Thin-type keycap structure, keypad structure including the same, and method of making the same

A thin-type keypad structure, comprising:

• a circuit board comprising a plurality of electrical connection sites;
• a plurality of metal domes disposed above the electrical connection sites respectively, wherein, when the metal domes are pressed, the metal domes are electrically connected to the underlying electrical connection sites;
• a plurality of plungers disposed above the metal domes respectively;
• and
• a plurality of keycap structures disposed above the plungers respectively and each comprising:
• a key cap layer comprising a resin and having a top surface, a side surface, and a bottom surface,
• a plastic film covering the top surface of the key cap layer, and
• a printing layer between the top surface of the key cap layer and the plastic film.

A method of making a thin-type keycap structure, comprising:

• providing a plastic film having a first surface and a second surface;
• providing a mold comprising a top mold and a bottom mold, wherein the bottom mold comprises a surface with a plurality of first recessions;
• providing a resin;
• and
• performing a compression molding on the plastic film and the resin together with the mold to form a compression-molded laminate, wherein the first surface of the plastic film faces the bottom mold, the resin faces the top mold, the compression-molded laminate comprises a plastic film surface and a resin surface, the plastic film surface comprises a plurality of bulged portions corresponding to the first recessions of the surface of the bottom mold, and the bulged portions each comprise a portion of the plastic film and a portion of the resin.