阅读说明：本技术 低型面键集和输入设备 (Low profile key set and input device ) 是由 M·F·戴利 M·G·奥尔达尼 Y·刘 D·P·普拉特 D·M·莱恩 T·J·朗高 于 2019-01-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：描述了低型面键集和具有此类低型面键集的输入设备。在一个示例中,该输入设备包括支持结构,该支持结构具有第一表面和第二表面；边框,该边框具有第一表面和第二表面,其中该边框的该第一表面与该支持结构的该第一表面邻近,并且该边框包括至少一个开口；至少一个键帽,该至少一个键帽定位在该边框的该至少一个开口内,其中每个键帽被配置成在第一位置和第二位置之间移动以触发该输入设备的功能；以及织物覆盖层,该织物覆盖层定位成与该边框的该第二表面邻近,使得该边框和该至少一个键帽定位在该织物覆盖层和该支持结构之间,该织物覆盖层仅粘附到该边框的该第二表面。(Low-profile key sets and input devices having such low-profile key sets are described. In one example, the input device includes a support structure having a first surface and a second surface; a bezel having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the bezel is adjacent to the first surface of the support structure and the bezel comprises at least one opening; at least one keycap positioned within the at least one opening of the bezel, wherein each keycap is configured to move between a first position and a second position to trigger a function of the input device; and a fabric cover layer positioned adjacent to the second surface of the bezel such that the bezel and the at least one keycap are positioned between the fabric cover layer and the support structure, the fabric cover layer adhered only to the second surface of the bezel.)

1. An input device, comprising:

a support structure having a first surface and a second surface;

a bezel having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the bezel is adjacent to the first surface of the support structure, and wherein the bezel comprises at least one opening;

at least one keycap positioned within the at least one opening of the bezel, wherein each keycap is configured to move between a first position and a second position to trigger a function of the input device; and

a fabric cover layer positioned adjacent to the second surface of the bezel such that the bezel and the at least one keycap are positioned between the fabric cover layer and the support structure, wherein the fabric cover layer is adhered only to the second surface of the bezel and not to the at least one keycap.

2. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the support structure includes at least one cavity in the first surface, and

wherein each keycap has at least one flange positioned between the first surface of the bezel and the first surface of the support structure, and wherein the at least one flange of each keycap is configured to move into a respective cavity in the first surface of the support structure when the respective keycap moves from the first position to the second position.

3. The input device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one switch positioned on the first surface of the support structure; and

at least one plunger positioned between the at least one keycap and the at least one switch, wherein the plunger is configured to compress when the keycap moves from the first position to the second position,

wherein the at least one plunger comprises an elastomeric material.

4. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one keycap is a metal keycap.

5. The input device of any of claims 1-4, further comprising:

at least one cover attached to the fabric cover layer such that the fabric cover layer is positioned between the at least one cover and the bezel,

wherein the at least one cover provides a visual indication of the location of the keycap hidden beneath the fabric cover layer.

6. An input device as recited in any one of claims 1-4, wherein a stack height of the input device is less than 2.5mm, the stack height being measured in a direction perpendicular to the second surface of the bezel from the second surface of the bezel to the support structure, and

wherein a travel distance of a keycap between the first position and the second position is at least 0.5 millimeters, the travel distance being measured in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the keycap from the surface of the keycap to the support structure.

7. An input device, comprising:

a support structure;

a key plate having at least one key, wherein each key is a polygon having a plurality of edges, wherein all but one of the plurality of edges is a slot in the key plate, and the one edge provides a hinge on which the key is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position; and

at least one switch positioned between the support structure and the keypad, wherein the at least one switch is configured to trigger a function of the input device when the key is rotated from the first position to the second position.

8. The input device of claim 7, further comprising:

at least one plunger positioned between the at least one key and the at least one switch, wherein the plunger is configured to compress when the key moves from the first position to the second position,

wherein the at least one plunger comprises an elastomeric material.

9. An input device as described in claim 7, wherein the at least one switch is positioned in a position offset from a center of a respective key such that the switch is positioned adjacent to one of the plurality of edges of the respective key that is opposite the hinge of the respective key.

10. An input device as described in claim 7, wherein the at least one key is a plurality of keys, and wherein the slits and hinges on the keypad are arranged based on an intended tapping location for a user of each key such that a hinge is located at an edge furthest from the intended tapping location.

11. The input device of any one of claims 7-10, further comprising:

a fabric overlay positioned adjacent to a surface of the keypad such that the keypad is located between the fabric overlay and the support structure,

wherein the fabric cover layer is adhered to the keypad only in areas surrounding the at least one key.

12. The input device of claim 11, further comprising:

at least one cover attached to the fabric cover layer such that the fabric cover layer is positioned between the at least one cover and the keypad,

wherein the at least one cover provides a visual indication of key locations hidden beneath the fabric cover layer.

13. An input device as described in claim 7, wherein a stack height of the input device is less than 2.5mm, the stack height being measured in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the keypad from the surface of the keypad to the support structure,

wherein a travel distance of a key between the first position and the second position is at least 0.5 millimeters, the travel distance being measured in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the keypad from the surface of the keypad to the support structure.

14. An input device, comprising:

a support structure;

at least one input key; and

at least one switch positioned between the support structure and the input key, wherein the at least one switch is configured to trigger a function of the input device when the input key is moved between a first position and a second position,

wherein a stack height of the input device is less than 2.5mm, the stack height being measured in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the input key from the surface of the input key to the support structure, an

Wherein a travel distance of the input key between the first position and the second position is at least 0.5 millimeters, the travel distance being measured in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the input key from the surface of the input key to the support structure.

15. An input device as described in claim 14, wherein the at least one input key is a metal keycap, and

wherein the input device further comprises a layer of paint on a surface of the at least one metal keycap, such that the metal keycap is located between the layer of paint and the support structure.

Background

Current design trends for input devices for electronic devices, such as tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, or display devices, include designs that are reduced in size (e.g., height, length, and/or width). As the size of the input device (particularly the stack height or thinness) is reduced, certain internal device components may be positioned closer to each other. This provides challenges to the manufacturing design.

For example, in some business examples, the input keys for the input device have a scissor key set design. These key sets use a scissor-type mechanism to control the movement of the keys so that the keys remain level when pressed wherever the user presses or taps the keys. In some examples, the height or thinness of the input device is constrained by using such scissor key set designs.

SUMMARY

Low-profile key sets and input devices having such low-profile key sets are described herein. In one or more embodiments, an input device includes a support structure having a first surface and a second surface. The input device further includes a bezel having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the bezel is adjacent to the first surface of the support structure, and wherein the bezel includes at least one opening. The input device further includes at least one keycap positioned within the at least one opening of the bezel, wherein each keycap is configured to move between a first position and a second position to trigger a function of the input device. The input device further includes a fabric cover layer positioned adjacent to the second surface of the bezel such that the bezel and the at least one keycap are positioned between the fabric cover layer and the support structure, wherein the fabric cover layer adheres only to the second surface of the bezel and not to the at least one keycap.

In another embodiment, an input device includes a support structure; a key plate having at least one key, wherein each key is a polygon having a plurality of edges, wherein all but one of the plurality of edges is a slot in the key plate, and the one edge provides a hinge on which the key is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position; and at least one switch positioned between the support structure and the keypad, wherein the at least one switch is configured to trigger a function of the input device when the key is rotated from the first position to the second position.

In another embodiment, the input device includes a support structure; at least one input key; and at least one switch positioned between the support structure and the input key, wherein the at least one switch is configured to trigger a function of the input device when the input key is moved between a first position and a second position. The input device has a stack height of less than 2.5mm, the stack height being measured in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the input key from the surface of the input key to the support structure. Additionally, a travel distance of the input key between the first position and the second position is at least 0.5 millimeters, the travel distance being measured in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the keypad from the surface of the input key to the support structure.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. 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.