Backlight module and light-emitting keyboard
By combining a light guide plate, a light-transmitting film, a light-adjusting layer, and adhesive components, the problem of uneven illumination in traditional backlit keyboards is solved, achieving uniform illumination of key characters and improving the overall lighting effect of the backlit keyboard.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUAIAN DARFON ELECTRONICS
- Filing Date
- 2021-09-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
Traditional backlit keyboards often suffer from poor illumination uniformity, resulting in characters that are either too bright or too dark, which negatively impacts the user experience.
It adopts a combination structure of light guide plate, light-transmitting film, dimming layer and adhesive component. The adhesive component is completely covered by dimming layer in the area in front of the lamp, while the area behind the lamp is partially or completely uncovered. The light guiding characteristics of the adhesive component are used to assist the lighting and adjust the light amount to achieve uniformity.
Sufficient illumination of the key characters is achieved, ensuring uniformity and halo continuity at both ends, thus improving the lighting effect of the backlit keyboard.
Smart Images
Figure CN115810498B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a backlight module and an illuminated keyboard, and more particularly to a backlight module and an illuminated keyboard that can provide better illumination uniformity. Background Technology
[0002] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 A side view of the structure of a conventional backlit keyboard; Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of a conventional backlit keyboard. (Example:) Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown. A conventional backlit keyboard includes a base plate 100, a circuit board 102, a light guide plate 103, keycaps 104, a lifting mechanism 105, and a resilient reset member 106. The circuit board 102 is disposed on the base plate 100 and has multiple switches 107 corresponding to multiple keycaps 104. The lifting mechanism 105 is disposed on the base plate 100 and supports the keycaps 104, which is used to support the up-and-down movement of the keycaps 104 relative to the base plate 100. The resilient reset member 106 is located between the keycaps 104 and the base plate 100, and provides an elastic restoring force to drive the keycaps 104 back to their initial position. The light guide plate 103 has a hole 108, in which a light-emitting unit 109 is housed and illuminates the light guide plate 103. The keycaps 104 have characters, and the illumination light output by the light-emitting unit 109 passes through the light guide plate 103 and then through the microstructure prism 110 on the light guide plate 103 to illuminate the characters on the multiple keycaps 104. Multiple shielding layers 112 are provided on the light-transmitting film 111 to block light leakage around the keycap 104 to avoid or reduce halos. The area of the light guide plate 103 is approximately the same as that of the light-transmitting film 111, and the two are bonded together using an adhesive (e.g., water-based glue). Additionally, water-based glue 113 is applied around the perforation 108. Because the water-based glue 113 is light-guiding, if a key is directly above the outline of the water-based glue 113, the symbol on the keycap 104 will be too bright. Therefore, the light-transmitting film 111 provides a black ink layer 114 as a shielding layer 112 at the position corresponding to the water-based glue 113 to eliminate illumination light from the water-based glue 113 towards the keycap 104. The area of the black ink layer 114 is slightly larger than the area of the water-based glue 113, and the black ink layer 114 completely covers the water-based glue 113. However, while the black ink layer 114 prevents the characters on the keycap 104 from being too bright, it also makes the symbols on the keycap 104 too dark. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a backlight module and an illuminated keyboard that can provide better illumination uniformity, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a backlight module for a backlit keyboard. The backlight module includes: a light-emitting unit, a light guide plate, a light-transmitting film, a dimming layer, and an adhesive component. The light guide plate has a perforation to accommodate the light-emitting unit; the light-transmitting film covers the light guide plate; the dimming layer is disposed on the light-transmitting film and has a second contour; the adhesive component has a first contour, which is larger than the second contour, and is disposed between the light guide plate and the light-transmitting film. The adhesive component includes: a front-light area, a rear-light area, and a hollow portion. The front-light area is completely covered by the dimming layer; the rear-light area is partially covered by the dimming layer or not covered by the dimming layer; the hollow portion is positioned corresponding to the perforation, and its size is larger than the perforation.
[0005] As an optional technical solution, the dimming layer is a dark coating with light-shielding function; or, the dimming layer is a light-colored coating with partial light transmission function.
[0006] As an optional technical solution, the dimming layer has multiple light-transmitting dots, which are used to adjust the amount of illumination light emitted by the light-emitting unit.
[0007] As an optional technical solution, the glued part has a notch, and the illumination light emitted by the light-emitting unit shines toward the notch.
[0008] As an optional technical solution, the adhesive further includes a first adhesive and a second adhesive, the first adhesive being C-shaped and the second adhesive being rectangular, the second adhesive being disposed near the notch.
[0009] As an optional technical solution, the second colloid is completely covered by the dimming layer.
[0010] As an optional technical solution, the dimming layer covering the second colloid is trapezoidal.
[0011] As an optional technical solution, the dimming layer also has at least one light-transmitting hole.
[0012] In addition, the present invention also proposes an illuminated keyboard, which includes the aforementioned backlight module and a plurality of keys, the plurality of keys being disposed on the backlight module.
[0013] As an optional technical solution, one of the multiple buttons is located above the light-emitting unit, and the illumination emitted by the light-emitting unit illuminates the characters on the button through the adhesive.
[0014] As an optional technical solution, the dimming layer has multiple light-transmitting dots, which are used to adjust the amount of light emitted by the light-emitting unit and projected onto the button.
[0015] The backlight module and illuminated keyboard of this invention utilize the light-guiding properties of the adhesive component as auxiliary illumination, ensuring sufficient illumination for the key characters directly above the light-emitting unit. The adhesive component is completely covered by the dimming layer in the area in front of the light, but only a small portion of the adhesive component is covered by the dimming layer in the area behind the light; or the adhesive component is not covered by the dimming layer at all in the area behind the light. In this way, regardless of the location of the light-emitting unit within the light-guiding module, both the front and rear ends of the keycaps of the illuminated keys receive sufficient illumination, resulting in better illumination uniformity and halo continuity for the entire illuminated key.
[0016] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 A side view of the structure of a conventionally known illuminated keyboard.
[0018] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of a conventional backlit keyboard.
[0019] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a portion of the structure of the illuminated keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the shape and positional relationship between the light-emitting unit, the dimming layer, and the adhesive component in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the shape and positional relationship between the light-emitting unit, the dimming layer, and the adhesive component according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the shape and positional relationship between the light-emitting unit, the dimming layer, and the adhesive component in another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0023] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features, and functions of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to specific embodiments.
[0024] Please see Figures 3 to 4 , Figure 3 This is a partially exploded view of the structure of the illuminated keyboard 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the shape and positional relationship between the light-emitting unit 26, the dimming layer 36, and the adhesive component 34 in an embodiment of the present invention. The illuminated keyboard 10 includes a plurality of keys 12. The number and arrangement of the keys 12 depend on the language settings of the illuminated keyboard 10, and therefore will not be described in detail here.
[0025] The backlit keyboard 10 may include a light source circuit board 14, a membrane circuit board 16, a backlight module 18, an elastic recovery element 20, a lifting support mechanism 22, a base plate 23, and keycaps 24. The light-emitting units 26 are disposed on the light source circuit board 14, and the membrane circuit board 16 may have multiple switches 28. The light source circuit board 14, the membrane circuit board 16, and the base plate 23 are stacked on top of each other. The lifting support mechanism 22 supports the keycaps 24, allowing the keycaps 24 to move up and down relative to the switches 28. The base plate 23 is used to connect the lifting support mechanism 22.
[0026] The backlight module 18 includes a light guide plate 30, a light-transmitting film 32, an adhesive component 34, a light-emitting unit 26, and a dimming layer 36. The light guide plate 30 has a perforation 38 for accommodating the light-emitting unit 26. A button 12 is located above the light-emitting unit 26; the light-emitting unit 26 projects illumination light into the light guide plate 30 in a first direction D1, and then through a microstructure prism (not shown) on the light guide plate to illuminate multiple keycaps 24 in a second direction D2. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are approximately perpendicular. In actual operation, the second direction D2 can be parallel to the actuation direction of the button 12. The light-transmitting film 32 covers the light guide plate 30, and the areas of both are approximately equal. The adhesive component 34 is disposed between the light guide plate 30 and the light-transmitting film 32 to adhere them together. The adhesive component 34 has a hollow portion 341, whose position corresponds to the perforation 38, and whose size is larger than the perforation 38. In this invention, the adhesive component 34 is made of a light-transmitting and light-guiding material (e.g., water-based adhesive), so some of the illumination light will pass through the adhesive component 34 and illuminate the character A on the keycap 24 in the second direction D2. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the adhesive component 34 has a first contour 34A, and the dimming layer 36 has a second contour 36A smaller than the first contour 34A. The adhesive component 34 has a front-lamp region 342 in the first direction D1 of the light-emitting unit 26, and a rear-lamp region 343 in the third direction D3 of the light-emitting unit 26. Figure 4 As shown, the first direction D1 is opposite to the third direction D3. The adhesive component 34 and the dimming layer 36 substantially overlap in the area in front of the lamp 342, but do not overlap in the area behind the lamp 343, leaving an unshaded area 344 exposed on the adhesive component 34. The unshaded area 344 on the adhesive component 34 is used to direct the illumination light towards the character A in the second direction D2.
[0027] In this invention, the light-emitting unit 26 emits light in the first direction D1 and enters the light guide plate 30. At least a portion of the light reaching the lamp-front area 342 of the adhesive component 34 is stopped from propagating in the second direction D2 due to the effect of the dimming layer 36; at least a portion of the light reaching the unblocked area 344 on the adhesive component 34 propagates in the second direction D2. Specifically, the dimming layer 36 can be a dark coating with light-blocking function (e.g., black ink), which can block part of the illumination light in the second direction D2; or, the dimming layer 36 can also be a light-colored coating with partial light transmission function (e.g., white ink), which uses its semi-transparent properties to provide partial illumination light to the corresponding key above. Alternatively, one or more light-transmitting dots 361 can be provided on the dimming layer 36 to adjust the amount of light projected onto the keycap 24. The material, area, thickness, and shape of the dimming layer 36 are not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and are determined according to design requirements. The keycap 24 of one of the multiple keys 12 of the present invention can achieve uniform illumination of the character A by adjusting the partially overlapping area of the dimming layer 36 and the adhesive 34.
[0028] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the shape and positional relationship between the light-emitting unit 26, the dimming layer 36, and the adhesive component 34 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment, the adhesive component 34 may include a first adhesive 54 and a second adhesive 56. The first adhesive is C-shaped, and the second adhesive 56 is a rectangle with a relatively small area. The illumination light emitted by the light-emitting unit 26 irradiates the notch 54A of the first adhesive 54, that is, irradiates in a first direction. By designing the notch 54A, the light output can be increased to a certain extent (or the brightness can be improved). The second adhesive 56 is disposed near the notch 54A of the first adhesive 54. The second adhesive 56 is completely covered by the dimming layer 36. The dimming layer 36 includes a main block 58 and a protrusion 60. The protrusion 60 is trapezoidal and completely covers the second adhesive 56. The light output can be adjusted by the shape of the protrusion 60.
[0029] In addition, the dimming layer 36 may optionally have one or more light-transmitting holes 62, which are located on the protrusions 60 of the dimming layer 36 and are used to slightly increase the brightness of the character A on the keycap 24. In other possible variations, the light-transmitting holes 62 may also be located in the main block 58 of the dimming layer 36, and their position, size and distribution may depend on design requirements.
[0030] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6This is a schematic diagram showing the shape and positional relationship between the light-emitting unit 26, the dimming layer 36, and the adhesive component 34 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the components with the same number as those in the previous embodiment have similar positions and functions, so they will not be described again. In this embodiment, the front area 342 of the adhesive component 34 generally overlaps with the dimming layer 36, but the dimming layer 36 can slightly protrude from the adhesive component 34 along the first direction D1. The rear area 343 of the adhesive component 34 can partially overlap with the dimming layer 36. The adhesive component 34 can expose a portion of the unshielded area 344. The unshielded area 344 on the adhesive component 34 allows the illumination light to illuminate the character A in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the adhesive component 34 may include a first adhesive 54 and a second adhesive 56. The first adhesive is C-shaped, and the second adhesive 56 is a rectangle with a relatively small area. The illumination light emitted by the light-emitting unit 26 illuminates the notch 54A of the first adhesive 54, and the second adhesive 56 is disposed near the notch 54A of the first adhesive 54. The main block 58 of the dimming layer 36 is slightly smaller than the first adhesive 54 of the adhesive component 34, and the protrusion 60 of the dimming layer 36 is rectangular and does not completely cover the second adhesive 56 of the adhesive component 34.
[0031] In summary, the backlight module and its illuminated keyboard of the present invention utilize the light-guiding properties of the adhesive component as auxiliary illumination, ensuring sufficient illumination for the key characters directly above the light-emitting unit. The adhesive component is completely covered by the dimming layer in the area in front of the light, but only a small portion of the adhesive component is covered by the dimming layer in the area behind the light; or the adhesive component is not covered by the dimming layer at all in the area behind the light. In this way, regardless of the location of the light-emitting unit within the light-guiding module, both the front and rear ends of the keycaps of the illuminated keys receive sufficient illumination, resulting in better illumination uniformity and halo continuity for the entire illuminated key.
[0032] Of course, the present invention may have other various embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A backlight module for a backlit keyboard, characterized in that... The backlight module includes: Light-emitting unit; The light guide plate has perforations to accommodate the light-emitting unit; A light-transmitting film is placed over the light guide plate; A dimming layer, disposed on the light-transmitting film, the dimming layer having a second profile; and An adhesive component having a first profile larger than a second profile, the adhesive component being disposed between the light guide plate and the light-transmitting film, the adhesive component comprising: The area in front of the light is completely covered by this dimming layer; The area behind the light is either partially covered by the dimming layer or not covered by the dimming layer; and The hollow portion is positioned corresponding to the hole, and its size is larger than that of the hole.
2. The backlight module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dimming layer is a dark coating with light-blocking function; or, the dimming layer is a light-colored coating with partial light transmission function.
3. The backlight module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dimming layer has multiple light-transmitting dots, which are used to adjust the amount of illumination light emitted by the light-emitting unit.
4. The backlight module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The glued part has a notch, and the illumination light emitted by the light-emitting unit shines towards the notch.
5. The backlight module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The adhesive further includes a first adhesive and a second adhesive, the first adhesive being C-shaped and the second adhesive being rectangular, the second adhesive being disposed near the notch.
6. The backlight module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second colloid is completely covered by the dimming layer.
7. The backlight module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The dimming layer covering the second colloid is trapezoidal.
8. A backlit keyboard, characterized in that... Include: The backlight module according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and Multiple buttons are located on this backlight module.
9. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 8, characterized in that, One of the multiple buttons is located above the light-emitting unit, and the light emitted by the light-emitting unit illuminates the characters on the button through the adhesive.
10. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 9, characterized in that, The dimming layer has multiple light-transmitting dots, which are used to adjust the amount of light emitted by the light-emitting unit and projected onto the button.