1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to keypad assemblies, particularly to keypad assemblies for electronic devices.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical key assembly may usually include a keypad, a rubbery plate that can be resiliently deformed to accumulate resilient force as pressing the keypad, and a light guiding plate for illuminating the keypad. The light guiding plate is positioned between the keypad and rubbery plate.
However, the keypad, the rubbery plate, and the light guiding plate are typically adhered (e.g., by an adhesive) together without precise positioning.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.
Many aspects of the exemplary key assembly can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present methods. Moreover, in the drawings like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment.
The keypad 12 including a plurality of keys 122 made of e.g., polycarbonate (PC), or other thermoplastic materials including polymethyl methacrylate and polystyrene.
The key seat 14 includes a first surface 142 and an opposite second surface 144 (shown in
The shading plate 16 defines a plurality of openings 162 and a plurality of positioning holes 164. Each opening 162 corresponds to a key 122. Each positioning hole 164 corresponds to a positioning pole 1442. The shading plate 16 configured to attach (e.g., adhesive) to the second surface 144 of the key seat 14. The shading plate 16 can be made of an opaque, black color material (e.g., the mixture of resin and carbon).
The light guiding plate 18 has a plurality of orifices 182 and a plurality of aligning holes 184. Each orifice corresponds to a key 122. Each aligning hole 184 corresponds to a positioning pole 1442. The light guiding plate 18 is positioned between the shading plate 16 and the rubbery plate 19. The light guiding plate 18 can be made of one or more materials selected from a group consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, polystyrene, and any other thermoplastic resins.
The rubbery plate 19 includes a surface 192 facing the light guiding plate 18. The rubbery plate 19 has a plurality of protrusions 1922 protruding from the surface 192 and a plurality of fixing portions 1924. Each fixing portion 1924 surrounds a corresponding protrusion 1922. The fixing portions 1924 have substantially the same shape and size as the orifices 182 and are configured to be accommodated within the orifices 182.
Referring to
The concave portion 1422 has substantially the same shape and size as the keypad 12, so the keypad 12 can be precisely positioned within the key seat 14. In addition, the positioning poles 1442, the location holes 164, and the aligning holes 184 are used to fixedly align and attach the key seat 14, the shading plate 16, and the light guiding plate 18 together.
It is to be understood, however, that even through numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2008 1 0302947 | Jul 2008 | CN | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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6217183 | Shipman | Apr 2001 | B1 |
7154059 | Chou | Dec 2006 | B2 |
20070235306 | Chiba et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20100018848 A1 | Jan 2010 | US |