Illuminated Keyswitch Layout for Uniform Multi-Color Backlighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated keyswitch structures face issues with uneven light transmission due to components like supports, base plates, and circuit boards interfering with the light path, leading to color deviations, especially when using multiple color light sources.
Innovation Solution
The proposed illuminated keyswitch structure employs a light-emitting die package with warm and cold color temperature light-emitting dies, arranged such that light from each die travels in a similar path, using a translucent package material and a carrier with side walls to accommodate the dies, and is positioned to illuminate the keycap through the base plate without overlapping with the switch circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is disposed under each keycap to illuminate characters, then the keycap can display illuminated characters, but components between the light source and permeable area interfere with light transmission causing uneven color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the light source from beneath the keycap to the side of the keyswitch assembly, changing the spatial dimension of light emission. This side illumination approach allows light to enter the keycap from the side rather than passing through multiple horizontal layers of components, thereby avoiding interference from supports, base plates, and circuit boards that would cause color unevenness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple color light sources are used to provide backlight, then color variety is achieved, but serious color deviation occurs due to interference from intermediate components
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning to side illumination, the patent enables multiple color light sources to emit light horizontally into the keycap rather than vertically through components. This dimensional change ensures that warm and cold color temperature light-emitting dies can both achieve uniform color distribution without the color deviation caused by differential interference from intermediate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions different color temperature light-emitting dies (warm and cold) at specific locations on the side of the keyswitch assembly, with each die oriented to illuminate specific regions of the keycap. This localized quality approach ensures that each color source maintains uniform color temperature across its illumination area, preventing color deviation while preserving color variety.
3Illumination intensity
If light sources are positioned to illuminate through the base plate, then illumination is achieved, but light transmission path is blocked by supports and circuit boards causing uneven color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the traditional position beneath the keycap and base plate assembly, removing it from the problematic light path that passes through supports and circuit boards. By positioning light-emitting dies on the side of the assembly and directing light horizontally into the keycap, the solution eliminates interference from intermediate components while maintaining effective illumination.
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
This configuration ensures consistent light distribution across the keycap, reducing color deviations and improving the uniformity of the backlight, even when using multiple color light sources.
Implementation Method 1
The light-emitting die package comprises a warm color temperature light-emitting die and a cold color temperature light-emitting die
Implementation Method 2
The light-emitting die package comprises a translucent package material that covers the two light-emitting dies
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated keyswitch structure includes a base plate, a keycap, and a light-emitting die package. The light-emitting die package is disposed to illuminate the keycap through the base plate. The light-emitting die package comprises a warm color temperature light-emitting die and a cold color temperature light-emitting die, and the light-emitting die package extends along an arrangement direction. Each of the two light-emitting dies has a short side arranged adjacent to each other, with a long side of each of the two light-emitting dies facing a same direction and configured proximate to each other. A gap between the two adjacent short sides of the two light-emitting dies is not greater than either one of the two adjacent short sides of the two light-emitting dies.