Illuminated keyboard structures

• US 10,347,443 B1
• Filed: 05/25/2017
• Issued: 07/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Wu, Chia Chi, Wang, Paul X., Lehmann, Alex J., Chen, Chien-Tsun, Chin, Kuo-Chiang, Gao, Ming, Gao, Zheng
• Primary Examiner(s): Raabe, Christopher M
• Application Number:
  US15/605,390
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 362 2303
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0023 provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed between the light guide and the light source, or around the light source
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/005 provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0076 Stacked arrangements of multiple light guides of the same or different cross-sectional area
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/012 Positioning of individual dome
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/06 Reflector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/02 Vent opening
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/125 using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a backlight integrated membrane for a keyboard. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a keyboard having a key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the key cap and a membrane may be positioned below the feature plate. The membrane may include a transparent substrate optically coupled to a light emitting element. The membrane may also include electrical traces for a key switch disposed on the transparent substrate. The embodiment may further include a domed structure positioned on the membrane and configured to actuate the key switch when depressed.

Claims

1. A key for a keyboard, comprising:

a key cap;

a feature plate positioned below the key cap;

a backlight integrated membrane positioned below the feature plate and comprising;

a light emitting element;

a transparent substrate optically coupled to the light emitting element; and

electrical traces disposed on the transparent substrate;

a first terminal and second terminal on the transparent substrate and electrically connected to the electrical traces;

a domed structure positioned on the backlight integrated membrane above the first terminal and second terminal, the domed structure configured to collapse and thereby electrically connect the first terminal and second terminal;

a switch housing positioned below the keycap and having an opening positioned peripherally around the domed structure; and

a collar disposed about a periphery of the domed structure and abutting the opening of the feature plate, the collar resisting deformation of a portion of the domed structure upon its collapse.

2. The key of claim 1, wherein:

the key cap is positioned within an opening of an enclosure and at least partially protrudes from the enclosure;

the key cap includes an illuminable surface;

the backlight integrated membrane directs light to the illuminable surface from the light emitting element;

the key further comprises a support structure positioned below the key cap;

the feature plate includes a set of engagement features; and

the support structure is coupled to the set of engagement features and an underside of the key cap.

3. The key of claim 1, wherein:

the domed structure comprises a transparent material positioned above the transparent substrate and below the key cap.

4. The key of claim 3, wherein the light emitting element is positioned beneath the domed structure and is at least partially surrounded by the transparent substrate.

5. The key of claim 1, wherein:

the feature plate defines a hole; and

the domed structure extends through the hole.

6. The key of claim 5, wherein a periphery of the domed structure is separated from the feature plate by the collar.

7. The key of claim 6, wherein a thickness of the collar is approximately equal to a thickness of the feature plate.

8. The key of claim 1, wherein:

the backlight integrated membrane defines a vent positioned under the domed structure; and

the vent is in fluid communication with an interior volume of the domed structure.

9. The key of claim 1, further comprising a thermal bonding film directly adhered to the feature plate and the backlight integrated membrane.

10. The key of claim 1, further comprising a reflective component directly adhered to a bottom surface of the backlight integrated membrane.

11. An input mechanism, comprising:

an input surface operative to receive an input;

a domed structure operative to collapse in response to the input;

a switch housing overmolded over at least part of the domed structure, at least a portion of the switch housing being transparent, the input surface being movable relative to the switch housing;

a transparent substrate positioned under the switch housing;

electrical traces on the transparent substrate, the electrical traces operative to transmit a signal generated by the domed structure; and

a light emitting element optically coupled to the transparent substrate;

wherein

the transparent substrate redirects light from the light emitting element to the input surface.

12. The input mechanism of claim 11, wherein the input surface is a key cap of a keyboard key.

13. The input mechanism of claim 11, wherein the transparent substrate propagates light received from the light emitting element to an illuminable portion of the input surface.

14. The input mechanism of claim 13, wherein:

the switch housing includes light extraction features that receive light from at least one of;

the transparent substrate;

or

the light emitting element; and

the switch housing illuminates the illuminable portion of the input surface using light received from the light extraction features.

15. The input mechanism of claim 11, wherein:

an upper portion of the domed structure deforms in response to an input force exerted on the input surface;

a periphery of the domed structure defines a collar; and

the collar resists deformation of the upper portion once the upper portion impacts the collar.

16. The input mechanism of claim 11, wherein:

the electrical traces are connected upon a first deformation of the domed structure; and

the input mechanism further comprises a sensing element that detects a second deformation of the domed structure.

17. An input structure for an electronic device, comprising:

a light emitting element;

a backlight integrated membrane comprising a layer at least partially surrounding the light emitting element;

terminals on the backlight integrated membrane;

a housing structure on the backlight integrated membrane;

a domed structure positioned on the backlight integrated membrane at least partially within the housing structure and about the terminals; and

a key cap positioned above the domed structure and having an illuminable portion, wherein;

the layer defines a light guide that directs light through the domed structure and toward the illuminable portion of the key cap; and

a vent extending through the layer and positioned below the domed structure.

18. The input structure of claim 17, wherein:

the backlight integrated membrane further comprises an optical filler positioned between the light emitting element and the light guide; and

the optical filler optically couples the light emitting element and the light guide.

19. The input structure of claim 17, wherein:

the housing structure defines light extraction features optically coupled with the light guide; and

the light guide directs light toward the illuminable portion of the key cap through the light extraction features.

20. The input structure of claim 17, wherein:

the input structure further comprises;

a feature plate; and

a scissor mechanism pivotally coupled with the feature plate and the key cap; and

the domed structure is overmolded over one of;

the feature plate;

or

the scissor mechanism.