TW300969B - Portable computer with "pop up" full travel keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable computer 10 has an upper case 12 pivotally mounted to a lower case 14. The lower case 14 has a vertically movable keyboard 20. A keyboard activation mechanism 40 moves the keyboard 20 upwards to an elevated keyboarding position when the upper case is pivoted upward to an open position, and moves the keyboard 20 downward to a storage position when the upper case is pivoted downward to a closed position. The mechanism 40 has slide blades 44 with inclined slots 46 formed therein to receive guide pins 48 of the keyboard to raise the keyboard upward when the slide blades are reciprocated in one direction, and to lower the keyboard downward when the slide blades 44 are reciprocated in the opposite direction. When in the elevated position, the keys 24 of the keyboard are able to move in a full travel stroke of approximately 3mm.

Description

Printed by the Employee Consumer Cooperative of the Central Bureau of Standards of the Ministry of Economic Affairs A7 _B7__ Λ, Description of the Invention (1) This invention relates to portable computers, except for desktop or notebook computers with alphanumeric characters. Although the use of a belt-type computer, such as a notebook computer, has many advantages, one of the main disadvantages is that the height of the keyboard switch skeleton must be "shrinked" so that it can fit into the thinness of the captive computer shell Within the boundary. The industry is constantly striving to design notebook computers that are as thin as possible. When "shrinking" the height of the keyboard switch body, the designer must shorten the effective sliding bearing surface length of the keyboard switch and compare For a full-stroke switch stroke of approximately 3 mm, shorten the switch stroke to 2 nun or less. This compromise solution to shorten the length of the effective sliding load-bearing surface will loosen the key support and make the lateral movement of the key "shake" larger and compared with the high-profile desktop keyboard with these characteristics. When the key is pressed, there will be a combination or poor touch. Shortening the switch travel is considered to hinder the efficiency and accuracy of operating the keyboard and compared with a high-profile keyboard, it is usually another compromise to reduce the keyboard operation time before the body is stressed. The main advantages and advantages of the present invention are to provide a portable computer which has a very low keyboard-shaped height and a full-stroke key with better touch * ~ 1 -------- «V ... '· Perceptuality, compared with the existing low-profile keyboard design, is less likely to" shake " and combine. The advantages and objectives of the present invention of the present invention can be seen by examining the description of a preferred embodiment below Understand. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below in conjunction with the following drawings. Figure 1 is an isometric view of a portable computer according to the present invention. It shows that the paper scale is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (2 丨OX 297mm) -------- 1 1¾ .------ 11 ----- hand! »» (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page) A7 B7 --- ----- V. Description of the invention (2) A cover skull is pivoted from a bottom shell to an open part position; Figure 2 is a plan view of the belt-type computer shown in Figure 1, and the bottom A part of the housing is cut away to show a part of the keyboard actuating mechanism for raising and lowering an alphanumeric; Figure 3 is a line 3-3 along the line of Figure 2 The vertical cross-sectional view shows that the cover body of the keyboard actuating mechanism is in a closed position; Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3, taken along line 4-4 in the second figure, but Show the cover case in the open position; Figure 5 is a partial isometric view of a part of the portable computer, and a side wall of the bottom case is removed; Figure 6 is one of the letters of the keyboard Partial vertical cross-sectional view of the numeric keys, showing the keyboard in a storage position; Figure 7 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view similar to Figure 6, but showing the keyboard in the ascending keyboard operation position to be combined with the key And move with an unrestricted full stroke; Figure 8 is an isometric view of a portable computer with another embodiment; Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to Figure 8, but showing the other embodiment A cover case with a closed position; and FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing that the other embodiment has a cover case in an open position. One of the portable computers is The preferred embodiment is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and indicated by the reference number 10 , The computer 10 has an upper or cover casing 12 gripped on the lower or bottom casing 10 so that the upper casing 12 is in a closed position immediately adjacent to the lower casing 14 and the upper casing 12 is in One is generally upright for operation. One of the paper standards is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS> Λ4 specification (210X297mm). ---------- ^ ------ 1T ----- . Thousand (please read the precautions on the back before filling out this page) Printed by the Employee Consumer Cooperative of the Central Escalation Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Printed by the Central Standards Bureau of the Ministry of Economy-Printed by the Industrial and Consumer Cooperatives A7 ____B7______ V. Description of the Invention (3) To move between. The upper shell 12 and the lower shell 14 are preferably connected to each other via a hinge structure. The upper casing 12 includes an image display 18 that can be seen when the upper casing 12 is in the opening operation position, and an alphanumeric keyboard 20 is installed in the lower casing 14 as the upper casing is in the opening A data input device when operating the position. The keyboard 20 has many alphanumeric rows containing a large number of alphanumeric keys 24. These alphanumeric keys 24 are low-profile, full-stroke keys instead of the typical short-stroke keys of current portable computers. The keyboard 20 preferably includes a row of low-profile function keys 23. The lower shell 14 has a substantially rectangular shell 30 and has a low shape extending between a top wall 31 and a bottom wall 32, the top wall 31 has a plurality of openings 33 close to the hinge structure 16 And a keyboard cavity 34 is formed in it near a front wall. The keyboard 20 has a keyboard housing 36 that supports the keyboard 20 in the keyboard cavity 34. The keyboard 20 is designed to be stored in one of the positions shown in FIG. 3 and the ascending keyboard operation shown in FIG. 4 Move vertically between positions. When the keyboard is in the lower storage position, the tops of the keys 24 are preferably substantially flush with the top wall 31 of the lower housing 14 and when the keyboard 20 is in the rising keyboard operating position , Rise above the lower case 14. When the keyboard 20 is in the storage position, the lower part of the keyboard housing 36 is connected or slightly located on the bottom wall 32, or computer hardware, such as a disk drive mounted on the bottom wall 32 and a circuit board. When in the raised position, the lower portion of the keyboard housing 36 is spaced at a distance 38 on the bottom wall 32 at intervals. The computer 10 has a keyboard actuation mechanism denoted by the reference number 40, and its -6 _ This paper scale is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) .--------- 1¾.- ----- 1T ----- · -0 .. (please read the precautions on the back before filling in this page) A7 _____B7_ printed by the Cooperative Society of the Central Prototype Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs V. Invention description ( 4) The keyboard 20 is moved between the storage position and the ascending keyboard operation position according to the upward or downward movement of the upper casing 12 relative to the lower casing U. Specifically, the keyboard actuation mechanism 40 is operable Ground connection: between the housing 12 and the keyboard 20 so that when the upper housing is raised from its closed position to its open position, the keyboard is moved from its storage position to its raised keyboard operating position. Similarly, when the upper housing is lowered from its pin position to its closed position, the keyboard actuation mechanism 40 lowers the keyboard 20 from its raised position to its storage position. The keyboard actuation mechanism 40 includes a sliding mechanism 42 installed in the lower housing to replace the side of the keyboard so as to reciprocate along the horizontal stroke back and forth, only one of which is shown in detail in the figure because other It ’s just a mirror. Each sliding mechanism 42 includes an elongated plate 44 movably movable in the bottom case 14 to reciprocate back and forth to raise and lower the keyboard. Each plate 44 is formed with a pair of inclined holes 46 at substantially equal intervals. Close to one side of the keyboard housing 36. Each hole has a cam portion 46a to move the keyboard 20 from the storage position to a horizontal portion 46b, so that when the plate 44 moves forward • the keyboard 20 is fixed in the raised position of the layer, as shown in FIG. 4 The keyboard housing 36 has a protruding hole pin 48 that extends into and slides into the holes 46 to convert the horizontal reciprocating movement of the board 44 into the vertical movement of the keyboard 20. A "T" shaped mounting hole 50 Pseudo-formed in the plate 44 so as to receive the mounting pin 52 protruding from one side of the lower case 14 to movably support the plate 44 on the lower case 14, the hole 50 and the pin 52 will The movement of the plate 44 is limited to a defined reciprocating stroke, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The size of the paper is suitable for the National Standard (CNS) Λ4 said grid (210X2W male 1 > ------- (丨 installed ------ ordered ------- line (please first M Read the precautions on the back and fill in this book. 〇d A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (Each plate 44 has a cam follower 56, which is close to the hinge 16 to combine and respond to the movement of a cam 58. The cam 58 is the most It is better to be installed or integrally formed on the upper casing 12 and project into the opening 33 of the top wall 31 and lean against the cam follower 56. When the upper casing is turned from the open position When the lower pivot is turned to the closed position, the cam 58 pivots back and down to combine with the cam follower 56 to move the plate 44 backward, which will move the keyboard from its raised position to its storage position When the upper casing is rolled upward from the closed position to the open position, the cam 58 swings upward and forward to move the plate forward. The keyboard actuating groove 40 includes the sliding mechanism 42 operable Connected to bias a spring mechanism 60 that biases the plate 44 forward when the upper housing moves to its open position, the spring mechanism 60 includes A spring abutment portion 62 formed on the lower housing to support one end of a compression spring 66, the 0-end of the compression spring 66 is supported by a spring abutment portion 64 formed on the plate 44 (please Read the precautions on the back first and then fill out this page) t, τ Printed and held by the Employee Consumer Cooperative of the Central Bureau of Standards of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. As shown in Figure 3, when the cam is closed on the upper casing, it pivots downward and back At this time, the spring 66 is compressed between the abutment portions 62 and 64. When the upper housing is moved to its open position, the spring 66 is released, moving the plate 44 forward so as to receive the The keyboard 20 moves from its storage position to the cam-up or "bouncing" to its ascending position for keyboard operation. One of the advantages of the present invention is to provide a gold-stroke alphanumeric key 24 in a low-profile broadcast computer. Figures 6 and 7 show one of the keys 24 in a vertical cross-section when the keyboard 20 is in the raised position (Figure 7)-the full stroke (3-4 nun) is pressed, but the keyboard is in the storage position (Picture 6) It will not be pressed down with a full stroke. -8-The paper size is suitable Chinese National Standard (CNS) Λ4 Specification (210Χ297 mm) line

A7 Five 'Invention Description (β) Preferably, the keyboard 20 includes a support plate 70 having a plurality of holes or "perforations" 72 formed at each puzzle switch in the plate 70, one having a majority The single block 74b of the upright rod 7β is mounted on or integrally formed on the bottom plate, and each upright rod 76 is connected to a key 5 4 4. The membrane switch layer 78 is installed in the monolith 74_L and is separated by a spacer layer 80 having a plurality of holes coaxial with the holes 72. A rubber-like round cover piece 8 2 傜 is installed above the membrane switch layer 7 δ 'and a plurality of rubber round covers 84 are formed and each round cover 84 is connected to a corresponding key switch, and a center is formed in each rubber round cover The hole 86 allows a key rod 88 to protrude through it, and the rubber dome 84 supported by the one-side guard 76 not only acts as a torsion spring, but it also provides a bending force "turning" waiting to give the user a tactile feel The feedback knows that the one-button switch has been actuated. In addition, it should be noted here that in Fig. 7, after the membrane switches are actuated and before the end of the full stroke, the key top can be moved down with an "over-movement" movement. It should be noted here that the key guard 88 and the upright 76 protrude into the hole 72 to reduce the height and shape of the key 24 when the keyboard 20 is in the storage position, if a key 24 is located in the storage on the keyboard Pressed in position • The key lever 88 is combined with the bottom wall 32, making the key 24 inoperable. However, when the keyboard 20 is in the raised position, the spacing 38 below the base plate 70 is sufficient for the key 24 to be pressed through its full travel of approximately 3 mra. Another embodiment is shown pseudo in FIG. 8-10, where the strap-on computer is indicated by the reference number 90, the cam 58 has been deleted and a cam 92 has been replaced. The cam 92 pseudo-cabinet is connected to the opening 33 and the cam is adapted to the Chinese national standard falcon (CNS) Λ4 specification (210Χ297 mm) by a paper standard ------- ί--installed ---- --Order ------ Line (please read the precautions on the back before filling in this page) A7 ~ ___ B7 printed by the Employee Consumer Cooperative of the Central Standards Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs V. Description of invention (7) fixed to the lower case The convex of 14 defends 94 supporting the chopsticks. The cam 92 has an upper cover engaging surface 96 and a cam follower engaging surface 98. When the cover 12 is moved to the closed or down position (9th circle I), the cover is combined with the cam surface 96 and the cam 92 is pivoted about the axis of the cam 94, causing the cam surface 98 Moving against the cam follower 56 moves the plate 44 to the rear position to lower the keyboard 20. When the cover 12 is moved to the open position, the spring mechanism 60 moves the cam follower 56 against the cam surface 98 to pivot the cam 92 to release the keyboard 20 and drive the keyboard to the Ascent position. ： -------? 丨 installed -------- order ----- · line '(please read the precautions on the back first and then fill out this page) Printed by Beigong Consumer Cooperative, Shiyang Standard Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs ^

ο 1X This paper scale is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (2IOX297mm) V. Description of invention (8) A7 B7 Printed component label comparison of employee consumer cooperatives of the Central Bureau of Standards of the Ministry of Economic Affairs 10. Portable computer 56 ... cam follower 12 .... upper housing 58 ... cam 14 .... lower housing 60 ... spring mechanism 16 .... hinge structure 62 ... spring Abutment 18. Display 64. ... Spring abutment 20. ... Keyboard 66 .... Compression spring 24 .... Alphanumeric keys 70 .... Support plate 28 ... .Function key 72. ... perforated 30. ... rectangular shell 74. ... single block 31 .... top wall 76. ... upright 32. ... bottom wall 78. ... Membrane switch layer 33 ... Opening 80 ... Spacer layer 34 ... Keyboard recess 82 ... Round cover sheet 36 ... Keyboard housing 84 ... Rubber round cover 38 ... spacing 86. ... central hole 40 .... keyboard actuating mechanism 88 .... key lever 42 .... sliding mechanism 90 .... touch belt computer 44 .... board 92. ... cam 46. ... hole 94. ... protruding rod 48. ... protruding hole pin 96. ... upper cover coupling surface 50. ... mounting hole 98. ... cam follower coupling surface 52. ... Mounting pin I In I n----— i ^ I —— II. Ding. III * 5 ^ '-" (please read the notes on the back before filling in this page) -11-This paper size is applicable to China National Standards (CNS) Λ4 specification (210X25 »7mm)

Claims (1)

Patent application scope A8 B8 C8 i. A portable computer, including: a belt-type casing * which has a lower casing and an upper casing • where the two casings are connected to each other by a toggle hinge so as to be at an angle Moves between a closed position close to the lower case and an open position angularly away from the lower case; an alphanumeric keyboard installed in the lower case for a lower storage position and a rising keyboard Move straight between operating positions; the alphanumeric keyboard has a majority of letters and I numeric keys configured in multiple rows; and an actuation mechanism that is pseudo-operably connected to the keyboard and is relatively 1 ′ —__ the lower housing returns The pivoting movement of the upper casing should be such that (1) when the upper casing is pivoted from the closed position to the open position, the alphanumeric keyboard is raised from the lower storage position to the raised keyboard operating position > and (2) When the upper housing is pivoted from the open position to the closed position, the alphanumeric keyboard is lowered from the operating position of the rising keyboard to the storage position. 2. A belt-type computer as claimed in item 1 of the patent scope, wherein when the upper casing moves to the open position, an image display facing the operator is installed in the upper casing. 3. A portable computer as claimed in item 1 of the patent scope, wherein the actuating mechanism includes a biasing device operably connected to the keyboard to bias the keyboard from the storage position to the raised position. 4. As for the portable computer applying for the first item of the patent scope, in which the actuating mechanism-12-this paper standard is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X 297mm) I-binding line r (please read the back first Please pay attention to this page and then fill out this page) Printed by ABCD Employee Consumer Cooperative of Ministry of Economic Affairs ABCD Printed by Employee Consumer Cooperative of Central Bureau of Standards Ministry of Economic Affairs Between a cam and a cam follower to gradually raise the keyboard from the lower storage position to the rising keyboard operating position when the upper housing is pivoted from the closed position to the open position and use In order to gradually lower the alphanumeric keyboard to the storage position when the upper casing is switched from the open position to the closed position. 5. A portable computer as claimed in item 4 of the patent application, wherein the actuating mechanism includes a biasing device operably connected to the keyboard to bias the keyboard from the storage position to the raised position. 6. A portable computer as claimed in item 5 of the patent scope, wherein the cam is operatively connected to the upper hub body and the cam follower is operatively connected to the keyboard and wherein the biasing device biases the The cam follower is combined with the cam. 7. A portable computer as claimed in item 4 of the patent scope, wherein the lower casing has an opening, and wherein the cam follower is pseudo-installed in the opening of the lower casing, and wherein When the casing moves from its closed position and is combined with the cam follower, the cam is carried by the upper casing and protrudes into the opening of the lower casing. 8. The belt capture type computer as claimed in item 1, wherein the actuating mechanism includes (1) a sliding mechanism reciprocatingly moving on the lower casing, and (2) connecting the sliding mechanism and the keyboard The connecting device is used to make the keyboard rise and fall in response to the reciprocating movement of the sliding mechanism. 9. For the portable computer of patent application item 8, where the connection is installed -13-This paper ruler is applicable to China National Standard (CNS) Α4 specification (210X297mm) -------- ^ ------ Subscribe ------ ^ ΙΜ (Please read the precautions on the back before filling out this page) 3 ϋϋ〇ο9 A8 B8 C8 D8 Printed by the Employee Consumer Cooperative of the Central Bureau of Standards of the Ministry of Economy The set includes (1) an inclined hole, and (2) — a guide pin straddling the inclined hole. 10. A portable computer as claimed in item 9 of the patent scope, wherein the oblique hole is formed in the sliding mechanism and wherein the guide pin is pseudo-mounted on the keyboard and extends into the oblique hole to reciprocate in the sliding mechanism When the keyboard moves up and down, it moves with the hole. 11. As for the portable computer of patent application item 1, most of the alphanumeric keys are pseudo-full-stroke low-profile keys, which are supported to be pressed and released by the key support device, which allows the low-profile objects Keys_ is pressed down for a full stroke when the keyboard is in the raised keyboard operating position, but prevents the low-profile keys from being pressed down for a full stroke when the keyboard is in the storage position. 12. For example, in the patent application, the belt-type computer, in which the full-stroke low-profile keys have most of the key rods supported by the key support device, the key support device includes a base support and The key rods extend through the stand support of the base support when the keyboard is in the ascending keyboard operating position so that the low-profile keys can be pressed down in full stroke. 13. The portable computer as claimed in item 12 of the patent scope | wherein when the keyboard is in the storage position, the keyboard has a keyboard recess in the lower case and wherein when the keyboard is in the ascending keyboard operation position When the keyboard vacates at least a part of the keyboard cavity, a space sufficient for the key rods to protrude through the base support and enter the space under the base support is formed to allow the low-profile keys It can be installed with Yiquan (please read the precautions on the back before filling out this page). The size of the paper is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm). The A8 B8 is printed by the Consumer Labor Cooperative of the Central Standards Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. C8 D8 VI. Itinerary for patent application. 14. A belt-type computer, comprising: a portable casing having a lower casing and an upper casing, wherein the two casings are connected to each other by a pivot hinge so as to approach the lower hub body at an angle A closed position and an angular position away from the open position of the lower hub body ^; an alphanumeric keyboard, which is pseudo-installed in the lower housing so as to move vertically between a lower storage position and a rising keyboard operating position ; The alphanumeric keyboard has a majority of letters and numeric keys configured in multiple rows; The pop-up mechanism * is pseudo-operably connected to the keyboard so that when the upper housing is planted from the closed position to the open position, The alphanumeric keyboard is raised from the lower storage position to the ascending keyboard operating position; and most of the alphanumeric keys are pseudo-full-stroke low-profile keys, which are supported for depression and release by the key support device, which can support Let the low-profile keys be pressed down a full stroke when the keyboard is in the ascending keyboard operating position | but prevent the low-profile keys from being in the storage position on the keyboard Was pressed down for a full stroke. 15. For the suspected belt-type computer as claimed in item 14 of the patent scope, wherein the full-stroke low-profile keys have most of the key levers supported by the key support device, the key support device includes a base support and Wait for the key to extend through the bottom when the keyboard is in the ascending keyboard operating position -15-This paper scale is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) Α4 specification (210X297mm) --------- installed- ----- Subscribe ------ ^ 1 (Please read the precautions on the back before filling in this page) A8 B8 C8 D8 _ printed by the Beigong Consumer Cooperative of the Central Bureau of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Economic Affairs The support of the support is such that the low-profile keys can be pressed down in full stroke. 16. The portable computer as claimed in item 15 of the patent scope, wherein when the keyboard is in the storage position, the keyboard has a keyboard cavity in the lower case and wherein when the keyboard is in the ascending keyboard operation position At this time, the keyboard vacates at least a part of the keyboard cavity, creating a space under the base support sufficient for the keys to protrude through the base support and enter the space so that the low-profile keys can Move with a full stroke. 1 7. The portable computer as claimed in item 16 of the patent scope, wherein the base support includes a keyboard support plate in which a large number of holes pass through at the connection with the corresponding alphanumeric keys and wherein the key rises Near the plate holes to slidably support the key rods, so when a key is pressed with a full stroke, the key protrudes through the hole and enters the space under the base support. 18. The portable computer as claimed in item 17 of the patent application, wherein each key has a turning device, the turning device includes a round cover sheet having a plurality of corresponding rubber domes connected to corresponding key positions, and wherein each rubber dome A hole is formed in the cover to allow a key to be slidably supported by a standing support and extend through it. 19. A portable computer as claimed in item 14 of the patent scope, wherein the pop-up mechanism includes an actuating mechanism that is pseudo-operably connected to the keyboard and responds to the pivoting motion of the upper casing relative to the lower casing , So that (1 > when the upper case is switched from the closed position to the open position, the -16-the paper size is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) I ----- --- installed ------ order ------ iJ (please read the precautions on the back before filling in this page) A8 B8 C8 D8 ~, patent application range Alphanumeric keyboard from the lower storage position to The ascending keyboard operating position * and (2) When the upper casing is planted from the open position to the wide and closed position, the alphanumeric keyboard is lowered from the ascending keyboard operating position to the storage position. 20. If applying for a patent The portable computer of item 19, wherein the actuating member includes a cam and a cam follower operatively connected between the upper casing and the alphanumeric keyboard for use in the upper casing When pivoting from the closed position to the open position, the keyboard is gradually moved from the The lower storage position rises to the rising keyboard operation position and is used to gradually lower the alphanumeric keyboard to the storage position when the upper housing is pivoted from the open position to the closed position. Item 20. The belt-type computer, wherein the cam is mounted on the lower case and rotates in response to the pivoting of the upper shell and wherein the cam follower is operatively connected to the keyboard ° I-- ------ ^ ------ tT ------ Preface (please read the notes on the back and then fill out this page) Printed by Employee Consumer Cooperative of the Central Bureau of Standards of the Ministry of Economic Affairs -17-this The paper size is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm)