Adapter Enclosure With Illuminated Icon Status Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adapters lack a visually appealing and functional way to indicate operational status, relying solely on static labels and signal lights.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with an illuminated icon is designed, featuring a backlight module, control module, and masking element, which work together to create a transparent area on the adapter's surface, allowing light to penetrate and form a visible icon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional adapter uses static labels and signal lights to indicate operational status, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the visual appeal and user experience are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using a backlight module that emits light through a transparent area of the enclosure, illuminating an icon printed on an inner surface. The icon changes from invisible or dimly visible to brightly illuminated based on operational status, providing visual feedback to users while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic that enhances user experience without significantly complicating manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a backlight module as an intermediary element between the power supply circuit and the visual indication system. This mediator converts electrical power into light, which then illuminates the icon through the transparent enclosure area, creating an elegant visual indication system that improves user experience while keeping the overall structure relatively simple
2Device complexity
If a conventional adapter uses signal lights to indicate operational status, then the structure is simple, but the visual appeal and information clarity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-source signal lights to a surface-based illumination system. By illuminating an icon across a transparent area of the enclosure rather than using discrete light points, the system provides richer visual information (different icons for different statuses) while maintaining structural simplicity. This dimensional shift from 0D/1D light sources to 2D surface illumination enhances information clarity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the visual indication function into distinct icons that can represent different operational statuses (e.g., charging, fully charged, error states). Each icon can be independently designed and illuminated, allowing for clear differentiation of information while using a single backlight module, thus maintaining structural simplicity while improving information clarity
3Ease of operation
If the adapter uses a transparent area with backlight module to create illuminated icon, then the visual appeal and information display are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight module serves multiple functions: it provides illumination for the icon, creates a modern aesthetic appearance, and can potentially indicate different operational states through varying illumination patterns or colors. The transparent area of the enclosure simultaneously serves as a structural element and an optical element for light transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still enhancing visual feedback quality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adapter effectively communicates its operational status through a visually appealing illuminated icon, enhancing user experience and aesthetics while maintaining functional reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The control module controls the backlight module to cause the light-emitting area to emit a plurality of light to irradiate the masking element, and part of the light extends through the masking element and penetrates the enclosure through the transparent area
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter includes an enclosure, a circuit module, a shielding element, a control module, a backlight module, and a masking element. The circuit module and the control module are arranged in the accommodating slot of the enclosure. The shielding element covers the circuit module and the control module is connected to the circuit module. The backlight module is located outside the shielding element and is connected to the control module. The wiring terminal of the backlight module is connected to the control module. The light-emitting area of the backlight module and the masking element are corresponds to the transparent area of the side surface of the enclosure. The control module controls the backlight module to cause the light-emitting area to emit light to irradiate the masking element, so that part of the light penetrates the enclosure through the transparent area and forms an illuminated icon.