Contactless button for projecting floating image

Abstract

To provide a contactless button for projecting a floating image.SOLUTION: A contactless button is provided, comprising a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements, a light-blocking element, and an imaging film. The light-emitting elements are fixed to the substrate. The light-blocking element is also fixed to the substrate. The light-blocking element has a plurality of accommodating spaces, a first surface, and a second surface. The first surface faces the second surface, and the first surface has a plurality of light outlets. The accommodating spaces penetrate through the first surface and the second surface and communicate with each other via the light outlets. The light-emitting elements are respectively located in the accommodating spaces. The imaging film is positioned so as to face the first surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to buttons, and particularly to non-contact buttons capable of projecting floating images.

Background Art

[0002] General types of buttons can be broadly classified into contact buttons and non-contact buttons. Usually, since contact buttons do not operate unless pressed or contacted, they tend to wear out more easily and are difficult to keep clean compared to non-contact buttons. Non-contact buttons usually arrange a plurality of light-emitting elements and an imaging sheet to project a floating image.

[0003] Similar to contact buttons, non-contact buttons with different functions are usually installed adjacent to each other so as not to occupy a large amount of space. However, since the distance between non-contact buttons is too close, the light rays generated from the light-emitting elements of different non-contact buttons are likely to interfere with each other. Therefore, in well-known technologies, the floating images of non-contact buttons that are turned off often do not completely disappear, which causes incorrect operations by users. Furthermore, the floating images of well-known non-contact buttons have problems of insufficient brightness and contrast and poor image quality.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image for improving the problem that the floating image does not completely disappear and improving the image quality.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the one or part or all of the above objectives, or other objectives, the non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image provided by the present invention includes a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements, a light-shielding element, and an imaging sheet. The light-emitting elements are fixed on the substrate. The light-shielding element is also fixed on the substrate. The light-shielding element has a plurality of accommodating spaces, a first surface, and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are opposite to each other, and the first surface has a plurality of light-emitting openings. The accommodating spaces penetrate through the first surface and the second surface and communicate with the light-emitting openings respectively. The light-emitting elements are respectively located in the accommodating spaces. The imaging sheet is installed to face the first surface.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light-shielding element may include a plurality of light-shielding walls. The first surface and the second surface are located at two opposite ends of the light-shielding walls. The light-shielding walls intersect with each other, surround the accommodating spaces, and are closely coupled to each other.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light-shielding walls are, for example, of an integral structure or a separate structure.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the light-shielding walls has two light-reflecting surfaces. The two ends of each light-shielding wall have a top end and a bottom end. The first surface is located at the top end, and the second surface is located at the bottom end. The two light-reflecting surfaces are opposite to each other, located between the top end and the bottom end, and are located in the accommodating space.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the light-shielding walls has a width, and the width is located between the two light-reflecting surfaces. The width gradually expands, for example, from the top end to the bottom end.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second surface located at the bottom end is a plane, and the two light-reflecting surfaces are inclined with respect to the plane.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the two light-reflecting surfaces includes a concave arc surface.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light-shielding walls can each include a main body and a light-reflecting layer. The top end and the bottom end are located on opposite sides of the main body. The light-reflecting layer is installed in a portion between the top end and the bottom end of the main body to form two light-reflecting surfaces. The main body and the light-reflecting layer are, for example, an integral structure or a separate structure.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light-shielding element further includes a housing. The housing surrounds the light-shielding walls and is closely coupled thereto.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first surface is, for example, a flat surface.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact button further includes a lens layer installed on the back side from the substrate of the imaging sheet.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact button further includes a floating touch layer installed on the back side from the lens layer of the imaging sheet.

[0017] In the present invention, the light-emitting element of the non-contact button is installed in the accommodation space of the light-shielding element. Therefore, the light rays generated from the light-emitting elements located in different accommodation spaces are blocked by the light-shielding element and do not enter the adjacent accommodation spaces, but are concentrated and incident on the imaging sheet through the light exit port. Based on the above-described content, the non-contact button of the present invention can not only improve the problem that the floating image does not completely disappear, but also increase the brightness of the light rays incident on the imaging sheet, thereby improving the image quality.

[0018] In order to more clearly understand the above-described or other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, the following examples will be given and described in detail as follows with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view schematic diagram of the substrate, light-emitting elements, and light-shielding element of the non-contact button in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a non-contact button 100 capable of projecting a floating image includes a substrate 110, a plurality of light-emitting elements 120, a light-shielding element 130, and an imaging sheet 140. The light-emitting elements 120 are fixed on the substrate 110. The light-shielding element 130 is fixed on the substrate 110 and has a plurality of accommodation spaces A, a first surface S1, and a second surface S2. The first surface S1 and the second surface S2 face each other, and the first surface S1 has a plurality of light-emitting ports O. The accommodation spaces A penetrate through the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 and communicate with the light-emitting ports O respectively. The light-emitting elements 120 are respectively located within the accommodation spaces A. The imaging sheet 140 is installed to face the first surface S1. For ease of explanation, hereinafter, the "non-contact button 100 capable of projecting a floating image" will be referred to as the "non-contact button 100".

[0021] The substrate 110 can include a circuit board. Specifically, the circuit board can include, for example, a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board can include a single layer printed circuit board (Single Layer PCB), a double layer printed circuit board (Double Layer PCB), and a multi-layer printed circuit board (Multi Layer PCB), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0022] In this embodiment, the light emitting element 120 can be electrically connected to the circuit board. The light emitting element 120 is, for example, a light emitting diode or the like, but is not limited thereto in other embodiments. In this embodiment, four light emitting elements 120 can be installed in each accommodation space A, but it can be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0023] In this embodiment, the material of the light shielding element 130 can be a material with a light transmittance of zero. Thereby, it further prevents the light rays emitted from the light emitting element 120 in different accommodation spaces A from entering the adjacent accommodation space A, and makes the concentrated emission of the light rays from the light exit port O more reliable. The light shielding element 130 can include a plurality of light shielding walls. In this embodiment, four light shielding walls 131 are taken as an example. The first surface S1 and the second surface S2 are located at two opposite ends 1310 and 1311 of the light shielding wall 131. Each light shielding wall 131 intersects with each other, surrounds each accommodation space A, and is closely coupled to each other to prevent the light rays emitted from the light emitting element 120 in different accommodation spaces A from entering the adjacent accommodation space A, and ensures the concentrated emission of the light rays from the light exit port O. The above-mentioned close coupling means that the light rays do not enter the adjacent accommodation space A through the joint between the light shielding walls 131. For example, the four light shielding walls 131 in this embodiment are of an integral structure, which not only further prevents the light rays from entering the adjacent accommodation space A through the joint between the light shielding walls 131, but also makes the non-contact button 100 easier to assemble. It should be noted that the four light shielding walls 131 can be formed by an integral molding process, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the first surface S1 is in close contact with the imaging sheet 140, and the second surface S2 is in close contact with the substrate 110, so that the problem of light leakage can be further prevented. Furthermore, the first surface S1 is, for example, a flat surface, which makes it easier for the imaging sheet 140 to be in close contact with the first surface S1.

[0024] Each light-shielding wall 131 has light-reflecting surfaces R1 and R2 respectively. The end 1310 of each light-shielding wall 131 includes a top end T, and the end 1311 of each light-shielding wall 131 includes a bottom end B. The first surface S1 is located at the top end T, and the second surface S2 is located at the bottom end B. The light-reflecting surfaces R1 and R2 face each other, are located between the top end T and the bottom end B, and are located within the accommodation space A. Therefore, each light-shielding wall 131 can reflect more light rays to the light-emitting opening O, improving the utilization efficiency of light. Specifically, each light-shielding wall 131 includes a main body 1312 and a light-reflecting layer 1313. The top end T and the bottom end B are located on opposite sides of the main body 1312. The light-reflecting layer 1313 is installed at the portion between the top end T and the bottom end B of the main body 1312, forming the light-reflecting surfaces R1 and R2. The main body 1312 and the light-reflecting layer 1313 form an integral structure. For example, the light-reflecting material can form the four light-shielding walls 131 through an integral molding process. In this case, the main body 1312 and the light-reflecting layer 1313 form an integral structure. The light-reflecting material includes, for example, metals and plastics, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the light-reflecting surfaces R1 and R2 of each light-shielding wall 131 surround the accommodation space A, further improving the utilization efficiency of light.

[0025] The light-shielding element 130 further includes a housing F. The housing F surrounds each light-shielding wall 131 and is closely coupled to prevent the problem of light leakage at the joint between the housing F and each light-shielding wall 131. Similarly, the housing F forms an integral structure with each light-shielding wall 131, further preventing the problem of light leakage. Since other features of the housing F are approximately the same as those of each light-shielding wall 131, related descriptions are omitted. Also, the housing F surrounds all of the accommodation space A and the light-emitting opening O. Furthermore, the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 extend from each light-shielding wall 131 to the housing F, that is, the substrate 110 and the imaging sheet 140 can be in close contact with each light-shielding wall 131 and the housing F, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0026] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the imaging sheet 140 has, for example, a plurality of imaging holes H through which the light rays generated by the light emitting element 120 pass to form a floating image. As can be understood, different regions of the corresponding different accommodation spaces A of the imaging sheet 140 have imaging holes H of different shapes, and floating images of different shapes are displayed.

[0027] Compared with the well-known technology, in this embodiment, the light emitting element 120 of the non-contact button 100 is installed in the accommodation space A of the light shielding element 130. Therefore, the light rays emitted from the light emitting elements 120 in different accommodation spaces A are blocked by the light shielding element 130 and do not enter the adjacent accommodation spaces A, and are concentrated and incident on the imaging sheet 140 through the light exit port O. For this reason, the non-contact button 100 of this embodiment can not only improve the problem that the floating image does not completely disappear, but also increase the brightness of the light rays incident on the imaging sheet 140 and improve the quality of the image.

[0028] In addition, the non-contact button 100 further includes a lens layer 150. The lens layer 150 is installed on the back side from the substrate 110 of the imaging sheet 140, and projects the light rays that have passed through the imaging sheet 140 to form a floating image. In this embodiment, the lens layer 150 is, for example, a micro lens array (MLA), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0029] In this embodiment, the non-contact button 100 further includes a floating touch layer 160. The floating touch layer 160 is installed on the back side from the imaging sheet 140 of the lens layer 150 and provides the function of floating touch. For example, the floating touch layer 160 may include a capacitive touch layer. However, in one embodiment, the non-contact button 100 uses an infrared signal transceiver to provide the function of floating touch. The present invention is not limited to the specific means for providing floating touch.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to another embodiment of the present invention. The structure and advantages of the non-contact button 100a in this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment in FIG. 1, but only the differences will be described below. Referring to FIG. 3, the light-shielding walls 131a of the light-shielding element 130a each have a width W1, and the width W1 is between the light reflection surfaces R1a and R2a. The width W1, for example, gradually widens from the top end T1 toward the bottom end B1. Thereby, the light beam L incident on the imaging sheet 140 through the light exit opening O becomes more collimated, thereby further improving the brightness and contrast of the floating image. For example, the second surface S2a located at the bottom end B1 is a flat surface, and the light reflection surfaces R1a and R2a are inclined with respect to the flat surface such that the width W1 gradually widens from the top end T1 toward the bottom end B1. In this embodiment, the second surface S2a, for example, is in close contact with the flat surface of the substrate 110, and the light reflection surfaces R1a, R2a are inclined with respect to the second surface S2a.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to another embodiment of the present invention. The structure and advantages of the non-contact button 100b in this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment in FIG. 3, but only the differences will be described below. Referring to the light-shielding element 130b in FIG. 4, the light reflection surfaces R1b, R2b of the light-shielding wall 131b each have a shape of a concave arc surface, whereby the light beam L incident on the imaging sheet 140 through the light exit opening O becomes more collimated. Further, due to the shape of the concave arc surface, the light beam is emitted from the light exit opening O more evenly, and the image quality can be further improved.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a top schematic view of a substrate of a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image, a light-emitting element, and a light-shielding element in another embodiment of the present invention. The structure and advantages of the non-contact button 100c in this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment in FIG. 1, but only the differences will be described below. Referring to FIG. 5, the light-shielding wall 131c has, for example, a separate structure. Therefore, it becomes easier to change the arrangement method of the light-shielding element 130c. In addition, engaging structures corresponding to each other are provided at each joint of the light-shielding wall 131c (not shown). Thereby, each light-shielding wall 131c is closely coupled to each other. For example, the engaging structure is a concave portion and a convex portion having complementary shapes, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Further, in this embodiment, the housing Fc and each light-shielding wall 131c have a separate structure. Since the assembling method of the housing Fc and each light-shielding wall 131c is substantially the same as the assembling method between each light-shielding wall 131c, related descriptions are omitted here. In one embodiment, the housing Fc is a case of the non-contact button 100c (not shown), but the present invention is not limited to the specific features of the housing Fc.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image in another embodiment of the present invention. The structure and advantages of the non-contact button 100d in this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment in FIG. 1, but only the differences will be described below. Referring to FIG. 6, the main body 1312d and the light reflection layer 1313d have, for example, a separate structure. Specifically, in the manufacturing process of the light-shielding element 130d, first, the main body 1312d is formed, and then the light reflection layer 1313d is installed on the outer surface of the main body 1312d. In this embodiment, the material of the light reflection layer 1313d includes a metal, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0034] To summarize the above, in the present invention, the light-emitting element of the non-contact button is installed within the accommodation space of the light-shielding element. Therefore, the light rays generated from the light-emitting elements in different accommodation spaces are blocked by the light-shielding element and do not enter the adjacent accommodation spaces, but are concentrated and incident on the imaging sheet through the light exit opening. As a result, the non-contact button of the present invention can not only improve the problem that the floating image does not completely disappear, but also increase the brightness of the light rays incident on the imaging sheet and improve the image quality.

[0035] As above, the present invention has been disclosed using examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make some modifications without departing from the spirit scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be limited by the scope of the appended patent claims.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0036] 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d: Non-contact button 110: Substrate 120: Light-emitting element 130, 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d: Light-shielding element 131, 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d: Light-shielding wall 140: Imaging sheet 150: Lens layer 160: Floating touch layer 1310, 1311: End 1312, 1312d: Body 1313, 1313d: Light reflection layer A: Accommodation space B, B1: Bottom end F, Fc: Housing H: Imaging hole L: Light ray O: Light exit opening R1, R2, R1a, R2a, R1b, R2b: Light reflection surface S1: First surface S2, S2a: Second surface T, T1: Top end W1: Width

Claims

1. A substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements fixed on the substrate, a light-shielding element fixed on the substrate and having a plurality of accommodation spaces, a first surface, and a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface face each other, and the first surface has a plurality of light-emitting ports, the plurality of accommodation spaces penetrate the first surface and the second surface and are each in communication with the plurality of light-emitting ports, and the plurality of light-emitting elements are each located within the plurality of accommodation spaces, and an imaging sheet installed to face the first surface, characterized in that it is a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image.

2. The light-shielding element includes a plurality of light-shielding walls, the first surface and the second surface are located at two opposite ends of the plurality of light-shielding walls, the plurality of light-shielding walls intersect each other, surround the plurality of accommodation spaces, and the plurality of light-shielding walls are closely joined to each other, characterized in that it is a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to Claim 1.

3. The plurality of light-shielding walls are of an integral structure or a separate structure, characterized in that it is a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to Claim 2.

4. Each of the plurality of light-shielding walls has two light-reflecting surfaces, the two ends of each of the plurality of light-shielding walls include a top end and a bottom end, the first surface is located at the plurality of top ends, and the second surface is located at the plurality of bottom ends, the two light-reflecting surfaces face each other, are located between the top end and the bottom end, and are located within the accommodation space, characterized in that it is a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to Claim 2.

5. Each of the plurality of light-shielding walls has a width, and the width is located between the two light-reflecting surfaces, and the width gradually expands from the top end to the bottom end, characterized in that it is a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to Claim 4.

6. The second surface located at the bottom end is a plane, and the two light-reflecting surfaces are inclined with respect to the plane, characterized in that it is a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to Claim 5.

7. Each of the two light-reflecting surfaces is a concave arc surface, characterized in that it is a non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to Claim 5.

8. Each of the plurality of light-shielding walls includes a main body and a light reflection layer. The top end and the bottom end are located on opposite sides of the main body. The light reflection layer is installed between the top end and the bottom end of the main body to form the two light reflection surfaces. The main body and the light reflection layer are of an integral structure or a separate structure. The non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to claim 4, characterized in that.

9. The light-shielding element further includes a housing, and the housing surrounds and is closely coupled to the plurality of light-shielding walls. The non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to claim 2, characterized in that.

10. The first surface is a flat surface. The non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to claim 1, characterized in that.

11. The non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to claim 1, further comprising a lens layer installed on the back side from the substrate of the imaging sheet.

12. The non-contact button capable of projecting a floating image according to claim 11, further comprising a floating touch layer installed on the back side from the imaging sheet of the lens layer.

Images