Multicolor Keyboard Light Guide Panel Design for Uniform Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional notebook computer keyboards with light-emitting diodes face issues such as reduced lifespan due to heat exposure, increased product thickness, and user discomfort due to deformation, and incur higher inventory costs from using different colored LEDs.
Innovation Solution
A multicolor light-emitting computer input device design with light-emitting diodes and flexible printed circuit layers positioned above the bottom plate, using light guide caps to direct light to press members, keeping them away from heat sources and allowing for uniform thickness without recesses, thus prolonging LED lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light-emitting diodes are disposed at one lateral side of the light guide panel, then the keyboard can provide backlight illumination, but the flat substrate must provide a groove to accommodate the light-emitting device, increasing the thickness of the flat substrate and consequently increasing the thickness of the product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement of light-emitting diodes from lateral positioning (requiring grooves in the flat substrate) to central positioning on the light guide panel. This dimensional repositioning eliminates the need for substrate grooves, maintaining a uniform thin profile across the entire keyboard assembly while still providing effective backlight illumination through the light guide panel.
2Device complexity
If light-emitting device is arranged at the center area of the flat substrate, then the structure is simplified, but the center area of the flat substrate may be forced to sink when the user clicks the keyboard, affecting the user's feeling in the operating hand or causing component deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the keyboard structure into distinct functional layers: the light guide panel with centrally positioned light-emitting diodes is separated from the flat substrate that supports the key switches. This segmentation allows the light guide panel to bear the central lighting components without interfering with the mechanical integrity and click response of the flat substrate, eliminating the sinking problem while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different colors of light-emitting diodes are used to change the color of light, then the lighting can be customized, but the manufacturer's inventory cost relatively increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single color of light-emitting diodes (white LEDs) combined with a light guide panel that can be manufactured in different colors. The light guide panel serves multiple functions: it guides the light from the LEDs and simultaneously provides color filtering. This universal approach allows the same LED component to produce different colored light outputs by simply changing the light guide panel material, thereby reducing inventory costs while maintaining color customization capability.
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 effectively prolongs the lifespan of light-emitting diodes, maintains a flat and uniform product thickness, and allows for customizable color options without increasing product thickness or affecting user experience, reducing maintenance and inventory costs.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting device B11 disposed at one lateral side of the light guide panel B1
Implementation Method 2
a light guide panel B1 arranged at the bottom side of the bottom plate A1, and a light-emitting device B11 disposed at one lateral side of the light guide panel B1
Implementation Method 3
a light guide cap capped on each light-emitting diode
Data Source
AI summary
A multicolor light-emitting computer input device includes a key switch module including a bottom plat having through holes, press members spaced above the bottom plate, and linking members respectively coupled between the bottom plate and the press members for moving the press members up and down, a circuit board arranged above the bottom plate and carrying light-emitting diodes in the through holes of the bottom plate and a light guide cap of a selected color capped around each light-emitting diode, elastomer members arranged the top side of the circuit board, and a light guide panel arranged at the bottom side of the bottom plate for receiving light from the light-emitting diodes and the respective light guide caps and guiding the received light toward the press members.