Decoration panel

A light guide module capable of illuminating and being applied in a device for decoration is provided. The light guide module includes a reflective layer, a light guide with a plurality of diffusing particles, and a light source. The light guide has a side surface, a reflective surface and a light-exiting surface, thereby allowing a light from the light source to enter and reflect and exit the light guide respectively. The reflective layer is disposed on the reflective surface of the light guide for reflecting the light to the light-exiting surface. The light guide forms a portion of an outer surface of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to a light guide module, in particular, to a light guide module serving as a decoration panel.

2. Description of Related Art

A product usually has an outer surface which can be formed by a decoration panel so as to provide required visual effects such as a pattern design, a logo presentation, and the like. Conventionally, the decoration panel can be painted with specific colors or printed with the required patterns or logo for achieving the required visual effect such as showing the logo. However, the painted colors and the printed patterns are difficultly seen if the ambient light is weak.

Accompanying with the development of electronic device, a decoration panel capable of illuminating can be achieved by using the light emitting design in the product for overcoming the aforesaid problem. For example, a backlight module of a display can be further used in the decoration panel. Accordingly, the pattern represented by the decoration panel is capable of illuminating, which facilitates various visual effects.

However, the backlight module of a display includes a plurality of optical plates or optical films for providing desirable display light source, which unfavorably increases the thickness of the decoration panel. That is to say, a decoration panel capable of illuminating still needs to be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a decoration panel capable of illuminating which has a thinned volume.

The invention is further directed to a decoration panel capable of illuminating which has simple elements and compacted volume.

The invention provides a decoration panel. The decoration panel includes a light guide and a reflective layer. The light guide includes a plurality of diffusing particles distributed therein and has a side surface, a reflective surface, and a light-exiting surface. A light enters the light guide through the side surface. The light-exiting surface is three dimensional and forms a portion of an outer surface of a housing. The reflective layer is disposed on the reflective surface of the light guide, for reflecting the light to the light-exiting surface.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the decoration panel further includes a light shielding pattern layer, disposed on the light-exiting surface, wherein the light shielding pattern layer has at least one opening.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light guide has a plurality of protrusions located at the openings of the light shielding pattern layer.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light shielding pattern layer is an ink pattern layer and is printed on the light guide.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the reflective surface of the light guide is substantially flat.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a thickness of the light guide is gradually increased from a first side of the light guide toward a second side opposite to the first side and a distance from the reflective layer to the light guiding plate is gradually decreased with the increase of the thickness of the light guiding plate. One of the first side and the second side contains the side surface.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the decoration panel can further include a film layer, wherein the light shielding pattern layer is disposed on the film layer. In addition, the decoration panel can further includes an adhesion disposed between the light guiding plate and the film layer and located at a periphery of the film layer so that an air gap is formed between the film layer and the light guide.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light guide includes, for example, a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion. A first refractive index of the first portion is greater than a second refractive index of the second portion and the diffusing particles are distributed within the second portion.

The invention further provides a light guide module capable of illuminating and being applied in a device for decoration. The decoration panel includes a light source, a light guide, and a reflective layer. The light guide includes a plurality of diffusing particles distributed therein, and has a side surface and a light-exiting surface. A light provided by the light source enters the light guide through the side surface. The light guide constitutes a portion of an outer surface of the device. The reflective layer is disposed on the light guide and opposing to the light-exiting surface, for reflecting the light to the light-exiting surface

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light guide includes a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion. A first refractive index of the first portion is greater than a second refractive index of the second portion. The plurality of diffusing particles is distributed within the second portion of the light guide.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a thickness of the light guide is gradually increased from a first side of the light guide toward a second side opposite to the first side and a distance from the reflective layer to the light guiding plate is gradually decreased with the increase of the thickness of the light guiding plate. One of the first side and the second side contains the side surface.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light source is disposed beside the light guide on the first side or the second side.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light-exiting surface is an uneven surface.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the decoration panel further includes a light shielding pattern layer, disposed opposite to the reflective layer, wherein the light shielding pattern layer has at least one opening.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light guide has a plurality of protrusions located at the openings of the light shielding pattern layer.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light shielding pattern layer is an ink pattern layer and is printed on the light guide.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the light guide has a substantially flat reflective surface facing to the reflective layer.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the decoration panel can further include a film layer, wherein the light shielding pattern layer is disposed on the film layer. In addition, the decoration panel can further includes an adhesion disposed between the light guiding plate and the film layer and located at a periphery of the film layer so that an air gap is formed between the film layer and the light guide.

In light of the foregoing, a plurality of diffusing particles is distributed in the light guide so that the decoration panel of the invention can have substantially evenly illuminating effect. In addition, merely the light shielding pattern layer is disposed on the light guide can the illuminating patterns be shown so as to reduce the volume of the decoration panel. Accordingly, the decoration panel of the invention is capable of illuminating and further has a thinned volume and a simple design.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel according to a first embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1, a decoration panel100includes a reflective layer110, a light shielding pattern layer120, a light guide130, a plurality of diffusing particles140, and a light emitting device150. The light shielding pattern layer120is opposite to the reflective layer110and has a plurality of openings122. The light guide130is disposed between the reflective layer110and the light shielding pattern layer120. The plurality of diffusing particles140is distributed within the light guide130. The light guide130has a light-exiting surface132, a side surface134, and a reflective surface136. The light emitting device150is disposed beside the side surface134of the light guide130and the reflective layer110is disposed on the reflective surface136of the light guide130for reflecting the light to the light-exiting surface132. In the present embodiment, the light emitting device150acts as a light source and can be a light emitting diode, a light bar consisting of a plurality of light emitting diodes, a lamp such as a cold cathode fluorescence lamp, or the like. In addition, the light emitting device150is disposed beside the light guide130so that the decoration panel100has a thinned volume.

It is noted that the light emitting device150has a light emitting surface152substantially perpendicular to the reflective layer110so that a light beam emitted from the light emitting device150enters the light guide130through the side surface134of the light guide130and then emits from the light-exiting surface132of the light guide130through the openings122. In addition, the light shielding pattern layer120in the present embodiment can be an ink pattern layer and be printed on the light-exiting surface132of the light guide130for representing the required patterns, wherein the light guide130can have a substantially flat light exiting surface132and the ink pattern layer is printed on the substantially flat light exiting surface132.

Furthermore, the openings122configured in the light shielding pattern layer120allow the light beam (not shown) emitted from the light emitting device150to emit from the light guide130therethrough so that the arrangement of the openings122facilitates to form an illustrating pattern or logo. Specifically, the amount of the openings122can be one or more, and the invention is not limited. For example, FIG.2schematically illustrates a top view of the decoration panel. Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2simultaneously, the openings122of the light shielding pattern layer120as shown inFIG. 2forms a pattern “A”, for example. The decoration panel100can show an illuminating pattern “A”, which serves as an appearance of a product. That is to say, a designer can modify the arrangement of the openings122based on specific requirement to make the required pattern represented on the appearance of the product. Herein, the pattern “A” is taken as an example and is not intent to limit the arrangement of the openings122of the light shielding pattern layer120. It is noted that the light shielding pattern layer120can be selectively omitted in other embodiments. In addition, the shielding pattern layer120and the substantially flat light exiting surface132of the light guide130can be served as a portion of an outer surface of a device when the decoration panel100is applied in a device for decoration.

The diffusing particles140are distributed within the light guiding plate130. Specifically, when the light guiding plate130is formed by plastic material, the diffusing particles140are evenly mixed with the plastic material and the plastic material is subsequently cured and solidified to form the light guiding plate130. The light entering the light guide130can be diffused and evenly distributed by the scattering of the diffusing particles140. Accordingly, the light guide130can have a substantially flat reflective surface136without any diffusing structure or diffusing pattern thereon. In addition, the light emitting from the light guide130through different openings122can represent substantially identical brightness by the effect of the diffusing particles140. No additional diffusing film or diffusing plate is required in the present embodiment so that the volume of the decoration panel100can be thinned.

In addition, the reflective layer110disposed opposite to the light shielding pattern layer120in the present embodiment is conducive to enhance the decoration effect of the decoration panel100. In particularly, the light beam emitted from the light emitting device150would be transmitted in the light guide130after entering the light guide130. The light can be diffused by the diffusing particles140so that a portion of the light may irradiate toward the reflective layer110. Herein, the reflective layer110is capable of reflecting the light such that the light can emit toward the openings122and exit from the light guide plate130through the light-exiting surface132. Accordingly, the disposition of the reflective layer110is conducive to improve the light utility rate of the decoration panel100.

More specifically, the light guide130can be formed by performing a molding process such as an ejection process. A material of the light guiding plate130can be selected from a thermal plastic resin, a thermal curable resin, and the like. In an embodiment, the thermal plastic resin can, for example, include PMMA, PC, polyacetal, PET, PU, etc. and the thermal curable resin can be UV (ultraviolet) curable PMMA, thermal curable silicon, UV curable and thermal curable PU, etc. The materials mentioned in the foregoing are not used for restricting the invention and other material capable of being used in the molding process can be selected. It is noted that the material of the light guide130in the present embodiment can be a transparent material so that the light entering the light guide130can emit through the openings122for achieving the illuminating pattern.

In addition, the light shielding pattern layer120of the present embodiment can be printed on the light guide130, but the invention is not restricted thereto. In another embodiment, the light shielding pattern layer120can be formed on a carrier film (not shown) and then adhered on the light guide130. After the adhering of the light shielding pattern layer120on the light guide130, the carrier film (not shown) can be selectively removed. Accordingly, the decoration panel100may further include the carrier film (not shown) and the light shielding pattern layer120can be located between the carrier film (not shown) and the light guiding plate130in other embodiment.

FIG. 3schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel according to a second embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3, the decoration panel200, similar to the decoration panel100of the first embodiment, includes a reflective layer110, a light shielding pattern layer120, a light guide230, a plurality of diffusing particles140, and a light emitting device150. In the present embodiment, the disposition relationship of the reflective layer110, the light shielding pattern layer120, the light guide230, the diffusing particles140, and the light emitting device150is similar to that depicted in the first embodiment. Specifically, the difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment lies in that the light guide230has a plurality of protrusions232located at the openings122of the light shielding pattern layer120. In other words, the light shielding pattern layer120can be embedded in the light guide230. It is noted that the amount of the openings122and that of the protrusions232can be equal so that the amount of the protrusion232can be one if the light shielding pattern layer120has only one opening122. It is noted that a surface of light guiding plate230away from the reflective layer110, namely the light-exiting surface, and the light shielding pattern layer120can be served as a portion of an outer surface of a device when the decoration panel200is applied in a device for decoration.

In the present embodiment, the light guide230can be form by a molding process to have the protrusions232and the light shielding pattern layer120can be placed in the gaps among the protrusions232. In one embodiment, the light shielding pattern layer120can be formed on the light guide230by another molding process. Alternately, the light shielding pattern layer120can be formed on the light guide230by adhering or printing. Furthermore, the light shielding pattern layer120can be formed by other process and the invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 4schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel according to a third embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 4, the decoration panel300, similar to the decoration panel100of the first embodiment, includes a reflective layer110, a light shielding pattern layer120, a light guide330, a plurality of diffusing particles140, and a light emitting device150. In the present embodiment, the disposition relationship of the reflective layer110, the light shielding pattern layer120, the light guide330, the diffusing particles140, and the light emitting device150is similar to that depicted in the first embodiment. Specifically, the difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment lies in that the light guide330of the present embodiment is a wedge-shaped light guiding plate. In addition, a thickness t of the light guide330is gradually increased from a first side330A of the light guide330adjacent to the light emitting device150toward a second side330B opposite to the first side330A and a distance d from the reflective layer110to the light guide330is gradually decreased with the increase of the thickness t of the light guiding plate330. In the present embodiment, a surface of light guide330away from the reflective layer110and the light shielding pattern layer120can be served as a portion of an outer surface of a device when the decoration panel300is applied in a device for decoration.

It is noted that the space formed between the reflective layer110and the wedge-shaped light guide330is, for example, filled with air. A light beam emitted from the light emitting device150would pass the boundary between the air and the light guide330before entering the light guide330. Generally, the refractive index of the air is different from the refractive index of the light guide330. The transmitting direction of the light can be changed by irradiating on the boundary between the air and the light guide330, which is further conducive to enhance the evenness of the light in the light guide330. Therefore, the decoration panel300can omit the disposition of additional diffusing elements for making the light evenly distributed in the light guide330and achieve simple design and thinned volume.

In specific, the wedge-shaped light guide330can have a substantially flat reflective surface334facing to the reflective layer110and no diffusing structure or diffusing pattern is required to be disposed on the substantially flat reflective surface334. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the illustrated drawing ofFIG. 4. In other embodiments, the light guide330can have the protrusions232as shown inFIG. 3and the light shielding pattern layer120can be formed by printing, molding ejecting, or the like.

FIG. 5schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 5, the decoration panel400, similar to the decoration panel100of the first embodiment, includes a reflective layer110, a light shielding pattern layer120, a light guide430, a plurality of diffusing particles140, and a light emitting device150. In the present embodiment, the disposition relationship of the reflective layer110, the light shielding pattern layer120, the light guide430, the diffusing particles140, and the light emitting device150is similar to that depicted in the first embodiment. Specifically, the difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment lies in that the light guide430of the present embodiment is a wedge-shaped light guiding plate. In addition, a surface of light guide430away from the reflective layer110as well as the light shielding pattern layer120can also be served as a portion of an outer surface of a device when the decoration panel400is applied in a device for decoration.

In addition, in the present embodiment, a thickness t of the light guide430is gradually decreased from a first side430A of the light guide430adjacent to the light emitting device150toward a second side430B opposite to the first side430A. Furthermore, a distance d from the reflective layer110to the light guide430is, on the contrary, gradually increased with the decrease of the thickness t of the light guide430. Similar to the third embodiment, the wedge-shaped light guide430conduces to change the transmission direction of the light beam emitted from the light emitting device150. Therefore, the decoration panel400can have even brightness represented in different openings122without disposing any additional diffusing element therein. In specific, the wedge-shaped light guide430can have a substantially flat reflective surface (not marked) facing to the reflective layer110and no diffusing structure or diffusing pattern is required to be disposed on the substantially flat reflective surface.

FIG. 6schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 6, the decoration panel500, similar to the decoration panel100of the first embodiment, includes a reflective layer110, a light shielding pattern layer120, a light guide130, a plurality of diffusing particles140, and a light emitting device150. In the present embodiment, the disposition relationship of the reflective layer110, the light shielding pattern layer120, the light guide130, the diffusing particles140, and the light emitting device150is similar to that depicted in the first embodiment. Specifically, the difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment lies in that the decoration panel500further includes a film layer560and an adhesion570. In the present embodiment, the light shielding pattern layer120can be served as a portion of an outer surface of a device when the decoration panel500is applied in a device for decoration.

In the present embodiment, the light shielding pattern layer120is disposed on the film layer560and an air gap G is formed between the film layer560and the light guide130. Specifically, the adhesion570is disposed between the light guide130and the film layer560and located at a periphery of the film layer560. Accordingly, the air gap G is demarcated by the adhesion570, the light guide130, and the film layer560.

Usually, the refractive index of the air is smaller than the refractive index of the light guide130. The light beam L transmitted in the light guiding plate130can be subjected to the total inner reflection at the boundary between the air gap G and the light guide130when the light beam L is transmitted in a direction included the boundary at an angle larger than a critical angle. Accordingly, the light beam L can be transmitted farther from the light emitting device150, which is conducive to even the emitting light of the decoration panel500.

Specifically, the opening122A is relative closer to the light emitting device150than the opening122B. Under this circumstance, the brightness representing in the location of the opening122A can be greater than that representing in the location of the opening122B, which may cause the unevenness of illumination. By configuring the air gap G between the light guide130and the light shielding pattern layer120, the light beam L emitted from the light emitting device150in the present embodiment can be subjected to the total inner reflection for rendering brightness representing in the location of the opening122A substantially identical to that representing in the location of the opening122B. Therefore, the air gap G is helpful for improving the illumination effect of the decoration panel500. Since the illumination of the decoration panel500is uniformed, no additional diffusing structure or diffusing particle is required to be disposed on the side of the light guide130facing to the reflective layer110and thus the light guide130can have a substantially flat surface (not marked) facing to the reflective layer110. In addition, the air gap G in the present embodiment is conducive to reduce the light absorption of the light shielding pattern layer120so that the light utility rate can be enhanced.

FIG. 7schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 7, the decoration panel600includes a reflective layer110, a light shielding pattern layer120, a light guide630, a plurality of diffusing particles140, and a light emitting device150. In the present embodiment, the disposition relationship of the reflective layer110, the light shielding pattern layer120, the light guide630, the diffusing particles140, and the light emitting device150is similar to that depicted in the first embodiment. Specifically, the difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment lies in that the light guide630includes a first portion632and a second portion634located between the light shielding pattern layer120and the first portion632. Moreover, the light emitting device150in the present embodiment is located beside the first portion632of the light guiding plate630and the diffusing particles140are distributed within the second portion634. In the present embodiment, the light shielding pattern layer120and a surface of the second portion624away from the first portion632can be served as a portion of an outer surface of a device when the decoration panel600is applied in a device for decoration.

The light beam emitted from the light emitting device150passes the first portion632prior to the second portion634. In addition, the first refractive index of the first portion632is, for instance, greater than a second refractive index of the second portion634in the present embodiment. Therefore, the light irradiating on the boundary of the first portion632and the second portion634can be subjected to the total inner reflection. One of the openings122farther from the light emitting device150than others can represent substantially identical brightness to said others. In short, the decoration panel600can have desirable illuminating patterns and provide favorable visual effect.

In addition, a plurality of diffusing particles140is distributed in the second portion634of the light guide630. The light transmitted in the second portion642of the light guide630can be evenly distributed so as to make the decoration panel600having desirable illuminating effect. Therefore, no additional diffusing elements are required and the volume of the decoration panel600can be reduced, especially in thickness. In an alternative embodiment, the first portion362and the second portion634of the light guide630can be respectively formed in a wedged-shape. Accordingly, a thickness of the second portion634of the light guide630can be gradually increased from a first side630A of the light guide630toward a second side630B opposite to the first side630A and a distance from the reflective surface630C to the second portion634of the light guide630can be gradually decreased with the increase of the thickness of the second portion634of the light guide630, and one of the first side630A and the second side630B contains the side surface. Nevertheless, the light guide630described in the forgoing is not intent to construed as limited the invention.

FIG. 8schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 8, the decoration panel700includes a light guide710, a plurality of diffusing particles720, a reflective layer730, and a light emitting device740. The light guide710includes a first portion712and a second portion714connected to the first portion712. The diffusing particles720are distributed within the second portion714of the light guide710. The reflective layer730is disposed at a side of the first portion712away from the second portion714. The light emitting device740is disposed beside the first portion712of the light guiding plate710and the light emitting device740can be a light bar, a lamp, or a cold cathode lamp.

In the present embodiment, the light emitting device740is used for providing light to achieve the illumination of the decoration panel700. Therefore, the light beam emitted from the light emitting device740is predetermined to entering the light guide710. Specifically, the light emitting device740has a light emitting surface742substantially perpendicular to the reflective layer730so that the light emitted beam from the light emitting device740can enter the light guide710through a side surface (not marked) and then exit from a side of the second portion714away from the first portion712, namely the light-exiting surface714A.

In addition, for facilitating the required visual effect, the second portion714in the present embodiment has an uneven surface714A away from the first portion712. It is noted that the uneven surface714A away from the first portion712can be served as a portion of an outer surface of a device when the decoration panel700is applied in a device for decoration. The uneven surface714A can, for instance, be a wavy surface so that a user can have a sense of wave when watching the decoration panel700. However, the wavy surface is not intent to limit the invention. In other embodiments, the uneven surface714A can be formed in any non-flat manner or be a three dimensional structure.

Similar to the sixth embodiment depicted in the foregoing, a first refractive index of the first portion712is greater than a second refractive index of the second portion714. Therefore, the light beam emitted from the light emitting device740can be evenly distributed and emitted from the light guide710. No additional diffusing elements are needed in the present embodiment, which is conducive to reduce the volume of the decoration panel700. In addition, the firs portion712and the second portion714of the light guide710can be respectively formed in wedged-shape. In short, the decoration effect, the thinned volume, and the illuminating effect can be simultaneously accomplished in the decoration panel700.

FIG. 9schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a decoration panel according to an eighth embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 9, the decoration panel800includes a light guide810, a plurality of diffusing particles820, a reflective layer830, and a light emitting device840. The diffusing particles820are distributed within the light guiding plate810. The reflective layer830and the light emitting device840are respectively disposed at two adjacent sides of the light guiding plate810. The light emitting device840can be a light bar, a lamp, or a cold cathode lamp.

Similar to the seventh embodiment, the light beam emitted from the light emitting device840is predetermined to entering the light guiding plate810. For facilitating the required visual effect, the light guiding plate810in the present embodiment has an uneven surface812away from the reflective layer830. The uneven surface812can, for instance, be a wavy surface so that a user can have a sense of wave when watching the decoration panel800. Furthermore, the disposition of the diffusing particles820is conducive to render the illumination of the decoration panel800even and facilitates desirable visual effect. It noted that the uneven surface812can be served as a portion of an outer surface of a device or the housing of the device when the decoration panel600is applied in a device for decoration.

However, the wavy surface is not intent to limit the invention. In other embodiments, the uneven surface812can be formed in any non-flat manner. In an alternate embodiment, the light guide810may has a substantially flat surface away from the reflective layer830and the invention is not limited thereto.

In Summary, the light guiding plate of the invention is configured with a plurality of diffusing particles and a light emitting device is disposed beside the light guiding plate. The decoration panel is capable of uniformed illuminating without additional light diffusing elements so as to have a thinned volume. In addition, a reflective layer disposed at the reflective surface of the light guiding plate is conducive to enhance the illumination brightness of the decoration panel and enhance the light utility rate thereof. Accordingly, the decoration panel can have at least the characteristics of thinned volume, simple structure, and desirable light illuminating effect.