Patent Publication Number: US-8987617-B2

Title: Multicolor light-emitting computer input device

Description:
This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan patent application number 101209348, filed on May 17, 2012. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to computer-input technologies and more particularly, to a multicolor light-emitting computer input device which uses light-emitting diodes with colored light guide caps to illuminate the press members thereof and keeps the light-emitting diodes far from the high temperature area of the electronic device using the multicolor light-emitting computer input device, thereby prolonging the lifespan of the light-emitting diodes, reducing the cost of maintenance, and avoiding affecting the feeling of user&#39;s hand during operation or any component deformation due to a long use. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Following fast development of the modern technology and electronic industry, many different kinds of consumer electronics are created, bringing convenience to people. Most electronic devices are equipped with a keyboard, mouse, joystick or light gun for data or instruction input. Different key switch devices have been created for use in different electronic products. A computer keyboard for notebook has a different configuration when compared to a computer keyboard for desk computer. Because a notebook computer has light, thin, small and short characteristics, a computer keyboard for desk computer is not suitable for use in a notebook computer. 
     Further, the key switches of the keyboard of an early design notebook computer cannot give off light. A user may be unable to accurately click the key switches of the keyboard of a notebook computer under a dim light environment. To eliminate this problem, notebook computer keyboard capable of giving off light is created. As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a notebook computer keyboard capable of giving off light is known comprising a key switch structure A and a backlight device B. The key switch structure A comprises a bottom plate A 1 , a membrane circuit board A 2  arranged at the top side of the bottom plate A 1 , a plastic thin film A 3  disposed at the top side of the membrane circuit board A 2  and carrying an elastomer A 31 , a key cap A 5  spaced above the elastomer A 31 , and a linking member A 4  coupled between the bottom plate A 1  and the key cap A 5 . The backlight device B comprises a light guide panel B 1  arranged at the bottom side of the bottom plate A 1 , and a light-emitting device B 11  disposed at one lateral side of the light guide panel B 1 , and a light reflecting panel B 2  arranged at the bottom side of the light guide panel B 1 . 
     During operation, the light-emitting device B 11  emits light laterally into the light guide panel B 1 , and the light reflecting panel B 2  reflects downwardly falling light from the light guide panel B 1  toward the key cap A 5  of the key switch structure A. However, because the light-emitting device B 11  disposed at one lateral side of the light guide panel B 1 , the flat substrate C 1  of the notebook computer C must provide a groove C 11  in the keyboard accommodation chamber C 0  thereof for accommodating the light-emitting device B 11  and the related circuit layer so that the keyboard can be smoothly accommodated in the keyboard accommodation chamber C 0  without damaging the light-emitting device B 11 . However, after installation of the light-emitting device B 11  in the groove C 11  in the keyboard accommodation chamber C 0 , the light-emitting device B 11  is kept close to the internal component parts of the notebook computer C that produce heat during operation. In order to provide the groove C 11  in the keyboard accommodation chamber C 0 , the thickness of the flat substrate C 1  must be relatively increased (about 0.3 mm˜0.5 mm). Increasing the thickness of the flat substrate C 1  relatively increases the thickness of the product. 
     Further, the light-emitting device B 11  may be arranged at the center area or a border area of the flat substrate C 1 . If the light-emitting device B 11  is arranged at the center area of the flat substrate C 1 , the center area of the flat substrate C 1  may be forced to sink when the user clicks the keyboard, affecting the user&#39;s feeling in the operating hand or causing component deformation. 
     Further, in order to fit the change in demand from users and to compete in the market, manufacturers keep creating different techniques, functions and products. In consequence, notebook computers using different materials or having different colors, shapes and/or surface treatments are continuously created and put on the market. However, regular light-emitting keyboards simply use white light-emitting diodes for giving off white light. For changing the color of light, a different color of light-emitting diodes shall be used. However, preparing different colors of light-emitting diodes (blue, green and/or red light-emitting diodes) relatively increases the manufacturer&#39;s inventory cost. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to provide a computer input device, which eliminates the drawbacks of the conventional designs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a multicolor light-emitting computer input device, which uses light-emitting diodes to illuminate the press members thereof and keeps the light-emitting diodes far from the high temperature area of the electronic device using the multicolor light-emitting computer input device, prolonging the lifespan of the light-emitting diodes, reducing the cost of maintenance, and avoiding affecting the user&#39;s feeling in the operating hand or any component deformation due to a long use. 
     To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a multicolor light-emitting computer input device comprises a key switch module, which comprises a bottom plate having through holes, press members spaced above the bottom plate and linking members respectively coupled between the bottom plate and the press members for moving the press members up and down, a circuit board, which is arranged at the top side of the bottom plate, comprising light-emitting diodes electrically connected to a flexible printed circuit layer thereof and respectively inserted into the through holes of the bottom plate and a light guide cap capped on each light-emitting diode, elastomer members arranged the top side of the circuit board below the press members, and a light guide panel arranged at the bottom side of the bottom plate for receiving light from the light-emitting diodes and the respective light guide caps and guiding the received light toward the press members. By means of arranging the light-emitting diodes and the circuit board at the top side of the bottom plate, the light-emitting diodes and the circuit board are kept far from the high temperature area of the electronic device using the multicolor light-emitting computer input device, and waste heat can be dissipated through the bottom plate during operation of the multicolor light-emitting computer input device, prolonging the lifespan of the light-emitting diodes and reducing the cost of maintenance. 
     Further, the light-emitting diodes can be white light-emitting diodes, and the light guide caps can be made in one same color or different colors. Thus, the multicolor light-emitting computer input device can be selectively configured to give off different colors of light for illuminating the press members. 
     Further, by means of arranging the light-emitting diodes and the flexible printed circuit layer at the top side of the bottom plate, the planar support frame of the notebook computer that supports the multicolor light-emitting computer input device needs not to provide recesses for accommodating the light-emitting diodes and the flexible printed circuit layer, and therefore the planar support frame can be maintained having a flat, thin and uniform thickness to effectively support the multicolor light-emitting computer input device against any operating pressure, avoiding affecting the user&#39;s feeling in the operating hand or any component deformation due to a long use. 
     Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denote like components of structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a multicolor light-emitting computer input device in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is schematic sectional side view of the multicolor light-emitting computer input device in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is similar to  FIG. 2  but showing different light guide caps used and capped on the respective light-emitting diodes. 
         FIG. 4  is an oblique elevation of a part of the present invention, illustrating the arrangement of the shaded portion at the membrane around each elastomer member. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic applied view of the present invention, illustrating the multicolor light-emitting computer input device made in the form of a notebook keyboard and the relationship between the multicolor light-emitting computer input device and a notebook computer. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic exploded view of a part of the present invention, illustrating the relationship between the flexible printed circuits, light-emitting diodes and light guide caps and the bottom plate of the key switch module. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic sectional view of a part of the present invention, illustrating the light-emitting diode and the associating light guide cap arranged for lateral lamination. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of a key switch structure according to the prior art. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the mounting relationship between a notebook keyboard and a notebook computer according to the prior art. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a multicolor light-emitting computer input device in accordance with the present invention is shown. The multicolor light-emitting computer input device comprises a key switch module  1 , a circuit board  2 , at least one elastomer member  3 , and a light guide panel  4 . 
     The key switch module  1  comprises a bottom plate  11  made of a metal or hard plastic material and having at least one set of upright coupling lugs  111  and at least one through hole  112 , at least one press member  12  that can be made in the form of a key cap, thin metal sheet member or any other key member and spaced above the bottom plate  11  and having two coupling portions  121  bilaterally disposed at a bottom side thereof, and at least one linking member  13  respectively coupled between the bottom plate  11  and the at least one press member  12  for moving the at least one press member  12  up and down relative to the bottom plate  11 . In this embodiment, each linking member  13  is a scissor link  130  having pivot portions  131  respectively pivotally coupled to the coupling portions  121  of one respective press member  12  and one respective set of upright coupling lugs  111 . Preferably, the bottom plate  11  is made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity. 
     The circuit board  2  is arranged at the top side of the bottom plate  11 . In this embodiment, the circuit board  2  is a membrane circuit board comprising two substrates  21  selected from the material group of polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, and other flexible light transmissive sheet materials, a circuit layout  211  arranged between the two substrates  21 , at least one set of through holes  22  cut through the substrates  21  for the passing of the at least one set of upright coupling lugs  111  of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1  respectively, a flexible printed circuit layer  231  arranged at the bottom side of the substrates  21 , at least one light-emitting diode  23  electrically bonded to the flexible printed circuit layer  231  corresponding to the at least one through hole  112  of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1 , and at least one light guide cap  24  respectively capped on the at least one light-emitting diode  23 . Each light guide cap  24  defines therein an accommodation chamber  240  that accommodates one respective light-emitting diode  23 . Further, each light guide cap  24  comprises a light outlet end  241  formed of the bottom and peripheral walls thereof, and a fixed end  242  formed of the top side thereof. 
     The at least one elastomer member  3  is arranged at the top side of the circuit board  2 , having a membrane  31  formed integral with the bottom side thereof. The membrane  31  has at least one set of through holes  32  for the passing of the at least one set of upright coupling lugs  111  of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1  respectively, and a shaded portion  33  around each elastomer member  3  corresponding to each press member  12 . 
     The light guide panel  4  is arranged at the bottom side of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1 , defining at least one receiving hole  41  for receiving the light outlet end  241  of each of the at least one light guide cap  24  respectively. 
     When pressing one press member  12  of the key switch module  1  to lower the respective linking member  13 , the elastomer member  3  will be compressed by the press member  12  against the circuit board  2 , causing respective contacts of the circuit board  2  to be electrically closed to output a respective signal. When the user released the finger from the press member  12 , the elastomer member  3  immediately returns to its former shape, forcing the respective linking member  13  to return the press member  12  to its former position. When the circuit board  2  is triggered by one press member  12  to output a respective signal, one respective light-emitting diode  23  is simultaneously driven to give off light. At this time, the light goes through the light outlet end  241  of the respective light guide cap  24  into the light guide panel  4 , and is then guided by the light guide panel  4  through the respective through hole  112  of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1  toward the respective press member  12 . 
     As stated above, the linking member  13  in this embodiment is a scissor link  130 . However, rotary shaft type linking design, sliding groove type linking design, or any other suitable linking designs may be used and coupled between the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1  and each press member  12  to substitute for the aforesaid scissor link design. 
     Further, there is a gap between each press member  12  and the membrane  31 . Light may be diffused through the gap, lowering the brightness of the respective press member  12 . The arrangement of the shaded portion  33  of the membrane  31  around each elastomer member  3  corresponding to each press member  12  prohibits diffusion of the light emitted by each light-emitting diode  23  of the circuit board  2  through the gap between each press member  12  and the membrane  31 , enabling the light to be concentrated onto the respective press member  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7  and  FIGS. 1-3  again, the at least one light-emitting diode  23  are arranged at the bottom side of the flexible printed circuit layer  231  and accommodated in the accommodation chamber  240  of each respective light guide cap  24  that is arranged at or extended to the bottom side of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1 . When one light-emitting diode  23  is driven to give off light, the emitted light goes downwardly through the light outlet end  241  of the respective light guide cap  24  into the light guide panel  4 , and then guided by the light guide panel  4  through the respective through hole  112  of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1  toward the respective press member  12 . Instead of the aforesaid downward arrangement, the at least one light-emitting diode  23  can be of a lateral luminous type. Further, the light guide cap  24  can be made having a top reflecting surface  2411  disposed at the top side of the light outlet end  241  for reflecting light downwardly into the light guide panel  4 , and/or a reflecting layer  243  disposed around a part of the light outlet end  241  for reflecting light laterally into the light guide panel  4 . By means of the functioning of the top reflecting surface  2411  and/or the reflecting layer  243 , light emitted by each light-emitting diode  23  can be directed into the light guide panel  4  and uniformly guided toward the respective press member  12 . 
     Further, by means of the respective fixed end  242 , each light guide cap  24  is bonded to the flexible printed circuit layer  231 . Alternatively, the fixed end  242  of each light guide cap  24  can be bonded to the periphery of one respective through hole  112  of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1  with an adhesive, avoiding permeation of outside fluid through the bottom plate  11  into the internal CPU, display card, power adapter, or any other component of the notebook computer  6  (see  FIG. 5 ) to cause corrosion or short circuits, reducing the cost of maintenance and the possibility of failure. 
     Further, the press member  12  of the key switch module  1  can be made of a transparent or translucent material in the form of a key cap, thin metal sheet member or any other key member. Further, the top surface of the press member  12  can be partially coated with a layer of lacquer coating, enabling the non-coating area to show a pattern or texture that admits light. Alternatively, the top surface of the press member  12  can be wholly coated with a layer of lacquer coating, and then a laser engraving technique can be employed to remove a part of the lacquer coating from the press member  12 , showing a light transmissive pattern or texture. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  5  again, the multicolor light-emitting computer input device in this embodiment is a keyboard mounted in a recessed chamber  610  of a base member  61  of a notebook computer  6  and supported on a planar support frame  611  above CPU, display card, power adapter and other internal notebook components that produce heat during operation. Arranging the circuit board  2  and the light-emitting diodes  23  at the top side of the bottom plate  11  above the planar support frame  611  of the notebook computer  6 , the circuit board  2  and the light-emitting diodes  23  are kept far from a high temperature environment. Further, during operation of the light-emitting diodes  23 , heat can be dissipated through the bottom plate  11 , prolonging the lifespan of the light-emitting diodes  23  and reducing the cost of maintenance. 
     Further, by means of arranging the light-emitting diodes  23  and the flexible printed circuit layer  231  at the top side of the bottom plate  11 , the planar support frame  611  of the notebook computer  6  needs not to provide recesses for accommodating the light-emitting diodes  23  and the flexible printed circuit layer  231 , and therefore the planar support frame  611  can be maintained having a flat, thin and uniform thickness to effectively support the multicolor light-emitting computer input device against any operating pressure, avoiding affecting the feeling of user&#39;s hand or any component deformation due to a long use. 
     Further, a light reflecting panel  5  can be provided at the bottom side of the light guide panel  4  to reflect light upwards, preventing light leakage and enhancing luminous brightness. Further, the top surface of the light guide panel  4  can be coated with a light transmissive protective layer  42  for protection against scratches during delivery or installation to avoid light leakages. 
     As stated above, the multicolor light-emitting computer input device of the present invention, in actual use, has the advantages and features as follows:
     1. The circuit board  2  is arranged at the top side of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1  to carry one or a number of light-emitting diodes  23  at the bottom side thereof and a light guide cap  24  around each light-emitting diode  23 , enabling the light emitted by each light-emitting diode  23  to be guided by the light outlet end  241  of the respective light guide cap  24  into the light guide panel  4  and then guided by the light guide panel  4  through the respective through hole  112  of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1  toward the respective press member  12 . Further, by means of arranging the light-emitting diodes  23  and the circuit board  2  at the top side of the bottom plate  11 , the light-emitting diodes  23  and the circuit board  2  are kept far from the high temperature area of the base member  61  of the notebook computer  6 , and waste heat can be dissipated through the bottom plate  11  during operation of the multicolor light-emitting computer input device, prolonging the lifespan of the light-emitting diodes  23  and reducing the cost of maintenance.   2. The light-emitting diodes  23  can be white light-emitting diodes  23 , and the light guide caps  24  can be made in one same color or different colors. Thus, the multicolor light-emitting computer input device can be selectively configured to give off different colors of light for illuminating the press members  12 .   3. The light-emitting diode  23  can be selectively arranged to emit light downwardly or laterally toward the light guide panel  4 ; the light guide cap  24  can be configured to guide the light emitted by the associating light-emitting diode  23  downwardly or laterally into the light guide panel  4 .   4. By means of arranging the light-emitting diodes  23  and the flexible printed circuit layer  231  at the top side of the bottom plate  11 , the planar support frame  611  of the notebook computer  6  needs not to provide recesses for accommodating the light-emitting diodes  23  and the flexible printed circuit layer  231 , and therefore the planar support frame  611  can be maintained having a flat, thin and uniform thickness to effectively support the multicolor light-emitting computer input device against any operating pressure, avoiding affecting the feeling of user&#39;s hand or any component deformation due to a long use.   5. The fixed end  242  of each light guide cap  24  can be bonded to the periphery of one respective through hole  112  of the bottom plate  11  of the key switch module  1  with an adhesive, avoiding permeation of outside fluid through the bottom plate  11  into the internal CPU, display card, power adapter, or any other component of the notebook computer  6  to cause corrosion or short circuits, reducing the cost of maintenance and the possibility of failure.   

     In conclusion, the multicolor light-emitting computer input device of the present invention is characterized in that by means of arranging the light-emitting diodes  23  and the circuit board  2  at the top side of the bottom plate  11 , the light-emitting diodes  23  and the circuit board  2  are kept far from the high temperature area of the base member  61  of the notebook computer  6 , and waste heat can be dissipated through the bottom plate  11  during operation of the multicolor light-emitting computer input device, prolonging the lifespan of the light-emitting diodes  23  and reducing the cost of maintenance; the light-emitting diode(s)  23  can be a white light-emitting diode  23 , and the light guide cap(s)  24  can be made in any of a variety of colors so that the multicolor light-emitting computer input device can be selectively configured to give off different colors of light for illuminating the press member(s)  12 . 
     Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.