TWI808804B - Keyboard and key structure capable of displaying instant image - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a keyboard and a key structure capable of displaying instant image. The key structure includes a display unit, a circuit membrane, an elastic dome, a key base, a first supporting piece, a second supporting piece and a transparent keycap. The first supporting piece has two first arms and two axial rods. The ends of the two first arms are rotatably connected to an accommodating portion of the key base. The second supporting piece has two second arms and two connecting holes. The ends of the two second arms are slidably disposed on a bottom of the accommodating portion. The connecting hole is long-shaped. When the transparent keycap is at a non-pressed status, the axial rod of the first arm is abutted against one end of the connecting hole. When the transparent keycap is at a pressed status, the axial rod of the first arm is abutted against the other end of the connecting hole.

Description

Keyboard and its key structure capable of displaying real-time images

The present invention relates to a keyboard and its button structure capable of displaying real-time images, in particular to a keyboard and its button structure. The elastic part is arranged on one side of the keycap so that the display unit at the bottom can present the image to the user through the button upwards.

The scissor legs structure of the keyboard in the prior art has two cross-shaped support frames, the top of one support frame is pivotally connected to the bottom of the keycap, and the bottom end of the support frame is slidably disposed on the bottom plate. The top end of the other supporting frame is slidably arranged on the bottom of the keycap, and the bottom end is pivotally connected to the base plate. In addition, the intersections of the two support frames are also pivotally connected to each other. Wherein the above-mentioned "pivot joint" refers to only restricting the rotation but not being able to move relative to the keycap. In addition, the elastic member is arranged in the middle of the keycap.

The above-mentioned key structure cannot allow light or images to penetrate upwards from the bottom to the top surface of the key cap. In addition, since the intersections of the two support frames are pivotally connected to each other, the linkage between the support frames is limited. Especially when the user exerts force on a corner of the keycap, it is easy to cause the keycap to deflect, and the keycap cannot be lowered smoothly, which affects the user's operating tactility.

In order to provide the key with the function of emitting light or displaying an image, there is an existing method of disposing the elastic member on one side of the key cap, and the key cap is made of light-transmitting material. However, when the user applies force to the keycap, the elastic force of the elastic member acts on one side of the keycap, and the existing scissor foot structure may also cause uneven stress and deflection of the keycap. In addition, each supporting frame of the existing scissors foot structure is ring-shaped, and the bottom of the supporting frame will block some light or images.

Therefore, how to improve the structural effect of the buttons capable of displaying real-time images by improving the structural design to overcome the above-mentioned defects has become a subject to be solved in this technical field.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a button structure capable of displaying real-time images in view of the deficiencies in the prior art, which solves the phenomenon of uneven stress and deflection of the keycap, and enables the keycap to be lowered smoothly during the pressing stroke.

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, one of the technical solutions adopted by the present invention is to provide a key structure capable of displaying real-time images, which includes a display unit, a key base set above the display unit, a first support frame, a second support frame and a light-transmitting keycap. The button seat forms a hollow accommodation part. The first supporting frame has two first arm parts and two shaft parts, each of the first arm parts forms one shaft part, and the bottom ends of the two first arm parts are rotatably connected in the accommodating part. The second support frame has two second arms and two connection holes, the second support frame intersects with the first support frame, each of the second arms of the second support frame forms a connection hole, and the bottom ends of the two second arms are slidably arranged in the accommodating portion; wherein the connection holes are long and narrow, and the two shafts of the two first arms are respectively slidably located in the two connection holes of the two second arms; the width of the connection hole along the longitudinal direction of the second arm is greater than that perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second arm height in the long direction. The top end of the first support frame and the top end of the second support frame are respectively slidably connected to two sides of the light-transmitting keycap; wherein the image of the display unit passes through the accommodating portion and passes through the light-transmitting keycap. When the light-transmitting keycap is in an unpressed state, the shaft portion of the first arm abuts against one end of the connecting hole; when the light-transmitting keycap is in a pressed state, the shaft portion of the first arm abuts against the other end of the connecting hole.

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, another technical solution adopted by the present invention is to provide a keyboard, which includes at least one key structure capable of displaying real-time images, and the key structure capable of displaying real-time images includes a display unit, a key base set above the display unit, a first support frame, a second support frame and a light-transmitting keycap. The button seat forms a hollow accommodation part. The first supporting frame has two first arm parts and two shaft parts, each of the first arm parts forms one shaft part, and the bottom ends of the two first arm parts are rotatably connected in the accommodating part. The second support frame has two second arms and two connection holes, the second support frame intersects with the first support frame, each of the second arms of the second support frame forms a connection hole, and the bottom ends of the two second arms are slidably arranged in the accommodating portion; wherein the connection holes are long and narrow, and the two shafts of the two first arms are respectively slidably located in the two connection holes of the two second arms; the width of the connection hole along the longitudinal direction of the second arm is greater than that perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second arm height in the long direction. The top end of the first support frame and the top end of the second support frame are respectively slidably connected to two sides of the light-transmitting keycap; wherein the image of the display unit passes through the accommodating portion and passes through the light-transmitting keycap. When the light-transmitting keycap is in an unpressed state, the shaft portion of the first arm abuts against one end of the connecting hole; when the light-transmitting keycap is in a pressed state, the shaft portion of the first arm abuts against the other end of the connecting hole.

One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the button structure capable of displaying real-time images of the present invention prevents the light-transmitting keycap from being deflected due to rotation through "the top of the first support frame and the top of the second support frame are respectively slidably connected to both sides of the light-transmitting keycap". In addition, "the connecting hole is long and narrow, and the two shaft parts of the two first arm parts are respectively slidably located in the two connecting holes of the two second arm parts; the width of the connecting hole along the longitudinal direction of the second arm part is greater than the height perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second arm part". When the light-transmitting keycap is pushed down with force, the elongated connecting hole can provide the first arm part with smooth sideways sliding and gradually lowering, thereby stably supporting the push-down stroke of the light-transmitting keycap. Thereby, the user is provided with a smooth and unbiased pressing touch.

In order to further understand the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings related to the present invention. However, the provided drawings are only for reference and description, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2 , the present invention provides a keyboard 1 , which includes a plurality of key structures 100 capable of displaying real-time images, or key structures 100 for short. The keyboard 1 includes a display unit 11 , a carrier board 13 , a circuit film 14 , a plurality of elastic members 20 , a key base 30 , a plurality of support units 50 , a plurality of transparent keycaps 60 , and a cover 70 . The display unit 11 may be a liquid crystal display screen. The carrying board 13 forms a plurality of first through holes 130 . The line film 14 is disposed above the display unit 11 . The circuit membrane (membrane) 14 has a plurality of through-membrane holes 140 and a plurality of conducting portions 142 . The conducting portion 142 protrudes inward from an edge of the TSV 140 . The shape of the thin film through hole 140 corresponds to that of the first through hole 130 . The image information of the display unit 11 can pass through the first through hole 130 , the film through hole 140 , and the key base 30 and pass through the light-transmitting key cap 60 to the outside. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the circuit film 14 can also omit the film through hole 140. For example, the uppermost layer is transparent and does not have a through hole. One side can prevent dust, and the other side can still allow the image information of the display unit 11 to pass through upward.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , a plurality of elastic members 20 are respectively disposed on a plurality of conduction portions 142 . After the light-transmitting keycap 60 is pressed, the lines of the conduction portions 142 are pressed against by the elastic members 20 to provide a conduction signal. The plurality of elastic members 20 may be separate components, or integrally formed in a one-piece structure, and the shape of the one-piece structure may correspond to the shape of the circuit film 14 . The elastic member in this embodiment may be a rubber dome. One side provides elastic force for the keycap to return to its original position, and the other side can conduct the conduction portion 142 of the circuit film 14 downward. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the elastic member may also be other elements for the keycap to return to its original position, such as a spring, a metal shrapnel, etc. In addition, the present invention is not limited to using the elastic member to conduct the signal, and the present invention can also conduct the conduction portion 142 of the circuit film 14 through the downward protruding portion of the keycap. The supporting board 13 is screwed upwards from the bottom through the screw S (refer to FIG. 5 ) and positions the circuit film 14 and the key base 30 to provide supporting force. However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned conduction method, for example, the elastic member 20 may be directly pressed against the surface of the display unit 11 to form a conduction state.

The single button structure 100 will be described below. The key structure 100 includes a display unit 11 , a circuit film 14 disposed above the display unit 11 , an elastic member 20 disposed on the circuit film 14 , a key base 30 disposed on the circuit film 14 , a support unit 50 , and a transparent keycap 60 . The key base 30 forms a hollow accommodating portion 31 through which the image of the display unit 11 can pass. The elastic member 20 is close to one side of the accommodating portion 31 . The support unit 50 has a first support frame 51 and a second support frame 52 .

The first support frame 51 and the second support frame 52 of this embodiment are roughly U-shaped. The first support frame 51 is cross-assembled to the second support frame 52 . The bottom of the U shape will not block the image of the display unit 11 . Specifically, the first supporting frame 51 has a first cross bar 511 , two first arm portions 513 and two shaft portions 515 . The two first arm portions 513 are respectively connected to two sides of the first cross bar 511 . Each first arm portion 513 respectively forms a shaft portion 515 , and the bottom ends 5132 of the two first arm portions 513 are rotatably connected in the accommodating portion 31 . The second supporting frame 52 has a second crossbar 521 , two second arm parts 523 and two connecting holes 525 , and the two second arm parts 523 are respectively connected to two sides of the second crossbar 521 . Each second arm portion 523 forms a connection hole 525 respectively. The bottom ends of the two second arm parts 523 are fixedly rotated in the accommodating part 31 , or in other words, are pivotally connected to two sides of the accommodating part 31 respectively. The first support frame 51 and the second support frame 52 of this embodiment may be metal parts formed by stamping, and the shaft portion 515 may be another component connected to the first arm portion 513 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the whole of the first supporting frame 51 may also be an integrally formed element. That is to say, the shaft portion 515 can be integrally formed on the first support frame 51. For example, the first support frame 51 and the shaft portion 515 can be stamped and formed by metal parts, and the shaft portion 515 can be partially stamped and protruded outward by the first arm portion 513; or, for example, the first support frame 51 and the second support frame 52 can be formed by plastic injection.

One of the features of this embodiment is that the connecting hole 525 is long and narrow, and the two shafts 515 of the two first arm parts 513 are respectively slidably located in the two connecting holes 525 of the two second arm parts 523 . As shown in FIG. 5 , more specifically, the connecting hole 525 is capsule-shaped or elliptical, and the width W of the connecting hole 525 along the longitudinal direction of the second arm portion 523 is greater than the height H perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second arm portion 523 .

The light-transmitting keycap 60 is made of a light-transmitting material. The top of the first support frame 51 and the top end of the second support frame 52 are respectively slidably connected to both sides of the light-transmitting keycap 60 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , when the light-transmitting keycap 60 is in the unpressed state, the shaft 515 of the first arm 513 abuts against the first hole end 5251 (or called the starting hole end) of the connection hole 525; Specifically, the longitudinal direction of the connecting hole 525 is not parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second arm portion 523 , and the longitudinal direction of the connecting hole 525 is slightly parallel to the bottom surface of the key base 30 , or called a horizontal plane. During the pressing process of the light-transmitting keycap 60 , the connecting hole 525 is centered along the hole end 5251 , and the other hole end 5252 is slightly higher than the hole end 5251 , and moves slightly lower than the hole end 5251 . In other words, during the pressing process of the light-transmitting keycap 60 of this embodiment, the shaft portion 515 can always be guided by the narrow and long connecting hole 525, and the light-transmitting keycap 60 will not deflect along the first support frame 51 or the second support frame 52, so that the downward pressing stroke of the light-transmitting keycap 60 can be smooth without deflection, so as to provide the user with a better pressing touch. More details are described below.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the accommodating portion 31 of the key base 30 has a front side 311 , a rear side 312 , and two opposite sides 313 . The rear side 312 forms a conduction groove 3120 , the elastic member 20 is disposed in the conduction groove 3120 , the bottom of the front side 311 forms a limiting groove 3110 and a stop flange 3112 , the stop flange 3112 is located above the limit groove 3110 . The other side of the light-transmitting keycap 60 has a limiting protrusion 62 (refer to FIG. 3 ) extending outward opposite to the pressing protrusion 61 . Specifically, the transparent keycap 60 has a first side 601 and a second side 602 opposite to each other. The bottom of the first side 601 extends downwards and outwards to form a pressing protrusion 61 , and the bottom of the second side 602 extends downwards and outwards to form a limiting protrusion 62 . The limiting protrusion 62 is actively located in the limiting groove 3110 . As shown in FIG. 6 , when the light-transmitting keycap 60 is in the unpressed position, the cover plate 70 blocks the pressing protrusion 61 of the light-transmitting keycap 60 , and the stop flange 3112 blocks the limiting protrusion 62 to limit the light-transmitting keycap 60 in the unpressed position.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 , the connection relationship between the light-transmitting keycap 60 and the support unit 50 is as follows. The first side 601 of the light-transmitting keycap 60 forms a first side groove 612 , the first side groove 612 is located above the pressing protrusion 61 , and the first crossbar 511 is disposed in the first side groove 612 . A second side groove 622 is formed on the second side 602 of the light-transmitting keycap 60 opposite to the first side 601 , the second side groove 622 is located above the limiting protrusion 62 , and the second crossbar 521 is disposed in the second side groove 622 .

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the connection relationship between the support unit 50 and the accommodating portion 31 is as follows. The accommodating portion 31 has two sliding protrusions 35 protruding inward from the two sides 313 respectively, and the bottom ends of the two first arm portions 513 of the first support frame 51 are slidably placed on the two sliding protrusions 35 respectively. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sliding protrusion may also be another plate disposed on the bottom of the key base 30 .

The accommodating portion 31 has two pivoting members 32 respectively located at two sides 313 , each pivoting member 32 forms an upward pivoting hole 320 , and the bottom ends of the two second arms 523 of the second support frame 52 each have a pivoting rod 5232 , and the pivoting rod 5232 is rotatably connected to the pivoting hole 320 of the pivoting member 32 . Specifically, the accommodating portion 31 has two rectangular grooves 3130 respectively formed on the two sides 313 , and the two pivot members 32 are respectively disposed in the two grooves 3130 . In this embodiment, the pivot member 32 may be formed in the groove 3130 through plastic injection molding. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pivot member 32 can be integrally formed with the accommodating portion 31 .

As a supplement, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7 , the front side 311 and the rear side 312 of the accommodating portion 31 respectively have two stoppers 36 , and when the light-transmitting keycap 60 is pressed, the stoppers 36 can stop the first supporting frame 51 and the second supporting frame 52 .

[Advantageous Effects of Embodiment]

Compared with the scissors structure of the conventional keyboard, the top of one support frame of the conventional scissors structure is pivotally connected to the bottom of the key cap, and the top of the other support frame is slidably disposed on the bottom of the key cap. In addition, the intersections of the two support frames are also pivotally connected to each other. Wherein, the "pivot joint" refers to only restricting the rotation but not being able to move relative to the keycap. If this method is applied to the button structure 100 capable of displaying real-time images of the present invention, since the elastic member 20 is located on one side of the light-transmitting keycap 60, when the light-transmitting keycap 60 is pressed down, the elastic member 20 forms an upward elastic force to act on one side of the light-transmitting keycap 60, which will easily cause the keycap to rotate along the “pivot” position as the fulcrum, and easily cause deflection and unevenness.

The button structure 100 capable of displaying real-time images of the present invention prevents the light-transmitting keycap 60 from being deflected due to rotation through "the top of the first support frame and the top of the second support frame are respectively slidably connected to both sides of the light-transmitting keycap". In addition, "the connecting hole is long and narrow, and the two shaft parts of the two first arm parts are respectively slidably located in the two connecting holes of the two second arm parts; the width of the connecting hole along the longitudinal direction of the second arm part is greater than the height perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second arm part". When the light-transmitting keycap is pushed down with force, the elongated connecting hole can provide the first arm part with smooth sideways sliding and gradually lowering, thereby stably supporting the push-down stroke of the light-transmitting keycap. Thereby, the user is provided with a smooth and unbiased pressing touch.

The content disclosed above is only a preferred feasible embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made by using the description and drawings of the present invention are included in the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

1: keyboard

100: Button structure

11: Display unit

13: Loading board

130: the first through hole

14: Line film

140: Thin Film Through Hole

142: conduction part

20: Elastic parts

30: Button seat

31:Accommodating part

311: front side

3110: limit slot

3112: stop flange

312: Rear side

3120: conduction groove

313: side

3130: Groove

32: Pivot piece

320: Pivot hole

35: Sliding protrusion

36: Block

50: support unit

51: The first support frame

511: first crossbar

513: first arm

5132: Bottom

515: Shaft

52: Second support frame

521: Second crossbar

523: second arm

5232: pivot rod

525: connection hole

5251, 5252: hole end

60:Light-transmitting keycap

61: Press against the convex part

62: limit protrusion

601: first side

612: first side groove

602: second side

622: Second side groove

70: cover plate

S: screw

W: width

H: height

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a keycap of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the keycap of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the button structure of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another perspective exploded view of the button structure of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the button structure of the present invention along line V-V in FIG. 1 in an unpressed state.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the button structure of the present invention along line VI-VI in FIG. 1 in an unpressed state.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the button structure of the present invention along line V-V in FIG. 1 in a pressed state.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of FIG. 1 in a pressed state of the button structure of the present invention.

100: Button structure

11: Display unit

13: Loading board

130: the first through hole

14: Line film

140: Thin Film Through Hole

142: conduction part

20: Elastic parts

30: Button seat

31:Accommodating part

311: front side

312: Rear side

3120: conduction groove

313: side

32: Pivot piece

320: Pivot hole

35: Sliding protrusion

50: support unit

51: The first support frame

511: first crossbar

513: first arm

515: Shaft

52: Second support frame

521: Second crossbar

523: second arm

5232: pivot rod

525: connection hole

60:Light-transmitting keycap

62: limit protrusion

601: first side

602: second side

70: cover plate

Claims (10)

A key structure capable of displaying real-time images, comprising: a display unit; a key base, arranged above the display unit, the key base forms a hollow accommodating portion, the accommodating portion has a front side, a rear side, and two opposite sides, the bottom of the front side forms a limiting groove, and forms a stopping flange, the stopping flange is located above the limiting groove; The bottom ends of the two first arms are rotatably connected in the accommodating portion; a second support frame has two second arms and two connection holes, the second support frame intersects with the first support frame, each of the second arms of the second support frame forms a connection hole, and the bottom ends of the two second arms are slidably arranged in the accommodating portion; wherein the connection holes are long and narrow, and the two shafts of the two first arms are respectively slidably located in the two connection holes of the two second arms; The width of the connection hole along the longitudinal direction of the second arm is greater than the height perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second arm; and a light-transmitting keycap, the top of the first support frame and the top of the second support frame are respectively slidably connected to both sides of the light-transmitting keycap; wherein the image of the display unit passes through the accommodating portion and passes through the light-transmitting keycap to the outside, and one side of the light-transmitting keycap has a limiting protrusion extending outward, and the limiting protrusion is actively located in the limiting groove and below the stop flange , the other side of the light-transmitting keycap is provided with a pressing convex part, the limiting protrusion extends outward in the opposite direction to the pressing convex part, and the pressing convex part corresponds to the elastic member; when the light-transmitting keycap is in the unpressed state, the shaft part of the first arm abut against one end of the connecting hole; when the light-transmitting keycap is in a pressed state, the shaft portion of the first arm abuts against the other end of the connecting hole. The button structure capable of displaying real-time images as described in claim 1 further includes a circuit film disposed above the display unit, and an elastic member disposed on the circuit film, the elastic member is close to the side of the accommodating portion; the circuit film has a conduction portion, and the elastic member is in contact with the conduction portion. The button structure capable of displaying real-time images according to claim 2, wherein a conduction groove is formed on the rear side of the accommodating portion of the key base, and the elastic member is disposed in the conduction groove. The button structure capable of displaying real-time images according to claim 3, wherein the accommodating portion has two sliding protrusions respectively protruding inward from the two sides, and the bottom ends of the two first arms of the first support frame are respectively slidably placed on the two sliding protrusions. The button structure capable of displaying real-time images as described in claim 4, wherein the first support frame has a first crossbar, the two first arms are respectively connected to both sides of the first crossbar, a first side groove is formed on the first side of the light-transmitting keycap, the first side groove is located above the pressing protrusion, and the first crossbar is arranged in the first side groove. The button structure capable of displaying real-time images as described in claim 3, wherein the accommodating portion has two pivoting members located on the two sides respectively, each of the pivoting members forms an upward connecting hole, and the bottom ends of the two second arms of the second support frame each have a pivoting rod, and the pivoting rod is rotatably connected to the connecting hole. The button structure capable of displaying real-time images as described in claim 6, wherein the accommodating portion has two grooves formed on the two sides respectively, and the two pivoting parts are respectively Don't set them in the two grooves. The button structure capable of displaying real-time images according to claim 7, wherein the second support frame has a second cross bar, the two second arms are respectively connected to both sides of the second cross bar, the second side of the light-transmitting keycap opposite to the first side forms a second side groove, the second side groove is located above the limiting protrusion, and the second cross bar is arranged in the second side groove. The button structure capable of displaying real-time images according to claim 3, wherein the front side and the rear side of the accommodating portion respectively have at least one stopper, and when the light-transmitting keycap is pressed, the at least one stopper blocks the first support frame and the second support frame. A keyboard comprising at least one key structure capable of displaying real-time images, said key structure capable of displaying real-time images comprising: a display unit; a key base disposed above the display unit, said key base forming a hollow housing portion, said housing portion having a front side, a rear side, and two opposite sides, the bottom of said front side forms a limiting groove, and forms a stopping flange, said stopping flange is located above said limiting groove; a first support frame, having two first arms and two shafts, Each of the first arms respectively forms a shaft, and the bottom ends of the two first arms are rotatably connected in the accommodating portion; a second support frame has two second arms and two connection holes, the second support frame intersects with the first support frame, each of the second arms of the second support frame forms a connection hole, and the bottom ends of the two second arms are slidably arranged in the accommodating portion; The two connecting holes of the two second arms; the connecting holes are along The width in the longitudinal direction of the second arm part is greater than the height perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second arm part; and a light-transmitting keycap, the top of the first support frame and the top end of the second support frame are respectively slidably connected to both sides of the light-transmitting keycap; wherein the information of the display unit passes through the accommodating part and passes through the light-transmitting keycap, one side of the light-transmitting keycap has a limiting protrusion extending outward, and the limiting protrusion is actively located in the limiting groove and below the stop flange, The other side of the light-transmitting keycap is provided with a pressing protrusion, and the limiting protrusion extends outward in the opposite direction to the pressing protrusion, and the pressing protrusion corresponds to the elastic member; when the light-transmitting keycap is in an unpressed state, the shaft portion of the first arm abuts against one end of the connecting hole; when the light-transmitting keycap is in a pressed state, the shaft portion of the first arm abuts against the other end of the connecting hole.