Keyboard Backlight Module With Microstructured Side Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current backlight modules for illuminated keyboards primarily focus on key illumination, failing to meet the enhanced visual needs of users, particularly in providing a more varied and efficient lighting effect.
Innovation Solution
A backlight module comprising a film with single-key transparent and side transparent areas, a light guide plate with specific microstructure groups, and a circuit board with light-emitting units, where the light guide plate's microstructure groups guide light through the transparent areas to provide both key and side illumination without additional light-emitting units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light-emitting unit is used to illuminate keys, then the device complexity is reduced, but the illumination coverage and visual effect are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The film is segmented into multiple functional areas: single-key transparent areas for individual key illumination, side transparent areas for edge lighting effects, and light-shielding areas for light control. This segmentation allows a single light-emitting unit to create multiple distinct illumination zones without adding more light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends illumination from the traditional vertical direction (through keys only) to include horizontal/edge dimensions by adding side transparent areas. This dimensional expansion allows the same light-emitting unit to provide both key illumination and edge lighting effects simultaneously.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light-emitting units are added to provide side illumination, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single light-emitting unit performs multiple functions: it illuminates keys through the single-key transparent areas and simultaneously provides side lighting through the side transparent areas. The light guide plate and film structure enable one light source to serve multiple illumination purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the key illumination function and side lighting function into a single integrated system. The film structure combines single-key transparent areas, side transparent areas, and light-shielding areas to allow one light-emitting unit to achieve what traditionally required multiple separate light sources.
3Use of energy by moving object
If light is emitted directly upward without guidance, then the light transmission efficiency is high, but the light distribution uniformity and brightness consistency are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate acts as an intermediary between the light-emitting unit and the film. It receives light from the LED and redistributes it through its microstructure groups, ensuring uniform light transmission to both the single-key transparent areas and side transparent areas, thereby maintaining brightness consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate has different microstructure groups in different regions: a first microstructure group under the single-key transparent area and a second microstructure group under the side transparent area. These localized structural variations optimize light distribution for each specific area, ensuring uniform brightness while maintaining overall transmission efficiency.
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 enhances the luminous effect variability by directing light from a single light-emitting unit through both single-key and side transparent areas, maintaining consistent brightness and reducing light loss, thus improving the overall lighting experience without adding extra units.
Implementation Method 1
A part of a light emitted by the light-emitting unit is guided upward by the first microstructure group to pass through the single-key transparent area. Another part of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit is transmitted through the light-transmitting area and is guided upward by the second microstructure group to pass through the side transparent area.
Implementation Method 2
The reflective portion is disposed around the light-shielding area. The reflective portion is configured to reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit back to the light guide plate.
Implementation Method 3
The light-shielding member is configured to block the light emitted directly upward by the light-emitting unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A backlight module includes a film, a light guide plate disposed under the film, and a circuit board disposed under the light guide plate and provided with a light-emitting unit. The film includes a single-key transparent area, a light-shielding area disposed around the single-key transparent area, and a side transparent area disposed adjacent to or along an edge of the film. The light guide plate has a first microstructure group and a through hole correspondingly disposed under the single-key transparent area, a second microstructure group correspondingly disposed under the side transparent area, and a light-transmitting area partially correspondingly disposed under the light-shielding area. The light-emitting unit is accommodated in the through hole. A number of microstructures or a light-emitting area of the second microstructure group is greater than a number of microstructures or a light emitting area of the first microstructure group.