KR-20260065992-A - Mechanical keyboard with a solar cell layer located underneath

Abstract

A mechanical keyboard with a solar cell layer located underneath is provided. A solar-operated mechanical keyboard includes a keyboard body with multiple keys that can be selected by pressing on a solar cell layer located beneath the keyboard body to absorb ambient light. The multiple keys are configured to move downward to make contact with conductive traces on a conductive layer. Since the layers above the solar cells are made of a transparent or translucent material, the solar technology can be effectively hidden while enabling efficient energy conversion and maintaining tactile feedback or a "click feel."

Inventors

• 체아, 첸 위
• 총, 폭 얍

Assignees

• 홈 컨트롤 싱가포르 피티이. 엘티디.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20230913

Claims (20)

1. As a solar-powered mechanical keyboard: - Keyboard body with multiple keys - Users can select each key individually by pressing the keys - ; - A conductive layer having a conductive trace located below the keyboard body; - A solar cell layer located below the conductive layer to absorb light; and - Includes a circuit configured to be electrically connected to the solar cell layer and to supply power to the conductive layer, Each of the plurality of keys and the conductive layer is configured to define an air gap between them, and A keyboard, wherein each of the plurality of keys is configured to move downward to contact the conductive trace of the conductive layer.
2. In claim 1, the keyboard body and the conductive layer are transparent or translucent to capture light.
3. A keyboard according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of keys is a dome structure for capturing light and providing a click sensation.
4. A keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the conductive trace is located on the upper surface of the conductive layer.
5. A keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a conductive contact on the bottom of each of the plurality of keys.
6. A keyboard according to claim 5, wherein the conductive contact of each key is configured to make electrical contact with the conductive trace of the conductive layer when the key is selected.
7. A keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the distance traveled while pressing each key provides a click sensation.
8. In paragraph 1, An upper adhesive layer for bonding the keyboard body and the conductive layer; and It further includes a bottom adhesive layer for bonding the conductive layer and the solar cell layer, The above top and bottom adhesive layers are transparent or translucent, and A keyboard in which the above-mentioned bottom adhesive layer also functions as an insulating layer between the above-mentioned conductive layer and the above-mentioned solar cell layer.
9. A keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the conductive layer is about 0.2 mm.
10. A keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the solar cell layer is within the range of 1 to 2 mm.
11. A keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard body further comprises a transparent or translucent top cover layer, and the top cover layer is made of a transparent material.
12. A keyboard according to claim 11, wherein the top cover layer is textured to direct natural light or artificial light toward the solar cell layer to improve the efficiency of light capture.
13. A keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell layer is composed of silicon, amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon), gallium arsenide (GaAs), cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), or perovskite.
14. A keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer, conductive contact, and conductive trace comprise indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).
15. A keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a power storage unit having one or more rechargeable batteries or hybrid capacitors.
16. A keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises a haptic motor configured to provide a simulated click sensation for each key press.
17. A keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a keyboard signal transmission interface electrically connected to the output signal of the conductive layer via wiring or a wireless signal transmission module.
18. In claim 1, the keyboard is configured to be used as any one of a computer keyboard, a mouse, or a remote control configured to be used with a computer peripheral or a consumer electronic device.
19. As a computer system: The keyboard of paragraph 1; and A computer system comprising a computing device connected to the keyboard to receive input from the keyboard during operation.
20. As a method for manufacturing a solar cell-based keyboard: - A step of providing a solar cell layer that absorbs light; - A step of incorporating a conductive layer having a conductive trace located on top of the solar cell layer; - A step of mounting a keyboard body having a plurality of keys on the conductive layer above - each key is configured to be individually selected by a user by pressing the key - ; and - Includes the step of providing a circuit configured to be electrically connected to the solar cell layer and to supply power to the conductive layer, Each of the plurality of keys and the conductive layer are configured to define an air gap between them, and A method in which each of the plurality of keys is configured to move downward to contact the conductive trace of the conductive layer.

Description

Mechanical keyboard with a solar cell layer located underneath The present invention generally relates to an electronic device having a solar cell layer, and more specifically to a mechanical keyboard in which a solar cell layer is located under the keyboard. Recently, the exploration of renewable energy sources has been increasing exponentially. Solar energy is emerging as a strong candidate due to its abundance and the potential for widespread adoption. However, integrating solar cells into existing equipment without compromising functionality or aesthetics has been a long-standing challenge. Conventional solar cells often require separate, visible panels, which can damage the appearance of peripheral devices or products. Due to these limitations, the seamless integration of solar energy solutions into various applications, such as electronic devices and everyday products, has become difficult. To address these critical issues, there is a clear need to improve device performance by enhancing the design of electronic devices integrated with solar cell structures. In addition, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the attached drawings and the background of this disclosure, and from the appended claims. One aspect of the present invention is a solar-operated mechanical keyboard comprising: a keyboard body having a plurality of keys—each key can be individually selected by a user by pressing a key—; a conductive layer having a conductive trace located below the keyboard body; a solar cell layer located below the conductive layer and absorbing light; and a circuit electrically connected to the solar cell layer and configured to supply power to the conductive layer, wherein each of the plurality of keys and the conductive layer are configured to define an air gap between them, and each of the plurality of keys is configured to move downward to contact the conductive trace of the conductive layer. In some embodiments, the keyboard body and the conductive layer are transparent or translucent to capture light. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of keys is a dome structure for capturing light and providing a click sensation. In some embodiments, the conductive trace is located on the top surface of the conductive layer. In some embodiments, the keyboard further includes conductive contacts on the bottom of each of the plurality of keys. In some embodiments, the conductive contact of each key is configured to make electrical contact with the conductive trace of the conductive layer when the key is selected. In some embodiments, the distance traveled while pressing each key provides a click sensation. Some embodiments further include an upper adhesive layer for bonding the keyboard body to the conductive layer; and a bottom adhesive layer for bonding the conductive layer to the solar cell layer. The upper and bottom adhesive layers are transparent or translucent. The bottom adhesive layer also functions as an insulating layer between the conductive layer and the solar cell layer. In some embodiments, the thickness of the conductive layer is about 0.2 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the solar cell layer is within the range of 1 to 2 mm. In some embodiments, the keyboard further includes a transparent or translucent top cover layer on the keyboard body, and the top cover layer is made of a transparent material. In some embodiments, the top cover layer is textured to direct natural or artificial light toward the solar cell layer to improve the efficiency of light capture. In some embodiments, the solar cell layer is made of silicon, amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon), gallium arsenide (GaAs), cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), or perovskite. In some embodiments, the conductive layer, conductive contact, and conductive trace comprise indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). In some embodiments, the keyboard further includes a power storage unit having one or more rechargeable batteries or hybrid capacitors. In some embodiments, the keyboard further includes a haptic motor to provide a simulated click sensation for each key press. In some embodiments, the keyboard further includes a keyboard signal transmission interface electrically connected to the output signal of a conductive layer through wiring or a wireless signal transmission module. In some embodiments, the keyboard is configured to be used with any one of a computer keyboard, mouse, or remote control configured to be used with a computer peripheral or consumer electronic device. In some embodiments, a computer system is provided comprising any of the aforementioned solar-operated mechanical keyboards and a computing device connected to the keyboard to receive input from the keyboard during operation. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a solar cell-based