Building control device with a light guide configured for uniformly illuminating a graphical symbol that is visible to a user of the building control device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building control devices with user interface lighting assemblies face challenges in achieving improved performance and reduced manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a building control device design that includes a printed circuit board with control circuitry, an LCD display, and a plurality of LEDs. The device features an opaque plate with a translucent arc-shaped region and a light guide illuminated by the LEDs, which provides a diffuse light output visible through the arc-shaped region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guide is used to provide uniform illumination around the LCD display, then the visual appeal and information clarity are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the LED light source and the display surface. The light guide receives light from the LED and redistributes it uniformly across the arc-shaped region, achieving even illumination without requiring multiple LEDs or complex optical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide creates a distributed copy of the light source effect. Instead of using one LED directly visible to users, the light guide replicates the illumination across multiple points along the arc, giving the appearance of multiple light sources while using a single LED.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple LEDs are used to illuminate different regions of the display, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination area is segmented into different regions (arc-shaped region and LCD viewing window) that are illuminated by a single light source. The light guide is shaped to distribute light to multiple segments of the display area, achieving wide coverage without multiple LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The single LED and light guide assembly serves multiple functions: it illuminates the arc-shaped status indicator region and provides ambient lighting for the LCD viewing window, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate lighting systems.
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 design enhances the user interface by providing a visually appealing and informative lighting assembly that improves the overall performance of the building control device while potentially reducing manufacturing costs through efficient use of materials and components.
Implementation Method 1
A light guide is situated behind the opaque plate and is configured to be illuminated by the plurality of LEDs such that light from the light guide is visible through the at least translucent arc-shaped region of the opaque plate
Data Source
AI summary
A building control device includes a printed circuit board including control circuitry for controlling at least part of the building control device. An LCD display is operatively coupled to the printed circuit board and is controlled at least in part by the control circuitry of the printed circuit board. A plurality of LEDs are operatively coupled to the printed circuit board and are controlled at least in part by the control circuitry of the printed circuit board. An opaque plate defines an at least translucent arc-shaped region that extends around at least part of the LCD display. A light guide is situated behind the opaque plate and is configured to be illuminated by the plurality of LEDs such that light from the light guide is visible through the at least translucent arc-shaped region of the opaque plate.