TWI713983B - Key structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A key structure including a keycap, a bottom plate, a backlight module, and a thin film circuit board is provided. The bottom plate includes a body and a plurality of protrusions, wherein the body has a plurality of openings, and the protrusions protrude from a first surface of the body and are disposed around the openings. The backlight module is disposed on a second surface of the body, wherein the first surface and the second surface are opposite surfaces. The thin film circuit board and the keycap are disposed on the first surface of the body, and the thin film circuit board is located between the key cap and the bottom plate, and the protrusions are located within the orthographic projection range of the key cap.

Description

Button structure

The present invention relates to a key structure, and in particular to a key structure that prevents light leakage.

With the development of technology, many portable electronic devices have emerged, such as notebooks or personal digital assistants (PDAs). Users use keyboards, mice and other input devices to communicate with such electronic devices.

However, in a low-light environment, it may be difficult for the user to recognize the numbers and characters marked on the keyboard keys, which causes difficulty in operation. Therefore, a key structure capable of emitting light is currently available on the market, which applies backlight modules that can be applied to various electronic devices in keyboard modules, thereby improving input problems caused by insufficient ambient light.

However, due to the structural configuration of the keyboard module, the light emitted by the backlight module may leak light from the assembly gap after the components are assembled, which affects the uniformity of light emission and causes troubles for users.

The invention provides a key structure that prevents light leakage and emits uniform light.

A key structure of the present invention includes a key cap, a bottom plate, a backlight module and a thin film circuit board. The bottom plate includes a main body and a plurality of protrusions, wherein the main body has a plurality of openings, and the protrusions protrude from a first surface of the main body and are arranged around the openings. The backlight module is arranged on a second surface of the main body, wherein the first surface and the second surface are two opposite surfaces. The thin film circuit board and the key cap are both arranged on the first surface of the body, and the thin film circuit board is located between the key cap and the bottom plate, and the protruding part is within the orthographic projection range of the key cap.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned body has a plurality of protrusion setting openings, and the protrusions are correspondingly provided in the protrusion setting openings, wherein the material of the protrusions may be the same or different from the material of the body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned protrusion setting opening is separated from the corresponding opening by a predetermined distance.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned backlight module includes a light source and a light guide plate, wherein the light source is disposed on one side of the light guide plate or a through hole of the light guide plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned backlight module includes a light source, wherein the light source is arranged within the orthographic projection range of the key cap.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned key structure may further include a rubber dome, which is disposed between the film circuit board and the key cap, and is located within the range enclosed by the protrusion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned key structure may further include a support member, which is disposed between the bottom plate and the key cap and located within the range enclosed by the protrusion.

A key structure of the present invention includes a key cap, a bottom plate, at least one protrusion, a support, and a backlight module. The bottom plate is located under the key cap, the protruding part is disposed on the bottom plate and extends toward the key cap, and the protruding part defines an assembly area, the support is disposed on the bottom plate and located in the assembly area, and the backlight module is disposed under the bottom plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned protruding part is within the orthographic projection range of the keycap.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned key structure further includes a thin film circuit board and an elastic member, the thin film circuit board is disposed between the bottom plate and the key cap, and the elastic member is disposed on the thin film circuit board.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned bottom plate has a plurality of openings, and the openings are located in the assembly area.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned bottom plate has a plurality of fixing parts arranged in the assembly area, and the supporting member is pivotally connected to the fixing part.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the above-mentioned protrusion has a light absorbing material.

Based on the above, the arrangement of the protrusion can well prevent the light emitted by the backlight module from leaking from the gap between the key cap and the bottom plate, and improve the convenience of the user.

In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the following specific embodiments are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an assembly schematic diagram of a key structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of the key structure of FIG. 1. Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 at the same time. The key structure 100 of this embodiment includes a bottom plate 110, a backlight module 120, a thin film circuit board 130 and a key cap 140. Among them, the key structure 100 of this embodiment is, for example, a key structure of a keyboard module, especially a keyboard module used in an electronic device (such as a notebook computer).

The aforementioned bottom plate 110 includes a body 112 and a plurality of protrusions 114, wherein the body 112 has a first surface 112a, a second surface 112b opposite to each other, and a plurality of openings 112c penetrating the first surface 112a and the second surface 112b. . The protruding portion 114 protrudes from a first surface 112a of the main body 112 and extends toward the key cap 140, and the protruding portion 114 is disposed on the periphery of the opening 112c. In this embodiment, the protrusion 114 is arranged around the opening 112c. The backlight module 120 is disposed at the second surface 112b of the body 112. The thin film circuit board 130 and the key cap 140 are both disposed on the first surface 112 a of the main body 112, and the thin film circuit board 130 is located between the key cap 140 and the bottom plate 110, and the protrusion 114 is located within the orthographic projection range of the key cap 140. In other words, when the keycap 140 is installed on the body 112 of the bottom plate 110, the keycap 140 will cover the protrusions 114 inside.

In view of the above, this embodiment is described by taking the bottom plate 110 having a plurality of protrusions 114 as an example (as shown in FIG. 1). In other embodiments, the bottom plate 110 may have only one protrusion 114 (as shown in FIG. 7). Secondly, the protruding portion 114 of this embodiment may be processed by processing the main body 112 of the bottom plate 110, such as punching, to form a plurality of openings 112c penetrating through the first surface 112a and the second surface 112b. In this way, the protrusion 114 and the main body 112 are formed by processing the same sheet material, so the protrusion 114 and the main body 112 are made of the same material, and the protrusion 114 is disposed adjacent to the opening 112c. In addition, it is worth mentioning that in this embodiment, in order to achieve a better light shielding effect, each protrusion 114 protrudes from the first surface 112a in the form of a barrier, in other words, each protrusion 114 does not itself There are any through holes.

In other embodiments, the protrusion 114 can be fixed to the main body 112 by post-processing. For example, a plurality of protrusion setting openings 116 can be formed by processing the edge of the surrounding opening 112c, wherein the protrusion setting opening 116 is separated from the corresponding opening 112c by a predetermined distance d. Then, the protrusion 114 will be correspondingly disposed in the protrusion setting opening 116. The aforementioned protrusion opening 116 can be designed according to actual needs, such as a groove recessed from the first surface 112a but not penetrating the second surface 112b, or an opening penetrating the first surface 112a and the second surface 112b.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the protrusion setting opening as a groove and the protrusion setting at the protrusion setting opening. Please refer to FIG. 3, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the protrusion setting opening 116 is a groove recessed from the first surface 112 a but not penetrating the second surface 112 b, and the protrusion 114 is provided at the protrusion setting opening 116.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the protrusion setting opening being an opening and the protrusion setting at the protrusion setting opening. Please refer to FIG. 4, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion opening 116 is an opening that penetrates the first surface 112a and the second surface 112b, and the protrusion 114 is disposed in the protrusion opening 116 and protrudes from the first surface 112a Or alternatively, the protrusion 114 may be formed in the protrusion installation opening 116 by injection molding or in-mold molding.

It can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that the shape and size of the protrusion opening 116 can be designed according to requirements, and the manner in which the protrusion 114 is assembled or formed on the body 112 can be determined by changing the shape and size of the protrusion opening 116 . Secondly, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the protrusion 114 can be made of the same material as the body 112, for example, the protrusion 114 and the body 112 are both metal; or, the protrusion 114 can also be different from the body 112. The material, for example, the material of the main body 112 is metal, and the protrusion 114 is plastic.

Although the protrusion setting opening 116 is separated from the hole 112c by a predetermined distance d, the setting position of the protrusion setting opening 116 still falls within the orthographic projection range of the keycap 140. In this way, the protrusion 114 provided at the protrusion opening 116 is still located in the orthographic projection range of the keycap 140 and is covered by the keycap 140.

5A to 5C are schematic diagrams of different embodiments of the protrusion.

In addition, referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the extension manner of the protrusion 114 toward the keycap 140 can also be used in consideration of the light-emitting state of the backlight module 120 or the overall design of the keys, and there are different extension methods. For example, the protrusion 114 extends toward the key cap 140 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first surface 112a (as shown in FIG. 5A), or the protrusion 114 forms an acute angle with the first surface 112a of the body 112 (as shown in FIG. 5B). (Shown) or an obtuse angle (shown in FIG. 5C) extends toward the keycap 140. Of course, the extension manner of the protrusion 114 may also be any combination selected from the foregoing extension manners. In other words, the protruding portion 114 can be appropriately changed in shape and extension direction according to requirements, and is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings of this embodiment.

6A to 6C are different implementations of the backlight module. As shown in FIG. 6A, the backlight module 120 includes a light source 122 and a light guide plate 124, and the light source 122 is disposed on one side of the light guide plate 124, and As shown in FIG. 6B, the backlight module 120 includes a light source 122 and a light guide plate 124, and the light source 122 is disposed in a through hole 126 of the light guide plate 124. As shown in FIG. 6C, the backlight module 120 has a light source 122 And the light source 122 is arranged in the orthographic projection range of the keycap 140. In other words, the backlight module 120 can choose a side-light type backlight module or a direct type backlight module according to requirements. In addition, the light source 122 in the backlight module 120 can be selected from a light emitting diode (LED), a sub-millimeter light emitting diode (Mini LED), a micro light emitting diode (Micro LED) or an organic light emitting diode ( OLED) choose one of them or use them in combination.

Please continue to refer to FIGS. 1 and 2, the key structure 100 further includes an elastic member 150 and a supporting member 160. In this embodiment, the elastic member 150 is disposed between the film circuit board 130 and the key cap 140, the support member 160 is pivotally connected to the plurality of fixing portions 118 of the bottom plate 110 and is located between the bottom plate 110 and the key cap 140, and The supporting member 160 surrounds the elastic member 150. Furthermore, the area surrounded by the protrusion 114 defines an assembly area A, and the elastic member 150 and the support member 160 are located in the assembly area A.

When the user uses the button structure 100, the light emitted by the backlight module 120 will pass through the opening 112c of the body 112 and the thin film circuit board 130 from below the body 112 of the bottom plate 110 and then be directed toward the key cap 140. The user can clearly and easily recognize the characters printed on the keycap 140.

In particular, since the keycap 140 covers the protrusion 114 from above, the gap between the keycap 140 and the bottom plate 110 will be shielded by the protrusion 114, which prevents light from passing through the gap between the keycap 140 and the bottom plate 110. Light leaks, so as to prevent light leaks from affecting the user's recognition of the characters printed on the keycap 140.

It should be noted that in this specification, the bottom plate 110, the backlight module 120, and the film circuit board 130 are shown in the form of being cut into a unit body corresponding to the key cap 140 for convenience of description, but those skilled in the art should know that the aforementioned The bottom plate 110, the backlight module 120, and the thin film circuit board 130 are usually presented in a way that these unit bodies are integrated into sheets or plates that can simultaneously correspond to a plurality of keycaps 140.

Please refer to FIG. 7, which is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. Compared with the key structure 100 shown in FIG. 1, the key structure 200 is different from the key structure 100 in that the key structure 200 has only one protrusion.部214. In this embodiment, the protrusion 214 is disposed on the bottom plate 110 and extends toward the keycap 140 and is located within the orthographic projection range of the keycap 140, and the protrusion 214 defines an assembly area A. The plurality of fixing portions 118 and the plurality of openings 112c of the bottom plate 110, and the support member 160 are all located in the assembly area A surrounded by the protrusion 214.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. The assembly area A surrounded by the protrusion 214 of the key structure 300 further has a plurality of protrusions 314. In other words, the protrusions 214 and 314 surround the opening 112c of the bottom plate in the arrangement relationship of the outer ring and the inner ring. In addition, in this embodiment, a light absorbing material 216 is further provided on the surface of the protrusion 214 as an example for description. In other implementations, multiple protrusions, a protrusion at a specific position, or a protrusion at a specific position may be provided as required. It is the surface of a plurality of protrusions at specific positions that is coated with light absorbing material to further enhance the effect of preventing light leakage.

Next, please refer to FIG. 9, which is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. The key structure 400 is a long double key. In this embodiment, the key structure 400 has a plurality of protrusions 414, and the aforementioned The protrusions 414 are divided into two groups to define an assembly area A respectively, and a support 460 is provided in each assembly area A respectively. Secondly, the elastic member 450 is located between the two supporting members 460.

In summary, in the key structure of the present invention, through the arrangement of the protrusions, the gap between the keycap and the bottom plate can be shielded by the protrusions, so the light emitted by the backlight module can be well prevented from being emitted from the keycap. And the gap between the bottom plate leaks light. Therefore, for the user, the characters printed on the keycap can be recognized more clearly and conveniently, which improves the convenience of use.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

100, 200, 300, 400‧‧‧Key structure 110‧‧‧Bottom plate 112‧‧‧Ontology 112a‧‧‧First surface 112b‧‧‧Second surface 112c‧‧‧Opening 114, 214, 314, 414‧‧‧Protrusion 116‧‧‧Protrusion setting port 118‧‧‧Fixed part 120‧‧‧Backlight Module 122‧‧‧Light source 124‧‧‧Light guide plate 126‧‧‧Through hole 130‧‧‧Thin Film Circuit Board 140‧‧‧Keycap 150、450‧‧‧Elastic parts 160、460‧‧‧Support 216‧‧‧Light-absorbing material d‧‧‧predetermined distance A‧‧‧Assembly area

FIG. 1 is an assembly diagram of a key structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of the key structure of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the protrusion setting opening as a groove and the protrusion setting at the protrusion setting opening. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the protrusion setting opening being an opening and the protrusion setting at the protrusion setting opening. 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams of different embodiments of the protrusion. 6A to 6C are schematic diagrams of different implementations of the backlight module. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the key structure of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the button structure of the present invention.

100‧‧‧Key structure

110‧‧‧Bottom plate

112‧‧‧Ontology

112a‧‧‧First surface

112b‧‧‧Second surface

112c‧‧‧Opening

114‧‧‧Protrusion

118‧‧‧Fixed part

120‧‧‧Backlight Module

130‧‧‧Thin Film Circuit Board

140‧‧‧Keycap

150‧‧‧Elastic parts

160‧‧‧Support

A‧‧‧Assembly area

Claims (11)

A key structure includes: a key cap; a bottom plate, including a main body and a plurality of protrusions, wherein the main body has a plurality of openings, and the protrusions protrude from a first surface of the main body and surround the Some openings are arranged; a backlight module is arranged on a second surface of the body, wherein the first surface and the second surface are two opposite surfaces; and a film circuit board is arranged on the first surface of the body A surface, and the film circuit board is located between the key cap and the bottom plate, wherein the key cap has a body portion and a side portion, the side portion is disposed on the periphery of the body portion and extends toward the bottom plate, the protrusions The location is within the orthographic projection range of the main body of the keycap. As for the key structure described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the body has a plurality of protrusion openings, and the protrusions are correspondingly provided in the protrusion openings. In the key structure described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the material of the protrusions is the same as the material of the body. In the key structure described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the material of the protrusions is different from the material of the body. In the key structure described in item 2 of the scope of patent application, the openings of the protrusions are separated from the corresponding openings by a predetermined distance. According to the key structure described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the backlight module includes a light source and a light guide plate, wherein the light source is disposed on one side of the light guide plate or a through hole of the light guide plate. According to the key structure described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the backlight module includes a light source, and the light source is arranged in the orthographic projection range of the key cap. The key structure described in item 1 of the scope of patent application further includes an elastic member, which is arranged between the film circuit board and the key cap and is located in the range enclosed by the protrusions. The key structure described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application further includes a support member, which is arranged between the bottom plate and the key cap and is located within the range enclosed by the protrusions. A key structure includes: a bottom plate with a plurality of openings and a plurality of fixing parts, and the fixing parts are respectively arranged on the edges of the openings; a key cap is located on the bottom plate and has a body part and A side portion, the side portion is arranged on the periphery of the main body portion and extends toward the bottom plate; a plurality of protrusions are respectively arranged on the edges of the openings and extend toward the key cap, and the protrusions define an assembly area ; A supporting member is provided on the bottom plate and is located in the assembly area, and is pivotally connected with the fixing parts; and a light source is provided under the bottom plate, wherein the protruding parts are located on the side of the keycap and the Between the supports. In the key structure described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, the orthographic projection of the protrusions on the bottom plate does not overlap with the light source.

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