Button Assembly Backlighting with Curved Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backlit buttons in switching systems face challenges such as fixed sizes and locations, light leakage, and the presence of hot spots, which detract from aesthetics and readability, especially in low-light environments and when buttons of varying sizes and configurations are used.
Innovation Solution
A button assembly featuring a translucent interior material with an opaque front surface and a molded light guide that includes a light transmitting material and a reflector, designed to provide even illumination without hot spots, using a two-shot injection molding process for integration and snap-fit geometry for easy attachment, allowing for customizable backlighting across different button sizes and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional backlit buttons are used, then buttons can provide illumination, but hot spots and uneven illumination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide includes a curved illumination surface that curves outward from the light port. This curvature distributes light more evenly across the button surface, eliminating hot spots and achieving uniform illumination without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination surface has varying curvature at different locations to optimize light distribution. The surface curves outward at specific points to redirect light away from concentrated areas, creating locally optimized illumination zones that collectively achieve uniform overall illumination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are used to control various electrical devices, then device control functionality is provided, but aesthetics are degraded and user confusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly design with integrated light guide and curved illumination surface can be universally applied to buttons of various sizes and configurations. This standardized design provides consistent illumination quality across different button types, reducing visual complexity while maintaining versatile device control functionality.
3Loss of information
If text or symbols are included on buttons, then device identification is provided, but readability deteriorates in low light environments
Solution Approach 1:
The curved illumination surface is designed to distribute light evenly across the button surface before light reaches the text or symbols. This preliminary light distribution ensures that identification markings are evenly illuminated, improving readability in low light environments without requiring additional lighting components.
4Device complexity
If light guide with reflector is molded as integral part, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is manufactured using two-shot injection molding, where a light-transmitting material is first molded, then a reflective material is molded over it to form an integral structure. This composite manufacturing approach reduces assembly complexity while the molding process complexity is managed through established two-shot molding techniques.
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 solution enhances legibility and aesthetic appeal by providing consistent, even backlighting across buttons of various sizes and configurations, eliminating light leakage and hot spots, thus improving user navigation and visual clarity in low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Light entering the light port may be distributed evenly through the light guide without forming a hot spot of concentrated light
Implementation Method 2
The reflector may be a reflecting material such that a high percentage of light that interacts with the reflector is reflected towards the illumination surface rather than refracted through a back surface of the light guide
Implementation Method 3
The translucent interior material of the button may be a transparent plastic with a percentage of a diffusing agent to enhance distribution of light provided by the light guide within the button
Data Source
AI summary
A button assembly is described. The button assembly includes a button that includes a translucent interior material and an opaque front surface with at least one aperture through which light can pass. The button assembly also includes a light guide that includes a light transmitting material and a reflector. The light guide is a molded part where the light transmitting material is molded with the reflector as an integral part of the light guide. The light guide provides illumination to a back surface of the button.