Asymmetric Light Source Positioning for Uniform Mark Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electronic devices with light guide plates and light sources suffer from non-uniform luminance distribution, leading to uneven illumination of mark portions, resulting in locally high brightness areas that are not uniformly shining.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a light shield between the light source and the mark portion, with the light shield cutting off light from the source to prevent excessive brightness, and a rib to guide light to the peripheral portion, ensuring uniform illumination by adjusting the distance and reflectance of the light shield relative to the light source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the mark portion is positioned at the center of the light source, then the mark portion can be illuminated, but the luminance distribution becomes non-uniform with locally high brightness areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrightness of mark portionVSAvoiduniformity of illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the light source asymmetrically relative to the mark portion, specifically placing it closer to one end (first end) than the other (second end). This asymmetric positioning shifts the luminance distribution center away from the geometric center, allowing it to align with the mark portion center and achieve uniform illumination without local brightness hotspots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a light shield at a specific location between the light source and the mark portion to locally control light distribution. The light shield creates different optical paths for different regions, suppressing light intensity in areas that would otherwise be too bright while maintaining illumination in other areas, thereby achieving uniform overall illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If a light shield is introduced to suppress excessive brightness, then uniform illumination is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of illuminationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light shield is integrated with the housing structure rather than being a separate component. Specifically, the light shield forms part of the rear surface structure of the housing, merging the light shielding function with the structural housing elements and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light shield serves multiple functions: it shields excessive light to prevent local brightness, guides light toward the mark portion, and forms part of the structural housing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration achieves uniform shining of the mark portion by controlling light distribution, suppressing excessive brightness and enhancing light imperviousness, resulting in a more even and visually appealing illumination.

Implementation Method 1

The light guide plate is provided between the display and the rear surface, and illuminates the display by guiding light from the light source to the upper side from the lower side of the display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guiding: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a light shield located between the reflector plate and the mark portion, the light shield cutting off light from the light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a reflector plate located between each of the light source and the light guide plate and the rear surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4095435B1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP4095435B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4095435B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4095435B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device (100) includes a housing (10), a display (23), a light source (5), a light guide plate (24), and a mark portion (50). The housing includes a front surface (11) and a rear surface (12) opposite to the front surface. The display is provided on a side of the front surface of the housing and includes a first side (1) on a lower side and a second side (2) on an upper side. The light source is provided inside the housing and below the display. The light guide plate is provided between the display and the rear surface, and illuminates the display by guiding light from the light source upward from below the display. The mark portion is provided in the rear surface of the housing and includes a portion that shines as light from the light source passes therethrough. A lower end of the mark portion is defined as a first end (7) and an upper end of the mark portion is defined as a second end (8). When viewed in a direction from the rear surface toward the front surface, the light source is located between the first end and the second end, and a distance from the second end to the light source is longer than a distance from the first end to the light source.