Keyboard module and electronic apparatus

• US 8,477,100 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2008
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Chih-Kuang, Kuo, Yien-Chun, Tan, Yun-Long
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Assistant Examiner(s): XAVIER, ANTONIO J
• Application Number:
  US12/261,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20090167690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,706 Days
• Field of Search: 400/49
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/85 characterised by tactile feedback features
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/05 electromechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/054 common to all switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/044 Edge lighting of layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such

Abstract

A keyboard module suitable for being applied to an electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a display unit and the keyboard module. The keyboard module is electrically connected to the display unit. The keyboard module includes a supporting structure, a membrane circuit sheet, and a vibrator. The supporting structure has a carrying surface. The membrane circuit sheet is disposed on the carrying surface of the supporting structure and has a plurality of triggers. The vibrator is connected to the supporting structure.

Claims

1. A keyboard module, suitable for being applied to an electronic apparatus, the keyboard module comprising:

a supporting structure, having a carrying surface;

a membrane circuit sheet, disposed on the carrying surface of the supporting structure, the membrane circuit sheet having a plurality of triggers; and

a vibrator, connected to the supporting structure;

a decorative sheet, disposed on the membrane circuit sheet, the decorative sheet having a decorative surface; and

a first elastic layer, disposed between the decorative sheet and the membrane circuit sheet, wherein the first elastic layer has a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of spacers, the protrusions are respectively corresponding to the triggers, one of the spacers is disposed between adjacent two of the protrusions, the first elastic layer has a plurality of vibration conductors, the vibration conductors pass through the membrane circuit sheet and are extended to the supporting structure, and one of the vibration conductors is disposed between adjacent four protrusions.

2. The keyboard module according to claim 1, wherein the decorative sheet is a plane and has a plurality of marks on the decorative surface, and the marks are respectively corresponding to the triggers.

3. The keyboard module according to claim 1, wherein the decorative sheet has a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of marks, the protrusions are protruded from the decorative surface and are respectively corresponding to the triggers, and the marks are respectively located on the protrusions.

4. The keyboard module according to claim 1, wherein the decorative sheet and the first elastic layer are formed integrally.

5. The keyboard module according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions are extended to the decorative sheet.

6. The keyboard module according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light source, disposed at one side of the first elastic layer, the light source emitting a light beam into the first elastic layer, wherein the first elastic layer is transparent and has a reflective surface for reflecting the light beam to the decorative sheet.

7. The keyboard module according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light guiding layer, disposed between the decorative sheet and the first elastic layer; and

a light source, disposed at one side of the light guiding layer for emitting a light beam to the light guiding layer, wherein the light guiding layer guides the light beam to the decorative sheet.

8. The keyboard module according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light emitting layer, disposed between the decorative sheet and the first elastic layer.

9. The keyboard module according to claim 1, further comprising:

a touch sensing panel, disposed between the decorative sheet and the first elastic layer.

10. The keyboard module according to claim 9, wherein the protrusions are extended to the touch sensing panel.

11. The keyboard module according to claim 1, further comprising:

an auxiliary vibration conductor, spanning between a portion of the supporting structure in contact with the vibrator and another portion of the supporting structure not in contact with the vibrator.

12. The keyboard module according to claim 11, wherein the supporting structure has an upper supporting structure and a lower supporting structure, the upper supporting structure is disposed between the decorative sheet and the vibrator, and the lower supporting structure is disposed between the vibrator and the auxiliary vibration conductor.

13. The keyboard module according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second elastic layer, disposed between the membrane circuit sheet and the supporting structure, wherein the second elastic layer has a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of spacers, the protrusions are respectively corresponding to the triggers, and one of the spacers is disposed between adjacent two of the protrusions.

14. The keyboard module according to claim 13, wherein the second elastic layer has a plurality of vibration conductors extended to the decorative sheet.

15. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

a display unit; and

a keyboard module of claim 1, electrically connected to the display unit.