Key light guide structure, light-emitting key and electronic device

Abstract

This application discloses a button light guide structure, an luminous button, and an electronic device. The button light guide structure is applied to an luminous button, which includes a light source. The button light guide structure includes: a base with at least one receiving groove on its lower surface; the light source is located within the receiving groove; at least one scattering part penetrating the base and positioned above the light source; a diverging area on the upper surface of the base, comprising multiple diverging blocks evenly distributed on the upper surface of the base; a reflector above the diverging area for reflecting light; and an upwardly extending edge of the base forming a light guide ring. The button light guide structure of this application provides more uniform light emission from the light guide ring, effectively reducing glare.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of button technology, specifically relating to a button light guide structure, an luminous button, and an electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of the electronics industry, some electronic devices have light guide structures around the buttons for decorative purposes. Traditional illuminated button structures rely on direct light from a light source. This method tends to result in overly bright areas near the light source and underly dim areas further away. Existing button light guide structures suffer from uneven light distribution, leading to a poor user experience. Utility Model Content

[0003] To overcome the aforementioned technical deficiencies, this application provides a key light guide structure, an illuminated key, and an electronic device, aiming to solve the above problems.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a light guide structure for a button is provided, applied to a light-emitting button, the light-emitting button including a light source, the light guide structure including: a base, the lower surface of the base having at least one receiving groove; the light source being located in the receiving groove; at least one scattering part, the scattering part being disposed through the base and located above the light source; a diverging area, disposed on the upper surface of the base; the diverging area including a plurality of diverging blocks, the diverging blocks being evenly distributed on the upper surface of the base; a reflector, disposed above the diverging area for reflecting light; the edge of the base extending upward to form a light guide ring.

[0006] In some embodiments of this application, the size of the reflector is adapted to the size of the base so that the orthographic projection of the reflector onto the upper surface of the base in the vertical direction can cover the bright area of ​​the base.

[0007] In some embodiments of this application, the base has at least one low-light hole at its edge near the light guide ring.

[0008] In some embodiments of this application, the low-light aperture is arc-shaped.

[0009] In some embodiments of this application, the illuminated button includes a push-button switch; the center of the base is provided with a central hole adapted to the push-button switch, and the push-button switch is located in the central hole.

[0010] In some embodiments of this application, the reflector has a clearance hole at its center that is adapted to the push-button switch.

[0011] In some embodiments of this application, the base is a light-transmitting base.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the base is a circular base; the number of receiving slots is two; the receiving slots are distributed on both sides of the base.

[0013] In some embodiments of this application, the base is a racetrack-shaped base; the number of receiving slots is four; the receiving slots are distributed around the perimeter of the base.

[0014] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a light-emitting button is provided, including a light source and a button light guide structure as described above.

[0015] In some embodiments of this application, the light source includes a PCB board and an LED lamp disposed on the PCB board; the LED lamp is located in a receiving groove.

[0016] In some embodiments of this application, the lower surface of the base is provided with a snap-fit ​​portion; the snap-fit ​​portion snaps into the PCB board.

[0017] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, an electronic device is provided, including a button light guide structure as described above, or an illuminated button as described above.

[0018] As can be seen from the above technical solution, this application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0019] In the button light guide structure provided in this application embodiment, the lower surface of the base is provided with at least one receiving groove, and the light source is placed in the receiving groove accordingly; the scattering part penetrates the base and is located above the light source. The light emitted by the light source is scattered by the scattering part and then reflected by the reflector to the upper surface area of ​​the base; the upper surface of the base is provided with a divergence area, which includes multiple evenly distributed divergence blocks; the light on the upper surface of the base is reflected and scattered multiple times by multiple divergence blocks to form a softer light field; the edge of the base extends upward to form a light guide ring. After the light from the edge of the base shines on the light guide ring, the light output of the light guide ring is more uniform, which can effectively reduce the problem of glare. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a game controller in related technologies;

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the button light guide structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 4 An analysis of the button light guide structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 5 An analysis of the button light guide structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a circular base provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a racetrack-shaped base provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the light source transmission path provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure label:

[0030] 1. Base; 11. Center hole; 12. Low light hole; 13. Snap-fit ​​part; 14. Receiving groove;

[0031] 2. Scattering part; 21. Inclined surface;

[0032] 3. Divergent region; 31. Divergent block;

[0033] 4. Reflector;

[0034] 5. Light guide ring;

[0035] 100. Game controller; 101. Panel;

[0036] 200. Illuminated button; 201. Light source; 202. Keycap; 203. Button switch; 2031. Flange; 204. PCB board. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed in this specification. Although the description of this application is presented in conjunction with preferred embodiments, this does not mean that the features of this application are limited to this embodiment. On the contrary, the purpose of describing the application in conjunction with embodiments is to cover other options or modifications that may be derived based on the claims of this application. To provide a thorough understanding of this application, many specific details will be included in the following description. This application may also be implemented without using these details. Furthermore, to avoid confusion or obscuring the focus of this application, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0038] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "connection" shall be interpreted broadly, for example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0039] In related technologies, electronic devices such as office keyboards, game controllers, and control panels include at least one button, which is used to input corresponding electrical signals. When a user presses one of the buttons, the button can transmit a specific signal to the corresponding electronic device, such as a character, a switch command, or a direction control command, thereby enabling operations such as issuing commands or inputting data to the electronic device.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a game controller in related technologies; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A.

[0041] In related technologies, see Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the game controller 100 includes a panel 101 and illuminated buttons 200 disposed on the panel 101. A light guide ring 5 is disposed around the illuminated buttons 200. The light guide ring 5 is a light-guiding structure; light emitted by the internal light source 201 of the game controller 100 illuminates the light guide structure, forming a visible illuminated ring. It can be understood that the light guide ring 5 serves a decorative purpose and / or highlights the function of the buttons.

[0042] However, in existing technologies, when the light guide structure is directly illuminated by the light source 201, the area near the light source 201 tends to be too bright, while the area further away from the light source 201 tends to be too dim. The uneven light distribution in traditional illuminated buttons 200 results in a bright center and dark edges, creating light spots and glare. Furthermore, the direct light is not sufficiently diffused, which can cause eye strain when used in dark environments.

[0043] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the button light guide structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 An analysis of the button light guide structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ; Figure 5 An analysis of the button light guide structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 .

[0045] like Figure 3-5 As shown in the figure, this application provides a button light guide structure, which includes: a base 1, a scattering part 2, a diverging area 3, a reflector 4, and a light guide ring 5. The button light guide structure is applied to a light-emitting button 200, which includes a light source 201.

[0046] It is understood that in this embodiment, each illuminated button 200 corresponds to a button light guide structure, and each illuminated button 200 corresponds to an independent light source 201. Furthermore, the light source 201 that cooperates with the button light guide structure is a point light source 201, specifically an LED. The number of LEDs in each illuminated button 200 can be one or more. The color of the LEDs can be red, white, etc., and this embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0047] The illuminated button 200 in this embodiment includes a keycap 202 and a button switch 203 connected to the keycap 202. When a user presses the working surface of the keycap 202, the working surface faces the user's pressing surface; after pressing, the keycap 202 moves downward to trigger the button switch 203 to work, and outputs a signal from the button switch 203 to the electronic device.

[0048] In this embodiment, since the light guide ring 5 of the light-emitting key 200 emits light, in order to prevent light from passing through the keycap 202 and affecting the overall light effect, the keycap 202 can be made of an opaque material, or the keycap 202 can be coated with a black paint layer, etc., to avoid light leakage.

[0049] The working surface of keycap 202 can be set to be circular or racetrack-shaped. The racetrack shape is a combination of two semicircles and two parallel sides in the middle. The racetrack-shaped keycap 202 combines the softness of curves with the regularity of straight lines to meet users' personalized needs for key shape.

[0050] In this embodiment, the shape of the base 1 is set according to the shape of the keycap 202. Specifically, if the working surface of the keycap 202 is circular, the base 1 is set to be circular; if the working surface of the keycap 202 is racetrack-shaped, the base 1 is set to be racetrack-shaped.

[0051] The base 1 has a central hole 11 at its center that corresponds to the push-button switch 203, and the push-button switch 203 is located inside the central hole 11. Specifically, the size of the central hole 11 is determined according to the size of the push-button switch 203, so that the push-button switch 203 can be accommodated in the central hole 11, which facilitates the positioning and installation of the push-button switch 203.

[0052] In some implementations, the push button switch 203 is provided with flanges 2031 around its perimeter. The push button switch 203 is fixed to the base 1 by the cooperation between the flanges 2031 and the center hole 11.

[0053] The lower surface of the base 1 is provided with at least one receiving groove 14; the light source 201 is located in the receiving groove 14. The light source 201 can be an LED lamp.

[0054] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a circular base provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0055] like Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the base 1 is a circular base 1; the number of receiving slots 14 is two; the receiving slots 14 are distributed on both sides of the base 1. The number of LED lights in each receiving slot 14 can be one or more.

[0056] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a racetrack-shaped base provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0057] like Figure 7 As shown, in another embodiment of this application, the base 1 is a racetrack-shaped base 1; the number of receiving slots 14 is 4; the receiving slots 14 are distributed around the base 1. Each receiving slot 14 can contain one or more LED lights.

[0058] In this embodiment, the button light guide structure includes at least one scattering part 2, which is disposed through the base 1 and located above the light source 201.

[0059] Specifically, the scattering part 2 is made of a light-transmitting material, and the light emitted from the light source 201 will be scattered when it passes through the scattering part 2.

[0060] In some embodiments of this application, a light-diffusing agent is added to the light-transmitting material of the scattering part 2, which allows light to diffuse uniformly inside the scattering part 2. After exiting the scattering part 2, the upward-emitted light is transmitted to the reflector 4. For example, 10% of the light-diffusing agent can be added to the scattering part 2. It should be noted that adding a certain proportion of light-diffusing agent to achieve multiple reflections of light within the scattering part 2 to achieve uniform diffusion is prior art and will not be elaborated here.

[0061] In some embodiments of this application, the exit surface of the scattering part 2 is configured as an inclined surface 21. Specifically, the upper surface of the scattering part 2 is configured to be concave from the edge towards the center point. After the light is emitted through the exit surface of the scattering part 2, the emitted light is more diffused.

[0062] In this embodiment, the divergence area 3 is located on the upper surface of the base 1; the divergence area 3 includes a plurality of divergence blocks 31, which are evenly distributed on the upper surface of the base 1; the reflector 4 is located above the divergence area 3 and is used to reflect light; the edge of the base 1 extends upward to form a light guide ring 5.

[0063] After light is emitted from the scattering surface of the scattering section 2, the upward-transmitting light passes through the reflector 4 and is reflected downwards. In one embodiment, the lower surface of the reflector 4 is coated with a reflective layer, which can be a high-reflectivity material such as aluminum, silver, or stainless steel. By using a reflective layer made of a high-reflectivity material, light reflection is achieved. Furthermore, the reflector 4 can effectively prevent light leakage from the button light guide structure, thereby reducing light loss and helping to ensure luminous intensity.

[0064] In some embodiments of this application, the size of the reflector 4 is adapted to the size of the base 1 so that the orthographic projection of the reflector 4 onto the upper surface of the base 1 in the vertical direction can cover the bright area of ​​the base 1.

[0065] Specifically, the size of the reflector 4 is adapted to the size of the base 1, with the gap between the reflector 4 and the base 1 being less than 0.5mm. This avoids light leakage due to excessive gap and prevents assembly interference caused by excessive size, making it easy to install the reflector 4 onto the base 1.

[0066] In some embodiments of this application, the reflector 4 has a clearance hole at its center that corresponds to the push-button switch 203. The clearance hole facilitates the installation of the push-button switch 203 onto the base 1.

[0067] The light reflected back by the reflector 4 is transmitted to the divergence area 3, which includes multiple divergence blocks 31. Each divergence block 31 can be a cylindrical block, and the divergence blocks 31 are evenly distributed on the upper surface of the base 1.

[0068] It is understandable that after the light emitted from the light source 201 is emitted from the scattering surface of the scattering part 2, part of it is transmitted to the reflector 4 and then reflected downward to the divergence area 3; the other part is directly diverged in the divergence area 3. Therefore, the light on the upper surface of the base 1 is reflected and scattered multiple times by multiple divergence blocks 31 to form a softer light field. At the same time, due to the setting of the reflector 4, it is also ensured that the light on the upper surface of the base 1 is not too dark, so as to avoid affecting the light guiding effect.

[0069] The illuminance distribution on the upper surface of the base 1 varies with the distance from the light source 201. The illuminance distribution on the upper surface of the base 1 exhibits the following pattern: the illuminance is higher in areas closer to the scattering part 2, while the illuminance is lower in areas farther away from the scattering part 2.

[0070] In some embodiments of this application, the base 1 has at least one low-light hole 12 at its edge near the light guide ring 5, specifically, the width of the light hole can be set to 1 mm. Specifically, after light from the edge of the base 1 illuminates the light guide ring 5, the light guide ring 5 emits light. The area closer to the scattering part 2 has higher illuminance. To make the light emission from the light guide ring 5 more uniform, the base 1 has a low-light hole 12 at its edge near the light guide ring 5.

[0071] The low-light aperture 12 reduces the brightness of the light guide ring 5, which is closer to the scattering part 2, resulting in more uniform light output from the light guide ring 5 and reducing glare. In some embodiments, the low-light aperture 12 is arc-shaped.

[0072] In some embodiments of this application, the base 1 is a circular base 1; there are two receiving slots 14, which are distributed on both sides of the base 1. Each scattering part 2 penetrates the base 1 and is located above the light source 201. The base 1 is provided with two weak light holes 12, each weak light hole 12 is located at the edge near the light guide ring 5.

[0073] In another embodiment of this application, the base 1 is configured as a racetrack-shaped base 1, with four receiving slots 14 distributed around the perimeter of the base 1. Each scattering part 2 penetrates the base 1 and is located above the light source 201. The base 1 is provided with four low-light holes 12, each low-light hole 12 being located at the edge near the light guide ring 5.

[0074] It is understandable that, in order to ensure that the light guide layer has a preset illuminance in the area far from the scattering part 2, the racetrack-shaped base 1 in this embodiment of the application, compared with the circular base 1, has 4 receiving slots 14 for accommodating LED lights, so as to ensure that the racetrack-shaped base 1 has a preset illuminance and avoid uneven light guiding on the light guide ring 5, which would affect the light guiding effect.

[0075] In some embodiments of this application, the base 1 is a light-transmitting base 1. The base 1 is made of a light-transmitting material, and a light diffusing agent is added to the light-transmitting material to allow light to diffuse uniformly inside the base 1. A portion of the light source 201 emitted by the LED lamp will exit through the scattering part 2, while the other portion will diffuse uniformly inside the base 1; furthermore, the light reflected back from the reflector 4 will also diffuse uniformly inside the base 1, better ensuring the uniformity of the illuminance distribution on the upper surface of the base 1.

[0076] In this embodiment, the light guide ring 5 is made of a light-transmitting material through which light can be emitted; and a light diffusing agent is added to the light-transmitting material to make the light diffuse uniformly inside the light guide ring 5.

[0077] In the button light guide structure provided in this application embodiment, the lower surface of the base 1 is provided with at least one receiving groove 14, and the light source 201 is correspondingly placed in the receiving groove 14; the scattering part 2 penetrates the base 1 and is located above the light source 201. The light emitted by the light source 201 is scattered by the scattering part 2 and then reflected by the reflector 4 to the upper surface area of ​​the base 1; the upper surface of the base 1 is provided with a divergence area 3, which includes a plurality of evenly distributed divergence blocks 31; the light on the upper surface of the base 1 is reflected and scattered multiple times by the plurality of divergence blocks 31 to form a softer light field; the edge of the base 1 extends upward to form a light guide ring 5. After the light from the edge of the base 1 shines on the light guide ring 5, the light output of the light guide ring 5 is more uniform, which can effectively reduce the problem of glare.

[0078] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the light source transmission path provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0079] like Figure 8 As shown, in the button light guide structure provided in this application embodiment, the transmission path of the light source 201 is as follows: the light emitted by the light source is scattered by the scattering part 2, part of the upward-emitting light is transmitted to the reflector 4 and reflected downward to the divergence area 3; part of the light is transmitted to the divergence area 3. After the light is reflected and scattered multiple times by the divergence area 3, the light on the upper surface of the base 1 forms a softer light field; then, the light from the edge of the base 1 illuminates the light guide ring 5, and the light guide ring 5 emits light.

[0080] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a light-emitting button 200 is provided, including a light source 201 and a button light guide structure as described above.

[0081] In some embodiments of this application, the light source 201 includes a PCB board 204 and an LED lamp disposed on the PCB board 204; the LED lamp is located in the receiving groove 14.

[0082] The PCB board 204 is used to control the lighting display of the LED lights, such as turning them on / off or adjusting their brightness.

[0083] In some embodiments of this application, the lower surface of the base 1 is provided with a snap-fit ​​part 13; the snap-fit ​​part 13 snaps into the PCB board 204.

[0084] Specifically, mating holes (not shown) that match the snap-fit ​​part 13 are pre-set on the PCB board 204. The snap-fit ​​part 13 is located in the mating hole, which facilitates the installation of the button light guide structure on the PCB board 204.

[0085] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, an electronic device is provided, including a button light guide structure as described above, or an illuminated button 200 as described above.

[0086] The number of illuminated buttons 200 can be one or more. In some embodiments, the number of illuminated buttons 200 can be multiple. In other implementations, the electronic device may have only a single illuminated button 200.

[0087] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A button light guide structure, characterized in that, Applied to an illuminated button, the illuminated button includes a light source, and the button light guide structure includes: A base, the lower surface of which is provided with at least one receiving groove; the light source is located within the receiving groove; At least one scattering part is provided, which is disposed through the base and located above the light source; A divergence zone is located on the upper surface of the base; the divergence zone includes multiple divergence blocks, which are evenly distributed on the upper surface of the base. A reflector, positioned above the divergence area, is used to reflect light. The edge of the base extends upward to form a light guide ring.

2. The button light guide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the reflector is adapted to the size of the base so that the vertical projection of the reflector onto the upper surface of the base can cover the bright area of ​​the base.

3. The button light guide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base has at least one low-light hole at its edge near the light guide ring.

4. The button light guide structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The low-light aperture is arc-shaped.

5. The button light guide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The illuminated button includes a push-button switch; the center of the base is provided with a central hole adapted to the push-button switch, and the push-button switch is located in the central hole.

6. The button light guide structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The reflector has a clearance hole at its center that is compatible with the push-button switch.

7. The button light guide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is a light-transmitting base.

8. The button light guide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is circular; there are two receiving slots; the receiving slots are distributed on both sides of the base.

9. The button light guide structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is racetrack-shaped; there are four receiving slots; the receiving slots are distributed around the base.

10. A light-emitting button, characterized in that, It includes a light source and a button light guide structure as described in any one of claims 1-9.

11. A light-emitting button according to claim 10, characterized in that, The light source includes a PCB board and an LED light disposed on the PCB board; the LED light is located in a receiving groove.

12. A light-emitting button according to claim 11, characterized in that, The lower surface of the base is provided with a snap-fit ​​part; The snap-fit ​​part snaps into the PCB board.

13. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes the light guide structure for buttons as described in any one of claims 1-9, or the light-emitting button as described in any one of claims 10-12.

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