TWI768897B - 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 light-emitting key, and particularly relates to a light-emitting key in which the light emitted by the light-emitting element and part of the light traveling toward the user will be blocked.

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

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 upward, because the azimuth relationship between the arrangement of the light-emitting elements and the elements and components of the keyboard, especially the arrangement of the light-emitting elements and the arrangement between the bottom plate and the keycap, is not considered. The azimuthal relationship between the lifting mechanisms often results in that a 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, a technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a light-emitting button in which the light emitted by the light-emitting element and part of the light 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 base plate, a key cap, a lifting mechanism and a light-emitting device. The keycap has one side facing the user. The lifting mechanism is arranged between the bottom plate and the key cap. The lifting mechanism restricts the keycap from moving between the unpressed position and the pressed position. The lifting mechanism includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The first top portion of the first connecting member is movably connected to the keycap. The first bottom of the first connecting member is movably connected to the bottom plate. The second top portion of the second connecting member is movably connected to the keycap. The second bottom of the second connecting member is movably connected to the bottom plate. The first connecting member includes a first connecting rod. The second connecting member includes a second connecting rod. The first connecting rod is connected to the bottom plate and the keycap, and is adjacent to the side of the keycap facing the user. The second connecting rod is connected to 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 keycap and above or below the bottom plate. The light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element. The light-emitting element is used to emit light upward. A part of the light emitted by the light emitting device traveling 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 intermediate section. The second connecting rod has a second intermediate section. The first connecting rod is pivotally connected with the second intermediate section of the second connecting rod through the first middle section.

In a specific embodiment, the first connecting rod has a pivot. The pivot system is formed on the first intermediate 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 is then pivotally connected with the second connecting rod.

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

Different from the prior art, part of the light emitted by the light-emitting element of the light-emitting key according to the present invention 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. eye situation occurs.

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 FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , which schematically depict a 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 the light-emitting key 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with an expanded view of components and components. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the light-emitting key 2 in FIG. 2 after being assembled and taken along the line A-A. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A after one of the light-emitting keys 2 in FIG. 2 is deformed and assembled.

As shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the keyboard 1 includes light-emitting keys 2 installed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The keycap 21 of the light-emitting key 2 has a light-shielding layer 210 and a light-transmitting area 212 . In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 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 the preferred embodiment of the present invention may also represent an indicator light.

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

The keycap 21 has a side 214 facing the user. In FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3 , the position of the user's eyes 3 is 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 keycap 21 . The first bottom portion 2222 of the first connecting member 222 is movably connected to the bottom plate 20 . The second top portion 2240 of the second connecting member 224 is movably connected to the keycap 21 . The second bottom portion 2242 of the second connecting member 224 is movably connected to the bottom plate 20 . The first connecting member 222 includes a first connecting rod 223 . The second connecting member 224 includes a second connecting rod 225 . The first connecting rod 223 is connected to the bottom plate 20 and the key cap 21 , and is adjacent to the side 214 of the key cap 21 facing the user's eyes 3 . The second connecting rod 225 is connected to the bottom plate 20 and the key cap 21 , and is adjacent to the side 214 of the key cap 21 facing the user's eyes 3 . The first connecting rod 223 is pivotally connected with the second connecting rod 225 .

The light-emitting device 23 is disposed below the keycap 21 and 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 to emit light upward. Part of the light emitted by the light emitting device 23 traveling toward the side 214 of the keycap 21 facing the user 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 FIG. 2 and FIG. 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 with the second intermediate section 2252 of the second connecting rod 225 by a first middle section 2232 . Viewed from the direction of the user's eyes 3, the pivoted first connecting rod 223 and the second connecting rod 225 generally present an "X" shape.

In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the first connecting rod 223 has a pivot 2234 . The pivot shaft 2234 is formed on the first middle section 2232 of the first connecting rod 223 . The second connecting rod 225 has grooves 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 a pivot shaft 2234 , and is then pivotally connected with the second connecting rod 225 .

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

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 , the light-emitting key 2 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a membrane switch layer 24 . Membrane switch layer 24 has through holes 240 . The lighting 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 bottom plate 20 and the membrane switch layer 24 , so that the light-emitting element 232 is placed in the through hole 240 .

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

Further, as also shown in FIG. 3 , the light-emitting key 2 according to the 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 pressing position, the elastic actuating element 25 is deformed and the switch 242 is turned on by the actuating column 252 . 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 closed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 , a variant of the light-emitting key 2 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention further 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 holes 244 of the membrane switch layer 24 are aligned with the second through holes 204 of the base plate 20 . The lighting 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 placed in the first through hole 244 of the membrane switch layer 24 and the second through hole 204 of the base plate 20 . Elements 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 a part of the light emitted by the light-emitting element of the light-emitting key according to the present invention 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 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: Illuminated buttons

20: Bottom plate

200: top surface

202: Lower Surface

204: second through hole

21: Keycaps

210: shading layer

212: light transmission area

214: Side

22: Lifting mechanism

222: The first connecting member

2220: First Top

2222: First Bottom

223: The first connecting rod

2232: First Intermediate Section

2234: Pivot

224: Second connecting member

2240: Second top

2242: Second Bottom

225: Second connecting rod

2252: Second Intermediate Section

2254: Groove

23: Lighting device

232: Light-emitting element

234: circuit board

24: Membrane switch layer

240: Through hole

242: switch

244: first through hole

25: Elastic actuation element

252: Action column

3: eyes

FIG. 1 is an external view of a keyboard equipped with light-emitting keys according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the elements and components of the light-emitting key according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the light-emitting key in FIG. 2 after being assembled and taken along the line A-A. 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 buttons

20: Bottom plate

200: top surface

202: Lower Surface

21: Keycaps

210: shading layer

212: light transmission area

214: Side

22: Lifting mechanism

222: The first connecting member

2220: First Top

223: The first connecting rod

2232: First Intermediate Section

2234: Pivot

224: Second connecting member

2242: Second Bottom

225: Second connecting rod

2252: Second Intermediate 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 light-emitting key, comprising: a bottom plate; a key cap with a side edge facing a user; a lifting mechanism arranged between the bottom plate and the key cap, the lifting mechanism restricts the key cap to the Moving between a non-pressed position and a pressed position, 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 keycap, the first connecting member A first bottom part of a connecting member is movably connected to the bottom plate, a second top part of the second connecting member is movably connected to the keycap, and a second bottom part of the second connecting member is movably connected connected to the base plate, the first connecting member includes a first connecting rod, the second connecting member includes a second connecting rod, the first connecting rod engages the base plate and the keycap and is adjacent to the side of the keycap side, the second connecting rod is connected to the bottom plate and the keycap and is adjacent to the side edge of the keycap, the first connecting rod is pivotally connected to the second connecting rod; a membrane switch layer has a through hole and includes a a switch, the switch is located below the keycap; an elastic actuating element is arranged between the keycap and the membrane switch layer and is located above the switch, wherein when the keycap is pressed and then moved to the pressing 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 through hole is located between the elastic actuating element and the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod; and A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element and a circuit board, the light-emitting element is electrically connected to the circuit board, and the circuit board is disposed between the bottom plate and the membrane switch layer, so that the light-emitting element is placed on the circuit board In the through hole, the light-emitting element is used for emitting a light upward, wherein a part of the light traveling toward the side of the keycap is blocked by the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod. The light-emitting button as claimed 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 connected with the first middle section and the first middle section. The second middle 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, the pivot is formed on the first middle section, the second connecting rod has a groove, and the groove is Formed on the second intermediate section, the first connecting rod is engaged in the groove of the second connecting rod with the pivot shaft and is pivotally connected with the second connecting rod. The light-emitting button of claim 3, wherein the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod pivotally connected together define a plane, and the pivot system is perpendicular to the plane. A light-emitting key, comprising: a bottom plate; a key cap with a side edge facing a user; a lifting mechanism arranged between the bottom plate and the key cap, the lifting mechanism restricts the key cap to the moving between an unpressed position and a pressed position, the lift The lowering mechanism includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member, a first top of the first connecting member is movably connected to the keycap, and a first bottom of the first connecting member is movably connected To the bottom plate, a second top of the second connecting member is movably connected to the keycap, a second bottom of the second connecting member is movably connected to the bottom plate, and the first connecting member includes a A first connecting rod, the second connecting member includes a second connecting rod, the first connecting rod is connected to the base plate and the key cap and is adjacent to the side of the key cap, the second connecting rod is connected to the base plate and the key The cap is adjacent to the side edge of the keycap, the first connecting rod is pivotally connected with the second connecting rod; a membrane switch layer has a first through hole and includes a switch, and the switch is located between the keycaps bottom, wherein the bottom plate has a second through hole, the membrane switch layer is disposed on an upper surface of the bottom plate, so that the first through hole is aligned with the second through hole; an elastic actuating element is disposed on the bottom plate 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 deforms to actuate the switch to open, and when the keycap is released When the elastic actuating element provides a restoring force required for the keycap to return to the unpressed position, and the switch is closed, the first through hole is located between the elastic actuating element and the first connecting rod, the second between the connecting rods; and a light-emitting device including a light-emitting element and 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 in the first through hole and the second through hole, the light-emitting element is used for emitting a light upward, wherein the light is directed toward A part of the light traveling on the side of the keycap is blocked by the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod. The light-emitting button of claim 5, 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 connected with the first middle section and the first connecting rod. The second middle section of the two connecting rods is pivotally connected. The light-emitting key as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first connecting rod has a pivot, the pivot is formed on the first middle section, the second connecting rod has a groove, and the groove is Formed on the second intermediate section, the first connecting rod is engaged in the groove of the second connecting rod with the pivot shaft and is pivotally connected with the second connecting rod. The light-emitting button as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod pivoted together define a plane, and the pivot system is perpendicular to the plane.

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