Keyboard Backlight Module Light Leakage Prevention via Attaching Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Backlight modules in keyboards suffer from light leakage through penetrating holes in the light guide plate, affecting the appearance of the product.

Innovation Solution

A keyboard design that includes a masking plate, a light guiding plate, a reflective plate, and an attaching layer, where the attaching layer blocks the side walls of the penetrating holes by attaching the masking plate to the reflective plate, preventing light from escaping and reducing the overall thickness of the backlight module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If penetrating holes are formed in the light guide plate for pillars to pass through or for air flow, then the structural function is improved, but light leakage occurs affecting appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural functionVSAvoidlight leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A filling structure is introduced as an intermediary element that occupies the penetrating holes in the light guide plate. This filling structure prevents light from leaking through the holes while still allowing pillars to pass through and air to flow for heat dissipation, thus resolving the contradiction between structural function and light leakage prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filling structure is applied locally at the penetrating holes where light leakage occurs, rather than modifying the entire light guide plate. This localized solution prevents light leakage at critical points while maintaining the overall structural integrity and functionality of the keyboard assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the attaching layer and attached areas are used to block side walls of penetrating holes, then light leakage is prevented, but the thickness of the backlight module increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight leakage preventionVSAvoidbacklight module thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The attaching layer is designed as a thin film structure that attaches the masking plate to the light guide plate, blocking light leakage through penetrating holes while maintaining minimal thickness. This thin film approach prevents light from escaping through the side walls of penetrating holes without significantly increasing the overall thickness of the backlight module

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of blocking light leakage by adding thickness in the vertical dimension, the solution uses the attaching layer to create a sealed structure that redirects light leakage prevention to a different dimensional approach, where the attaching layer forms a barrier that prevents light from escaping through penetrating holes while maintaining compact thickness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Effectively prevents light leakage through the penetrating holes while maintaining a reduced thickness of the backlight module, enhancing the visual effect and appearance of the keyboard.

Implementation Method 1

A light guiding plate is disposed below the masking plate. A plurality of penetrating holes are formed in the light guiding plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guiding: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

The reflective plate is disposed below the light guiding plate and for reflecting the light guided toward the reflective plate by the light guiding plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The attaching layer is disposed between the upper attached area and the lower attached area for attaching the lower attached area with the upper attached area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10014133B2Keyboard and backlight module
Publication Date: 2018.07.03 DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP
  • US10014133B2 patent drawing
  • US10014133B2 patent drawing
  • US10014133B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A keyboard includes a base plate, key switches and a backlight module. The base plate has posts. The backlight module includes a masking plate, a light guiding plate, a light emitting unit, a reflective plate and an attaching layer. A plurality of upper through holes are formed on the masking plate. An upper attached area is defined by a periphery of each of the upper through holes. A plurality of penetrating holes are formed on the light guiding plate. A plurality of lower through holes are formed on the reflective plate. A lower attached area is defined by a periphery of each of the lower through holes. The attaching layer attaches the lower attached area with the upper attached area. The lower attached area is attached to the upper attached area via the corresponding penetrating hole, so as to block side walls of the corresponding penetrating hole.