Photocatalytic Keyboard Backlight for Airborne Pathogen Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antibacterial methods in electronic devices are ineffective against airborne bacteria and viruses, as they only target specific positions and do not actively reduce bacteria or viruses dispersed in the air.

Innovation Solution

A keyboard module with a base plate, key structures, a backlight module containing visible and ultraviolet light emitting units, and a photocatalyst layer that generates hydroxyl radicals to actively reduce airborne bacteria and viruses using visible or ultraviolet light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a backlight module with ultraviolet light emitting unit is added to enable active antibacterial function, then airborne bacteria and viruses are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairborne pathogen reductionVSAvoidkeyboard module structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the antibacterial function with the existing backlight module structure. The ultraviolet light emitting unit is integrated into the keyboard module's base plate, and the photocatalyst layer is coated on the lower surface of the base plate, combining illumination and antibacterial functions in a single integrated system rather than adding separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The backlight module is designed to serve multiple functions: providing visible light for keyboard illumination and emitting ultraviolet light for photocatalytic antibacterial action. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated antibacterial devices, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 keyboard module effectively reduces airborne bacteria and viruses through the generation of hydroxyl radicals, providing active antibacterial and bacteriostatic protection for users.

Implementation Method 1

hydroxyl radicals are generated by irradiating the photocatalyst layer with visible light or ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotocatalysis: Photo-oxidation

Implementation Method 2

an ultraviolet light emitting unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light emission: Light

Implementation Method 3

a visible light emitting unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVisible light emission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS12616770B2Electronic device and keyboard module thereof

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC

AI summary

An electronic device and a keyboard module thereof are provided. The keyboard module includes a base plate, a plurality of key structures, a backlight module, and a photocatalyst layer. The base plate includes a plurality of openings. The plurality of key structures is disposed on the base plate and respectively corresponds to the openings. The backlight module is disposed under the base plate and includes a visible light emitting unit and an ultraviolet light emitting unit. The photocatalyst layer is coated on a lower surface of the base plate. An electronic device having the keyboard module is further provided.