Low-travel illuminated key mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10275040-B2
Application number	US-201715681322-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 18, 2017
Priority date	Aug 18, 2017
Publication date	Apr 30, 2019
Grant date	Apr 30, 2019

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a low profile key for a keyboard having an overmolded support structure. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap having an illuminable symbol. A support structure having a pair of overmolded wings may pivotally couple to the key cap. A switch housing may surround the support structure and connect each of the first and second wings. A tactile dome may be at least partially positioned within the switch housing and configured to bias the key cap upward. A sensing membrane may be positioned along an underside surface of the tactile dome and configured to trigger a switch event in response to a collapsing of the tactile dome caused by a depression of the key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the sensing membrane. A light guide panel may define at least one light extraction feature that may be configured to propagate light toward the key cap and cause illumination of the illuminable symbol.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A key for a keyboard, comprising:
a key cap;
a tactile switch;
a support structure supporting the key cap above the tactile switch and comprising:
a hinge formed from an elastically deformable material;
a first wing molded over a first end of the hinge and comprising a first protrusion; and
a second wing molded over a second end of the hinge and comprising a second protrusion;

a switch housing positioned within a cavity defined by the first and the second wings, the switch housing least partially surrounding the tactile switch and defining:
a first retention feature configured to receive the first protrusion; and
a second retention feature configured to receive the second protrusion; and

a light guide positioned below the switch housing and configured to illuminate a symbol on the key cap; wherein
depression of the key cap causes:
rotation of the first protrusion within the first retention feature; and
rotation and translation of the second protrusion within the second retention feature.

2. The key of claim 1 , wherein:
the first retention feature constrains translational movement of the first protrusion; and
the second retention feature allows translational movement of the second protrusion.

3. The key of claim 1 , wherein:
the first protrusion is a cantilevered structure extending from the first wing;
the second protrusion is a cantilevered structure extending from the second wing;
each of the first and second wings includes an upstop feature positioned between the first and second protrusions;
the switch housing defines an up stop track positioned between the first and second retention features and configured to receive the upstop feature; and
the upstop track limits upward expansion of the support structure when depression of the key cap ceases.

4. The key of claim 1 , wherein the tactile switch comprises:
a tactile dome configured to buckle in response to depression of the key cap; and
a sensing membrane positioned along an underside of the tactile dome and having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact that are configured to close in response to buckling of the tactile dome, thereby triggering a switch event.

5. The key of claim 4 , wherein:
the sensing membrane comprises:
a first deformable layer having a first electrical contact;
a second deformable layer having a second electrical contact;
a spacer positioned between the first and second deformable layers and having an opening that defines a cavity separating the first electrical contact and second electrical contact; and

the switch event is triggered when the first and second electrical contacts contact one another within the cavity.

6. A keyboard, comprising:
an enclosure defining an array of openings;
a first key assembly positioned within a first opening of the array of openings and comprising:
a key cap defining a first illuminable symbol;
a support structure coupled to the key cap; and
a switch housing pivotally coupled with, and surrounded by, the support structure;

a second key assembly positioned within a second opening of the array of openings, the second key assembly comprising a keycap defining a second illuminable symbol;
a light source positioned within the enclosure and along a periphery of the first key assembly and the second key assembly; and
a light guide optically coupled with the light source and extending below the first and second key assembly, wherein
the light guide is configured to illuminate the first illuminable symbol of the first key assembly differently from the second illuminable symbol of the second key assembly corresponding to a contour, shape, or area attribute of the first and second illuminable symbols.

7. The keyboard of claim 6 , wherein:
the light guide defines a first light extraction feature having a first optical characteristic and positioned below the first key assembly; and
the light guide defines a second light extraction feature having a second optical characteristic and positioned below the second key assembly.

8. The keyboard of claim 7 , wherein:
the light guide is configured to propagate light from the first light extraction feature toward the key cap of the first key assembly, thereby illuminating the first illuminable symbol in accordance with the first optical characteristic; and
the light guide is configured to propagate light from the second light extraction feature toward the key cap of the second key assembly, thereby illuminating the second illuminable symbol in accordance with the second optical characteristic.

9. The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein:
the first optical characteristic corresponds to a contour of the first illuminable symbol; and
the second optical characteristic corresponds to a contour of the second illuminable symbol.

10. The keyboard of claim 6 , wherein:
the support structure comprises:
a hinge formed from an elastically deformable material;
a first wing molded over the hinge; and
a second wing molded over the hinge;

the switch housing is positioned within a cavity defined by the first wing, the second wing, and the hinge; and
the first key assembly further comprises:
a tactile dome overmolded on the switch housing and within a switch opening defined by the switch housing.

11. A key for a keyboard, comprising:
a key cap having an illuminable symbol;
a support structure having first and second wings pivotally coupled to the key cap;
a switch housing surrounded by the support structure and having a first retention feature connected to the first wing and a second retention feature connected to the second wing, the switch housing configured to guide movement of the first wing differently than the second wing;
a tactile dome at least partially positioned within an opening of the switch housing and configured to bias the key cap upward;
a feature plate positioned below the tactile dome and coupled with one or both of the support structure or the switch housing; and
a light guide defining at least one light extraction feature and configured to propagate light toward the illuminable symbol.

12. The key of claim 11 , wherein:
the support structure further comprises a set of hinges formed from an elastically deformable material;
the first and second wings are at least partially molded over the set of hinges; and
the first and second wings define a cavity that separates the set of hinges.

13. The key of claim 12 , wherein:
the switch housing is positioned within the cavity;
the support structure further comprises:
a first protrusion extending into the cavity and the first retention feature;
a second protrusion extending into the cavity and the second retention feature;

the first protrusion is configured to rotate within the first retention features in response to depression of the key cap;
the second protrusion is configured to rotate within the second retention feature in response to depression of the key cap; and
one of the first retention feature or second retention feature constrains translational movement of one of the first or second protrusions during depression of the key cap.

14. The key of claim 11 , wherein:
the key further comprises a sensing membrane positioned along an underside of the tactile dome and configured to trigger a switch event in response to a collapse of the tactile dome;
the sensing membrane defines a series of membrane openings; and
the feature plate comprises an engagement structure that extends through one of the series of membrane openings and couples to the switch housing.

15. The key of claim 1

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Goldberg Michelle R
• Bergeron Kathleen A
• Wang Paul X
• Lehmann Alex J
• Yarak Iii William P
• Armendariz Kevin C
• Gao Zheng

Classifications

• H01H2229/048

  Insertion moulding · CPC title

• H01H3/12

  Push-buttons · CPC title

• H01H13/7073

  characterised by springs, e.g. Euler springs · CPC title

• H01H3/122

  with enlarged actuating area, e.g. of the elongated bar-type; Stabilising means therefor · CPC title

• H01H13/14

  Operating parts, e.g. push-button · CPC title