PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9793066-B1
Application Number: US-201414501680-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Keyboard hinge mechanism

Abstract:
Embodiments described herein provide a low travel switch mechanism. The low travel switch mechanism may include a substrate, a dome coupled to the substrate, a keycap, and an integrated pivot component disposed between the keycap and the dome. The integrated pivot component may include a hinge assembly coupled to a light guide structure. The hinge assembly may secure to the substrate, via one or more hinge interconnects, joints, or interlock features to form a pivot point. When the keycap receives a keystroke, the integrated pivot component may be operative to pivot about the pivot point and contact the dome to cause a switching event or operation.

Claims:
We claim: 
     
       1. A key comprising:
 a keycap; 
 a substrate positioned below the keycap; 
 a switch positioned on the substrate below the keycap; and 
 a hinge assembly comprising:
 a support portion coupled to and positioned below the keycap; and 
 an arm coupled to the support portion at a first end of the arm and extending outward beyond a periphery of the keycap, 
 
 wherein: 
 a second end of the arm interfaces with the substrate to define a hinge point; and 
 the arm and support portion are operative to rotate about the hinge point during a keystroke of the key. 
 
     
     
       2. The key of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the arm comprises an interlock feature that extends away from the arm in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the arm. 
 
     
     
       3. The key of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the arm is a first arm; 
 the hinge assembly comprises a second arm coupled to the support portion at a first end of the second arm, and extending beyond a periphery of the keycap; and 
 a second end of the second arm interfaces with the substrate at the hinge point. 
 
     
     
       4. The key of  claim 3 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are straight. 
     
     
       5. The key of  claim 3 , wherein the first arm is straight and the second arm is curved. 
     
     
       6. The key of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly is constructed from at least one of metal and plastic. 
     
     
       7. The key of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a light guide structure coupled to the support portion. 
     
     
       8. The key of  claim 7 , wherein the support portion comprises at least one hole, and wherein at least a portion of the light guide structure resides within the at least one hole. 
     
     
       9. The key of  claim 7 , wherein the light guide structure is insert molded around at least a portion of the support portion. 
     
     
       10. The key of  claim 7 , wherein the light guide structure is glued to at least a portion of the support portion. 
     
     
       11. The key of  claim 7 , wherein the light guide structure is at least partially translucent and includes a side firing light emitting diode. 
     
     
       12. A keyboard comprising:
 a substrate; 
 a first key in a first row of keys and comprising:
 a first keycap; and 
 a first integrated pivot component comprising:
 a first support structure coupled to and positioned below the first keycap; and 
 a first arm rigidly attached at a first end to the first support structure and extending beyond a periphery of the first keycap; 
 
 
 a second key in a second row of keys and comprising:
 a second keycap; and 
 a second integrated pivot component comprising:
 a second support structure coupled to and positioned below the second keycap; and 
 
 a second arm having a first end attached to the second support structure and extending beyond a periphery of the second keycap; wherein: 
 
 a second end of the first arm interfaces with a first pivot point in the substrate; 
 the first integrated pivot component is operative to rotate about the first pivot point; 
 a second end of the second arm interfaces with a second pivot point in the substrate; and 
 the second integrated pivot component is operative to rotate about the second pivot point. 
 
     
     
       13. The keyboard of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first integrated pivot component further comprises a first light guide structure; and 
 the second integrated pivot component further comprises a second light guide structure. 
 
     
     
       14. The keyboard of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second light guide structures each comprise a respective light guide panel. 
     
     
       15. The keyboard of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second light guide structures each comprise at least one side-firing light emitting diode. 
     
     
       16. The keyboard of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the substrate comprises a middle layer sandwiched between a top layer and a bottom layer; and 
 the first pivot point and the second pivot point are positioned in the middle layer. 
 
     
     
       17. The keyboard of  claim 16 , wherein the top and bottom layers are composed of steel. 
     
     
       18. The keyboard of  claim 16 , wherein the middle layer is composed of FR4 grade material. 
     
     
       19. The keyboard of  claim 16 , wherein the middle layer comprises a circuit board. 
     
     
       20. The keyboard of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the top layer, the middle layer and the bottom layer each comprise respective first cutouts that accommodate the first integrated pivot component; and 
 the top layer, the middle layer and the bottom layer each comprise respective second cutouts that accommodate the second integrated pivot component. 
 
     
     
       21. The keyboard of  claim 12 , wherein the first and the second integrated pivot components each comprise at least one protruding upstop component operative to interface with a portion of the substrate to prevent the respective integrated pivot component from moving beyond a predefined position. 
     
     
       22. The keyboard of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a first switch positioned on the substrate beneath the first support structure of the first integrated pivot component; 
 a second switch positioned on the substrate beneath the second support structure of the integrated pivot component; 
 wherein the first switch and the second switch each comprise a dome, each dome being operative to bias the corresponding integrated pivot component in a predefined direction. 
 
     
     
       23. The keyboard of  claim 12 , wherein the second integrated pivot component is shifted by a predefined amount within the second row from the first integrated pivot component. 
     
     
       24. The keyboard of  claim 22 , wherein the first support structure is aligned with the first switch in a direction of a keystroke of the first key. 
     
     
       25. A low travel switch mechanism comprising:
 a keycap; 
 a substrate disposed beneath the keycap; 
 a dome residing in the substrate; and 
 a pivot component disposed between the keycap and the dome and comprising:
 a support portion attached to the keycap; 
 an arm coupled at a first end to the support portion and extending beyond an edge of the keycap; wherein: 
 the arm is coupled at a second end to the substrate at an interconnection point; and 
 the pivot component is operative to rotate about the interconnection point when the keycap receives a keystroke. 
 
 
     
     
       26. The low travel switch mechanism of  claim 25 , wherein the support portion is operative apply a force to the dome to cause a switch event when the keycap receives the keystroke. 
     
     
       27. The low travel switch mechanism of  claim 25 , wherein the dome is operative to bias the pivot component in a predefined position when the keycap is not receiving the keystroke. 
     
     
       28. The low travel switch mechanism of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the substrate comprises a middle layer sandwiched between a top layer and a bottom layer; and 
 the interconnection point is positioned in the middle layer. 
 
     
     
       29. The low travel switch mechanism of  claim 28 , wherein the dome is attached to the middle layer. 
     
     
       30. The low travel switch mechanism of  claim 28 , wherein the top layer, the middle layer and the bottom layer each comprise respective cutouts that accommodate the pivot component. 
     
     
       31. The low travel switch mechanism of  claim 25 , wherein the pivot component comprises a light guide, the light guide comprising at least one side-firing light emitting diode.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/934,285, filed Jan. 31, 2014 and titled “Keyboard Hinge Mechanism,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to a keyboard hinge mechanism. Specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a keyboard hinge mechanism that provides both mechanical support and electrical connections or circuitry to a keyboard thereby reducing the overall thickness of the keyboard. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many electronic devices (e.g., desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile phones, and the like) include a keyboard as one of its input devices. Each electronic device may have a different type of keyboard. Typically, keyboards are differentiated by the switch technology they employ. One of the most common keyboard types is a dome-switch keyboard. A dome-switch keyboard may include a keycap, an electrical membrane or other type of electrical contact mechanism, and an elastic dome disposed between the keycap and the electrical membrane. In order to provide support for the keycap, a dome-switch assembly may include a support structure such as a scissor mechanism or a butterfly mechanism that contract and expand during depression and release of the keycap. When the keycap is depressed from its original position, the support structure contracts and an uppermost portion of the elastic dome moves downward from its original position and contacts the electrical membrane to cause a switching operation or event. When the keycap is released, the support structure expands and the uppermost portion of the elastic dome returns to its original position. As a result, the keycap moves back to its original position. 
     It is often desirable to make electronic devices and their associated input mechanisms (e.g., a keyboard) smaller. To accomplish this, some components of the electronic device or the input mechanism may need to be smaller. Additionally, certain movable components of the device may have less space to move. However, the reduced space may make it difficult for the components to perform their intended function. 
     For example, a typical keycap is designed to move a certain maximum distance when it is depressed. The total distance from the natural (undepressed) position of the keycap to its farthest (depressed) position is often referred to as the “travel” or “travel amount.” When an electronic device is smaller, the available travel may be smaller. However, smaller travel may require smaller or a restricted range of movement of a corresponding support structure and elastic dome which may interfere with the components operating according to their intended specifications. That is, conventional components may or may not be suitable to provide a low travel switch mechanism under stringent design and spacing requirements. 
     It is with respect to these and other general considerations that embodiments have been made. Also, although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description section. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide an integrated pivot component for use with a key. In certain embodiments, the integrated pivot component includes a hinge assembly having at least one arm extending from a support portion. The at least one arm is operative to interface with a portion of a substrate to form a hinge point. The integrated pivot component may also include a light guide structure coupled to the support portion. The integrated pivot component is operative to rotate about the hinge point during a keystroke of the key. 
     In other embodiments, a keyboard may include a substrate having an array of switches arranged in a plurality of rows. The substrate may also include a first plurality of pivot components with each of the first plurality of pivot components having a first configuration. Further, each of the first plurality of pivot components is operative to interact with a corresponding switch in a first row of the plurality of rows of switches. The keyboard may also include a second plurality of pivot components each having a second configuration. Each of the second plurality of pivot components may also be coupled to the substrate and operative to interact with a corresponding switch in a second row of the plurality of rows of switches. 
     In yet another embodiment, a low travel switch mechanism is disclosed. The low travel switch mechanism may include a keycap, a substrate disposed beneath the keycap, and a dome residing in the substrate. The low travel switch mechanism may also include a pivot component disposed between the keycap and the dome. The pivot component may be coupled to the substrate at an interconnection point and is operative to pivot about the interconnection point when the keycap receives a keystroke. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a low travel switch mechanism according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the low travel switch mechanism of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the low travel switch mechanism of  FIG. 1  taken from a line I 3 -I 3  between a line I 1  and a line I 2  of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the low travel switch mechanism of  FIG. 1  taken from a line I 4 -I 4  between line I 1  and line I 2  of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the low travel switch mechanism of  FIG. 1  taken from a line I 5 -I 5  between line I 1  and line I 2  of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of a low travel switch mechanism according to one or more alternative embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a hinge assembly and a keycap according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly and the keycap of  FIG. 7 , including a substrate, taken from a line VII 5 -VII 5  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly and the keycap of  FIG. 7 , including a substrate and a dome, taken from a line VII 6 -VII 6  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show specific exemplary embodiments. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     As briefly described above, when an electronic device or a keyboard is made smaller, the travel of keys of the device or of the keyboard may also need to be smaller. However, smaller travel may require smaller or a restricted range of movement of certain moveable components of the keyboard. Such components may include a conventional support structure (e.g., scissor mechanism). However, the restricted range of movement may interfere with the ability of the component to operate according to its intended functionality. Thus, in order to provide a switch mechanism that may provide low travel under stringent design and spacing requirements, a different type of support structure may be employed. 
     In some embodiments, a low travel switch mechanism may include a substrate, a dome coupled to the substrate, a keycap, and a pivot component disposed between the keycap and the dome. The pivot component may include a hinge assembly that may function similarly to a cantilevered hinge, and may be composed of any suitable type of material (e.g., metal, plastic, a combination of metal with insert molded plastic, etc.). The hinge assembly may secure to and pivot with respect to the substrate via one or more hinges or joints that may be secured to corresponding portions of the substrate. 
     The hinge assembly may include a support portion for supporting the keycap. When the keycap is subjected to a keystroke in a downward direction, the support portion of the hinge assembly may be operative to pivot in the downward direction of the keystroke and displace at least a portion of the dome to trigger a switch operation or event. In certain embodiments, this pivot motion may not be exactly parallel to the downward movement of the keycap since the support portion of the hinge assembly may only rotate about the pivot point. However, because the travel of the keycap is relatively small (e.g., 0.5 millimeters to 0.75 millimeters), the support portion may appear to move substantially in the direction of the keystroke. In other embodiments, the pivot mechanism may be constructed in such a way as to enable the pivot motion to be parallel to the downward movement of the keycap. 
     In some embodiments, the dome may be an elastomeric dome (e.g., a metal dome, a rubber dome, etc.) and may be operative to bias the hinge assembly in an upward direction when the overlying keycap is not being depressed. That is, the support portion of the hinge assembly may contact and rest on the dome. In another embodiment, the support portion may contact the dome but may not apply an amount of pressure that deforms the shape of the dome when the key is not pressed. However, when the keycap is subjected to a keystroke in a downward direction, the support portion may deform or displace at least a portion of the dome in the downward direction. When the keycap is subsequently released, the elasticity of the dome may cause the dome to return to its natural state which may move the support portion back to its original biased state. 
     In embodiments, the pivot point of the hinge assembly may be in the same plane as the support portion such that no additional space may be needed in the Z-direction. In some embodiments, by employing the hinge assembly, the low travel switch mechanism may occupy only about 2 millimeters in the Z-direction. 
     One or more embodiments further provide an assembly to prevent the support portion from moving or traveling too far in the upward (or +Z-direction). Movement in the upward or +Z-direction may cause the corresponding keycap to move away from its intended position. As such, the hinge assembly may include one or more upstops that may latch onto or otherwise interface with a portion of the substrate. 
     In some embodiments, the substrate may include multiple layers made from various types of material. For example, the substrate may include three layers (e.g., a circuit board layer sandwiched between two metal layers). In such configurations, the top layer may provide a planar surface that may interact with the upstops of the hinge assembly. The substrate may also include one or more modified portions (e.g., cutouts) that may be operative to receive and secure the hinge interconnects or joints of the hinge assembly. In some embodiments, the top and bottom layers of the substrate may sandwich the joints of the hinge assembly to secure the hinge assembly thereto. Each of the layers of the substrate may also include additional cutouts that may enable the support portion of the hinge assembly to travel in the downward or −(minus) Z-direction. Moreover, the substrate may also be configured to house the dome, such as, for example, using one or more of the layers, in a predefined position so as to bias the support portion as described above. In yet other embodiments, the substrate may be configured to receive or to be coupled to multiple hinge assemblies. In this manner, adjacent keys may share the same substrate and operate along with its corresponding hinge assembly. 
     The interconnects or joints of the hinge assembly may extend from one or more structural arms of the hinge assembly. In particular, the arms may be coupled to the support portion on one end and to the joints on another end. In some embodiments, the hinge assembly may include only a single arm. In these embodiments, the single arm may include two joints or interlock features that may each extend away from the single arm and be secured to respective portions of the substrate. 
     In other embodiments, the hinge assembly may include two arms. In these embodiments, each arm may include or be coupled to a single joint or interlock feature that may each extend away from an arm and be secured to respective portions of the substrate. 
     In yet other embodiments, the one or more structural arms may be shaped to circumvent any features that may be included in the various layers of the substrate. For example, in embodiments where the substrate may support multiple hinge assemblies, one or more arms of a first hinge assembly may be shaped to circumvent the dome corresponding to a second hinge assembly positioned adjacent to the first hinge assembly. 
     In addition to providing structural support for the low travel switch mechanism, the hinge assembly may also provide optical features. For example, the hinge assembly may be integrated (e.g., via an adhesive, insert molding, or any other suitable method of integration) with a light guide structure, such as a light guide panel, or other such light source. 
     In these embodiments, the low travel switch mechanism may include a substrate, a dome coupled to the substrate, a keycap, and an integrated pivot component. The integrated pivot component may include a hinge assembly integrated with a light guide structure, and may be disposed between the keycap and the dome. The light guide structure may reside over the support portion of the hinge assembly. In some embodiments, the light guide structure may be translucent such that a light emitting diode (“LED”) may be disposed therein to emit light. For example, the LED may be a side-firing LED. Moreover, the keycap may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., metal, plastic, glass, etc.), and may be secured to a top surface of the light guide structure. In this manner, when the keycap is subjected to a keystroke in the downward direction, the light guide structure (and thus the support portion of the hinge assembly) may pivot in the downward direction of the keystroke and displace at least a portion of the dome to trigger a switch operation or event. 
     In some embodiments, the hinge assembly may be composed of metal (or some other material), and may be integrated with a light guide structure that may be inserted molded to the hinge assembly. In such embodiments, the support portion of the hinge assembly may include one or more holes for aligning or securing the light guide structure in the insert molding. In other embodiments, the hinge assembly may be secured to the light guide structure via any suitable mechanism (e.g., one or more adhesives, screws, etc.). In yet other embodiments, the hinge assembly and the light guide structure may be a wholly integrated part (e.g., plastic part). 
     Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of two adjacent low travel switch mechanisms according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure and  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the two adjacent low travel switch mechanisms of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first one of the adjacent switch mechanisms may include an integrated pivot component  100 , a keycap  300 , and a dome  593  ( FIG. 2 ). Similarly, a second one of the adjacent switch mechanisms may include an integrated pivot component  200 , a keycap  400 , and a dome  595 . In some embodiments, keycap  300  and keycap  400  may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., glass, plastic, etc.) and may function as keys of a keyboard. Keycap  300  may include a top surface  302  and a bottom surface  304  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The top surface  302  may be operative to receive a force (e.g., from a user) and bottom surface  304  may reside over integrated pivot component  100 . Additionally, keycap  400  may include similar top and bottom surfaces  402  and  404  ( FIG. 2 ). As with top surface  302  and bottom surface  304 , top surface  402  may also be operative to receive a similar force (e.g., from a user), and bottom surface  404  may reside over integrated pivot component  200 . 
     In certain embodiments and as discussed above, domes  593  and  595  may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., metal, rubber, etc.), and may reside beneath keycaps  300  and  400 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 2 , domes  593  and  595  may include nubs  594  and  596  respectively that may directly or indirectly interface (e.g., via integrated pivot components  100  and  200 , respectively) with the corresponding keycaps when the keycaps are displaced in the −Z-direction. 
     In some instances domes  593  and  595  may be elastic. As such, domes  593  and  595  may deform or otherwise change shape. In this manner, when a force is applied to keycap  300  in the −Z-direction, keycap  300  may press onto and displace nub  595  in the −Z-direction (thereby buckling dome  593 ) to cause or trigger a switch event or operation. Subsequently, when the force is removed from keycap  300 , dome  593  may unbuckle and nub  595  may displace back to its original position in the +Z-direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the two adjacent switch mechanisms may share a common substrate  500 . Substrate  500  may be composed of multiple layers of material. As shown in  FIG. 2 , substrate  500  may include a middle layer  540  that may be sandwiched by top layer  570  and bottom layer  510 . Each layer may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., middle layer  540  may be a circuit board composed of FR4 grade material, and the top layer  510  and the bottom layer  570  may be composed of metal, such as, for example, steel). 
     Each layer of substrate  500  may include a set of cutouts for accommodating various components of the two adjacent switch mechanisms. In particular, layers  510 ,  540 , and  570  may include cutouts  520 ,  550 , and  580 , respectively, for accommodating integrated pivot component  100 . In addition, layers  510 ,  540 , and  570  may also include cutouts  522 ,  552 , and  582 , respectively, for accommodating integrated pivot component  200 . In addition to accommodating integrated pivot components  100  and  200 , cutouts  520 ,  522 ,  550 ,  552 ,  580 , and  582  may also allow portions of integrated pivot components  100  and  200  to travel in the −Z-direction to effect switching events or operations. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , top layer  570  may also include a cutout  590  for accommodating dome  593 , and a cutout  592  for accommodating dome  595 . Moreover, middle layer  540  may include a recess  546  upon which dome  593  may reside, and a recess  547  upon which dome  595  may reside. While residing in these recesses, domes  593  and  595  may, in their natural and undepressed states, bias portions of integrated pivot components  100  and  200  in the +Z-direction (described in more detail below). 
     Cutouts  520 ,  550 , and  580  may also include one or more notches or receiving features for coupling to or otherwise interfacing with corresponding interlock features (described in more detail below) of the integrated pivot component  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, cutout  580  may include a receiving feature  585  and an opposite facing receiving feature  586 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, cutout  550  may also include a receiving feature  560 . Although not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , cutout  550  may also include a receiving feature opposite receiving feature  560  in the −X-direction. 
     Similarly, cutouts,  522 ,  552 , and  582  may also include one or more receiving features for interfacing with corresponding interlock features of integrated pivot component  200 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, cutout  582  may include a receiving feature  578 . Although not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , cutout  582  may also include a receiving feature opposite receiving feature  578  in the −X-direction. Further,  FIG. 2  also shows that cutout  552  may also include a receiving feature  562 . Although not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , cutout  552  may additionally include a receiving feature opposite receiving feature  562  in the −X-direction. 
     It should be appreciated that any one of cutouts  520 ,  522 ,  550 ,  552 ,  580 , and  582  may include any suitable number of receiving features for interfacing with corresponding interlock features of integrated pivot components  100  and  200 . In some embodiments, only middle layer  540  may include receiving features for interfacing with the corresponding interlock features of integrated pivot components  100  and  200 . In these embodiments, top and bottom layers  510  and  570  may sandwich these interlock features to form respective pivot points for integrated pivot components  100  and  200 . As discussed above, the integrated pivot component  100  may include a hinge assembly  110  and a light guide structure  150 . 
     In embodiments, hinge assembly  110  may have functionality that is similar to a cantilevered hinge. In such embodiments, the hinge assembly  110  may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., metal, plastic, a combination of metal with insert molded plastic, etc.). As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, hinge assembly  110  may be shaped like a frame although other shapes are contemplated. 
     Hinge assembly  110  may also include a support portion  130  and two structural arms  120  and  140  that may extend from support portion  130 . In some embodiments, arms  120  and  140  and support portion  130  may form a contiguous component. In other embodiments, arms  120  and  140  and support portion  130  may be separate components that may be coupled (e.g., via adhesive elements or any other suitable coupling elements) to form hinge assembly  110 . In certain embodiments, arm  120  may include an interconnect, joint, or interlock feature  122  at one end, and arm  140  may include a similar interlock feature  142  at one end. Each one of interlock features  122  and  142 , and corresponding securement features  124  and  144  may be configured to couple, secure, or otherwise interact with a corresponding portion of substrate  500 . 
     As previously discussed, the hinge assembly  110  may include a light guide structure  150 . The light guide structure  150  may be composed of any suitable material (e.g., glass, plastic, etc.). In some embodiments, light guide structure  150  may be wholly translucent. In other embodiments, light guide structure  150  may only be partially translucent. Although not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in some embodiments, light guide structure  150  may include one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) residing therein and configured to emit light therefrom. For example, light guide structure  150  may include one or more side-firing LEDs that may illuminate keycap  300 . 
     As shown in the figures, the light guide structure  150  may include a base portion  152 , a tail portion  154 , and an extender  156 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , extender  156  may span from a line A 1  to an end of light guide structure  150  in the −Y-direction at line A 2 . Base portion  152  may span from line A 1  to a line A 3  in the +Y-direction, and tail portion  154  may span from line A 3  to a line A 4  in the +Y-direction. Various portions of light guide structure  150  may vary in thickness (e.g., Z-direction thickness). For example, a Z-direction thickness of tail portion  154  may vary from line A 4  to line A 3 . As another example, a Z-direction thickness of base portion  152  may vary from line A 3  to line A 1 . In some embodiments, a Z-direction thickness of extender  156  may vary from line A 1  to line A 2 . In other embodiments, the Z-direction thickness of extender  156  may be substantially constant from line A 1  to line A 2 . 
     The hinge assembly  110  may be integrated with light guide structure  150  in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, hinge assembly  110  may be coupled or otherwise secured to light guide structure  150  via one or more adhesive elements or securing members (e.g., glue, screws, etc.). In other embodiments, light guide structure  150  may be inserted molded to hinge assembly  110 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, hinge assembly  110  may include a plurality of holes  132  that may secure light guide structure  150  to hinge assembly  110  when light guide structure  150  is insert molded to hinge assembly  110 . In yet other embodiments, hinge assembly  110  and light guide structure  150  may not be separate components, but may be formed as a single component (e.g., a single metal or plastic component). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , substrate  500  may accommodate integrated pivot component  100  and dome  593 . In addition, keycap  300  may reside over integrated pivot component  100  and dome  593 . Hinge assembly  110  of integrated pivot component  100  may couple or otherwise secure to substrate  500  via interlock features  122  and  142 . In particular, interlock features  122  and  142  may interface with corresponding receiving features of cutouts  510 ,  540 , and  570  (e.g., receiving features  585 ,  586 ,  560 , etc.). When hinge assembly  110  is coupled to substrate  500  in this manner, hinge assembly  110  may be able to pivot, from the coupled position, with respect to substrate  500 . 
     The pivot point or the coupled position of hinge assembly  110  to substrate  500  may be in the same plane as support portion  130  of hinge assembly  110 . In this manner, no additional space may be required in the Z-direction to accommodate hinge assembly  110 . In some embodiments, the entirety of each of the first and second ones of the adjacent low travel switch mechanisms (e.g., including substrate  500 ) may occupy about 2 millimeters in the Z-direction. 
     Although  FIGS. 1 and 2  show hinge assembly  110  including two arms  120  and  140 , in some embodiments, hinge assembly  110  may only include only a single arm or may include more than two arms. In the single arm embodiment the single arm may include two interlock features that may each extend away from the single arm from a respective side of the single arm. Further, the interlock features may be operative to interface with corresponding receiving features of the substrate. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , light guide structure  150  may include upstops  160  and  162  that may be configured to latch onto or otherwise interface with corresponding portions of substrate  500 . For example, top layer  570  may provide a planar surface such that bottom surface  574  of top layer  570  may interact with upstops  160  and  162 . In this manner, support portion  130  and light guide structure  150  may be prevented from moving or traveling too far in the +Z-direction (and thus, moving keycap  300  away from its intended natural position). Although  FIG. 2  shows light guide structure  150  including upstops  160  and  162 , in some embodiments, hinge assembly  110  may instead include the upstops  160  and  162 . In these embodiments, for example, hinge assembly  110  may include the upstops  160  and  162  at certain edges of support portion  130 . 
     To conserve space in laying out the keys of a keyboard, the two adjacent switch mechanisms may be positioned as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In particular, the second one of the adjacent switch mechanisms may be shifted from the first one of the adjacent switch mechanism in the +X-direction. Moreover, a portion of integrated pivot component  200  (e.g., via arm  220  of hinge assembly  210 ) may be configured to circumvent any features that may be included in the various layers of substrate  500 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , arm  210  of hinge assembly  210  may have a curved shaped, and may traverse the periphery of dome  593 , but not through dome  593 . It should be appreciated that, although  FIG. 2  shows arm  210  having a particular curved shape, arm  210  may be curved in any suitable manner as long as it circumvents or otherwise traverses away from dome  593 . 
     It should also be appreciated that, other than the circumventing feature of integrated pivot component  200 , integrated pivot component  200  may be similar in all other respects to integrated pivot component  100 . Integrated pivot component  200  may include a hinge assembly  210  and a light guide structure  250 . Similar to hinge assembly  110 , hinge assembly  210  may be shaped like a frame or other such shape. Hinge assembly  210  may include a support portion  230  and two structural arms  220  and  240  that may extend from support portion  230 . Arm  220  may include an interconnect, joint, or interlock feature  222  at one end, and arm  240  may include a similar interlock feature  242  at one end. Similar to interlock features  122  and  142 , each one of interlock features  222  and  242  may be configured to couple, secure, or otherwise interact with a corresponding portion of substrate  500 . Light guide structure  250  may also be similar to light guide structure  150 , and may include a base portion  252 , a tail portion  254 , an extender  256  and upstops  260  and  262 . Further, hinge assembly  210  may include a plurality of holes  232  that may secure light guide structure  250  to the hinge assembly  210 . 
     Although  FIGS. 1 and 2  show two adjacent low travel switch mechanisms sharing a common substrate  500  the two switch mechanisms may be separate from one another and may each employ a separate substrate. Moreover, in some embodiments, more than two adjacent low travel switch mechanisms may share common substrate  500 . For example, multiple arrays (e.g., rows and columns) of switch mechanisms may share common substrate  500  to form a complete keyboard switch mechanism for a device. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the low travel switch mechanism of  FIG. 1  taken from a line I 3 -I 3  between a line I 1  and a line I 2  of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the low travel switch mechanism of  FIG. 1  taken from a line I 4 -I 4  between line I 1  and line I 2  of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the low travel switch mechanism of  FIG. 1  taken from a line I 5 -I 5  between line I 1  and line I 2  of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As will be discussed in more detail below, each one of  FIGS. 3-5  may show one of the switch mechanisms (e.g., a first switch mechanism of the adjacent switch mechanisms shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) in an initial, undepressed, state (e.g., prior to any force being applied). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a light guide structure  150  may be disposed between keycap  300  and top layer  570  of substrate  500 . In particular, bottom surface  304  of keycap  300  may reside on top surface  157  of extender  156 , and a bottom surface of base portion  152  may reside on top layer  570 . As also shown in  FIG. 3 , upstop  160  of light guide structure  150  may interface with bottom surface  574  of top layer  570 , and may be operative to prevent light guide structure  150  (and thus hinge assembly  110  and keycap  300 ) from moving farther in the +Z-direction than the position shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , interlock feature  122  may be coupled to receiving feature  586  to form at least a portion of a pivot point for hinge assembly  110 . As described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in some embodiments, interlock feature  122  may be sandwiched by portions of top layer  570  and bottom layer  510  to secure the pivot point. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , light guide structure  150  may also be disposed between keycap  300  and dome  593 . As described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , substrate  500  may include cutout  590  and recess  546  for accommodating dome  593 . Dome  593  may be positioned so as to bias hinge assembly  110  in the +Z-direction when keycap  300  is not being depressed (e.g., by a user). More particularly, dome  593  and integrated pivot component  100  may be positioned such that dome  593  may bias light guide structure  150  in the +Z-direction, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In some embodiments, when keycap  300  is not being depressed, bottom surface  158  of light guide structure  150  may contact a nub  594  but may not necessarily apply sufficient pressure in the −Z-direction to deform the shape of dome  593 . When keycap  300  is subjected to a keystroke in the −Z-direction, the light guide structure  150  may also move in the −Z-direction and deform or displace at least a portion of dome  593  in the −Z-direction. That is, when keycap  300  is subjected to a keystroke, light guide structure  150  (and thus support portion  130  of hinge assembly  110 ) may pivot in substantially the −Z-direction and displace at least a portion of dome  593  to trigger a switch operation or event. It should be appreciated that this pivot motion may not be exactly parallel to the downward movement of keycap  300 , since support portion  130  of hinge assembly  110  may only rotate about the pivot point. However, because the travel of keycap  300  may be small (e.g., 0.5 millimeters to 0.75 millimeters), light guide structure  150  and support portion  130  may appear to move substantially in the direction of the keystroke. When keycap  300  is subsequently released, the elasticity of dome  593  may cause it to return to its original state, and may cause light guide structure  150  to also return move to its original biased state. It is also contemplated that the pivot motion may also be made in parallel to the downward movement of the keycap  300 . 
     Although the first one of the adjacent switch mechanisms of  FIGS. 1 and 2  has been described with respect to  FIGS. 3-5 , it should be appreciated that a similar description may also be made for the second one of the adjacent switch mechanisms shown and described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of a low travel switch mechanism according to one or more alternative embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the alternative switch mechanism may share a common substrate  650 . In embodiments, a first switch mechanism may include an integrated pivot component  610 , a keycap  630 , and a dome  652 . Similarly, a second switch mechanism may include an integrated pivot component  620 , a keycap  640 , and a dome  654 . In some embodiments, the travel switch mechanism shown and described with respect to  FIG. 6  may be similar to the low travel switch mechanism shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, the length of the various arms of integrated pivot components  610  and  620  may be different from those of the arms of integrated pivot components described above with respect to pivot components  100  and  200 . As a result, the distance of the arms of integrated pivot components  610  and  620  from corresponding adjacent edges of substrate  650  may be different from those of the arms of integrated pivot components  100  and  200  from corresponding adjacent edges of substrate  500 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , arms  120  and  140  of integrated pivot component  100  may each have a length L 1 , and arms  220  and  240  of integrated pivot component  200  may each have a length L 2 . Moreover, arms  120  and  140  may be offset from an adjacent edge (e.g., at line I 1 ) in the −Y-direction by a distance P 1 , and arms  220  and  240  may be offset from an adjacent edge (e.g., at line I 6 ) in the −Y-direction by a distance P 2 . In some embodiments, length L 1  may be about equal to length L 2 , and distance P 1  may be about equal to distance P 2 . In contrast, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the arms of integrated pivot component  610  may be smaller in length than those of integrated pivot component  100 , and the arms of integrated pivot component  620  may be smaller in length than those of integrated pivot component  200 . In particular, the arms of integrated pivot component  610  may each have a length L 3  that may be smaller than length L 1 , and the arms of integrated pivot component  620  may each have a length L 4  that may be smaller than length L 2 . As a result, the arms of integrated pivot component  610  may be offset from an adjacent edge in the −Y-direction by a distance P 3  that may be greater than distance P 1 , and the arms of integrated pivot component  620  may be offset from an adjacent edge in the −Y-direction by a distance P 4  that may be greater than distance P 2 . 
     As can be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 6 , certain physical dimensions of the low travel switch mechanism may be made smaller or larger depending on a desired layout of the switch mechanism in the X-Y plane. Moreover, the low travel switch mechanisms may be accommodated in a common Z-plane (e.g., the same Z-stack), without the need to increase required spacing in the Z-direction. 
     In other embodiments, a pivot component may not be integrated with a light guide structure. For example, a standalone pivot component may only include a hinge assembly.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a hinge assembly  700  and a keycap  750 , in accordance with at least one embodiment. Hinge assembly  700  may be similar to hinge assembly  110 , and may include a body  730 , an extender  710 , and an arm portion that may include arms  720  and  740 . The arm portion may span from a line VII 1  to a line VII 2 , body  730  may span from line VII 2  to a line VII 3 , and extender  710  may span from a line VII 3  to a line VII 4 . 
     Arm  720  may include an interlock feature  722  that may be similar to interlock feature  122  of hinge assembly  110 , and arm  724  may include an interlock feature  742  that may be similar to interlock feature  142  of hinge assembly  110 . For example, interlock features  722  and  724  may be operative to interface with corresponding receiving features (e.g., holes or notches) of a substrate (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) to form a pivot point. 
     In certain embodiments, body  730  may include upstops  732  and  734  that may be similar to upstops  160  and  162  of hinge assembly  110 . For example, upstops  732  and  734  may be operative to interface with a portion of a substrate (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) so as to prevent body  730  and extender  710  (and thus keycap  750 ) from moving beyond a predefined position in the +Z-direction. Keycap  750  may be similar to keycap  300  and may reside above a portion of hinge assembly  700 . Additionally, keycap  750  may be operative to move body  730  and extender  710  in the −Z-direction when a force is applied to top surface  752  of keycap  750 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of hinge assembly  700  and keycap  750 , taken from a line VII 5 -VII 5 , including a substrate  770 .  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of hinge assembly  700  and keycap  750 , taken from a line VII 6 -VII 6 , including substrate  770  and a dome  790 . Each one of  FIGS. 8 and 9  may show hinge assembly  700 , and keycap  750  in an initial, undepressed, state (e.g., prior to any force being applied). As shown in  FIG. 8 , hinge assembly  700  may be disposed beneath keycap  750  and may be hinged via interlock feature  722  to a receiving feature  772  of substrate  770 . Receiving feature  772  may, for example, be similar to receiving feature  586  of substrate  500 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , extender  710  may be coupled to a bottom surface  754  of the keycap  750  and dome  790 . Similar to substrate  500 , substrate  770  may also include one or more cutouts and recesses for accommodating dome  790 . Dome  790  may be positioned so as to bias hinge assembly  700  in the +Z-direction when keycap  750  is not being depressed. More particularly, dome  790  and hinge assembly  700  may be positioned such that dome  790  may bias extender  710  in the +Z-direction as shown in  FIG. 8 . Although  FIG. 9  may not show a nub feature between dome  790  and bottom surface  714  of extender  710 , it should be appreciated that dome  790  may include such a nub feature. Moreover, in some embodiments, dome  790  may not include a nub feature. In these embodiments, extender  710  may include a protruding portion (not shown) that may protrude from bottom surface  714  in the −Z-direction, and that may be operative to contact and press onto dome  790  during a keystroke. 
     In the embodiments where dome  790  includes a nub feature and when keycap  750  is not being depressed, the bottom surface  714  of extender  710  may contact this nub feature. However, the bottom surface  714  may not apply sufficient pressure in the −Z-direction to deform the shape of dome  790  when keycap  750  is not undergoing a keystroke. When keycap  750  is subjected to a keystroke in the −Z-direction, body  730  and extender  710  may also move in the −Z-direction and deform or displace at least a portion of dome  790  in the −Z-direction. That is, when keycap  750  is subjected to a keystroke, hinge assembly  700  may pivot in substantially the −Z-direction and displace at least a portion of dome  790  to trigger a switch operation or event. 
     It should be appreciated that this pivot motion, similar to that of hinge assembly  110 , may not be exactly parallel to the downward movement of keycap  750 , since extender  710  of hinge assembly  700  may only rotate about the pivot point. However, because the travel of keycap  750  may be small (e.g., 0.5 millimeters to 0.75 millimeters), body  730  and extender  710  may appear to move substantially in the direction of the keystroke. When keycap  750  is subsequently released, the elasticity of dome  790  may cause it to return to its original state, and may cause body  730  and extender  710  to also return move to its original biased state. 
     It is to be understood that many changes may be made to the above disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “up and “down,” “front” and “back,” “top” and “bottom,” “left” and “right,” “length” and “width,” and the like are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. 
     For example, the devices of this invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of this invention. Moreover, an electronic device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention may be of any suitable three-dimensional shape, including, but not limited to, a sphere, cone, octahedron, or combination thereof. 
     Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation. 
     The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this disclosure are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the present disclosure as claimed. The embodiments, examples, and details provided in this disclosure are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of the claimed embodiments. Additionally, the claimed embodiments should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided above. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features, including structural features and methodological features, are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the embodiments described herein that do not depart from the broader scope of the claimed embodiments.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20140930
Publication Date: 20171017
Grant Date: 20171017
Priority Date: 20140131
Inventors: BROCK JOHN M.
KESSLER PATRICK
LEONG CRAIG C.
HENDREN KEITH J.
NIU JAMES J.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H13/52", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H3/125", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2201/022", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2227/022", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/83", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2219/036", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/83", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2227/036", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H3/122", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2219/062", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H3/125", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H3/125", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/83", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2227/022", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/52", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2201/022", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 60021645