Touch Pad Illumination Without Light Guiding Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch pad devices with illumination functions require a light guiding body, increasing the number of components and assembly processes, as well as costs.
Innovation Solution
A touch pad device design that eliminates the need for a light guiding body by using a reflective portion on a support member to direct light from a substrate-mounted light source towards illumination areas on the operation surface, maintaining consistent illumination even when the operating unit is moved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guiding body is used to direct light from the LED to the illumination keys, then the illumination function is achieved, but the number of components and assembly processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to integrate multiple functions: supporting the substrate, providing a reflective portion to direct light, and structurally connecting the illumination keys to the substrate. This merging eliminates the need for a separate light guiding body, reducing component count while maintaining the illumination function.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a structural support for the substrate, provides optical reflection to direct light from the LED to the illumination keys, and mechanically connects the illumination keys to the substrate. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving illumination without adding components.
2Illumination intensity
If a light guiding body is used to direct light, then illumination is achieved, but assembly processes and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the light reflection function into the support member, the assembly process is simplified. The support member can be manufactured as a single integrated component that provides both structural support and optical reflection, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps involving a light guiding body.
3Volume of moving object
If the substrate overlaps the illumination portion, then the structure is compact, but the light from the LED cannot reach the illumination keys effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The solution addresses the spatial conflict by using the vertical dimension and angular reflection. The reflective portion is positioned on the support member at an angle to redirect light from the LED (located on one side of the substrate) to the illumination keys (on the other side), effectively bypassing the substrate's physical obstruction while maintaining compact structure.
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 allows for stable and cost-effective illumination without a light guiding body, reducing component complexity and assembly costs while maintaining consistent lighting during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective portion configured to reflect the light output from the light source toward the illumination portion is provided at a position that opposes the light source of the support member
Data Source
AI summary
A touch pad device includes: an operating unit which includes an operation surface on which an operating body performs a proximity operation, and an illumination portion disposed in the operation surface; a first substrate which has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being aligned with the operation surface and provided with a detection unit that detects the proximity operation; and a support member configured to integrally support the operating unit and the first substrate, in which the first substrate is provided so as not to overlap the illumination portion, a light source disposed in the vicinity of the illumination portion and outputs light toward the support member side is provided, and a reflective portion configured to reflect the light output from the light source toward the illumination portion is provided at a position that opposes the light source of the support member.