LIGHT-EMITTING ASSEMBLY FOR KEYBOARD

• US 20160093452A1
• Filed: 09/28/2015
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Leong, Craig C., Hendren, Keith J., Zercoe, Bradford J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,192,696 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 light-emitting assembly positioned within a switch housing of a keyboard assembly for an electronic device is disclosed. The light-emitting assembly may include a phosphor structure, a transparent material positioned on opposing side surfaces of the phosphor structure, and an epoxy layer formed over an entire back surface of the phosphor structure and the transparent material. The light-emitting assembly may also include a mask layer formed over an entire top surface of: the phosphor structure, the transparent material, and the epoxy layer. The light-emitting assembly may further include a light source positioned within the phosphor structure for emitting a light.

Claims

1. A light-emitting assembly, comprising:

a phosphor structure;

a first sidewall formed from a transparent material and positioned on a first side of the phosphor structure;

a second sidewall formed from the transparent material and positioned on a second side of the phosphor structure;

an epoxy layer adjacent the phosphor structure; and

a light source within the phosphor structure.

2. The light-emitting assembly of claim 1, wherein the phosphor structure comprises:

a front surface;

a back surface opposite the front surface and connected thereto by the first side and second side of the phosphor structure; and

the front surface forms a front face of the light-emitting assembly.

3. The light-emitting assembly of claim 2, wherein:

the first side and second side of the phosphor structure are opposite one another;

the epoxy layer is adjacent the back surface; and

the epoxy layer forms a rear of the light-emitting assembly.

4. The light-emitting assembly of claim 3, wherein the epoxy layer extends over at least one of the first sidewall and second sidewall.

5. The light-emitting assembly of claim 2, wherein the light source is embedded in the phosphor structure.

6. The light-emitting assembly of claim 2, further comprising an opaque mask layer extending over a top of the phosphor structure.

7. The light-emitting assembly of claim 6, further comprising a heat dissipating layer adjacent the mask layer.

8. The light-emitting assembly of claim 2, further comprising electrical leads connected to the light source, positioned within the phosphor structure, and extending toward the back surface.

9. The light-emitting assembly of claim 8, wherein:

a portion of the electrical leads are within the epoxy layer, and

the epoxy layer waterproofs the electrical leads.

10. The light-emitting assembly of claim 2, wherein a shape of the light-emitting assembly is a parallelepiped.

11. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

a switch housing defining a switch opening and a light source recess formed in a sidewall of the switch opening;

a keycap positioned above the switch housing; and

a light-emitting assembly positioned within the light source recess of the switch housing, and comprising;

a luminescent structure; and

a transparent sidewall adjacent the luminescent structure;

wherein

the light source transmits light through the transparent sidewall and the luminescent structure; and

the switch housing guides light from the light-emitting structure to the keycap.

12. The keyboard assembly of claim 11, wherein the luminescent structure is formed from a phosphor material.

13. The keyboard assembly of claim 11, wherein the light source emits light through the switch housing formed from the substantially transparent material.

14. The keyboard assembly of claim 11, wherein the keycap includes a transparent glyph formed through the keycap.

15. The keyboard assembly of claim 14, wherein the light source emits light to at least one of:

a perimeter of the keycap; and

the transparent glyph formed through the keycap.

16. The keyboard assembly of claim 11, wherein the light-emitting assembly is substantially surrounded on three sides by sidewalls of the light source recess.

17. The keyboard assembly of claim 16, further comprising a transparent resin positioned over the light-emitting assembly, between the light-emitting assembly and the sidewalls of the light source recess.

18. A method for illuminating an input surface, comprising:

activating a light source;

transmitting light from the light source, through a light-emitting assembly, and into a switch housing;

redirecting, by a function of the switch housing, the light from the switch housing to an underside of the input surface, thereby illuminating the input surface.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising shifting a color of the light while the light transmits through the light-emitting assembly.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising blocking the light from transmitting in a particular direction.