Lighted keyboard

Abstract

A light-emitting keyboard includes a bottom plate, a plurality of keys, a light guide plate, and a light adjusting layer. The plurality of keys has a first key near an edge of the bottom plate. The first key includes a key cap. The key cap has a light transmission region and a key cap edge. The light transmission region has a specific region near the key cap edge and the bottom plate edge. An outer edge side of the light guide plate is near the bottom plate edge. The light adjusting layer is disposed between the bottom plate and the light guide plate. Light is injected into the light guide plate and guided by the light guide plate to be emitted from a top surface and the outer edge side of the light guide plate. The light emitted from the top surface of the light guide plate irradiates the light transmission region. The light emitted from the outer edge side of the light guide plate irradiates the specific region of the light transmission region after passing through the light adjusting layer. The light-emitting keyboard of the present application can pass the light emitted from the outer edge side of the light guide plate through the light adjusting layer first, and then irradiate the specific region of the light transmission region of the key cap, so that the specific region will not have the problem of being too bright.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighted keyboard, in particular, a lighted keyboard with better uniformity of a light-transmitting area on a keycap of a key disposed at an edge of the keyboard. BACKGROUND

[0002] Most of the backlit keyboards on the market use a light guide plate to allow light to shine on each key. In the keys near the edge of the keyboard, for example, the keycap of the key with a light-transmitting symbol "Tab", due to the light leakage from the outer edge side of the light guide plate below, the "T" in the symbol "Tab" is too bright. SUMMARY

[0003] Based on the above problem, the present invention provides a lighted keyboard. According to the lighted keyboard of the present invention, the light-transmitting area on the keycap of the key disposed at the edge of the keyboard has better uniformity.

[0004] The lighted keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a bottom plate, a plurality of keys, a light guide plate, and a light adjusting layer. The bottom plate has a bottom plate edge. The plurality of keys are disposed on the bottom plate and are movable between an unpressed position and a pressed position relative to the bottom plate, wherein the plurality of keys have a first key, the first key is near the bottom plate edge, the first key comprises a keycap, the keycap has a light-transmitting area and a keycap edge, the light-transmitting area has a first area, the first area is near the keycap edge and the bottom plate edge. The light guide plate has a top surface and an outer edge side. The light adjusting layer is disposed between the bottom plate and the light guide plate. Light is injected into the light guide plate, the light is guided by the light guide plate to emit from the top surface as a first part of light and to emit from the outer edge side as a second part of light. The first part of light emitted from the top surface shines on the light-transmitting area. The second part of light emitted from the outer edge side shines on the first area after passing through the light adjusting layer.

[0005] According to a preferred embodiment of the present application, a lighted keyboard includes a base plate, a light guide plate, at least 26 keys, and a light adjusting layer. The base plate has a base plate edge. The light guide plate has an outer edge side. The area of the base plate is slightly larger than the area of the light guide plate. The light guide plate is superimposed with the base plate, and the outer edge side is close to the base plate edge. The at least 26 keys are arranged above the base plate and can move up and down relative to the base plate respectively. The at least 26 keys have a first key close to the base plate edge. The first key includes a key cap. The key cap has a light transmitting region and a key cap edge. The light transmitting region has a first region. The first region is close to the key cap edge and the base plate edge. The light adjusting layer is disposed between the base plate and the light guide plate. Wherein, light rays are injected into the light guide plate and guided by the light guide plate to emit from the top surface as a first part of light rays and guided by the light guide plate to emit from the outer edge side as a second part of light rays. The first part of light rays emitted from the top surface of the light guide plate irradiates the light transmitting region. The second part of light rays emitted from the outer edge side of the light guide plate irradiates the specific region after passing through the light adjusting layer.

[0006] As an optional technical solution, the lighted keyboard further includes a reflective sheet including a main body portion and an edge portion extending outward from the main body portion, the main body portion is arranged on the back surface of the light guide plate, and the edge portion is partially attached to the base plate at the edge of the base plate adjacent to the light adjusting layer, wherein the second part of light rays emitted from the outer edge side is reflected by the reflective sheet and then directed to the light adjusting layer.

[0007] As an optional technical solution, the lighted keyboard includes a light adjusting element including a transparent substrate and the light adjusting layer, the light adjusting layer is arranged on the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent substrate.

[0008] As an optional technical solution, the light adjusting layer is formed by a light transmitting ink with a light color.

[0009] As an optional technical solution, the base plate has a hollow region adjacent to the base plate edge and located below the key cap of the first key, the hollow region has an inner side wall close to the base plate edge, the outer edge side of the light guide plate is located within the projection range of the hollow region, and the outer edge side is close to the inner side wall, and the second part of light rays sequentially passes through the light adjusting layer, the hollow region, and then irradiates the first region of the first key cap.

[0010] According to another preferred embodiment of the present application, a lighted keyboard includes a bottom plate, a key cap, a light guide plate, and a light adjusting element. The bottom plate has a bottom plate edge and a hollowed-out region. The hollowed-out region of the bottom plate is adjacent to the bottom plate edge. The hollowed-out region of the bottom plate has an inner side wall close to the bottom plate edge. The key cap has a light transmitting region. The key cap is located above the hollowed-out region of the bottom plate and moves between an unpressed position and a pressed position relative to the bottom plate. The light guide plate has a top surface, a back surface, and an outer edge side surface. The outer edge side surface of the light guide plate is located below the hollowed-out region of the bottom plate and close to the inner side wall of the hollowed-out region close to the bottom plate edge. The light adjusting element is disposed between the bottom plate and the light guide plate. The light adjusting element includes a transparent substrate and a light adjusting layer. The transparent substrate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The light adjusting layer is formed partially on the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent substrate. Light rays enter the light guide plate, and the light rays are guided by the light guide plate to emit from the top surface and the outer edge side surface. The light rays emitted from the top surface of the light guide plate pass through the hollowed-out region of the bottom plate and then irradiate the light transmitting region of the key cap. The light rays emitted from the outer edge side surface of the light guide plate sequentially pass through the light adjusting layer, the hollowed-out region of the bottom plate, and then irradiate the light transmitting region of the key cap.

[0011] Further, the lighted keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present application further includes a reflective sheet. The reflective sheet includes a main body portion and an edge portion extending outwardly from the main body portion. The main body portion of the reflective sheet is disposed on the back surface of the light guide plate. The edge portion of the reflective sheet partially fits on the bottom plate and the light adjusting element adjacent to the bottom plate edge of the bottom plate. The light rays emitted from the outer edge side surface of the light guide plate are reflected by the reflective sheet and then emitted toward the light adjusting layer.

[0012] Unlike the prior art, the lighted keyboard according to the present application causes the light rays emitted from the outer edge side surface of the light guide plate to pass through the light adjusting layer first and then irradiate a specific region of the light transmitting region of the key cap, so that the specific region does not have the problem of being too bright.

[0013] The present application is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings and preferred embodiments, but is not limited to the same. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic view of the appearance of the lighted keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present application.

[0015] Figure 2 The figure is a schematic view of the appearance of the lighted keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 The figure is a schematic view of the appearance of the lighted keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In order to have a further understanding of the object, structure, features, and functions of the present application, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present application, a lighted keyboard includes a base plate, a plurality of keys, a light guide plate, and a light adjusting layer. The base plate has a base plate edge; the plurality of keys are disposed on the base plate and are movable relative to the base plate between an unpressed position and a pressed position, wherein the plurality of keys include a first key, the first key is adjacent to the base plate edge, and the first key includes a key cap, the key cap has a light transmitting region and a key cap edge, and the light transmitting region has a first region, the first region is adjacent to the key cap edge and the base plate edge; the light guide plate has a top surface and an outer edge side surface; the light adjusting layer is disposed between the base plate and the light guide plate; wherein light is injected into the light guide plate, the light is guided by the light guide plate to emit from the top surface as a first portion of light and to emit from the outer edge side surface as a second portion of light, the first portion of light emitted from the top surface illuminates the light transmitting region, and the second portion of light emitted from the outer edge side surface illuminates the first region after passing through the light adjusting layer.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present application, a lighted keyboard includes a base plate, a light guide plate, at least 26 keys, and a light adjusting layer. The base plate has a base plate edge; the light guide plate has an outer edge side surface, wherein the area of the base plate is greater than and similar to the area of the light guide plate, the light guide plate is superimposed with the base plate, and the outer edge side surface is adjacent to the base plate edge; the at least 26 keys are disposed above the base plate and are movable relative to the base plate, wherein the at least 26 keys include a first key, the first key is adjacent to the base plate edge, and the first key includes a key cap, the key cap has a light transmitting region and a key cap edge, and the light transmitting region has a first region, the first region is adjacent to the key cap edge and the base plate edge; the light adjusting layer is disposed between the base plate and the light guide plate; wherein light is injected into the light guide plate, the light is guided by the light guide plate to emit from the top surface as a first portion of light and to emit from the outer edge side surface as a second portion of light, the first portion of light emitted from the top surface illuminates the light transmitting region, and the second portion of light emitted from the outer edge side surface illuminates the first region after passing through the light adjusting layer.

[0019] In the lighted keyboard of the present application, the first portion of light emitted from the top surface of the light guide plate does not pass through the light adjusting layer, and the second portion of light emitted from the outer edge side surface of the light guide plate passes through the light adjusting layer first and then illuminates the first region of the light transmitting region of the key cap adjacent to the key cap edge and the base plate edge. By adjusting the second portion of light by the light adjusting layer, the first region does not have the problem of being too bright.

[0020] In actual operation, the lighted keyboard can further include a reflective sheet, the reflective sheet includes a main body portion and an edge portion extending outwardly from the main body portion, the main body portion is disposed on the back surface of the light guide plate, and the edge portion is partially attached to the base plate at the edge of the base plate adjacent to the base plate edge of the light adjusting layer, wherein the second portion of light emitted from the outer edge side surface is reflected by the reflective sheet and then emitted toward the light adjusting layer.

[0021] In one embodiment, the light adjusting layer is formed of a light transparent ink with a light color. In practice, the light emitting keyboard can include a light adjusting element, which includes a transparent substrate and the aforementioned light adjusting layer, and the aforementioned light adjusting layer is disposed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the transparent substrate.

[0022] In practice, the bottom plate has a hollow region adjacent to the bottom plate edge and below the key cap of the first key, the hollow region has an inner sidewall close to the bottom plate edge, the outer edge side of the light guide plate is within the projection range of the hollow region, and the outer edge side is close to the inner sidewall, and the second part of the light sequentially passes through the light adjusting layer, the hollow region, and then irradiates the first region of the first key cap.

[0023] The following describes the light emitting keyboard applying the present application in combination with the accompanying drawings. Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 . Figure 1 The appearance schematic diagram of the light emitting keyboard 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. Figure 2 For Figure 1 The partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the specific key 10a of the light emitting keyboard 1 along the A-A line is shown.

[0024] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the light emitting keyboard 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present application includes a bottom plate 11, a light guide plate 13, a plurality of keys 10 (for example, at least 26 keys 10), and a light adjusting element 14.

[0025] The bottom plate 11 has a bottom plate edge 112. The light guide plate 13 has a top surface 130, a back surface 132, and an outer edge side 134. The light guide plate 13 is overlaid with the bottom plate 11. In particular, the area of the bottom plate 11 is slightly larger than the area of the light guide plate 13, that is, the area of the bottom plate 11 is larger than and close to the area of the light guide plate 13. It should be noted that the bottom plate 11 has a hollow region 110.

[0026] In this embodiment, the plurality of keys 10 are at least 26 keys 10, which are disposed above the bottom plate 11 and can each move up and down relative to the bottom plate 11. A specific key 10a (which can be defined as a first key 10a, the same below) in the plurality of keys 10 is close to the bottom plate edge 112 of the bottom plate 11. The specific key 10a includes a key cap 12. The key cap 12 has a light transparent region 120 and a key cap edge 122. The key cap of the remaining keys 10 also has a light transparent region. Each light transparent region presents a specific pattern, and the specific pattern represents one of a character, a number, a symbol, and a function key.

[0027] The light-transmissive region 120 of the keycap 12 of the key 10a has a specific region 1202 (which can be defined as a first region 1202, hereinafter). The specific region 1202 of the light-transmissive region 120 of the key 10a is close to the keycap edge 122 and the chassis edge 112, and is also close to the outer edge side 134 of the light guide plate 13. Other regions of the light-transmissive region 120 of the key 10a are far away from the keycap edge 122. Taking the symbol "Tab" as an example, the symbol "T" is the specific region 1202, and the symbol "ab" is the other regions. As shown in Figure 1 The light-transmissive region 120 of the keycap 12 of the key 10a has a specific region 1202 (which can be defined as a first region 1202, hereinafter). The specific region 1202 of the light-transmissive region 120 of the key 10a is close to the keycap edge 122 and the chassis edge 112, and is also close to the outer edge side 134 of the light guide plate 13. Other regions of the light-transmissive region 120 of the key 10a are far away from the keycap edge 122. Taking the symbol "Tab" as an example, the symbol "T" is the specific region 1202, and the symbol "ab" is the other regions. As shown in

[0028] The light-transmissive region 120 of the keycap 12 of the key 10a has a specific region 1202 (which can be defined as a first region 1202, hereinafter). The specific region 1202 of the light-transmissive region 120 of the key 10a is close to the keycap edge 122 and the chassis edge 112, and is also close to the outer edge side 134 of the light guide plate 13. Other regions of the light-transmissive region 120 of the key 10a are far away from the keycap edge 122. Taking the symbol "Tab" as an example, the symbol "T" is the specific region 1202, and the symbol "ab" is the other regions. As shown in Figure 2 In the example shown in

[0029] The light-transmissive region 120 of the keycap 12 of the key 10a has a specific region 1202 (which can be defined as a first region 1202, hereinafter). The specific region 1202 of the light-transmissive region 120 of the key 10a is close to the keycap edge 122 and the chassis edge 112, and is also close to the outer edge side 134 of the light guide plate 13. Other regions of the light-transmissive region 120 of the key 10a are far away from the keycap edge 122. Taking the symbol "Tab" as an example, the symbol "T" is the specific region 1202, and the symbol "ab" is the other regions. As shown in

[0030] As shown in Figure 2 The light-transmissive region 120 of the keycap 12 of the key 10a has a specific region 1202 (which can be defined as a first region 1202, hereinafter). The specific region 1202 of the light-transmissive region 120 of the key 10a is close to the keycap edge 122 and the chassis edge 112, and is also close to the outer edge side 134 of the light guide plate 13. Other regions of the light-transmissive region 120 of the key 10a are far away from the keycap edge 122. Taking the symbol "Tab" as an example, the symbol "T" is the specific region 1202, and the symbol "ab" is the other regions. As shown in Figure 2As shown, the button 10 also includes a membrane switch circuit 16 and a resilient actuating element 17. The structure, function, and arrangement of the membrane switch circuit 16 and the resilient actuating element 17 are known technologies and will not be described in detail here. It should be noted that... Figure 2 In the example shown, the membrane switch circuit 16 is disposed on the base plate 11. The membrane switch circuit 16 may also be disposed between the base plate 11 and the dimming element 14.

[0031] Similarly, Figure 2 As shown, the base plate 11 also has a cutout area 110. The cutout area 110 of the base plate 11 is adjacent to the edge 112 of the base plate and is located below the keycap 12 of a specific button 10a. The cutout area 110 of the base plate 11 has an inner sidewall 1102 near the edge 112 of the base plate. In this embodiment, the area of ​​the base plate 11 is larger than and similar to the area of ​​the light guide plate 13. The orthographic projection of the light guide plate 13 is located within the orthographic projection range of the base plate 11. The outer sidewall 134 of the light guide plate 13 is located within the orthographic projection range of the cutout area 110 of the base plate 11, and the outer sidewall 134 of the light guide plate 13 is close to the inner sidewall 1102 of the cutout area 110 near the edge 112 of the base plate.

[0032] Light enters the light guide plate 13 and is guided by the light guide plate 13 to exit from the top surface 130 as a first portion of light R1 and from the outer edge side 134 as a second portion of light R2. The first portion of light R1, emitted from the top surface 130 of the light guide plate 13, passes through the hollow area 110 of the base plate 11 and illuminates the light-transmitting area 120 of the keycap 12 of the specific key 10a. The second portion of light R2, emitted from the outer edge side 134 of the light guide plate 13, sequentially passes through the dimming layer 142 and the hollow area 110 of the base plate 11 and illuminates a specific area 1202 of the light-transmitting area 120 of the keycap 12 of the specific key 10a.

[0033] In one specific embodiment, the dimming layer 142 may be formed of a light-colored translucent ink (e.g., white ink). A second portion of the light rays R2 emitted from the outer edge side 134 of the light guide plate 13 passes through the light-colored translucent ink and illuminates a specific area 1202 of the translucent area 120 of the keycap 12. Through the adjustment of the dimming layer 142, the problem of the specific area 1202 (i.e., the first area 1202) being brighter than other translucent areas on the keycap 12 is avoided, thereby ensuring better uniformity of the translucent area 120 on the keycap 12 of the specific key 10a located at the edge of the backlit keyboard 1.

[0034] Furthermore, similarly Figure 2As shown, the light-emitting keyboard 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present application further comprises a reflecting sheet 18. The reflecting sheet 18 comprises a main body portion 182 and an edge portion 184 extending outwardly from the main body portion 182. The main body portion 182 of the reflecting sheet 18 is disposed on the back surface 132 of the light guide plate 13. The edge portion 184 of the reflecting sheet 18 is partially attached to the bottom plate 11 at the edge of the bottom plate 11 adjacent to the light-adjusting element 14. The second portion of light rays R2 emitted from the outer edge side surface 134 of the light guide plate 13 is reflected by the edge portion 184 of the reflecting sheet 18 and then emitted toward the light-adjusting layer 142.

[0035] From the above detailed description of the present application, it can be clearly understood that the light-emitting keyboard according to the present application is capable of emitting light rays from the outer edge side surface of the light guide plate, which first pass through the light-adjusting layer and then irradiate the specific area of the light-transmitting region of the key cap. Furthermore, the specific area is prevented from being too bright by the light-adjusting layer.

[0036] Of course, the present application can have other various embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and essence of the present application. Such corresponding changes and modifications shall all fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A backlit keyboard, characterized in that... Include: The base plate has a base plate edge; Multiple buttons are disposed on the base plate. Each of the multiple buttons can move relative to the base plate between an unpressed position and a pressed position. Among the multiple buttons, there is a first button. The first button is close to the edge of the base plate. The first button includes a keycap. The keycap has a light-transmitting area and an edge. The light-transmitting area has a first area. The first area is close to the edge of the keycap and the edge of the base plate. The light guide plate has a top surface and outer side surfaces; as well as A dimming layer is placed between the base plate and the light guide plate; In this process, light enters the light guide plate, and the light is guided by the light guide plate to emerge from the top surface as a first part of the light and guided by the light guide plate to emerge from the outer side surface as a second part of the light. The first part of the light emitted from the top surface illuminates the light-transmitting area, and the second part of the light emitted from the outer side surface passes through the dimming layer and illuminates the first area.

2. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that, The illuminated keyboard further includes: The reflector includes a main body and an edge extending outward from the main body. The main body is disposed on the back of the light guide plate, and the edge is partially attached to the edge of the base plate and the dimming layer adjacent to the base plate. The second portion of light emitted from the outer edge side is reflected by the reflector and then directed onto the dimming layer.

3. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that, The backlit keyboard includes a dimming element, which includes a transparent substrate and a dimming layer disposed on the upper or lower surface of the transparent substrate.

4. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dimming layer is formed from light-colored translucent ink.

5. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate has a cutout area adjacent to the edge of the base plate and located below the keycap of the first button. The cutout area has an inner sidewall near the edge of the base plate. The outer side of the light guide plate is located within the orthographic projection range of the cutout area, and the outer side is close to the inner sidewall. The second portion of light passes through the dimming layer and the cutout area in sequence to illuminate the first area of ​​the keycap.

6. A backlit keyboard, characterized in that... Include: The base plate has a base plate edge; A light guide plate has an outer edge side surface, wherein the area of ​​the base plate is larger than the area of ​​the light guide plate and similar to the area of ​​the light guide plate, the light guide plate is stacked with the base plate, and the outer edge side surface is close to the edge of the base plate; At least 26 buttons are arranged above the base plate and can move up and down relative to the base plate. Among the at least 26 buttons, there is a first button. The first button is close to the edge of the base plate. The first button includes a keycap. The keycap has a light-transmitting area and an edge. The light-transmitting area has a first area. The first area is close to the edge of the keycap and the edge of the base plate. A dimming layer is placed between the base plate and the light guide plate; In this process, light enters the light guide plate, and is guided by the light guide plate to emerge from the top surface of the light guide plate as a first part of the light and from the outer side surface of the light guide plate as a second part of the light. The first part of the light emitted from the top surface illuminates the light-transmitting area, and the second part of the light emitted from the outer side surface passes through the dimming layer and illuminates the first area.

7. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 6, characterized in that, The illuminated keyboard further includes: The reflector includes a main body and an edge extending outward from the main body. The main body is disposed on the back of the light guide plate, and the edge is partially attached to the edge of the base plate and the dimming layer adjacent to the base plate. The second portion of light emitted from the outer edge side is reflected by the reflector and then directed onto the dimming layer.

8. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 6, characterized in that, The backlit keyboard includes a dimming element, which includes a transparent substrate and a dimming layer disposed on the upper or lower surface of the transparent substrate.

9. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 6, characterized in that, The dimming layer is formed from light-colored translucent ink.

10. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 6, characterized in that, The base plate has a cutout area adjacent to the edge of the base plate and located below the keycap of the first button. The cutout area has an inner sidewall near the edge of the base plate. The outer side of the light guide plate is located within the orthographic projection range of the cutout area, and the outer side is close to the inner sidewall. The second portion of light passes through the dimming layer and the cutout area in sequence to illuminate the first area of ​​the keycap.

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