Venting system and shield for keyboard

• US 10,134,539 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2015
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Leong, Craig C., Zercoe, Bradford J., La, Thai Quoc, Reid, Nicholas I, Hendren, Keith J., Brock, John M., Blum, Matthew W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saeed, Ahmed
• Application Number:
  US14/867,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20160189890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• Field of Search: 200305, 200 5 A, 200515, 200306, 200304, 200 61 A, 200512, 200266, 200262, 200 35 A, 200341-345, 200 5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/04 Cases; Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/7006 comprising a separate movable contact element for each switch site, all other elements being integrated in layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/80 characterised by the manner of cooperation of the contacts, e.g. with both contacts movable or with bounceless contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/803 characterised by the switching function thereof, e.g. normally closed contacts or consecutive operation of contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/004 Rivet
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/038 to be bridged by a dome shaped contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/056 Cuts or depressions in support, e.g. to isolate contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/016 Separate bridge contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/024 Means to facilitate positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/04 Details of printed conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/028 Contacts in depressions of layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/01 with internal pressure of other switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/038 : Resilient conductive tracks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/036 : Light emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/052 : Phosphorescence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/06 : Reflector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 : Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/076 : Protruding in cavity covered by membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/026 : Separate dome contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/046 : Multi-colour or double shot injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/004 : High frequency adaptation or shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/125 : using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/50 : Wavelength conversion elements

Abstract

A venting system for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A keyboard assembly including a printed circuit board defining a set of apertures, and a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board. Each switch housing of the group of switch housings may define a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board. The keyboard assembly may also include a shield defining at least one channel of a venting system formed below the printed circuit board. The at least one channel may be in fluid communication with at least one aperture, and at least one of the switch openings positioned above the at least one aperture.

Claims

1. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

a set of keycaps arranged along a row extending across a width of the keyboard assembly;

a printed circuit board positioned below the set of keycaps and defining a set of apertures, each aperture of the set of apertures aligned with a corresponding one of the set of keycaps;

a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board, each switch housing of the group of switch housings defining a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board; and

a shield defining a channel formed below the printed circuit board along the row, the channel in fluid communication with each aperture of the set of apertures, the channel comprising an exit in fluid communication with atmosphere external to the set of keycaps.

2. The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the shield comprises an adhesive sheet coupled to the printed circuit board.

3. The keyboard assembly of claim 2, wherein the channel of the venting system is formed in the adhesive sheet.

4. The keyboard assembly of claim 3, wherein the adhesive sheet is formed from a gas-permeable material.

5. The keyboard assembly of claim 4, further comprising a reservoir connected to the channel and formed in the adhesive sheet.

6. The keyboard assembly of claim 4, wherein the selectively permeable material is permeable to gas and impermeable to solids.

7. The keyboard assembly of claim 3, wherein the shield is at least partially electrically conductive.

8. The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the row is a first row;

the channel is a first channel;

the set of keycaps is a first set of keycaps;

the keyboard assembly further comprises a second set of keycaps arranged along a second row; and

the shield defines a second channel formed below the printed circuit board along the second row.

9. The keyboard assembly of claim 8, wherein the first channel and the second channel are in fluid communication with one another.

22. The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel is configured to evacuate fluid from the multiple switch openings aligned along the row of apertures from the keyboard assembly using an exit formed along an exterior surface of the keyboard assembly.

10. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

a group of keys arranged along a row of a keyboard, each key comprising;

a keycap;

a dome switch positioned below the keycap;

a support structure movably supporting the keycap to the dome switch;

a switch housing surrounding the dome switch;

a substrate having a top surface that defines a group of recesses, each recess defining a hole and a mounting surface attached to a respective switch housing; and

a shield beneath the substrate and defining a venting system in fluid communication with the group of keys.

11. The keyboard assembly of claim 10, wherein:

the substrate comprises a circuit board; and

the circuit board comprises a plated layer over the recesses and the surface.

12. The keyboard assembly of claim 10, wherein the shield electromagnetically shields the circuit board from electrical noise.

23. The keyboard assembly of claim 10, wherein:

the group of keycaps are arranged in a row extending from a first end of the keyboard assembly to a second, opposite end of the keyboard assembly; and

the shield defines a channel extending from the recesses and extending along the row.

24. The keyboard assembly of claim 10, wherein the channel is configured to transfer fluid from a first switch housing of the group of switch housing to a second switch housing of the group of switch housings when a keycap of the group of keycaps positioned above the first switch housing is depressed.

13. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

an input surface; and

a shield positioned below the input surface and comprising;

a base layer;

an aluminum layer positioned over the base layer;

a graphite layer positioned over the aluminum layer;

an intermediate layer positioned over the graphite layer;

an adhesive sheet positioned over the intermediate layer and defining a venting system below the input surface; and

a conductive ring substantially surrounding the adhesive sheet.

14. The keyboard assembly of claim 13, wherein the conductive ring is in contact with the intermediate layer.

15. The keyboard assembly of claim 13, wherein the base layer is formed from an electrically insulating material.

16. The keyboard assembly of claim 13, wherein the intermediate layer is formed from an electrically insulating material.

17. The keyboard assembly of claim 13, further comprising a circuit board positioned between the aluminum layer and the intermediate layer.

18. The keyboard assembly of claim 17, wherein the graphite layer is positioned adjacent the circuit board and conducts heat generated by the circuit board.

19. The keyboard assembly of claim 17, further comprising a conductive gasket formed below the base layer, and in electrical communication with the circuit board.

20. The keyboard assembly of claim 17, wherein the aluminum layer is configured as an electromagnetic interference shield.

21. The keyboard assembly of claim 17, wherein the adhesive sheet is in electrical communication with one or more electrical connectors formed within the printed circuit board, each of the electrical connectors corresponding to a key assembly of the keyboard assembly.

25. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

a first set of keycaps arranged along a first row extending across a width of the keyboard assembly;

a second set of keycaps arranged along a second row;

a printed circuit board positioned below the first set of keycaps and defining a set of apertures, each aperture of the set of apertures aligned with a corresponding one of the first set of keycaps;

a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board, each switch housing of the group of switch housings defining a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board;

a shield defining a first channel formed below the printed circuit board along the first row, the first channel in fluid communication with each aperture of the set of apertures, wherein the shield defines a second channel formed below the printed circuit board along the second row, wherein the first channel and the second channel are in fluid communication with one another.

26. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

a set of keycaps arranged along a row extending across a width of the keyboard assembly;

a printed circuit board positioned below the set of keycaps and defining a set of apertures, each aperture of the set of apertures aligned with a corresponding one of the set of keycaps;

a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board, each switch housing of the group of switch housings defining a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board; and

a shield defining a channel formed below the printed circuit board along the row, the channel in fluid communication with each aperture of the set of apertures;

wherein the channel is configured to evacuate fluid from the multiple switch openings aligned along the row of apertures from the keyboard assembly using an exit formed along an exterior surface of the keyboard assembly.