TW202203278A - Backlight module and lighting keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

A backlight module illuminates a plurality of keyswitches of a lighting keyboard. The backlight module includes a substrate, a plurality of light sources, a light guiding layer, a protection layer and a plurality of light modulating layers. The light sources are disposed on the substrate and respectively correspond to the keyswitches. The light guiding layer disposed on the substrate has a plurality of openings respectively corresponding to the light sources. The protection layer is disposed between the substrate and the light guiding layer. The protection layer has a plurality of protruding areas. One of the protruding areas is embedded in one corresponding opening and covers one corresponding light source. One of the light modulating layers is disposed on the protruding area to adjust an illumination range of the corresponding light source.

Description

Backlight module and related illuminated keyboard

The present invention provides a backlight module and a related light-emitting keyboard, especially a backlight module and a related light-emitting keyboard that can provide better uniformity of light emission.

In the traditional light-emitting keyboard, light-emitting diodes are arranged under the keys, and a protective layer and a light-guiding layer are arranged between the keys and the light-emitting diodes. The protective layer is made of light-transmitting material, and the light output by the light-emitting diode penetrates the protective layer and is projected to the keys. Generally speaking, the light-emitting diode is placed directly under the key, and the illumination light of the light-emitting diode will make the central area of the key have the highest brightness, and the surrounding area of the key will be much dim. In order to solve this shortcoming, traditional light-emitting keyboards are provided with a light guide layer below the surrounding area of the keys, and the light guide layer will guide part of the light to project to the surrounding area of the keys; however, this solution still cannot effectively overcome the brightness of the keys in the central and surrounding areas. Therefore, it is one of the development goals of the related institutional design industry to design a backlight module and its related light-emitting keyboard that can make the brightness of the central area and the surrounding area of the light-emitting key uniform without increasing the thickness of the structure.

The present invention provides a backlight module and a related light-emitting keyboard which can provide better uniformity of light emission, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention is to disclose a backlight module for providing light to illuminate a plurality of keys. The backlight module includes a base material layer, a plurality of light sources, a light guide layer, a protective layer and a plurality of dimming layers. The base material layer is provided with a plurality of lines. The plurality of light sources are arranged on the base material layer. The plurality of light sources respectively correspond to the plurality of keys and are electrically connected to the plurality of lines. The light guide layer has a plurality of openings and is disposed on the base material layer, and the plurality of openings are respectively aligned with the plurality of light sources. The protective layer is arranged between the base material layer and the light guide layer. The protective layer has a plurality of raised regions. One of the plurality of raised regions is embedded in a corresponding one of the plurality of openings so as to cover the corresponding one of the plurality of light sources. The raised area has a first face and a second face opposite to each other, and the second face faces the corresponding light source. One of the plurality of light-adjusting layers is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the raised area, and is used to adjust an illumination range of the corresponding light source projected on the corresponding key.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses a light-emitting keyboard, which includes a plurality of keys and a backlight module. The backlight module is used for providing light to illuminate the plurality of keys. The backlight module includes a base material layer, a plurality of light sources, a light guide layer, a protective layer and a plurality of dimming layers. The base material layer is provided with a plurality of lines. The plurality of light sources are arranged on the base material layer. The plurality of light sources respectively correspond to the plurality of keys and are electrically connected to the plurality of lines. The light guide layer has a plurality of openings and is disposed on the base material layer, and the plurality of openings are respectively aligned with the plurality of light sources. The protective layer is arranged between the base material layer and the light guide layer. The protective layer has a plurality of raised regions. One of the plurality of raised regions is embedded in a corresponding one of the plurality of openings so as to cover the corresponding one of the plurality of light sources. The raised area has a first face and a second face opposite to each other, and the second face faces the corresponding light source. One of the plurality of light-adjusting layers is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the raised area, and is used to adjust an illumination range of the corresponding light source projected on the corresponding key.

The backlight module and the light-emitting keyboard of the present invention are provided with a light-adjusting layer on a single side or two opposite sides of the protective layer corresponding to the raised area of the light source, and the light-reflecting property of the light-adjusting layer is used to increase the amount of light entering the light guide layer, so that the The illumination light can be evenly projected to the center and sides of the keys. The light-adjusting layer can be a single-layer reflective ink coating or a light-shielding ink coating, or a double-layer coating composed of a reflective ink coating and a light-shielding ink coating. The pattern of the dimming layer can be round, square or any shape, as long as it is located between the light source and the button and is aligned with the central area of the light source, it conforms to the design scope of this case.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the light-emitting keyboard 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the key 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The illuminated keyboard 10 may include a plurality of keys 12 and a backlight module 14 . The plurality of keys 12 are respectively disposed at corresponding positions of the backlight module 14 , and the backlight module 14 provides light to illuminate the plurality of keys 12 . The backlight module 14 may include a base material layer 16 , a light source 18 , a light guide layer 20 , a protective layer 22 and a light adjustment layer 24 . The light guide layer 20 may have a plurality of openings 26 , and the protective layer 22 may have a plurality of raised regions 28 . The backlight module 14 in FIG. 2 only discloses a part of the structure corresponding to a single button 12 , so the number of the light source 18 , the dimming layer 24 , the openings 26 and the raised areas 28 corresponds to the number of the buttons 12 , and is not limited to the number of the buttons 12 in FIG. 2 . implementation shown.

The substrate layer 16 may be provided with a plurality of lines 30 . When the plurality of light sources 18 are disposed on the base material layer 16 , each light source 18 is located below the corresponding key 12 and is electrically connected to the lines 30 . The light guide layer 20 may be located above the base material layer 16 , and the plurality of openings 26 correspond to the plurality of light sources 18 respectively, so that the illumination light of each light source 18 can be projected to each key 12 through the corresponding opening 26 . In the light-emitting keyboard 10, components such as a bottom plate or a light shielding sheet (not drawn in the drawings) can be disposed between the keys 12 and the backlight module 14, depending on the design requirements. The protective layer 22 is provided between the base material layer 16 and the light guide layer 20 . Each raised region 28 of the protective layer 22 can cover the corresponding light source 18 and be embedded in the corresponding opening 26 . The raised area 28 has a first surface 281 and a second surface 282 opposite to each other. The first surface 281 faces the key 12 , and the second surface 282 faces the light source 18 .

The backlight module 14 is provided with a set of dimming layers 24 under each button 12 , for example, can be provided on the first surface 281 and/or the second surface 282 of the raised area 28 for adjusting the illumination light projection of each light source 18 to the illumination range of the corresponding key 12. In particular, the central area of the light-adjusting layer 24 should preferably be aligned with the central area of the light source 18, so that the two opposite sides of the key 12 have uniform luminous brightness. Each group of dimming layers 24 may be a single-layer coating or a multi-layer coating, depending on design requirements. In this embodiment, the light-adjusting layer 24 is a reflective ink coating 24A, such as white or light-colored ink, disposed on the first surface 281 of the raised area 28 . Please also refer to FIG. 3 , which is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the key 12 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the light-adjusting layer 24 is also a reflective ink coating 24A, but it is disposed on the second surface 282 of the raised region 28 .

Please refer to FIGS. 4 to 6 , which are respectively sectional views of the structure of the button 12 according to other embodiments of the present invention. In other embodiments, the light-adjusting layer 24 may include a reflective ink coating 24A and a light-shielding ink coating 24B. The light-shielding ink coating 24B is black or dark ink, and is disposed directly above the light source 18 , and the area of the light-shielding ink coating 24B is smaller than that of the reflective ink coating 24A. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the reflective ink coating 24A is provided on the first side 281 of the raised area 28 , and the light-shielding ink coating 24B is provided on the second side 282 . As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , both the reflective ink coating 24A and the light shielding ink coating 24B are disposed on the first surface 281 of the raised area 28 . As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , both the light-reflecting ink coating 24A and the light-shielding ink coating 24B are disposed on the second surface 282 of the raised area 28 .

Besides, the light-adjusting layer 24 may also be a single-layer light-shielding ink coating 24B. Please refer to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 . FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are structural cross-sectional views of the button 12 according to other embodiments of the present invention. As in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the light-shielding ink coating 24B is disposed on the first surface 281 of the raised area 28, and the second surface 282 has no other coating. As in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the light-shielding ink coating 24B is disposed on the second surface 282 of the raised region 28, and the first surface 281 has no other coating. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the light-shielding ink coating 24B may be a small-area coating, such as the light-shielding ink coating 24B of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5; however, the light-shielding ink coating 24B It can also be a large area coating, such as the reflective ink coating 24A of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 . 7 and 8 depict the light-shielding ink coating 24B as a large-area coating, but the practical application is not limited to this.

Please refer to FIGS. 9 to 11 again. FIGS. 9 to 11 are respectively structural cross-sectional views of the button 12 according to other embodiments of the present invention. In other embodiments, the light-adjusting layer 24 may include a reflective ink coating 24A and a light-shielding ink coating 24B, but the area of the reflective ink coating 24A is smaller than the area of the light-shielding ink coating 24B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 , the reflective ink coating 24A and the light-shielding ink coating 24B are both disposed on the second surface 282 of the raised region 28 , and the reflective ink coating 24A is closer to the light source 18 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, both the reflective ink coating 24A and the light-shielding ink coating 24B are arranged on the first surface 281 of the raised area 28, and the reflective ink coating 24A covers the light-shielding ink coating 24B, so that the protection can be directly touched. Layer 22. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , the reflective ink coating 24A and the light shielding ink coating 24B are respectively disposed on the second surface 282 and the first surface 281 of the raised area 28 .

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the light path inside the button 12 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The light-adjusting layer 24 in this embodiment is not limited to single-layer or multi-layer coatings, and the light-adjusting layer 24 is disposed on the first surface 281 of the raised region 28 as an example; the light-adjusting layer 24 disposed on the second surface 282 should have the same or The optical path is similar, so the description will not be repeated. The light source 18 outputs illuminating light upward, and part of the illuminating light passes from the side of the dimming layer 24 and can be directly projected to the upper button 12 , or is projected upward through the turning of the light guide layer 20 . Another part of the illumination light projected to the light adjustment layer 24 will be reflected to both sides. The illumination light turns to the two sides of the light-adjusting layer 24 and then enters the light-guiding layer 20 , and is then projected upward by the guidance of the light-guiding layer 20 ; Has uniform luminous brightness.

In order to further improve the luminous uniformity of the keys 12 , as shown in FIG. 12 , the light-adjusting layer 24 may optionally have light-guiding microstructures 24C, which are preferably disposed on the first surface 281 of the raised region 28 . The shape, number, density, volume and position of the light guide microstructures 24C are not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, and any light guide structure that can evenly reflect the illuminating light upwards belongs to the design scope of the present application.

To sum up, the backlight module and the light-emitting keyboard of the present invention are provided with a dimming layer on a single side or two opposite surfaces of the protective layer corresponding to the raised area of the light source, and the light-reflecting properties of the dimming layer are used to improve the entry into the light-guiding layer. The amount of light, so that the illumination light can be evenly projected to the center and both sides of the button. The light-adjusting layer can be a single-layer reflective ink coating or a light-shielding ink coating, or a double-layer coating composed of a reflective ink coating and a light-shielding ink coating. The pattern of the dimming layer can be round, square or any shape, as long as it is located between the light source and the button and is aligned with the central area of the light source, it conforms to the design scope of this case. The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

10: Illuminated keyboard 12: Button 14: Backlight module 16: Substrate layer 18: Light source 20: Light guide layer 22: Protective layer 24: Dimming layer 24A: Reflective Ink Coating 24B: Blackout Ink Coating 26: Opening 28: Uplift area 281: The first side 282: Second Side 30: Line

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a light-emitting keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of a key according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of a key according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 are respectively structural cross-sectional views of buttons according to other embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are cross-sectional views of the structure of the button according to other embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 9 to FIG. 11 are respectively sectional views of the structure of the button according to other embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an optical path inside a key according to another embodiment of the present invention.

12: Button

14: Backlight module

16: Substrate layer

18: Light source

20: Light guide layer

22: Protective layer

24: Dimming layer

24A: Reflective Ink Coating

26: Opening

28: Uplift area

281: The first side

282: Second Side

30: Line

Claims (14)

A backlight module is used to provide light to illuminate a plurality of keys, the backlight module includes: A base material layer, with a plurality of lines; a plurality of light sources, arranged on the base material layer, respectively corresponding to the plurality of buttons, and electrically connected to the plurality of lines; a light guide layer, which has a plurality of openings and is disposed on the base material layer, and the plurality of openings are respectively aligned with the plurality of light sources; A protective layer is disposed between the base material layer and the light guide layer, the protective layer has a plurality of raised areas, one of the raised areas of the plurality of raised areas is embedded in one of the corresponding openings of the plurality of openings to cover One of the plurality of light sources corresponds to a light source, the raised region has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and the second surface faces the corresponding light source; and A plurality of light-adjusting layers, one of the light-adjusting layers of the plurality of light-adjusting layers is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the raised area, and is used to adjust the projection of the corresponding light source on the corresponding button. a lighting range. The backlight module of claim 1, wherein the dimming layer comprises a reflective ink coating, which is disposed on the first side or the second side. The backlight module of claim 2, wherein the light-adjusting layer further comprises a light-shielding ink coating, which is disposed directly above the corresponding light source, and an area of the light-shielding ink coating is smaller than an area of the reflective ink coating . The backlight module of claim 1, wherein the light-adjusting layer comprises a light-shielding ink coating layer disposed on the first side or the second side. The backlight module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the light-adjusting layer further comprises a reflective ink coating disposed directly above the corresponding light source, and an area of the reflective ink coating is smaller than an area of the light-shielding ink coating area. The backlight module of claim 1, wherein the light-adjusting layer comprises a light-guiding microstructure disposed on the first surface of the raised region. The backlight module of claim 1, wherein a central area of the dimming layer is aligned with a central area of the corresponding light source. A luminous keyboard comprising: a plurality of keys; and A backlight module for providing light to illuminate the plurality of keys, the backlight module includes: A base material layer, with a plurality of lines; a plurality of light sources, arranged on the base material layer, respectively corresponding to the plurality of buttons, and electrically connected to the plurality of lines; a light guide layer, which has a plurality of openings and is disposed on the base material layer, and the plurality of openings are respectively aligned with the plurality of light sources; A protective layer is disposed between the base material layer and the light guide layer, the protective layer has a plurality of raised areas, one of the raised areas of the plurality of raised areas is embedded in one of the corresponding openings of the plurality of openings to cover One of the plurality of light sources corresponds to a light source, the raised region has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and the second surface faces the corresponding light source; and A plurality of light-adjusting layers, one of the light-adjusting layers of the plurality of light-adjusting layers is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the raised area, and is used to adjust the projection of the corresponding light source on the corresponding button. a lighting range. The light-emitting keyboard as claimed in claim 8, wherein the light-adjusting layer comprises a reflective ink coating, which is disposed on the first side or the second side. The light-emitting keyboard as claimed in claim 9, wherein the light-adjusting layer further comprises a light-shielding ink coating, which is disposed directly above the light source, and an area of the light-shielding ink coating is smaller than an area of the reflective ink coating. The light-emitting keyboard as claimed in claim 8, wherein the light-adjusting layer comprises a light-shielding ink coating layer disposed on the first surface or the second surface. The luminous keyboard as claimed in claim 11, wherein the light-adjusting layer further comprises a reflective ink coating, disposed directly above the corresponding light source, and an area of the reflective ink coating is smaller than an area of the light-shielding ink coating . The light-emitting keyboard of claim 8, wherein the light-adjusting layer comprises a light-guiding microstructure disposed on the first surface of the raised region. The light-emitting keyboard of claim 8, wherein a central area of the light-adjusting layer is aligned with a central area of the corresponding light source.

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