CN201601063U - Input Devices and Keys - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides an input apparatus and key, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of keys. Each of the keys comprises a key cap and a first cover layer; wherein the key cap includes a plurality of side surfaces each having a base layer showing a first color; the first cover layer is covered on a first area on the top surface; the first cover layer shows a second color which is different from the first color. by the base layer and the cover layer showing different colors disposed on the side surface and top surface of the key, the utility model achieves the keys with an appearance having double colors effect; thereby improves the design aesthetic feeling of the input apparatus.

Description

Input Devices and Keys

technical field

The utility model relates to a key, and particularly relates to a key capable of presenting a double-color effect in appearance and an input device including the key.

Background technique

With the continuous development of science and technology, information equipment is becoming more and more popular. Take the most commonly used computer as an example, there are not only various brands and styles on the market, but its tentacles extend to homes, factories, offices and schools. And other places, its level of use has even spread to all walks of life, and it has almost become people's daily necessities. Conventional computers, including desktop computers and notebook computers, mostly need to be equipped with a keyboard for users to perform operations such as character input.

However, as far as the keys of common keyboards are currently on the market, the characters or symbols represented on each keycap are usually directly printed on the keycap, so they can only present monotonous colors, such as black or other colors. In addition, in the keys of a general keyboard, the sides of the key caps are often ignored without any different design or processing procedures. Therefore, for the consumers who like to seek novelty and change and pay attention to the design aesthetics of the products, the keyboards including such monotonous keys are not very attractive, which also leads to the increasingly low market competitiveness.

In view of this, the utility model proposes an input device and keys to effectively solve various problems encountered in the prior art.

Utility model content

In view of this, one of the purposes of the present invention is to provide an input device and a key. The input device and the key are respectively provided with base layers and covering layers showing different colors on the side and top surface of the key, so that the key can present a two-color effect in appearance, thereby enhancing the design aesthetics of the input device. And effectively enhance its market competitiveness.

One specific embodiment according to the present invention is an input device. In this embodiment, the input device includes a plurality of keys, and each of the plurality of keys includes a keycap and a first covering layer. Wherein, the keycap includes a top surface and a plurality of side surfaces, and the plurality of side surfaces have a base layer showing a first color. The first covering layer is covered on the first area of the top surface, and the first covering layer presents a second color, and the second color is different from the first color.

In practical applications, the top surface may further include a second region different from the first region, the second region is located at the edge of the top surface, and the second region has a second coverage exhibiting the first color layer. The second cover layer can be formed on the top surface by ink printing, thermal transfer or in-mold transfer (In Mold Roller, IMR). The specific area on the top surface has a specific color different from the second color, and the shape of the specific area corresponds to the specific style represented by the key. Wherein, the specific area is formed on the top surface by ink printing or laser engraving. And the specific style is, for example, text, numbers, symbols or graphics. In other embodiments, the specific area has, for example, a groove or a protrusion structure.

In this embodiment, the base layer may be an opaque layer, a transparent layer or a fluorescent layer. The base layer is a light-transmitting layer, the first color is the color of the base layer itself; the base layer is a light-transmitting layer, the key contains a light source, and the first color is related to the light emitted by the light source; the base layer is fluorescent layer, the first color is the fluorescent light emitted by the fluorescent layer.

Another specific embodiment according to the utility model is a button. In this embodiment, the key includes a keycap and a first covering layer. Wherein, the keycap includes a top surface and a plurality of side surfaces, and the plurality of side surfaces have a base layer showing a first color. The first covering layer is covered on the first area of the top surface, and the first covering layer presents a second color, and the second color is different from the first color.

In practical applications, the top surface may further include a second region different from the first region, the second region is located at the edge of the top surface, and the second region has a second coverage exhibiting the first color layer. The second cover layer can be formed on the top surface by ink printing, thermal transfer or in-mold transfer (In Mold Roller, IMR). The specific area on the top surface has a specific color different from the second color, and the shape of the specific area corresponds to the specific style represented by the key. Wherein, the specific area is formed on the top surface by ink printing or laser engraving. And the specific style is, for example, text, numbers, symbols or graphics. In other embodiments, the specific area has, for example, a groove or a protrusion structure.

In this embodiment, the base layer may be an opaque layer, a transparent layer or a fluorescent layer. If the base layer is a light-transmitting layer, the button contains a light source, and the first color is related to the light emitted by the light source; the base layer is a fluorescent layer, and the first color is the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent layer.

Compared with the prior art, according to the input device and its keys of the present invention, the base layer and the covering layer showing different colors are arranged on the side and the top surface of the key respectively, so that the key can present a two-color appearance. Effect, so as to enhance the design quality of the input device, so as to satisfy consumers who like innovation and change and pay attention to the appearance of the product, so that its market competitiveness can be effectively improved.

The advantages and spirit of the present invention can be further understood through the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 depicts a schematic perspective view of an input device (keyboard) according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic structural diagram of the button in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a keycap of the first embodiment of the button in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a keycap of a second embodiment of the button in FIG. 2;

5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of laser engraving to make a specific pattern on the top surface of the keycap.

Detailed ways

One specific embodiment according to the present invention is an input device. In practical applications, the input device may be a keyboard or any other input device with keys, without any limitation.

Please refer to FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an input device (keyboard) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the input device 1 is a keyboard, and the input device 1 includes a substrate 12 and a plurality of keys 10 disposed on the substrate 12 . In fact, the number of the plurality of keys 10 included in the input device 1 and their positions on the substrate 12 are not limited, and can be determined according to actual needs, so it is not limited to this example.

Next, please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a schematic structural diagram of the button in FIG. 1 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the key 10 disposed on the substrate 12 includes a keycap 100 , a flexible circuit board 104 , a rubber dome 106 and scissor feet 108 .

It should be noted here that what is shown in FIG. 2 is only a possible structure of the key 10 , and the key 10 may also have any other type of structure, which is not limited to this example.

In this embodiment, when the key 10 is pressed by an external force, the key cap 100 will move downward, causing the rubber dome 106 to deform, so that the contact end disposed in the rubber dome 106 will contact the flexible circuit board. 104, thus enabling the switch to conduct.

In practical applications, whether the switch on the flexible circuit board 104 is in contact with the contact end of the rubber dome 106 can achieve character input or other functions. As for the function of the scissors 108, when the external force originally pressing the button 10 disappears, the scissors 108 can quickly return the button 10 to its original position before being pressed.

What needs to be explained here is that since the operation of the key 10 of the input device 1 is the same as that of a general key, it is only briefly described as above, and will not be repeated here.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a schematic diagram of the key cap 100 of the first embodiment of the key 10 in FIG. 2 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the keycap 100 includes a top surface 1000 and a plurality of side surfaces 1002 . Wherein, the top surface 1000 includes a first region 1000a and a specific region 1000b. It should be noted here that the number of the plurality of sides 1002 included in the keycap 100 depends on the appearance of the keycap 100, so the keycap 100 may only include three sides or as many as The six sides are not limited to the keycap 100 including four sides 1002 in this example.

In this embodiment, the side 1002 of the keycap 100 has a base layer exhibiting a first color. In FIG. 3 , the base layer of the side surface 1002 of the keycap 100 is represented by a dotted area. That is to say, the four sides 1002 of the keycap 100 present the color of the material of the base layer itself, so the first color will change with the different materials selected for the base layer.

In fact, the material of the base layer is not limited, as long as it can meet the structural requirements of the button 10 . It should be noted here that when different types of materials are used for the base layer, the first color may have different display effects.

For example, if the base layer is an opaque layer, the first color presented by the base layer is the color of the base layer itself; if the base layer is a fluorescent layer, the first color displayed by the base layer on the side 1002 is the fluorescent layer emitted fluorescence.

In addition, if the base layer is a light-transmitting layer, and the key 10 contains a light source and emits light, the light may pass through the base layer of the side 1002 and exit the key 10, that is, the key 10 is a light-emitting key and the input device 1 is For the luminous keyboard, the first color presented by the base layer of the side surface 1002 of the keycap 100 is related to the light emitted by the light source.

In this embodiment, the first region 1000a of the top surface 1000 is covered by the first covering layer, and the first covering layer presents a second color, and the shaded area in FIG. 3 indicates the color of the first covering layer. the second color. In fact, the first covering layer covered on the first region 1000a of the top surface 1000 can be formed on the first region 1000a by ink printing, thermal transfer printing, in-mold transfer printing or other similar methods. limit.

It should be noted here that the second color presented by the first covering layer of the first region 1000 a of the top surface 1000 is different from the first color presented by the base layer of the side surface 1002 . That is to say, when forming the first covering layer on the first region 1000 a of the top surface 1000 , it is necessary to select a material having a color different from that of the base layer.

For example, assuming that the material of the base layer is white, that is, the first color presented by the base layer of the side surface 1002 is also white, if the first covering layer is formed on the first region 1000a of the top surface 1000 by ink printing , then in order to make the keycap 100 present a two-color effect, the color of the ink used at this time only needs to be white which is different from the material of the base layer, such as black, yellow, blue or any other color.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the specific area 1000b of the top surface 1000 of the keycap 100 has a specific color different from the second color, and the shape of the specific area 1000b corresponds to the specific style represented by the key 10 . In practical applications, the specific style can be text, numbers, symbols or graphics. Taking the keycap 100 in FIG. 3 as an example, the specific style is the English letter “Z”, but not limited thereto. Or the specific area 1000b has a groove or a protrusion structure, and the corresponding specific pattern is, for example, the groove or the protrusion structure.

It should be noted here that the reason why the specific color of the specific region 1000b needs to be different from the second color presented by the first covering layer of the first region 1000a is to prevent the adjacent specific region 1000b from A region 1000a has the same color, which causes the phenomenon that the specific pattern cannot be clearly distinguished.

However, since the specific region 1000b is not adjacent to the side surface 1002, the specific color of the specific region 1000b may be the same as the first color presented by the base layer of the side surface 1002, or may be different from the first color, It depends on the actual needs.

Please refer to FIG. 4 , which is a schematic diagram of a key cap 100 of a second embodiment of the key 10 in FIG. 2 . Comparing FIG. 4 with FIG. 3 , it can be known that the top surface 1000 of the keycap 100 in FIG. 4 further includes a second area 1000 c in addition to the first area 1000 a and the specific area 1000 b in FIG. 3 . In fact, the second region 1000c may be located at the edge of the top surface 1000, and the second region 1000c has a second covering layer exhibiting the first color. That is to say, the second covering layer of the second region 1000c can have the same color as the base layer of the side surface 1002, so that the first region 1000a and the second region 1000c on the top surface 1000 can present a two-color effect, but not with This is the limit. As shown in FIG. 4 , the second covering layer of the second region 1000 c is also represented by a dotted region.

In practical applications, the specific region 1000b can be formed on the top surface 1000 by ink printing or laser engraving, for example, directly formed on the first region 1000a on the top surface 1000, or formed on the first region 1000a on the first covering layer, but not limited thereto. For example, please refer to FIGS. 5A and 5B . FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views of forming a specific region 1000 b on the top surface 1000 of the keycap 100 by laser engraving to produce a specific pattern.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the laser beam LA is hit on the top surface 1000 of the keycap 100, so that the relatively concave specific region 1000b in FIG. 5B and the first region 1000a not etched by laser are formed on the top surface 1000, At this point, the specific region 1000b can have a specific pattern “Z” as shown in FIG. 3 .

Another specific embodiment according to the utility model is a button. In this embodiment, the key includes a keycap and a first covering layer. Wherein, the keycap includes a top surface and a plurality of side surfaces, and the plurality of side surfaces have a base layer showing a first color. The first covering layer is covered on the first area of the top surface, and the first covering layer presents a second color, and the second color is different from the first color.

In practical applications, the top surface may further include a second region different from the first region, the second region is located at the edge of the top surface, and the second region has a second coverage exhibiting the first color layer. The second cover layer can be formed on the top surface by ink printing, thermal transfer or in-mold transfer (In Mold Roller, IMR). The specific area on the top surface has a specific color different from the second color, and the shape of the specific area corresponds to the specific style represented by the key. Wherein, the specific area is formed on the top surface by ink printing or laser engraving. And the specific style is, for example, text, numbers, symbols or graphics. In another embodiment, the specific area has a groove or a protrusion structure.

In this embodiment, the base layer may be an opaque layer, a transparent layer or a fluorescent layer. If the base layer is a light-transmitting layer, the button contains a light source, and the first color is related to the light emitted by the light source; the base layer is a fluorescent layer, and the first color is the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent layer.

Compared with the prior art, according to the input device and its keys of the present invention, the base layer and the covering layer showing different colors are respectively arranged on the side and the top surface of the key, so that the key can show two-color appearance. In order to improve the design quality of the input device, it can satisfy the consumers who like innovation and change and pay attention to the appearance and beauty of the product, so that its market competitiveness can be effectively improved.

Claims (10)

1. A button, characterized in that the button comprises: a keycap comprising a top surface and a plurality of sides having a base layer exhibiting a first color; and A first covering layer exhibiting a second color, the first covering layer covers the first region of the top surface, and the second color is different from the first color. 2. The button as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface further comprises a second area different from the first area, and the second area has a second covering layer exhibiting the first color. 3. The button as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second area is located at an edge of the top surface. 4. The key as claimed in claim 1, wherein a specific area of the top surface has a specific color different from the second color, and a shape of the specific area corresponds to a specific pattern represented by the key. 5. The button according to claim 4, wherein the specific pattern is a character, a number, a symbol or a figure. 6. The button according to claim 4, wherein the specific area has a groove or a protrusion structure. 7. The button according to claim 1, wherein the base layer is an opaque layer. 8. The button according to claim 1, wherein the base layer is a transparent layer, the button contains a light source, and the first color is related to the light emitted by the light source. 9. The button according to claim 1, wherein the base layer is a fluorescent layer, and the first color is fluorescent light emitted by the fluorescent layer. 10. An input device, characterized in that the input device comprises a plurality of keys according to any one of claims 1-9.

Images