Patent Publication Number: US-2022236476-A1

Title: Electronic device and indicator module thereof

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 110103191, filed on Jan. 28, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular to an electronic device with indicator module. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Electronic devices often have indicator modules to show the status of the battery power or the signal transmission. Conventionally, the indicator module has a plurality of light sources (for example, LEDs). The light sources can be lighted up respectively to form a light strip with an indication function. Due to the illumination characteristic of LEDs, there are dark lines or bright lines formed in the light strip. The dark lines or bright lines detract from the appearance of the light strip, and decrease the aesthetic feeling of the electronic device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention are provided to address the aforementioned difficulty. 
     In one embodiment, an indicator module is provided. The indicator module includes a device housing, a circuit board, a plurality of light sources, a dividing structure, and a homogenizing plate. The device housing includes a transparent window. The circuit board is disposed in the device housing. The light sources are disposed on the circuit board, wherein each light source is adapted to provide a light beam. The dividing structure is disposed in the device housing, wherein the dividing structure defines a plurality of divided spaces, and the divided spaces correspond to the respective light sources. The homogenizing plate is disposed in the device housing. The homogenizing plate corresponds to the divided spaces. An air gap is formed between the transparent window and the homogenizing plate. The light beam enters the divided space from the light source, passes through the homogenizing plate and the air gap, and is emitted through the transparent window. 
     In one embodiment, the dividing structure comprises a plurality of dividing walls, the dividing walls define the dividing spaces, the homogenizing plate covers the dividing walls, the homogenizing plate comprises a light entering surface and a light emitting surface, the light entering surface is parallel to the light emitting surface, the light emitting surface faces the transparent window, and the light entering surface faces the light sources. 
     In one embodiment, the air gap is between 1 mm and 3 mm. 
     In one embodiment, a distance is formed between the homogenizing plate and the light sources, and the distance is between 3 mm and 8 mm. 
     In one embodiment, the homogenizing plate is disposed on the circuit board, the homogenizing plate comprises a light entering surface and a light emitting surface, the light entering surface is perpendicular to the light emitting surface, the light emitting surface faces the transparent window, and the light entering surface faces the light sources 
     In one embodiment, the dividing structure is embedded in the homogenizing plate, the homogenizing plate comprises a plurality of guiding areas and an emitting area, each guiding area is located in one of the divided spaces, the emitting area corresponds to the transparent window, and the light beam enters the guiding area inside the divided space from the light source, is emitted from the light emitting surface of the emitting area, passes through the air gap, and is emitted via the transparent window. 
     In one embodiment, the homogenizing plate is located between the transparent window and the circuit board. 
     In one embodiment, the circuit board is located between the transparent window and at least a portion of the homogenizing plate, the circuit board comprises a circuit board opening, and the light beam enters the guiding area inside the divided space from the light source, is emitted from the light emitting surface of the emitting area, passes through the air gap, and is emitted via the transparent window. 
     In one embodiment, the homogenizing plate comprises a plurality of reflective protrusions, and the reflective protrusions are formed in the emitting area. 
     In one embodiment, a predetermined distance is formed between the emitting area and the light sources, and the predetermined distance is between 3 mm and 8 mm. 
     In one embodiment, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a device housing, a circuit board, a plurality of light sources, a bracket and a homogenizing plate. The device housing comprises a transparent window. The circuit board is disposed in the device housing. The light sources are disposed on the circuit board, wherein each light source is adapted to provide a light beam. The bracket is disposed in the device housing and is connected to the device housing, wherein the bracket defines a plurality of divided spaces, and the divided spaces respectively correspond to the light sources. The homogenizing plate is disposed in the device housing. The homogenizing plate corresponds to the divided spaces. An air gap is formed between the transparent window and the homogenizing plate. The light beam enters the divided space from the light source, passes through the homogenizing plate and the air gap, and is emitted through the transparent window. 
     In one embodiment, the bracket comprises at least one positioning post, the homogenizing plate comprises at least one positioning hole, and the positioning post passes through the positioning hole. 
     In one embodiment, the bracket comprises a bracket abutting surface, the positioning post is formed on the bracket abutting surface, the homogenizing plate comprises a plate abutting area, the positioning hole is formed on the plate abutting area, and the bracket abutting surface abuts the plate abutting area. 
     Utilizing the indicator module of the embodiment of the invention, the design of the homogenizing plate, the divided space and the air gap controls the illumination range of each light source. The bright line and dark line in the light strip are reduced. The appearance of the light strip of the indicator module is improved, and the aesthetic feeling of the product (an electronic device) is raised. 
     A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows an indicator module of a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  show the operation of the indicator module of the embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the indicator module of a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the indicator module of a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5A  shows an electronic device of the embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 5B  shows the details of the bracket and the homogenizing plate of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  shows an indicator module of a first embodiment of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 1 , the indicator module M 1  of the first embodiment of the invention includes a device housing (not shown), a circuit board  201 , a plurality of light sources  301 , a dividing structure  401  and a homogenizing plate  501 . The device housing includes a transparent window  111 . The circuit board  201  is disposed in the device housing. The light sources  301  are disposed on the circuit board  201 , wherein each light source  301  is adapted to provide a light beam L. The dividing structure  401  is disposed in the device housing, wherein the dividing structure  401  defines a plurality of divided spaces S 1 . The divided spaces S 1  correspond to the respective light sources  301 . The homogenizing plate  501  is disposed in the device housing. The homogenizing plate  501  corresponds to the divided spaces S 1 . An air gap G 1  is formed between the transparent window  111  and the homogenizing plate  501 . The light beam L enters the divided space S 1  from the light source  301 , passes through the homogenizing plate  501  and the air gap G 1 , and is emitted through the transparent window  111 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the dividing structure  401  comprises a plurality of dividing walls  41 . The dividing walls  41  define the dividing spaces S 1 . The homogenizing plate  501  covers the dividing walls  41 . The homogenizing plate  501  comprises a light entering surface  511  and a light emitting surface  512 . The light entering surface  511  is parallel to the light emitting surface  512 . The light emitting surface  512  faces the transparent window  111 . The light entering surface  511  faces the light sources  301 . In one embodiment, the homogenizing plate  501  contacts upper ends of the dividing walls  41 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the air gap G 1  is between 1 mm and 3 mm. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, a distance h is formed between the homogenizing plate  501  and the light sources  301 , and the distance h is between 3 mm and 8 mm. 
       FIGS. 2A-2D  show the operation of the indicator module of the embodiment of the invention. With reference to  FIGS. 2A-2D , the indicator module of the embodiment of the invention is utilized to indicate the status (for example, battery power) of an electronic device. The indicator module shows a light strip  39  via the transparent window  111  of the cover  11  of the device housing. With reference to  FIGS. 2A-2D , the length of the light strip  39  is changed with the status (for example, battery power) of the electronic device by changing the number of the lighting up light sources. Due to the homogenizing means such as the homogenizing plate  501 , there is no bright line or dark line in the light strip  39 . 
     Utilizing the indicator module of the embodiment of the invention, the design of the homogenizing plate, the divided space and the air gap controls the illumination range of each light source. The bright line and dark line in the light strip are reduced. The appearance of the light strip of the indicator module is improved, and the aesthetic feeling of the product (an electronic device) is raised. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the indicator module of a second embodiment of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 3 , in the indicator module M 2  of the second embodiment of the invention, the homogenizing plate  502  is disposed on the circuit board  202 . The homogenizing plate  502  comprises a light entering surface  521  and a light emitting surface  522 . The light entering surface  521  is perpendicular to the light emitting surface  522 . The light emitting surface  522  faces the transparent window  111  of the cover  11  of the device housing, and the light entering surface  521  faces the light sources  302 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the dividing structure  402  is embedded in the homogenizing plate  502 . The homogenizing plate  502  comprises a plurality of guiding areas  523  and an emitting area  524 . Each guiding area  523  is located in one of the divided spaces S 2 . The emitting area  524  corresponds to the transparent window  111 . The light beam L enters the guiding area  523  inside the divided space S 2  from the light source  302 , emitted from the light emitting surface  522  of the emitting area  524 , passing through the air gap G 2 , and is emitted via the transparent window  111  of the cover  11  of the device housing. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the dividing structure  402  can be made of opaque sheets, which are embedded in the homogenizing plate  502 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the homogenizing plate  502  is located between the transparent window  111  and the circuit board  202 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, a predetermined distance d is formed between the emitting area  524  and the light sources  302 , and the predetermined distance d is between 3 mm and 8 mm. The air gap G2 is between 1 mm and 3 mm. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the homogenizing plate  502  comprises a plurality of reflective protrusions (not shown), and the reflective protrusions (not shown) are formed in the emitting area  524 . The reflective protrusions change the direction of the light beams L (in  FIG. 3 , the direction of the light beams L is changed from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction). 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , in the indicator module M 2  of the second embodiment of the invention, the light beam enters the homogenizing plate  502  via a lateral side (light entering surface  521 ) thereof, and the size of the indicator module M 2  can be reduced. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the indicator module of a third embodiment of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 4 , in the indicator module M 3  of the third embodiment of the invention, the circuit board  203  is located between the transparent window  111  and at least a portion of the homogenizing plate  503 . The circuit board  203  comprises a circuit board opening  23 . The light beam L enters the guiding area  533  inside the divided space from the light source  303 , is emitted from the light emitting surface  532  of the emitting area  534 , passes through the air gap G 3 , and is emitted via the transparent window  111 . In this embodiment, the homogenizing plate  503  is partially inserted into the circuit board opening  23 . In the indicator module M 3  of the third embodiment of the invention, the light beam enters the homogenizing plate  503  via a lateral side thereof, and the size of the indicator module M 3  can be reduced. Additionally, the light sources  303  and the homogenizing plate  503  are disposed on the lower side of the circuit board  203 , and the available element mounting space on the upper side of the circuit board  203  can be increased. 
       FIG. 5A  shows an electronic device of the embodiment of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 5A , the indicator module of the embodiment of the invention can be utilized to the electronic device E. The electronic device E includes a device housing  1 ′, a circuit board  2 ′, a plurality of light sources  3 ′, a bracket  4 ′ and a homogenizing plate  5 ′. The device housing  1 ′ comprises a cover  11 ′ and a housing body  12 ′. The cover  11 ′ has a transparent window  111 ′. The circuit board  2 ′ is disposed in the device housing  1 ′. The light sources  3 ′ are disposed on the circuit board  2 ′. Each light source  3 ′ is adapted to provide a light beam. The bracket  4 ′ is disposed in the device housing  1 ′ and is connected to the device housing  1 ′. The bracket  4 ′ defines a plurality of divided spaces, and the divided spaces respectively correspond to the light sources. The homogenizing plate  5 ′ is disposed in the device housing  1 ′. The homogenizing plate  5 ′ corresponds to the divided spaces. An air gap is formed between the transparent window  111 ′ and the homogenizing plate  5 ′. The light beam enters the divided space from the light source  3 ′, passes through the homogenizing plate  5 ′ and the air gap, and is emitted through the transparent window  111 ′. 
     In one embodiment, the cover  11 ′ can be made of glass or transparent plastic. The cover  11 ′ can be coated with ink except the transparent window  111 ′. 
     In one embodiment, the bracket  4 ′ can be utilized as the dividing structure mentioned above, and also can support other electronic elements inside the electronic device E. 
       FIG. 5B  shows the details of the bracket and the homogenizing plate of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A . With reference to  FIG. 5B , in one embodiment, the bracket  4 ′ comprises at least one positioning post  42 . The homogenizing plate  5 ′ comprises at least one positioning hole  54 , and the positioning post  42  passes through the positioning hole  54 . The position of the homogenizing plate  5 ′ can thus be affixed. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5B , in one embodiment, the bracket  4 ′ comprises a bracket abutting surface  43 . The positioning post  42  is formed on the bracket abutting surface  43 . The homogenizing plate  5 ′ comprises a plate abutting area  55 . The positioning hole  54  is formed on the plate abutting area  55 . The bracket abutting surface  43  abuts the plate abutting area  55 . The position of the homogenizing plate  5 ′ can thus be affixed. 
     Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having the same name (but for use of the ordinal term). 
     While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.