Illuminated key module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9728350-B2
Application number	US-201414780811-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 28, 2014
Priority date	Mar 28, 2013
Publication date	Aug 8, 2017
Grant date	Aug 8, 2017

Abstract

The invention proposes a key module for a key of a keyboard. The key module includes a module base, a module cover that can be coupled with the module base and a key tappet for coupling a keycap that is translucent in at least one symbol section. The module base includes at least one through-hole between a bottom section of the key module and the module cover. The module cover includes a section that is translucent for the light from a light source. The light source is a color-changeable light source for backlighting the symbol section of the keycap. The translucent section of the module cover is aligned with the at least one through-hole when the module cover is coupled to the module base.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A key module for a key of a keyboard comprising:
a module base;
a module cover connected to the module base;
wherein the module base comprises at least one through-hole between a bottom section of the key module and the module cover;
wherein the module cover is translucent and/or transparent for light from a light source;
wherein the translucent module cover is aligned with the at least one through-hole when the module cover is coupled with the module base; and
a key tappet for coupling a keycap that is translucent in at least a symbol section.

2. The key module according to claim 1 , wherein the module cover comprises a light passing aperture penetrable by the light from the light source or a light diffusion device.

3. The key module according to claim 2 , wherein the module base further comprises a light conducting device for conducting the light from the light source that is arranged so the light conducting device extends at least from the through-hole of the module base up to the light passing aperture of the module cover.

4. The key module according to claim 3 , wherein the light conducting device can be separately mounted on the key module.

5. The key module according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is arranged adjacent to the bottom section of the key module or on the module cover.

6. The key module according to claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of extension of the key tappet is arranged spaced from a mounting location of the light source.

7. The key module according to claim 1 , wherein the keycap comprises a top side, a bottom side, and a light diffusing device for diffusing the light from the light source over the symbol section wherein the bottom side faces the module cover when the keycap is coupled with the key tappet.

8. The key module according to claim 1 , wherein the key tappet is translucent for the light from the light source and the module base comprises at least one translucent section leading to the key tappet for the light from the light source.

9. The key module according to claim 1 , wherein the through-hole of the module base is permeable for the light from the light source and/or is adapted to receive at least a section of the light source.

10. A method for manufacturing a key module for a key of a keyboard, said method comprising:
presenting a key module comprising a module base, a module cover connected the module base, and a key tappet for coupling a keycap that is translucent in at least a symbol section;
wherein the module base comprises at least one through-hole between a bottom section of the key module and the module cover;
wherein the module cover is translucent and/or transparent for light from a light source;
presenting a support element for supporting the key module;
mechanically connecting a light source to the support element, wherein the light source is a color-changeable light source connected to the support element in an electrically conductive manner; and
attaching the key module to the support element so that the light source is aligned with the at least one through-hole of the module base and the module cover.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the module cover comprises a light passing aperture penetrable by the light from the light source or a light diffusion device.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the module base further comprises a light conducting device for conducting the light from the light source that is arranged so the light conducting device extends at least from the through-hole of the module base up to the light passing aperture of the module cover.

13. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising arranging of the light conducting device for conducting the light from the light source, so that the light conducting device extends at least from the through-hole of the base module to the light passing aperture of the module cover.

14. The method according to claim 10 , the module cover is aligned with the at least one through-hole when the module cover is coupled with the module base.

15. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the light source is a color-changeable light source for backlighting the symbol section of the keycap.

16. The method according to the claim 10 , wherein the light source is arranged adjacent to the bottom section of the key module or on the module cover.

17. The method according to the claim 10 , wherein a longitudinal axis of extension of the key tappet is arranged spaced from a mounting location of the light source.

18. The method according to the claim 10 , wherein the keycap comprises a top side, a bottom side, and a light diffusing device for diffusing the light from the light source over the symbol section, wherein the bottom side faces the module cover when the keycap is coupled with the key tappet.

19. The method according to the claim 10 , wherein the key tappet is translucent for the light from the light source and the module base comprises at least one translucent section leading to the key tappet for the light from the light source.

20. The method according to the claim 10 , wherein the through-hole of the module base is permeable for the light from the light source and/or is adapted to receive at least a section of the light source.

Assignees

• Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen
• Cherry Gmbh

Inventors

• MüLLER KARL-HEINZ

Classifications

• H01H2223/038

  transparent · CPC title

• H01H2221/07

  transparent · CPC title

• H01H2221/056

  Modular conception · CPC title

• H01H2219/036

  Light emitting elements · CPC title

• H01H13/86

  characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size · CPC title