Dual Light Guide Keyboard Backlight for Uniform Frame Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emitting keyboards fail to fully utilize the lighting potential of their frames, resulting in uneven or absent illumination in certain regions, which diminishes the visual effect and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting keyboard design featuring a translucent frame with key holes, a thin film circuit board, a support plate with perforation groups, and a backlight module comprising light guide plates, light-emitting members, and a reflector plate, allowing for uniform illumination of both keycaps and the frame body through controlled light emission from LEDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light-emitting elements are disposed around the frame, then illumination in certain specific regions is provided, but illumination in other regions is absent or uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight module is divided into two separate light sources: first light-emitting members for illuminating keycaps and second light-emitting members for illuminating the frame body. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of illumination for different regions, ensuring uniform lighting across the entire keyboard without compromising visual effect
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the keyboard are provided with specialized lighting solutions tailored to their specific requirements. The first light-emitting members with first light guide plates target keycap illumination, while second light-emitting members with second light guide plates and reflector plates target frame body illumination. This local quality approach ensures each region receives optimal illumination for its function
2Ease of manufacture
If the frame is used only for supporting and protecting, then structural function is achieved, but lighting potential of the frame is not fully utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The frame body is designed to serve dual functions: maintaining its traditional structural support and protection roles while simultaneously acting as an illumination surface. The translucent frame body allows light from the second light-emitting members to pass through, transforming the frame from a purely structural component to a multi-functional element that contributes to both mechanical integrity and visual presentation
Solution Approach 2:
The frame body is made translucent to enable light transmission, allowing it to change its optical properties from opaque to transparent when illuminated. This enables the frame to display lighting effects while maintaining its structural function, creating a dynamic visual appearance that enhances overall keyboard aesthetics
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
The design achieves a significant and uniform light emitting effect on both keycaps and the frame body, enhancing visual appeal and user experience by ensuring consistent illumination across the keyboard.
Implementation Method 1
Light emitted from the first light-emitting members is transmitted in the first light guide plate, and then passes upwardly through the perforation groups, the thin film circuit board, and the key holes to project onto the keycaps
Implementation Method 2
Light emitted from the second light-emitting members is transmitted in the second light guide plate, is reflected by the reflector plate, and then passes upwardly through the first light guide plate, the through holes and the thin film circuit board to project onto the frame body
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting keyboard includes a frame having a translucent frame body, a plurality of key modules each having a keycap, and a backlight module including a light source circuit board, a first light guide plate disposed on top of the light source circuit board, a second light guide plate disposed under the light source circuit board, a plurality of first light-emitting members extending upwardly through the first light guide plate, a plurality of second light-emitting members extending downwardly through the second light guide plate, and a reflector plate disposed under the second light guide plate. Light emitted from the first light-emitting members is transmitted in the first light guide plate and projects upwardly onto the keycaps. Light emitted from the second light-emitting members is transmitted in the second light guide plate is reflected by the reflector plate, and projects onto the frame body.