CN102117708A

CN102117708A - Electrophoretic display button structure

Info

Publication number: CN102117708A
Application number: CN2009102662087A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 黄清池
Original assignee: Ichia Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Ichia Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2009-12-30
Filing date: 2009-12-30
Publication date: 2011-07-06

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrophoretic display key structure. The electrophoretic display key structure uses a whole piece of electrophoretic display film as the display of a plurality of key patterns, the electrophoretic display film is positioned on a printed circuit board with pattern electrodes, and the whole periphery of the electrophoretic display film is sealed by a sealant or a sealing material, so that the moisture or pollution is avoided, the function of displaying the patterns can be well provided, and the manufacture is simple and convenient. The pattern to be displayed can be switched according to the mode, so that the user can easily and clearly identify the characters or patterns on the keys.

Description

The electrophoretic display press-key structure

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of press-key structure, particularly relate to and a kind of electrophoretic display thin film is used in press-key structure in the structure.

Background technology

Electronic product for example mobile phone (Cell Phone), personal digital aid (PDA) (personal digitalassistant PDA) waits and can be provided with key board usually.Key board on the market mainly can be divided into metal key-press keyboard and generally comparatively common plastic press key keyboard at present, the pattern of the numeral on the key board, symbol and English words etc. normally is made in the keycap upper surface with printing or laser-induced thermal etching (laser etching) mode, and pattern is peeled off easily under the use and damaged often pushing.And, the technology that pattern is formed at the keycap lower surface is arranged also for protection and increase cubic appearance to pattern.Usually on limited electronic product surface, for saving the area that key board takies, can be according to several operator schemes, give each button corresponding several patterns, selected pattern was come several patterns on each button in numerous buttons of identification when the user then complied with operation, find corresponding to a pattern of desire function and push this button, with the function of using this to be desired.Therefore, no matter pattern is to be shown in keycap upper surface or lower surface, the button pattern that the user sees is whole patterns of the whole operator schemes of supply, need pick out needed pattern when operation in various pattern.

(electrophoretic display EPD), is used in electronic product to known again a kind of electrophoretic display apparatus usually, and for example e-book, commercial labels, wrist-watch, sports products, medical product etc. are watched to the user so that picture to be provided.Electrophoretic display apparatus is a kind of reflective display that is dispersed in the electrophoresis of the charged particle in the dielectric medium solvent based on influence.Existing electrophoresis type display comprises that a glass substrate, an and protective clear layer and that at interval be provided with relative with this glass substrate are arranged at the electrophoretic layer between this glass substrate and this protective clear layer, and can be divided into two types of passive matrix type and active-matrix formulas according to the difference of type of drive.The principal character of electrophoretic display apparatus be power saving, frivolous, character pattern is clear, no visual angle problem, can flexible changeableization of tortuous tool, need not backlight.

The Japanese patent application case discloses 2008-250259 number and discloses a kind of button that utilizes electrophoretic display, and as shown in Figure 1, it comprises a resin film 1, a transparent electrode layer 2, a display layer 3, a bed hedgehopping layer 4, a backplate layer 5, reaches a protective layer 6.Display layer 3 comprises a plurality of microcapsules 7.It is used in display layer 3 around bed hedgehopping layer 4 is set, make bed hedgehopping layer 4 have the thickness identical or bigger with the diameter R1 of microcapsules 7, therefore when display layer 3 is pushed by the application of force, can alleviate the pressure that is pressed onto microcapsules 7, make microcapsules 7 more can not break.So in inserting molding (insert molding) or integrated manufacture craft, can avoid microcapsules 7 to break.The display type button of its announcement is a kind of structure of one key type, in other words, when electronic product has a plurality of button, then needs the such press-key structure with number, so cost can be higher.

Because the key board in the electronic product must be in response to slimming now and miniaturization, and takes into account aesthetic feeling, function and economic aspect and constantly development, according with the demands of the market, so still have required for the press-key structure of novelty.

Summary of the invention

A purpose of the present invention is to provide a kind of electrophoretic display press-key structure, and it electrophoretic display thin film that comprises whole piece is as the button pattern, can be according to the display mode switching pattern of setting, make user's easy identification button.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrophoretic display press-key structure comprises one first printed circuit board (PCB), is provided with a plurality of printed circuits on first printed circuit board (PCB); A plurality of metal clipss, correspondence is arranged at these printed circuits top respectively, when pushing, the metal clips that is pressed with its below corresponding the electrically conducting of printed circuit; A plurality of convex bodys (plunger), it lays respectively at the top of these metal clipss; One second printed circuit board (PCB), it is arranged at these convex body tops; One electrophoretic display thin film, be arranged at second printed circuit board (PCB) top, and carry out Presentation Function with second printed circuit board (PCB), electrophoretic display thin film around through the sealing, wherein electrophoretic display thin film shows a plurality of patterns when Presentation Function is opened, and the position of these patterns and the position of these metal clipss are respectively in correspondence with each other; And a keycap structure is positioned at the electrophoretic display thin film top.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrophoretic display press-key structure comprises: one first printed circuit board (PCB); One electrophoretic display thin film, be arranged at first printed circuit board (PCB) top, and carry out Presentation Function with first printed circuit board (PCB), through sealing, wherein electrophoretic display thin film shows that when Presentation Function is opened a plurality of patterns are with as a plurality of button patterns around the electrophoretic display thin film; And a contact panel, it is positioned at the electrophoretic display thin film top, touches the respective signal of the button pattern of opsition dependent below in order to output corresponding to this.

Electrophoretic display press-key structure of the present invention uses the demonstration of an electrophoretic display thin film as the button pattern, can be according to the pattern of mode switch institute desire demonstration, therefore the user can be simple and easy and be known literal or pattern on the identification button, especially for dysphotia or in the last age group more show this advantage.Moreover employed electrophoretic display thin film is a whole piece in structure of the present invention, is only sealed around it, can stop humidity or pollution, and can good action, therefore makes simple and easy and makes things convenient for.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows an existing press-key structure;

Fig. 2 shows a specific embodiment of application of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows the electrophoretic display press-key structure decomposing schematic representation according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows the electrophoretic display press-key structure schematic cross-section according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows the specific embodiment according to the included ground of the keycap structure of using in the electrophoretic display press-key structure of the present invention;

Fig. 6 a, Fig. 6 b, Fig. 6 c show the specific embodiment of the display mode that sets according to electrophoretic display press-key structure of the present invention;

Fig. 7 shows the electrophoretic display press-key structure decomposing schematic representation according to another specific embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 shows the electrophoretic display press-key structure schematic cross-section according to another specific embodiment of the present invention.

The main element symbol description

1 resin film, 2 transparent electrode layers

3 display layers, 4 bed hedgehopping layers

5 backplate layers, 6 protective layer

7 microcapsules, 10 mobile phones

12 electrophoretic display press-key structures, 20 electrophoretic display press-key structures

22 first printed circuit board (PCB)s, 24 metal clipss

26 shell fragment films, 28 convex bodys

30 second printed circuit board (PCB)s, 32 electrophoretic display thin films

34 keycap structures, 36 printed circuits

37 adhesive tapes, 38 encapsulants

39 cover brilliant film 40 preceding electro-optical devices

The 42 button profile 42a of portion button profile portions

44 grounds, 46 light tight frameworks

50 electrophoretic display press-key structures, 52 printed circuit board (PCB)s

54 electrophoretic display thin films, 56 contact panels

58 encapsulants 59 cover brilliant film

Electro-optical device before 60 protective layers 62

64 substrates, 65,66 shells

Embodiment

Fig. 2 shows a specific embodiment of application of the present invention, and wherein, mobile phone 10 is to use an embodiment of foundation electrophoretic display press-key structure 12 of the present invention as button.Electrophoretic display press-key structure of the present invention also can be applicable in other electronic products with press-key structure as its press-key structure.

Following detailed description is according to electrophoretic display press-key structure of the present invention.

See also Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, electrophoretic display press-key structure 20 comprises one first printed circuit board (PCB) 22, a plurality of metal clips 24, a plurality of convex body 28, one second printed circuit board (PCB) 30, an electrophoretic display thin film 32, reaches a keycap structure 34.First printed circuit board (PCB) 22 can be bendable printed circuit board (PCB), which is provided with printed circuit 36.Each metal clips 24 respectively is arranged at the top of printed circuit 36, when pushing, the metal clips 24 that is pressed with its below printed circuit 36 corresponding electrically conducting.Metal clips 24 can be bonded to by the further setting of a shell fragment film 26 on first printed circuit board (PCB) 22.Shell fragment film 26 has the adhesion function, in order to covering and these metal clipss 24 of adhering, and is adhered on first printed circuit board (PCB) 22, therefore metal clips 24 can be bonded on first printed circuit board (PCB) 22.Convex body 28 is positioned at corresponding metal clips 24 tops.If the shell fragment of use film 26 is arranged, then convex body 28 can be bonded on the surface of shell fragment film 26, and this surface is not limited to upper surface or lower surface.Second printed circuit board (PCB) 30 is to be arranged at these convex body 28 tops, can further combine with the shell fragment film 26 of below by a for example adhesive tape 37.Electrophoretic display thin film 32 is the tops that are arranged at second printed circuit board (PCB) 30.The electrophoretic display thin film 32 and second printed circuit board (PCB) 30 can form a module, carry out Presentation Function together, and second printed circuit board (PCB) 30 can be bendable printed circuit board (PCB), required electrode pattern when electrophoretic display thin film 32 pattern displaying are provided.The size of electrophoretic display thin film 32 is than the undersized of second printed circuit board (PCB) 30; therefore; after electrophoretic display thin film 32 being positioned on second printed circuit board (PCB) 30; can around electrophoretic display thin film 32, apply an encapsulant 38 or a sealant; can reach good sealing, with the element in the protection electrophoretic display thin film 32.In addition, as shown in Figure 4, one has the brilliant film of covering of drive integrated circult, and (Chip On Film COF) 39 can combine with second printed circuit board (PCB) 30, applies for example silica gel at the two joining place then, and it has insulation, protection and fixing function.34 on keycap structure is arranged at electrophoretic display thin film 32 tops, has the button profile and pushes for the user.Still can comprise a shell 65, with ccontaining each parts.

Electro-optical device 40 before electrophoretic display press-key structure 20 still can comprise one, it is between electrophoretic display thin film 32 and keycap structure 34.Preceding electro-optical device 40 can comprise for example a light guide plate and a light source, makes light guide plate between electrophoretic display thin film 32 and keycap structure 34, can utilize optics sticker or adhesive tape combination each other, and light source is positioned at by the light guide plate.Light source can be for example light-emitting diode (light-emittingdiode, LED) light-emitting device.Light guide plate can be for example silica gel (silicone) film, Merlon (polycarbonate, PC) film, heat plasticity polyurethane elastic body (thermoplastic polyurethaneelastomer, TPU) film or polyethylene terephthalate (Poly (ethylene terephthalate), PET) film, and can have a plurality of nanoscale optics and layout, 5 microns to 10 microns optical microstructures for example.

Keycap structure 34 can comprise an a plurality of button profile portion 42 and a ground (substrate film) 44, and these button profile portions 42 are positioned on the ground 44, and the position of its position and convex body 28 respectively in correspondence with each other.Button profile portion 42 can be formed in one with ground 44, or makes respectively, ground 44 for example is provided after, re-use a ultraviolet curing resin and on ground 44, form the button profile, then irradiation ultraviolet radiation and solidify to form button profile portion 42.Ground 44 can comprise for example PET film.Keycap structure 34 still can comprise a light tight framework 46, is arranged on the ground 44, exposes these button profile portions 42, and covers the ground 44 between these button profile portions 42, therefore can have shading and decorative effect.Light tight framework 46 can be for example a metal framework (for example aluminium) or a plastic frame.Moreover, some is cut ground 44 around corresponding to each button profile portion 42, following view for example shown in Figure 5, the place of ground 44 around four sides of each button profile portion 42, place around having three is through cutting, so, when pressing down corresponding to the local stressed of button, be not to make full wafer keycap structure 34 stressed moving down, but make strength be confined to the button profile portion 42 desiring to press, be delivered to electrophoretic display thin film 32, second printed circuit board (PCB) 30 and the metal clips 24 of its below then, and arrive printed circuit.For example shown in the 42a of keycap profile portion, after accepting to push, this part can be transmitted pressing force more accurately to lower recess, reduces or avoids mistake by to contiguous button.

Electrophoretic display thin film 32 shows a plurality of patterns when Presentation Function is opened, the position of the position of these patterns and metal clips 24 respectively in correspondence with each other, when the user pushes the pattern of electrophoretic display thin film 32, just down be pressed into corresponding metal clips 24, metal clips 24 is down contacted with the printed circuit 36 of first printed circuit board (PCB) 22, and finish the input of signal.Because push is via the pushing of metal clips 24, therefore still have the sound of pushing with by pressure sensitivity.

Shown in Fig. 6 a, Fig. 6 b, Fig. 6 c, the other benefit of using electrophoretic display thin film is that the figure on the button can show according to the pattern that sets, the figure of two kinds of patterns all showed when for example Fig. 6 a pattern among the figure can be standby, Fig. 6 b pattern then only demonstrates the pattern of numeral and punctuation mark, used during for input digit and punctuation mark, Fig. 6 c pattern then only demonstrates the pattern of English alphabet, and is used during for input English.Switchable pattern displaying pattern is complied with required and is set, and is not limited to said two devices.The user is after choosing input pattern, and the corresponding pattern that shows is the pattern of single-mode on the button, and is therefore simple, and pattern dimension is relatively large, is easy to identification, so the user can reduce when importing and hesitates and mistake.

See also Fig. 7 and Fig. 8,, comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) 52, an electrophoretic display thin film 54, reach a contact panel 56 according to electrophoretic display press-key structure 50 of the present invention in another aspect of the present invention.Electrophoretic display thin film 54 is arranged at printed circuit board (PCB) 52 tops, and carries out Presentation Function with printed circuit board (PCB), with above-mentioned Fig. 3 and the electrophoretic display thin film 32 and first printed circuit board (PCB) 30 shown in Figure 4 can be identical.As described above, printed circuit board (PCB) 52 can cover brilliant film 59 and is connected with one.Can be around the electrophoretic display thin film 54 through the sealing of encapsulant 58 or sealant, electrophoretic display thin film 54 shows that when Presentation Function is opened a plurality of patterns are with as a plurality of button patterns.Contact panel 56 is positioned at electrophoretic display thin film 54 tops, and the two can pass through for example optics sticker or adhesive tape combination.When the user contacts contact panel,, make the respective signal of electrophoretic display press-key structure 50 outputs corresponding to the button pattern of contact position below by the touch controllable function of contact panel.Contact panel 56 tops still can be provided with a protective layer 60 with protection contact panel 56.Electrophoretic display press-key structure 50 still can comprise electro-optical device 62 before, and it can be arranged between contact panel 56 and the electrophoretic display thin film 54, with above-mentioned preceding electro-optical device 40 can be identical.One substrate 64 still can be set, to support above-mentioned each parts below printed circuit board (PCB) 52.Can comprise a shell 66 in addition, with ccontaining above-mentioned each parts.

The above only is preferred embodiment of the present invention, and all equalizations of doing according to claim of the present invention change and modify, and all should belong to covering scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrophoretic display button structure, comprising:

a first printed circuit board on which printed circuits are provided;

A plurality of metal shrapnels are arranged above the printed circuit, and when pressed, the pressed metal shrapnels are electrically connected to the printed circuit below;

A plurality of protrusions are respectively located above the plurality of metal shrapnels;

a second printed circuit board, which is arranged above the plurality of protrusions;

The electrophoretic display film is arranged above the second printed circuit board, and performs a display function together with the second printed circuit board, and the periphery of the electrophoretic display film is sealed, wherein the electrophoretic display film displays a plurality of patterns, the positions of the plurality of patterns correspond to the positions of the plurality of metal shrapnels;

a frontlight device positioned over the electrophoretic display film; and

A keycap structure is located above the front light device.

2. The electrophoretic display button structure according to claim 1, wherein the front light device comprises a light guide plate and a light source, the light guide plate is located between the electrophoretic display film and the keycap structure, and the light source is located on the side of the light guide plate side.

3. The electrophoretic display button structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.

4. The electrophoretic display key structure according to claim 1, wherein the key cap structure comprises a plurality of key outline parts and a base material, the plurality of key outline parts are located on the base material, and its position is the same as that of the plurality of protrusions The positions correspond to each other, respectively.

5 . The electrophoretic display button structure according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of button outlines are formed by applying ultraviolet curable resin on the substrate and cured after being irradiated with ultraviolet rays. 6 .

6. The electrophoretic display button structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of button outlines and the substrate are integrally formed.

7. The electrophoretic display button structure according to claim 4, wherein the keycap structure further comprises an opaque frame, disposed on the substrate, exposing the plurality of button outlines to cover the plurality of button outlines between substrates.

8. The electrophoretic display key structure according to claim 7, wherein the opaque frame is a metal frame or a plastic frame.

9. The electrophoretic display button structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein a part of the base material is cut around each of the plurality of button outline parts.

10. The electrophoretic display button structure according to claim 1, further comprising a film of elastic sheet, which covers and adheres the plurality of metal elastic sheets, and adheres to the first printed circuit board, so as to fix the plurality of metal elastic sheets on the the first printed circuit board; and the plurality of protrusions are fixed on the upper surface of the elastic film.

11. The electrophoretic display button structure according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic sheet film, which covers and adheres the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of metal elastic sheets, and is adhered to the first printed circuit board, so that the A plurality of metal domes are fixed on the first printed circuit board.

12. The electrophoretic display button structure according to claim 1, further comprising a casing.

13. An electrophoretic display button structure, comprising:

A printed circuit board;

The electrophoretic display film is arranged above the printed circuit board, and performs a display function together with the printed circuit board, and the periphery of the electrophoretic display film is sealed, wherein the electrophoretic display film displays a plurality of patterns when the display function is turned on as Multiple button patterns;

a frontlight device positioned over the electrophoretic display film; and

The touch panel, which is located above the front light device, is used for outputting corresponding signals corresponding to the button pattern under the touched position.

14. The electrophoretic display button structure according to claim 13, wherein the front light device comprises a light guide plate and a light source, the light guide plate is located between the electrophoretic display film and the touch panel, and the light source is located at the side of the light guide plate .

15. The electrophoretic display button structure as claimed in claim 14, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.

16. The electrophoretic display button structure as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a substrate disposed under the printed circuit board.

17. The electrophoretic display key structure according to claim 13, further comprising a protective layer disposed above the touch panel.

18. The electrophoretic display button structure according to claim 13, further comprising a casing.