PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10784062-B2
Application Number: US-201615259075-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Ingress prevention for keyboards

Abstract:
Keyboards include mechanisms that prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress. In some embodiments, a keyboard assembly includes a substrate, a key cap, a movement mechanism moveably coupling the key cap to the substrate, and a guard structure coupled to the key cap operable to direct contaminants away from the movement mechanism. In other embodiments, a keyboard includes a base; a web that defines apertures; keys moveably coupled to the base within the apertures; and a gasket coupled to the keys, the gasket fixed between the web and the base, operable to block passage of contaminants into the apertures.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A keyboard assembly, comprising:
 a base; 
 a key cap; 
 a movement mechanism having a first portion coupled to the base and a second portion coupled with the key cap, the movement mechanism facilitating movement of the key cap relative to the base; and 
 a guard structure configured to deform in response to movement of the key cap, the guard structure having a portion positioned between the key cap and the movement mechanism, the portion of the guard structure being in direct contact with a portion of the movement mechanism, the guard structure extending beyond a perimeter of the key cap, the guard structure having an aperture through which a portion of the keycap extends to couple the keycap to the second portion of the movement mechanism. 
 
     
     
       2. The keyboard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base defines a cavity and the guard structure funnels the contaminants into the cavity. 
     
     
       3. The keyboard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the guard structure surrounds the key cap. 
     
     
       4. The keyboard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the movement mechanism includes a butterfly mechanism. 
     
     
       5. The keyboard assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the guard structure does not contact the base when the key cap is in a depressed position. 
     
     
       6. A keyboard, comprising:
 a base; 
 a web that defines a set of apertures; 
 a butterfly mechanism coupled with the base; 
 a key of a set of keys coupled to the butterfly mechanism and positioned within a respective aperture of the set of apertures; and 
 a gasket comprising:
 a raised portion positioned between a key cap of the key and the butterfly mechanism, the raised portion being in direct contact with a portion of the butterfly mechanism, a gasket aperture being formed in the raised portion, wherein a portion of the key cap extends through the gasket aperture; and 
 an unraised portion fixed between the web and the base. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The keyboard of  claim 6 , wherein the gasket comprises a layer of fabric and a layer of silicone. 
     
     
       8. The keyboard of  claim 6 , wherein the gasket comprises a membrane. 
     
     
       9. The keyboard of  claim 6 , wherein the gasket resists depression of the key. 
     
     
       10. The keyboard of  claim 6 , wherein the unraised portion includes:
 a first region fixed between the web and the base that is coupled to the web and the base; and 
 a second region fixed between the web and the base that is uncoupled from the web and the base. 
 
     
     
       11. A key, comprising:
 a base; 
 a key cap; 
 a movement mechanism having a first portion coupled with the base and a second portion coupled with the key cap, the movement mechanism facilitating movement of the key cap relative to the base; 
 a guard structure configured to deform in response to movement of the key cap, the guard structure having a portion positioned between the key cap and the movement mechanism, the portion of the guard structure being in direct contact with a portion of the movement mechanism and defining an aperture, wherein a portion of the key cap extends through the aperture to couple the key cap to the second portion of the movement mechanism. 
 
     
     
       12. The key of  claim 11 , wherein the guard structure includes a raised portion and an unraised portion, and wherein the aperture is formed in the raised portion. 
     
     
       13. The key of  claim 11 , wherein the guard structure forms a perimeter around the key cap. 
     
     
       14. The key of  claim 11 , wherein the guard structure is coupled to the movement mechanism. 
     
     
       15. The key of  claim 11 , wherein the guard structure is coupled to the key cap. 
     
     
       16. The key of  claim 11 , wherein the guard structure includes a sloped surface that slopes from an edge of the key cap toward the base. 
     
     
       17. The key of  claim 11 , wherein another portion of the guard structure is positioned between a web structure and the base. 
     
     
       18. The key of  claim 11 , wherein the guard structure includes an end that is unconnected to another structure.

Description:
FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to keyboards. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to structures that prevent ingress of contaminants such as dust or liquid into keyboards. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices use a variety of different input devices. Examples of such input devices include keyboards, computer mice, touch screens, buttons, trackpads, and so on. Some input devices may be incorporated into an electronic device. The electronic device may be vulnerable to contaminants, such as dust or liquid, entering though openings or connections in or around one or more incorporated input devices or external input devices. The external input devices may themselves be vulnerable to contaminants entering through various openings or connections. 
     For example, keyboards typically involve a number of moving keys. Liquid ingress around the keys into the keyboard can damage electronics. Residues from such liquids, such as sugar, may corrode or block electrical contacts, prevent key movement by bonding moving parts, and so on. Solid contaminants (such as dust, dirt, food crumbs, and the like) may lodge under keys, blocking electrical contacts, getting in the way of key movement, and so on. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to keyboards and/or other input devices that include mechanisms that prevent and/or alleviate contaminant (such as dust, liquid, and so on) ingress. These mechanisms may include membranes or gaskets that block contaminant ingress; structures such as brushes, wipers, or flaps that block gaps around key caps; funnels, skirts, bands, or other guard structures coupled to key caps that block contaminant ingress into and/or direct contaminants away from areas under the key caps; bellows that blast contaminants with forced gas out from around the key caps, into cavities in a substrate of the keyboard, and so on; and/or various active or passive mechanisms that drive contaminants away from the keyboard and/or prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress into and/or through the keyboard. 
     In various embodiments, a key includes a foundation, an actuator moveably coupled to the foundation between a depressed position and an undepressed position, and a skirt coupled to the actuator that is configured to form a perimeter around the actuator. The skirt is in contact with the foundation when the actuator is in the undepressed position and in compression between the actuator and the foundation when the actuator is in the undepressed position. 
     In some examples, the skirt is an elastomer. In some implementations, the skirt may be an elastomer band. The elastomer band may extend from the actuator at an angle between the actuator and the substrate, change the angle at which the elastomer band extends between the actuator and the foundation, extend from all sides of the actuator, define a vent, and be operable to force contaminants into a cavity defined in the foundation using gas forced from the vent. 
     In various examples, the skirt expands when the actuator moves toward the depressed position. In numerous examples, the skirt forms a seal between the actuator and the foundation. In some examples, the skirt defines a vent skirt defines a vent with dimensions that allow the passage of gas but restrict the passage of liquid. 
     In some examples, the skirt forces gas through an aperture when the actuator moves toward the depressed position. In various examples, the skirt biases the actuator toward the undepressed position. In some examples, the skirt extends from a side of the actuator at an angle and the angle at which the actuator extends changes when the actuator travels toward the depressed position 
     In numerous embodiments, a keyboard assembly includes a substrate, a key cap, a movement mechanism moveably coupling the key cap to the substrate, and a guard structure extending from the key cap that funnels contaminants away from the movement mechanism. In some implementations, the substrate defines a cavity and the guard structure funnels the contaminants into the cavity. 
     In various examples, the substrate defines a cavity and the guard structure funnels the contaminants into the cavity. In some examples, the guard structure surrounds the key cap. In numerous examples, the guard structure is rigid, is separated from the substrate when the key cap is in an undepressed position, includes a mouth positioned over a hole in the substrate, and moves with the key cap. In various implementations of such examples, the guard structure does not contact the substrate when the key cap is in a depressed position. 
     In some embodiments, a keyboard includes a base, a web that defines apertures, keys moveably coupled to the base within the apertures, and a gasket having raised portions coupled to the keys and unraised portions fixed between the web and the base. The gasket is operable to block passage of contaminants into the apertures. Compression of the gasket may force gas through a vent. 
     In some examples, the gasket is a layer of fabric and a layer of silicone. In various implementations, the unraised portions are coupled to one of the key caps of the keys, a region between outer and inner key caps of the keys, or a movement mechanism of the keys. In various examples, the gasket is a membrane. In numerous examples, the gasket resists depression of the keys. In some examples, the unraised portions include a first region fixed between the web and the base that is coupled to the web and the base and a second region fixed between the web and the base that is uncoupled from the web and the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements. 
         FIG. 1  depicts an electronic device including a keyboard. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an example exploded view of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a first example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a first alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  depicts a second alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3D  depicts a third alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3E  depicts a fourth alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  depicts a second example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  depicts an alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  depicts a third example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  depicts a fourth example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8A  depicts a fifth example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8B  depicts a first alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8C  depicts a second alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8D  depicts a third alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8E  depicts a fourth alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8F  depicts an isometric view of the key cap and guard structure of the key assembly of  FIG. 8A  with other components removed for clarity. 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a sixth example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9B  depicts an isometric view of the key cap and guard structure of the key assembly of  FIG. 9A  with other components removed for clarity. 
         FIG. 10A  depicts a seventh example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10B  depicts an alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 10A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The description that follows includes sample systems and apparatuses that embody various elements of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the described disclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms in addition to those described herein. 
     The following disclosure relates to keyboards and/or other input devices that include mechanisms that prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress. These mechanisms may include keyboard membranes or gaskets; structures such as brushes, wipers, or flaps in gaps between key caps of the keys; funnels, skirts, elastomer or other bands, or other guard structures coupled to key caps; bellows that blast contaminants with forced gas; and/or various active or passive mechanisms that drive contaminants away from the keyboard and/or prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress into and/or through the keyboard. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-10B . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an electronic device  100  including a keyboard  102 . The keyboard  102  includes keys or key assemblies with key caps  103  or actuators that move within apertures defined in a web  104 . The electronic device  100  includes one or more mechanisms that prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress into and/or through the keyboard  102 , such as between the key caps  103  and the web  104 . Contaminants may include liquids (e.g., water, soft drinks, sweat, and the like), solids (e.g., dust, dirt, food particles, and the like), and/or any foreign material that may ingress into and/or through the keyboard  102 . 
     As described in detail below, one or more various contaminant ingress prevention and/or alleviation mechanisms may be used in one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, the keyboard  102  may include a membrane, gasket, or similar component that blocks contaminant ingress. Structures such as brushes, wipers, or flaps may block gaps around key caps  103  or other actuators in various embodiments. In numerous embodiments, funnels, skirts, elastomer or other bands, or other guard structures coupled to each of the key caps  103  may block contaminant ingress into and/or direct contaminants away from areas under the key caps  103 . Bellows mechanisms may blast contaminants with forced gas in some embodiments, such as out from around key caps  103 , into cavities in a substrate of the keyboard  102 , and so on. In various embodiments, the key caps  103  may contact surrounding structures to block gaps around the key caps  103 . In still other embodiments, various active or passive mechanisms may drive contaminants away from the keyboard  102  and/or prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress into and/or through the keyboard  102 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts an example exploded view of the keyboard  102  or keyboard assembly of  FIG. 1 . In this example, the keyboard  102  includes a web  104  that fixes a membrane  213 , gasket, or the like to a substrate  216 , base, foundation, or the like (e.g., a printed circuit board). Keys or key assemblies include movement mechanisms  215  coupled to the substrate  216 , inner key caps  214  or actuators coupled to the movement mechanisms  215  on an internal side of the membrane  213 , and key caps  103  or actuators disposed in apertures  210  defined by the web  104  on an external side of the membrane  213 . The movement mechanisms  215  moveably couple the inner key caps  214  and the key caps  103  to the substrate  216 . Key assemblies may also include one or more activation mechanisms (such as one or more switches, capacitive sensors, optical sensors, and the like, which may be included with the movement mechanisms  215 ) that detect touch to and/or movement of the key caps  103 . 
     The web  104  may be coupled to the substrate  216  using attachment connectors  211  that engage attachment points  217  defined in the substrate  216 . For example, the attachment connectors  211  may be screws, bolts, or the like and the attachment points  217  may be threaded apertures and so on. The attachment connectors  211  pass through the membrane  213 , coupling the membrane  213  to the web  104  and the substrate  216 . Thus, the membrane  213  may not be coupled to the web  104  and/or the substrate  216  at every point where the membrane  213  is fixed to the substrate  216  by the web  104  (e.g., where the web  104  and/or the substrate  216  constrain the membrane  213 ). A first region of the membrane  213  fixed to the substrate  216  by the web  104  is coupled (the region through which the attachment connectors  211  pass through the membrane  213 ) whereas a second region of the membrane  213  fixed to the substrate  216  by the web  104  is uncoupled. 
     However, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, the membrane  213  may be coupled in a variety of manners (such as one or more adhesives and so on) to all or portions of the web  104 , the substrate  216  (or base, foundation, or the like), the key caps  103 , the inner key caps  214 , the movement mechanisms  215 , and so on. 
     The membrane  213  blocks and/or restricts contaminants passing into areas of the key assemblies under the membrane  213 . For example, the membrane  213  may block ingress of contaminants such as dust or liquid into areas occupied by the inner key caps  214  and/or movement mechanisms  215 . As such, the membrane  213  may function as a gasket, sealing internal areas of the keyboard  102  from an external environment. 
     The membrane  213  may be formed from a variety of different materials. Examples of such materials include fabrics such as nylon, polyester, polyurethane or other elastomers, plastic films, and so on. In various implementations, the membrane  213  may be waterproof and/or water resistant (e.g., resists and/or blocks the passage of water or other liquid). For example, a membrane  213  formed of elastomer may be waterproof. By way of another example, the membrane  213  may include a layer of nylon, polyester, or other fabric coupled to a layer of silicone or other elastomer. By way of still another example, the membrane  213  may be formed of a fabric coated or otherwise treated with a hydrophobic material. 
     The membrane  213  or gasket may include embossed or raised portions and unembossed or unraised portions in various implementations. Portions of the key assemblies such as the inner key caps  214  and the movement mechanisms  215  may be disposed within these embossed or raised portions rather than the unembossed or unraised portions. 
       FIG. 3A  depicts a first example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard  102  of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . The web  104  fixes the unraised portion of the membrane  213  to the substrate  216  (or base, foundation, or the like). An embossed area or raised portion of the membrane  213  forms an internal area  319  around the inner key cap  214  or other actuator and the movement mechanism  215 . The membrane  213  blocks contaminants that enter into a gap between the key cap  103  and the web  104  from ingress into the internal area  319 . The key cap  103  is coupled to an exterior surface of the embossed area of the membrane  213 . The inner key cap  214  is coupled to an interior surface of the embossed area of the membrane  213 . Thus, the embossed area of the membrane  213  is coupled to a region of the key assembly between the key cap  103  and the inner key cap  214 . 
     The movement mechanism  215  has a particular force curve response to force applied to the key cap  103  that moves the key cap  103  from an undepressed position or state towards a depressed position or state. The membrane  213  may affect this force curve response, in some implementations resisting depression of the key cap  103  and/or biasing the depression of the key cap  103  towards an undepressed position. Various characteristics of the membrane  213  may be configured to prevent the membrane  213  from undesirably affecting the force curve response. 
     For example, the material(s) from which the membrane  213  is formed may alter the force curve response of the key assemblies (such as forming the membrane  213  of elastomer having a greater effect on the force curve response than forming the membrane  213  of fabric). The configuration and/or shape of the embossed areas may also affect the force curve response, as well as any compression and/or tension the movement places the membrane  213  into. The coupling between the membrane  213  and the web  104  and/or the substrate  216  (including the amount of the coupled area, the location of the coupled area, and so on) may further affect the force curve response. One or more of these characteristics, and/or other membrane  213  characteristics, may be configured to prevent the membrane  213  from undesirably affecting the force curve response. 
     By way of example, the embossed area of the membrane  213  or gasket illustrated in  FIG. 3A  includes sides  318 A. In this example implementation, the sides  318 A of the raised portion are sloped between the key cap  103  and the substrate  216  (or base, foundation, or the like) and change direction to form an acute angle (such as an approximately 55 degree or other acute angle) between the key cap  103  and the substrate  216  when the key cap  103  is undepressed. This may form an “angled” edge. In a first alternative example implementation shown in  FIG. 3B , the sides  318 B of the raised portion of the membrane  213  are sloped between the key cap  103  and the substrate  216  without changing direction to form an angle when the key cap  103  is undepressed. This may form a “drafted edge.” In a second alternative example implementation shown in  FIG. 3C , the sides  318 C of the raised portion of the membrane  213  may be straight and not sloped between the key cap  103  and the substrate  216  when the key cap  103  is undepressed. This may form a “straight edge.” The sides  318 A may add to the force curve response less than the sides  318 B, which may add to the force curve response less than the sides  318 C. Thus, the configuration of the sides of the raised portion may be selected to obtain the desired effect on the force curve response. 
     Although particular example sides  318 A- 318 C are illustrated and described, it is understood that these are examples. In various implementations, variously configured sides of the raised portion of membrane  213  may be used. 
     Further, movement of the key cap  103  between undepressed and depressed positions or states may place the membrane  213  into compression and/or tension. For example, the embossed area or raised portion of the membrane  213  may not be in compression or tension when the key cap  103  is in the undepressed state. However, the key cap  103  moving towards the depressed position may then put the embossed area of the membrane  213  in compression. 
     By way of another example, the embossed area or raised area of the membrane  213  may be in tension when the key cap  103  is in an undepressed position, biased toward the undepressed position and kept in tension by the movement mechanism  215 . When force is exerted on the key cap  103  to move the key cap  103  towards the undepressed position, the tension causes the embossed area of the membrane  213  to aid in moving the key cap  103  towards the depressed position. Essentially, the embossed area of the membrane  213  aids by pulling the key cap  103  downward until the embossed area of the membrane  213  is no longer in tension. In such cases, movement of the key cap  103  towards the depressed position may not put the embossed area of the membrane  213  in compression, or may put the embossed area of the membrane  213  in less compression than the example discussed above where the embossed area of the membrane  213  is not in tension when the key assembly is undepressed. The embossed area of the membrane  213  may be put in less compression as the key cap  103  movement may start to put the embossed area of the membrane  213  in compression after the key cap  103  already moves to where the embossed area of the membrane  213  is no longer in tension. 
     Thus, the key cap&#39;s  103  movement placing the membrane  213  into compression and/or tension influences how the membrane  213  affects the force curve response. This relationship may be configured accordingly to achieve different force curve responses. 
     Moreover, as described above, the web  104  and/or the substrate  216  constrain the membrane  213  (e.g., the unraised portion) but the membrane  213  may not be coupled to the web  104  and/or the substrate  216  at every point where the unraised portion of the membrane  213  contacts the substrate  216  and the web  104 . Less coupling (such as shown in  FIG. 2 ) causes the membrane  213  to affect the force curve response less than more coupling (such as where the membrane  213  is adhesively or otherwise bonded to both the substrate  216  by the web  104  at all contacting points). Thus, different amounts of coupling can be used to cause the membrane  213  to affect the force curve response differently. 
     Additionally, the embossed area of the membrane  213  may expand when the key cap  103  is depressed if unvented. The different configurations of sides  318 A- 318 C result in the membrane  213  expanding in different configurations when the key cap  103  moves towards a depressed position or state. In some examples, expansion of the embossed area of the membrane  213  may direct contaminants in the aperture  210  away from the internal area  319 , out of the aperture  210 , and so on. Expansion may include putting the membrane  213  in compression, and thus affecting the force curve response. 
     Although the example key assemblies of  FIGS. 3A-3C  are illustrated and described as being unvented, it is understood that these are examples. In various implementations, one or more vents and/or venting mechanisms may be included. 
     For example,  FIG. 3D  depicts a third alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 3A . In this example, the membrane  213  or gasket defines a vent  320 , aperture, or other hole in one of the sides  318 A. When the key cap  103  is moved towards a depressed position, the membrane  213  compresses gas inside the internal area  319 , forcing the gas through the vent  320 . This allows the embossed area of the membrane  213  to act as a bellows mechanism, forcing gas in a direction  321 . This may force contaminants away from the internal area  319  and/or out of the aperture  210 . This may also reduce compression of the membrane  213 , reducing how much the membrane  213  affects the force curve response. In various implementations, the vent  320  may be configured with sufficiently small dimensions that gas can be forced through the vent  320  without easily allowing liquids, dust, and/or other particles to enter the internal area  319  from the aperture  210 . 
     Although this third alternative example illustrates and describes the key assembly externally venting through a vent  320  in the membrane  213 , it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, key assemblies may vent internally and/or may vent through holes, apertures, or other structures in components other than the membrane  213  and/or other portions of the membrane  213 , such as one or more unraised portions. 
     For example,  FIG. 3E  depicts a fourth alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 3A  that includes a hole  322  extending from the internal area  319  through the substrate  216 , base, foundation, or the like. When the key cap  103  or actuator is moved towards a depressed position, the membrane  213  or gasket compresses gas inside the internal area  319 , forcing the gas through the holes  322 . This forces gas in a direction  323 . This may force contaminants that have managed to enter the internal area  319  out into an internal volume of the electronic device. 
       FIGS. 2-3E  illustrate and describe the membrane  213  or gasket as a single, uninterrupted sheet or other structure with the inner key caps  214  of the keys and the key caps  103  (functioning as outer key caps, key pads, or the like) coupled on opposing sides thereof. However, it is understood that these are examples and that other configurations are possible and contemplated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example,  FIG. 4  depicts a second example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard  102  of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . The membrane  413  and the movement mechanism  415  couple directly to the key cap  403  or actuators rather than to any inner key cap. Further, the raised portion of the membrane  413  defines an aperture  424  between an interior surface of the key cap  403  and the internal area  419  of the key assembly. As the membrane  413  may be coupled to the key cap  403 , the membrane  413  may still function as a barrier sealing the internal area  419  above the substrate  416  within the web  404  from an external environment despite the aperture  424  in the membrane  413 . 
     However, it is understood that this is an example. The membrane  413  may be continuous in various implementations that do not use an inner key cap. In such implementations, the movement mechanism  415  and the key cap  403  may couple to opposing surfaces of the membrane  413 . 
     Further, in various implementations, the membrane  413  may not couple to the key cap  403 . For example,  FIG. 5  depicts an alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 4 . In this implementation, the raised portion of the membrane  513  couples to the movement mechanism  515  and the web  504  and substrate  516  rather than the key cap  503  or actuator. 
     By way of another example,  FIG. 6  depicts a third example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard  102  of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 , where the membrane  613  forms the external surface of the keyboard  102 . In this example, the membrane  613  contacts (and may be bonded to) the top of the web  604  rather than being constrained between the web  604  and the substrate  616 , base, foundation, or the like. 
     The membrane  613  includes a first layer  625  and a second layer  626 . In this example, the first layer  625  is a layer of fabric (such as nylon, polyester, or the like) and the second layer  626  is an elastomer layer (such as silicone or the like). In this way, the membrane  613  may be waterproof while balancing other considerations such as texture, appearance, effect on force curve response, and so on. However, it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, other membrane  613  configurations (and/or any of the other membranes  213 ,  413 ,  513  or associated structures discussed herein) are possible and contemplated. 
     For example, in some implementations, the membrane  613  may include more than two layers. In various implementations, the first layer  625  may be formed of elastomer and the second layer  626  may be formed of fabric. In still other implementations, the membrane  613  may include one or more layers of fabric coated or otherwise treated with one or more hydrophilic materials. 
     Further in this example, the key assembly includes the inner key cap  614  or actuator without the use of an external key cap. However, in various implementations, an external key cap, key pad, or the like may be coupled to the external surface of the membrane  613 . 
     In various implementations, the keyboard  102  may include components that illuminate one or more of the key assemblies. For example, light emitting diodes and/or other components that illuminate may be positioned in the internal areas of key assemblies. Light from these components may be visible through the key assemblies, having traveled through one or more key assembly components in between. 
     For example, the key caps  103 ,  403 ,  503 ,  703  of the keys and/or portions thereof (such as areas forming a key legend, an area around a key legend, and so on) may allow the light to pass. Similarly, the inner key caps  214 ,  614  and/or the movement mechanisms  215 ,  415 ,  515 ,  615  and/or portions thereof may allow light to pass. In embodiments where the membrane  213 ,  613  may be positioned over a light source (as opposed to embodiments such as  FIG. 4  where light may pass through the aperture  424  in the membrane  413 ), the membrane  213 ,  613  and/or portions thereof may allow light to pass. One or more of these components may include light guides and/or other elements that contribute to light evenly distributing as the light exits the key assemblies. 
     In various implementations where the membrane  213 ,  413 ,  513  forms side walls of an internal area of the key stack, inner portions of the membrane  213 ,  413 ,  513  may be reflective, treated with reflective material (such as a reflective coating), and/or may be otherwise configured to concentrate and/or direct the light out of the key assembly, prevent and/or reduce light leakage from the sides, and so on. The substrate  216 ,  416 ,  516 ,  616  (or base, foundation, or the like) and/or the web  204 ,  404 ,  504 ,  604  may be similarly configured in various embodiments. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a fourth example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard  102  of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . In this example, guard structures  727  block passage of contaminants into the keyboard  102  by occupying the gap between the key cap  703  or actuator and the web  704 . The guard structures  727  may be coupled to the key cap  703 , the web  704 , and/or other components. The guard structures  727  may be one or more brushes, wipers, flaps, or the like formed of various flexible and/or inflexible materials such as rubber, silicone, and so on. The guard structures  727  may deform, flex, and/or otherwise move to maintain contact with the web  704  to prevent passage of contaminants into the key assembly. 
     Although, the web  704  is illustrated as having a solid surface parallel to the key cap  703  travel, it is understood that this is an example. In some implementations, the web  704  may include a cavity in a lower portion of the surface parallel to key cap  703  travel. Contaminants resting on the guard structure  727  may empty into such a cavity when the guard structure  727  is aligned with the cavity. 
     Although the embodiments illustrated and described in  FIGS. 2-6  utilize a shared membrane  213 ,  413 ,  513 ,  613  in various implementations, one or more individual key assemblies (or groups of key assemblies) may include their own membranes for blocking contaminant ingress. For example,  FIG. 8A  depicts a fifth example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard  102  of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1  that includes a guard structure  828 A coupled to an underside of the key cap  803  or actuator. As shown in  FIG. 8F , the guard structure  828 A is configured as a skirt, elastomer band, or the like that forms a perimeter around the key cap  803 . 
     The guard structure  828 A forms and maintains a seal between the key cap  803  and the substrate  816 , base, foundation, or the like, blocking contaminant ingress. The guard structure  828 A may be placed in compression between the key cap  803  and the substrate  816  when the key cap  803  is in an undepressed state and may be flexible so as to deform and allow the key cap  803  to move toward a depressed state. For example, the guard structure  828 A may be formed by injection molding liquid silicone to the key cap  803 . 
     The guard structure  828 A may expand when the key cap  803  moves toward a depressed position, particularly when unvented. This expansion may drive contaminants out of the aperture  810  into cavities formed in the substrate  816  so the contaminants do not get under the key cap  803  and/or into the movement mechanism  815 , blocking travel of the movement mechanism  815  and/or key cap  803  and so on. 
     As the guard structure  828 A is placed in compression, the guard structure  828 A may affect the force curve response of the key assembly (biasing the key cap  803  towards an undepressed position). Thus, the configuration of the guard structure  828 A, the material from which the guard structure  828 A is formed (thinner for less effect on the force curve response, thicker for more effect on the force curve response, more flexible for less effect on the force curve response, less flexible for more effect on the force curve response, more resistive to key cap movement  803  for more effect on the force curve response, less resistive to key cap movement  803  for less effect on the force curve response), whether or not the guard structure  828 A is vented, and/or other such characteristics may be selected to adjust how the guard structure  828 A affects the force curve response. 
     For example, the guard structure  828 A is illustrated as coupled to the underside of the key cap  803  and extending to the substrate  816 . By way of contrast, the guard structure  828 B or skirt configured as an elastomer band of the key assembly of  FIG. 8B  is coupled to the sides of the key cap  803 . The guard structure  828 B extends toward the web  804  and then switches direction to form an approximately 90 degree angle with respect to the substrate  816  and extends toward the substrate  816 . However, it is understood that this is an example and that in various implementations the guard structure  828 B may be otherwise coupled, extend in different directions, and switch directions to form various angles other than approximately 90 degrees and with respect to other components other than the substrate  816 . 
     For example,  FIG. 8C  depicts a second alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 8A  having a guard structure  828 C or skirt configured as an elastomer band. The guard structure  828 C extends from the bottom of the key cap  803  to form an acute angle with respect to the substrate  816 . The guard structure  828 C then switches direction to form an acute angle with respect to the substrate  816  before meeting the substrate  816 . By way of yet another example, the guard structure  828 D or skirt configured as an elastomer band of  FIG. 8D  extends from the bottom of the key cap  803  to form an acute angle with respect to the substrate  816  and contacts the substrate  816  without switching directions. 
     The guard structure  828 A may have the most effect on the force curve response of the guard structures  828 A,  828 B,  828 C,  828 D, and the guard structure  828 B may have the least. Similarly, the guard structure  828 C may have more effect on the force curve response than the guard structure  828 B, but less than the guard structures  828 A,  828 D. Further, the guard structure  828 D may have more effect on the force curve response than the guard structures  828 B,  828 C but less than the guard structure  828 A. Thus, the configuration of the guard structure  828 A may be selected to obtain the desired effect on the force curve response. 
       FIG. 8E  depicts a fourth alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 8A  where the guard structure  828 A or skirt configured as an elastomer band defines a vent  830 , aperture, or other hole. When the key cap  103  is moved towards a depressed position, the guard structure  828 A compresses gas inside the internal area of the key assembly, forcing the gas through the vent  830 . This allows the guard structure  828 A to act as a bellows mechanism, forcing gas out of the key assembly. This may force contaminants into the cavity  829 , out of the aperture  810 , and so on. This may also reduce compression of the guard structure  828 A, reducing how much the guard structure  828 A affects the force curve response. In various implementations, the vent  830  may be configured with sufficiently small dimensions that gas can be forced through the vent  830  without easily allowing liquids, dust, and/or other particles to enter the internal area of the key assembly from the aperture  810 . 
     Although  FIGS. 8A-8F  illustrate a particular configuration and placement of the cavity  829  in the substrate  816 , it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, which may use or omit the guard structures  828 A- 828 D or skirts, cavities in the substrate  816 , holes through the substrate  816 , and/or similar structures may be configured in a variety of locations in the substrate  816  and/or other structures. Such structures may alleviate issues caused by contaminant entry. 
     Further, although the embodiments illustrated and described with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8A-8F  are illustrated and described as including particularly configured guard structures  727 ,  828 A,  828 B,  828 C,  828 D or skirts, it is understood that these are examples. Other guard structures may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example,  FIG. 9A  depicts a sixth example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard  102  of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 , including a guard structure  931  that may funnel and/or otherwise direct contaminants into cavities  929  in the substrate  916 , base, foundation, or the like. This may prevent the contaminants from blocking movement of the key cap  903  or actuator and/or the movement mechanism  915 . 
       FIG. 9B  depicts an isometric view of the key cap  903  and guard structure  931  of the key assembly of  FIG. 9A  with other components removed for clarity. The guard structure  931  includes a number of facets including side portions  934  disposed around lower center portions  932  so as to form a “funnel” shape. This allows the guard structure  931  to direct contaminants toward a mouth  933  where the lower center portions  932  meet the side portions  934 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , contaminants or other material landing on lower center portions  932  and/or the side portions  934  are directed down the guard structure  931  and off of the mouth  933  toward the cavities  929 . 
     The guard structure  931  may form a perimeter around the key cap  903 . Due to the guard structure  931  directing contaminants toward the cavities  929  via the mouth  933 , fewer cavities  929  may be used than would otherwise be possible while ensuring contaminants are directed into cavities  929  rather than getting inside key assemblies. 
     In this example, the guard structure  931  may be positioned over the cavities  929  and not contact the substrate  916  during the full range of motion of the key cap  903  and the movement mechanism  915 . As such, the guard structure  931  may be rigid, flexible, or otherwise without affecting performance, directing contaminants away from the key assembly. However, in other implementations, the guard structure  931  may be configured in different manners. 
     For example, in some implementations, the guard structure  931  may contact the substrate  916  either regardless of the motion of the key cap  903  or partway during travel of the key cap  903  from an undepressed to a depressed position. In such an implementation, the guard structure  931  may be flexible to accommodate such movement, may move at least partially into the cavity  929 , and/or be otherwise configured to accommodate the movement. 
     In various embodiments, various key assembly components such as key caps of the keys may include flanges or other structures that engage flanges or other structures of webs or other keyboard components to block passage of contaminants into key assemblies. For example,  FIG. 10A  depicts a seventh example cross-sectional view of a key assembly of the keyboard  102  of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 , where the web  1004  includes first flanges  1034  that interact with second flanges  1035  of the key cap  1003  or actuator. 
     The movement mechanism  1015  may bias the key cap  1003  towards an undepressed position. In the undepressed position, the movement mechanism  1015  may bias the second flanges  1035  against the first flanges  1034 , forming a barrier against contaminant ingress. 
     However, the second flanges  1035  may move away from the first flanges  1034  when the key cap  1003  moves towards an undepressed position. This may allow contaminant ingress. As such, cavities  1029  or holes may be defined in the substrate  1016 , base, foundation, or the like that are aligned with ends of the second flanges  1035 . When contaminants ingress due to gaps formed between the first and second flanges  1034 ,  1035 , the contaminants may fall into the cavities  1029  rather than lodge under the key cap  1003  and/or within the movement mechanism  1015 . 
     By way of another example,  FIG. 10B  depicts an alternative example of the key assembly of  FIG. 10A  where the first flanges  1034  include a first protrusion  1036  that interacts with a second protrusion  1037  of the second flanges  1035 . In this implementation, the first and second protrusions  1036 ,  1037  may travel with respect to each other to block contaminant ingress during part or all of motion of the key cap  1003 . Thus, even though the first and second flanges  1034 ,  1035  cease blocking contaminant ingress during key cap  1003  motion, the first and second protrusions  1036 ,  1037  may continue to block. 
     In some implementations, the first and second protrusions  1036 ,  1037  may be configured with sufficient dimensions to block contaminant entry during all motion of the key cap  1003 . However, in other implementations, the first and second protrusions  1036 ,  1037  may have dimensions that form a gap between the first and second protrusions  1036 ,  1037  when the key cap  1003  travels a sufficient distance toward the substrate  1016 . 
     Although particular contaminant ingress prevention and/or alleviation mechanisms have been illustrated and discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1-10B , it is understood that these are examples. One or more of the contaminant ingress prevention and/or alleviation mechanisms illustrated and discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1-10B  may be combined without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, other contaminant ingress prevention and/or alleviation mechanisms may be used and/or combined with one or more of the contaminant ingress prevention and/or alleviation mechanisms illustrated and discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1-10B  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, in some implementations, key assembly movement mechanisms may include one or more crushing components, such as knobs, spikes, and the like. If contaminants such as chip crumbs reach internal areas of key assemblies, the contaminants may be broken down by the crushing components during motion of the key assemblies. This may prevent the contaminants from blocking key motion. Cavities, holes, or other features may also be combined with such implementations so that the crushed contaminants may be able to exit the internal areas. In implementations using bellows elements, forced gas may blast the crushed components from the internal areas. 
     By way of another example, in some implementations, the electronic device that includes the keyboard  102  may include one or more fans, such as one or more cooling fans. Air from these fans may be directed to blast contaminants away from key assemblies and/or to prevent contaminant ingress into key assemblies. In other implementations, similar functions may be performed by various transducers, actuators, vibrators, or other such components. For example, speaker membranes and/or haptic actuators (such as a haptic trackpad) may be vibrated to dislodge contaminants from key assemblies. By way of other examples, acoustic devices may resonate at frequencies that break up lodged contaminants and/or drive contaminants away from key assemblies. 
     In other examples, hollow passageways may connect key assemblies to an external port. Compressed air or other gas may be forced into the port to blast contaminants out of the key assemblies. 
     By way of other examples, contaminants like dust may be electrically charged. Substrates and/or other components may be operative to oppositely charge, driving the contaminants from key assemblies. For example, a keyboard  102  may emit an electrostatic discharge to drive out dust or other contaminants. 
     In still other examples, various combinations of hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic coatings may be disposed on surfaces around apertures between key assemblies and keyboard webs. These coatings may prevent ingress of liquid, guide liquid ingress towards exits, and so on. 
     In yet other examples, the liquid seals provided by membranes or other guard structures may allow solvents or other liquid cleaners to be applied to a keyboard. The liquid seals may prevent the solvents or other liquid cleaners from damaging sensitive keyboard components while the solvents or other liquid cleaners break up and/or remove dust, dirt, sugars or other residues, and/or other contaminants that have lodged in various areas of the keyboard. 
     In still other examples, heating elements may be included. These heating elements may liquefy residues, such as sugars, that have lodged in a keyboard. Once liquefied, the residues may be able to exit the keys or the keyboards. In other examples, the heating elements may evaporate or burn off residues and/or other contaminants rather than liquefying the residues and/or other contaminants. 
     By way of other examples, gaskets may extend between key caps of the keys. These gaskets may be formed of rubber, elastomer, and/or other flexible materials and may block entry of contaminants into key stack assemblies. 
     Although the contaminant ingress prevention and/or alleviation mechanisms are illustrated and discussed above with respect to keys or key assemblies and keyboards, it is understood that these are examples. In various implementations, one or more of the mechanisms discussed herein may be utilized with other devices without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Further, the movement mechanisms  215 ,  415 ,  515 ,  615 ,  715 ,  815 ,  915  are illustrated as a representative structure (movement mechanisms  215 ,  415 ,  515 ,  615 ,  715 ,  815  illustrated as butterfly mechanisms and movement mechanism  915  illustrated as a scissor mechanism). It is understood that any movement mechanism or structure may be used. Living hinge structures, butterfly mechanisms, scissor mechanisms, spring mechanisms, and the like are all examples of suitable movement mechanisms that may be incorporated into various embodiments. 
     Additionally, the electronic device  100  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated as a laptop computing device with an incorporated keyboard  102 . However it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations, the electronic device  100  may be a variety of different electronic devices with internal and/or external keyboards and/or other input devices. For example, in some implementations the electronic device  100  may be an external keyboard. By way of other examples, the electronic device  100  may be a phone, a desktop computing device, a digital media player, a display, a printer, and so on. 
     As described above and illustrated in the accompanying figures, the present disclosure relates to keyboards and/or other input devices that include mechanisms that prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress. These mechanisms may include keyboard membranes or gaskets; structures such as brushes, wipers, or flaps in gaps between key caps of the keys; funnels, skirts, elastomer or other bands, or other guard structures coupled to key caps; bellows that blast contaminants with forced gas; and/or various active or passive mechanisms that drive contaminants away from the keyboard and/or prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress into and/or through the keyboard. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160908
Publication Date: 20200922
Grant Date: 20200922
Priority Date: 20160908
Inventors: WANG, PAUL X.
GAO, ZHENG
LEONG, Craig C.
LOCKWOOD, ROBERT J.
POSNER, BRYAN W.
CAO, ROBERT Y.
LANCASTER-LAROCQUE, SIMON R.
MATHEW, DINESH C.
LEHMANN, Alex J.
ENDISCH, DENIS
BIR, KARAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/70", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2239/034", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/14", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/70", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/14", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2239/034", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 59812112