LIGHT-PIPES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES UTILIZING THE SAME

Abstract

A light-pipe (50) includes a first portion (52) for collecting light from a light source (93), and a second portion (54) for transferring the light from the first portion and outputting the light. The second portion is disposed opposite to the first portion. The first portion includes a plurality of protrusions (521) disposed thereon. The light-pipe defines a keyhole (56) extending through the first portion and the second portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an electronic device of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device including a light-pipe, a key, a panel, and a circuit board;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, isometric view of the light-pipe of the electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, isometric view of the key of the electronic device of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, inverted, isometric view of the key of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, isometric view of the panel of the electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a circled portion VII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an assembled view of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of light reflecting in the light-pipe of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A light-pipe, comprising: a first portion of the light-pipe for collecting light from a light source, the first portion comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed thereon; anda second portion of the light-pipe for outputting the light, the second portion being disposed opposite to the first portion;wherein the light-pipe defines a keyhole at a middle of the light-pipe extending through the first portion and the second portion.

2. The light-pipe as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a flange disposed between the first portion and the second portion.

3. The light-pipe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flange is shaped as a ring.

4. The light-pipe as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a pair of side portions extending from opposite sides of the flange.

5. The light-pipe as claimed in claim 4, wherein each side portion defines a fixing hole therein.

6. The light-pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusions are arranged in double rows.

7. The light-pipe as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first portion further comprising a pair of connecting portions for connecting the double rows of protrusions.

8. The light-pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusions are sawtooth-shaped, and every two adjacent sawtooth-shaped protrusions define a V-shaped groove.

9. The light-pipe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protrusions are ∩-shaped, and every two adjacent protrusions define a ∪-shaped groove.

10. An electronic device, comprising: a circuit board comprising at least one switch and a plurality of light sources disposed thereon;at least one light-pipe, comprising: a first portion of the at least one light-pipe for collecting light from the light sources, the first portion comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed thereon; anda second portion of the at least one light-pipe for outputting the light, the second portion being disposed opposite to the first portion;at least one key comprising a key body; anda panel comprising a receiving hole for receiving the second portion;wherein the light-pipe defines a keyhole for receiving the key body, the keyhole extending through the first portion and the second portion.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a flange disposed between the first portion and the second portion.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a pair of side portions extending from opposite sides of the flange.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, wherein each side portion defines a fixing hole therein.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the panel further comprises a pair of first fixing pins disposed on two opposite edges of the receiving hole, and a pair of second fixing pins arranged and disposed on an edge of the receiving hole, each first fixing pin being received in the corresponding fixing hole.

15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the key further comprises a key base, at least one connecting member for connecting the key base to the key body, and a pair of columns defining a through-hole for receiving the respective second fixing pins.

16. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the protrusions are arranged in double rows.

17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first portion further comprising a pair of connecting portions for connecting the double rows of protrusions.

18. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the protrusion is sawtooth-shaped, and each two adjacent sawtooth-shaped protrusions define a V-shaped groove.

19. An electronic device, comprising: a panel extending along a side of said electronic device for shielding said electronic device at said side thereof;an electronic component disposed in said electronic device and spaced from said panel;more than one light source disposed in said electronic device and neighboring said electronic component;a key correspondingly disposed between said panel and said electronic component, said key being accessible at said panel from an outside of said electronic device and movable toward said electronic component to activate said electronic component for functioning; anda light-pipe extending between said more than one light source and said panel and extending to surround said key, said light-pipe being viewable at said panel and able to receive light from said more than one light source and transmit said light to said panel for viewing, at least one uneven surface defined to face each of said more than one light source for better light receiving of said light-pipe.

20. The electronic device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said uneven surface is defined by a selective one of a row of protrusions and a curved connecting portion respectively formed at a distal end of said light-pipe.