Light guide cover, light guide module, and electronic device

Abstract

The light guide cover 100 comprises a cover body 110 (e.g., of light-blocking plastic at least 0.8mm thick) including a tubular main body portion 150 connected between a light source portion 140 and a

Description

BACKGROUND Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light guide cover, a light guide module, and an electronic device, and more particularly, to a light guide cover, a light guide module, and an electronic device that allow light to be reflected before exit. Description of Related Art

[0002] Driven by the pursuit of convenient life, a variety of electronic devices have been developed, and the shells (housings) of electronic devices are often equipped with light output units such as indicator lights, I / O ports, display screens, etc. However, in order to meet the requirements of the appearance design and internal part configuration of the electronic device at the same time, the light-emitting element as the indicator light source often cannot correspond to the center of the light-exiting surface of the indicator light, especially when the area of the light-exiting surface is large. The design of light source not corresponding to the center of the light-exiting surface will lead to uneven brightness at the light-exiting surface, and at the same time, the light leakage problem.

[0003] In view of the above, an indicator design (such as a light guide module) and an electronic device with the light source not corresponding to the center of the light-exiting surface that are capable of avoiding the issues of uneven brightness and light leakage are the goals to be achieved by the related industry. SUMMARY

[0004] It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a light guide cover that includes a cover body. The cover body has an internal space and a central axis, and includes a light source portion, a main body portion and a light exit portion in sequence along the central axis. The main body portion is connected between the light source portion and the light exit portion. The light source portion has a first opening. The main body portion is tubular and includes a main body inner surface, and the main body inner surface forms at least a part of the internal space. The cover body is configured for allowing a light to be emitted from the light source portion, reflected from the main body inner surface and then exit from the cover body through the light exit portion. The central axis does not pass through the first opening.

[0005] According to the light guide cover of the foregoing aspect, the main body inner surface can be arc-shaped and a polished surface, and a reflectivity or a diffusivity of the main body inner surface can be between 1% and 99.9%.

[0006] According to the light guide cover of the foregoing aspect, the cover body can be made of a light-blocking plastic material.

[0007] According to the light guide cover of the foregoing aspect, a minimum thickness of the main body portion can be equal to or greater than 0.8 mm.

[0008] According to the light guide cover of the foregoing aspect, the light exit portion can include a second opening, the cover body is configured for the light to exit the cover body through the second opening, and the central axis passes through the second opening.

[0009] According to the light guide cover of the foregoing aspect, the light guide cover can further include a light exit element connected to the light exit portion and enclosing the second opening, and the light exit element is made of a transparent material.

[0010] It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a light guide module that includes a cover body and at least one light-emitting element. The cover body has an internal space and a central axis, and includes a light source portion, a main body portion and a light exit portion in sequence along the central axis. The main body portion is connected between the light source portion and the light exit portion. The main body portion is tubular and includes a main body inner surface, and the main body inner surface forms at least a part of the internal space. The at least one light-emitting element is disposed in the internal space and corresponds to the light source portion, and the at least one light-emitting element deviates from the central axis. The cover body is configured for allowing a light to be emitted from the light source portion, reflected from the main body inner surface and then exit from the cover body through the light exit portion.

[0011] According to the light guide module of the foregoing aspect, a light-emitting angle between a light-emitting direction of the light-emitting element and the central axis can be between 0.1 degrees and 179.9 degrees.

[0012] According to the light guide module of the foregoing aspect, the light source portion can include a first opening, and the light guide module can further include a circuit board extending from the first opening to the internal space. The at least one light-emitting element is disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0013] According to the light guide module of the foregoing aspect, the light exit portion can include a second opening. The cover body is configured for the light to exit the cover body through the second opening, and the central axis passes through the second opening.

[0014] According to the light guide module of the foregoing aspect, the light guide module can further include a light exit element connected to the light exit portion and enclosing the second opening, and the light exit element is made of a transparent material.

[0015] According to the light guide module of the foregoing aspect, the light exit element can include an inclined surface that is annular and inclined to and surrounds the central axis.

[0016] According to the light guide module of the foregoing aspect, the inclined surface can be configured for the light to be emitted from the light source portion, reflected from the inclined surface, and then exit the cover body from the second opening.

[0017] According to the light guide module of the foregoing aspect, an inclination angle between the inclined surface and the central axis is determined according to a length of the cover body along the central axis and can be between 0.1 degrees and 89.9 degrees.

[0018] According to the light guide module of the foregoing aspect, the light exit portion can be tubular and include a light exit inner surface, and the light exit element is connected to the light exit inner surface. The light exit element can further include a central surface. The central axis passes through the central surface, and the inclined surface surrounds the central surface and is farther away from the light source portion than the central surface.

[0019] According to the light guide module of the foregoing aspect, a maximum diameter of the central surface passing through the central axis can be equal to or greater than 3 mm.

[0020] According to the light guide module of the foregoing aspect, the central surface has a minimum diameter passing through the central axis, there can be a deviation distance between the light-emitting element and the central axis, and a ratio of the minimum diameter to the deviation distance can be between 1.5 and 16.

[0021] It is yet another aspect of the present disclosure to provide an electronic device that includes the aforementioned light guide module and a shell. The shell has a shell opening, and the shell opening is in fluid communication with the second opening of the cover body.

[0022] According to the electronic device of the foregoing aspect, a light exit direction of the light guide module and an assembling direction of the cover body assembled to the electronic device can be different.

[0023] According to the electronic device of the foregoing aspect, the electronic device can further include at least one positioning element. At least one positioning structure of the cover body can be located on an outer surface of the cover body, and a circuit board is fixed with the cover body through the at least one positioning structure and the at least one positioning element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiment, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a light guide cover according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 2A is a schematic exploded view of a light guide module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 2B is a schematic front view of the light guide module shown in FIG. 2A after being assembled.

[0028] FIG. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light guide module shown in FIG. 2A taken along line 2C-2C.

[0029] FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 3B is a partial exploded view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 3A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the drawings indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”. Titles or subtitles can be used herein for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meanings in the art. In the case of conflict, the present document, including any definitions given herein, will prevail. The same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Alternative language and synonyms can be used for any term(s) discussed herein, and no special significance is to be placed upon whether a term is elaborated or discussed herein. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given herein. Numbering terms such as “first”, “second” or “third” can be used to describe various components, signals or the like, which are for distinguishing one component / signal from another one only, and are not intended to, nor should be construed to impose any substantive limitations on the components, signals or the like.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective (three-dimensional) view of a light guide cover 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A is a schematic exploded view of a light guide module 200 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B is a schematic front view of the light guide module 200 shown in FIG. 2A after being assembled. FIG. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light guide module 200 shown in FIG. 2A taken along line 2C-2C. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C, the light guide cover 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover body 110 having an internal space 130 and a central axis c1, and the cover body 110 includes a light source portion 140, a main body portion 150 and a light exit portion 160 in sequence along the central axis c1. The main body portion 150 is connected between the light source portion 140 and the light exit portion 160. The light source portion 140 includes a first opening 145. The main body portion 150 is tubular and has a main body inner surface 156. The main body inner surface 156 forms at least a part of the internal space 130.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C, the light guide cover 100 and its cover body 110 are configured for allowing the light m7 to be emitted from the light source portion 140, reflected from the main body inner surface 156 and then exit from the light guide cover 100 and its cover body 110 through the light exit portion160, and the central axis c1 does not pass through the first opening 145. It should be noted that the light path of the light in the light guide cover 100 is not limited by the light m7 in the figures, and the light can exit the light guide cover 100 from the light exit portion 160 after being reflected once or multiple times by the main body inner surface 156. In this way, the light guide cover 100 contributes to the uniformity of light output, especially when the light-emitting element is not designed to correspond to the center of the light-exiting surface, where the central axis c1 passes through the center of the light-exiting surface. Furthermore, the light guide cover 100 is a hollow structure, and under the same light guide volume, the cost is lower than the conventional light guide (for example, using a solid plastic light guide strip).

[0035] In detail, the main body inner surface 156 can be arc-shaped and a polished surface, and the reflectivity or the diffusivity of the main body inner surface 156 is between 1% and 99.9%. In this way, the main body inner surface 156 is a white or light-colored polished inner wall, which helps to enhance the reflection efficiency of the light m7. The main body inner surface 156 is designed in an arc shape, so that the light m7 can be effectively reflected to the light-exiting surface, and the range of the reflection angle of the light m7 is increased, so as to improve the uniformity of the light output. In addition, cross-sectional areas at different positions along the central axis c1 of the main body inner surface 156 may have the same shape.

[0036] The cover body 110 may be made of a light-blocking plastic material, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As such, the conventional light output unit such as the indicator light are usually separated into two parts as the light guide structure and the light shading structure, but the cover body 110 of the light guide cover 100 according to the present disclosure can simplify the parts because it has both light guide and light shading functions at the same time.

[0037] The minimum thickness t5 of the main body portion 150 can be equal to or greater than 0.8 mm. In this way, the shading efficiency of the light guide cover 100 can be increased to block more than 99% of the light source. Furthermore, the minimum thickness t5 can be equal to or greater than 1.5 mm.

[0038] The light exit portion 160 may include a second opening 165. The light guide cover 100 and its cover body 110 are configured for the light m7 to exit the light guide cover 100 and its cover body 110 through the second opening 165, and the central axis c1 passes through the second opening 165. In this way, the second opening 165 can be customized for a light output pattern, and at the same time enhance the uniformity of light. Furthermore, the cover body of the light guide cover according to the present disclosure may include a second opening or may include an enclosed transparent structure as the light-exiting surface, and the cover body including the transparent structure may be made of a plastic material by secondary injection molding.

[0039] The light guide cover 100 may further include a light exit element 180, which is connected to the light exit portion 160 and encloses the second opening 165, and the light exit element 180 is made of transparent material. Therefore, according to the design requirements, it can be decided that whether the cover body of the light guide cover of the present disclosure needs to add a light exit element. When the area of the light-exiting surface is large, the addition of light exit element can help to improve the brightness uniformity of the light-exiting surface.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C, the light guide module 200 of the second embodiment includes the cover body 110 as described in the first embodiment and at least one light-emitting element 270. The cover body 110 has the internal space 130 and the central axis c1, and includes the light source portion 140, the main body portion 150 and the light exit portion 160 in sequence along the central axis c1. The main body portion 150 is connected between the light source portion 140 and the light exit portion 160 and is tubular. The main body portion 150 includes the main body inner surface 156, which forms at least a part of the internal space 130.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2B and FIG. 20, the light-emitting element 270 is disposed in the internal space 130 and corresponds to the light source portion 140, and the light-emitting element 270 deviates from the central axis c1. The cover body 110 is configured for allowing the light m7 to be emitted from the light source portion140, reflected from the main body inner surface 156 and then exit from the cover body 110 through the light exit portion 160. In this way, the light guide module 200 helps to improve the uniformity of light output, especially when the light-emitting element 270 is not designed to correspond to the center of the light-exiting surface. Furthermore, in order to pursue the light transmission efficiency, the conventional light guide method (such as a solid plastic light guide strip) has many limitations on the appearance design, and the assembly structure cannot be designed on the light guide body. On the contrary, the light guide cover 100 or the cover body 110 according to the present disclosure only needs to maintain the inner surface smooth, and the external structure can be designed with a complex assembly structure, so the product design and assembly convenience can be effectively improved.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 2C, the central axis c1 is translated to the position of the cross-sectional line 2C-2C in FIG. 2B which is perpendicular to the circuit board 290 and passing through the light-emitting element 270. In specific, there is a light-emitting angle a7 between the light-emitting direction of the light-emitting element 270 (the direction in which the light-emitting element 270 emits the light m7) and the translated central axis c1, and the light-emitting angle a7 can be between 0.1 degrees and 179.9 degrees (or it can be said that the light-emitting angle a7 can be between 0 degrees and 89.9 degrees upward and downward from the direction of the central axis c1 after parallel translation, and further, the light-emitting angle a7 can be between 0 degrees and 60 degrees upward and downward from the direction of the central axis C1 after parallel translation). The light-emitting element 270 can be a LED. In this way, the uniformity of light output is improved.

[0043] The light source portion 140 includes the first opening 145. The light guide module 200 may further include the circuit board 290, which extends from the first opening 145 to the internal space 130, and the light-emitting element 270 is disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit board 290. Thus, the first opening 145 helps the light-emitting element 270 to penetrate deep into the cover body 110, so that more than 90% of the light path can be conducted inside the cover body 110. Furthermore, the side wall forming the first opening 145 surrounds the light-emitting element 270 and abuts against the circuit board 290, thereby reducing the possibility of light leakage.

[0044] The light exit portion 160 includes the second opening 165. The cover body 110 is configured for the light m7 to exit the cover body 110 through the second opening 165, and the central axis c1 passes through the second opening 165. The light guide module 200 may further include the light exit element 180, which is connected to the light exit portion 160 and encloses the second opening 165, and the light exit element 180 is made of transparent material.

[0045] The light exit element 180 may include an inclined surface 187, which is annular in shape, and the inclined surface 187 is inclined to and surrounds the central axis c1. The inclined surface 187 can be configured for the light m8 to be emitted from the light source portion 140, reflected from the inclined surface 187, and then exit the light guide cover 100 or the cover body 110 from the second opening 165. The angle between the inclined surface 187 and the central axis c1 is an inclination angle a8, and the inclination angle a8 can be determined according to the length of the cover body 110 along the central axis c1 and between 0.1 degrees and 89.9 degrees. Therefore, the transparent light exit element 180 at the light outlet of the light guide module 200 is equipped with a C angle design (i.e., inclined surface 187) at the position where no light output is required, and the light path that would otherwise be emitted from the invalid position can be reflected to the light-exiting surface, thereby enhancing the brightness of the light-exiting surface. In the second embodiment, the inclination angle a8 is 45 degrees, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0046] The light exit portion 160 can be tubular and include a light exit inner surface 166, and the light exit element 180 is connected to the light exit inner surface 166. The light exit element 180 may further include a central surface 185 (as the light-exiting surface of the light guide module 200 or the light guide cover 100, and can be a planar or non-planar lens). The central axis c1 passes through the central surface 185, and the inclined surface 187 surrounds the central surface 185 and is farther away from the light source portion 140 than the central surface 185. In this way, it helps to enhance the brightness and uniformity of the light-exiting surface.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 2B, the maximum diameter d8 of the central surface 185 passing through the central axis c1 may be equal to or greater than 3 mm. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the light guide module 200 can effectively improve the light uniformity of the product, and solve the issues in the conventional technology, where the light-exiting surface will be darker if it is far away from the light-emitting element, and will be brighter if it is close to the light-emitting element, especially when the diameter of the light-exiting surface is greater than 2.0 mm. In the second embodiment, the maximum diameter d8 is 28.9 mm, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0048] The central surface 185 has a minimum diameter d7 that passes through the central axis c1. There is a deviation distance d6 between the center of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element 270 and the central axis c1, and the ratio of the minimum diameter d7 to the deviation distance d6 can be between 1.5 and 16. Therefore, the application of the light guide module 200 according to the present disclosure in the situation where the light-emitting element 270 deviates from the central axis c1 more seriously (for example, the aforesaid ratio is less than 4, that is, the light-emitting element 270 deviates from the central axis c1 by more than 50%) can effectively avoid the problem of uneven brightness on the light-exiting surface. In the second embodiment, the minimum diameter d7 is 17.5 mm, the deviation distance d6 is 7.1 mm, and the ratio of the minimum diameter d7 to the deviation distance d6 is 2.5, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0049] FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device 300 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3B is a partial exploded view of the electronic device 300 shown in FIG. 3A. Components less relative to the light guide module 200 are omitted in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the electronic device 300 includes the light guide module 200 of the second embodiment and a shell (housing) 310. The shell 310 includes a shell opening 315, and the shell opening 315 is in fluid communication with the second opening 165 of the cover body 110. The area of the shell opening 315 may be smaller than the area of the second opening 165. In this way, it helps to improve the uniformity of light output, especially if the light-emitting element 270 is not designed to correspond to the center of the light-exiting surface.

[0050] In detail, the electronic device 300 may further include at least one positioning element (e.g., positioning elements 323, 324). At least one positioning structure of the cover body 110 (e.g., positioning structures 123, 124, 125, 126) may be located on the outer surface 120 of the cover body 110, and the circuit board 290 is fixed with the cover body 110 through the positioning structures 124, 125, 126 and the positioning element 324.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the light exit direction e2 of the light guide module 200 and the assembling directions e3, e4 in which the light guide cover 100 or the cover body 110 is assembled to the electronic device 300 can be different (may be non-parallel), and the light exit direction e2 of the light guide module 200 and the assembling direction e5 in which the light guide module 200 is assembled to the electronic device 300 can be different (may be non-parallel), wherein the light exit direction e2 is parallel to the central axis c1. In this way, the light guide module 200 is suitable for the miniaturized electronic device 300, and can effectively simplify the product mold design to reduce costs. Specifically, in the process of assembling the light guide module 200 to the electronic device 300, the positioning structure 123 of the cover body 110 (specifically the clamping tenon) and the positioning opening 333 of the positioning element 323 (which can be used as a heat dissipation element at the same time) are rotary combined and positioned along the assembling direction e3, and the assembling direction e3 of rotating the positioning structure 123 is different from the disassembling and assembling direction of the cover body 110 that are parallel to the light exit direction e2, so as to be suitable for the electronic device 300 with limited internal space 130. The upper surface of the circuit board 290 is close to and connected to the cover body 110 along the light exit direction e2 and closes at least part of the first opening 145, and the positioning element 324 is close to and connected to the lower surface of the circuit board 290 along the assembling direction e4. The hook part of the positioning structure 125 of the cover body 110 positions the positioning element 324 together with the circuit board 290 to the lower side of the cover body 110, so as to prevent the cover body 110 and the circuit board 290 from relatively displacing along the up and down directions. The positioning structure 126 of the cover body 110 (specifically a convex part) is mated with the groove of the positioning element 324. Further, two positioning structures 124 (specifically two thin sheets) of the cover body 110 are tightly assembled with the circuit board 290, so that light leakage can be avoided, and additional materials such as rubber or foam for shading light can be eliminated, so as to reduce costs. The light guide module 200, the positioning elements 323, 324 and other components that have been assembled and connected to each other are assembled in the shell 310 of the electronic device 300 in the assembling direction e5, as shown in FIG. 3A.

Claims

1. A light guide cover, comprising:a cover body having an internal space and a central axis, wherein the cover body comprises a light source portion, a main body portion and a light exit portion in sequence along the central axis, the main body portion is connected between the light source portion and the light exit portion, the light source portion comprises a first opening, the main body portion is tubular and comprises a main body inner surface, and the main body inner surface forms at least a part of the internal space;wherein the cover body is configured for a light to be emitted from the light source portion, reflected from the main body inner surface and then exit from the cover body through the light exit portion, and the central axis does not pass through the first opening.

2. The light guide cover according to claim 1, wherein the main body inner surface is arc-shaped and a polished surface, and a reflectivity or a diffusivity of the main body inner surface is between 1% and 99.9%.

3. The light guide cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover body is made of a light-blocking plastic material.

4. The light guide cover according to claim 3, wherein a minimum thickness of the main body portion is equal to or greater than 0.8 mm.

5. The light guide cover according to claim 1, wherein the light exit portion comprises a second opening, the cover body is configured for the light to exit the cover body through the second opening, and the central axis passes through the second opening.

6. The light guide cover according to claim 5, further comprising:a light exit element connected to the light exit portion and enclosing the second opening, wherein the light exit element is made of a transparent material.

7. A light guide module, comprising:a cover body having an internal space and a central axis, wherein the cover body comprises a light source portion, a main body portion and a light exit portion in sequence along the central axis, the main body portion is connected between the light source portion and the light exit portion, the main body portion is tubular and comprises a main body inner surface, and the main body inner surface forms at least a part of the internal space; andat least one light-emitting element disposed in the internal space and corresponding to the light source portion, wherein the at least one light-emitting element deviates from the central axis;wherein the cover body is configured for allowing a light to be emitted from the light source portion, reflected from the main body inner surface and then exit from the cover body through the light exit portion.

8. The light guide module according to claim 7, wherein a light-emitting angle between a light-emitting direction of the light-emitting element and thecentral axis is between 0.1 degrees and 179.9 degrees.

9. The light guide module according to claim 7, wherein the light source portion comprises a first opening, and the light guide module further comprises:a circuit board extending from the first opening to the internal space, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit board.

10. The light guide module according to claim 7, wherein the light exit portion comprises a second opening, the cover body is configured for the light to exit the cover body through the second opening, and the central axis passes through the second opening.

11. The light guide module according to claim 10, further comprising:a light exit element connected to the light exit portion and enclosing the second opening, wherein the light exit element is made of a transparent material.

12. The light guide module according to claim 11, wherein the light exit element comprises an inclined surface that is annular and inclined to and surrounds the central axis.

13. The light guide module according to claim 12, wherein the inclined surface is configured for the light to be emitted from the light source portion, reflected from the inclined surface, and then exit the cover body from the second opening.

14. The light guide module according to claim 12, wherein an inclination angle between the inclined surface and the central axis is determined according to a length of the cover body along the central axis and is between 0.1 degrees and 89.9 degrees.

15. The light guide module according to claim 12, wherein the light exit portion is tubular and comprises a light exit inner surface, and the light exit element is connected to the light exit inner surface;wherein the light exit element further comprises a central surface, the central axis passes through the central surface, and the inclined surface surrounds the central surface and is farther away from the light source portion than the central surface.

16. The light guide module according to claim 15, wherein a maximum diameter of the central surface passing through the central axis is equal to or greater than 3 mm.

17. The light guide module according to claim 15, wherein the central surface has a minimum diameter passing through the central axis, there is a deviation distance between the light-emitting element and the central axis, and a ratio of the minimum diameter to the deviation distance is between 1.5 and 16.

18. An electronic device, comprising:a light guide module as described in claim 10; anda shell comprising a shell opening, wherein the shell opening is in fluid communication with the second opening of the cover body.

19. The electronic device according to claim 18, wherein a light exit direction of the light guide module and an assembling direction of the cover body assembled to the electronic device are different.

20. The electronic device according to claim 18, further comprising:at least one positioning element, wherein at least one positioning structure of the cover body is located on an outer surface of the cover body, and a circuit board is fixed with the cover body through the at least one positioning structure and the at least one positioning element.

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