The invention relates to a structure, a backlight module and a light-emitting key device using the same, and more particularly to a circuit structure, a backlight module and a light-emitting key device using the same.
The conventional light-emitting keyboard includes several light-emitting elements and a light guide plate, and the light-emitting elements emit light into the light guide plate. Normally, light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element faces side of the light guide plate to provide side-light to the light guide plate. These light-emitting elements are concentratedly disposed adjacent to the side of the light guide plate, so that the keys closer to the light-emitting element get brighter brightness, and the keys farther from the light-emitting element get darker brightness. Therefore, the industry believes that it is necessary to study a new backlight module to improve the aforementioned conventional problems.
The present invention is to provide a circuit structure, a backlight module and a light-emitting key device using the same capable of improving the problems of the prior art.
In one embodiment of the invention, a circuit structure includes a light-transmissive insulation layer, a patterned conductive layer, an electronic component, a protection layer and a pad layer. The patterned conductive layer is disposed on the light-transmissive insulation layer. The electronic component is disposed on the patterned conductive layer and electrically connected to the patterned conductive layer. The protection layer covers the electronic component. The pad layer is disposed between the protection layer and the patterned conductive layer and surrounds the electronic component.
In another embodiment of the invention, a backlight module includes a light guide plate, a circuit structure and a protection sheet. The circuit structure includes a light-transmissive insulation layer, a patterned conductive layer, an electronic component, a protection layer and a pad layer. The patterned conductive layer is disposed on the light-transmissive insulation layer. The electronic component is disposed on the patterned conductive layer and electrically connected to the patterned conductive layer. The electronic component is a light-emitting component. The protection layer covers the electronic component. The pad layer is disposed between the protection layer and the patterned conductive layer and surrounds the electronic component. The circuit structure is disposed on one of the light-exit surface and the opposite surface, and the protection sheet is disposed on another of the light-exit surface and the opposite surface.
In another embodiment of the invention, a light-emitting key device includes a backlight module, a keycap and a lifting mechanism. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a circuit structure and a protection sheet. The circuit structure includes a light-transmissive insulation layer, a patterned conductive layer, an electronic component a protection layer and a pad layer. The patterned conductive layer is disposed on the light-transmissive insulation layer. The electronic component is disposed on the patterned conductive layer and electrically connected to the patterned conductive layer. The protection layer covers the electronic component. The pad layer is disposed between the protection layer and the patterned conductive layer and surrounds the electronic component. The electronic component is a light-emitting component. The circuit structure is disposed on one of the light-exit surface and the opposite surface, and the protection sheet is disposed on another of the light-exit surface and the opposite surface. The lifting mechanism is disposed between the backlight module and the keycap.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
The above objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
The circuit structure 100 includes a light-transmissive insulation layer 110, a patterned conductive layer 120, at least one electronic component 130, and a protection layer 140. The patterned conductive layer 120 is disposed on the light-transmissive insulation layer 110. The electronic component 130 is disposed on the patterned conductive layer 120 and electrically connected to the patterned conductive layer 120. Since the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 has light-transmissive property, the circuit structure 100 could be applied to optical products, such as a backlight module or a light-emitting key device.
In one embodiment, the entire light-transmissive insulation layer 110 has light-transmissive property, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. In terms of materials, the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 could be made of a material including, for example, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), or Cyclo Olefin Polymer (COP), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate-styrene (MS), or other suitable materials, for example, flexible materials. In terms of size, thickness t1 of the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 ranges, for example, between 0.05 mm and 0.2 mm.
In addition, the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 has a first insulation surface 110u and a second insulation surface 110b opposite to the first insulation surfaces 110u. The illustrated Z direction is substantially perpendicular to the first insulation surface 110u of the light-transmissive insulation layer 110, and the XY plane is substantially parallel to the extension direction of the first insulation surface 110u of the light-transmissive insulation layer 110.
The patterned conductive layer 120 includes a first sub-conductive layer 121 and a second sub-conductive layer 122. The second sub-conductive layer 122 is formed between the first sub-conductive layer 121 and the light-transmissive insulation layer 110. In an embodiment, the second sub-conductive layer 122 and the first sub-conductive layer 121 at least partially overlap. For example, the second sub-conductive layer 122 and the first sub-conductive layer 121 completely overlap. The conductivity of the first sub-conductive layer 121 is higher than that of the second sub-conductive layer 122. As a result, it could increase conductivity of the overall patterned conductive layer 120. In terms of materials, the first sub-conductive layer 121 could be made of, for example, copper, gold, silver, or other materials with excellent conductivity, and the second sub-conductive layer 122 could be made of, for example, graphite, silver paste, or aluminum powder. In terms of manufacturing process, the patterned conductive layer 120 could be formed on the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 using semiconductor technologies, for example, electroless plating, printing, and lithography etching.
In the present embodiment, the electronic component 130 is, for example, a light-emitting element, which has a light-emitting surface 130u and an optical axis direction OA, and the optical axis direction OA is substantially perpendicular to the light-emitting surface 130u. In another embodiment, the electronic component 130 is not limited to the light-emitting component. The type or function of the electronic component 130 could depend on the application or function of the circuit structure, and is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Referring to
For example, the protection layer 240 has a first protection surface 240u1 and a second protection surface 240u2, wherein the first protection surface 240u1 and the light-emitting surface 130u of the electronic component 130 overlap along the optical axis direction OA of the electronic component 130, and the second protection surface 240u2 and the light-emitting surface 130u of the electronic component 130 do not overlap along the optical axis direction OA of the electronic component 130. In the present embodiment, the first protection surface 240u1 and the second protection surface 240u2 are substantially flush with each other along the extension direction of the first insulation surface 110u, for example, the first protection surface 240u1 and the second protection surface 240u2 are coplanar. Since the first protection surface 240u1 and the second protection surface 240u2 are flush with each other, upper surface of the circuit structure 200 (that is, the first protection surface 240u1 and the second protection surface 240u2) is a flat surface. In addition, the material and/or size of the protection layer 240 is similar to or the same as the material and/or size of the protection layer 140, which will not be repeated here. In another embodiment, the material of the protection layer 240 could be transparent silicide, transparent colloidal material, or other light-transmissive materials.
Referring to
For example, the pad layer 350 is disposed between the protection layer 340 and the patterned conductive layer 120, and the protection layer 340 could be elevated so that the upper surface of the circuit structure 200 (for example, the first protection surface 340u1 and the second protection surface 340u2 of the protection layer 340) is a flat surface. The pad layer 350 has a pad surface 350u, and the light-emitting surface 130u of the electronic component 130 is substantially flush with the pad surface 350u of the pad layer 350, for example, the light-emitting surface 130u and the pad surface 350u are coplanar. Alternatively, the light-emitting surface 130u of the electronic component 130 and the pad surface 350u of the pad layer 350 could be staggered with each other along the optical axis direction OA (in the figure, staggered up and down). In addition, the material and/or size of the protection layer 340 is similar to or the same as the material and/or size of the protection layer 140, which will not be repeated here. In an embodiment, the material and/or size of the pad layer 350 could be the same as or similar to the material and/or size of the protection layer 140, and details are not described herein.
Referring to
For example, the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 has the first insulation surface 110u and the second insulation surface 110b opposite to the first insulation surface 110u, the patterned conductive layer 120 is formed on the first insulation surface 110u, and the reflective layer 460 is formed on the second insulation surface 110b. The reflective layer 460 could reflect the light L1 to be incident to the reflective layer 460 back into the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 to reduce the amount of light leakage. The light-shielding layer 470 covers the reflective layer 460, and configured to absorb a part (if any) of the light L1 transmitted through the reflective layer 460 to further reduce the amount of light leakage. The reflective layer 460 covers at least one portion of the second insulation surface 110b, and the light-shielding layer 470 covers at least one portion of the reflective layer 460. In the present embodiment, the reflective layer 460 covers, for example, the entire second insulation surface 110b, and the light-shielding layer 470 covers, for example, the entire reflective layer 460, to minimize the amount of light leakage. In terms of material, the reflective layer 460 is, for example, white ink, and the light-shielding layer 470 is, for example, black ink.
In another embodiment, the reflective layer 460 and the light-shielding layer 470 could be disposed on opposite two sides of the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 respectively. For example, the reflective layer 460 is disposed on the first insulation surface 110u of the light-transmissive insulation layer 110, and the light-shielding layer 470 is disposed on the second insulation surface 110b of the light-transmissive insulation layer 110.
Referring to
The light-shielding layer 570 is, for example, a patterned light-shielding layer, and the reflective layer 560 is, for example, a patterned reflective layer. For example, the light-shielding layer 570 covers the portion that is outside the electronic component 130, for example, covers the first insulation surface 110u of the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 and the patterned conductive layer 120 that do not overlap with the electronic component 130. The reflective layer 560 covers at least one portion of the light-shielding layer 570, for example, covers the entire light-shielding layer 570, so as to reduce the amount of light leakage as much as possible. In addition, as illustrated in
In addition, in terms of material, the reflective layer 560 is, for example, white ink, and the light-shielding layer 570 is, for example, black ink.
Referring to
For example, as illustrated in
Similarly, the light-shielding layer 670 includes a first light-shielding portion 671, a second light-shielding portion 672, and at least one second light-transmissive region 673, wherein the first light-shielding portion 671 surrounds (or has) at least one second light-transmissive region 673. The second light-transmissive region 673 overlaps the first light-transmissive region 663 along the optical axis direction OA of the electronic component 130. Each second light-shielding portion 672 is located within the corresponding second light-transmissive region 673, and the position of the second light-shielding portion 672 corresponds to the electronic component 130. In the present embodiment, the second light-shielding portion 672 projects onto projection area of the electronic component 130 (for example, in +Z direction) to cover the entire electronic component 130 to completely shield the electronic component 130. In addition, in terms of material, the light-shielding layer 667 is, for example, black ink.
In addition, in terms of material, the reflective layer 660 is, for example, white ink, and the light-shielding layer 670 is, for example, black ink.
Referring to
For example, as illustrated in
Similarly, the light-shielding layer 770 includes a first light-shielding portion 771 and at least one second light-transmissive region 773, wherein the first light-shielding portion 771 surrounds (or has) at least one second light-transmissive region 773. In the present embodiment, the second light-transmissive region 773 and the electronic component 130 are staggered with each other along the extension direction of the first insulation surface 110u. The second light-transmissive region 773 overlaps the first light-transmissive region 763 along the optical axis direction OA of the electronic component 130. The position of the electronic component 130 corresponds to the first light-shielding portion 771. Viewed from the direction of the first light-shielding portion 771 toward the electronic component 130 (for example, in −Z direction), the position of the first light-shielding portion 771 corresponds to the electronic component 130 to shield the electronic component 130 for preventing the electronic component 130 from being exposed (or being appeared) form the reflective layer 760. In addition, in terms of material, the light-shielding layer 770 is, for example, black ink.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the entire light-transmissive insulation layer 110 has light-transmissive property, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 could be a circuit board, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) having a light-transmissive hole 110a (illustrated by a dotted line for clarity), and the light-transmissive hole 110a and the electronic component 130 are staggered with each other along the extension direction of the first insulation surface 110u. In addition, the patterned conductive layer 120 has a light-transmissive hole 120a (illustrated by a broken line for clarity), and the light-transmissive hole 120a overlaps with the light-transmissive hole 110a of the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 (for example, overlaps along the optical axis direction OA). In addition, the first light-transmissive region 763 (illustrated by a dotted line for clarity), the second light-transmissive region 773 (illustrated by a dotted line for clarity), the light-transmissive hole 110a and the light-transmissive hole 120a overlap (for example, overlap along the optical axis direction OA), so that the light emitted by the electronic component 130 could pass through the overlapped first light-transmissive region 763, the second light-transmissive region 773, the light-transmissive hole 110a and the light-transmissive hole 120a to exit the circuit structure 700.
In addition, in terms of material, the reflective layer 760 is, for example, white ink, and the light-shielding layer 770 is, for example, black ink.
Referring to
The circuit structure 800 of the embodiment of the present invention has the same or similar technical features as the circuit structure 100, and difference is that the circuit structure 800 further includes the first reflective layer 811, the first light-shielding layer 812, the second reflective layer 821 and the second light-shielding layer 822.
As illustrated in
In addition, as illustrated in
In another embodiment, the first reflective layer 811 and the first light-shielding layer 812 in
Referring to
The circuit structure 900 of the embodiment of the present invention has the same or similar technical features as the circuit structure 100, and difference is that the circuit structure 900 further includes the circuit board 910.
In the present embodiment, the circuit board 910 is, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). After the circuit board 910 is additionally completed, the circuit board 910 is disposed on the patterned conductive layer 120, for example, on the circuit board 910 is disposed on and electrically connected with the first sub-conductive layer 121 of the patterned conductive layer 120. In addition, the circuit board 910 could be folded back to the second insulation surface 110b of the light-transmissive insulation layer 110 to reduce the length of the circuit structure 900. The additionally connected circuit board 910 could stabilize current and impedance to stabilize the luminous efficiency of the electronic component 130.
In addition, the circuit board 910 could be connected with the patterned conductive layer 120 of any of the foregoing circuit structures 100 to 800 in the same manner, for example, the first sub-conductive layer 121 of the patterned conductive layer 120.
Referring
The protection sheet 12 includes a light-transmissive insulation layer 12a, a reflective layer 12b, and a light-shielding layer 12c. The reflective layer 12b and the light-shielding layer 12c are arranged on the same side of the light-transmissive insulation layer 12a. For example, the light-transmissive insulation layer 12a has a first insulation surface 12a1 and a second insulation surface 12a2 opposite to the first insulation surface 12a1. The reflective layer 12b is formed on the first insulation surface 12a1 of the light-transmissive insulation layer 12a, and the light-shielding layer 12c covers the reflective layer 12b. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Similarly, the light-shielding layer 12c includes a first light-shielding portion 12c1, a second light-shielding portion 12c2, and at least one second light-transmissive region 12c3, wherein the first light-shielding portion 12c1 surrounds (or has) at least one second light-transmissive region 12c3. As illustrated in
In addition, as illustrated in
The light guide plate 11 has at least one opening 11a. The opening 11a could accommodate the electronic component 130 to prevent the electronic component 130 from interfering with the protection sheet 12 disposed above. As illustrated in
In another embodiment, the reflective layer 12b and the light-shielding layer 12c in
In another embodiment, the circuit structure 400 of the backlight module 10 could be replaced by any of the circuit structures 100, 200, 300, 500, 600 and 700. When the circuit structure 400 of the backlight module 10 is replaced by the circuit structure 200 or 300, the light guide plate 11 of the backlight module 10 could omit the opening 11a, and the protection layer 240 of the circuit structure 200 or the protection layer 340 of the circuit structure 300 is disposed on the opposite surface 11b of the light guide plate 11. For example, the entire of the protection layer 240 or the entire of protection layer 340 of the circuit structure 200 is directly or indirectly attached to the opposite surface 11b of the light guide plate 11 of the backlight module 10, and the light-emitting surface 130u of the electronic component 130 faces the opposite surface 11b of the light guide plate 11.
Referring
For example, the protection sheet 22 includes the light-transmissive insulation layer 12a, a reflective layer 22b and a light-shielding layer 22c, where the reflective layer 22b and the light-shielding layer 22c are disposed on the same side of the light-transmissive insulation layer 12a. For example, the reflective layer 22b is formed on the first insulation surface 12a1 of the light-transmissive insulation layer 12a, and the light-shielding layer 22c covers the reflective layer 22b. As illustrated in
Similarly, the light-shielding layer 22c includes the first light-shielding portion 12c1, and the first light-shielding portion 12c1 surrounds at least one second light-transmissive region 12c3. As illustrated in
In another embodiment, the circuit structure 400 of the backlight module 20 could be replaced by any of the circuit structures 100, 200, 300, 500, 600 and 700. When the circuit structure 400 of the backlight module 20 is replaced by the circuit structure 200 or 300, the light guide plate 11 of the backlight module 20 could omit the opening 11a and the protection layer 240 of the circuit structure 200 or the protection layer 340 of the circuit structure 300 is disposed in the opposite surface 11b of the light guide plate 11. For example, the entire protection layer 240 of the circuit structure 200 or the entire protection layer 340 of the circuit structure 300 is directly or indirectly attached to the opposite surface 11b of the light guide plate 11 of the backlight module 20, and the light-emitting surface 130u of the electronic component 130 faces the opposite surface 11b of the light guide plate 11.
Referring to
The protection sheet 32 includes the light-transmissive insulation layer 12a, a reflective layer 32b and a light-shielding layer 32c. The reflective layer 32b and the light-shielding layer 32c are disposed on the same side of the light-transmissive insulation layer 12a. For example, the reflective layer 32b is formed on the first insulation surface 12a1 of the light-transmissive insulation layer 12a, and the light-shielding layer 32c covers the reflective layer 32b. As illustrated in
In another embodiment, the circuit structure 600 of the backlight module 30 could also be replaced by any of the circuit structures 100 to 500 and 700. When the circuit structure 600 of the backlight module 30 is replaced by the circuit structure 200 or 300, the light guide plate 11 of the backlight module 30 could omit the opening 11a, and the protection layer 240 of the circuit structure 200 or the protection layer 340 of the circuit structure 300 could be disposed on the light-exit surface 11u of the light guide plate 11. For example, the entire protection layer 240 of the circuit structure 200 or the entire protection layer 340 of the circuit structure 300 could be directly or indirectly attached to the light-exit surface 11u of the light guide plate 11 of the backlight module 30, and the light-emitting surface 130u of the electronic component 130 faces the light-exit surface 11u of the light guide plate 11.
In another embodiment, the reflective layer 32b and the light-shielding layer 32c in
In another embodiment, the protection sheet 32 of the backlight module 30 could be replaced by a diffuser (diffusion sheet).
Referring to
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in
In another embodiment, the circuit structure 700 of the backlight module 40 could also be replaced by any one of the circuit structures 10 to 600. When the circuit structure 700 of the backlight module 40 is replaced by the circuit structure 200 or 300, the light guide plate 11 of the backlight module 30 could omit the opening 11a and the protection layer 240 of the circuit structure 200 or the protection layer 340 of the circuit structure 300 could be disposed on the light-exit surface 11u of the light guide plate 11. For example, the protection layer 240 of the circuit structure 200 or the protection layer 340 of the circuit structure 300 could be directly or indirectly attached to the light-exit surface 11u of the light guide plate 11 of the backlight module 30, and the light-emitting surface 130u of the electronic component 130 faces the light-exit surface 11u of the light guide plate 11.
In another embodiment, the protection sheet 32 of the backlight module 40 could be replaced the diffuser (diffusion sheet).
Referring to
The light guide plate 51 has a light-exit surface 51u and an opposite surface 51b opposed to the light-exit surface 51u. The light guide plate 51 has at least one opening 51a, and the opening 51a could accommodate the electronic component 130. In the present embodiment, the opening 51a extends toward the light-exit surface 51u from the opposite surface 51b, but does not extend to the light-exit surface 51u. In other words, the opening 51a is a blind hole. Due to the opening 51a being the blind hole, the light guide plate 51 retains a light-transmissive portion 511 corresponding to the light-emitting surface 130u of the electronic component 130, and thus it could increase light transmission efficiency, reduce light loss and/or increase light output brightness. In addition, any one of the light guide plate 11 of the backlight module 20 of
Referring to
In the present embodiment, one keycap 1A and one lifting mechanism 1B constitute one key. The backlight module 10 could emit light toward the keycap 1A of the key, and the light is emitted from periphery of the keycap 1A and/or from light-transmissive area (for example, a character area or a symbol area) of the keycap 1A. When the keycap 1A is pressed to be triggered, a processor (not illustrated) electrically connected with the backlight module 10 could control the electronic component 130 corresponding to the keycap 1A to emit light. In an embodiment, each key corresponds to at least one electronic component 130 (not illustrated in
In another embodiment, the backlight module 10 of the light-emitting key device 1 could be replaced by any one of the backlight modules 20, 30, and 40.
In addition, in each of the aforementioned circuit structures or backlight modules, the reflective layer and the light-shielding layer in combination with the light-transmissive insulation layer (for example, component 110 or 12a) have a variety of relative arrangements. For example, (1). The reflective layer and the light-shielding layer could be disposed on the same side of the light-transmissive insulation layer, for example, both on the first insulation surface or the second insulation surface of the light-transmissive insulation layer; or (2). the reflective layer and the light-shielding layer could be disposed on two opposite sides of the light-transmissive insulation layer, for example, the reflective layer and the light-shielding layer are disposed on the first insulation surface and the second insulation surface of the light-transmissive insulation layer, or disposed on the second insulation surface and the first insulation surface of the light-transmissive insulation layer.
While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/904,271, filed Jun. 17, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 62/863,251, filed Jun. 18, 2019, and U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 62/902,988, filed Sep. 20, 2019, the subject matters of which are incorporated herein by references.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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8207462 | Tsai | Jun 2012 | B2 |
20110198664 | Kang | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20140042005 | Lee | Feb 2014 | A1 |
20190027326 | Tsai | Jan 2019 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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101523261 | Sep 2009 | CN |
103578831 | Feb 2014 | CN |
106200113 | Dec 2016 | CN |
107731606 | Feb 2018 | CN |
Entry |
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Chinese Office Action corresponding to Application No. 202010552022.4 and dated Sep. 5, 2022, 9 pages. |
Communication corresponding to Chinese Application No. 202010552022.4 and issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration dated Jan. 18, 2022, 8 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20230005680 A1 | Jan 2023 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62902988 | Sep 2019 | US | |
62863251 | Jun 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16904271 | Jun 2020 | US |
Child | 17900686 | US |