Composite Circuit Layer for Uniform Keyboard Illumination
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional luminous keyboards face challenges in achieving uniform light distribution, diversity of illumination, and thickness reduction while maintaining user experience, particularly in environments with insufficient light.
Innovation Solution
A light source board comprising a substrate, a composite circuit layer with a first and second conductive trace layer, and a protective layer, where the second conductive trace layer has higher conductivity than the first, and light sources are disposed on pad portions to enhance light emission and distribution, integrated into a luminous keyboard design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional backlight module is used for illumination, then the keyboard can provide lighting function, but the keyboard thickness increases and light uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight system is segmented into multiple independent light sources (first light sources and second light sources) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows for better light distribution uniformity while using thin light-emitting elements instead of a thick conventional backlight module
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the keyboard are provided with different light sources and control circuits. The first light sources are controlled by first control circuits and the second light sources by second control circuits, allowing localized illumination optimization for uniform light distribution without increasing overall thickness
2Reliability
If a single conductive trace layer is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the current transfer stability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite circuit layer structure consisting of a first conductive trace layer and a second conductive trace layer. This composite structure combines the advantages of both layers to achieve stable current transfer while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established multi-layer PCB techniques
3Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are added to the keyboard for luminous function, then the keyboard can be used in low light environments, but the light distribution uniformity and illumination diversity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into multiple segments with different light sources (first and second light sources) and separate control circuits. This enables independent control of different light zones, achieving diverse illumination modes and uniform light distribution across the keyboard surface
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard lighting system is made dynamic through separate control circuits that can independently adjust the first and second light sources. This allows the illumination to adapt to different usage scenarios and environmental conditions, providing diverse lighting modes while maintaining uniformity
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 solution improves user experience by providing uniform and diverse illumination, reducing keyboard thickness, and optimizing power consumption compared to traditional backlight modules, while ensuring stable current transfer and efficient light transmission to keycaps.
Implementation Method 1
A conductivity of the second conductive trace layer is higher than a conductivity of the first conductive trace layer
Implementation Method 2
The light sources are disposed on the pad portions, respectively. Light emitted by the light sources is able to travel upward to the keycaps
Data Source
AI summary
A light source board includes a substrate, a composite circuit layer on the substrate, a first protective layer on the composite circuit layer, and a plurality of light sources on the pad portions, respectively. The substrate has a long side, a first short side, and a second short side. The composite circuit layer includes a first conductive trace layer and a second conductive trace layer stacked on the first conductive trace layer. A conductivity of the second conductive trace layer is higher than a conductivity of the first conductive trace layer. The composite circuit layer has a wire portion formed of at least the first conductive trace layer and a plurality of pad portions each formed of at least the first conductive trace layer and the second conductive trace layer. The wire portion is electrically coupled to the pad portions. The first protective layer exposes the pad portions.