CN114914113A - Luminous keyboard and optical module thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a luminous keyboard and an optical module thereof. The optical module comprises a light guide plate, a reflecting sheet and an optical film. The reflector plate is arranged on one side of the light guide plate, and the optical film is arranged on the other side of the light guide plate relative to the reflector plate. The optical film has a shading pattern, the shading pattern defines a light transmitting area, a shading area and a light quantity modulation area, and the light quantity modulation area extends from the shading area to the light transmitting area, wherein: the light transmitting area allows light to pass through, the shading area blocks light, and the light quantity modulation area allows light to pass through locally and blocks light locally, so that the average light transmittance per unit area of the light quantity modulation area is smaller than that of the light transmitting area and larger than that of the shading area.

Description

Luminous keyboard and optical module thereof

Technical Field

The invention relates to a luminous keyboard and an optical module thereof, in particular to a luminous keyboard suitable for adjusting the brightness of keys and an optical module thereof.

Background

Keyboards are very important input devices for electronic products, especially computers. With the miniaturization and lightness of electronic products, the narrow bezel design is one of the important research and development directions of the keyboard. However, for the light-emitting keyboard, the integration of the key module and the backlight module is required to be considered, especially the adhesion between the multiple layers of optical films of the backlight module and the problem of avoiding side light leakage are considered, so that the light-emitting uniformity of the outer keys and the inner keys is not easy to control. In particular, in the narrow bezel design, the problem of the outer keys becoming brighter or darker is likely to occur in the light-emitting keyboard as the margin of the bezel is reduced.

Furthermore, in order to dissipate heat or position, the backlight module usually needs to be provided with through holes for airflow or passing of positioning mechanisms (such as positioning posts, screws, etc.), so that the keys near the through holes are brighter or darker than other keys. In addition, the key close to the light source of the backlight module may have a problem of local brightness or darkness.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a light-emitting keyboard and an optical module thereof to solve the above problems.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical module for a light-emitting keyboard, comprising:

a light guide plate;

a reflective sheet disposed at one side of the light guide plate; and

the optical film is arranged on the other side of the light guide plate relative to the reflector plate, and is provided with a shading pattern, the shading pattern defines a light transmitting area, a shading area and a light quantity modulation area, and the light quantity modulation area extends to the light transmitting area from the shading area, wherein:

the light-transmitting region allows light to pass through,

the light-shielding region blocks the light rays,

and the light quantity modulation area locally allows light to pass through and locally blocks the light, so that the unit area average light transmittance of the light quantity modulation area is smaller than that of the light-transmitting area and larger than that of the light-shielding area.

As an optional technical solution, the light amount modulation region includes a plurality of sub-shading regions and a plurality of sub-transmitting regions, and the sub-shading regions and the sub-transmitting regions are arranged in a staggered manner.

As an optional technical solution, each of the sub light-shielding regions has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the first end is connected to the light-shielding region, and the second end extends to the light-transmitting region.

As an optional technical solution, the width of the first end is greater than or equal to the width of the second end, and when the width of the first end is greater than the width of the second end, the width of the sub-shading area is gradually reduced from the shading area to the light-transmitting area.

As an optional technical solution, the light amount modulation region surrounds the light shielding region, the width of the first end is smaller than the width of the second end, and the widths of the sub light shielding regions gradually increase from the light shielding region toward the light transmitting region.

As an optional technical solution, the light shielding region is partially surrounded and adjacent to the light transmitting region to form a boundary line, and two end portions of the boundary line are substantially connected to middle sections of two opposite sides of the light amount modulation region.

As an optional technical solution, the average light transmittance per unit area of the light amount modulation region increases or is fixed from the light-shielding region toward the light-transmitting region.

As an optional technical solution, the light guide plate has an edge, and when the optical film, the light guide plate and the reflective sheet are stacked on each other, a vertical projection of the edge of the light guide plate on the optical film at least partially falls on the light amount modulation region, or falls on the light shielding region and is adjacent to the light amount modulation region.

As an optional technical solution, the sub light-shielding regions and the sub light-transmitting regions are staggered along the edge of the light guide plate.

As an optional technical solution, the light guide plate has a hole, the hole defines a hole edge, when the optical film, the light guide plate and the reflector are stacked, at least a part of a shadow of the hole edge of the light guide plate projected perpendicularly to the optical film falls on the light amount modulation area, and the sub light-shielding areas and the sub light-transmitting areas are disposed along the hole edge of the light guide plate in a staggered manner.

As an optional technical solution, the optical module further includes a light source having a light emitting surface, wherein the light guide plate guides light emitted from the light source, a vertical projection of the light source on the optical film falls on the shading area, and the light amount modulation area extends from the shading area between the light transmitting area and the light emitting surface.

The present invention also provides a light emitting keyboard comprising:

an optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and

at least one key arranged above the optical module, the key comprising a keycap,

wherein the keycap at least covers the transparent area in a vertical projection of the optical film.

As an optional technical solution, the keycap has a transparent character, and when the light amount modulation region includes the sub-shading regions and the sub-transparent regions, the sub-shading regions and the sub-transparent regions are alternately arranged along the arrangement direction of the transparent character.

Compared with the prior art, the light-emitting keyboard and the optical module thereof can effectively improve the light-emitting uniformity of the keys and the halation around the keycaps by the light-shielding pattern design of the optical membrane, and are not only suitable for the common light-emitting keyboard, but also suitable for the light-emitting keyboard with narrow frame design.

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific examples, but the invention is not limited thereto.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a light-emitting keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a key of a light-emitting keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded view of an optical module according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4A is a schematic view of a light shielding pattern of an optical film and a relative position between the light shielding pattern and a light guide plate according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4B is a variation of fig. 4A to show another relative position with respect to the light guide plate.

Fig. 5A is a schematic view of a light shielding pattern of an optical film and a relative position between the light shielding pattern and a light guide plate according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5B is a variation of fig. 5A to show another relative position with respect to the light guide plate.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a variation of the light amount modulation region of the optical film according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing the relative positions of the light quantity modulation region of the optical film and the transparent character of the key cap according to the present invention.

Fig. 7B is a schematic diagram of a variation of fig. 7A.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of relative positions of the light shielding pattern of the optical film and the light guide plate according to the third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating relative positions of a light shielding pattern of an optical film and a light guide plate according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10A is a schematic diagram of relative positions of a light shielding pattern and a light source of an optical film according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10B is a schematic view of a variation of fig. 10A.

Detailed Description

In order to further understand the objects, structures, features and functions of the present invention, the following embodiments are described in detail.

The invention provides a luminous keyboard and an optical module thereof, which are used for improving the luminous uniformity of keys or improving halos around the keys. The light-emitting keyboard of the present invention can be an independent keyboard device or a light-emitting keyboard integrated into an electronic product (e.g., a mobile device, a notebook computer), and the optical module of the present invention is not only suitable for a general light-emitting keyboard, but also suitable for a light-emitting keyboard with a narrow frame design, but not limited thereto.

As shown in fig. 1, in an embodiment, the light-emitting keyboard 1 includes an optical module 10 and a key module 20, wherein the optical module 10 is disposed below the key module 20. The key module 20 includes a plurality of keys 200, and the plurality of keys 200 includes an outer key 201 and an inner key 202. In one aspect, the plurality of keys 200 are arranged in rows along the Y-axis direction, and the outermost keys (e.g., keys at both ends in the X-axis direction) in each row can be the outer keys 201, while the keys between the outer keys 201 at both ends in each row are the inner keys 202. On the other hand, among the plurality of rows of keys arranged in the Y-axis direction, the outermost row of keys (for example, the outermost row and the outermost row of keys at both ends in the Y-axis direction) may be the outer keys 201, and the keys between the outermost row of outer keys 201 may be the inner keys 202. That is, the outer button 201 has at least one side not adjacent to other buttons, such as buttons disposed on the periphery, and the inner button 202 is surrounded by other buttons. In this embodiment, the left edge (e.g., the left edge of the key cap) of the left outer key 201 is aligned along the Y-axis direction, the right edge (e.g., the right edge of the key cap) of the right outer key 201 is aligned along the Y-axis direction, the upper edge (e.g., the upper edge of the key cap) of the upper outer key 201 is aligned along the X-axis direction, and the lower edge (e.g., the lower edge of the key cap) of the lower outer key 201 is aligned along the X-axis direction, but not limited thereto.

In particular, the key 200 may be any suitable key unit having a light transmissive keycap. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a key of a light-emitting keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 2, in an embodiment, the key 200 is movably connected to the key cap 220 and the bottom plate 210 by the scissors 230, so as to support the key cap 220 to move, further compress the elastic body 250 to trigger the switch layer 240 (e.g., a membrane switch), and be reset by the restoring force of the elastic body 250, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the scissor support 230 may be replaced by other lifting mechanisms, such as a butterfly wing type support mechanism, a sliding block type support mechanism, a cantilever type support mechanism, etc., and the elastic body 250 may be replaced by other restoring units, such as a magnet, a spring, etc. Furthermore, the switch layer 240 may be replaced by other switch units, such as a mechanical switch, an optical switch, etc. In other words, the keys 200 of the key module 20 may have any suitable structure to generate the triggering signal after being pressed. When the plurality of keys 200 are integrated into the keyboard, some components (e.g., the switch layer 240, the elastic body 250, and the bottom plate 210) of each key 200 may be respectively integrated into a single component to facilitate assembly, but not limited thereto.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the optical module 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the optical module 10 includes an optical film 110, a light guide plate 120, a reflective sheet 130 and a light source 140. The light source 140 provides light, and the light guide plate 120 is disposed on one side (e.g., a lower side) of the optical film 110 for guiding the light to emit toward the plurality of keys (e.g., 200). For example, the optical film 110 is disposed on one side (e.g., above) of the light guide plate 120 and adjacent to the bottom plate 210, and the optical film 110 has a light shielding pattern 112 for selectively blocking or passing light locally. The reflective sheet 130 is disposed on the other side (e.g., the lower side) of the light guide plate 120 with respect to the optical film 110, and reflects the light leaking from the lower surface of the light guide plate 120 back to the light guide plate 120.

Specifically, the light source 140 is preferably a Light Emitting Diode (LED), and particularly, a side-emitting LED is preferred, but not limited thereto. The light emitting surface of the light source 140 preferably faces the light incident surface of the light guide plate 120, so that the light is transmitted into the light guide plate 120 through the light incident surface. In one embodiment, the plurality of light sources 140 are preferably integrated on the circuit board 142 to form an integrated light source unit, thereby improving the assembly efficiency.

The light guide plate 120 may be a thin plate or sheet made of any suitable optical material, such as an optical polymer, for receiving light from the light source 140. The size of the light guide plate 120 corresponds to the size of the key module 20 and is slightly smaller than the size of the optical film 110. For example, the dimension of the light guide plate 120 in the X-axis and/or Y-axis direction is preferably smaller than the dimension of the optical film 110, such that the edge of the optical film 110 protrudes out of the light guide plate 120 to facilitate bonding with other components (e.g., the reflective sheet 130, the bottom plate 210), but not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the light guide plate 120 has a plurality of light source holes 123, and a side surface (e.g., parallel to YZ plane) inside the light source holes 123 can be used as a light incident surface of the light guide plate 120, and a top surface (i.e., an upper surface extending along the XY axis plane) of the light guide plate 120 can be used as a light emitting surface of the light guide plate 120. The light guide plate 120 has an edge 122 to define the boundary of the light emitting surface. For example, the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120 is a boundary line extending along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and surrounding the light emitting surface.

The reflective sheet 130 may be a reflective film formed of a reflective material (e.g., a metal foil), or a reflective sheet formed of a plastic film coated with a reflective material or doped with reflective particles (e.g., a PET film doped with reflective particles). The shape and size of the reflective sheet 130 preferably correspond to the optical film 110, and the ductility/deformability of the reflective sheet 130 is preferably greater than that of the optical film 110. That is, the reflection sheet 130 is preferably more easily deformed than the optical film 110, so that the reflection sheet 130 is more easily attached. In this embodiment, the reflection sheet 130 has a plurality of through holes 133, and the plurality of through holes 133 correspond to the light source holes 123 of the light guide plate 120, so that the light sources 140 can be inserted into the light source holes 123 through the through holes 133 from below the reflection sheet 130. Thus, the light provided by the light source 140 enters the light guide plate 120 through the light incident surface inside the light source hole 123, substantially travels along the extending direction of the light guide plate 120, and travels to the light transmitting portion (e.g., the light transmitting region 114, as described in detail below) of the optical film 110 to be emitted.

In one embodiment, the optical film 110 is a light-transmissive optical film (such as a polyester Terephthalate (PET)) and has a light-shielding pattern 112 formed by a light-shielding material (such as ink), but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the optical film 110 may be an opaque optical film, and is cut to form the light-shielding pattern 112. The light-shielding pattern 112 of the optical film 110 defines one or more light-transmitting regions 114, light-shielding regions 116, and one or more light amount modulation regions 118. For example, the light-transmitting region 114 is a region of the light-transmitting optical film where no light-shielding material is disposed, the light-shielding region 116 is a region of the light-transmitting optical film where the light-shielding material is disposed, and the light amount modulation region 118 extends from the light-shielding region 116 to the light-transmitting region 114 to at least partially modulate the light energy between the light-shielding region 116 and the light-transmitting region 114. In this embodiment, the light shielding pattern 112 defines a plurality of light-transmitting areas 114, and the light-transmitting areas 114 are respectively disposed corresponding to the plurality of keys 200. For example, the number, position and shape of the transparent regions 114 preferably correspond to the number, position and shape of the keys 200 and the key caps 220, but are not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the shape and size of the optical film 110 preferably correspond to the bottom plate 210 of the key module 20, such that the upper surface of the end portion of the optical film 110 is bonded to the lower surface of the bottom plate 210, and the lower surface of the end portion of the optical film 110 is bonded to the upper surface of the reflective sheet 130, so as to enclose the light guide plate 120 between the optical film 110 and the reflective sheet 130, thereby preventing lateral light leakage. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the key caps 220 and the bottom plates 210 of the outer keys 201 may be aligned with the edges of the optical film 110 and the reflective sheet 130, for example, the key caps 220, the bottom plates 210 and the edges of the optical film 110 and the reflective sheet 130 are aligned with each other along the stacking direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction), so as to facilitate the narrow frame design of the light-emitting keyboard 1. For example, the size and shape of the transparent region 114 corresponding to the inner side key 202 preferably correspond to the size and shape of the corresponding key cap 220, i.e., the vertical projections of the transparent region 114 and the corresponding key cap 220 in the direction of the bottom plate 210 preferably substantially completely coincide, while the size and shape of the transparent region 114 corresponding to the outer side key 201 is limited by the requirement of adhesion and the consideration of preventing side light leakage, and the size of the transparent region 114 can be smaller than the size of the corresponding key cap 220. That is, in each key 200, the vertical projection of the key cap 220 on the optical film 110 at least covers the corresponding light-transmitting region 114.

The light modulation area 118 can be selectively disposed at a corresponding position of one or more buttons requiring light modulation. For example, as shown in fig. 1 and 3, when the outer keys 201 on the top row require light quantity modulation, the light quantity modulation regions 118 may be disposed along the X-axis direction corresponding to the light transmission regions 114, respectively. The light amount modulation region 118 extends from the light-shielding region 116 to the light-transmitting region 114. The light-transmitting region 114 allows light to pass therethrough, the light-blocking region 116 blocks light, and the light amount modulation region 118 partially allows light to pass therethrough and partially blocks light such that the average light transmittance per unit area of the light amount modulation region 118 is smaller than that of the light-transmitting region 114 and larger than that of the light-blocking region 116. Next, referring to fig. 4A to 10B, various configuration embodiments of the light shielding pattern of the optical film are illustrated with a single key.

As shown in fig. 4A, in the first embodiment, the light-shielding region 116 partially surrounds and adjoins the light-transmitting region 114 to form a boundary 115, and two end portions 115a and 115b of the boundary 115 are substantially connected to middle portions of two opposite sides of the light amount modulation region 118. For example, the light-shielding region 116 may be regarded as a boundary 115 that surrounds the adjacent light-transmitting region 114 to form a substantially rectangular shape, and the light amount modulation region 118 spans a portion of the boundary 115 between the light-shielding region 116 and the light-transmitting region 114, such that the light amount modulation region 118 is located between the light-shielding region 116 and the light-transmitting region 114, and two side middle sections of the light amount modulation region 118 respectively connect two end portions 115a, 115b of the boundary 115. In an embodiment, the light amount modulation area 118 includes a plurality of sub light shielding areas 1182 and a plurality of sub light transmitting areas 1184, and the plurality of sub light shielding areas 1182 and the plurality of sub light transmitting areas 1184 are disposed in a staggered manner, for example, in a staggered manner along the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120 or in a staggered manner along the extending direction of the boundary line 115. Specifically, the sub light-shielding regions 1182 are regions in the light amount modulation region 118 where the light-shielding material is disposed, and the sub light-transmitting regions 1184 are regions in the light amount modulation region 118 where the light-shielding material is not disposed. In other words, in the optical film 110, the light-shielding material is disposed in the light-shielding region 116 (e.g., the gap between adjacent keys or the edge of the keyboard) and the sub light-shielding regions 1182 to form the light-shielding pattern 112. In one embodiment, each of the sub light-shielding regions 1182 has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the first end is connected to the light-shielding region 116, and the second end extends to the light-transmitting region 114. For example, the sub-shading areas 1182 may have the same shape and size, and each sub-shading area 1182 extends from the shading area 116 to the light-transmitting area 114, but not limited thereto. The sub-shading areas 1182 may have different shapes, sizes and numbers according to the actual light modulation requirement.

In this embodiment, the sub-shielding region 1182 has a triangular shape, such that a width of a first end (i.e., adjacent to the shielding region 116) of the sub-shielding region 1182 is greater than a width of a second end (i.e., adjacent to the light-transmitting region 114), and the width of the sub-shielding region 1182 gradually decreases from the shielding region 116 to the light-transmitting region 114. That is, the triangular sub-light-shielding region 1182 has a wide bottom connected to the light-shielding region 116, and has a vertex extending toward the light-transmitting region 114 across the virtual connection of the two end portions 115a and 115b of the boundary line 115. The triangular sub-light-shielding regions 1182 are adjacently disposed along the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120, so that a sub-light-transmitting region 1184 is sandwiched between two adjacent sub-light-shielding regions 1182. Correspondingly, the sub light transmission region 1184 has a similar triangular shape, and the wide bottom side of the sub light transmission region 1184 is adjacent to the light transmission region 114, and the narrow top point is adjacent to the light shielding region 116, so that the average light transmittance per unit area of the light amount modulation region 118 increases from the light shielding region 116 to the light transmission region 114. For example, the phrase "the average light transmittance per unit area increases from the light-shielding region 116 toward the light-transmitting region 114" means that the width of the sub light-transmitting region 1184 increases from the light-shielding region 116 toward the light-transmitting region 114, or the area ratio of light transmission in the light amount modulation region 118 increases along the direction in which the light-shielding region 116 extends toward the light-transmitting region 114. When the optical film 110, the light guide plate 120 and the reflective sheet 130 are stacked on each other, a vertical projection of the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120 on the optical film 110 falls on the light amount modulation region 118. Therefore, the optical film 110 can shield the light emitted from the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120 by the sub light shielding region 1182 of the light amount modulation region 118, and allow the light emitted from the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120 to pass through by the sub light transmitting region 1184 of the light amount modulation region 118, so as to modulate the light emitting effect of the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120, which is beneficial to improving the light emitting uniformity of the key, and is suitable for the narrow-frame keyboard design.

As shown in fig. 4B, in a variation, another relative position between the light shielding pattern 112 of the optical film 110 and the light guide plate 120 is shown. In this embodiment, the light shielding pattern 112 of the optical film 110 defines a light transmitting area 114, a light shielding area 116 and a light amount modulation area 118 similar to those in fig. 4A, and the difference is that when the optical film 110, the light guide plate 120 and the reflective sheet 130 are stacked on each other, the vertical projection of the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120 on the optical film 110 falls on the light shielding area 116 and is adjacent to the light amount modulation area 118. Thus, the light shielding region 116 of the optical film 110 substantially shields the light emitted from the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120, but the sub-transmitting region 1184 of the light quantity modulation region 118 allows part of the light to pass through, so as to improve the light emitting uniformity of the key. In other words, the distance (or relative position) between the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120 and the light modulation region 118 can be adjusted according to the actual optical effect, and when more light emitted from the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120 needs to be utilized, the design similar to fig. 4A can be adopted, whereas the design similar to fig. 4B can be adopted.

Fig. 5A and 5B are schematic views illustrating a light shielding pattern 112 of an optical film 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The light amount modulation region 118 includes a plurality of sub-shading regions 1182 and a plurality of sub-transmitting regions 1184, and the plurality of sub-shading regions 1182 and the plurality of sub-transmitting regions 1184 are alternately disposed along the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120 (or along the extending direction of the boundary line 115). Hereinafter, only the differences from the previous embodiments are focused on, and the description of the similar or same parts is omitted. In this embodiment, the sub light-shielding region 1182 is rectangular, such that the width of the first end of the sub light-shielding region 1182 is equal to the width of the second end. The sub light-shielding regions 1182 are disposed at intervals along the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120, such that a sub light-transmitting region 1184 is sandwiched between two adjacent sub light-shielding regions 1182. Correspondingly, the sub-transmissive region 1184 has a similar rectangular shape, such that the average light transmittance per unit area of the light amount modulation region 118 is substantially constant from the light shielding region 116 to the transmissive region 114. In other words, the width of the sub-transmissive region 1184 is substantially constant from the shielding region 116 toward the transmissive region 114, or the area ratio of light transmission in the light amount modulation region 118 is substantially constant along the direction extending from the shielding region 116 toward the transmissive region 114. Furthermore, fig. 5A shows that the vertical projection of the edge of the light guide plate 120 on the optical film 110 falls on the light amount modulation region 118, and fig. 5B shows that the vertical projection of the edge of the light guide plate 120 on the optical film 110 falls on the light shielding region 116 and is adjacent to the light amount modulation region 118. The distance (or relative position) between the edge 122 of the light guide plate 120 and the light amount modulation region 118 can be adjusted according to the actual optical effect, so as to select the configuration similar to that shown in fig. 5A or fig. 5B.

In the above embodiments, the light amount modulation region is illustrated as a triangular or rectangular sub-shading region and a sub-transmitting region, but not limited thereto. In another embodiment (not shown), the sub-light-shielding region and the sub-light-transmitting region may have any suitable shape, such as a trapezoid, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the light amount modulation region may be designed in a gradient layer by a printing technique according to practical applications, such that the light transmittance of the light amount modulation region 118 increases along the direction of the light-shielding region 116 extending toward the light-transmitting region 114. As shown in fig. 6, fig. 6 shows that the light-shielding material in the light quantity modulation region 118 forms a plurality of sub light-shielding regions 1182 in a dot matrix manner, and the region not covered by the light-shielding material is the sub light-transmitting region 1184. In this embodiment, the sub-shielding regions 1182 are disposed in a dot pattern, and the distribution density of the sub-shielding regions 1182 decreases from the shielding region 116 to the light-transmitting region 114. That is, the distribution density of the sub light-shielding region 1182 becomes larger as being closer to the light-shielding region 116, and becomes smaller as being closer to the light-transmitting region 114, which is not limited thereto. In the embodiment of fig. 6, the sub-shading areas 1182 do not overlap with each other, but are not limited thereto; in other embodiments, the sub-masking regions 1182 may partially overlap according to practical applications and optical requirements.

As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, they respectively show the relative positions of the light quantity modulation region and the transparent character 222 of the key cap in fig. 4A and 5A. In this embodiment, the transparent character 222 of the key cap 220 is "Esc" as an example. The sub-shading areas 1182 and the sub-transmitting areas 1184 of the light quantity modulation area 118 are preferably arranged in a staggered manner along the arrangement direction of the light-transmitting character 222. That is, the sub light-shielding regions 1182 and the sub light-transmitting regions 1184 are preferably arranged along the long axis direction of the light-transmitting character 222. In one embodiment, the length of the light modulation region 118 extending from the light-shielding region 116 to the light-transmitting region 114 and the width along the boundary 115 are preferably at least equal to the height and length of the light-transmitting character 222 (e.g., covering the entire character height and length), and the boundary 115 preferably connects the light modulation region 118 at a character height of about 1/2, but not limited thereto.

In addition, as shown in fig. 1, for heat dissipation or positioning design, the optical module 10 is usually provided with a through hole 101 for air flow or passing through a positioning mechanism (e.g., a positioning post, a screw, etc.). As shown in fig. 3, the optical film 110 has an upper through hole 111, the light guide plate 120 has a hole 121, and the reflective sheet 130 has a lower through hole 131. When the optical film 110, the light guide plate 120 and the reflective sheet 130 are sequentially stacked, the upper through hole 111, the hole 121 and the lower through hole 131 are aligned with each other to form the through hole 101. When the position of the through hole 101 is at least partially within the vertical projection range of the key 200, the light amount modulation region 118 can be disposed at a position corresponding to the key 200. As shown in fig. 8, the hole 121 of the light guide plate 120 defines a hole edge 125. The hole edge 113 of the upper through hole 111 of the optical film 110 is located inside the hole edge 125 of the light guide plate 120, i.e. the diameter of the upper through hole 111 is smaller than that of the hole 121, so that the optical film 110 protrudes out of the hole 121 to form an annular light shielding area 116. The sub light-shielding regions 1182 and the sub light-transmitting regions 1184 of the light amount modulation region 118 are alternately disposed along the hole edge 125 of the light guide plate 120 and extend from the light-shielding region 116 to the light-transmitting region 114. Specifically, the light quantity modulation region 118 may completely surround or partially surround the shading region 114 according to the actual position of the through hole 101 corresponding to the key cap 220, so that the light quantity modulation region 118 is a complete annular region or a partial annular sector region. In this embodiment, the light amount modulation region 118 is illustrated as substantially completely surrounding the light-shielding region 114 (i.e., the through hole 101 is substantially completely within the range of the light-transmitting region 114 corresponding to the key cap 220), such that the light-transmitting region 114 can surround the outer portion of the light amount modulation region 118, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the light amount modulation region 118 may be a sector partially surrounding the light shielding region 114, that is, the through hole 101 is only partially within the range of the light transmitting region 114 corresponding to the key cap 220, such that the light transmitting region 114 surrounds the outer sector of the sector, and the light shielding region 116 is connected to the side of the sector and extends to the inner sector of the sector.

In this embodiment, each of the sub-shielding portions 1182 has a triangle-like shape, and a first end 1182a of each of the sub-shielding portions 1182 is connected to the light-shielding region 116, and a second end 1182b extends to the light-transmitting region 114. The width of first end 1182a of sub-shielding portion 1182 is greater than the width of second end 1182b, so that the width of sub-shielding portion 1182 gradually decreases from shielding portion 116 to light-transmitting portion 114. In this embodiment, a center line (e.g., a bisector) of the second end 1182b of each of the sub-shielding portions 1182 preferably passes through the centers of the hole 121 and the upper through hole 111. The sub light-shielding regions 1182 are adjacently disposed along the hole edge 125 of the light guide plate 120, such that a sub light-transmitting region 1184 is sandwiched between two adjacent sub light-shielding regions 1182. Correspondingly, the sub light transmission region 1184 has a similar triangular shape, and since the light amount modulation region 118 extends radially outward toward the light transmission region 114 around the light shielding region 116, the wide bottom edge of the sub light transmission region 1184 is adjacent to the light transmission region 114 and is larger than the arc length of the first end 1182 of the sub light shielding region 1182, and the narrow top edge is adjacent to the light shielding region 116, so that the average light transmittance per unit area of the light amount modulation region 118 increases from the light shielding region 116 toward the light transmission region 114. In this embodiment, when the optical film 110, the light guide plate 120 and the reflective sheet 130 are stacked on each other, the vertical projection of the hole edge 125 of the light guide plate 120 on the optical film 110 preferably falls on the light quantity modulation region 118, so as to improve the light emitting uniformity of the key 200 corresponding to the through hole 101 by the light quantity modulation region 118.

Fig. 9 is a modification of fig. 8. In this embodiment, the sub-shading area 1182 is a sector, wherein two edges of the sector preferably extend through the centers of the hole 121 and the upper through hole 111. In this embodiment, since the light amount modulation region 118 extends radially outward to the light transmission region 114 around the light shielding region 116, the width of the first end 1182a of the sub-light shielding region 1182 is smaller than the width of the second end 1184b, and the width of the sub-light shielding region 1182 increases from the light shielding region 116 to the light transmission region 114. That is, the sub light-shielding regions 1182 are disposed at intervals along the hole edge 125 of the light guide plate 120, such that the sub light-transmitting region 1184 is sandwiched between two adjacent sub light-shielding regions 1182. Correspondingly, the sub-transmissive region 1184 has a similar fan shape, and the width of the sub-transmissive region 1184 gradually increases from the shielding region 116 to the transmissive region 114, wherein the area ratio of light transmission in the light amount modulation region 118 does not increase along the direction extending from the shielding region 116 to the transmissive region 114, but the area of light transmission in the light amount modulation region 118 gradually increases with the distance from the shielding region 116. In this embodiment, when the optical film 110, the light guide plate 120 and the reflective sheet 130 are stacked on each other, the vertical projection of the hole edge 125 of the light guide plate 120 on the optical film 110 preferably falls on the light quantity modulation region 118, so as to achieve the effect of improving the light emitting uniformity of the key 200 corresponding to the through hole 101 by the light quantity modulation region 118.

Furthermore, the design of the light amount modulation region 118 shown in fig. 8 and 9 can also be applied to the corner portion of the key. In this case, the optical film 110 may not have the upper through hole 111, and the light shielding region 116 of the optical film 110 extends to the position corresponding to the upper through hole 111 to improve the light emitting uniformity or halo performance of the corner portion of the key. In addition, in the embodiments of fig. 8 and 9, the number, shape and size of the sub-shielding regions 1182 (or the sub-transmitting regions 1184) of the light amount modulation region 118 may be changed according to actual requirements (e.g., light intensity and light leakage degree).

Fig. 10A is a schematic diagram of relative positions of a light shielding pattern of an optical film and a light source according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, and fig. 10B is a variation of fig. 10A. As shown in fig. 10A and 10B, the light sources 140 are disposed in the light source holes 123 of the light guide plate 120, and the optical film 110 is disposed above the light guide plate 120 and covers the light source holes 123 (and the light sources 140). When the light source 140 is adjacent to the key 200, the optical film 110 may be disposed with a light amount modulation region 118 at a position corresponding to the key 200 to modulate the light emitting uniformity of the key. For example, the light shielding region 116 extends to cover the light source hole 123 (and the light source 140), and the light amount modulation region 118 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the light emitting surface of the light source 140 and extends from the light shielding region 116 toward the light transmitting region 114. The sub light-shielding areas 1182 and the sub light-transmitting areas 1184 of the light amount modulation area 118 may be staggered along the extending direction of the light-emitting surface of the light source 140. In the embodiment of fig. 10A, the light amount modulation region 118 has a structure as shown in fig. 4A, wherein the sub-shading region 1182 has a width gradually decreasing from the shading region 116 to the light transmitting region 114, and the average light transmittance per unit area of the light amount modulation region 118 increases from the shading region 116 to the light transmitting region 114. In the embodiment of fig. 10B, the light amount modulation region 118 has the structure as shown in fig. 4B, wherein the width of the sub-shielding region 1182 is substantially constant from the shielding region 116 to the light transmission region 114, and the average light transmittance per unit area of the light amount modulation region 118 is substantially constant from the shielding region 116 to the light transmission region 114. According to practical applications, the number, shape and size of the sub light shielding regions 1182 and the sub light transmitting regions 1184 can be changed according to the amount of light provided by the light source 140, the distance between the light transmitting region 114 and the light source 140, the position of the light-transmitting character 222 of the key cap 220, and the like, so as to achieve the desired optical effect.

It should be noted that the configuration of one or more light quantity modulation regions in the above embodiments may be integrated into a single light-emitting keyboard according to practical applications, so as to modulate the brightness of the outer keys, the keys adjacent to the holes, and/or the keys adjacent to the light source by the light-shielding pattern design of the optical film, thereby improving the uniformity of light emission of the keys.

In summary, the light-emitting keyboard and the optical module thereof of the present invention can effectively improve the light-emitting uniformity of the key and improve the halo around the keycap by the light-shielding pattern design of the optical film, and are not only suitable for general light-emitting keyboards, but also suitable for light-emitting keyboards with narrow frame design.

The present invention is capable of other embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. An optical module adapted for use with a light-emitting keyboard, comprising:

a light guide plate;

a reflective sheet disposed at one side of the light guide plate; and

an optical film disposed on the other side of the light guide plate opposite to the reflector, the optical film having a light shielding pattern defining a light transmitting region, a light shielding region and a light amount modulating region, the light amount modulating region extending from the light shielding region to the light transmitting region, wherein:

the light-transmitting region allows light to pass through,

the light-shielding region blocks the light rays,

and the light quantity modulation area locally allows light to pass through and locally blocks the light, so that the unit area average light transmittance of the light quantity modulation area is smaller than that of the light-transmitting area and larger than that of the light-shielding area.

2. The optical module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light amount modulation region comprises a plurality of sub-shading regions and a plurality of sub-transmitting regions, and the sub-shading regions and the sub-transmitting regions are disposed alternately.

3. The optical module as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the sub-shielding regions has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the first end is connected to the shielding region, and the second end extends to the transparent region.

4. The optical module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the width of the first end is greater than or equal to the width of the second end, and when the width of the first end is greater than the width of the second end, the widths of the sub-shielding regions are gradually decreased from the shielding region to the transparent region.

5. The optical module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the light modulating region surrounds the light-shielding region, the width of the first end is smaller than the width of the second end, and the widths of the sub light-shielding regions gradually increase from the light-shielding region toward the light-transmitting region.

6. The optical module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light-shielding region is partially surrounded and adjacent to the light-transmitting region to form a boundary line, and two ends of the boundary line are substantially connected to middle sections of two opposite sides of the light amount modulation region.

7. The optical module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the average light transmittance per unit area of the light amount modulation region increases or is constant from the light-shielding region toward the light-transmitting region.

8. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the light guide plate has an edge, and when the optical film, the light guide plate and the reflective sheet are stacked on each other, a perpendicular projection of the edge of the light guide plate to the optical film at least partially falls on the light amount modulation region or falls on the light-shielding region and is adjacent to the light amount modulation region.

9. The optical module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sub-light-shielding regions and the sub-light-transmitting regions are staggered along the edge of the light guide plate.

10. The optical module of claim 5, wherein the light guide plate has a hole defining a hole edge, the hole edge of the light guide plate projects at least partially a shadow of the light quantity modulation region in a direction perpendicular to the optical film when the optical film, the light guide plate and the reflective sheet are stacked on each other, and the sub-opaque regions are alternately disposed along the hole edge of the light guide plate.

11. The optical module of claim 1 further comprising a light source having a light emitting surface, wherein the light guide plate guides light emitted from the light source, and a vertical projection of the light source on the optical film falls on the light shielding region, and the light amount modulation region extends from the light shielding region between the light transmitting region and the light emitting surface.

12. A light-emitting keyboard, comprising:

an optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and

at least a key set above the optical module, the key set includes a key cap,

wherein the keycap at least covers the transparent area in a vertical projection of the optical film.

13. The illuminated keyboard according to claim 12, wherein the key cap has transparent characters, and when the light quantity modulation region comprises the sub-light-shielding regions and the sub-light-transmitting regions, the sub-light-shielding regions and the sub-light-transmitting regions are disposed alternately along a disposition direction of the transparent characters.

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