US 6,610,944 B2 · Keyboard with draining unit and notebook computer having the keyboard

Abstract

A notebook computer has a main body with a keyboard assembly that includes a base plate mounting a plurality of key buttons and a draining system for draining liquid permeated between the key buttons. The main body further includes a deck plate coupled to a lower plate that forms the main body. The deck plate includes a support portion for the keyboard assembly and a second draining system coupled to a first draining system that drains the keyboard assembly. The lower plate includes a third draining system coupled to the second draining system that includes an access button for securing a storage space in the main body. The access button and the storage space are accessible through a bottom surface of the lower plate. The access button is preferably mechanical. The portable computer reduces or prevents the liquid impinging the keyboard assembly from being introduced into the main body and reduces damage to a main circuit board or the like in the main body.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A notebook computer, comprising:

a keyboard assembly, wherein the keyboard assembly comprises,
a base plate,
a plurality of key buttons disposed on the base plate, and
a draining unit that drains a liquid permeated between the key buttons collected by the base plate through a first discharge hole;
and
a main body that mounts the keyboard assembly, wherein the main body comprises,
a deck case that mounts the keyboard assembly, wherein the deck case includes a guide channel that corresponds to the first discharge hole, wherein the guide channel includes a second discharge hole for discharging the liquid received through the first discharge hole,
a lower case coupled to the deck case to form the main body enclosing a prescribed space, wherein the lower case discharges the liquid drained through the second discharge hole, and
a mechanical switch to access a prescribed storage area in the lower case of the main body that is accessible through a bottom surface of the main body, wherein the mechanical switch corresponds to the second discharge hole and includes a third discharge hole that accesses outside the main body to pass the liquid outside the main body.

6 more elements

A portable computer, comprising:

a body module;
a cover rotatably attached to the body module, wherein the cover contains a display unit for viewing information processed by the portable computer;
a keyboard assembly mounted on the body module, wherein the keyboard assembly comprises,
a base plate,
a plurality of key buttons disposed on the base plate, and
a draining unit that drains liquid permeated between the key buttons collected by the base plate through a first discharge hole;
a guide channel within the body module that corresponds to the first discharge hole, wherein the guide channel horizontally transports the liquid in the body module and includes a second discharge hole that discharges the liquid drained through the first discharge hole;
and
switch means for accessing a prescribed area in the body module that is accessible through a bottom surface of the body module, wherein the switch means corresponds to the second discharge hole and includes a third discharge hole that accesses outside the body module to pass the liquid outside the body module, wherein the switch means comprises,
button means for retractably accessing the prescribed area, and
button mounting means that receives the button means, wherein the third discharge hole is formed in the button mounting means to access outside the body module.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Keyboard with draining unit and notebook computer having the keyboard

Life of this patent

Keyboard with draining unit and notebook computer having the keyboard

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20