Light Guide Plate with Integral Bumps for Thin Backlight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional luminous keyboards face challenges in reducing thickness and cost due to the need for a metal base and complex light guide components, which affect light output and assembly efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A thin backlight module using a light guide plate with integral bumps and microstructure patterns to pivotally connect key structures, eliminating the need for a metal base and simplifying assembly, while providing improved light output and uniform brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a metal base is used to connect key structures, then structural stability is improved, but keyboard thickness and weight are increased greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metal base component from the keyboard structure entirely. Instead of using a separate metal base to connect key structures, the design integrates the connection function directly into the light guide plate through integrally formed bumps, eliminating the thickness and weight contribution of the metal base while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the light guide plate: it serves as both the light guiding component and the structural connection component. The integrally formed bumps on the light guide plate perform both light extraction and mechanical connection of key structures, merging functions that were previously separated into distinct components.
2Length of stationary object
If a light guide plate is used to connect key structures, then keyboard thickness is reduced, but light output performance is affected significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface characteristics to different regions of the light guide plate. The areas with integrally formed bumps have microstructures optimized for light extraction and connection, while other areas maintain smooth surfaces for effective light guiding. This local differentiation ensures that the connection structures do not compromise overall light output performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrally formed bumps incorporate microstructure patterns that replicate effective light extraction designs from conventional light guide plates. By copying proven microstructure geometries into the integral bump design, the patent maintains light extraction efficiency while achieving the structural connection function.
3Illumination intensity
If each press key is installed with a corresponding light guide component and light source, then luminous effect is achieved, but assembly complexity and cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the light guide plate a universal component that serves all key structures simultaneously. A single light guide plate with multiple integrally formed bumps provides both structural support and light extraction for multiple keys, eliminating the need for separate light guide components for each key and significantly simplifying assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate is segmented into multiple functional regions, each with integrally formed bumps that independently connect to individual key structures. This segmentation allows each key to have its own connection point while maintaining a unified, simplified assembly process through the single light guide plate component.
4Illumination intensity
If conventional light guide components are used, then light guidance function is achieved, but production cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light guide plate and connection structures into a single integrally formed component. This merging eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps for connection components, reducing production complexity and cost while maintaining effective light guidance through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single material for the light guide plate that provides both optical properties for light guidance and mechanical properties for structural connection. This composite approach eliminates the need for multiple materials and assembly steps, reducing production cost while achieving both light guidance and structural functions.
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 significantly reduces keyboard thickness, simplifies assembly, and lowers production costs while maintaining excellent light output and uniformity, breaking through conventional design limitations.
Implementation Method 1
The microstructure patterns are formed next to the first and second bump pairs to abstract light by destructing the total reflection in the main body
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide plate provided for a luminous keyboard is disclosed. The light guide plate includes a main body, a first bump pair, a second bump pair, and many microstructure patterns. The main body has a light output surface and many press button installation areas defined thereon, each of the press button installation areas is arranged to fix a press key structure. The first bump pair and the second bump pair are integrally and seamlessly protruded from the main body. Each of the first bump pair has a first recess, and each of the second bump pair has a second recess. The first recess and the second recess are configured opposite to each other, and provided for assembling the press key structure. The microstructure patterns are formed next to the first and second bump pairs to abstract light by destructing the total reflection in the main body.