Keyboard Light-Emitting Assembly with Phosphor and Mask Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboards face challenges in illuminating keycaps uniformly and efficiently due to the complexity and size requirements of light-emitting components, often resulting in uneven illumination and excessive heat generation.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting assembly comprising a phosphor structure, transparent material, epoxy layer, and mask layer positioned within a switch housing, which directs light uniformly to keycaps while minimizing space and heat dissipation, allowing for compact and uniform illumination of each keycap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light strips with multiple components (lights, light guide panels, reflective surfaces) are used to illuminate the keyboard, then the keyboard can be illuminated in low-light environments, but the device complexity increases and more space is required within the enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple illumination components (light source, light guide, reflective surfaces) into a single integrated light-emitting assembly that fits within the keycap structure. The LED module is positioned at the base of the keycap with the light guide and reflective elements integrated into the same housing, reducing the total number of separate components while maintaining illumination functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-emitting assembly is nested within the keycap housing structure. The LED module is positioned at the base of the keycap, with the light guide panel and reflective surfaces arranged in concentric layers around the light source, maximizing space utilization within the confined keycap volume.
2Device complexity
If conventional light strips with fewer lights than keycaps are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the illumination uniformity across the keyboard deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by positioning individual LED modules at the base of each keycap housing, ensuring that each keycap receives dedicated illumination. The light guide panel is designed with localized light distribution zones that correspond to each keycap position, providing uniform illumination across the entire keyboard while maintaining a simple component structure.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional lighting components are used to illuminate the keyboard, then the keyboard visibility is improved, but excessive heat is generated within the keyboard and electronic device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heat dissipation elements as intermediaries between the LED light source and the keycap housing. Thermal management components are integrated into the light-emitting assembly structure, acting as heat sinks that conduct away excess heat from the LED while allowing the light to pass through the light guide panel to illuminate the keycap.
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 solution provides uniform and efficient illumination of keycaps with reduced space requirements and heat management, enhancing visibility in low-light environments without generating excessive heat.
Implementation Method 1
a phosphor structure, a transparent material positioned on opposing side surfaces of the phosphor structure
Data Source
AI summary
A light-emitting assembly positioned within a switch housing of a keyboard assembly for an electronic device is disclosed. The light-emitting assembly may include a phosphor structure, a transparent material positioned on opposing side surfaces of the phosphor structure, and an epoxy layer formed over an entire back surface of the phosphor structure and the transparent material. The light-emitting assembly may also include a mask layer formed over an entire top surface of: the phosphor structure, the transparent material, and the epoxy layer. The light-emitting assembly may further include a light source positioned within the phosphor structure for emitting a light.