Keyboard Light Guide Plate Reflection Unit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-emitting keyboards suffer from reduced light efficiency due to light being obstructed by multiple mediums as it passes through the electric circuit substrate and have complex elastic element installation, leading to increased assembly costs and potential dislocation issues.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard design with a reflection unit installed on the rear surface of the light guide plate and an electric circuit substrate positioned opposite to the reflection unit, using LEDs as light sources, and elastic elements fixed in penetrated or through holes to prevent dislocation, enhancing light output and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light passes through multiple mediums (electric circuit substrate, reflection board, light guide plate, outer membrane) to achieve light emission, then the keyboard can be illuminated, but the light quantity is greatly reduced and light emitting efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the reflection board from the light transmission path. By eliminating this intermediate medium, light can travel directly from the light guide plate through the key cap without being reflected through the electric circuit substrate, thereby reducing the number of mediums and improving light transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement of components by positioning the light guide plate above the key caps rather than below. This dimensional reconfiguration allows light to emit upward through the key caps directly, eliminating the need for light to pass through the electric circuit substrate and reflection board, thus reducing medium obstruction.
2Ease of operation
If elastic elements are installed below the key module, then key functionality is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and assembly cost is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the elastic element installation with the light guide plate structure by creating penetrating holes directly in the light guide plate. This integration eliminates the need for separate installation steps and positioning structures, simplifying the overall structure and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining key functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic elements are pre-installed within the penetrating holes of the light guide plate during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning and prevents dislocation during subsequent assembly steps, reducing assembly difficulty and cost while ensuring reliable key operation.
3Ease of operation
If elastic elements are installed in the key module, then key operation is enabled, but poor positioning causes shaking or displacement and dislocation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality enhancement by providing fixing structures (such as ridges or扩口) at specific locations within the penetrating holes of the light guide plate. These localized features securely position the elastic elements, preventing shaking and displacement while maintaining key operational functionality.
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 design increases light output through the keys by minimizing medium obstruction and simplifies the assembly process by securing elastic elements, thereby improving light-emitting efficiency and reducing assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
the light can be reflected by the reflection unit for directly passing through the light guide plate and a key part
Implementation Method 2
at least one light source; the light source is electrically connected to the electric circuit substrate, and the light source faces a light incident surface defined at a lateral side of the light guide plate, so the light emitted through electrically charging the light source
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard comprises a key module and a backlight module in which the key module comprises a light-transmissive key part and an electric circuit substrate, and the backlight module comprises a light guide plate, a reflection unit and at least one light source. The backlight module is disposed between the key part and the electric circuit substrate. Thus, lights emitted by the light source are projected into the light guide plate from the lateral side of the light guide plate, and the lights are reflected by the reflection unit for directly passing through the light output surface of the light guide plate and the key part.