Micro LED Keyboard Backlight Layout for Thin, Even Key Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboard backlights in portable information handling systems increase the vertical height of the housing and consume significant power due to the use of light guides and side-firing LEDs, which affect battery life and user interaction in low-light environments.
Innovation Solution
Integrate micro LEDs under each keyboard key to illuminate the keys, using a diffuser to diffuse light evenly and reduce vertical height, with the LEDs disposed under a support plate or within the membrane, and optionally using structures to block unwanted illumination hot spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional side-firing LEDs with light guides are used for keyboard backlight, then illumination coverage is achieved, but vertical height of housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using side-firing LEDs that direct light into a light guide (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using top-firing LEDs that direct light upward through openings in the support plate and membrane, eliminating the need for a light guide and reducing vertical height
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the light guide component from the keyboard backlight system, replacing it with a simpler structure consisting of LEDs mounted directly on the support plate with openings that allow light to pass through the membrane to illuminate the keys
2Illumination intensity
If conventional side-firing LEDs with light guides are used for keyboard backlight, then illumination coverage is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the light guide component, the patent eliminates the optical losses associated with light guide materials and interfaces, resulting in more efficient light transmission and reduced power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the LED firing direction parameter from side-firing to top-firing, which fundamentally alters the optical path and improves efficiency by directly illuminating the keys through the membrane openings without the need for light guide redirection
3Length of stationary object
If micro LEDs are disposed under support plate with openings, then vertical height is reduced, but uniformity of illumination decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diffuser as an intermediary component positioned between the micro LEDs and the keys. The diffuser scatters the light from the LEDs to create more uniform illumination across the key surfaces, eliminating hot spots while maintaining the reduced vertical height design
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 reduces keyboard height and power consumption while providing even key illumination, enhancing user interaction in low-light conditions without increasing the device's overall dimensions or power requirements.
Implementation Method 1
one or more micro LEDs are disposed in the keyboard under each key and directed upwards at the key
Implementation Method 2
A diffuser disposed between each micro LED and its associated key diffuses illumination for a more even illumination of an icon disposed at the key
Data Source
AI summary
Information handling system keyboard illumination is provided with micro LEDs disposed below keyboard keys to direct illumination at each key individually. The micro LEDs may be integrated at a bottom surface of a support plate below a keyboard membrane, on top of the support plate within an opening of the membrane or in a spacer layer of the membrane between circuit layers. A diffuser disposed between the micro LED helps to diffuse illumination directed at the key for a more even icon illumination. The diffuser may be integrated with the membrane at an upper circuit layer or over a structure disposed over the micro LED.