Keyboard Light Source Placement in Cut-Outs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical keyboards struggle to provide clear visibility of key labels in poor light conditions due to the lack of effective light source integration, which increases the surface area occupied by light sources and limits the use of brighter or larger light sources.
Innovation Solution
The keyboard design features a circuit board with cut-out portions on the lower surface for installing light sources, allowing them to be positioned beneath the key modules, reducing light scattering and increasing surface area for other components, while the key modules cover the light sources entirely, ensuring focused illumination of key caps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light sources are installed on the upper surface of the circuit board, then the text labels on keys can be illuminated, but the surface area occupied by light sources increases and bigger light sources with higher brightness cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the light sources from the upper surface (2D plane) to the lower surface of the circuit board, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) to resolve the space conflict. This allows light sources to be positioned beneath the PCB without occupying surface area, enabling larger and brighter light sources to be installed while maintaining a compact keyboard design.
2Illumination intensity
If light sources are installed on the upper surface of the circuit board, then keys can be illuminated, but light scattering occurs and illumination is not focused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light sources from the upper surface where they cause light scattering and interference with key illumination. By relocating them to the lower surface beneath the PCB, the harmful light scattering effect is eliminated while the useful illumination function is preserved through the key switch structures that guide light upward to the key caps.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional keyboard design is used without light sources, then circuit board surface area is available for other components, but key labels are difficult to see in poor light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the lower surface of the circuit board (third dimension) to install light sources, freeing up the upper surface area for other components while simultaneously providing illumination for key labels. This dimensional relocation resolves both the space constraint and the visibility requirement.
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 enhances key label visibility in low light conditions by providing focused and even illumination, allowing users to easily operate the keyboard, while also enabling the use of larger or brighter light sources and minimizing interference between circuits.
Implementation Method 1
The light source may include a light emitting diode (LED)
Implementation Method 2
The light source may include a light emitting diode (LED)
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard includes a circuit board having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, and a plurality of cut-out portions, a plurality of key modules positioned on the upper surface and over the plurality of cut-out portions, and a plurality of light sources installed on the lower surface of the circuit board, wherein at least a portion of at least one light source is positioned in a corresponding cut-out portion. Each light source includes a light emitting portion coupled to the second circuit layer. At least some of the light emitting portion is disposed in the cut-out portion beneath and bounded by the key module.