Backlighting assembly for a keypad
A backlighting assembly for use in a keypad assembly. The backlighting assembly includes at least one light emitting source configured to emit light; and a light guide assembly configured to receive the emitted light and direct the light toward the at least one key. The light guide assembly includes both a light guide film and a light guide frame for directing light from the light source toward the key(s).
1. A keypad assembly comprising:
(a) at least one key;
(b) a deflection web comprising at least one actuator corresponding to the at least one key;
(c) at least one light emitting source configured to emit light;
(d) a light guide assembly configured to receive the emitted light and direct the light toward the at least one key; and
(e) wherein the light guide assembly comprises:
(i) a light guide film, and
(ii) a substantially rigid frame to guide light and to provide structural support.
2. The keypad assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light guide film is configured to direct the received light toward the at least one key.
3. The keypad assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame is further configured to provide structural support to the deflection web.
4. The keypad assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame is co-molded with the deflection web.
5. The keypad assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light guide film comprises a material having a high transmittance to visible light.
6. The keypad assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light guide frame is configured to receive the light and communicate the received light toward the at least one key.
7. The keypad assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light guide frame comprises a material having a high transmittance to visible light.
8. The keypad assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light guide film is configured to receive the emitted light and communicate the received light to the light guide frame.
9. The keypad assembly of claim 8 , wherein the light guide film comprises at least one micro feature configured for directing light toward the light guide frame.
10. The keypad assembly of claim 9 , wherein the at least one micro feature comprises an etched cavity.
11. The keypad assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one metal dome configured for operable engagement by the at least one key, and a dome overlay between the key and the metal dome.
12. The keypad assembly of claim 11 , wherein the shape of the light guide film substantially conforms to the shape of the dome overlay.
13. A backlighting assembly for a keypad assembly having at least one key, the backlighting assembly comprising:
(a) a deflection web comprising at least one actuator corresponding to the at least one key;
(b) at least one side firing light emitting source configured to emit light;
(c) a light guide assembly configured to receive the emitted light and direct the light toward the at least one key; and
(d) wherein the light guide assembly comprises:
(i) a light guide film, and
(ii) a substantially rigid light guide frame.
14. The backlighting assembly of claim 13 , wherein the light guide film is configured to direct the received light toward the at least one key.
15. The backlighting assembly of claim 13 , wherein the at least one side firing light emitting source comprises a light emitting diode.
16. The backlighting assembly of claim 13 , wherein the assembly is configured for use in a mobile device.
17. The backlighting assembly of claim 13 , wherein the light guide film is configured to receive the emitted light and communicate the received light to the light guide frame.
18. The backlighting assembly of claim 17 , wherein the light guide frame is configured to direct the communicated light toward the at least one key.
19. A method for providing backlighting for a keypad assembly having at least one key, the method comprising:
(a) providing a keypad assembly having at least one light emitting source, wherein the light emitting source is configured to emit light, the keypad assembly further having a deflection web comprising at least one actuator corresponding to the at least one key;
(b) providing a light guide assembly configured to receive the emitted light and to direct the received light toward the at least one key, wherein the light guide assembly comprises a light guide film and a substantially rigid light guide frame; and
(c) causing the light emitting source to emit light.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the light guide film is configured to receive the emitted light and communicate the received light to the light guide frame.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the light guide film is configured to direct the emitted light toward the at least one key.
22. A keypad assembly comprising:
at least one key;
at least one light emitting source configured to emit light;
a light guide assembly configured to receive the emitted light and direct the light toward the at least one key;
a deflection web comprising at least one actuator corresponding to the at least one key;
wherein the light guide assembly comprises:
a light guide film, and
a substantially rigid light guide frame;
wherein the light guide frame is configured to provide structural support to the deflection web; and
wherein the light guide frame is configured to receive the light and direct the light toward the at least one key.
23. The keypad assembly of claim 22 , wherein the light guide frame comprises a material having a high transmittance to visible light.
24. The keypad assembly of claim 22 , wherein the light guide film is configured to receive the emitted light and communicate the received light to the light guide frame.
25. The keypad assembly of claim 22 , wherein the light guide frame comprises at least one directional element configured for directing light toward the at least one key.