Flexible Circuit Board Light Guide with Folded Extension Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illuminated keyboards face challenges in achieving uniform light intensity due to the elongated shape, which leads to increased costs in flexible printed circuit (FPC) material and potential overheating from centralized light emitting diodes.
Innovation Solution
A flexible printed circuit board light guide module with two light emitting plates and an extension strip, arranged side by side before folding, allows for uniform light distribution by increasing the distance between the plates after folding, thereby reducing material waste and preventing overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light emitting module is disposed at the upper side or lower side of the keyboard to project light vertically, then uniform illumination is achieved, but the cost in FPC material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The FPC board is divided into multiple light emitting plates (first light emitting plate, second light emitting plate, third light emitting plate) arranged in different regions. This segmentation allows the light emitting elements to be distributed across multiple separated areas rather than requiring a continuous large-area FPC, thereby reducing material cost while maintaining uniform illumination through strategic placement of multiple light sources
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane light emitting arrangement to a multi-dimensional spatial distribution by folding the FPC board to create three-dimensional spacing between light emitting plates. The fold lines enable the light emitting elements to be positioned at different heights and distances, achieving uniform illumination through spatial distribution rather than relying on extensive material coverage
2Quantity of substance
If the light emitting module is disposed in the middle to project light laterally, then the cost in FPC material is reduced, but the LEDs are too centralized causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting elements are segmented into multiple independent plates positioned in different spatial regions through folding. This segmentation disperses the heat-generating LEDs across multiple separated areas rather than concentrating them in one location, enabling better heat dissipation while still using efficient material utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The fold lines act as intermediary structures that create physical separation and spacing between the light emitting plates. This intermediary folding mechanism allows the plates to be positioned at optimized distances from each other, achieving both material efficiency and thermal management by controlling the spatial relationship between heat-generating components
3Length of stationary object
If the keyboard is longer in the lateral dimension, then the light path is longer, but uniform illumination becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The FPC board is segmented into multiple light emitting plates positioned at different locations along the keyboard length. This segmentation allows light sources to be distributed across the extended lateral dimension, ensuring that illumination is provided at multiple points rather than relying on a single long light path, thereby maintaining uniform illumination intensity throughout the keyboard
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses fold lines to create three-dimensional spatial arrangement of light emitting plates, adding a vertical dimension to the light distribution. This dimensional change allows light to be emitted from multiple heights and positions, compensating for the increased lateral length and ensuring uniform illumination across the entire keyboard surface
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible printed circuit board of a light guide module and a cut-out structure thereof. The flexible printed circuit board is made by cutting an FPC material and is formed after folding and unfolding. The flexible printed circuit board includes two light emitting plates and an extension strip. The two light emitting plates each has a connection portion. The extension strip is integrally connected between the two connection portions. Two ends of the two light emitting plates and the extension strip have two fold lines respectively, so that the extension strip is disposed between the two light emitting plates along an extension direction to separate the two light emitting plates away from each other.