Luminous Keyboard Backlight Shielding for Edge Light Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional luminous keyboards experience light leakage at the side edge of the backlight module due to the use of light-transmissive adhesion layers, which reduces the effectiveness of light distribution and illumination.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a backlight module design that includes a lower substrate, a spacer, periphery light sources, and a shielding structure to block light from escaping through the outer edge gap, using a light masking sheet or bent portions to form a shielding structure that prevents light from leaking, and optionally incorporating adhesion layers and light guide sheets to enhance light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If light-transmissive adhesion layers are used to fix the backlight module, then the adhesion layers can effectively bond the components, but light emitted by the light source passes through the adhesion layers causing light leakage at the side edge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion bonding strengthVSAvoidlight leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesion structure is divided into multiple segments: a first adhesion layer for bonding the light masking sheet to the baseplate, and a second adhesion layer for bonding the light masking sheet to the lower substrate. This segmentation allows the light masking sheet to be positioned between the adhesion layers, creating light-blocking barriers at multiple locations to prevent light leakage while maintaining bonding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A light masking sheet is introduced as an intermediary component between the baseplate and the lower substrate. This light masking sheet extends beyond the outer edges of both components and is bonded by adhesion layers to create a light-blocking barrier that prevents light from leaking through the side edges of the backlight module while allowing the structural bonding to proceed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the lower substrate is positioned close to the baseplate to reduce gap, then the structural compactness is improved, but light can escape through the outer edge gap between the baseplate and lower substrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacklight module compactnessVSAvoidlight leakage through outer edge gap

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light masking sheet extends in a dimensional direction beyond the outer edges of both the baseplate and the lower substrate. By extending the light masking sheet laterally beyond the gap between the baseplate and lower substrate, the invention creates light-blocking barriers that prevent light from escaping through the outer edge gap while maintaining the compact vertical arrangement of the backlight module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a light masking sheet is used to block light, then light leakage is prevented, but the structural complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight leakage preventionVSAvoidbacklight module structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light masking sheet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks light from leaking through the side edges, provides a bonding surface for the adhesion layers, and extends beyond the outer edges of the baseplate and lower substrate to create light-blocking barriers. By combining multiple functions into a single component, the invention reduces the need for additional separate light-blocking structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design effectively prevents light leakage at the side edge of the backlight module, ensuring better light utilization and improved illumination for key units, while maintaining mechanical strength and masking effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

Light provided by each of the periphery light sources passes through a corresponding one of the baseplate holes to illuminate a corresponding one of the key units

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

The shielding structure is disposed outside the periphery light source to block light provided by the periphery light sources from emitting towards the outer edge gap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11830688B2Luminous keyboard and backlight module thereof

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A backlight module applicable to a key module is provided, the key module includes a plurality of key units and a baseplate, and the plurality of key units are disposed on the baseplate. The backlight module includes a lower substrate, a plurality of periphery light sources disposed along the peripheral of the baseplate, and a shielding structure. The lower substrate is disposed below the baseplate, and there is an outer edge gap between an outer edge of the baseplate and the lower substrate. The periphery light sources are disposed between the baseplate and the lower substrate. The shielding structure is disposed outside those periphery light sources distributed, to prevent light provided by the plurality of light sources from being emitted out of the outer edge gap.