Keyboard Light Guide Hole Structure for Light Leakage Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional keyboard units with light-emitting modules experience light leakage through holes formed in the module for various purposes, which affects the user experience and efficiency of light emission.

Innovation Solution

The keyboard unit incorporates a light-emitting module with a light guide plate, covered by first and second reflective sheets. A light-shielding portion is created at the periphery of holes in the module, where the reflective sheets are in contact without adhesive, and an adhesive portion is used closer to the hole to adhere the second reflective sheet to the baseplate, effectively preventing light leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If holes are formed in the light-emitting module for mounting or other purposes, then the light-emitting module can be fixed to the chassis or serve other functions, but light leakage occurs from these holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidlight leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful light leakage through holes into a beneficial structure by forming a light-shielding portion that protrudes into the hole. This light-shielding portion is created by the light guide plate itself, transforming the hole from a light leakage path into a structured feature that maintains both fixing functionality and light containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the hole structure into multiple functional zones: an upper hole portion for light emission control, a light-shielding portion protruding into the hole to block light leakage, and a lower hole portion for mounting. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while collectively solving the light leakage problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-generated harmful factors

If additional light-shielding sheets are added to prevent light leakage, then light leakage is suppressed, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight leakage suppressionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light-shielding function with the light guide plate by forming a light-shielding portion directly on the light guide plate. This integration eliminates the need for separate light-shielding sheets, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective light leakage suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide plate is given multiple functions: it guides light emission, provides structural support, and contains light leakage through its integrated light-shielding portion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated light-shielding components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the light guide plate edge is exposed at the hole, then the structure is simple, but light leakage occurs and aesthetic appearance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidlight leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a light-shielding portion at the specific location of the hole where light leakage occurs. This localized modification covers only the necessary area to prevent light leakage while maintaining the overall simplicity of the light guide plate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively suppresses light leakage from the holes in the light-emitting module, enhancing the light guide efficiency and maintaining a consistent user experience without the need for additional light-shielding sheets.

Implementation Method 1

a first reflective sheet covering a top surface of the light guide plate, and a second reflective sheet covering a bottom surface of the light guide plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive portion located closer to the hole than the light-shielding portion, and at the adhesive portion, the second reflective sheet covering an edge of the first reflective sheet and the second reflective sheet adhering to a bottom surface of the baseplate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12235686B2Keyboard unit including hole in light-emitting module and electronic apparatus including the same

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD

AI summary

A keyboard unit includes a plurality of keytops; a baseplate supporting the plurality of keytops; and a light-emitting module having a light guide plate, a first flexible sheet covering a first surface of the light guide plate, and a second flexible sheet covering a second surface of the light guide plate opposite to the first surface of the light guide plate, wherein the light-emitting module is disposed on the baseplate such that the first flexible sheet is between the baseplate and the light guide plate, a hole is formed in the light-emitting module through the light guide plate, the first flexible sheet, and the second flexible sheet, and at a periphery of the hole, the second flexible sheet is fixed to the baseplate to form a continuous barrier from the second surface of the light guide plate to the baseplate.