Illuminated Keyboard Light-Shading Part Prevents Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illuminated keyboards face light leakage issues due to insufficient space in small-sized designs, where the attachment of the edge regions of the upper wiring plate and reflecting plate is challenging, leading to incomplete prevention of light leakage through lateral surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The illuminated keyboard incorporates a light-shading part on the membrane switch circuit board that extends downwardly to enclose the lateral surface of the light guide plate, preventing light leakage while maintaining a compact design by allowing the wiring plate and partition plate to be connected closely, even in limited spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the edge region of the upper wiring plate and the edge region of the reflecting plate are attached to each other to prevent light leakage, then light leakage is prevented, but the overall volume of the keyboard is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shading part extends downwardly from the membrane switch circuit board to a position under the light guide plate, utilizing the vertical dimension (Z-axis) to block light leakage paths instead of only expanding in the horizontal plane. This dimensional transition allows light blocking while maintaining compact footprint area.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shading part is integrated with the membrane switch circuit board structure, forming a nested configuration where the light-shading part is embedded within or attached to the circuit board assembly. This nesting eliminates the need for separate light-blocking components, reducing overall volume.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the edge region of the upper wiring plate and the edge region of the reflecting plate are attached to each other, then light leakage is prevented, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shading part is integrated with the membrane switch circuit board to form a unified assembly. The membrane switch circuit board serves dual functions: electrical circuitry and light shielding. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane switch circuit board performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connectivity for key signals and acts as a light-shading structure to prevent light leakage. This multi-functionality reduces structural complexity by eliminating dedicated light-blocking components.
3Volume of stationary object
If the distance between the edge region of the upper wiring plate and the circuit layer is reduced for compact design, then the keyboard size is reduced, but the attachment of upper wiring plate and reflecting plate becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shading function is extracted from the edge region attachment requirement and implemented through the downwardly extended light-shading part of the membrane switch circuit board. This extraction allows the wiring plate and reflecting plate to be positioned closer without compromising light leakage prevention.
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 solution effectively prevents light leakage through the lateral surface of the light guide plate without increasing the overall volume of the keyboard, ensuring efficient light utilization and key signal generation.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide plate is located at a side of the light source for transferring the light beam
Implementation Method 2
The reflecting plate is disposed under the light guide plate for reflecting the portion of the light beam that is outputted from the bottom of the light guide plate. Consequently, the light utilization of the light beam from the light source L is enhanced
Implementation Method 3
The light-shading part is extended downwardly to a position under the light guide plate so as to prevent the light beam from being leaked out through a lateral surface of the light guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated keyboard includes a light source, a key structure, and a backlight membrane switch module. The backlight membrane switch module is disposed under the key structure for generating a key signal and transferring a light beam from the light source to the key structure. The backlight membrane switch module includes a light guide plate and a membrane switch circuit board. The membrane switch circuit board is disposed over the light guide plate. Moreover, the membrane switch circuit board includes a wiring plate, a partition plate, and a light-shading part. The light-shading part is located at a side of the wiring plate or the partition plate, and bent downwardly to a position under the light guide plate in order to enclose a lateral surface of the light guide plate. Consequently, the problem of causing light leakage will be eliminated.