Patent ID: 12259111

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following 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.1is an exploded view of a portion of a light-indicating module of a first embodiment of the invention.FIG.2is a top view of the light-indicating module of the first embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIGS.1and2, the light-indicating module M1of the first embodiment of the invention includes a substrate1, a first light source21, a second light source22, and a light guiding element3. The substrate1can be a circuit board or a plastic substrate. The disclosure is not meant to restrict the invention. The substrate1comprises a first surface11and a second surface12. The first surface11is opposite to the second surface12. The first light source21is disposed on the first surface11of the substrate1. The first light source21faces the first direction X1. The first light source21provides a first light beam L1. The second light source22is disposed on the first surface11of the substrate1. The second light source22faces the second direction Y1. The second light source22provides a second light beam L2. The first direction X1is not parallel to the second direction Y1. The light guiding element3comprises a first section31and a second section32. The first section31corresponds to the first surface11. The second section32corresponds to the second surface12. The first light beam L1and the second light beam L2pass through the first section31.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, in one embodiment, the first direction X1is perpendicular to the second direction Y1.

With reference toFIG.2, in one embodiment, the included angle θ1between the first light beam L1and the first surface11is between 0 degrees and 60 degrees. The included angle θ2between the second light beam L2and the first surface11is between 30 degrees and 130 degrees. In one embodiment, the first light beam L1of the first light source21has a first beam angle (between the two straight lines labeled by L1inFIG.2), and the first beam angle can between 50 degrees and 75 degrees. The second light beam L2of the first light source22has a second beam angle (between the two straight lines labeled by L2inFIG.2), and the second beam angle can between 50 degrees and 75 degrees. In one embodiment, the first light beam L1may overlap a portion of the second light beam L2.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, in one embodiment, the electronic device M1further includes a third light source23and a fourth light source24. The third light source23is disposed on the second surface12of the substrate1. The third light source23faces a third direction X2. The third light source23provides a third light beam L3. The fourth light source24is disposed on the second surface12of the substrate1. The fourth light source24faces a fourth direction Y2. The fourth light source24provides a fourth light beam L4. The third direction X2is not parallel to the fourth direction Y2. The third light beam L3and the fourth light beam LA pass through the second section32. In one embodiment, the third direction X2is perpendicular to the fourth direction Y2.

With reference toFIG.2, in one embodiment, the first direction X1is parallel to the third direction X2, and the second direction Y1is opposite to the fourth direction Y2.

With reference toFIG.2, in one embodiment, the light guiding element3has a plane of symmetry P, and the substrate1is configured on the plane of symmetry P.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, in one embodiment, the light-indicating module M1further comprises a mounting plate41. The mounting plate41is connected to the substrate1. The mounting plate41is perpendicular to the substrate1. The light guiding element3is connected to the mounting plate41.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, in one embodiment, the mounting plate41comprises a first mounting portion411and a second mounting portion412. The light guiding element3comprises a first wedging portion33and a second wedging portion34. The first wedging portion33is formed on one end of the light guiding element3. The second wedging portion34is formed on the other end of the light guiding element3. The first wedging portion33is wedged against the first mounting portion411, and the second wedging portion34is wedged against the second mounting portion412.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, in one embodiment, the substrate1comprises a first notch131, and the mounting plate41passes through the first notch131.

FIG.3Ashows an appearance of a portion of the electronic device of the embodiment of the invention.FIG.3Bis an exploded view of a portion of the electronic device of the embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIGS.2,3A and3B, in one embodiment, the electronic device E further comprises a housing51and a lampshade52. The housing51has a window511. The lampshade52is disposed in the window511. The substrate1, the first light source21, the second light source22and the light guiding element3are disposed in the housing51. The light guiding element3corresponds to the lampshade52.

In one embodiment, the shape and relative position of the light guiding element3and the lampshade52can be properly designed to improve the uniformity of the light beams.

In one embodiment, the degree of opacity of the lampshade52is lower than the degree of opacity of the light guiding element3.

In one embodiment, the degree of dispersion of the lampshade52is lower than the degree of dispersion of the light guiding element3. Therefore, the lampshade52has a clear appearance.

In one embodiment, the light guiding element3can be doped with the diffusion agent. The light guiding element3can be made of plastic. The light guiding element3uniforms the light beams, and reduces bright bands and dark bands.

In one embodiment, the light guiding element3has increased transmittance to reduce light loss.

FIG.3Cis a modified embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIG.3C, in one embodiment, the light guiding element3further comprises a light-reduction region35. The light-reduction region35corresponds the first light source21and the third light source (not shown). The light-reduction region35is utilized to weaken the light by a non-smooth surface structure. In some embodiments, the non-smooth surface may include spherical, arcuate, or conical microstructures. The light-reduction region35can avoid bright spots.

FIG.4Ais an exploded view of a light-indicating module of a second embodiment of the invention.FIG.4Bis an assembled view of the light-indicating module of the second embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIGS.4A and4B, in one embodiment, the light-indicating module M2further comprises a first shielding plate421and a second shielding plate422. The first light source21and the second light source22are configured between the first shielding plate421and the second shielding plate422. The shielding plate421and the second shielding plate422are utilized to restrict the emission range of the light and prevent light leakage.

With reference toFIGS.4A and4B, in one embodiment, the substrate1′ comprises a second notch132. The first shielding plate421passes through the second notch132.

With reference toFIGS.4A and4B, in one embodiment, the first shielding plate421, the second shielding plate422and the mounting plate41′ are integrally formed. The extending direction of the first notch131is perpendicular to the extending direction of the second notch132.

In the electronic device of the embodiment of the invention, the first light source and the second light source are disposed directly on the mainboard (substrate), and the first light source and the second light source faces different directions. The first light beam and the second light beam pass through the light guiding element and provide the effect of strip lighting. Compared with the conventional art, the conventional light-source board is omitted. Therefore, the component cost is reduced and the assembly processes is simplified, and product reliability is improved.

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.