invention. This figure shows that the second frame 32a of the scissors assembly 30a of the present invention can be provided with another conductive projection 36 that projects outwardly from both sides of the second frame 32a. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 7 along a button cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 6, and the conduction protrusion 36 extends outwardly above the conduction point 24. As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, when the button is pressed down, the conduction convex portion 36 of the second frame 32a presses down the conduction point 24 to guide the communication number.

It can be seen from the description of the above two embodiments that the conduction convex portion of the present invention is provided correspondingly above the conduction point 24. In another possible manner, the conductive protrusions may be provided on the bottom surface of the keycap 50, for example, a pair of downwardly projecting column-shaped conductive protrusions are formed by the bottom surface of the keycap 50. When the button is pressed down, the key cap is displaced downward to trigger the conduction portion 24.

Referring to Figure 8, another embodiment of a light source of the present invention is shown. The embodiment includes a light guiding film 60 disposed under the substrate 20 and a light emitting diode 70 disposed on a side of the light guiding film 60. The upper surface of the light guiding film 60 forms a light guiding microstructure 62. Located below the elastic body 22 to guide the light of the light-emitting diode 70 to form a light source. The substrate 10 includes a light source opening 16 corresponding to the light guiding microstructure 62. The light is totally reflected in the light guiding film 60. When the light guiding microstructure 62 is encountered, it is outwardly led out into the elastic body 22, thereby illuminating the keycap 50.

This embodiment is only illustrated by a button structure. Of course, the present invention can be applied to the entire keyboard, and each button of the keyboard has the same structure as described above.

Therefore, through the key structure and keyboard of the present invention, the following features and functions are as follows:

1. The invention moves the light source to the central part of the button, cooperates with the elastic body of the hollow structure, and moves the conduction point to the outside of the elastic body, thereby improving the brightness unevenness and the brightness of the button center and the edge of the illuminated keyboard. phenomenon.

2. The top of the elastomer of the present invention forms a top hole that allows light to be completely guided to the bottom surface of the keycap. The elastomer acts like a large mask to confine light to its interior.

3. The conduction point of the present invention is moved from the center of the button to the edge, and is more suitable for the elongated button, and a conductive protrusion is formed on the bottom surface of the scissors assembly or the bottom surface of the key cap to turn on the conduction points.

4. The invention cooperates with the light source, and the substrate forms a light source opening, which can increase the area of the aluminum plate to break the hole, so that the brightness of the light on the key cap is increased, and is more evenly distributed on the surface of the button.

However, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and thus the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the equivalent technical changes of the present specification and the contents of the drawings are all included in the present invention. Within the scope of the agreement, Chen Ming.

10. . . Substrate

110. . . punching

12,14. . . Hook

16,16a,16b. . . Light source opening

20. . . Conductive diaphragm

202,204. . . Opening

206. . . Opening

22,22a. . . Elastomer

221. . . Bottom ring

222. . . Conical tubular part

2222. . . Top hole

223. . . Top ring

twenty four. . . Conduction point

30,30a. . . Scissor assembly

31. . . First frame

312. . . Convex axis

314. . . Lower pivot

316. . . Upper pivot

32,32a. . . Second frame

322. . . Shaft hole

324. . . Lower pivot

326. . . Upper pivot

34,36. . . Conduction convex

40. . . Power diaphragm

41a, 41b. . . Conductive circuit

42. . . light source

50. . . keycap

52. . . Limit check

54. . . Pivot fastener

56. . . Breathable structure

562. . . Ring

564. . . Branch

60. . . Light guiding film

62. . . Light guiding microstructure

70. . . Light-emitting diode

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the key structure of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the substrate of the key structure of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view of the key structure of the present invention with the keycap removed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the elastic body of the key structure of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the key structure of the present invention.

Fig. 5A is a side elevational view showing the key structure (unpressed) of the present invention.

Figure 5B is a side elevational view of the button structure (pressed) of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the second frame of the key structure of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the second frame of the second embodiment of the key structure of the present invention.

Fig. 7A is a side elevational view showing the key structure of the present invention having the second frame (unpressed) of the second embodiment.

Fig. 7B is a side elevational view showing the second frame (pressed) of the second embodiment of the key structure of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a light source of the second embodiment of the key structure of the present invention.

10. . . Substrate

110. . . punching

12,14. . . Hook

16. . . Light source opening

20. . . Conductive diaphragm

202,204. . . Opening

twenty two. . . Elastomer

221. . . Bottom ring

222. . . Conical tubular part

223. . . Top ring

twenty four. . . Conduction point

2222. . . Top hole

30. . . Scissor assembly

31. . . First frame

312. . . Convex axis

314. . . Lower pivot

316. . . Upper pivot

32. . . Second frame

322. . . Shaft hole

324. . . Lower pivot

326. . . Upper pivot

40. . . Power diaphragm

41a, 41b. . . Conductive circuit

42. . . light source

50. . . keycap

52. . . Limit check

54. . . Pivot fastener

56. . . Breathable structure

Claims (20)

A button structure, comprising: a substrate having a plurality of hook portions protruding upward; a conductive film disposed on the substrate, having a plurality of openings for exposing the hook portions, and at least one conductive point; a scissors assembly a first frame and a second frame, the first frame having a pair of convex shafts projecting outwardly from opposite sides thereof, the second frame having a pair of shaft holes formed on both sides thereof, the pair of convex shafts Provided in the pair of shaft holes, one side of the first frame and the second frame is pivotally connected to the hook portions of the substrate; an elastic body is disposed at the center of the conductive film, and the top of the elastic body is formed a top hole; wherein the at least one conductive point is away from the elastic body and located outside the elastic body; at least one conductive convex portion is located outside the elastic body, and correspondingly located above the at least one conductive point; a light source Provided below the elastic body, the elastic body covers the light source; and a key cap is disposed on the scissors assembly, wherein the light of the light source is upwardly emitted from the top hole to the key cap; wherein, when the key The cap is pressed, the at least one guide Convex portions corresponding to the contact pressure and conducting at least one conductive key points to generate a signal. The button structure of claim 1, further comprising a power supply film disposed under the substrate, the light source being a light emitting diode disposed on the power film, the substrate including a corresponding to the The light source of the light source is apertured. The button structure of claim 1, further comprising a light guiding film disposed under the substrate and a light emitting diode disposed on a side of the light guiding film, the upper surface of the light guiding film forming a guide The light microstructure forms the light source to guide the light emitting diode, and the substrate includes a light source opening corresponding to the light guiding microstructure. The button structure of claim 1, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode, and the light emitting diode is disposed on the conductive film. The button structure of claim 1, wherein the conductive film has a pair of the conductive points, the pair of conductive points are located at two sides of the elastic body, wherein the scissors assembly has a pair of integrally formed conductive protrusions The ministry is correspondingly located above the pair of conduction points. The button structure of claim 5, wherein the pair of conductive protrusions are embossed on the bottom surfaces of the two sides of the scissors assembly. The button structure of claim 5, wherein the pair of conductive protrusions protrude outward from both sides of the scissors assembly. The button structure of claim 1, wherein the conductive film has a pair of the conductive points, the pair of conductive points are located on two sides of the elastic body, wherein the bottom surface of the key cap has a pair of downward protruding The conductive protrusions are correspondingly located above the pair of conduction points. The button structure of claim 1, wherein the elastic body has a bottom ring disposed on the conductive film, a conical cylindrical portion extending upward from the bottom ring, and a conical cylindrical portion a top ring of the top end that abuts against a bottom surface of the keycap. The button structure of claim 9, wherein the bottom surface of the keycap is provided with a gas permeable structure corresponding to the top ring of the elastic body. A keyboard comprising: a plurality of buttons, each of which includes: a substrate having a plurality of hook portions protruding upward; a conductive film disposed on the substrate, having a plurality of openings for exposing the hook portions, and at least one conductive point a scissor assembly having a first frame and a second frame, the first frame having a pair of projecting shafts projecting outwardly from opposite sides thereof, the second frame having a pair of shaft holes formed on both sides thereof The pair of protruding shafts are disposed in the pair of shaft holes, and one side of the first frame and the second frame is pivotally connected to the hook portions of the substrate; an elastic body is disposed at a center of the conductive film, the elasticity Forming a top hole at the top of the body; wherein the at least one conductive point is away from the elastic body and located outside the elastic body; at least one conductive protrusion is located outside the elastic body, and correspondingly located at the at least one conductive point a light source, disposed under the elastic body, the elastic body covers the light source; and a key cap disposed on the scissors assembly, wherein the light of the light source is upwardly emitted from the top hole to the key cap; When the keycap is pressed, the Conducting a small protrusion corresponding to the contact pressure and conducting at least one conductive key points to generate a signal. The keyboard of claim 11, further comprising a power supply film disposed under the substrate, the light source being a light emitting diode disposed on the power film, the substrate including a light source corresponding to the light source The light source is open. The keyboard of claim 11, further comprising a a light guiding film disposed under the substrate, the light source being a light guiding microstructure formed on the light guiding film, the substrate comprising a light source opening corresponding to the light guiding microstructure. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode, and the light emitting diode is disposed on the conductive film. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the conductive film has a pair of the conductive points, the pair of conductive points are located at two sides of the elastic body, wherein the scissors assembly has an integrally formed pair of the conductive protrusions The system is correspondingly located above the pair of conduction points. The keyboard of claim 15, wherein the pair of conductive protrusions are embossed on the bottom surfaces of the two sides of the scissors assembly. The keyboard of claim 15, wherein the pair of conductive protrusions protrude outward from both sides of the scissors assembly. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the conductive film has a pair of the conductive points, the pair of conductive points are located at two sides of the elastic body, wherein the bottom surface of the key cap has a pair of downwardly protruding The conductive protrusions are correspondingly located above the pair of conduction points. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the elastic body has a bottom ring disposed on the conductive film, a conical cylindrical portion extending upward from the bottom ring, and a top portion of the conical cylindrical portion The top ring abuts against the bottom surface of the keycap. The keyboard of claim 19, wherein the bottom surface of the keycap is provided with a gas permeable structure corresponding to the top ring.