Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device comprises a shell and a status indicator lamp. The status indicator lamp is assembled on the shell and comprises a light guide structure and a plurality of light-emitting elements. The light guide structure has a light-in surface, a reflecting surface and a light-out surface. The reflecting surface is inclined to the light-in surface and the light-out surface. The light-emitting elements are arranged on one side of the light guide structure and face the light incident face. Light beams emitted by the light-emitting elements are suitable for entering the light guide structure from the light incident surface and arriving at the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface is suitable for reflecting the light beam to the light-emitting surface so that the light beam irradiates the light guide structure from the light-emitting surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular to an electronic device capable of emitting light. Background Art

[0002] Some electronic devices on the market have a luminous effect, in which light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes are arranged in the concave holes of the light-guiding structure inside the device to reduce the loss of light. However, this design will cause the light to be concentrated in the concave holes, resulting in the phenomenon of lamp beads or light segmentation on the light-emitting surface of the electronic device, making the overall brightness of the light-emitting surface uneven. Some other electronic devices set the light-emitting elements on the end face of the light-guiding structure, but this design will cause the light to be concentrated on the local light-emitting surface facing the light-emitting element, which also causes the problem of overall uneven brightness. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention provides an electronic device having uniform luminous brightness.

[0004] An electronic device of the present invention includes a housing and a status indicator light. The status indicator light is assembled in the housing and includes a light guide structure and a plurality of light-emitting elements. The light guide structure has a light incident surface, a reflective surface, and a light emitting surface. The reflective surface is inclined to the light incident surface and the light emitting surface. A plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged on one side of the light guide structure and face the light incident surface. The light beam emitted by each light-emitting element is suitable for entering the light guide structure from the light incident surface and reaching the reflective surface. The reflective surface is suitable for reflecting the light beam toward the light emitting surface so that the light beam is irradiated from the light emitting surface to the outside of the light guide structure.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a distance between each of the light emitting elements and the light incident surface.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light guide structure is L-shaped.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the reflection surface overlaps the light incident surface in a direction perpendicular to the light incident surface.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the angle between the reflection surface and the light incident surface is less than 45 degrees.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light guide structure is suitable for being assembled to the housing from the outside of the housing, and the light emitting surface is flush with the exterior surface of the housing.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the appearance surface of the light guide structure is a light emitting surface, and the light emitting surface has etched patterns.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light guide structure comprises a main body and an extension portion. The extension portion extends from the main body toward the outside of the electronic device, the light incident surface and the reflection surface are located in the main body, and the light emitting surface is located in the extension portion.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the extending portion does not overlap the light emitting elements in a direction perpendicular to the light incident surface.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension portion protrudes relative to the main body portion in a direction parallel to the light emitting surface.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the light guide structure comprises a main body portion and at least one hook portion connected to each other, and the at least one hook portion is engaged with the housing.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one hook portion is integrally connected to the main body.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light-guiding structure is doped with titanium dioxide particles.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the status indicator light further comprises a frame, and the light guide structure and the light emitting elements are disposed on the frame.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device is a camera device and further includes a lens. The frame is located between the light emitting elements and the lens.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame defines a recess, the light-guiding structure and the light-emitting elements are located in the recess, and the recess and the lens are located on two opposite sides of the frame.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned status indicator light further includes a flexible circuit board and a reinforcing plate. The light-emitting elements are arranged on the flexible circuit board, and the flexible circuit board is stacked on the reinforcing plate.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the status indicator light further includes a reflective layer. The reflective layer is disposed on the reflective surface.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device has a main functional area, and the main functional area and the light emitting surface are located on different sides of the housing.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device is a camera device, and the main function area is a camera area.

[0024] Based on the above, the light-emitting element of the status indicator light of the present invention is arranged on one side of the light-guiding structure and corresponds to the light incident surface of the light-guiding structure, so that the light beam emitted by the light-emitting element enters the light-guiding structure from the light incident surface of the light-guiding structure and reaches the inclined reflecting surface, and then is reflected by the reflecting surface toward the light-emitting surface and irradiates from the light-emitting surface to the outside of the light-guiding structure. Accordingly, the light beam emitted by each light-emitting element is not directly irradiated toward the light-emitting surface, and the phenomenon of light segmentation on the light-emitting surface can be avoided. Moreover, under this configuration of the present invention, as long as the extension range of the light incident surface and the reflecting surface is large enough, the number and arrangement range of the light-emitting elements can be sufficient to cover the range of the light-emitting surface, and the brightness is not concentrated only in a local area of ​​the light-emitting surface. Thus, the electronic device of the present invention can achieve the effect of uniform light emission for the status indicator light. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1A It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Another three-dimensional schematic diagram of the electronic device.

[0027] Figure 2A yes Figure 1A A three-dimensional schematic diagram of some components of a status indicator light.

[0028] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Another three-dimensional schematic diagram of some components of a status indicator light.

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 2B A partial cross-sectional diagram of the status indicator light along line II.

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 1A Exploded view of an electronic device.

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 1A A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electronic device.

[0032] Figure 6 yes Figure 1A Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electronic device.

[0033] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 The status indicator light and the enlarged diagram of the frame are shown in FIG.

[0034] The following are the descriptions of the reference numerals:

[0035] 10: Electronic devices

[0036] 100: Shell

[0037] 102: Slot

[0038] 104: protrusion

[0039] 106, 146: Bump

[0040] 110: Status indicator

[0041] 112: Light guide structure

[0042] 1121: Main body

[0043] 1122: Extension

[0044] 1123a, 1123b: hook portion

[0045] 114: Light emitting element

[0046] 116: Flexible printed circuit board

[0047] 117: Reinforcement plate

[0048] 118: Adhesion layer

[0049] 120: Upper cover

[0050] 121: Upper surface

[0051] 130: Inner cover

[0052] 140:Supporting structure

[0053] 150: Lens

[0054] 160:Frame

[0055] 162: concave part

[0056] D1, D2, D3: Direction

[0057] F1: Light incident surface

[0058] F2: Reflective surface

[0059] F3: Light emitting surface

[0060] G, Q: Spacing

[0061] L: Beam

[0062] M: Main function area

[0063] θ: Angle DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] For the convenience and clarity of explanation, the thickness or size of each element in the drawings is expressed in an exaggerated, omitted or schematic manner for the understanding and reading of those skilled in the art, and the size of each element is not completely its actual size, and is not used to limit the limiting conditions for the implementation of the present invention, so it has no technical substantive significance. Any structural modification, change in proportional relationship or adjustment of size, without affecting the efficacy and purpose that can be achieved by the present invention, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed by the present invention. The same reference numerals will be used to represent the same or similar elements in all drawings.

[0065] Figure 1A It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Please refer to Figure 1A and Figure 1B The electronic device 10 of this embodiment is, for example, a webcam or other types of camera devices and has a main function area M. The main function area M is, for example, a camera area for capturing external images, but the type of the electronic device 10 is not limited thereto. The electronic device 10 includes a housing 100 and a status indicator light 110. The status indicator light 110 is assembled in the housing 100, so that the electronic device 10 can display the current use status of the electronic device 10 through the status indicator light 110.

[0066] Figure 2A yes Figure 1A A three-dimensional schematic diagram of some components of a status indicator light. Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Another three-dimensional schematic diagram of some components of a status indicator light. Figure 3 yes Figure 2B A partial cross-sectional diagram of the status indicator light along line II. Please refer to Figures 2A to 3 Specifically, the status indicator light 110 includes a light guide structure 112 and a plurality of light emitting elements 114. The light guide structure 112 has a light incident surface F1 ( Figure 2B ), reflecting surface F2 and light emitting surface F3. The reflecting surface F2 is inclined to the light incident surface F1 and the light emitting surface F3. The light emitting element 114 is, for example, a light emitting diode, which is disposed on one side of the light guide structure 112 and faces the light incident surface F1. The light beam L ( Figure 3 ) is suitable for entering the light guide structure 112 from the light incident surface F1 and reaching the reflective surface F2, and the reflective surface F2 is suitable for reflecting the light beam L toward the light emitting surface F3, so that the light beam L is irradiated from the light emitting surface F3 to the outside of the light guide structure 112. In this way, the user can know the use status of the electronic device 10 from the light emitted by the status indicator light 110.

[0067] Under the above configuration, the light beam L emitted by each light emitting element 114 does not directly irradiate the light emitting surface F3, so that the light segmentation phenomenon on the light emitting surface F3 can be avoided. In addition, as long as the extension range of the light incident surface F1 and the reflection surface F2 is large enough, the number and arrangement range of the light emitting elements 114 can be sufficient to cover the range of the light emitting surface F3, and the brightness will not be concentrated only in a local area of ​​the light emitting surface F3. Therefore, the electronic device 10 of this embodiment can make the status indicator light 110 achieve a uniform light emitting effect.

[0068] Furthermore, if Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the light-guiding structure 112 of the present embodiment is L-shaped, and the light-entering surface F1, the reflecting surface F2, and the light-emitting surface F3 disposed on the light-guiding structure 112 are also L-shaped. The light-entering surface F1, the reflecting surface F2, and the light-emitting surface F3 have the same extension direction, and the dimensions of the light-entering surface F1, the reflecting surface F2, and the light-emitting surface F3 in the extension direction are also substantially the same. In other words, the extension ranges of the light-entering surface F1, the reflecting surface F2, and the light-emitting surface F3 correspond to each other, so that the light beam L entering from the light-entering surface F1 evenly covers the range of the light-emitting surface F3, thereby avoiding the situation where the L-shaped light-guiding structure 112 has uneven light emission or insufficient brightness at the corners. In addition, there is a spacing Q( Figure 3 ), a specific spacing Q can make the light beam L emitted by the light-emitting element 114 evenly irradiate the light-emitting surface F3, so as to achieve the effect of uniform light emission of the light-guiding structure 112. On the contrary, if the spacing Q is too large, the light-emitting surface F3 will produce problems of light segmentation and insufficient brightness. If the spacing Q is too small, the number of light-emitting elements 114 needs to be increased, resulting in an increase in production costs.

[0069] The light incident surface F1, the reflection surface F2 and the light emitting surface F3 are described in detail below. First, the light incident surface F1 of the present embodiment is, for example, a highly polished plane, and the projections of the light emitting elements 114 on the light incident surface F1 are evenly distributed on the light incident surface F1, so that the light beams L emitted by the light emitting elements 114 are evenly irradiated to the light incident surface F1. There is a spacing G ( Figure 3 ) to prevent the light guide structure 112 from being overheated and deteriorating or deforming.

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown, the reflective surface F2 and the light incident surface F1 are respectively located on opposite sides of the light guide structure 112. The reflective surface F2 overlaps the light incident surface F1 in a direction D1 perpendicular to the light incident surface F1, and can completely reflect the light beam L entering the light guide structure 112 from the light incident surface F1 to the light emitting surface F3. The irradiation range of the light emitting element 114 is, for example, 120 degrees. Under this premise, the angle θ between the reflective surface F2 and the light incident surface F1 needs to be less than 45 degrees to achieve a good and uniform light emitting effect.

[0071] If the angle θ is greater than 45 degrees, the size of the reflective surface F2 will be reduced, resulting in a decrease in the amount of reflected light, and the reflective surface F2 may be too close to the light emitting element 114, thereby affecting the light emitting effect. In addition, if the angle θ between the reflective surface F2 and the light incident surface F1 is arbitrarily changed, the light beam L reflected from the light emitting surface F3 may be biased toward one side of the light emitting surface F3, resulting in a decrease in the overall illumination uniformity of the light emitting surface F3.

[0072] The status indicator light 110 of this embodiment may further include a reflective layer. The reflective layer is disposed on the reflective surface F2 by coating, for example, so that the reflective surface F2 has the effect of reflecting the light beam. Of course, the reflective surface F2 may also be mirror-polished to achieve the effect of reflecting the light beam, and the reflection mechanism of the reflective surface F2 is not limited thereto.

[0073] The light emitting surface F3 is the appearance surface of the light guide structure 112, and overlaps with the reflective surface F2 in the direction D2 parallel to the light incident surface F1, so as to ensure that the light beam L reflected by the reflective surface F2 can completely reach the light emitting surface F3. The light emitting surface F3 has a texture, which can make the brightness of the light emitting surface F3 more uniform and prevent the electronic device 10 ( Figure 1A ) The components inside the electronic device 10 can be seen through the light-emitting surface F3, so as to maintain the beauty of the electronic device 10. In addition, the light-emitting surface F3 and the main functional area M ( Figure 1A ) are located on different sides of the housing 100, that is, the light emitted from the light emitting surface F3 is used as the light source of the status indicator light 110, and is not used in the main function area M. In addition, if the light emitting element 114 is closer to the light emitting surface F3, although the brightness of the light emitting surface F3 can be improved, the light emitting surface F3 is also prone to graininess, resulting in a decrease in the uniformity of the light emitting from the light emitting surface F3.

[0074] Next, the specific structure of the light guide structure 112 is described. Figure 2A As shown, the light guide structure 112 of this embodiment includes a main body 1121 and an extension 1122. The light incident surface F1 and the reflection surface F2 are located in the main body 1121, and the light emitting surface F3 is located in the extension 1122. The extension 1122 extends from the main body 1121 to the electronic device 10 ( Figure 1A ) and does not overlap the light emitting element 114 in the direction D1 perpendicular to the light incident surface F1. Thus, a certain distance is maintained between the reflective surface F2 and the light emitting surface F3, which helps to improve the uniformity of light emission from the light emitting surface F3. In addition, the light guide structure 112 is light-transmissive and can be doped with titanium dioxide particles, light guide powder or diffusion powder, for example, to achieve different light guide and visual effects.

[0075] Figure 4 yes Figure 1A Exploded view of an electronic device. Figure 5 yes Figure 1A Please refer to the cross-sectional diagram of the electronic device. Figure 2A , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the light guide structure 112 further includes at least one hook portion 1123a, 1123b (two are shown). The hook portions 1123a, 1123b are integrally connected to the main body 1121, but the hook portions 1123a, 1123b and the main body 1121 may also be different components. Figure 5 As shown, the hook portion 1123a is engaged with the protrusion 106 of the housing 100, and the hook portion 1123b is engaged with the protrusion 146 of the support structure 140 in the housing 100, so as to fix the light guide structure 112 to the housing 100, but the fixing method of the light guide structure 112 is not limited thereto.

[0076] It should be particularly noted that the light guide structure 112 of the present embodiment is suitable for being assembled to the housing 100 from the outside of the housing 100. The light emitting surface F3 (i.e., the appearance surface of the light guide structure 112) is flush with the appearance surface of the housing 100, and the appearance of the electronic device 10 can be kept flat. Since the light guide structure 112 is fixed to the housing 100 by the hook portions 1123a and 1123b, there is no need to use locking accessories such as screws to fix the light guide structure 112 to the housing 100, so the aesthetic appearance of the electronic device 10 can be enhanced. In addition, if the light guide structure 112 is assembled to the housing 100 from the inside of the housing 100, the required structure is more complicated and difficult to assemble. Therefore, the method of assembling the light guide structure 112 from the outside of the housing 100 actually helps to reduce the time and cost of assembly.

[0077] Figure 6 yes Figure 1A Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electronic device. In order to clearly show the interior of the housing, Figure 6 The supporting structure is hidden. Figure 6 , the housing 100 has a slot 102, and a protrusion 104 is provided inside the slot 102. On the other hand, the extension portion 1122 of the light guide structure 112 protrudes relative to the main body 1121 in a direction D3 parallel to the light emitting surface F3. When the light guide structure 112 is assembled to the housing 100, at least a portion of the main body 1121 passes through the slot 102 and extends into the inner side of the housing 100, and the protrusion 104 stops the extension portion 1122 in the slot 102 and can block the light beam L( Figure 3 ) to prevent the light beam L from leaking to the outside of the housing 100 before entering the light guide structure 112.

[0078] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 Please refer to the enlarged schematic diagram of the status indicator light 110 and the frame 160. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7The electronic device 10 of this embodiment further includes an upper cover 120, an inner cover 130, a lens 150 and a frame 160. The upper surface 121 of the upper cover 120 is the appearance surface of the electronic device 10. The upper cover 120 is disposed on the inner cover 130, but the upper cover 120 and the inner cover 130 can also be formed in one piece. The inner cover 130 is disposed on the support structure 140 and can block the light beam L( Figure 3 ) to prevent the light beam L from leaking to the outside of the upper cover 120. The lens 150 is disposed on the supporting structure 140 to obtain external images.

[0079] The frame 160 is disposed on one side of the supporting structure 140 and is located between the light emitting element 114 and the lens 150. The light guide structure 112 and the light emitting element 114 are disposed on the frame 160. Figure 7 As shown, a recess 162 can be defined, the light guide structure 112 and the light emitting element 114 are located in the recess 162, and the recess 162 and the lens 150 are located on opposite sides of the frame 160. In this way, the frame 160 can block the light beam L emitted by the light emitting element 114 to avoid interfering with the operation of the lens 150. In addition, the material of the frame 160 is, for example, plastic, but the material of the frame 160 can also be metal to enhance the heat dissipation effect, and the present invention does not limit the material of the frame 160.

[0080] like Figure 7 As shown, the status indicator light 110 further includes a flexible circuit board 116, a reinforcement plate 117 and an adhesive layer 118. The light emitting element 114 is disposed on the flexible circuit board 116, and the flexible circuit board 116 is stacked on the reinforcement plate 117. The reinforcement plate 117 is made of, for example, aluminum or steel to support the flexible circuit board 116 and improve the heat dissipation effect. The adhesive layer 118 is disposed on the reinforcement plate 117, and the reinforcement plate 117 is located between the flexible circuit board 116 and the adhesive layer 118. The adhesive layer 118 is, for example, a thermally conductive double-sided tape or a thermally conductive adhesive to fix the flexible circuit board 116 to the frame 160, and also has a heat dissipation effect.

[0081] In summary, the light-emitting element of the status indicator light of the present invention is arranged on one side of the light-guiding structure and corresponds to the light incident surface of the light-guiding structure, so that the light beam emitted by the light-emitting element enters the light-guiding structure from the light incident surface of the light-guiding structure and reaches the inclined reflecting surface, and then is reflected by the reflecting surface toward the light-emitting surface and irradiates from the light-emitting surface to the outside of the light-guiding structure. Accordingly, the light beam emitted by each light-emitting element is not directly irradiated toward the light-emitting surface, and the phenomenon of light segmentation on the light-emitting surface can be avoided. Moreover, under this configuration of the present invention, as long as the extension range of the light incident surface and the reflecting surface is large enough, the number and arrangement range of the light-emitting elements can be sufficient to cover the range of the light-emitting surface, and the brightness is not concentrated only in a local area of ​​the light-emitting surface. Thus, the electronic device of the present invention can achieve the effect of uniform light emission for the status indicator light.

[0082] Although the technical contents of the present invention have been disclosed as above in the form of preferred embodiments, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Any slight modifications and alterations made by any person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be based on the scope defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: case; as well as A status indicator light, assembled in the housing and comprising: A light-guiding structure, comprising a light-incident surface, a reflective surface and a light-emitting surface, wherein the reflective surface is inclined to the light-incident surface and the light-emitting surface; as well as A plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged on one side of the light-guiding structure and face the light-entering surface, wherein the light beam emitted by each of the light-emitting elements is suitable for entering the light-guiding structure from the light-entering surface and reaching the reflecting surface, and the reflecting surface is suitable for reflecting the light beam toward the light-emitting surface so that the light beam is irradiated from the light-emitting surface to the outside of the light-guiding structure.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: There is a distance between each of the light emitting elements and the light incident surface.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The light guiding structure is L-shaped.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The reflective surface overlaps the light incident surface in a direction perpendicular to the light incident surface.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The included angle between the reflecting surface and the light incident surface is less than 45 degrees.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The light guide structure is suitable for being assembled to the housing from the outside of the housing, and the light emitting surface is flush with the appearance surface of the housing.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The appearance surface of the light-guiding structure is the light-emitting surface, and the light-emitting surface has etched patterns.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The light guide structure includes a main body and an extension part, wherein the extension part extends from the main body to the outside of the electronic device, the light incident surface and the reflection surface are located in the main body, and the light emitting surface is located in the extension part.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The extending portion does not overlap the plurality of light emitting elements in a direction perpendicular to the light incident surface.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that The extension portion protrudes relative to the main body portion in a direction parallel to the light emitting surface.

11. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The light guide structure includes a main body portion and at least one hook portion connected to each other, and the at least one hook portion is engaged with the housing.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein: The at least one hook portion is integrally connected to the main body portion.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The light-guiding structure is doped with titanium dioxide particles.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The status indicator light further comprises a frame, and the light-guiding structure and the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged on the frame.

15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein: The electronic device is a camera device and further includes a lens. The frame is located between the plurality of light emitting elements and the lens.

16. The electronic device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that: The frame defines a concave portion, the light-guiding structure and the plurality of light-emitting elements are located in the concave portion, and the concave portion and the lens are respectively located at two opposite sides of the frame.

17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The status indicator light further comprises a flexible circuit board and a reinforcing plate, the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged on the flexible circuit board, and the flexible circuit board is stacked on the reinforcing plate.

18. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The status indicator light further includes a reflective layer, and the reflective layer is disposed on the reflective surface.

19. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The electronic device has a main functional area, and the main functional area and the light emitting surface are respectively located on different sides of the housing.

20. The electronic device as claimed in claim 19, wherein: The electronic device is a camera device, and the main functional area is a camera area.

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