Key and switch housing for keyboard assembly

• US 10,128,061 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2015
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Zercoe, Bradford J., Leong, Craig C., Brock, John M., Hendren, Keith J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jimenez, Anthony R.
• Application Number:
  US14/867,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20160189891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 200402, 200405, 200406, 200408, 200412, 200440, 200468, 200 5 A
• 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 key and a switch housing for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A switch housing for the keyboard assembly may include a body having a switch opening and a light source recess formed adjacent the switch opening. The switch opening may house or receive a dome switch for the keyboard assembly and the light source recess may house or receive a light source assembly configured to illuminate a keycap of the keyboard assembly. The switch housing also can include a top panel integrally formed and molded to a portion of the body. The top panel covers the switch opening formed in the body and the top panel is a light guide.

Claims

1. A key structure for a keyboard assembly, comprising:

a switch housing, comprising;

a body defining;

a switch opening in a top surface; and

a light source recess formed adjacent the switch opening; and

a top panel coupled to the top surface of the body;

a tactile dome positioned within the opening;

a support structure coupled to the switch housing; and

a keycap positioned above the body and pivotally coupled to the support structure, wherein;

the top panel covers the tactile dome and deforms in response to movement of the keycap; and

the top panel is a light guide.

2. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the keycap moves toward, and contacts, the top panel in response to the input.

3. The key structure of claim 1, wherein the top panel covers the light source recess of the body.

4. The key structure of claim 1, wherein:

the body is formed from a first material;

the top panel is formed from a second material different from the first material; and

the top panel is overmolded on the portion of the body.

5. The key structure of claim 4, wherein the top panel includes one or more substantially deformable protrusions positioned on a surface of the top panel.

6. The key structure of claim 5, wherein the top panel includes a contact protrusion formed on the surface.

7. The key structure of claim 4, wherein the body has a rigidity that is greater than a rigidity of the top panel.

8. The key structure of claim 7, wherein the second material is substantially transparent and substantially reflective.

9. A key structure for a keyboard assembly, comprising:

a keycap configured to translate in response to a force;

a support structure pivotally connected to the keycap and configured to guide a translation of the keycap;

a switch housing beneath the keycap and comprising;

a body having an opening defined by a wall; and

a top panel positioned between the body and the keycap and configured to deform in response to the translation of the keycap; and

a tactile dome positioned within the opening and surrounded by the wall, the tactile dome configured to collapse as the top panel deforms.

10. The key structure of claim 9, wherein the top panel deforms into the switch housing in response to the force.

11. The key structure of claim 9, wherein a height of the body is greater than a height of the switch.

12. The key structure of claim 11, further comprising edge protrusions formed on the top panel;

wherein

the keycap substantially contacts the edge protrusions in response to the force.

13. The key structure of claim 12, wherein the keycap substantially deforms at least one of the edge protrusions and the top panel of the switch housing in response to the force.

14. The key structure of claim 9, wherein the keycap includes a first contact protrusion positioned adjacent the top panel.

15. The key structure of claim 14, wherein the top panel comprises a second contact protrusion positioned adjacent to and in alignment with the first contact protrusion of the keycap.

16. The key structure of claim 15, wherein the first contact protrusion contacts the second contact protrusion in response to the force.

17. The key structure of claim 9, further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to the switch housing.

18. The key structure of claim 17, wherein the switch housing further comprises gaskets formed on sidewalls of the switch housing for sealing the switch housing to the PCB.

19. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

a printed circuit board (PCB);

a V-shaped hinge mechanism coupled to the PCB and comprising a first retention pin and a second retention pin; and

a keycap releasably coupled to the hinge mechanism, and comprising;

a first retaining member positioned on an underside of the keycap proximate a first side of the keycap, and comprising a snap-fit feature releasably coupled to the first retention pin and configured to impede translational motion of the first retention pin in a direction substantially perpendicular to an actuation direction of the keycap; and

a second retaining member positioned on the underside of the keycap and proximate a second side of the keycap opposite the first side, the second retaining member comprising a slide-retention fit feature releasably coupled to the second retention pin.

20. The keyboard assembly of claim 19, wherein the snap-fit feature is pivotably coupled to the first retention pin.

21. The keyboard assembly of claim 19, wherein the slide-retention fit feature is pivotably coupled to the first retention pin.

22. The keyboard assembly of claim 19, wherein the snap-fit feature further comprises an opening for receiving the first retention pin.

23. The keyboard assembly of claim 22, wherein the opening defines:

a first portion having a width smaller than a width of the first retention pin; and

a second portion in communication with the first portion, and having a width at least equal to the width of the first retention pin.

24. The keyboard assembly of claim 19, wherein the V-shaped hinge mechanism facilitates moving the keycap from an undepressed state to a depressed state.