TW201944442A - 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 invention relates to a key structure, and in particular to a key structure for preventing light leakage.

With the development of technology, many portable electronic devices have emerged as the times require, such as notebook computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs). Users use keyboard, mouse and other input devices to communicate with such electronic devices.

However, in a dimly lit environment, it may be difficult for a user to recognize the numbers and characters marked on the keyboard keys, making the operation difficult. Therefore, a key structure capable of emitting light has been introduced on the market, which can be used in a keyboard module of a backlight module that can be applied to various electronic devices, 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 output and causes user trouble.

The invention provides a key structure for preventing light leakage and uniform light output.

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 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 arranged 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 both disposed on the first surface of the body, and the thin film circuit board is located between the keycap and the bottom plate, and the protruding part is within the orthographic projection range of the keycap.

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

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

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned 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 backlight module includes a light source, and the light source is disposed within an orthographic projection range of the keycap.

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

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned key structure may further include a support member disposed between the bottom plate and the keycap and located within a range surrounded by the protruding portion.

A key structure of the present invention includes a key cap, a bottom plate, at least one protruding portion, a support member, and a backlight module. The bottom plate is located under the keycap, the protruding portion is disposed on the bottom plate and extends toward the keycap, and the protruding portion 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 portion is within an 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 keycap, and the elastic member is disposed on the thin film circuit board.

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

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned bottom plate has a plurality of fixing portions disposed in the assembly area, and the supporting member is pivotally connected to the fixing portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a surface of the protruding portion includes a light absorbing material.

Based on the above, the arrangement of the protruding portion can well prevent the light emitted by the backlight module from leaking light from the gap between the keycap and the bottom plate, thereby improving user convenience.

In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, embodiments are hereinafter described in detail with reference to 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 FIG. 1 and FIG. 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 keycap 140. The key structure 100 in this embodiment is, for example, a key structure of a keyboard module, particularly a keyboard module used in an electronic device (such as a notebook computer).

The above-mentioned bottom plate 110 includes a body 112 and a plurality of protruding portions 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 112 a of the main body 112 and extends toward the keycap 140. The protruding portion 114 is disposed on a periphery of the opening 112 c. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 114 is provided around the opening 112c. The backlight module 120 is disposed at the second surface 112 b of the body 112. The thin-film circuit board 130 and the keycap 140 are both disposed on the first surface 112a of the body 112, and the thin-film circuit board 130 is located between the keycap 140 and the bottom plate 110. The protruding portion 114 is located within the orthographic projection range of the keycap 140. In other words, when the keycap 140 is mounted on the body 112 of the bottom plate 110, the keycap 140 covers these protrusions 114 inside.

Following the above description, this embodiment is described by taking the base plate 110 having a plurality of protruding portions 114 as an example (as shown in FIG. 1). In other embodiments, the base plate 110 may have only one protruding portion 114 (as shown in FIG. 7). Second, the protruding portion 114 of this embodiment may be formed by processing the body 112 of the base plate 110, such as punching, to form a plurality of openings 112c penetrating the first surface 112a and the second surface 112b. In this way, the protruding portion 114 and the main body 112 are formed by processing the same sheet, so the protruding portion 114 and the main body 112 are made of the same material, and the protruding portion 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 protruding portion 114 protrudes from the first surface 112a in the manner of a retaining wall, in other words, each protruding portion 114 does not itself There are any through holes.

In other embodiments, the protrusion 114 is fixed to the body 112 by post-processing. For example, a plurality of protruding portion openings 116 may be formed by processing at the edges surrounding the openings 112c, wherein the protruding portion openings 116 are separated from the corresponding openings 112c by a predetermined distance d. Next, the protruding portion 114 is correspondingly provided in the protruding portion installation opening 116. The aforementioned protrusion opening 116 may be designed according to actual needs, such as a recess 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 protruding portion setting opening being a groove and the protruding portion provided at the protruding portion setting opening. Please refer to FIG. 3. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the protruding portion setting port 116 is a groove recessed from the first surface 112 a but not penetrating the second surface 112 b, and the protruding portion 114 is provided at the protruding portion setting port 116.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the protruding portion setting opening being an opening and the protruding portion being provided at the protruding portion setting opening. Please refer to FIG. 4. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the protruding portion opening 116 is an opening penetrating the first surface 112 a and the second surface 112 b. Alternatively, the protruding portion 114 may be formed in the protruding portion installation opening 116 through injection molding or in-mold molding.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the shape and size of the protruding portion setting port 116 can be changed according to requirements, and the manner of assembling or forming the protruding portion 114 on the body 112 can be determined by changing the shape and size of the protruding portion setting port 116. . Secondly, in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the protruding portion 114 may be made of the same material as the main body 112, for example, the protruding portion 114 and the main body 112 are both metal; or, the protruding portion 114 may also be different from the main body 112. The material, for example, the material of the body 112 is metal, and the protrusion 114 is plastic.

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

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

In addition, please refer to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C, the extending manner of the protruding portion 114 toward the keycap 140 can also be matched with the light-emitting state of the backlight module 120 or the consideration of the overall design of the key, and there are different extending manners. For example, the protrusion 114 extends toward the keycap 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 in FIG. 5C) or obtuse angle (shown in FIG. 5C). Of course, the extending manner of the protruding portion 114 may be any combination selected from the foregoing extending 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 show 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. 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 a through hole 126 provided in the light guide plate 124. As shown in FIG. 6C, the backlight module 120 has a light source 122 The light source 122 is disposed within the orthographic range of the keycap 140. In other words, the backlight module 120 can select 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 may 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) or one of them.

Please continue to refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. The key structure 100 further includes an elastic member 150 and a support member 160. In this embodiment, the elastic member 150 is disposed between the thin-film circuit board 130 and the keycap 140, and 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 keycap 140, and The support member 160 surrounds the elastic member 150. Furthermore, a range surrounded by the protruding portion 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 key structure 100, the light emitted by the backlight module 120 will pass through the opening 112c of the main body 112 and the thin-film circuit board 130 from below the main body 112 of the bottom plate 110, and then hit the keycap 140, so that A person can clearly and easily recognize characters printed on the keycap 140.

Particularly, since the keycap 140 covers the protruding portion 114 from above, the gap between the keycap 140 and the bottom plate 110 will be shielded by the protruding portion 114, so light can be prevented from passing through the gap between the keycap 140 and the bottom plate 110. Light leakage, thereby avoiding light leakage and affecting the user from recognizing characters printed on the keycap 140.

It should be noted that in this specification, the base plate 110, the backlight module 120, and the thin-film circuit board 130 are shown in the figure by cutting into a unit body corresponding to the keycap 140 for convenience of description, but those skilled in the art should know that the foregoing The backplane 110, the backlight module 120, and the thin-film circuit board 130 are generally presented in a manner that these units are integrated into a sheet or plate that can correspond to multiple keycaps 140 at the same time.

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 protruding portion 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. The protruding portion 214 defines an assembly area A. The plurality of fixing portions 118 and the plurality of openings 112 c of the bottom plate 110 and the supporting member 160 are all located in the assembly area A surrounded by the protruding portion 214.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the button structure of the present invention. In the assembly area A surrounded by the protruding portion 214 of the button structure 300, there are a plurality of protruding portions 314. In other words, the protruding portions 214 and 314 are the openings 112c surrounding 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 provided on the surface of the protruding portion 214 as an example for description. In other implementation modes, multiple protruding portions, one protruding portion at a specific position, or The light-absorbing material is coated on the surfaces of the plurality of protrusions at specific positions to further improve 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 protruding portions 414. The plurality of protruding portions 414 are divided into two groups to define an assembly area A, and a support member 460 is provided in each assembly area A. Secondly, the elastic member 450 is located between the two supporting members 460.

To sum up, in the key structure of the present invention, the gap between the keycap and the bottom plate can be covered by the protruding portion through the setting of the protruding portion, so the light emitted by the backlight module can be prevented from the keycap well. And the gap between the bottom plate is leaking light. Therefore, for the user, the characters printed on the keycap can be more clearly and conveniently recognized, and the convenience of use is improved.

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

100, 200, 300, 400‧‧‧ button structure

110‧‧‧ floor

112‧‧‧ Ontology

112a‧‧‧first surface

112b‧‧‧Second surface

112c‧‧‧Opening

114, 214, 314, 414‧‧‧ protrusions

116‧‧‧Protrusion opening

118‧‧‧Fixed section

120‧‧‧ backlight module

122‧‧‧light source

124‧‧‧light guide

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 view of the button structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the protruding portion setting opening being a groove and the protruding portion provided at the protruding portion setting opening.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the protruding portion setting opening being an opening and the protruding portion being provided at the protruding portion setting opening.

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

6A to 6C are schematic diagrams of different embodiments 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 still another embodiment of a key structure of the present invention.

Claims (15)

A key structure includes: A keycap A bottom plate comprising 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 arranged around the openings; A backlight module disposed on a second surface of the body, wherein the first surface and the second surface are opposite surfaces; and A thin film circuit board is disposed on the first surface of the body, and the thin film circuit board is located between the keycap and the bottom plate, The protruding parts are within the range of the orthographic projection of the keycap. The key structure according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the main body has a plurality of protrusion openings, and the protrusions are correspondingly disposed in the protrusion openings. The key structure according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the materials of the protrusions are the same as the material of the body. The key structure according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the materials of the protrusions are different from the material of the body. The key structure according to item 2 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the protrusion openings are spaced a predetermined distance from the corresponding openings. The key structure according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the backlight module includes a light source and a light guide plate, and the light source is disposed on one side of the light guide plate or a through hole of the light guide plate. The key structure according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the backlight module includes a light source, and the light source is disposed in an orthographic projection range of the keycap. The key structure according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, further includes an elastic member, which is disposed between the thin film circuit board and the keycap and is located within a range surrounded by the protruding portions. The key structure according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, further includes a support member disposed between the bottom plate and the keycap, and located within a range surrounded by the protrusions. A key structure includes: A keycap A base plate under the keycap; At least one protruding portion is disposed on the bottom plate and extends toward the keycap, and the protruding portion defines an assembly area; A support member disposed on the bottom plate and located in the assembly area; and A backlight module is disposed under the base plate. The key structure according to item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein the at least one protruding portion is within an orthographic projection range of the keycap. The key structure according to item 10 of the patent application scope further includes a thin film circuit board and an elastic member, the thin film circuit board is disposed between the bottom plate and the keycap, and the elastic member is disposed on the thin film circuit board. The key structure according to item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein the bottom plate has a plurality of openings, and the openings are located in the assembly area. According to the key structure of claim 10, the bottom plate has a plurality of fixing portions, the fixing portions are disposed in the assembly area, and the support member is pivotally connected to the fixing portions. The key structure according to item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein a surface of at least one protruding portion has a light absorbing material.