Backlight Module Auxiliary Light Guide for Keyboard Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backlight modules for portable electronic devices and planar displays suffer from light loss, requiring additional light sources for keyboard illumination, which increases fabrication complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an auxiliary light guiding unit within the backlight module to collect and redirect leaked light from the primary light guiding unit through a light-emitting hole for keyboard illumination, eliminating the need for separate illumination lamps and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an additional light source is provided for keyboard illumination, then keyboard illumination is achieved, but device complexity and fabrication cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate is designed to perform multiple functions: it guides light to the display panel for image display and simultaneously guides light to illuminate the keyboard. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate illumination components, reducing device complexity while achieving keyboard illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the display backlight function and keyboard illumination function into a single integrated system using one light source and one light guide plate. The light guide plate structure is designed to serve both purposes concurrently, merging what would traditionally be separate systems into one unified solution.
2Illumination intensity
If an additional light source is provided for keyboard illumination, then keyboard illumination is achieved, but fabrication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate is designed to perform multiple functions: it guides light to the display panel for image display and simultaneously guides light to illuminate the keyboard. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate illumination components, reducing device complexity while achieving keyboard illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the display backlight function and keyboard illumination function into a single integrated system using one light source and one light guide plate. The light guide plate structure is designed to serve both purposes concurrently, merging what would traditionally be separate systems into one unified solution.
3Loss of energy
If light is emitted in multiple directions from the light guide plate, then light utilization is improved, but light control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate incorporates different regional structures: a first light guiding region with a first inclination angle for directing light to the display panel, and a second light guiding region with a second inclination angle for directing light to illuminate the keyboard. This local differentiation allows precise control of light direction in different zones while utilizing light that would otherwise be lost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The auxiliary light guiding unit effectively utilizes otherwise lost light for keyboard illumination, reducing costs and fabrication complexity while providing sufficient luminance for user-friendly keyboard visibility without direct visual discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
The LED light source emits light to the light guide plate so as to be guided thereby to travel in the same direction
Implementation Method 2
The light diffusion plate diffuses the light from the light guide plate uniformly to form a surface light
Implementation Method 3
The light enhancing plate focuses the light from the light diffusion plate so as to increase forward luminance
Implementation Method 4
The light mask plate prevents the light from the light enhancing plate from escaping from the peripheries of the conventional edge type backlight module
Implementation Method 5
the light reflecting plate 31 is provided to reflect light escaping from the light guide plate 33 in the wrong direction back toward the light guide plate 33
Data Source
AI summary
A backlight module includes a lighting unit including a primary light guiding unit and a light source, and an auxiliary light guiding unit. The light source is disposed at one side of the primary light guiding unit, and emits light toward the primary light guiding unit to be guided thereby for projecting in a first direction. The auxiliary light guiding unit includes a light collecting portion disposed at one side of the lighting unit opposite to the first direction for collecting light leaking from the lighting unit, and a light guiding portion extending generally transversely from one end of the light collecting portion for guiding the light collected by the light collecting portion to emit in a second direction different from the first direction.