Light-emitting assembly for keyboard

• US 10,192,696 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2015
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Zercoe, Bradford J., Leong, Craig C., Hendren, Keith J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon, Edwin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Caroc, Lheiren Mae A
• Application Number:
  US14/867,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20160093452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 200310-314, 200317
• 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 keyboard assembly, comprising:

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

a tactile dome positioned at least partially within the switch opening;

a keycap positioned above the switch housing and configured to move toward the tactile dome when pressed; and

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

a light source;

a luminescent structure at least partially enclosing the light source and defining a front face of the light-emitting assembly;

an opaque material defining a rear face of the light-emitting assembly, the rear face being positioned opposite the front face;

a first sidewall defining a first side face of the light-emitting assembly; and

a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall and defining a second side face of the light-emitting assembly, wherein the switch housing is configured to receive light from each of the front face, the first side face, and the second side face and to guide the received light toward the keycap, wherein the opaque material is configured to prevent light from passing through it.

2. The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the luminescent structure is formed from a phosphor material.

3. The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the switch housing is formed from a substantially transparent material; and

the light source is configured to emit light through the substantially transparent material of the switch housing.

4. The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the keycap includes a transparent glyph formed through the keycap.

5. The keyboard assembly of claim 4, wherein the light source emits light to at least one of:

a perimeter of the keycap; and

the transparent glyph formed through the keycap.

6. The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting assembly is substantially surrounded on three sides by sidewalls of the light source recess.

7. The keyboard assembly of claim 6, further comprising a transparent resin positioned over the light-emitting assembly, between the light-emitting assembly and the sidewalls of the light source recess.

10. The keyboard assembly of claim 1, further comprising an optical mask positioned at least partially between the light source and an underside of the key cap.

8. A method for illuminating a key cap, comprising:

activating a light source;

transmitting light from the light source, through a phosphor structure, and into a switch housing into three distinct surfaces of the switch housing;

redirecting, through the switch housing, the light from the phosphor structure to an underside of the key cap, thereby illuminating a portion of the key cap; and

blocking at least a portion of the light that is emitted through the phosphor structure and upward toward the key cap;

blocking at least a portion of the light that is laterally emitted through the phosphor structure opposite at least one of the three distinct surfaces of the switch housing.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising shifting a color of the light while the light transmits through the phosphor structure.

11. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

a key cap;

a tactile switch positioned below the key cap;

a support structure movably supporting the key cap;

a switch housing positioned below the key cap and defining an opening that surrounds the tactile switch and a recess; and

a light-emitting assembly positioned at least partially within the recess and configured to direct light into the switch housing along three directions, wherein the switch housing defines a light guide configured to channel light received from the light-emitting assembly toward an underside of the key cap;

an opaque material positioned on a side of the light-emitting assembly and configured to at least partially block light from exiting the light-emitting assembly along a fourth direction, the fourth direction being opposite one of the three directions.

12. The keyboard assembly of claim 11, further comprising an optical mask positioned at least partially between the light emitting assembly and the underside of the key cap.

13. The keyboard assembly of claim 11, wherein

the light-emitting assembly further comprises a phosphor structure at least partially surrounding a light source;

the light-emitting assembly defines a front face and two side faces adjoining the front face;

the light is coupled into the switch housing from the front face and the two side faces of the light-emitting assembly.

14. The keyboard assembly of claim 13, wherein the light-emitting assembly further comprises:

a first transparent sidewall extending from a first end of the front face and defines a first of the two side faces; and

a second transparent sidewall extending from a second end of the front face defines a second of the two side faces.

15. The keyboard assembly of claim, 13, wherein the light source is embedded within the phosphor structure.

16. The keyboard assembly of claim 11, wherein:

the key cap defines an illuminable symbol; and

the switch housing is configured to illuminate the illuminable symbol by propagating light received from the light-emitting assembly toward the underside of the key cap.

17. The keyboard assembly of claim 11, wherein:

the switch housing propagates light toward the underside of the key cap through the opening.

18. The keyboard assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

a top panel positioned over the opening and between the tactile switch and the key cap.

19. The keyboard assembly of claim 18, wherein the top panel defines a light guide.

20. The keyboard assembly of claim 18, wherein the tactile switch is a collapsible dome configured to buckle in response to movement of the top panel into the opening corresponding to a keypress received at the key cap.