Keyboard Light Guiding Portions for Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art illuminated keyboards suffer from uneven illumination due to the limited placement of light emitting elements, which are typically located under each key structure, preventing even distribution of light across the keycaps.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a base plate with optically transmissive members containing light guiding portions, allowing light emitting units to be placed within these portions, ensuring even illumination by directing light centrally to the keycaps, and using plastic for the optically transmissive members to reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If light emitting elements are located under each key structure, then the keyboard structure is simplified, but the illumination becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optically transmissive member as an intermediary component between the light emitting element and the keycap. This member includes a light guiding portion that redirects light from the peripheral location (under the key structure) to the central portion of the keycap, achieving even illumination without requiring the light emitting element to be positioned centrally. The light guiding portion acts as an optical mediator that decouples the structural positioning from the optical functionality.
2Strength
If the base plate is made of metal, then the structural strength is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different materials for different functional regions of the base plate. The base plate itself is made of metal to provide overall structural strength and support, while the optically transmissive members (which are non-structural components) are made of plastic or other optically transmissive materials. This localized material selection allows the keyboard to maintain structural integrity where needed while reducing weight in non-critical areas.
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 provides more even illumination of the keyboard keys, enhancing usability in low-light environments while reducing the overall weight of the keyboard by using lighter materials.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the optically transmissive members has a light guiding portion... light emitted from the light emitting elements can be projected toward the keycap of the corresponding key structure directly
Implementation Method 2
The light can pass through the optically transmissive portion of the keycap and travel outward to illuminate the keycap
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard includes a base plate, a plurality of key structures, and a light emitting assembly. The base plate includes a body and a plurality of optically transmissive members. The body has a plurality of hollow portions. The optically transmissive members are contained in the hollow portions, respectively. Each of the optically transmissive members has a light guiding portion and a plurality of connecting structures. The key structures correspond to the optically transmissive members, respectively. One of the key structures is connected to the connecting structures of one of the optically transmissive members. The light emitting assembly includes a driver circuit board and a plurality of light emitting units. The light emitting units are located on the driver circuit board. The driver circuit board is located on one of the surfaces of the base plate. The light emitting units are contained in the light guiding portion, respectively.