Venting system and shield for keyboard
First Claim
Patent Images
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 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
322 Citations
26 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 22)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 23, 24)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
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.
-
Specification