1. Technical Field
The present invention discloses a case keyboard, in particular, to a case keyboard with thin film switches.
2. Related Art
In the time when tablet PCs and ultrabooks are developing at a high speed, functions such as surfing the Internet, receiving and sending emails, reading e-books, and playing audios or videos are provided to people with lightness and convenience. However, a blemish in an otherwise perfect thing is that, since the portable apparatus such as the tablet PC, and the ultrabook is inconvenient in inputting, it generally lacks the capability of handling official business, which is the problem faced by the tablet PC.
Currently, regarding the problem of inconvenient input of the tablet PC, a Bluetooth keyboard is available on the market, which makes up the deficiency of the existing tablet PC through an external keyboard. However, the external keyboards available in the market all adopt conventional scissor keys (or referred to as X structure keys). The entire thickness of the scissor keyboard cannot be reduced due to the reason of its own structure, thus the thickness of the entire finished product is large, and it is not easy to carry. If an existing external keyboard uses the scissor keys, the advantages of being “light, thin, and easy to carry” of the tablet PC of the original design cannot be prominent. When the existing tablet PC requires an input mode, usually the tablet PC needs to tilt outwards by 45 degrees. In this way, the light on the screen of the tablet PC cannot illuminate on the keyboard. Therefore, the conventional keyboard is quite inconvenient without a backlight function for inputting at night or at a place where the light is dark. Moreover, the size of the keyboard becomes smaller as the size of the tablet PC is small, thus the keycaps are small too. It is difficult to input or it is easy to press the wrong key without being guided. Meanwhile, a touch keyboard is also developed on the current market. The type of keyboard can be light and thin; however, during usage, it lacks a sense of key travel due to the adopted touch structure. In other words, completely no hand feelings exist. During inputting, it feels like typing on a tablet; and when pressing a key, an operator is completely unaware of whether a function is input. Moreover, the area of the keyboard is small and the arrangement of the keys is very tight; therefore, a mistyping phenomenon would be easily caused during inputting.
Regarding the abovementioned Bluetooth external keyboard in the prior art, the entire thickness thereof is relatively large, while a touch keyboard has a disadvantage of lacking a sense of key travel. The present invention provides ultrathin metal domes and key portable case keyboard that can solve the abovementioned problems. The ultrathin metal dome portable case keyboard adopted by the present invention is a product obtained from a combination of the construction of a conventional functional key, with a currently best selling tablet PC protective sheath, and it has characteristics of being light, thin, and easy to carry, and having a Bluetooth function, a short stroke, and lower noises, etc.
The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem thereof is: a case keyboard with thin film switches, wherein the case keyboard includes a case, a tablet PC fixing frame and a keyboard main body; the tablet PC fixing frame is fixedly installed on a surface of the case; the keyboard main body is fixedly installed on the other surface of the case; the keyboard main body includes keys/keycaps, a fixing film/air hole layer, metal domes, an air slot layer, a conductive film/PCB and a key plate; and the key plate is disposed at the lowest layer and is fixedly installed on the case, the conductive film/PCB is disposed above the key plate, the air slot layer is disposed above the conductive film/PCB, the metal domes are disposed on the conductive film/PCB, and more than one metal dome is disposed corresponding to key configurations on the keyboard, the fixing film/air hole layer is disposed above the metal domes, and the keys/keycaps are disposed above the fixing film/air hole layer.
The technical solutions adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem thereof further include:
A decorating part is disposed on the keys/keycaps, keycap holes are opened in the decorating part, and the keys/keycaps extend from the keycap holes to the external of the decorating part.
A light guide film is disposed above the fixing film/air hole layer, light guide dots are disposed on the light guide film, an LED light source is disposed at a side surface of the light guide film, and the keys/keycaps are disposed above the light guide film.
The light guide dots are convex dots or concave dots.
The light guide dots on the light guide film are disposed corresponding to the keys/keycaps.
A plunger convex dot layer is disposed above the fixing film/air hole layer, and the light guide film is disposed above the plunger convex dot layer.
The light guide film is adhered to the plunger convex dot layer via a first double sided adhesive or glue, and the fixing film/air hole layer is adhered to the plunger convex dot layer via a second double sided adhesive or glue.
Conductive substrate convex dots are disposed on the keycaps/keys.
Air holes are opened in the fixing film/air hole layer.
The air holes are disposed at an edge position of the METALD DOME.
metal dome holes for mounting the metal domes 7 are disposed on the air slot layer, and adjacent two or three metal dome holes are communicated with each other via air slots.
One or more metal domes are disposed below each of the keys/keycaps.
The beneficial effects of the present invention are: the present invention adopts metal domes with a long life, a long stroke, high sensitivity, and a low pressing force as a basis for mechanic actions, so as to generate hand feelings when a hand presses a keycap. The gram force value of the metal domes adopted by the present invention is similar to that of conventional scissor keys, wherein the gram force value is between 30-200 gf, the pressing stroke of the keyboard is between 0.10 mm to 1.00 mm, and the sensitivity is between 25% and 85%. The present invention, regarding the light guide material of 0.10-0.50 mm optical level, uses a cold pressing manner or a hot pressing manner to manufacture light emitting spots of micro-nanostructure. By improving the structure, side light emitting LEDs are used as the light source, and through an optical design method, the key surface is enabled to emit light uniformly and softly and high luminance can be obtained. The breakover part of the key of the present invention adopts the PCB or conventional conductive film as a material for connecting electric appliance. The terminal, such as the key and the tablet PC, adopts a Bluetooth output control manner or wired connection manner. The keycap, the PCB or conductive film, the Bluetooth module, the metal domes and the like are then assembled as one module, to be installed inside a protective sheath, so as to form an integrated finished product of “an ultrathin metal dome portable case keyboard.” The entire produce of the present invention is light, thin, simple and convenient for installation and detachment, has good hand feelings, is easy to carry, and has the function of protecting while providing an input function for the tablet PC and the like. The ultrathin metal dome portable case keyboard of the present invention would be a great innovation in the keyboard industry, and would bring a revolutionary reform to the conventional keyboard industry.
The present invention will be further explained by combining the accompany drawings and specific embodiments as follows.
In the drawings, 1—a decorating part, 2—keys and keycaps, 3—a double sided adhesive or glue, 4—a plunger convex dot (conductive base) layer, 5—a double sided adhesive or glue, 6—a fixing film/air hole layer, 7—metal domes (dome), 8—an air slot layer, 9—a conductive film or PCB, 10—a key plate, 11—a Bluetooth module, 12—a rotating part or a rotating shaft, 13—a tablet PC fixing frame, 14—a power source, 15—a connector, 16—a case, 17—threaded holes for the decorating part, 18—a double sided adhesive tape or glue for the decorating part, 19—keycap holes, 20—conductive substrate convex dots, 21—a positioning column, 22—a conductive substrate carrier, 23—plunger, 24—air holes, 25—metal dome holes, 26—an air slot, 27—A Bluetooth and battery cap, 28—screws, 29—a double sided adhesive for a cover plate, 30—a battery, 31—a Bluetooth chip, 32—a USB interface, 33—a switch, 34—a conductive film, 35—a pin, 36—a switch line, 37—a golden finger, 38—a light guide film, 39—a second PCB/FPC, 40—an LED light source, 41—light guide dots, and 42—a light guide double sided adhesive or glue.
The present embodiment is a preferable embodiment of the present invention, and other embodiments with principles and basic structures same as or similar to those of the present embodiment all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.
With reference
In the present embodiment, the keyboard main body includes a decorating part 1, keys/keycaps 2, a light guide film 38, a first double sided adhesive or glue 3, plunger convex dots 4, a second double sided adhesive or glue 5, a fixing film/air hole layer 6, metal domes 7, an air slot layer 8, a conductive film or PCB 9 and a key plate 10, wherein the key plate 10 is disposed at the lowest layer, and is fixedly installed on the case 16, the conductive film or PCB 9 is disposed above the key plate 10, the air slot layer 8 is disposed above the conductive film or PCB 9, more than one metal domes 7 are disposed corresponding to key configurations on the keyboard, one or more metal domes 7 are disposed at each key, the fixing film/air hole layer 6 is disposed above the metal domes 7, for fixing the metal domes 7, the plunger convex dot layer 4, or referred to as the conductive base, is disposed above the fixing film/air hole layer 6, the fixing film/air hole layer 6 is adhered to the plunger convex dot layer 4 via the second double sided adhesive or glue 5, the light guide film 38 is disposed above the plunger convex dot layer 4, the light guide film 38 is adhered to the plunger convex dot layer 4 via the first double sided adhesive or glue 3, a set of light guide dots 41 is disposed on the light guide film 38 corresponding to each key, one or more LED light sources 40 are disposed on the side surface of the light guide film 38, the light guide double sided adhesive or glue 42 is disposed above the light guide film 38, for adhering the light guide film 38 on the keys and keycaps 2, the keys and keycaps 2 are disposed above the light guide film 38, and the decorating part 1 is disposed over the keys and keycaps 2 for the function of decorating. In the present embodiment, threaded holes are respectively disposed at four corners of each layer, and each layer is fixedly installed with each other via screws.
Specific structures among various layers of the present invention are further explained with reference to the accompany drawings as follows:
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In the present invention, during manufacturing, metal dome device holes and air slots/holes are first designed on a PET sheet material of 0.03-0.50 mm. In the present embodiment, the PET sheet material is divided into three layers, i.e., a release layer, a glue layer, and a surface material layer. Then another PET sheet material of 0.01-0.50 mm is covered on the PET surface material having the metal dome device holes and air slots/holes by using an automatic roll to roll laminator. Metal domes are then attached to the PET sheet material of 0.01-0.50 mm using a chip mounter. The assembled metal dome module is then assembled on the PCB or conductive film, and the PCB or conductive film requires to be connected to the Bluetooth module, for the function of on/off, and the function of finally control the terminal machine (i.e., the tablet PC). PLNUGER is then attached on the metal dome module. The main function of plunger is to reduce the influence of the tolerance accumulated during the process of assembly and processing on bad hand feelings generated on the metal dome, and at the same time, plunger also has the function of improving the hand feelings, so that the pressing force is always maintained and applied on a dead center of the metal dome, thereby enabling the mechanic properties of the metal domes to be in the optimal state. LGF (i.e., the light guide film 38) with the thickness of 0.10-0.50 mm is further assembled on the surface of PLNGER. The light guide film 38 has a function of transmission of light. Side light emitting LEDs are used to be disposed at the periphery of the product as the light source, so that the entire surface of the keyboard uniformly emits light. The key is then assembled on the metal dome, a desired character, pattern and the like are printed on the key, and then printing ink or oil paint is printed or sprayed on the key, so that the desired font and pattern are formed on the surface of the key. The height of the key is between 0.1-2.0 mm, and materials of different thicknesses are selected according to different structures. The key module is assembled on the metal dome module, and the entire module is packaged inside the case by means of hot-pressing, fitting, suturing and adhering. The case is divided into three parts, one is a key operating part, the total thickness of the key part not being greater than 7 mm; one is a rotating part, which adopts the rotating shaft or leather's own properties; one is a tablet PC installation part; and a complete ultrathin metal dome portable case keyboard is finally assembled.
In the abovementioned embodiments, the Bluetooth keyboard is taken as an example to specifically explain the structure of the present invention. During specific implementations, the keyboard can be connected to the tablet PC and the like via a wired manner, for example, via a data line. The tablet PC referred in the present invention includes a Tablet PC, an Ipad, PAD, a learning machine or an Ultrabook, etc., which are all referred to as a tablet PC in the present invention. In addition to inputting, controlling and operating the various functions of the tablet PC via an external keyboard, the present invention can also protect the tablet PC from being scratched. The present invention is generally applicable to tablet PC external keyboard, ultrabook keyboard, ultrathin keyboard, and learning machine keyboard industries.
The present invention adopts metal domes with a long life, a long stroke, high sensitivity, and a low pressing force as a basis for mechanic actions, so as to generate hand feelings when a hand presses a keycap. The gram force value of the metal dome adopted by the present invention is similar to that of conventional scissor keys, wherein the gram force value is between 30-200 gf, the pressing stroke of the keyboard is between 0.10 mm to 1.00 mm, and the sensitivity is between 20% and 85%. The present invention, regarding the light guide material of 0.10-0.50 mm optical level, uses a cold pressing manner to manufacture light emitting spots of micro-nanostructure. By improving the structure, side light emitting LEDs are used as the light source, and through an optical design method, the key surface is enabled to emit light uniformly and softly and high luminance can be obtained. The breakover part of the key of the present invention adopts the PCB or conventional conductive film as a material for connecting electric appliance. The terminal, such as the key and the tablet PC, adopts a Bluetooth output control manner or wired connection manner. The keycap, the PCB or conductive film, the Bluetooth module, the metal domes and the like are then assembled as one module, to be installed inside a protective sheath, so as to form an integrated finished product of “an ultrathin metal dome portable case keyboard.” The entire produce of the present invention is light, thin, simple and convenient for installation and detachment, has good hand feelings, is easy to carry, and has the function of protecting while providing an input function for the tablet PC and the like. The ultrathin metal dome portable case keyboard of the present invention would be a great innovation in the keyboard industry, and would bring a revolutionary reform to the conventional keyboard industry.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201310292941.2 | Jul 2013 | CN | national |
201310292995.9 | Jul 2013 | CN | national |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2013/081424 | Aug 2013 | US |
Child | 15068266 | US |