TWI756077B - 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, and the light emitted by the light emitting element is not scattered by the top surface of the frame to the eyes of the user.

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

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

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

)。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 disposed 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 sidewall close to the user's eyes. The frame is disposed 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 base plate. The keycap is placed on the through opening and has a lower edge. The lifting mechanism is arranged between the bottom plate and the key cap. The lift mechanism restricts the keycap from moving between the unpressed position and the pressed position. When the keycap is in the pressed position, the lower side edge of the keycap is located in the through opening of the frame. A first vertical distance (X) from the first top surface of the frame to the upper surface of the membrane switch layer is defined when the keycap is in the unpressed position. A second vertical distance (Y) from the upper 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 included angle of the light coverage area (2

) can range from 110 degrees to 140 degrees.

Further, the keyboard according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention further 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 the preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes an elastic actuating element. The membrane switch layer contains the switches. The switch is located under the keycap. 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 moved to the pressed position, the elastic actuating element deforms to actuate the switch to open. When the keycap is released, the resilient actuation element provides the restoring force required for the keycap to return to the unpressed position, and the switch is closed.

In an 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 variant of the keyboard according to the invention, the lower edge of the keycap is higher than the first top surface of the frame when the keycap is in the unpressed position. 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 negative.

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 negative.

Different from the prior art, the keyboard according to the present invention includes a light-emitting element and a frame that emit light upward, and the geometrical relationship between the position of the light-emitting element and the elements and components of the keyboard is carefully planned to avoid the light-emitting element and the frame. Light impinging on 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 from 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 cross-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 one of the keys 2 of the keyboard 1 in FIG. 1, taken along the line A-A. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of another modification of the key 2 of the keyboard 1 in FIG. 1 . FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of another modification of the key 2 of the keyboard 1 in FIG. 1 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 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 transmissive area 244 . The light-transmitting 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 light, but the present invention is not limited thereto. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the keys 2 of the keyboard 1 may also be illuminated keys 2 . That is to say, the light-transmitting area 244 on the keycap 24 may also present a pattern, and the pattern represents one of characters, numbers, symbols, and function keys.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the key 2 includes a bottom plate 20 , a membrane switch layer 21 , a frame 22 , a light-emitting element 23 , a key cap 24 and a lifting mechanism 25 . If the light area 244 through the keycap 24 represents the indicator light, the key 2 according to the present invention can be provided with only one light-emitting element 23 . If the button 2 according to the present invention is a light-emitting button 2 , the button 2 according to the present invention can be provided 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 to 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 23 may be a light-emitting element such as a semiconductor light-emitting diode element, an organic light-emitting diode element, or the like.

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 holes 214 of the membrane switch layer 21 are aligned with the first through holes 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 side wall 2222 close to the user's eyes 3 . The frame 22 is disposed on the membrane switch layer 21 , so 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 within 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 upper 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 sidewall 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 eyes 3 of the user. It should be emphasized that, if the key 2 according to the present invention is equipped with a plurality of light-emitting elements 23, the horizontal distance (D) refers to the optical axis of the light-emitting element 23 closest to the inner side wall 2222 of the through opening 222 among the plurality of light-emitting elements 23. The distance between the inner side walls 2222 of the through openings 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 included angle of the light coverage area Z (2

) can range from 110 degrees to 140 degrees.

In one 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 FIG. 3 , in a variant 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 edge 242 of the key cap 24 is higher than the frame 22 . 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 negative. The elements in FIG. 3 with the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 have the same or similar structures and functions, and will not be repeated here.

As shown in FIG. 4 , 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 edge 242 of the key cap 24 is lower than the frame 22 The first top surface 224 of the frame 22 is 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. The elements in FIG. 4 with the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 have the same or similar structures and functions, and will not be repeated here.

As shown in FIG. 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 edge 242 of the key cap 24 is lower than the frame 22 The first top surface 224 of the frame 22 is 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 negative. Elements in FIG. 5 with the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 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 base plate 20 , so that the light-emitting element 23 is disposed in the first through hole 202 of the base plate 20 .

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 an elastic actuating element 27 . Membrane switch layer 21 includes switches 216 . The switch 216 is located below 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 to actuate the switch 216 to open. When the keycap 24 is released, the resilient actuation element 27 provides the restoring force required for the keycap 24 to return to the unpressed position, and the switch 216 is closed.

From the above detailed description of the present invention, it can be clearly understood that the keyboard according to the present invention includes a light-emitting element and a frame that emits light upward, and the geometrical relationship between the position where the light-emitting element is arranged and the elements and components of the keyboard are carefully planned to The light emitted by the light emitting elements and directed towards the frame is avoided from being scattered by the top surface of the frame to the eyes of the user.

Through the detailed description of the preferred embodiments above, it is hoped that the features and spirit of the present invention can be described more clearly, rather than limiting the aspect of the present invention by the preferred embodiments disclosed above. On the contrary, the intention is to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the scope of the claimed scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the claims to which the present invention is claimed should be construed in the broadest sense in light of the foregoing description so as to encompass all possible modifications and equivalent arrangements.

1: Keyboard 2: button 20: Bottom plate 202: 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: Keycaps 240: Third top surface 242: Lower Edge 244: light transmission 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 external view of a keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of one of the keys of the keyboard of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of one of the keys of the keyboard of FIG. 1 in a deformed form. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of another modification of one of the keys of the keyboard of FIG. 1 . FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of another modification of one of the keys of the keyboard of FIG. 1 .

1: Keyboard

2: button

20: Bottom plate

202: 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: Keycaps

240: Third top surface

242: Lower Edge

244: light transmission 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 through hole a through hole; a frame having a through opening and a first top surface, the through opening having an inner sidewall, the frame is disposed on the membrane switch layer so that the second through hole is located below the through opening; a 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 coverage area having an included angle (2

), the light-emitting element is arranged in the first through hole; a key cap is placed on the through opening and has a lower side edge; and a lifting mechanism is arranged between the bottom plate and the key cap, The lift mechanism restricts the keycap from moving between a non-pressed position and a pressed position, wherein when the keycap is in the pressed position, the lower edge of the keycap is located in the through opening, and when the keycap is in the pressed position 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 one of the two top surfaces is defined, and a horizontal distance between the optical axis of the light-emitting element and the inner sidewall is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance (Q), and the predetermined distance (Q) is Calculated by the following formula:

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

) ranging from 110 degrees to 140 degrees. The keyboard of claim 2, further comprising: A circuit board, the light-emitting element is electrically connected to the circuit board, and the circuit board is disposed on a lower surface of the bottom plate. The keyboard of claim 3, wherein the membrane switch layer comprises a switch, the switch is located below the keycap, the keyboard further comprises: An elastic actuating element is disposed between the key cap and the bottom plate and is located above the switch, wherein when the key cap is pressed and moved to the pressing position, the elastic actuating element deforms to actuate the switch On, 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 of claim 4, wherein 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 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 of claim 4, wherein 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 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. The keyboard of claim 4, wherein 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 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 of claim 4, wherein 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 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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